The Christian County Board of Education held a special-called meeting tonight and met with a Kentucky Board of Education Association consultant to finalize plans to find the school district’s next Superintendent.
Grover “Butch” Canty spoke to school board members about his role and what to expect during the hiring process of a Superintendent.
Canty also told school board members that a screening committee needed to be created within the next thirty days and that the committee should consist of two teachers, a parent, a classified person and a school board member.
After a screening committee has been created, the first joint meeting with school board members is scheduled to take place on May 16^th.
Canty then went on to say that the position has already been posted as of March 1^st and will applications will be accepted through May 15^th.
During the special-called meeting, school board members decided to have a new Superintendent by June 22^nd and have Board Chairman Barry Cornelius act as the board’s spokesperson during the search process.
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A Hopkinsville crisis relief center that is known to help hundreds of individuals get back on their feet each year is in need of donations.
Aaron McNeil House Executive Director Kurt Anderson says pantry shelves at the organization are beginning to empty and he is hoping the public will help fill them up to ensure local families won’t go hungry.

According to Anderson, making food donations are not the only way the public can help out the organization.

Anderson went on to say that if it wasn’t for the generosity of the community, the local crisis relief center would not be able to assist families in need with basic needs including food, housing, utilities, and medication.
If you would like to donate or volunteer at the Aaron McNeil House contact 270-886-9734.
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If recent severe weather has taught us anything, it is that we should always be prepared in case disaster strikes.

Officials with the Pennyrile Citizens Corps Council say creating disaster kits are a great way to prepare for any situation.
Regional Operations Officer Frank Brown says having a disaster kit may one day save your life, especially during an emergency situation and encourages local citizens to create several kits to be placed inside their home and car
Brown also suggests using a waterproof container to store essential items like extra food, water, clothing, medication, a battery operated radio, a flash light.
For more disaster preparedness tips, contact Brown directly at 270-885-1530
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State Representative John Tilley held a news conference at the Christian County Justice Center this morning regarding proposed legislation which would ban synthetic drugs and create harsh penalties for businesses who sell them.

Previous laws were ineffective because the chemists who create the drugs that mimic the effects of common narcotics would just change a molecule or two in the recipe and skirt around the legislation.

Representative Tilley says this year’s bill is more broad and wide-sweeping, though it is expected to hold up against legal challenges.

Hopkinsville Police Chief Guy Howie named several instances when his officers have dealt with the problem and said it is growing as an issue in Hopkinsville and across the country.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Lynn Pryor says synthetic drugs are a problem in every race, age group and part of society, so this legislation is very much needed.

The bill is expected to pass both chambers and to be signed by the governor, though Mayor Dan Kemp and Christian County Attorney Mike Foster asked residents to contact their state senator to encourage him to support the legislation. Representative Tilley thanked Representative Myron Dossett and State Senator Joey Pendelton for their help and support in the fight against synthetic drugs, with Dossett in attendance.

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03/05/2012/am

Hazel                                      Pascoe                   Smith

An incident at the Princess Theater Saturday morning led to the arrests of three Fort Campbell soldiers.

The report from Hopkinsville Police Officer Edward Eastman says he was on foot patrol at 9^th and Main just after midnight and heard what seemed to be a disturbance next to the Princess Theater.

He writes that he found 27-year old Patrick Hazel of North Charleston, South Carolina being told by a bouncer that he needed to leave the area. When told by police that he should leave to avoid going to jail, Hazel reportedly said “yes sir,” but that’s also when 22-year old Sharon Pascoe of White Cloud, Michigan allegedly ran and pushed Officer Eastman, saying “get off of him.”

Officer Eastman attempted to physically subdue Pascoe, but she allegedly kicked and punched him while a third suspect—26-year old Tiffany Smith of Capitol Heights, Maryland also allegedly became physically involved in the altercation.

Sgt. Mike Felts showed up for backup and police had to use a taser on Hazel after he allegedly used physical force on Felts. More officers showed up and police were eventually able to subdue all three and arrest them on assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and being drunk in public charges.

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03/05/2012/am