Alayna Adair

State Representative John Tilley says he’s glad Governor Steve Beshear and others are discussing how to best protect the most vulnerable of Kentucky’s children and hopes even more work will get done during next year’s session of the General Assembly.

Tilley, who also serves as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, says he’s encouraged by the Governor’s willingness to make Kentucky an more forthcoming state when it comes to cases of children who die from alleged neglect or abuse, such as the local cases of 9-year old Amy Dye and 3-year old Alayna Adair.

“Well, I was pleased to see that he made the statement that transparency will be the rule because I do think a move toward greater transparency is what we’ve been trying to accomplish in the legislature for some time,” he said. “I also think he recognized that not every case and not every piece of information needs to be made public”

Even so, Representative Tilley says he would encourage the Governor to go a little further—to allow other qualified eyes to look into a case before the worst could possibly happen.

“A greater number of people who can look into a case as it’s proceeding—not just social workers but prosecutors and judges. I think to give them a look into a case provides another layer of protection for the children.”

Tilley says he believes there is bi-partisan support across Kentucky for reforms, which he believes should include finding a way to lessen the workload on state social workers, who have caseloads well above what is recommended.

“We’re going to have to find a way to lessen the caseload per worker so they can actually concentrate on these cases. These are serious, serious matters with children’s lives at stake and the stability of families at stake so there’s got to be a better way to do this.”

Representative Tilley says he believes issues such as these are proof that “across the board” budget cuts can not work in Kentucky and that the General Assembly will have to make the tough decisions on where to and where not to spend money in the upcoming session. He would like to see new social workers hired to lessen the load, but isn’t sure that will be possible.

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11/30/2011/am

State Police have identified the victim of a fatal single-vehicle wreck in Lyon County from yesterday.

Trooper Dean Patterson said 37-year old Chasity Hobbs of Princeton was pronounced dead on the scene Tuesday morning just before 10 after she ran off Kentucky Highway 730 and struck a tree.

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11/30/2011/am

A wrecker retrieves the vehicle over a guard rail/photo by Adam May

Black ice on the roadway led to a single-vehicle wreck on the 1682 bypass this morning that claimed the life of a Greenville Road woman.

The incident happened around 7:40 at the bridge just west of Greenville Road, as described by Christian County Sheriff’s Sgt. Phil Wallace.

“The pickup truck was traveling west on Kentucky 1682 when as they crossed the bridge they hit a patch of ice, causing the driver to lose control. He hit the guard rail, hit a steep embankment and hit the creek embankment before coming to final rest,” he said.

Christian County Coroner Dorris Lamb identified the victim as 62-year old Karen “Joyce” Gibson of Greenville Road. Driving the vehicle was her husband, Bill Gibson, who was taken first to Jennie Stuart Medical Center and then by helicopter to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Bill Gibson is listed in stable condition at Vanderbilt.

At the time of her death, Ms. Gibson was employed by Jennie Stuart Medical Center.

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Lobbins                                             Caldwell

Two inmates have reportedly escaped from the Robertson County, Tennessee jail.

The men are identified by authorities as 26-year old Jessie Lewis Lobbins and 29-year old Joshua Caldwell. They escaped sometime during the early morning hours and are considered dangerous with a propensity to violence.

Lobbins is a black male, standing about 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing approximately 156 pounds. Caldwell is a white male standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing approximately 136 pounds.

If you see either inmate or know of there whereabouts, you are encouraged to contact the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office at 615-384-4911.

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11/30/2011/am

Rachel Westerman

Officials at Hopkinsville Community College have hired a new manager of external education programs.

A news release from the school on North Drive says Rachel Westerman will take over those duties tomorrow. Ms. Westerman is a Christian County native and was most recently the Pennyroyal Hospice director of business development.

She is a 2006 graduate of Murray State University, where she obtained a bachelor of science degree in organizational communications and a minor in art.

Ms. Westerman’s primary duties will center on the Rotary Schoalrs Program, which will begin in the fall of next year. The program will allow academically qualifying graduates of high schools in Christian County to attend HCC at no charge to them, thanks to the efforts of the Rotary Club.

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11/30/2011/am