March News Briefs
By Jim Turner

3/31/2013

Death claims retired businessman Bob Guion

One of Russellville’s most respected businessmen and civic leaders died Friday. Bob Guion, 83, was founder of Bilt-Rite Industries, which was located adjacent to Russellville High School, and a founding partner in ABC Supply. He was an original board member of First Federal Savings and Loan and served one year as its president. He was a founding director of the local airport, served a decade on the Russellville school board and was president of the Chamber of Commerce. In his later years, he was a familiar sight, walking in downtown Russellville for hours at a time, often picking up trash along the way. He and his wife Joyce have been hosts of a Kiddie Parade beginning at their home every Fourth of July for decades. They have four children, Carol Switzer, Janice Threlkeld, Julie Steele and Andy Guion. Funeral services will be at the United Methodist Temple in Russellville Saturday at 3 p.m. Visitation will be at the church from 1-3 p.m.

3/31/2013

First graduates of LCHS to hold reunion

The 30^th anniversary reunion of Logan County High School’s first graduating class in 1983 will be held June 22 from 6-11 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus lodge on Searcy Way in Bowling Green. Cost of dinner and entertainment is $30 per person/$60 per couple before May 1 and $10 more per person after that. Send payments to either Kim Edwards (1254 Wintercress Lane, BG 42104) or Finley Woodard (2818 Laurelstone Lane, BG 42104) and make the check payable to whichever woman it is sent to. Anyone with questions can email LCHS1983reunion@yahoo.com.

3/29/2013

Concerned Citizens conducting road blocks

Representatives of the Concerned Citizens of Logan County will be conducting road blocks Friday and Saturday on Main and Ninth streets in Russellville to collect donations for their tutorial program. They are asking donors to help them make a difference in children's lives.

3/24/2013

Lady Panthers beat Hoptown to end streak

The Russellville Lady Panthers broke a 40-game losing streak in softball Saturday, beating Hopkinsville 7-5 in the third game of the Lady Rebel Invitational in Elkton. It was the first varsity win for Coach Greg Meacham, who took the helm last year. The Lady Panthers had been outscored 48-1 in their first six games this year before losing 7-2 to West Creek in the middle game Saturday. Then came the win, the second in the last 80 games for RHS softball. Hoptown is scheduled to host the Lady Panthers in a rematch Monday. Twelve of the 16 players on the roster are freshmen or younger.

3/24/2013

Gooch records 26th double-double in loss

Chastity Gooch, a long-time rival of the Logan County Lady Cougars and Russellville Lady Panthers in 13th District play, recorded her 26th double-double of the season Sunday by scoring 19 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, but her WKU Lady Toppers lost in the second round of the Women's National Invitational Tournament 84-66 at Auburn University. Alexis Govan scored 23 and Bianca McGee 16 for the Lady Toppers, who put together the biggest two-season turnaround in Sun Belt Conference history by improving from a 9-21 mark last year to 22-11 in Coach Michelle Clark-Heard's first year at the helm of her alma mater. Meanwhile the Sun Belt's entry in the NCAA Tournament, Middle Tennessee, was pounded by the University of Louisville 74-49 at the YUM Center.

3/23/2013

Gettings pitches Logan to win over Glasgow

Behind a complete-game, 1-hit pitching performance by Blake Gettings, the Logan County Cougars beat Glasgow 6-0 Saturday. Coach Ethan Meguiar's team ran its record to 4-2 going into Tuesday's district opener against Coach Greg Shelton's Russellville Panthers at Kelly Russell Field Tuesday. Shelton's Panthers fell 11-0 Saturday to a Barren County team coached by Johnny Vance, who was Shelton's pitching coach at Franklin-Simpson. The Panthers will take a 5-4 record into Tuesday's Clash of the Cats.

3/22/2013

Adairville Cornhole Series starts Saturday

A series of cornhole tournaments is scheduled to start Saturday in downtown Adairville. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the tournament at 10 a.m. Other dates will be April 13, May 18, June 15, July 13, Aug. 17. Sept. 14 and Oct. 19. Contact Mayor Donna Blake for information.

3/22/2013

FFA raffling freezer & choice beef

The Logan County FFA Chapter is selling raffle tickets for a 5-foot cubic freezer provided by Crabtree Furniture and 115 pounds of retail meat cuts (1/4 of a USDA Inspected/Vacuum Packaged beef provided by Campbell’s Choice Cuts). The total prize value is $750. Tickets are $5 each; to purchase a ticket contact an FFA member/ All proceeds benefit Logan County FFA Member Senior Scholarships, according to Chapter Reporter Taylor Tinsley.

3/20/2013

Some Logan roads closed for high water

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced late Tuesday night these Logan County roads were closed because of dangerously high water:
• KY 3201/Quality Road is closed between mile markers 0-1.
• KY 107/Deerlick Road is closed between mile markers 4-5.
• KY 1308/Trimble Road is closed between mile markers 0-1.
•KY 1153 is closed between mile markers 4-5

3/17/2013

Friends, fans welcome Greg Shelton home

Friends of new Russellville baseball coach Greg Shelton have sent a "Welcome Home, Greg Shelton" message to him through a paid tribute page on The LoJo. A Lewisburg native and the son of Hattie Ruth Shelton of Lewisburg and the late Chandlers principal Morris Shelton, the former WKU pitcher's first coaching job was the Russellville Post 29 American Legion team. He went on to coach Franklin-Simpson High School to great success, including a state championship. After retirement, he was highly successful at Beech High School in Tennessee before coming home to follow another Hall of Fame coach, the retiring Lou Kendall, at RHS. To see the tribute, click on the block at right.

3/14/2013

Preregistration for Russellville preschool to be held Tuesday

Preregistration for the Kaye W. Wilkins Preschool Program next year will be held at the school, which adjoins Stevenson Elementary School, on Tuesday, March 19, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Parents of a child who hasn’t previously attended Stevenson should bring the following documents if possible: eye examination, official copy of the child’s birth certificate, school physical, up-to-date immunization record and the child’s Social Security card. Early Childhood Education is a half-day program that provides transportation and lunch for eligible 3– and 4– year olds, but children who are 2-and-a-half may go through the screening process. For more information call Linda Shelton at (270) 726-8405

3/13/2013

Auburn Councilwoman Jessie Duer dies

Auburn Councilwoman Jessie Duer died Saturday in Florida where she had been battling cancer at the home of her daughter, Olivia Nelson, and her family. Mrs. Duer was a pioneer in emergency medical services in Auburn and Logan County. She was one of the state’s first female paramedics and was the first paramedic serving in Logan County. She was at one time director of the Auburn Ambulance Service. She and husband Jimmy Duer, who died last summer, were co-founders of Auburn Nursing Center and owned Auburn Drug Company for many years. She was in her second term on the council. In addition to Mrs. Nelson, she is survived by another daughter, Jamie Arney of Franklin, a son, James Duer of Nashville, eight grandchildren, and four siblings. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. this Saturday at Young Funeral Home, Auburn Chapel.

3/13/2013

Deerlick Road closed for high water

Deerlick Road (KY 107) in North Logan has been closed between mile markers 4 and 5 today because of high water, Keirsten Jaggers of the Kentucky Department of Highways reports. Beechland Road (KY 1153) was closed early this morning for the same reason but had been reopened by 8:30 a.m.

3/12/2013

Former RHS guard to coach at state

Former Russellville Lady Panthers point guard Jessica Timberlake Leddington will be coaching in the girls state basketball tournament at Diddle Arena in Bowling Green this week. She is an assistant coach for the 13th Region champion Corbin Lady Redhounds, who will play Shelby Valley at 8 p.m. Wednesday. She is the daughter of Ron and Paula Timberlake of Logan County. Fourth Region champion Bowling Green faces top-ranked Marion County in the opening game of the tournament.

3/10/2013

Faith-based youth Workcamp planned this summer to do home repairs

Colorado-based Reach Workcamps will bring a group of young people and their adult leaders to Logan County the week of June 17-21 to make repairs for homeowners who need assistance. The faith-based organization will choose approximately 25 homes for repairs including painting, steps, handrails, porches, wheelchair ramps, roofs, drywall, gutters/rainspouts and floorings. Homes must be located within 20 miles of Russellville, according to Concerned Citizens Executive Director Doris Vick. This will be the first of eight camps in six states for the organization. Anyone who would like to be considered for home repair during this camp should fill out an application at the Concerned Citizens headquarters on the first floor of the KP Hall on East Fifth Street in Russellville. The applications are now available.

3/8/2013

LoJo plans Greg Shelton tribute page

The Logan Journal is planning a “Welcome Home Greg Shelton” tribute page next week in honor of the Lewisburg native and former Franklin-Simpson Hall of Fame baseball coach who is beginning his first season as coach of the Russellville Panthers. Names of individuals, families or businesses can be added to the page for a small fee. Any old friends and/or Panther supporters who would like to be a part of this tribute are asked to contact The LoJo for information at jimturner@loganjournal.com or call 270-772-1544 by Monday.

3/6/2013

House Committee passes hemp bill

In a nearly unanimous vote, the House Agriculture Committee passed Senate Bill 50, Sen. Paul Hornback's industrial hemp bill supported by Agriculture Commissioner James Comer. Comer gave credit to the people of Kentucky for the victory.
"Kentuckians have said very clearly that they want jobs, and industrial hemp has the potential to create many jobs in this state," Comer said. "I'm thankful to my former colleagues on the House Ag Committee for listening to their constituents, and I urge House leadership to move this bill to the floor for a vote as soon as possible." Senate Bill 50 creates an administrative framework for industrial hemp production in Kentucky. The bill passed the Senate by a convincing 31-6 vote last month.

3/5/2013

Logan-Todd House district would stay intact

The Kentucky House State Government Committee Tuesday afternoon approved House Bill 2, the redistricting plan designed by House Democrats but reportedly with input from some of the area caucuses, according to Kentucky Press Association Executive Director David Thompson. The plan would leave District 16 consisting primarily of Logan and Todd counties with a small portion of Warren County added. Last year when a redistricting plan was approved, Representatives Martha Jane King of Logan County and Jim DeCesare of Warren County planned to run against each other for state senate, but that plan was thrown out by a higher courrt. In November, Whitney Westerfield of Christian County was elected to a four-year term in the Senate from the existing district while King and DeCesare were reelected in their current districts. DeCesare's proposed new district would include two more incumbent representatives, C.B. Emry Jr of Butler County and Michael Merideth of Edmonson, Hart & LaRue counties. All three are Republicans.

3/4/2013

Site needed to store food, supplies for needy

Concerned Citizens of Logan County had to turn down a donation of 48 casses of frozen food Monday because of not having a place to store them before disribution. Executive Director Doris Vick said Freed the Children offered the food for Logan Countians, but Concerned Citizens has no place to house that much food. "There are a lot of hungry children in Russellville who need that food, but we have to be able to store it," she says. "We share foods and other items with Good Samaritan and other organizations, but no one is able to store this much. We know Feed the Children will offer us more food again, and we want to be prepared." Anyone who has a suggestion for such a place where food, firewood and other donations can be stored is asked to contact Vick at 725-8721.

3/3/2013

Central holds off Lakers, win region

Warren Central built a 10-point lead, saw it slip away, and held on for a 56-48 win over Coach Willie Feldhaus' Russell County team in the 4th Region boys finals at Diddle Arena Sunday afternoon. After the Lakers cut the lead to one, Coach William Unseld's Dragons controlled the last couple of minutes of the game. Russell County had edged the Russellville Panthers in Friday's semifinals.

3/1/2013

Russell County edges Russellville at region

Tyler Robertson lived up to his Fourth Region Player of the Year honors Friday to lead Russell County to a 72-69 win over Russellville in the regional semifinals. He scored 38 points, aided by 8 of 10 free throw shooting in the final quarter. The Lakers scored nine straight points late in third quarter to take a 52-44 lead. Coach Phil Todd's Panthers made a determined comeback and cut the lead to one twice on free throws by Josh Hampton and Barrett Croslin's fifth 3-pointer of the game. But Christian Naylor & Jordan Kennedy both fouled out, and Robertson kept scoring. Croslin finished with 23 points, Kennedy 15, Naylor 11 and Hampton 10. Darrion Quarles & Zach Hines contributed significantly on the boards and defense, but they couldn't quite reach the finals. Blake Ellis scored 10 for the Lakers.

3/1/2013