1/31/2016

Seniors lead Logan girls past Apollo, go to 16-4

Torrie Polard scored 23 points and added 5 steals, 2 each of assists and deflections and a blocked shot while Brooke Barnes had a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds plus 3 blocked shots and 2 defections as the Logan County Lady Cougars beat Owensboro Apollo 54-49 on the road Saturday. Taleia Mason contributed 7 points, 5 steals and 3 each of assists and deflections. Rachel Barnett chipped in 5 points and 6 rebounds. The fifth senior, Cierra Johnson, scored the other 5 points along with 4 rebounds, 3 blocked shots and 2 deflections. Coach Finley Baird’s team improved to 16-4 overall.

1/29/2016

Adairville sweeps Friday games; full slate of

middle school tournament games set Saturday

Four games will be played Saturday in the Logan County Middle School Basketball Tournament. Olmstead, the defending champions in both the girls and boys divisions, are top seeded again, based on season play. The Lady Rams will play Friday night winner Adairville at 10 a.m. and the Rams will take on the Adairville Lady Cardinals, who also beat Chandlers Friday, at noon Saturday. The other two games match Auburn and Lewisburg. In the 2 p.m. girls game, the Lady Rangers are the number 2 seed and Auburn #3. In the 4 p.m. boys game, the Tigers are the second seed and Lewisburg is number 3. The semifinals will be played Monday night and the championship games Tuesday. All games are at Logan County High.

1/29/2016

RHS goes into lockdown

after school during police chase

From Russellville High Principal Kim McDaniel: At approximately 3:40 this afternoon, the Logan County Sheriff's Dept. attempted to make a traffic stop on 9th street. The car pulled into our school parking lot. At this point, one individual exited the car and ran across the street to the shopping center parking lot. The other individual exited the vehicle and ran through the back school parking lot. At this point, the officers began a foot chase and caught the individual near Herndon Road. 
One of our assistant principals witnessed this event and initiated school lockdown procedures to ensure the all of the remaining students and staff members on campus were safely within the building. The building was locked as it always is at all times, our students and staff members were in secured areas and the individual never gained entrance to any of our buildings and never had access to our students. After the police department verified that both individuals were in custody, we resumed normal activity. 
Thanks to our local police agencies for their quick response to the situation.

1/27/2016

Rosser's free throws clinch

Logan win at Clarksville Northeast

Senior Garrison Rosser only scored two points, but they were big ones. His free throws clinched win at Clarksville Northeast for the Logan County Cougars recently. Noah Whittinghill scored 23 points with Lorenzo Garcia & Mykal Hampton adding 11 each. Rosser only took one shot besides the free throws, but had 3 assists. Garcia had 3 steals and Hampton 2 for Coach Lonnie Mason's team.

1/26/2016

Sen. Westerfield unopposed; trio

seeking office of state representative

One each of contested races in a primary and the general election will determine Logan County's representation in the next General Assembly. Incumbent Sen. Whitney Westerfield of Christian County is unopposed for reelection in both the Republican primary and in November. Incumbent Rep. Martha Jane King is not opposed in the Democratic primary but will face the winner of the Republican primary between Ami Brooks of Logan County and Jason Petrie of Todd County in the General Election. Filing ended in Frankfort Tuesday.

1/26/2016

Albert Head challenging council incumbents

There will be a contested election for the next two-year term of Russellville City Council, but it won't happen until the November General Election. Seven people had filed for the six non-partisan seats when the filing deadline passed Tuesday. To require a primary, a minimum of 13 candidates would have been required. Those running are challenger Albert Head and incumbents Pat Walpole Bell, Jimmy Davenport, Darlene Gooch, Sandra Kinser, Jack Whipple & Larry Wilcutt.

1/26/2016

Bibb to help RHS football

Modern Woodmen of America and District Agent Donald Bibb will sponsor a matching fund project for the Russellville High School football team on Friday, Feb. 12, during the Russellville-Todd County district basketball games. Chili supper will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the RHS cafeteria. Chili supper will be by donations and concessions will be regular price during games.

1/25/2016

City schools going 1-hour late

Russellville Independent Schools will be operating on a one hour delay on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Buses will be running their regular routes except the trailer park on the Emerson By-pass. Parents at the park are asked to take their children to the entrance of the trailer park for bus pick up. Breakfast will not be served tomorrow. All staff members should report to the school by 8 a.m., says Principal Kim McDaniel.

1/25/2016

Logan-Barren games to be played

From Logan County Athletic Director Greg Howard: The games scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 26 (Girl/Boy) against Barren County will be played. The games will be held at LCHS with the girls game starting at 6 p.m. and the boys approximately.20 minutes after the first game ends.

1/25/2016

Panthers' game canceled tonight

Athletic Director Calvin Head has announced that Monday's Russellville Panthers JV/V games at Christian County have been canceled.

1/24/2016

City schools closed again Monday

From Superintendent Leon Smith: "There will be not school in Russellville Independent on Monday, Jan. 25. Hopefully we can return on Tuesday."

1/22/2016

Lady Panther games canceled;

Auburn games moved to Monday

From Russellville Athletic Director Calvin Head: Saturday’s archery tournament has been canceled. Saturday’s girls games at Clinton County Saturday afternoon have been canceled. Monday’s girls doubleheader at Warren East has been canceled because of weather-related scheduling. Friday’s Auburn-at-Russellville middle school doubleheader has been rescheduled for Monday. It will be 8^th Grade Night.

1/21/2016

City superintendent explains

decision to cancel school Friday

From Russellville Superintendent Leon Smith: "We are under a Winter Weather Warning starting at 1 a.m. tonight through 7 a.m. on Saturday. The National Weather Service predicts 5 to 9 inches of snow with high confidence in winter storm occurrence with major impacts tonight through Saturday morning. Even if we do not have snow on the ground by tomorrow morning, we would be facing potential heavy snowfall in a short of amount of time when it begins and would create a dangerous situation in getting our students and staff home safely. This is the rationale for making an early decision for the cancellation of schools in Russellville on Friday, Jan. 22."

1/21/2016

Whittinghill leads Logan by AC-S

Senior Noah Whittinghill scored 25 points to lead the Logan County Cougars to a 51-45 win over Allen County-Scottsville last week. He hit 11 of 15 free throws and 7 of 14 shots from the field. Fellow guards Austin Rayno & Garrison Rosser each scored 8 points while Sedale Shannon, Jack Wright & Taylor Owens also scored. Preston Clarke led the Patriots with 12 points and Lucas Wood & Cullen Carver 8 each for the Patriots. Coach Lonnie Mason’s Cougars also beat Clarksville Northeast but there has been no report from the team on scoring or key plays.

1/21/2016

Logan basketball games canceled

Friday night’s district doubleheader with visiting Franklin-Simpson has been postponed until Tuesday, Feb. 9, according to Logan County Athletic Director Greg Howard. Additionally, the girls JV tournament at Todd Central has been canceled as has a boys JV/V doubleheader at Hopkins County Central.

1/20/2016

Younger Logan games off Thursday

With schools out Thursday, Cougar and Lady Cougar freshmen and JV games have been canceled tomorrow night, Athletic Director Greg Howard has announced.

1/20/2016

Bradshaw scores 34 in victory,

Hoptown game postponed

Outscoring visiting Muhlenberg County 28-13 in the fourth quarter, Russellville won 92-72 Tuesday. Pedro Bradshaw scored 12 of his game-high 34 points in that period. Jaylyn McMurry & Jason Mitchell each scored 13 while Micah Naylor & Shon Kees added 9 each for Coach Phil Todd’s team, which is ranked third in the region. Bradshaw went a sparkling 16 of 16 at the line as RHS finished 22 of 25 there. Noah McElwain scored 28 for Muhlenberg with Austin Sailing adding 12 and Clayton Stovall & Will Nofsinger 10 each. Athletic Director Calvin Head has announced Thursday’s game with highly regarded Hopkinsville has been postponed because of the weather.

1/20/2016

City schools closed again Thursday

From Russellville Superintendent Leon Smith: "There will be no school in Russellville Independent on Thursday, Jan. 21. We will be watching the next storm system on Thursday night."

1/20/2016

Huffman elected to FSA Committee

Marcus Huffman of Auburn has been elected to represent LAA3 on the USDA Farm Service Agency's County Committee. Kenneth Martin of Auburn will serve as first alternate. Other Committee members are Lynn Dawson, Warren David Wright, and Bobby Joe Miles.

1/20/2016

Feb. 15 first city school make-up day

From Russellville Superintendent Leon Smith: "I hope everyone is enjoying our first snow day. While a snow day is nice, it comes with consequences, please note that Feb. 15 is our first make-up day. We will be in school on Monday, Feb. 15. Should we need additional make-up days, we have one more in our calendar, March 25. If we miss more than two days, we will start adding on the end of the year in May. 

1/18/2016

Logan coach Beckner named

to Warren Central Hall of Fame

Retired Logan County High School teacher/coach David Beckner has been named to the Warren Central Athletic Hall of Fame. Beckner coached golf and football at LCHS and was a member of the coaching staff of the Cougar state championship basketball team. In a release from Warren County schools, Beckner is described as a "multi-sport athlete who earned all-conference or all-district in three different sports. Beckner was an all-district basketball player two years and later played for WKU. In football, he was an all-conference quarterback in 1969 and 1970. In baseball, he batted over .300 for his career and was all-district in 1970 and 1971."

1/17/2016

Taleia Mason leads Lady Cougars

past Coach Tracey Mason's team

Taleia Mason showed she is back from her injury Friday in leading the Logan County Lady Cougars to a 64-43 win over Clarksville Northeast. The senior guard totaled 16 points and 5 assists while hitting 7 of 11 field goal attempts. Fellow senior guard Torrie Pollard had 11 points, 7 assists and 2 steals. Senior center Brooke Barnes had 10 points and 9 rebounds and senior forward Rachel Barnett grabbed 8 rebounds. The fifth senior, Cierra Johnson, added 7 points and 2 assists. Northeast is coached by former Lady Cougar and APSU star Tracey Mason.

1/16/2016

Purples' free throws edge RHS

The region’s top-ranked team, Bowling Green, hit 12 of 14 free throws in the fourth quarter to edge the visiting Russellville Panthers 75-68 Saturday. Perry Ayers scored 17 for the Purples by hitting 13 of 14 free throws while Kyron Jones and Dee Wilson added 12 each for Coach D.G. Sherill’s team. In between Terry Taylor scored 15. For Russellville, Pedro Bradshaw scored 17 with Jacob Naylor and Jaylin McMurry adding 14 each. BGH hit 31 of 38 free throws while Russellville was just 12 of 21 at the line.

1/15/2016

Franklin teams at RHS tonight

Franklin-Simpson will bring its basketball teams to Russellville tonight to play the Lady Panthers and Panthers. Coach Calvin Head's RHS girls can go a long way toward securing a top two seed in the district tournament with a victory over Coach David Clark's Lady Cats. The boys teams are among the top in the region, and Coach Dee Spencer's Wildcats feature the region's top-ranked player, Tavin Lovan. Coach Phil Todd also has a highly regarded junior in Pedro Bradshaw. Head has announced that the state semifinalist Panther football team will be honored between games. The games will be carried on WRUS.

1/15/2016

Library book sale next weekend

The Friends of the Library are having their annual book sale Friday, Jan. 22, Saturday, Jan. 23. and Sunday. Jan. 24, in the program room at the Logan County Public Library during library hours. There will be a preview sale for Friends members only on Thursday, Jan. 21, from 2-7 pm. If you are not a member of the Friends or have not renewed for 2016, you may do so at the door. Membership is $10 a calendar year. Book prices are $1 for hardbacks, 50 cents for paperbacks, and $1 for CD's & DVD's. Saturday is half-price day; and Sunday all remaining books are $1 a bag. Bags will be provided.  

1/10/2016

Lady Cougars beat Greenwood

by 20 for 8th straight win

Continuing their winning ways, the Logan County Lady Cougars beat Greenwood with ease 72-52 Saturday in Bowling Green. In addition to those who usually dominate the statistics, Logan Williamson scored 9 points, hit a pair of 3-pointers, and had 2 steals. Rachel Barnett scored 20, Torrie Pollard 16, and Brooke Barnes 10. Barnes made it a double-double with 10 rebounds. Pollard had 3 each of steals and assists plus 2 each of blocked shots and deflections while hitting three 3 –pointers and 7 of 8 free throws. The win was the 11^th in the last 12 games for Coach Finley Baird’s team.

1/10/2016

R'ville Hall of Fame to induct 4 new members on Friday, Feb. 5

The four inductees into the Russellville Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Fame for 2016 have been announced by Greg Owens on his R Club Facebook page. They are football-basketball-track standout Rodney Gordon, soccer-basketball-baseball multi-letterman and former athletic director Nathan Thompson, two-time state golf champion Nikki Koller, and retired coach and Special Olympics director Tom Thompson. They will be inducted during the Clash of the Cats on Feb. 5. The LoJo will report on the qualifications of these inductees in the next few weeks.

1/9/2016

Bandits to play at RHS tonight

The Bowling Green Bandits professional basketball team will hold Russellville Community Night tonight (Saturday) at Jim Young Gymnasium at Russellville High School, beginning at 6 p.m. The opponent will be the Columbus Blackhawks. The Bandits (who took their name as a tribute to Logan County icon Jesse James) feature Corey Wilford, who scored 90 points in two games. Tickets are $6. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Lady Panther softball team.

1/9/2016

Logan teams sweep Todd

Logan County won both games of a district doubleheader at home Friday, but they did it in different fashions. The Lady Cougars dodged a bullet in edging Todd Central 36-32. The Cougars led by nine after a quarter, 14 at the half, and 24 after three quarters on the way to a 72-52 win. Watch The LoJo for more details.

1/7/2016

Russellville board meetings

next 2 months to be at the schools

The regular Jan. 19 meeting of the Russellville Independent Board of Education will be held in the library at Russellville Junior/ Senior High School, beginning at 6 p.m. The regular Feb. 16 meeting will be held in the Stevenson Elementary School library, beginning at the scheduled time of 6 p.m.  Beginning in March, board meetings will move back to the Central Office.

1/5/2016

Eagles fly past Panthers 58-46

Ohio County outscored the visiting Russellville Panthers 22-12 in the second quarter and 31-18 in the first half Tuesday. RHS took the second half by a point, which was far from enough. The Eagles won 58-46.Conner Wilson led the winners with 17 points while Ross Tichner added 15 and Dylan Decker 12. For RHS, Pedro Bradshaw scored 8 of his 19 points in the third quarter. Micah Naylor added 10 and his younger brother Jacob 9.

1/5/2016

South Warren beats Cougars

South Warren beat the Logan County Cougars 68-49 Tuesday after getting out to a 17-2 start. The Cougars cut the lead to single digits late in the third quarter on a Mykal Hampton goal, assisted by Noah Whittinghill. But Dayton Gumm hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the Spartans. Logan lowered the deficit to nine again on five quick points by Austin Rayno, but they never got closer. Gumm scored 21, Brandon Stacker 17 and Dylan Beckham 16 for Coach Tony Hopper’s Spartans. For Logan, Lorenzo Garcia totaled 18, Whittinghill 17 and Rayno 9.

1/4/2016

Chamber gathering offered

Thursday morning at CRI

The Logan County Chamber of Commerce will hold a Coffee & Networking session Thursday morning from 7:30-8:30 at Carr, Riggs & Ingram accounting firm.

1/3/2016

BG Bandits at RHS Saturday

The Bowling Green Bandits professional basketball team will hold Russellville Community Night Saturday at Jim Young Gymnasium at Russellville High School, beginning at 6 p.m. The opponent will be the Columbus Blackhawks. Tickets can be purchased at RHS for $6. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Lady Panther softball team.

1/2/2016

Lady Cougars, Panthers win closely

contested Clashes Saturday night

The teams which were favored to win—based on their FSNB Classic championships this week—won. Their opponents both put up good efforts, however. The Logan County Lady Cougars held off the Russellville Lady Panthers 47-36. The Panther boys trailed early in the fourth quarter but took over the final minutes to beat the Cougars 59-47 in Clashes of the Cats played at LCHS Saturday. Torrie Pollard & Rachel Barnett each scored 12 for the Lady Cougars while Brooke Barnes had 12 rebounds and 5 blocked shots. Loreal Cheaney led RHS with 20 points, including 10 of 13 free throw shooting... Had it not been for the play of Jaylin McMurry throughout the game, the Panthers might have been too far behind to catch up. Pedro Bradshaw turned on in the last few minutes to seal the win. McMurry finished with 16 points and Bradshaw added 14, with 10 of them coming in the fourth period. Micah Naylor added 10. Noah Whittinghill, Lorenzo Garcia & Austin Rayno scored all but five of the Cougars’ points. Watch The LoJo for more details.

1/1/2016

LoJo draws 15.5 million hits in '15

For the year 2015, the online newspaper The Logan Journal drew 15.5 million ‘hits.’ That’s an average of almost 1.3 million hits per month or about 42,000 per day. A total of 730 articles and 352 News Briefs appeared on The LoJo during the past 12 months. Among those articles were 136 obituaries provided by Summers, Kirby & Sanders Funeral Home and Price Funeral Home. All of those stories are still available for reading in the Articles or Obituaries section. In fact, every story which has appeared on The LoJo over the past seven years is still there. Current advertisements appear on all of them, too. For more information about advertising on The LoJo to reach all these readers, email Jim Turner.

1/1/2016

Garrison Rosser named national

Coca-Cola Scholars semifinalist

Logan County High School senior Garrison Rosser has been named a semifinalist for the 2016 class of the Coca-Cola Scholars program. He was chosen from over 87,000 applicants. The field is now down to 2,200 semifinalists who are in the running for 150 scholarships worth $20,000 each. In the past 28 years, Coca-Cola has awarded over $63,000 to 5,500 Scholars. In addition to receiving the scholarships, these students become members of an alumni group who develop connections and other opportunities to grow as adults, according to Mark Davis, president of the Foundation. A three-year starter in basketball, Garrison is the son of Ronnie and Cher Rosser.