Story - The Meade County Messenger


Vol. 114, No. 52	December 26, 2007

Meade County Messenger Year in Review - 2007

JANUARY

The Meade County Fair event was named the National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) Grand National Pull of the Year. The pullers vote for this award, and they were impressed by the crowd size and the hospitality shown the pullers at the pit house and throughout the fairgrounds.

Maj. Michael Lewis Mundell, 47, was killed in Fallujah Jan. 5 in a roadside bombing. He was serving with the 108th Division, a training unit of 4,500 soldiers based in North Carolina.

Meade County Judge Executive Harry Craycroft called a special meeting Jan. 10 to conduct a first reading of an ordinance eliminating the current solid waste ordinance and placing the responsibility for solid waste management with the Fiscal Court.

FEBRUARY

The family of Kayla N. Wilkins is searching for her and is offering a $1,000 reward for her safe return. The 17-year-old has been missing since Jan. 18.

The Meade County Greenwave wrestling team continued to draw attention in its inaugural season with their performance in the 3rd Region tournament. The Greenwaves, only in their first year of existence, sent seven of 13 wrestlers to the state tournament and three others as alternates, while taking 5th place overall.

Meade County’s move to the 3rd Region last year has set up three thrilling games between the Greenwaves and Apollo High School but has also created a mini-duel between team studs Riley Benock and Tyler Brown.

The search for Kayla Wilkins ended Feb. 26 at 1:28 a.m. “We got a good call this morning,” said Meade County Sheriff Butch Kerrick. Kayla Wilkins, 17, and Cory Whitaker, 18, were found in an apartment in Pinellas County, Fla. Both were safe and sound.

MARCH

Five Meade County students – Kacie Ingram, Blaine Crigler, Samantha Storms, Tate Wilson and Taylor Oliver – were chosen for the annual Kentucky All-State Children’s Chorus.

The transition from former Meade County Attorney Darren Sipes to current Meade County Attorney Margaret Matney has not been as smooth as would have been hoped. Matney has stated Sipes removed records from the county attorney’s office which prevented her from doing her job. Sipes has stated he took only the records needed to prepare the final settlement for Fiscal Court.

District champs! Both the Lady Wave and Greenwave basketball teams took 11th District championships as each defeated their Hancock County opponents, the Lady Hornets and Hornets, respectively.

The Meade County Archery in the Schools program swept the regional competition held March 10 and 12 in Tompkinsville. Meade County teams took first place in each division, making this the most successful weekend the archery program has ever had.

APRIL

Barbara Harned was named Meade County Fair Person of the Year for 2006 during the annual Meade County Fair Board dinner.

April 3. The skies grew dark and the wind picked up. Then came the rain and hail. The anniversary of the tornado which devastated Brandenburg 33 years ago is an uneasy time for many, and it was made especially nerve-wracking by the storm which swept through Meade County early in the evening.

On April 18, the first block of Meade County’s Clothesline of Quilts was dedicated at the Meade County Fairgrounds.

MAY

Meade County baseball has never won a district championship in the program’s history. But that could all change this season. The Greenwaves (6-15 overall, 3-0 11th District) rocked rival Breckinridge County, 11-1 in five innings, last Tuesday at home to secure the number one seed in the district tournament and an automatic bid to the region tournament.

When the Lady Waves (11-12-1) finish an incomplete 10-inning thriller with Breckinridge County tomorrow, Mike Harreld’s softball team could be looking at three district wins and a much sought after number one seed. Meade battled the Lady Tigers for nine innings at 2-2 last Wednesday before the game was finally postponed due to weather. The game will be picked up tomorrow in the 10th inning, where international tiebreaker rules will apply.

A Michigan native has been hired as a staff writer for the Meade County Messenger, announced publisher Rena Singleton. Larry See Jr. officially started his duties at the Messenger on Monday, May 14.

Graduates of the Meade County High School Class of 2007 and the Brandenburg High School Class of 2006 and 2007 received their diplomas in separate ceremonies last week.

Last graduation at James R. Allen Primary: The first class of 3rd-graders to graduate from James R. Allen Primary School numbered 113 and are seniors now. The last class of 3rd-graders graduated May 15. The class, which marks the end of an era, numbered 175.

It was Meade’s time to shine as Jordan Alexander knocked another single to score Mikey DeRossett and tie the game, and senior Cambron Rockwood then came through with the game-winning hit as Corey Thomas slid into home safely. Thomas’ run capped the amazing two-out comeback and also secured the Greenwaves’ first-ever modern day district championship.

On May 10, students from Meade County High School headed to Lexington for the Student Technology Leadership program state competition. Meade County was recognized as an outstanding STLP district and received a trophy acknowledging it as a platinum level district, the highest level possible.

It took the commonwealth of Kentucky a little over a year to allocate the funds, totaling $1 million, but it took the Meade County Fiscal Court less than 30 minutes to spend it. County Judge Executive Harry Craycroft said under the appropriation terms, $500,000 was earmarked for necessary water and sewer improvements for the industrial park. “From there on it is up to you as far as what you would like to do with the rest,” Craycroft said.

JUNE

A grant application through the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development loan program is being readied – the Meade County Water District officials are hoping it’ll be approved so they can lay some pipe soon.

It’s been three years since the Meade County track team sent someone to the state track and field championships. But times are changing. Meade sent three runners – two freshmen and one 8th-grader – to the state meet at Paul Dunbar High School last weekend, and Head Coach Larry Garner said the event was a great learning experience for his three qualifiers – Sean Breeds, Shelbi Jenkins and Tiffany Brown.

A new location, the Meade County Fairgrounds, and perfect weather conditions helped the American Cancer Society Relay for Life raise $71,433.70 to help in the fight against cancer.

Construction continues on the 106,000-square-foot, $18 million building which will become Brandenburg Primary School. “Completion date is Aug. 13 and 1/2,” said Meade County schools’ director of facilities Rodney Pickering with a laugh. The 2007-2008 school year starts Aug. 14.

About 23 soldiers visited Meade County Monday morning, partaking of some Southern hospitality at Doe Run Inn and learning about the county’s schools. The event featured an opportunity for Meade County Area Chamber of Commerce officials, business and governmental leaders to showcase our county’s attributes.

Mike Harreld was honored for his part in the building of a powerhouse Meade County softball program last Saturday as the 13-year leader was inducted into the Kentucky Prep Softball Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame. “We use softball to teach them about life and show them that there are bigger things beyond them and the game,” said Harreld. “I think it’s important for them to become team members and learn to respect hard work and dedication because that is what makes you successful in life.”

A 3 percent salary increase, raising Fire Chief Larry Naser’s base pay from $38,118 to $39,261 was granted in a 4-2 vote June 18. The raise will take effect with the new budget year which starts July 1. Naser’s contract called for a 1.5 percent increase, but it was boosted to 3 percent following a suggestion by trustee John Abadie. Casting dissenting votes were treasurer James Anthony and trustee Bruno Ilario. Trustee Keith Madison abstained.

Renovation and construction at Meade County High School have picked up momentum since school ended for the summer. The $8 million project, which is slated to be completed in three phases, includes an update and expansion of the lobby and administrative offices, larger and improved family and consumer sciences classrooms, expanded athletic facilities and an auditorium.

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