Christmas made its official arrival in Monticello on Saturday, December 7, as local residents lined the streets to watch the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade. The weather was cold, but it was dry, and attendance for the parade was very good.

There were a total of 152 parade entries, including 14 floats, according to Charlie Peters, president of the Monticello-Wayne County Chamber of Commerce. Peters said approximately 1,000 individuals participated in this year’s parade.

The MHS (Monticello High School) 1960 Basketball Team served as Grand Marshals for the procession, and they led a parade filled with lights and holiday celebration.

Float winners were selected in three different categories.

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A lengthy drug investigation by the Lake Cumberland Area Drug Task Force, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, the Monticello Police Department, Operation UNITE and the Wayne County Attorney’s Office culminated in several drug-related arrests on Monday, December 2.

According to information released by the Lake Cumberland Area Drug Task Force, the following individuals were arrested in connection with the investigation: Cecil Baker, 53; Michael (Booger) Lair, 48; Kellie Lair, 42; Stephanie Miller, 33; Charles Ray Garner, 50; Brian W. Atkinson, 49; Stephany Hancock, 27; and Stevie Dishman, 36.

During one of the arrests, officers discovered a meth operation with five active labs. Additional arrests are expected, according to officials.

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The Wayne County Cardinals, 14-0 on the season and coming off an impressive 34-10 win at Paducah Tilghman, met Belfrey Friday afternoon, December 6 in the championship game of the 2013 KHSAA Class 3A Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl, at Western Kentucky University’s Houchens/LT Smith Stadium.

The Pirates were making their fourth straight appearance in the title game and ninth overall, but looking for their first state title since claiming back to back championships in 2003 and 2004. Belfrey advanced into the matchup with a 21-13 win at Bourbon County and owned a 13-1 record, while the Cards were looking for their first ever state championship in school history and making their first ever finals appearance.

Freshman kicker Austin Woolum drilled a 35 yard field goal with 5:22 remaining in the third quarter and that coupled with a very stingy defensive effort that shutout Wayne County for the first time in 49 games lifted Belfry to a hard fought 3-0 championship win.