Times Journal

Posted April 23, 2014 at 2:48 pm

The name of the annual Russell Springs festival has been changed, according to Mayor Eric Selby and Downtown Revitalization President David Withers, Jr.

The new name is “The Festival at the Springs” and will be held September 5-6 this year.

“It will be here on Main Street,” Selby said.

The new name was agreed upon at this month’s meeting of the Russell Springs Downtown Revitalization Committee.

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Four people were arrested and several stolen items recovered by the Jamestown Police Department following an investigation over the weekend.

According to law enforcement, the home of Michael Burton on Monk Springs Road was broken into sometime Sunday morning.

After the investigation the following were arrested and charged with second degree burglary: Richard Skaggs, 35, and his 30-year-old brother, Justin, both of Jamestown, as well as Jeffrey Lawson, 34, and Sasha Mann, 25, both of Russell Springs.

The four were arrested Saturday by JPD Lt. Tracy Irvin and Sgt. Jeff Kerns and were lodged in the Russell County Detention Center.

Police said at least two of those four are also suspected of breaking into Jamestown Health Care early Saturday morning and attempting to break into Jamestown Pharmacy, which was recently hit by burglars a few weeks ago.

The perpetrators in those crimes fled from the building before getting into the pharmacy. They were captured on security video. Police said charges have not been filed in connection with the burglary at the health care center and pharmacy and that the investigation continues.

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The (Russell County) Fiscal Court voted to give County Attorney Kevin Shearer the ability to file a lawsuit against A & S Protein, the animal rendering plant located in a residential area in north Russell Springs near Russell Springs Elementary School at the April meeting of the court a week ago Monday.

Residents once again implored the court that all action available needed to be taken to take care of the problem. Residents once again recounted the stomach turning smells emanating from the plant, which renders animal carcasses for animal feed and protein as well as cosmetic uses.

Shearer said that KACo (Kentucky Association of Counties) attorney’s had advised against such action, but Shearer said that it was his opinion that he could and should, given the ability by the fiscal court.

The unanimous vote was greeted by applause from the audience who live near the plant.

The plant has come under scrutiny for foul smells and potentially hazardous condition of open storage of animal carcasses, incorrect licensing and potential health hazards to residents and occupants of Russell Springs Elementary.

The suit will join three others that have been filed recently on behalf of at least 25 residents, the Russell County School Board and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

On April 3 a hearing was held in Russell Circuit Court in an attempt to place an injunction, stopping all operations until the court could hear the vase.

A judgement by Circuit Judge Vernon Miniard on the request for injunction is forthcoming.