Arnulfo Alva Facio, 34, of Fountain Run, was killed around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, March 17, after the truck he was driving overturned off Hwy. 87, approximately five miles south of Fountain Run.

According to Kentucky State Police Trooper Logan Richardson’s report, the 1988 Chevrolet pickup driven by Facio was traveling northbound when he apparently lost control and struck an earth embankment. Facio, who was not belted, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced deceased by the Monroe County Coroner.

A passenger in the vehicle, Mario Alejandre, 34, was belted and transported to T.J. Samson Hospital where he was treated and released.

Richardson noted that it was suspected that alcohol and speed are contributing factors in the collision.

************************

Former Gamaliel Mayor James Mitchell Spear, age 55, died March 12 at his home in Gamaliel.

He served as Mayor from January 1993 through 1998, after serving a year as City Commissioner. He also had been active in the Tompkinsville/Monroe County Chamber of Commerce, serving as a board member of the Board of Directors, and was a charter member of the Board of Directors of the Monroe County Economic Development Center.

He had been an employee of Monroe County Press, Inc. and of the Tompkinsville Printing Company.

He is survived by a brother, Marty Spear, Gamaliel, and a nephew, Jason Spear of Bowling Green.

************************

Fountain Run may be able to have storm shelters established, Fountain Run Commissioners learned during their regular monthly meeting on Monday, March 12.

Commissioner Larry Shaw told the group that he had spoken with County Judge/Executive Tommy Willett about the need for such shelters and receiving grant funding for establishment of such shelters throughout the county.

Shaw added he had also spoken with State Representative Bart Rowland about getting funding for the project as well with shelters to be established in Fountain Run, Gamaliel and Tompkinsville.

************************

Employees of the City of Gamaliel will continue to receive health insurance after Gamaliel City Commissioners reviewed bids at the regularly scheduled Commission meeting held March 12.

Commissioners voted to accept the bid provided by America’s Health Team in the amount of $1,089.50 per month to insure the City’s five employees that participate in the insurance program.

Five different bid options were supplied from other carriers ranging from $1,337.66 per month to $2,275.92 per month.

************************

Monroe County has received the official flood plain maps as part of the Flood Prevention Plan as set forth by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Monroe County Fiscal Court discussed the implications for county residents at its regular meeting March 15.

Director of Emergency Management David Rich informed the court of his plan to incorporate the individual flood plain districts onto the index map so that county residents will be able to see exactly where their property lies in relation to the flood plain. That is important, Rich explained, so that anyone in the flood plain can seek flood insurance before the projected July 17 implementation of the program.

After the program goes into effect, he said, insurance premiums are sure to be much higher–maybe even as much as double.