The holiday season is behind us and this past weekend we ushered in a brand new year.

Whether you say “Two-o-one-one” or “Twenty-one-one” or the most likely choice, “Twenty-eleven”, the excitement of a new year ahead always is met with enthusiasm and wonderment of what might lie ahead in the next 12 months.

Before we put the year that was – 2010 – completely behind us, we would like to offer one last look to you, our readers, the headlines and stories that shaped our lives here in Clinton County during the past 12 months.

As we look forward to serving you for the 12 months ahead, bringing you the good news, the bad news, local sports and hopefully a little entertainment as well, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for being loyal readers and advertisers and we wish all of you a Happy New Year.

One last look back at 2010

January, 2010

January News…When local basketball fans roll into the Lindle Castle gymnasium Tuesday night, January 12, to take their seats prior to the Clinton County Lady Bulldogs and Bulldogs match-up against the rival squads from Cumberland County, not all of the fans attention will be directed between the two teams on the floor. Over the Christmas holiday break, workers from Prater Flooring in Chattanooga, Tenn., worked to give the floor a “face lift” and a new design to the paint scheme.

Over the holidays, Clinton County has seen an increase in home burglaries. Since just before Christmas, there have been at least 12 home burglaries with the majority of these home invasions having been committed in the middle of the day, according to Clinton County Sheriff Rick Riddle.

Each 10 years, an old decade ends and a new one rolls around. But the tenth year of each time cycle in the United States also means the time to count the number of residents living in each state, county and city. The 2010 Census will begin being taken across the U.S. and here in Albany and Clinton County within the next few weeks.

Beginning Monday, January 25, individuals seeking assistance with unemployment benefits or looking for employment related training will have a new location to get that assistance. The local Office of Employment Training/Workforce Development will be moving from the basement of the courthouse to the Clinton County Community Center.

The 2010 Touchstone Energy All “A” Classic officially got underway Monday night with Regional Tournament action. Both Clinton County squads hosted Todd County Central with only the boys team advancing. The Lady Bulldogs lost 42-38 while the boys advanced to the semi-finals. There, they defeated Monroe County 46-39 before eventually losing in the championship game to Glasgow, 70-41.

Chloe Brown, daughter of Joe and Dr. Tammy Brown, has taken it upon herself to lend a helping hand to the citizens of Haiti. Brown is a 2009 graduate of CCHS and is now attending Western Kentucky University. She is a member of Aaron’s Chapel Separate Baptist Church and that is where she decided to headquarter her efforts to collect donations and supplies to send to the earthquake victims. During her efforts, Brown collected over $6,000 in money plus a number of supplies to sent to the Haiti victims.

January Births…Johannah Lane Zachary, daughter of Derek and Jada Zachary, Rickman, TN; Amelia Gail Dicken, daughter of Chris Dicken and Sharla Brown, Albany; Alexis Noelle Messer, daughter of Todd and Amanda Messer, Albany; Olivia Grace Riddle, daughter of Chad and Tamara Riddle, Albany.

January Deaths…Teddy Harvard Davis, 83, Taylorsville, KY; Waymon Thrasher, 79, Albany; Paul Parks, Jr., 61, Albany; Lottie Stalcup Watson, 87, Burkesville, KY; Treva Maxine Beaty, 88, Daleville, IN; Willard Corbin, 65, Burkesville, KY; Sally Peters, 82, Thousand Oaks, CA; James Robert Tweedy, 61, Albany; Joni Tupman Campbell, 32, Albany; Kenneth “Dick” Orton, 85, Albany; John Paul Booher, 85, Santa Monica, CA; James M. Penticuff, Sr., 68, New Castle, IN; Steven R. “Babe” Ferguson, 57, Albany; Shelley Lynn Willis, 38, Glasgow, Kentucky.

February News…Tuesday, January 26 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., some eight persons entered races for local offices, catapulting the number of total candidates for Clinton County offices alone to 63 candidates. All toll, counting district, state and federal races, 84 names will be on the May 18 primary ballot in Clinton County.

A winter weather system, when it did arrive late Friday, January 29, eventually dropped as much as six inches of snow in some portions of Clinton County, leaving roads covered in a blanket of snow, resulting in hazardous driving conditions. In addition, Clinton County schools were closed for four days, bringing the number of days missed so far to eleven.

Clinton County took another economic blow when the two largest employers here announced large layoffs and plans to scale back operations. Patriot Industries, Inc. laid off 84 employees. Equity Group of Keystone Foods issued a release describing the reduction of 19 salaried positions and stated that 75 hourly positions would be reduced and not refilled. All of the 94 positions work within the Albany complex.

After weeks and weeks of investigation, Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, along with Albany Police and Kentucky State Police, have arrested and charged two individuals with first degree-burglary and criminal mischief-second degree. Joseph Evener and Cody Bowlin, both of Albany, were charged in connection with several recent home burglaries that local officers have been investigating since before Christmas 2009.

The Clinton County High School Cheerleaders brought home first place in the 4th Regional KAPOS competition, held at Barren County. The squad advances to the state competition on February 20 in Bowling Green.

Dudley “Pitt” Hay of Albany was named 2010 Kentucky Association of Fairs and Horse Show President after spending many years moving up the ladder within the organization. The KAFHS is an organization made up of county fair organizers across the state.

After several weeks of planning and coordinating, last Friday night’s Basketball Booster Club/WANY Radio Auction finished up with a five-hour long program that resulted in one of the best fund raising nights ever in its long history. Approximately $8,000 was raised during the auction.

February Births…Jeremiah Lee Jones, son of Misty and David Jones, Albany; Kylie Nevaeh White, daughter of Tyler White and Alicia Huckelby, Albany; Lindsey Roxanna Shelton, daughter of Frederick and Michelle Shelton, Albany; Lily Jane Strange, daughter of Justin and Beverly (Marcum) Strange, Marysville, Ohio.

February Deaths…Diane Byrd, 59, Albany; Gwendolyn Flowers Grider, 72, Burkesville, KY; Wilkie Webb Skipworth, 68, Albany; Jewell Boils, 91, Albany; Roy Edwin Craft, 89, Burkesville, KY; Benny Ray Ledbetter, 68, Valley, AL; Ralph Eugene Lawrence, 83, Anderson, IN; Wilmer “Alva” Ewing, 96, Bowling Green, KY; Kenny Wayne Garrett, 36, Albany; Alva Sue Longwell, 65, Albany; Patricia Dyer Brac, Springfield, TN; Billy Gerald Branham, 78, Anderson, IN; Christell Poore, 87, Albany; Christine Pierce Armstrong, 90, Burkesville, KY; Juanita C. Beaty, 77, Albany; Ewing J.B. Ferguson, 81, Albany; Gerald Madison, 65, Albany; Mildred A. Cupp-Thornsberry, 83, Laurel, IN; Oradean Cummings, 92, Albany; Donald Wayne Elmore, 57, Indianapolis, Indiana.

March News…Students in the Clinton County school district will not be enjoying their spring break later this month, thanks to a harsher, snowier winter than usual. Clinton County Board of Education opted to use the five days as instructional days to help make up some of the 16 days of school missed this year.

One of Clinton County’s most successful political figures, Robert M. Reneau, died Sunday at his residence at the age of 89. Serving seven consecutive terms as Clinton County Court Clerk, Reneau first took office in January 1954 and continued to serve in that capacity until retiring at the end of 1981.

Both Clinton County basketball squads lost to Russell County’s teams in the championship games of the 16th district basketball tournament held at The Castle in Albany. The Lady Bulldogs lost to the Lady Lakers, 55-41 and the Bulldogs lost to the Russell County, 64-61.

Central Daylight Savings Time (CDST) officially returns at 2 a.m. Sunday morning, March 14, across much of the south central region and readers are reminded to “spring forward” one hour in time.

A suspension of work was announced last week along the area of Wolf Creek Dam that has caused the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the greatest concern since it was announced a few years ago that the structure was to undergo a major rehabilitation project. The suspension is apparently due to a combination of movement that was detected along the dam’s foundation, in conjunction with increased hydrostatic pressure.

A Clinton County man has been acquitted on a charge of wanton murder by a local circuit court jury. Steven Smith, 24, of Albany, was found not guilty of the vehicular death of Johnny Roberts of Albany in an incident that occurred in early December, 2008. He was found guilty of leaving the scene of an accident, with the jury recommending a one-year sentence.

Two of Clinton County’s star football players signed National Letters of Intent. Brothers Brent and Brandon Durham sat down last week at Clinton County High School to sign with nearby Campbellsville University for the 2010 football season with the Tigers.

Sarah Wilson, Sarah Neal and Katie Boils are working toward a goal of $23,000 each in order to walk in a 60-mile, three-day event held in Atlanta, Georgia, for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The Foundation was formed in 1992 by Komen’s sister, Nancy G. Brinker, as a way to raise breast cancer awareness and funding for breast cancer research.

March Births…Branson Sollie Ray Burton, son of Daniel and Tasha Burton, Albany; Chloe Elizabeth Arms, daughter of Chad and Jennifer Arms, Albany.

March Deaths…Robert M. Reneau, 89, Albany; Gerald Madison, 65, Albany; Exie Rayborn, 65, Albany; Earl T. Denney, 72, Albany; Jimmie Lucille Szarka, 93, Duncan, IN; Luther Harlan, Jr., 78, Markleville, IN; Marda A. McGill, 78, Noblesville, IN; Emma Lee Tallent, 82, St. Petersburg, FL; Delmer Junior Guffey, 79, Albany; Tommy R. Wright, 65, Albany; Freddie Reed, 49, Albany; Jessie Branham, 62, Burkesville, KY; Nell Embry, 79, Albany; Lucy M. Brummett, 97, Albany; Saskia Riddle Nuszbaum, 36, Fairplay, KY; Tolbert Thomas Guffey, 92, Albany; Lee Ann DeRossett Stearns, 77, Burkesville, Kentucky.

April News…What could have been a disastrous situation early Monday morning instead turned out to be a minor, non-injury accident involving a Clinton County school bus and a private owned pickup truck. According to Kentucky State Police, the truck was a 2007 Chevrolet driven by Jennifer Phillips, 36, of Liberty. A KSP spokesman said the truck crossed the centerline in a curve and struck the bus.

It took a few months longer than anticipated, but final plans and mapping layouts on the New Hope site chosen for a proposed joint airport is now in the hands of state and federal officials to review. The Airport Board voted to have the plans submitted at its regular meeting on March 23.

James Dyer, Clinton County High baseball player, has signed to play baseball with Wabash Valley College in Carmel, Illinois.

Clinton County native Al Cross will be the recipient of perhaps the most prestigious honor bestowed on those in the field of journalism in Kentucky, when he is inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame.

Clinton County is one of several schools across the state of Kentucky that will have a student participating in the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science next year at Western Kentucky University. Ellis Shelley, son of Charlotte Bernard, is one of 61 students selected to take part in the very prestigious program.

The Clinton County Lady Bulldogs basketball program suffered a set back last week as head coach Blake Button’s contract wasn’t renewed. The Lady Bulldogs program will be searching for a head coach for the fourth time since 2004. Other than being the Lady Bulldogs head basketball coach, Button was also the Lady Dawgs’ head golf coach last season and held a position in the Migrant Program.

Steve Coe, 52, a local candidate in the Republican primary for Clinton County Jailer, died April 6 at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee of natural causes.

The Clinton County EMS received a $97,413 federal Homeland Security grant. The funds will be used to purchase four new state-of-the art cardiac monitors that will be available in all ambulances in the EMS fleet.

Clinton County has received a PRIDE grant in the amount of $10,000 which will allow the county to offer free dump days April 29, 30 and May 1. Two dumpsters will be set up in each magisterial district to allow residents to take trash and other items to dump those days free of charge.

Clinton County Board of Education at a call meeting April 22, voted to keep the last day of school for students on Tuesday, June 1 with CCHS graduate Friday, June 4.

April Deaths…Reba Mae Polson, 84, Danville, KY; Catherine Van Cleave, 80, Somerset, KY; William Fount Warinner, 94, Albany; James M. Stovall, 87, Ft. Pierce, FL; Jane D. Elleman, 83, Albany; James Ken “Blute” Norris, 75, Albany; Letha Byrd Stockton, 68, Albany; Robert Adams, 84, Albany; Marie D. Snell, 93, Greenville, OH; Ida Grace Dick, 85, Somerset, KY; Ginetta Coop Hill, 77, Byrdstown, TN; Rev. Glea Shelley, 83, Cookeville, TN; Raymond D. Groce, 60, Albany; Laura Norris Wooten, 83, Louisville, KY; Billy D. Tompkins, 59, Albany; John Riley Brumley, 62, Albany; Steve Coe, 52, Albany; Clarence Alvin Shelton, 67, Albany; Charlotte Kay Davidson, 52, Albany; Sallie Mae Shelley, 84, Albany; Rena Pearl Melton, 73, Somerset, KY; Hazel Ferrill, 88, Albany; Charles E. Roberts, 73, Albany; Norman Poor, 77, Byrdstown, TN; Ruby Shipley Talbott, 96, Albany.

May News…Although Albany and Clinton County fared much better than many surrounding areas, a weekend deluge of rainfall that fell during a 36-hour period Saturday and Sunday left residents trying to dry out, with many waiting for waters to recede in order to assess property damage. While some residents have reported as much as 10 inches of rainfall during a 48-hour period, official counts were just over eight inches.

Derek Guffey, son of Jim and Sherry Guffey of Albany, will appear on “America’s Funniest Home Videos” Sunday night. The video will feature Guffey washing his father’s truck with a pressure washer.

Clinton County Bulldog Storm Burchett signed to play basketball with Union College on Thursday, May 4. He finished his career averaging 14.2 points per game and was 19th overall in CCHS scoring with 1,074 points. CCHS Lady Bulldog Brittany Flowers made her commitment to play basketball next season at Asbury University on May 6. She finished 4th overall in scoring at CCHS with 1,537 points, set the single-game scoring record with 45 points against Dawson Springs on December 22, 2009 and averaged 19 points a game her senior season.

A heavier than expected number of Clinton County voters found their way to the polls Tuesday for the primary election, with an estimated 65 percent of Republicans and over 50 percent of registered Democrats casting votes to make their respective choices and set the ballot for voting in this fall’s general election. One countywide race was decided, that being the re-election of Clinton County Sheriff Ricky Riddle who won over two opponents and does not have any opposition in the fall.

Clinton County attorney Scarlett B. Latham was the apparent winner in Tuesday’s election for one of this area’s District Court Judge seats, but with the race being a three-person, non-partisan ballot, a runoff election will be held this fall between her and second-place finisher Larry Rogers of Russell County.

Russell County Deputy Sheriff Cary York, a Clinton County native, narrowly escaped with his life last Wednesday after being shot twice in the chest as he approached a vehicle he had stopped in the early morning hours. York, 35, can thank the wise decision of wearing a bullet-proof vest for the favorable outcome of last week’s incident.

The annual Relay for Life event kicked off Friday afternoon and with the unofficial report coming in Monday morning, chairperson Cindy Brown said this year’s total was $72,143.80.

Billy Catron will be the Democrat party’s nominee for magistrate in district two after winning a coin toss which took place as the result of a dead-heat tie with his sole primary opponent, Matthew E. Smith.

The Clinton County Emergency Services facility will soon be expanding and adding two new ambulance bays, thanks to a USDA Rural Development grant. The 75/25 matching grant totals $63,488, with the county’s share being $15,872 and the federal share at $47,616.00.

The Clinton County High School Site Based Decision Making Council sent a recommendation to Superintendent Mickey McFall to hire Carter Adams as the new Clinton County Lady Bulldogs basketball coach. Adams is a former assistant girls’ coach at Central Hardin and son of former long-time Hart County coach Jimmy Adams.

May Births…Payton Ciera Lee, daughter of Shambra and Trent Lee, Albany; Madalyn Nicole Lawson, daughter of T.J. and Myra Lawson, Albany.

May Deaths…Fred B. Tuggle, 92, Louisville, KY; Billy Ray Couch, 63, Albany; Oral Hoover, 74, Monticello, KY; Kristee Morris, 40, Adams, TN; Ricky W. Riddle, 53, Jamestown, TN; Gertie Lee McCaffrey, 87, Albany; Bobby K. Brown, 75, Anderson, IN; Billy G. Pierce, 80, Anderson, IN; Vickie Riddle Craft, 53, Albany; Dale Raymond Guffey, 72, Dunkirk, IN; Ruth Byrd Vannatta, 76, New Castle, IN; Gilbert Slaven, 70, Jamestown, TN; Everett “Ebb” Craig, 73, Albany; Jesse W. Flowers, 87, New Castle, IN; Luther Ozell Reneau, 85, Albany; Elizabeth Helen Hunter, 67, Albany; Reed Albertson, 84, Albany; Myrtle Edwards, 84, Albany; Wilma Riddle Melton, 84, Albany; Sammie Hunter McWhorter, 87, Albany.

June News…The 2010 senior class at Clinton County High School will graduate Friday night, June 4, during the school’s 93rd Commencement program. Some 94 graduates will receive diplomas. The top three academic finishers from the Class of 2010 have earned the three prestigious titles of Valedictorian, Salutatorian and Historian. Those students are Chelsea Brown, Ashley Stearns and Kailyn Conner.

With an unemployment rate of 8.7 percent in April, Clinton County tied with four other Kentucky counties, Jessamine, McCracken, Robertson and Warren counties, for the last five counties making up the lowest ten jobless rates in the state.

Summer still isn’t officially here on the calendar, but one of the mainstay events this time of year will kick-off early this weekend. The 2010 Clinton County Fair will begin an eight-day run this Saturday morning, June 12 at the fairgrounds with the baby show.

It took a special session for Kentucky Legislators to pass a budget and road bill, but it appears it was worth the wait, at least as far as Clinton County road projects are concerned. The 245-page will be approved in a late night vote on the final night of the special session in Frankfort, contained some $6.7 billion in proposed road projects for the next two years, including five projects in Clinton County.

The City of Albany has a new and slightly larger budget in place after city council approved second and final reading of the 2010-11 city budget of just over $3.6 million–compared to the $3.4 million in the current year’s budget. The bulk of estimated receipts and expenditures is $2.3 million in water utilities.

Word last week that Clinton County has been included in the latest round of those designated as being eligible for disaster assistance means that property owners that suffered damage from the flooding in early May can apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration.

On Monday night, a new Miss Clinton County was announced as Elizabeth Gault of Carroll County was awarded top honor. The Miss Teen Pageant saw two of the top three finishers being from Clinton County, including the winner, Destiny Guffey and second runner-up, Taya Cook.

Clinton County’s largest employer, Equity Group Kentucky Division LLC will likely be under new ownership in the coming months. Brazilian protein corporation Marfrig Alimentos S.A. recently announced an agreement to acquire the food service supplier Keystone Foods for $1.26 billion.

Clinton County Fiscal Court approved the 2010-11 budget of $7,846,355 at its June 17 meeting and also set free dumpster days to allow residents to get rid of items damaged due to the flooding and storms that occurred in early May.

The Farmer’s Market, located at Mountain View Park, north of Albany, will open for produce vendors to sell their home grown fruits and vegetables on Monday, June 28. It will remain open, six days a week, through August 27.

June Birth…Jaylon Anne Kinney, daughter of Justin and Brooke Kinney, Albany.

June Deaths…Sue Lee Edwards, 79, Albany; Iziah Joe Smith, infant, Byrdstown, TN; Ada Jeanette Ferguson, 65, Albany; Charles D. Feuston, 62, Burkesville, KY; Liza Jane Brown, 85, Hopkinsville, KY; Winnie Miller Cross, 92, Albany; John A. Flowers, 67, Albany; Diane Melton, 57, Albany; Ben Edward Stockton, 68, Albany; Reba Shelley, 81, Grayson, GA; Willie “Bill” Burris, 78, New Castle, IN; Jeffrey Lee Brown, 44, Berea, KY; Connie Lee Coop Conn, 55, Monticello, KY; Robert Lee Hall, 72, Albany.

July News…The popular recycling station that has been parked for several months at the Westview Shopping Center now has a new home. After some abuse by users who dumped prohibited items at the station, the unit was moved to the City Maintenance Garage located on Allen Street in Albany.

The Albany-Clinton County Chamber of Commerce’s fourth annual Fireworks Show was bigger and better than ever in 2010, according to Jay Garner, head of the fireworks committee. “It was the biggest crowd we’ve ever had and I think the fireworks were the best we’ve ever had,” he said.

The annual Fancy Farm picnic the first Saturday in August in west Kentucky will, for the second consecutive year, have a strong Clinton County tie when those attending are welcomed to the event. In the center of it all will be Kentucky’s House Minority Floor Leader and Clinton County Native Jeff Hoover (R-Jamestown), who will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

Although a program to assist many Kentuckians in obtaining prescription medication at reduced, or in some cases no costs, was initiated in 2008, it will soon be available in Clinton County and administered through the Lake Cumberland Community Action Agency. Gov. Steve Beshear established KPAP (Kentucky Prescription Assistance Program) in October 2008 to assist primarily low-income and elderly Kentuckians to be able to deal directly with pharmaceutical companies in obtaining prescription medication.

Clinton County Board of Education has announced the hiring of Pamela Bale as the new principal at Clinton County Middle School. Bale was hired last year as a language arts teacher for the 6th grade. She was previously an assistance principal for five years at Spencer County Middle School.

For the past several years, a group of houseboat owners and boaters from Wolf River Marina on Dale Hollow Lake have staged a full houseboat parade that included boats decorated out in full Christmas theme lighting. The parade kicked off the annual toy drive that benefits children from Albany and Clinton County. Formerly known as “Fall for Santa” and held in late September, organizers have decided this year to move the event up to mid-summer in hopes of getting even more participation. The parade–now dubbed Christmas in July, will take place this Saturday, July 31.

July Births…Christopher Cade Ipock, son of Chris and Ashley Ipock, Albany; Madeleine Groce McMorrow, daughter of Major Brian and Megan McMarrow, Georgetown, Kentucky.

July Deaths…John Thomas Pennycuff, 70, Albany; Florence Butler, 86, Albany; W.C. Shelley, 75, Richmond, IN; Hazel Smith, 81, Cottondale; Edith Cash, 93, Albany; Charlie Clemons, 82, Monticello, KY; Kenneth Parrigin, 82, Albany; Juanita Raines Braga, FL; George Brown, 68, Silver Springs, FL; Luke Aaron Savage, infant, Campbellsville, KY; Marie Farmer, Albany; Becky Rhea McWhorter, 51, Castalian, TN; Tommie W. Ledbetter, 71, Columbus, GA; Johnathan Wayne Young, 39, FL; Carolyn Elizabeth Rich, 52, Byrdstown, TN; Michelle Diana Dannettelle, 52, Albany; Martha Helen Ferguson, 77, Albany; Joe D. Byers, 65, Knightstown, IN; William C. “Bill” Braswell, 63, Albany; Carl Russell Ragan, 69, Monticello, KY; Helen L. Lucas, 62, Albany; Patricia Ellen Lowe, 73, Albany.

August News…Traffic jams and sudden stops will be a frequent occurrence for the rest of the week in Albany and Clinton County, as the World’s Largest Yard Sale–the U.S. 127 Sale, is underway. The sale is officially slated for Thursday through Sunday, August 5-8.

What probably seemed like a shorter than usual summer vacation for students in the Clinton County school district will come to an end next Tuesday, August 10. That is the first day of classes for the 2010-11 school year.

Jay Thaxton was recently hired as Clinton County’s Middle School Head Football Coach as well as assistant principal at Clinton County High School, taking Michael Whittenburg’s spot, as he chose to return to the classroom. Thaxton is a retired teacher/administrator from Tennessee where he taught for 32 years.

One of the best, if not the best ever attended U.S. 127 Yard Sales came to an end Sunday afternoon, August 8 after literally thousands of people traveled through Albany and Clinton County in search of bargains, oddities and a good time among other enthusiasts.

A “full house” would be the best way to describe the crowd of local and area residents who took the time last Thursday, August 19, to attend the public hearing that offered a look at the latest proposals concerning the route of a realigned U.S. 127 might take. The route includes where the highway intersects with Ky. 90 in the Snow community in Clinton County, continuing north into Russell County over the Cumberland River to the now completed Jamestown by-pass. The hearing included the presentation of large aerial maps of the stretch of U.S. 127 involved in the rebuild, or realignment project.

“Cruzin’ on the Square” made a large first appearance in Clinton County as cars from all over filled the streets around the courthouse. More than 70 entries were on hand Saturday, August 1, as the evening made its debut.

Early statistics released last week revealed that the slight increase in student enrollment numbers is continuing. Through Friday, August 20, nine days into the new school year, 1,708 students were enrolled in the local district, 25 more than the first day of school in the 2008-09 year.

August Births…Jaxon Clay Branham, son of Phillip and Joann Branham; Emilee Alice Coomer, daughter of Brandi Johnson and Casey Coomer, Albany; Cullen McFall Cooksey, son of Jonathan and Jamie Cooksey, Albany; Samuel Cannon Armstrong, son of April and Cannon Armstrong, Lexington, KY; Aiden James-Ford Vitatoe, son of Melanie Ford and Eric Vitatoe, Bluffton, Indiana.

August Deaths…Richard William “Dick” Bell, 86, Monticello, KY; Genrose Smith, 92, Albany; Charles J. Collins, 59, Albany; Elijah Tomas Thacker, infant, Glasgow, KY; Dorothy York Patton, 82, Albany; Minnie C. Conner, 89, Albany; David Vitatoe, 67, Albany; Fredrick I. Norris, 62, Bainbridge, OH; Howard L. Brown, 72, Burkesville, KY; Marie Talbott, 97, Albany; Anna J. Claborn, 89, Savannah, GA; Houston “Zeke” Pillar, 78, Pall Mall, TN; Pearl Upchurch, 77, Albany; Marie Brumley, 75, Lexington, KY; James Atwell, 79, Newbern, N.C.; Billy Gene Glidewell, 74, Albany; Jerry W. Brauner, 78, Albany.

September News…Clinton County’s economy could be in store for what would be a major positive impact if developments announced last week by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continue along a progressive path. The agency that oversees all operations of Lake Cumberland is considering allowing the development of a new commercial marina located at what is now referred to as Rowena Landing.

State Senate President David L. Williams, a Burkesville Republican who has represented Clinton County in his 16th Senate District for several years, announced last week that he intends to seek the state’s highest elected office, Governor of Kentucky in 2011. His running mate will be current Agriculture Commissioner and former UK basketball standout Richie Farmer.

An end of summer house boating vacation came to a tragic ending over the Labor Day weekend when a small runabout boat ran aground on Dale Hollow Lake near Wolf River Marina early Saturday morning, killing one of the seven aboard. The victim was identified as 22-year-old Kathryn Traynor from Long Grove, Illinois and a student at Purdue University.

Albany Police Department, along with the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, arrested three people in connection with a stolen motorcycle and an indoor marijuana growing operation. John M. Carpenter, 28, of Albany, was charged with cultivating marijuana over five plants-second offense, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The two other suspects arrested were juveniles.

Christy Nuetzman, Clinton County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, and Linda Bell, 4-H P.A. have been working for the past six months on a quilting project. They are working with a group called “Patchwork Trail of the Foothills” and the main focus of this group is to decorate barns with quilt blocks. On Thursday, September 2, the groups first projects were finalized as quilt blocks were hung on three local barns.

It was a bright and clear Monday morning, September 20, as 98-year-old Rosa Conner was sitting on her porch awaiting the arrival of WBKO’s Hometown Hero producer Kara Kirtley. Conner was chosen by the Bowling Green television station as a ‘hometown hero’ and her segment will air on the station in early October.

Tommy Cooper was bushhogging a field near Shelton Brother’s Grocery in Piney Woods on Thursday, September 16 when he discovered what turned out to be an “active” meth lab in a duffle bag. Evidence found at the scene is to be presented to a grand jury for possible indictments in the case.

The projected shortfalls in revenues to district and local health departments in the wake of Medicaid cuts to those health agencies began to hit home September 21 during a regular meeting of the Lake Cumberland District Board of Health. The Board of Directors voted to approve several cost saving measures presented by LCDHD director Shawn Crabtree.

September Birth…Zoe Elizabeth Mantle, daughter of Isaac and Melanie (Farley) Mantle, Louisville, Kentucky.

September Deaths…Wendell Ray Wolfe, 62, Burkesville, KY; Richard “Rufus” Capps, 72, Burkesville, KY; Alexia Ann Smith, 42, Byrdstown, TN; Alta Bell Dicken, Albany; Jewell Christine Butler, 90, Albany; Lillie Mae Kyle, 70, Albany; Eileen Huddleston, 93, Louisville, KY; Dave Hartwell Sawyer, Lexington, KY; Nell McKinley, 90, Indianapolis, IN; Lynn Clark, 39, Albany; Austin P. Zachary, 79, Pall Mall, TN; Shelia Willis, 36, Burkesville, KY; Janice Marie Turner, 64, Albany; Gordon Irvin Waymon, 72, Greenwood, IN; Brenda Gaye Tallent, 54, Albany.

October News…Students took the NCLB (No Child Left Behind) test last school year and in the local district, only Albany Elementary met all of its goals in all areas tested. The middle school met nine out of 10 and the high school met only seven of 10, with the poorest performance being in math.

A Clinton County man lost his life Saturday night, October 2 as the result of an ATV accident on Kentucky 696, four miles east of Albany. Eric Cravens, 38, was pronounced dead at the scene by Clinton County Coroner Steve Talbott.

Albany City Council voted to keep city tax rates the same, at .18 cents per $100 assessed value on real property and .20 cents on tangible, vehicle and watercraft. The rates have remained unchanged since the 1980s.

Clinton County Sheriff Rick Riddle and the local sheriff’s department received some favorable recognition recently through a statewide magazine. Sheriff Riddle was interviewed in an article from the Fall 2010 edition of the Kentucky Law Enforcement magazine in the “In The Spotlight” section.

For the first time in school history, since the program began in 2002, the Lady Volley Dawgs are heading to the regional tournament as 16th District champions. Clinton County won the district championship game against Metcalfe County on Tuesday, October 12, after picking up the number one seed for regular season play. The Volley Dawgs finished the regular season 6-0 in the district.

A total of 7,178 voters are registered to vote in Clinton County in November, down just seven people from the 7,185 on the voter roles in May. Of those registered, 1,479 are Democrats, 5,590 are Republicans and 109 are “other.”

After several years of hard work and the dedication of numerous people, the Albany/Clinton County Wellness Center/Twin Lakes YMCA officially opened it’s doors Friday, October 22 for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Halloween is just days away for 2010 and the spookiest night of the year happens to fall on the most sacred night of the year for most, a Sunday. The official trick-or-treat day that officials are asking parents and kids to observe has been moved up one day to Saturday, October 30 from 5 to 8 p.m.

October Births…Daxton Howard Bates Graham, son of John and Erica Graham, Albany; Coen Matthew Queen, son of Matt and Rachel Queen, St. Louis, MO; Kayleigh Elizabeth Turner, daughter of Rachel Elizabeth Turner and Chris Muscienese, Albany; Abigale Lena Davis, daughter of Mike and Ginger Davis, Albany.

October Deaths…Eric Cravens, 38, Albany; Donald Beatty Harbison, 78, Temple Hill, KY; James Cecil Tuggle, 62, Albany; Guy Warren Tallent, 65, Albany; Margie L. Brown, 66, Albany; Frank Melon, 73, Albany; Daniel Mullins, 73, New Palestine, IN; Debra Diane Tramonte, 52, Oak Grove, KY; Janice D. Dezern, 52, Cox Creek, KY; Alice Jones Losey, 93, Scottsville, KY; Jason Marshall Stearns, 24, Albany; Avo (Gay) Snyder, 76, Junction City, KS; Billy Keith Armstrong, 70, Albany; Jane F. Matthews, 89, Glasgow, KY; Fred Hill, 82, Celina, TN; Alta Ragan, 67, Monticello, Kentucky.

November News…An outdoor burn ban remained in effect as of press time Tuesday, November 2 for Albany and Clinton County due to extreme dry weather and soil conditions across the region.

One of the most hotly contested races appearing on Tuesday’s ballot was a run-off race between two candidates seeking the seat of District Judge in the 40th Division’s first district. Albany Attorney Scarlett B. Latham earned the nod from voters across the three county district that includes Clinton, Russell and Wayne counties. Other winners on Tuesday were: Lyle Huff, county judge/executive; Pat Campbell, PVA; Gene Ferrill, jailer; Willard Johnson and Patty Guinn, magistrates; Nicky Smith, mayor; Tony Delk, Steve Lawson, Frankie Stockton, Tonya Thrasher, James “Smitty” Smith and Mary Faye Stockton, city council; Rand Paul, Republican, U.S. Senate; Ed Whitfield, Congress, First District; and constables, James Adkins, David “Sidewinder” Cross, Bobby Ray Tallent, Ronnie Thrasher, Jerry Craig and Gilbert Daniel.

The Clinton County Industrial Development Authority has agreed to financially assist a local marina, Wisdom Fishing Camp, Inc. The IDA approved a $200,000 secondary loan on a total $1,075,000 project that will see four houseboats, four pontoon boats, an additional 600 feet of dock with 55 new slips, and the construction of 12 hotel-type rooms on the existing floating dock added to the marina on Dale Hollow Lake.

The Clinton County Junior Reserve Training Corps Bulldog Battalion hosted a ceremony Friday, November 12 to honor our county and nation’s veterans. With Veteran’s Day officially held on Thursday, November 11, the JROTC held its presentation on Friday in front of the entire Clinton County High School student body, as well as veterans and their families.

The Christmas season is now officially here in Clinton County. The Christmas at Home food and toy drive is taking donations, the Clinton County News is launching a local Christmas gift initiative called “Christmas From Clinton County,” and Letters to Santa is now being accepted for publication in the annual Christmas edition.

November Births…Clint Shelton, son of Rachel Beaty and Christopher Oris Shelton, Albany; Jacob Riley Covert, son of Stephanie Delk and Brian Covert, Somerset, KY; Raylee Madison Clunie, daughter of Philip and Kristie Clunie, Albany; Amberlee Hope Self, daughter of Taylor Beaty Self, Midland, Texas.

November Deaths…Kathy Miller, 71, Muncie, IN; Charles L. Ferguson, 72, Albany; Elizabeth Scott Newby, 59, Burkesville, KY; Larry C. Marcum, Hillside, IL; Patty Helms, 59, Cincinnati, OH; Bro. Archie Poindexter, 92, Albany; Alva Kindle Thrasher, 85, Albany; Thomas Ruble Britt, 97, Albany; V.A. Graham, 72, Albany; Pauline Lowhorn, 83, Albany.

December News…President of the Little Hills of Kentucky Animal Rescue, Inc., Enid Wallace and Vice President Jeff Cole, have been working day in and day out for the past several months to clean up and find good homes for dogs that have been abandoned and left out in the streets. For the past year, Wallace has been taking in dogs and finding homes for them, either through adoption or foster homes.

After a year off, excitement is again stirring in the Albany and Clinton County area with the anticipated return of the “Treasure Hunt” that will officially begin Friday, December 3.

Coach Carter Adams had a rough night in his debut as a head coach Monday, November 29, as did his Lady Bulldogs squad, giving up a 75-25 decision to highly rated Franklin-Simpson.

What years ago was a weekly feature in the Clinton County News sports pages is making a comeback this week. The News is once again challenging sports fans to compete in our “Slam Dunk” basketball contest.

A former Albany resident was recently honored for a lifetime of work toward improving the mental health of Kentuckians. Dennis Boyd, who now lives in Louisville, was recently named as the sixth recipient of the prestigious Sunrise Award presented by Seven Counties Services.

The Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, along with the Albany Police Department, arrested two individuals–Craig E. McAdams, 50, and Martin R. McAdams, 53–after finding an active meth lab outside their rental home in the Walnut Grove community in northern Clinton County.

A Clinton County man who was originally indicted on over 22 counts related to theft and receiving stolen property, has reached a plea agreement in both Clinton and Monroe counties. James Fisher, 58, of Albany, accepted at total 10-year sentence.

Albany Police Officer Brad Cross was slightly injured when he was struck by a utility terrain vehicle on Sunday, December 12 at approximately 9:30 p.m. near the Clinton County Jail.

The Clinton County Industrial Development Authority voted to host the swearing-in ceremony for elected officials that will take office in January. The ceremonies will be held Thursday, December 30 at the Clinton County Learning Center.

Four people, including three from one family, were left dead last Friday afternoon, December 17, in one of the most tragic vehicle accidents to occur in Clinton County in recent memory. Killed in the two-vehicle head-on crash that occurred on Hwy. 90 near the 1590 intersection was David Moreland, 36; Amanda Moreland, 25; McKenzie Moreland, 7, all of Albany and 54-year-old Ricky Brinkley of Bowling Green, Kentucky. One five-year-old in the Moreland vehicle, Halee Moreland, survived the accident after being hospitalized at UK Medical Center in Lexington.

Road Supervisor David Honeycutt announced his retirement at the end of this year at the December meeting of Clinton Fiscal Court. The court, on December 16, voted to hire current Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) James H. Pennycuff to replace Honeycutt, effective immediately.

On Saturday, December 18, a pair of Clinton County treasure hunt seekers, Angela Davis and Misty Madison, put together the clues and found the “Silver Bell” that represented the grand prize of about $3,000 worth of cash and prizes in this year’s Treasure Hunt. The “Silver Bell” was attached to the stop sign in front of the old South Kentucky RECC building on the Burkesville Road.

The Lake Cumberland District Board of Health, by almost two-thirds majority vote on December 9, has opted to seek a one-cent tax hike per member county as well as mandatory employee furlough days over a period of time to offset cuts in the Medicare program by the state.

A fire that was discovered late Thursday night, December 14, resulted in the total loss of six houseboats moored at Wisdom Dock on Dale Hollow Lake.

The seventh annual Christmas at Home program has wrapped up for 2010 and was another huge success. The bottom line totals show that just over 200 homes received assistance. That translated into over 430 children having a brighter holiday season.

Beginning January 1, a new law will take effect banning “texting” while driving and banning the use of cell phones by any driver under age 18. Violators will be liable for $25 fines plus court costs for the first offense and a $50 fine plus court cost for each subsequent offense.

Bulldog basketball fans enjoyed an early Christmas present last week when the Bulldogs picked up its first ever championship title in the Twin Lakes Holiday Classic Tournament. Clinton County, hosting the tournament for the fourth consecutive year, won the title game 50-40 over Madison Southern.

December Births…Ryder Daniel Key Luttrell, son of Richard and Karen Luttrell, Albany; Jacob William Ray Thrasher, son of Brad and Jessica Thrasher, Albany; Taylor Seth Weaver, Albany.

December Deaths…Glee Vitatoe Catron, 82, Albany; Roscoe Kenneth York, 85, Albany; Barbara A. Lowhorn, 72, Cambridge City, IN; Rose Marie Davis, 47, Albany; Jesse L. Mackey, 88, Winchester, TN; Louise Mae Bradley, 54, Monticello, KY; Mary Euldean Covey, 83, Dublin, IN; Richard M. O’Brien, 75, Morgantown, KY; Maurice Higginbotham Choate, Burkesville, KY; McKenzie Moreland, 7, Albany; Inalean Booher Gibson, 92, Albany; Amanda Walker Moreland, 25, Albany; Ricky Lane Brinkley, 54, Bowling Green, KY; Jamie Ray Castillo, 33, Burkeville, KY; David Moreland, 36, Albany; Herbert Holland York, 74, Burkesville, KY; Callie Gritton Crossfield, 94, Lawrenceburg, KY; June Beaty Watson, 82, Palm Harbor, FL; Eddie Carl Cecil, 56, Albany.