A local jury returned a guilty verdict in the Hope White murder trial just before 3 p.m. Monday, March 11. The verdict came after about three hours of deliberations by the jury panel, who had listened to five days of testimony in the case.

The jury recommended a 25-year sentence on the murder charge. White, who remains lodged in Wayne County Detention Center, will be formally sentenced in Wayne Circuit Court on April 16 at 9 a.m.

This marks the second trial for White, who is charged with murder in connection with the July 2008 stabbing death of Julie Hicks Burchett. Burchett was found dead in her car on July 19, 2008.

White was originally convicted of murder following a trial held in Wayne Circuit Court in April 2010, and the jury recommended a 30-year sentence following that trial. In December 2011 the Kentucky Supreme Court overturned the conviction and granted White a new trial.

The second trial for White began with jury selection on Thursday, February 28 in Wayne Circuit Court. A panel was seated that afternoon, and then came back on Monday, March 4 for opening arguments in the case.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Matthew Leveridge began presenting witnesses in the case on Monday and the prosecution continued its case until Thursday.

Defense attorneys began presenting their case on Thursday and concluded in the late afternoon on Friday. At that point the jury was excused for the weekend and returned on Monday, March 11 for closing arguments.

The case went to the jury at about 11:45 a.m. Monday.

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Wayne County lost a leader on Friday, March 8 with the death of former County Judge-Executive Bruce Ramsey. Ramsey died at his home at the age of 59.

For several decades, Ramsey had been a political leader in the community and was head of county government for eight years. He was well-known by the people of this county, with a trademark smile and a wave to everyone who passed by.

In a story published in The Outlook in February 1999, as Ramsey began his first term as County Judge-Executive, he noted the special quality he saw in the people of this community.

Ramsey talked about the experience of campaigning around the county, standing on people’s front porches and learning about their concerns first hand. To him, there was no better preparation for serving the people of the county.

“You should leave things better than you found them,” stated Ramsey during that interview.

Ramsey was elected County Judge-Executive on his second run for that office. In his first race for County Judge-Executive, he was narrowly defeated in the Republican primary by long-time County Judge-Executive Hallice Upchurch.

Ramsey, a former Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy, had worked in several business endeavors over the years, including the construction and carpet business prior to being elected County Judge-Executive.

He first entered the political arena in 1977 with an unsuccessful bid for District Four Magistrate. Several years later he ran for Wayne Circuit Clerk and was again defeated by an incumbent.

Ramsey will be remembered for his dedication to making Wayne County a better place for the future.

Ramsey is survived by his wife, Winna, his son, Rhett, and his daughters, Beverly, Brenda and Belinda. Services were held Monday, March 11 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

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The Monticello Independent school district has failed to present a balanced budget to the commissioner of education by the March 8 deadline given to school board members late last month.

During a special called meeting on February 27, the Monticello Independent Board of Education was informed that they would need to present a balanced budget to the commissioner by March 8.

However, that did not happen, according to James Hamm, state manager of the Monticello Independent School District.

“I, and a number of experienced school financial advisors, see no way to create a balanced budget that does not adversely affect students and their ability to be college and/or career ready,” stated Hamm.

He added that certain scenarios for balancing the budget were discussed.

“Substantially reducing certified salaries will have a detrimental impact on teacher quality,” Hamm said.

“Expecting a large increase in student enrollment in a system that has significant funding issues and a high school that is a priority school is not realistic,” he said.

Hamm noted that he has responded to the commissioner’s request to present him with a balanced budget by Friday, March 8 for the 2013-14 school year that will not adversely affect student learning and their ability to be college and/or career ready. Hamm plans to discuss his recommendations at the March 18 board meeting for Monticello Independent.

Even though there is now a final answer regarding the budget for next school year, there are still many questions about the future of the school.

When asked if June 30 would be the last day for Monticello School, Hamm noted that “it is still too early to know that.”

However, Hamm stated that he has had preliminary discussions with John Dalton, Superintendent of the Wayne County School District, about Monticello.

“Mr. Dalton and I have the same commitment to do what is best for the young people of this community,” Hamm said. “No matter what happens, we must continue to make this our focus.”

In addition, Hamm appointed a committee last month to work on a skeleton merger agreement that he provided to them. He noted that this is still in the early stages, and the committee members are still discussing the most efficient process and the best way to organize the work.

At this point, it is too soon to say for sure what will happen to the school. Hamm noted that he can make recommendations to the Commissioner of Education but it will be commissioner and the Kentucky Board of Education that will make the final decisions.

In the meantime, Hamm indicated that school officials are having regular communications team meetings to ensure they are doing a better job of communicating with all stakeholders.

As discussions continue about the Monticello Independent School District, Hamm commended the students and faculty at the school. He noted that throughout this crisis, students continue to work very hard and staff members remain professional and focused on student learning.

“I have been very fortunate to work with the students and staff of Monticello Independent Schools. I ask the entire community to rally together through this difficult time and remain focused on what is most important,” Hamm said. “Bricks and mortar are just things, but it is our young people in this community that are our future. Let us do everything in our power to ensure every student has the skills and knowledge to be successful adults that contribute to the economy of our region.”