New school redistricting lines were voted on at a special called meeting of the Russell County Board of Education a week ago Monday.

The new zones split the district that holds Union Chapel Elementary, slated to close at the end of this school year.

The redistricting divides the students between Jamestown Elementary and Russell Springs Elementary.

As a part of the changes, sixth grade students will begin having classes at the Russell County Auditorium/Natatorium Complex, what will be known as the 6th Grade Center for the students.

An orientation was held Monday night at the ANC to provide an orientation and welcome the new students.

The parent/student orientation included a welcome from Russell County Middle School Principal Doug Holmes, and introduced the parents/students to various services and faculty that will be charged with providing education and services to the children and families.

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

Jamestown’s outlet of Kentucky Off-Track Betting, or KOTB, had a big day on Saturday as the running of the 139th Kentucky Derby drew in racing fans for a little fun in betting.

Attendance for the day was 1,008 individuals, according to KOTB Manager Laretta Pierce, who spent the day greeting customers and thanking them for their patronage over the years.

Due to financial considerations, it was announced in early March that the three outlets of KOTB, located in Jamestown, Corbin, and Maysville, would be closing for good after the completion of the last race of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, takes place on June 9.

The Jamestown KOTB prided itself on being a fun, family oriented business that focused on being an enjoyable and entertaining atmosphere, according to Pierce, with tears in her eyes.

The loss of KOTB will mean the loss of six full time and a dozen part time employees, but for Pierce and the employees it’s a loss of a family they’ve built over the past 20 years, since the business began operating in July 1993.

“This has been my life for 20 years,” said Pierce. “So it’s really sentimental to me.”

“It become a big family here,” she said.

Many factors contributed to the decision to close KOTB, such as the inception of the lottery and legalization of bingo parlors, as well as the bad economy over the past number of years, Pierce explained.

“It’s taken a lot of dollars away from the horse racing industry,” she said.

According to a press release by KOTB, a consortium formed by Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Keeneland, and Turfway Park in 1993, a decade ago the three outlets were generating $25.7 million in wagers and only managed $10 million last year, and though that is a lot, the way the legislation that legalized the outlets was set up divides the “handle” (a term they use for revenue generated by bets) in a way that a smaller percentage is allowed for cost overhead such as payroll.

It was profitable in good times, but has not been profitable since the economic downturn, according to the press release.

A voluntary agreement by the business gave .75 percent of every dollar generated to the city of Jamestown, and .25 percent to the county.

The loss of KOTB will mean a loss of approximately $23,000 as estimated by Jamestown city officials.

But the day of the Kentucky Derby is about the racing, the camaraderie and the KOTB family of employees and racing enthusiasts.

“It’s the most fun job I’ve ever had in my life,” said Debbie Little, a member of the KOTB family for the last six years.

As people lined up to place bets, one of which was a winner of a $1 superfecta bet in which the bettor must pick the first four finishers in order, and one participant this day would win a $28,542 payout for, 19 year veteran of KOTB, Jessica Wiles, took time to express her thoughts on the eventual closing of the facility.

“This place is home, and to think it’s not going to be here anymore, just really, really, really just breaks your heart,” Wiles said, bright blue eyes still sparkling though it’s been 22 hours of work in two days.

“It’s just family, and though we’re no longer going to be here, we’re still family at heart,” she said.

“Even when you fight, argue, there’s still always that closeness and I’m going to miss that with all my heart.”

“This is home, and a little part has been taken away,” Wiles said, lamenting the loss of the business to the Jamestown community.

Once the derby ran, a large part of the crowd headed for their cars on the rainy Saturday to head off into other activities, but for a while the dreams of a big win on a small wager occupied their minds and kept them entertained.

The chances to enjoy this entertainment are quickly coming to an end for the city of Jamestown, but while it remains you can still join in on the fun Wednesday through Sunday, with doors opening at 10:30 a.m. and betting windows open at 11 a.m.

Closing depends on race times but are usually open until 7:30 p.m.

While you still can, drop in and say hi; place a bet, and dream of a win. And say goodbye to an important business to the city of Jamestown over the last 20 years.