Sheriff lays off deputies — again

It has been confirmed that Todd County Sheriff W.D. Billy Stokes has laid off his staff for a third time this year.

The sheriff asked the Todd County Fiscal Court last week for $3,259.56 so he could keep paying his deputies.

The court, at the end of a budget cycle, said they just didn't have the money so they refused.

(They also pointed out that Stokes is suing the members of the court and that he hasn't given his bank balance — which is required by ordinance — to the court. So they wouldn't know what to give him.)

What they did say is that Stokes should have taken the advancement from the state. That would have been enough to float the office for several months.

Stokes, of course, has said he wouldn't take the advancement because he can't trust the court to pay it off if something were to happen to him.

Look in this week's Standard for more on the issue!

Tribble recovering nicely

There have been several phone calls wanting to know about our Office Manager Jonelle Tribble. She had open heart surgery last week, everything went fine and we are pleased to announce that she is home resting.

She told us that she is itching to get back to work, though she knows that the doctors wouldn't think too much of that. :)

Donnie McGehee

Donnie Joe McGehee, 47, of Allegre, died 5:37 p.m., June 11, 2008 at Jennie Stuart Medical Center in Hopkinsville.

He was a well known local country music singer. Services are at 2 p.m., June 14, at Latham Funeral Home with the Rev. Tommy Wilhite officiating. Burial will follow in the McColpin Cemetery in Allegre. Visitation is after 5 p.m., June 13, at Latham Funeral Home and after 10 a.m. Saturday until the funeral hour at the funeral home.

McGehee was born in Hopkinsville, on Dec. 22, 1960, the son of Howard Thomas McGehee of Murray and the late June Olivia Rudd Watson. He was proceeded in death by his stepfather Melrose Watson. He was a truck driver, and a member of the Pea Ridge House of Prayer in Todd County and played country music at many locations. He had been a regular at Helen's Place in Kirkmansville for some time.

In addition to his father, survivors include his wife of 28 years Janie Murphy McGehee and a sister Rose Pence of Crofton.

Wait we've got more

At the Todd County Standard we strive to give you the very best paper every week. That is our committment to you, the reader. Unfortunately some weeks we have HUGH stories (i.e., a certain lawenforcment officer; and restaurant inspection) that are what Ryan and I refer to as "Crazy long." And while that is good, we want to give you the entire story (as it was told to us or how it came out in the public meeting) and the things you want to see pageant queens photos, etc., that we, unfortunately don't get into the Standard. And since it is happy feel-good we'd really like to share it with you and dispurse the idea that some people have that we only print the bad news. While they man not make it in the paper, throught the miricle of Google (Thanks, Al Gore)(Read sarcasam into that comment please.)

So, this week I am going to post on the blog some items that haven't gotten in the paper.

We are going to begin with the Confederacy pageants. The pageant isn't like most pageants. There is no bathing suit -- but to be honest if a momma were to wear a bathing suit during the Civil War area she'd have more than likely been stoned -- instead this pageant focuses on the girls' understanding of the time period through behavior and dress. All the contestants did very well, but the winners are:

Wee Miss Confederacy (ages 2 to 5), Allison Rose Houchens, 3, of Hopkinsville. She is the daughter of William and Gayla Houchens.
Little Miss Confederacy (ages 6-10): Abigail Ruth Houchens, 6, of Hopkinsville. She is the daughter of William and Gayla Houchens.
Junior Miss Confederacy (ages 11-15): Heather Lynn Saddler, 14, of Hopkinsville. She is the daughter of James and Becky Saddler.
Miss Confederacy (ages 16-24; never married): Heather Bethshean Black, 16, of Clarksville. She is the daughter of Doug and Davalyn Black.
Ms. Confederacy (24 and up; are or have been married): Krista Shaw North, 19, of Hopkinsville. She is the daughter of James and Becky Saddler and the late Michael Shaw; wife of Casey North and mother of Colton.