Junction City

Councilman Baldwin stated that Junction City pay its bills and stays in the black. When you levy 14 percent insurance tax, how could it be anything else? No, Mayor Douglas, I have not gone away. Fettered by his service, I am as always, his humble servant. Lewis Grider Junction City

JUNCTION CITY - Authorities responded to a robbery Wednesday afternoon at the Hardee's restaurant on U.S. 127. Junction City Police Chief Merl Baldwin said a white male entered Hardee's, which is connected to a BP gas station, about 3:45 p.m. The man told the female employee behind the counter to give him all of the money in the cash register. Baldwin said the employee asked the robber if he was serious, and when he said he was, she gave him an undetermined amount of cash. The robber did not show or indicate he had a weapon.

JUNCTION CITY - If things go as Junction City Council members hope, they will be able to use newly purchased property as the site of a municipal building someday, members shared at Tuesday's City Council meeting. The purchase was voted on at a previous meeting; however, the deed was finalized last week, transferring ownership from Jerry and Denzil Findley to the city. The property cost the city $30,000.  The vacant lot on Shelby Street adjoins city property where a train caboose and community center are located.

Junction City is like all other city governments - it needs additional revenue sources. As the fixed costs have greatly increased and the fact that revenue intake will not keep up, the city must seek out ways to generate additional revenue without raising taxes and eliminating services to the residents of Junction City. To move Junction City forward and level the playing field with Danville and surrounding communities, Junction City must have the ability to include the sale of alcoholic beverages as a component in its business plan.

JUNCTION CITY - Two robbery attempts in Junction City resulted in the arrest Sunday of a Boyle County man. Joshua A. Snow, 26, of Spring Valley Road, was arrested Sunday night after he allegedly made two attempts to rob individuals in the Junction City area. He was charged with two counts of first-degree robbery. Junction City Police Chief Merl Baldwin said Snow had a gun and approached the first victim in the parking lot at the Dollar General store in Junction City. After the intended victim asked if he knew the would-be robber,  Snow got in red car and drove away, Baldwin said.

JUNCTION CITY - With a list of concerns, Junction City resident and business owner Leeroy Hardin, among others, came before the City Council during Tuesday's meeting. Hardin owns the QuickStop in Junction City and alleged that the city is failing to properly handle the overgrowth in an adjoining field owned by Brent Woodrum. Mayor Jim Douglas said the city has a lien against the property and has attempted to clean it up but has experienced difficulty. Councilman Kenny Baldwin said people brought in to give the city a bid for mowing the property generally left quickly, saying they would not be able to work due to the rocks and other obstacles in the field.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Donald Reed and Patti Wilson for putting on one of the best car shows I have seen. They did an excellent job with the recent car show in Junction City for Railroad Days, and they deserve a pat on the back for their hard work. Jimmy Gipson Junction City

Liquor licenses were issued Tuesday in Junction City, clearing the way for two package stores to open for business. City Clerk Susan Music said Junction City Police Chief Merl Baldwin, who is the city's Alcoholic Beverage Control officer, received an email about noon from Danny Reed, distilled spirits administrator for the state ABC, confirming the decision. Licenses were granted to Antles, 4165 Hustonville Road, and Ray's Liquor Mart, 267 Margus Drive. Music said both establishments can open for business as soon as their facilities are ready.

In business session on Aug. 21, the First Baptist Church of Junction City, upon recommendation of its deacons, voted unanimously as a body to stand in opposition to the expansion of alcohol sales as proposed in the local option election for the three Junction City precincts set for Oct. 4. This is the historical Baptist stance. This stance is also from our experiences in ministry to those subjected to the negatives of alcohol use and abuse. This is a stand for full truth politically and financially - which has been lacking thus far - because alcohol never delivers to the larger good of the community and any perceived or claimed financial benefits are realized only for the few. Some unanswered questions: What exactly would be permitted by a “Yes” vote - beer sales, package stores, by-the-drink bars and restaurants?

Carolyn Webb , 69, of Junction City died Saturday. Arrangements pending at W.L. Pruitt Funeral Home in Moreland.

May 7: A girl, Cheyenne Aubree, to Jessica and Michael Moore of Stanford. May 8: A girl, Julia Nicole, to Kirsti and John Clark of Somerset. May 9: A boy, Connor Ray, to Leah and Buddy Wilson of Parksville, May 10: A girl, Addyson Leigh, to Kala Harmon of Harrodsburg. A girl, Isabella, to Brandi Finley of Junction City. A girl, Lakin Rae, to Shama and Jonathan Burger of Parksville.

Jesse Johnson has been appointed to the vacant position on the Boyle County Board of Education by Kentucky Commissioner of Education Terry Holiday. Johnson is a Boyle native and a 2002 graduate of Boyle County High School. He continued his education at the University of Kentucky, from where he graduated in 2006. He was officially sworn in on May 2, attending a working session that night. However, May 16 was the first official school board meeting for Johnson, who said it went well.

JUNCTION CITY - Questions arose about the city's fire hydrants durings Tuesday's Junction City Council meeting. Councilman Kenny Baldwin questioned the location of hydrants in the city, especially those with stronger water lines. According to councilman and former fire chief Jimmy Gipson, some places were difficult to put in hydrants and some hydrants were on the ends of lines, causing the pressure to be lessened.  In some locations, hydrants need to be added. Gipson said the number of houses to hydrants was to be three houses to 600 feet of water line.

HUSTONVILLE - Mayor David Peyton primed the pump for a significant increase in water rates Tuesday night, hinting that keeping the city's water department afloat is key to the very survival of the small Lincoln County town. City Council did not vote on a rate increase for its 1,860 water customers, but discussion of the idea took up the bulk of Tuesday's meeting. Peyton said afterward that he plans to propose a rate hike around 20 percent at next month's meeting and wanted council members and residents to have a chance to think about it before a vote is called.

BOYLE DISTRICT COURT Cases handled recently in Boyle District Court, listed by name, charge, fine and jail sentence, where applicable, include the following. Court costs also were assessed in most cases. Ages and addresses are listed if available. Judge Jeff Dotson presiding Sean James Ganem, 42, Perryville, driving under the influence of intoxicants, $375, five days, credit for five days served, license suspended 120 days; driving on suspended license, amended to no driver's license, 20 days, credit for 20 days served; speeding 16 mph over limit, no insurance card and possession of open alcohol container in vehicle, all dismissed; two counts of contempt of court, revoke probation, to run concurrently with state time; non-payment of fines, dismissed.

Clarification Tina Michelle Hogue Morris, 42, of 335 Pope Road, has asked the newspaper to clarify that she is not the same Tina Michelle Hogue, of Junction City, who appeared in the Boyle County public record Sunday. Wellness center to offer boot camp McDowell Wellness Center is offering sessions of its popular boot camp to get individuals in shape while losing weight. A morning boot camp began on Monday, and will meet from 5:20-6:20 a.m. each Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  A women's only boot camp specifically designed to help overweight women get in shape while losing weight will begin Monday, meeting from 7:30-8:30 p.m. At the initial class, participants will weigh, check their body-fat percentage and take body measurements.

JUNCTION CITY - An old restaurant has received a new breath of life. The former Lovett's Family Restaurant now is home to Big Butts too BBQ. Owned by Thad Rich and Jordan Hardwick, the restaurant first opened April 9 and has gotten a “pretty good response,” according to Hardwick. “We've had some that are coming in every day, a few coming in saying they are already addicted to it,” Hardwick said. The secret to the barbecue, according to Rich, who is the main cook at the restaurant, is the time it takes to cook the meat, which varies but requires a slow process.