Lancaster

LANCASTER - After 61 years in the ministry, Morris Trayner is retiring as pastor of Gilbert's Creek Baptist Church in Lancaster, where he served for 23 years. Trayner, who began his ministry in 1952, preaching his first sermon at Bruner's Chapel Baptist Chuch in Harrodsburg, will be honored at a service Sunday at Gilbert's Creek. It will be his last service as pastor of the church. “I've enjoyed my time,” Trayner said. Over the course of his ministry, Trayner said he's  performed 101 wedding ceremonies and served as pastor of five churches besides Gilbert's Creek; Ellers Chapel Baptist in Harrodsburg, Immanuel Baptist in Danville, Pleasant Ridge Baptist in Owenton and Calvary Hill Baptist in Stanford.

Lucille Cooper , 97, of Danville, died Tuesday. Arrangements are pending at Stith Funeral Home, Danville.  Agnes Ledford , 90, of Paint Lick, died Tuesday. Arrangements are pending at Ramsey Funeral Home, Lancaster. Hazel B. Lester , 92, of Harrodsburg, died Tuesday. Arrangements are pending at Alexander & Royalty Funeral Home, Harrodsburg. Donald Turner , 71, of Boyle County, died Tuesday. Arrangements are pending Wilder Funeral Home, Perryville.

LANCASTER - City Council members will discuss with county officials the cost of remaining a member of the Bluegrass Emergency Response Team.  Russ Clark, Bluegrass 911 director and spokesman for the emergency response team, addressed the council at its meeting Monday. BERT is an emergency support and responder team serving 11 counties in Kentucky and helps in disasters, even when a county is not one of the members.  Garrard County is a member and, according to Clark, the fees are generally split between the governing bodies in each county.

LANCASTER - More bad news regarding the sewer line issues on West Maple Avenue was heard during Monday night's Lancaster City Council meeting.  According to Mayor Brenda Powers, another $25,000 is needed to pay for the remaining work for the line, which includes replacing a fifth manhole.  During the meeting, Powers revisited the idea of taking out a loan from the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority to cover the costs of the project. She said the city could take $187,000, out in a loan with a 0.95 interest rate, and follow a plan for 20 years to repay at about $856 a month.

LANCASTER - Following a ruling by the state attorney general, the city of Lancaster was forced to turn over recordings from a January executive session where council members discussed the water contract between the city and the Garrard County Water Association. While no members of the water association were invited to or present at the Jan. 14 meeting, the council chose to discuss the contract, which had been rejected by the association's board. It also became apparent from the tapes, which are now a matter of public record, that council members were concerned about the city's ability to meet grant and loan deadlines, the first of which is for U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development funds.

Joseph “Joe” Thomas Oaks, 61, of Lancaster, died Thursday, Feb. 14, at his home.  Born Monday, April 16, 1951, in Hamilton, Ohio, Joe was a son of the late Leonard Harlan Oaks, Sr. and Margaret Carter Oaks. He worked at Christian Care Center in Lancaster and was a Marine veteran, a knife maker and gun enthusiast.  He was also preceded in death by brothers, Leonard Harlan Oaks, Jr. and Gary Wayne Oaks; and a sister, Margaret Faye Oaks.  Survivors include three sisters, Edna Irene (Dwight)

James Gregory, 64, of Lancaster, died Saturday, Feb. 16, at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center in Danville.  Born Aug. 12, 1948, in Lansing, Tenn. James was a son of the late Grover and Beulah Honeycutt Gregory. He was a furniture store manager and a member of  the American Legion.  Survivors include his wife, Janice Oaks Gregory; a son, Michael Gregory; a daughter, Mindy (James) Poynter; a brother, Timmy Gregory; sisters, Wuanita Nedeigh, Wanda Brown and Patty Waldo; six grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.  In keeping with the family's wishes, cremation rites were honored.  Ramsey Funeral Home in Lancaster, was in charge.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The American Cancer Society's Mid-South Division recently named Jackie White of Lancaster a “Hero of Hope.” White is one of 17 cancer survivors and caregivers from the Mid-South states of Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee to be recognized. The Heroes of Hope program is in its fifth year. Honorees will serve as spokespeople for the American Cancer Society in their communities. Those selected have triumphed over cancer or cared for loved ones, made significant volunteer contributions to the American Cancer Society, and made an impact in the lives of others.