Lebanon

Centre Collge Professor Nayef Samhat had only been home from an academic trip to Lebanon for a week when the country came under attack two weeks ago. On TV, he watched as the towns and cities he had just visited along Lebanon's southern border with Israel were being bombed and overrun with soldiers. "I think it took everyone by surprise," Samhat said of the explosion of violence between Lebanon and Israel. "When I was there, everything was peaceful, everyone was just going about their business.

The treachery of Syria and Iran in using Hezbollah as their proxy in a military effort to damage Israel defies description, much less understanding. According to U.S. News & World Report, the combined military resources of Syria and Iran far exceed that of Israel, they have a combined population 23 times that of Israel, and almost five times the active troop strength. Yet and even though Syria shares an open border with Israel of some 45 miles over which it can easily move men and equipment, Iran and Syria armed/supplied Hezbollah and allowed it and southern Lebanon to be decimated rather than risk their far superior forces.

The "Live in Lebanon" free outdoor concert series continues in historic downtown Lebanon this Saturday, Aug. 2. Rick Monroe, a country rock musician, will be taking the stage Saturday from 8:30 p.m. to midnight in the outdoor plaza beside Big Jim's Steakhouse & Buffet at 212 West Main Street. The concert is free. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved indoors. For a complete "Live in Lebanon" schedule, go to www.VisitLebanonKy.com. For more information, call (270)

The Lebanon Lancers, central Kentucky's semi-pro basketball team, will open its inaugural season with a doubleheader Saturday, April 12, at Marion County High School. The Lancers will take on the Lexington Thoroughbreds first at 5 p.m., then will challenge the Irvine Express, the defending champions of the Kentucky Basketball Developmental League, at approximately 7 p.m. The Kentucky Basketball Developmental League (KBDL) showcases six semi-pro teams. The teams are the Lancers, Thoroughbreds, Express, Covington Thunder, Louisville Gamblers, and Elizabeth, Ind., Generals.

The "Live in Lebanon" free outdoor concert series continues in downtown Lebanon Saturday. Country/pop musician Andrew Scott Newton will perform Saturday from 8:30 p.m. to midnight in the outdoor plaza beside Big Jim's Steakhouse & Buffet at 212 West Main Street. The concert is free. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved indoors. For a complete "Live in Lebanon" schedule, go to www.VisitLebanonKy.com. For more information, call (270) 692-3970 or e-mail bigjims@alltel.

Dear Editor, After reading Todd Kleffman's article entitled "Mideast Violence Surprises Professor" I was no little bit perplexed at the statements of Centre's professor Nayef Samhat. His statements certainly sounded as though he was siding with Hezbollah. I would think it a matter of fact that this Iranian-sponsored terrorist organization, Hezbollah and Syria, are enemies of the U.S. I would think he would have known before he left Danville how Hezbollah and Syria would assess America's foreign policy in the Mideast.

The Farmers National Bank/Heart of Kentucky Tennis Open, one of the legs of the Central Kentucky Tennis Series (CKTS), comes to Lebanon Aug. 23-24. The tournament, which will be played at Graham Memorial Park and Marion County High School, is open to everyone, but CKTS members will be vying for points on a circuit that includes tournaments in Russell Springs, Danville, Elizabethtown, Columbia, Liberty and Glasgow. The tennis tournament is open to all levels of competitors, with 18 divisions to be contested.

Sam Harp, who guided Danville to seven state championships in 25 seasons as its head football coach, is leaving the school to become the coach at Lebanon (Tenn.). Harp was in Lebanon on Wednesday for the announcement that he will become that school's coach. The Wilson Post of Lebanon reported that he was introduced at the school by its athletic director. Harp did not return calls seeking comment, and Lebanon school officials could not be reached for comment, either. However, Harp told a Nashville, Tenn., newspaper that he felt it was time for a change.

LEBANON - The finest classic cars, trucks and motorcycles will be in evidence for auto enthusiasts when the U.S. 68 Garage Tour opens Saturday. Held at Hardin Garage, a showplace for some of central Kentucky's finest Mercuries, Thunderbirds, Ford convertibles and Crown Victorias, this show will feature classic automobiles from as far away as Hopkinsville. The first 50 cars to arrive will get commemorative dash plates. No pre-registration is required. There is no general admission and parking is free.

Naming Sam Harp the new football coach at Lebanon (Tenn.) has “created an excitement” that Boyle County native Woody Hunt has not seen for the football program. “We used to be fairly good, and then it has been really down lately,” said Hunt, the baseball coach at Cumberland University in Lebanon. “It is going to take Sam time to rebuild things. We have three really big high schools in the county. “But he will be treated like God down here. They will love him. They may expect him to walk on water, but there is already so much excitement.

The northbound lanes of U.S. 127 Bypass at Lebanon Road in Danville will be closed until about 9 p.m. today following a four-vehicle collision that included a tractor-trailer rig overturning on top of an SUV. One person was taken to Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center for treatment of non-lifethreatening injuries after the crash, which occurred about 3 p.m. The driver of the SUV, Wendy Howard of Danville, escaped unscathed, even though the...

Boyle County Public Library will host a program and book signing with Obie Slater for his book, “Obie Slater Remembers Club Cherry,” at 2 p.m. Sunday in the community room at the library. Slater's book highlights his time as the manager of Club Cherry, a Lebanon nightclub, which had a constant stream of performers such as Ike and Tina Turner, Otis Redding, B.B. King and Ray Charles. Under his management, Slater turned Club Cherry into one of Lebanon's hottest clubs. As Slater says in his book, “The stars kept coming and their popularity kept growing ... so did the reputation of the Club Cherry.” Club Cherry was part of a connected string of music venues throughout the eastern and southern United States known as the Chitlin' Circuit.

A woman was transported to the hospital Thursday morning after a collision on the Danville bypass. About 10 a.m., Danville police responded to a possible injury collision at the intersection of Lebanon Road and the bypass. Police say Charissa Gosser, 23, of Danville was driving a 2007 Mitsubishi Galant south on the bypass when she spilled a drink and reached down. When she looked back up, she realized she was going through a red light, said Capt. James Monroe. At that time, a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica driven by Shirley Engle, 76, of Danville, followed a green light in the turning lane for Lebanon Road and the two vehicles collided.  Both vehicles were not drivable, Monroe said, and Gosser was taken to Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center for possible injuries.

Naming Sam Harp the new football coach at Lebanon (Tenn.) has “created an excitement” that Boyle County native Woody Hunt has not seen for the football program. “We used to be fairly good, and then it has been really down lately,” said Hunt, the baseball coach at Cumberland University in Lebanon. “It is going to take Sam time to rebuild things. We have three really big high schools in the county. “But he will be treated like God down here. They will love him. They may expect him to walk on water, but there is already so much excitement.

Sam Harp, who guided Danville to seven state championships in 25 seasons as its head football coach, is leaving the school to become the coach at Lebanon (Tenn.). Harp was in Lebanon on Wednesday for the announcement that he will become that school's coach. The Wilson Post of Lebanon reported that he was introduced at the school by its athletic director. Harp did not return calls seeking comment, and Lebanon school officials could not be reached for comment, either. However, Harp told a Nashville, Tenn., newspaper that he felt it was time for a change.

Having just moved to Harrodsburg full time, from the north Georgia mountains, I was thrilled to have read Parade Magazine and called Liz Orndorff; she arranged to get me 12 tickets. I rounded up friends from as far away as Morehead, Winchester, Willisburg and Lebanon ( I told you I was new in town) to attend Hollerwood II at West T. Hill Community Theatre. Wow, what a performance by all. My sides are still sore from laughter. If you live in this community, it is a must to support this level of theater, and this play will not leave you in the least bit disappointed.

Boyle offers quitting help for smokers The Boyle County Health Department is sponsoring a free Cooper/Clayton Method to Stop Smoking program beginning April 21. Led by trained facilitators, the Cooper/Clayton Method is a comprehensive 13-week group support program that uses proven methods to help people stop smoking. The program includes educational sessions and group support. Nicotine replacement patches are provided free of charge to Boyle County residents. Classes will meet on Thursdays beginning April 21 at the Boyle County Health Department.

LEBANON — Horror and paranormal fans will gather at Centre Square here to meet, greet and get spooked at Dark Woods Convention 1.5 , set for Oct. 1-3. This unique event brings fans together to socialize and meet some of their favorite celebrities, including actors, wrestlers, television and radio personalities, paranormal guests, music performers, artists and independent filmmakers. Special guests at Dark Woods include “Survivor: All-Stars” $1 million winner Rupert Boneham; Ari Lehman (Jason in “Friday the 13th”)

Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center Nov. 4: A boy, Preston Isaiah, to Stephanie and Shawn Scott of Liberty. Nov. 6: A girl, Ava Reece, to Lauren and Neal Weddle of Liberty. A boy, Aiden Philip Joe, to Carla Wren of Junction City. Nov. 9: A girl, Alissa Danielle, to Danielle Bell of Lebanon.

LEBANON ? A Gravel Switch teen was injured Friday night after she fell asleep and crashed her car in Marion County about three miles east of Lebanon. Kentucky State Police said Briana Cooper, 17, was traveling on Danville Highway about 9:15 p.m. when she fell asleep and ran off the road. Cooper then overcorrected, causing her 2000 Pontiac Grand Am to flip over and strike a fence. Cooper, who was wearing a seat belt, was treated at Springview Hospital and released, police said.