Retirement

LIBERTY - Shortly after announcing his retirement, 29th Judicial Circuit Judge James G. Weddle died Wednesday at his home after battling cancer for several years. Weddle recently announced he would retire May 1 on the advice of his doctors, according to a press release. First elected in 1999, he presided over cases in Casey and Adair counties, judging everything from serious crimes against people to civil lawsuits and adoptions. Before state officials split the district due to high case volume, Weddle also presided over cases in Cumberland and Monroe counties.

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you give me some tips on when the best time is to start taking my Social Security benefits? Ready to Retire Dear Ready, Figuring out the best time to start taking your Social Security retirement benefits can be tricky. A good first step in getting help is at your local Social Security office. Call 800-722-1213 and schedule an appointment with a claims representative. You can also find lots of helpful information online at www.socialsecurity.

Dear Editor: I just want to say that Dr. Montgomery is an excellent doctor. He has taken care of my entire family until his retirement. It is so sad that someone cannot go on a mission trip and help people out without risking their lives. I pray for his family and safe return. Gale Eden Lancaster

HARRODSBURG - Veteran Harrodsburg City Commissioner Joe Hood resigned from the Board of Commissioners Tuesday night; he likely will be replaced by veteran Harrodsburg City Commissioner Joe Hood at the commission's next meeting March 9. Hood, an attorney, said he has been planning to retire from his job with the Legislative Research Commission in Frankfort for some time and originally planned to leave in June, but several factors, including his...

Sept. 7, 1986 Mr. and Mrs. George Bell observed their 50th wedding anniversary Sunday, Aug. 31 at their home, 141 W. Broadway. Mrs. Bell, the former Mary Hodgkin, taught in the Clark County School system for several years and later operated a private kindergarten for approximately 15 years prior to her retirement. Mr. Bell was employed by Southern Bell Telephone Company for 36 years before his retirement in 1969. Bill Essex, a former Indiana State Police undercover narcotics detective, now travels the country presenting a unique drug prevention program to school, businesses and other groups.

HARRODSBURG - Ed Music, who retired earlier this month as Harrodsburg's city administrative officer, will be returning to work part-time for the city as budget director. His old job will not be filled. "I believe that with the commissioners taking a more active role, this approach will work for the city," said Mayor Lonnie Campbell. "Six people retired this year to allow the city to better meet its current and future pension burdens imposed by the state. " Many of the jobs held by the employees have been filled, while three of the former employees have returned in various capacities.

The former manager of Winchester Municipal Utilities will walk away with more than $145,000 in back pay for unused sick and vacation time following his retirement last month. According to WMU documents, Vernon Azevedo had accumulated 1,040 hours of unused sick time and 737 hours of unused vacation time before his retirement took effect June 11. Under WMU's personnel policies, Azevedo will be compensated for the time based on his last pay rate of $81.73 an hour. The pay rate will also figure into Azevedo's state retirement benefits.

HARRODSBURG - Mercer County Judge-Executive John Trisler announced his retirement Tuesday at the Fiscal Court meeting. Trisler's last day will be July 31. He has been judge-executive for six years and said he feels this is the right time to retire. "With my future retirement, my wife will get her husband back, my children, their father, and our grandchildren, their granddaddy, for the remaining days of my life," he said. Trisler said his decision to retire is for personal reasons and is not related to the job. "I have prayed and agonized over this, and it's the right thing to do," he said.

Imagine for a moment that you heard on the news that a meteor the size of New York City was careening toward the earth at break-neck speed. All of the headlines read that the bad news is inevitable. There is a 100 percent chance this meteor will strike the earth sometime in the next 25 years and when it does, it will destroy civilization as we know it. Now imagine that the scientists who've been charged with figuring out a way to save humanity are about to make an announcement. Full of hope and anticipation you listen from the edge of your seat as they say they have good news.

STANFORD - A swearing-in ceremony was planned at 1 p.m. today at the Lincoln County Courthouse Annex for new Circuit Judge Jeffery T. Burdette. Burdette, 41, of Rockcastle County, was selected by Gov. Ernie Fletcher out of three candidates to replace retired Judge William T. Cain. The circuit consists of Lincoln, Pulaski and Rockcastle counties. Cain's retirement and current senior judge status was effective at the first of the year. Burdette will serve in Cain's stead until the fall elections, during which he must run for the seat.