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SCHOOL BOARD SETS STAFFING POLICY

Changes in the allowable teacher-student ratio for Monroe County
schools were approved during two special called meetings of the Monroe County Board of Education during recent weeks. Superintendent James Graves explained that, since the implementation of KERA, Monroe County has had a 20-1 ratio (20 students per teacher) as the maximum.
He told the Board, during the 7 a.m. special meetings, that this needs to
be adjusted to give some flexibility in staffing.“If more industry doesn’t come in, people could leave and take their kids with them — and we could have a big drop in enrollment,” Graves said.He pointed out that funds are already tight, with the district down $170,000 in SEEK funds. Also, raises for all certified staff is state-mandated, and the district also has been given the same percentage raises to classified staff.“We’ll have to make some adjustments,” he said.He pointed out that the maximum number of students per teacher mandated by the state is: primary (K-3), 24; grade 4, 28; grades 5-6, 29; and grades 7-12, 31. Graves recommended adopting this as Monroe County’s maximum student-teacher ratio, and this policy was unanimously approved, with
the first reading on Feb. 24 and the second on Feb. 29.“There’s no way we could cut staff to meet this, but this change in  policy gives us some leeway,” he said.

INDICTMENTS

Three indictments were returned last Wednesday, March 1, when the
Monroe County grand jury convened during the monthly session of Circuit Court.Tim Jenkins, age 44, was indicted on charges of wanton endangerment in the first degree, two counts, accused of engaging in conduct which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to another person on Feb. 11, 2000, when he allegedly fired a rifle into a trailer occupied by Walter Marsha and Teresa Bridges. Susan Proffitt, age 36, was indicted on charges of forgery in the second degree, accused of forging the name of Teresa Frazier Ford on a written instrument purporting to be evidence of a legal right or status. James E. Muse, age 51, indicted on charges of operating a motor vehicle while license is revoked or suspended for driving under the influence, with the alleged violation taking place on Nov. 22, 1999 and being his third such
offense.In addition, three indictments on charges of trafficking in a
controlled substance (cocaine) in the first degree were released that had been returned last fall but sealed to be served at a later date. These were:
— Mickey Tooley, age 34, indicted Sept. 29, with the trafficking allegedly taking place Feb. 8, 1999, and being his second offense;
— Anna Tooley, age 40, indicted Oct. 27, with the trafficking
allegedly taking place on Feb. 1, 1999 and being her second or subsequent offense; and
— Jim Graves, age 52, with the trafficking allegedly taking place on
Nov. 9, 1998.

GAMALIEL COMMISSION

Controversy over the surveying of the City limits continued during the
regular monthly meeting of the Gamaliel City Commission on Tuesday
night, March 7. The subject, which had been discussed at the special called meeting on Feb. 16, was brought back up for more discussion and a motion by Mayor Jerry Comer. Comer stated that he had contacted a surveyor from Glasgow and had asked him about beginning the surveying process. Aerial photos must be made, he said, and until further into the process, a definite price would not be known. Commissioner Randy Davis asked if the Commission can annex land into the City before the survey is complete, and City Attorney Wesley Stephens noted that a definitive line must be established before any annexation can take place.
Davis then made the motion to go ahead with the surveying of the land
with all Commissioners voting in favor except Charles Cropper. “I think we need to have it [surveying] done ... I just think we need the money to run on right now,” Cropper said. He added that the papers Comer had given him (from a 1972 newspaper) were confusing with different footage than he had been told by other sources. Comer then stated that, if the survey is not completed, “I’m sitting here illegal as the devil,” meaning his home is one of those in question as to whether it is actually in the Gamaliel City limits. Harold Pitcock, a local businessman, was also present at the meeting to ask about the surveying. He asked the Commission several questions, including how it is determined who receives City tax bills and who did not. Comer answered that they just “send out where they think the limits are.” Pitcock asked how much the City would expect to gain by having this survey done. He also pointed out that approving the survey without a definite price is like “a blank check” and questioned whether this is a wise decision with Gamaliel “being in the financial situation that we’re in.” Comer commented that the City cannot extend the limits any further until the issue is settled and that, once the definitive answer is determined, those people in question will be required to pay City taxes, if they are not already doing so. Davis then made another motion to amend his previous one to state that the Commission would give the mayor “the OK to have the survey done, but
the price must be agreed upon before surveying starts.” Cropper still voted against this motion, stating that he had talked with several citizens and not many had “said they’d like to have this done at this time.”


MILLER SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Over the past two years, the Perry and Lucy Miller Scholarship Fund has
provided $56,500 to benefit Monroe County students. The funds come from the estate of Ray and Jessie D. Miller, a brother and sister who lived on Columbia Ave. in Tompkinsville. She was a teacher and he
was a farmer. Their will set up a scholarship fund in memory of their parents, Perry and Lucy Miller, with the money to be used for scholarships for Monroe County High School seniors and to support Monroe County Schools’ academic teams. William and Sue Harlin and Donna Sue Johnson, trustees for the scholarship fund, said that, in 1998, the first year funds were available, four Monroe County High School seniors each were awarded a $5,000 scholarships. In 1999, six seniors each received a $5,000 scholarship, and a total of $3,250 was provided for the academic teams. Recently, similar donations were made to the 1999-2000 academic teams, with $500 presented to the teams at each of the county’s elementary schools, $750 to the middle school team and $1,000 to the high school team. The trustees said that scholarships also will be awarded to seniors again this year. They explained that the scholarship monies will be awarded each year, adding that the funds come from interest on investments, so the amounts available each year may vary.

CLEANUP WEEK

Cleanup Week in Monroe County this spring is March 18-25, the same
time that a statewide effort, “Commonwealth Cleanup Week,” is scheduled. “Spring Clean Kentucky” is the theme. Roadsides and streets are the main targets in the Monroe County cleanup effort. This year, cash prizes will be awarded to the three groups that do the best job of cleaning up their assigned areas, and all groups that participate in the cleanup will be eligible for cash drawings. Local businesses have donated money for the awards, with first-, second- and third-place prizes of $300, $200 and $100 to be given. Drawings will be held for the remaining funds. A random drawing also will be held in Frankfort for three cash prizes, $500, $250 and $100, with civic, religious, charitable and other non-profit groups participating in the cleanup eligible for the state drawing. Interested groups should register with Keith Dyer, county solid waste coordinator, by March 15, then agree on a project, complete it, and submit the required survey form to Dyer. He can be reached at the Monroe County Transfer Station (ph. 487-8611). Trash bags and survey forms can be picked up at the Transfer Station or at the County Judge-executive’s office in the courthouse. Dyer said that groups who wish to start their cleanup work before March 18 can do so, but they need to be sure and register with him beforehand. Those taking part in the cleanup should wear heavy gloves and bright or light-colored clothing, he said. The local cleanup that had been announced for April, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce’s Beautification Committee, has been postponed so that all local cleanup efforts can be concentrated during Commonwealth Cleanup Week in March. Plans are being made for a Fall Cleanup, also with cash prizes.

4-H TIME CAPSULE

Monroe County 4-H’ers and other members of the community placed items in a “time capsule” vault slated to be opened in the year 2100 in a ceremony at the courthouse on March 2. The 4-H time capsule includes items related to or descriptive of life today and in the past in Monroe County, Kentucky and the nation.
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Announcements

ENGAGEMENTS

Hammer-Scott
Mr. and Mrs. Kerry Hammer, Tompkinville, would like to announce the
engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Andrea Jill, to
Mark Anthony Scott, son of Glaydene Scott, Tompkinsville, and the late
Harold Scott. The wedding will take place at 2 p.m. on March 25 at the Pleasant Hill Church of Christ. No invitations will be sent locally, but all family and friends are invited to attend.

Armes-Zoller
Mr. and Mrs. John Armes of McQuady (Ky.) wish to announce the
engagement of their daughter, Kristi Allen Armes, to Capt. Jeb Stuart Zoller, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dan L. Zoller, Bowling Green. The prospective groom is the grandson of Alma Williams, Tompkinsville.
The wedding will take place at 2 p.m. on April 1, in Pinehurst, N.C.  Invitations will be sent.

ANNIVERSARY

Cleo and Donnie (Pruitt) Howard, 749 So. Fourth St., Beech Grove,
Ind., will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with their family. They
were married in Tompkinsville on March 17, 1950.

BIRTHDAY CARD SHOWERS

Card showers are planned for:
Stanley Sanford “Heavy Dog” Bryant, 205 Short St., Tompkinsville, Ky. 42167, who will celebrate his 94th birthday on March 22;
Lena Moore, 2870 Edmonton Rd., Tompkinsville, Ky. 42167, who will
celebrate her 87th birthday on March 8;
Nellie Fish, 298 Fish Rd., Mt. Hermon, Ky. 42157, who will celebrate her 75th birthday on March 21.

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Girls Basketball
Lady Falcons head to region as district runner-up

The Lady Falcons of Monroe County hoped to earn their way to the
Fourth Region Tournament’s winner’s bracket by defeating the Lady Bulldogs of Clinton County in the championship game of the 16th District
Tournament, held last Friday night, at Monroe County High School — but it didn't work out that way. Already assured of a spot in the regionals, via their win over Cumberland County in the first round of the playoffs, the Monroe team knew they would have their hands full with the tough Lady Bulldogs.The teams had split their two previous meetings, with Clinton taking the first game, 80-72 in OT, and Monroe claiming the second, 70-49. Defense was the name of the game from the beginning, and by halftime, Monroe held a slim 24-22 lead. The third period put a hurt on the Lady Falcons as Clinton outscored them by 8, and though their scoring picked back up in the final period, the Lady Bulldogs took a 53-46 win in the championship game. “Clinton had a good game plan,” said Head Coach Tony Harlan. “They ran a triangle ‘D’ with the two on Brittany Geralds and Renea Proffitt. “We really got good shots but just couldn’t make them. We hit only 30% and lost by 7 points,” said Harlan.
“The team only turned the ball over 12 times and we had 13 steals. When we shoot good, we win. When we don’t, it’s a struggle for us,” said the coach.
Scoring by quarters: 1st — Monroe 8, Clinton 6; 2nd — Monroe 16,
Clinton 16; 3rd — Monroe 5, Clinton 15; 4th — Monroe 15, Clinton 16.
Stats: Lindsey Berry, 11 points (seven rebounds); Tracy Hays, 9;
Leslie McAlpin, 8; Jill Stinson, 6; Kari Brown, 5 (eight rebounds); Samantha Graves, 4 (six rebounds); Geralds, 3.
Now Monroe is scheduled to take on Allen County Thursday night, March 9, at 8 p.m. at the Bowling Green High School gym. The district loss didn’t hurt Monroe’s chances any in the Fourth Region Tournament, even though the Lady Falcons are going into the tournament as
district runner-up. Region favorite Barren County lost to their district rival Allen County in the championship game of their tourney. Had Monroe won the district title, the Lady Falcons would have faced Barren (as Clinton County did Wednesday night). Conversely, had the Trojanettes defeated the Lady Patriots, with Monroe losing to Clinton, Barren County would be Monroe’s opponent tonight. Not saying Allen will be easier to beat than Barren, but during the regular season, Monroe lost to Barren both times they played but defeated the Lady Patriots twice, in their first and last games of the regular season. If — and that’s a big “if” — the Lady Falcons get past Allen County, they will take on the winner of the Warren Central/Todd County Central match-up. This game would take place Monday night, March 13, at 8 p.m. at B.G. High School. The Lady Falcons defeated Todd Central this season but lost to Warren Central. The other teams in the tournament are Logan County and Bowling Green, who also played last night, with the victor to meet the Barren-Clinton winner in the first game on March 13. The championship game of the Fourth Region Tournament will be held Tuesday night, March 14, at 8 pm. Coach Harlan is encouraging a big local turnout to help cheer on his Lady Falcons as this is probably Monroe’s best shot to return to the state ”Sweet 16” since 1996.
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Boys Basketball
FALCONS’ SEASON ENDS

The Falcons of Monroe County ended their season Tuesday night, March 7, losing to Russellville 88-55 in the first round of the Fourth Region Tournament. Despite their 3-21 regular season record, the Falcons had earned a berth in the regional tourney by defeating Metcalfe County in the first round of the district tournament on Feb. 29. This year’s district event was held at Monroe County High School. The Falcons went on to give a strong Clinton County team all they could handle in the battle for the district title last Thursday night, March 2, losing by only 5, before closing their season out in regional play.
Clinton County
Although the Falcons had suffered defeat to the Bulldogs twice this
season, by margins of 96-83 and 87-56, they came out ready to play and presented their best effort to Clinton County. The first period saw Monroe score 3 points more than the Bulldogs, but the second period hurt Monroe as Clinton outscored the Falcons by 10 to take a
38-31 halftime lead. The Falcons could not gain any ground in the third period and fell slightly farther behind, but they weren’t about to give up.
The last quarter turned into a free- throw shooting contest with Clinton
County hitting 11 of 19 and Monroe converting 9 of 12 from the charity
stripe. The Falcons made 14 more points from the field, but Clinton held on for a 73-68 win. “We played a very good game,” said coach Carter. “Clinton County has a very good team, and we stayed with them all the way ’til the end.”
Scoring by quarters: 1st — Monroe 20, Clinton 17; 2nd — Monroe 11,
Clinton 21; 3rd — Monroe 14, Clinton 16; 4th — Monroe 23, Clinton 19.
Stats: Zack Grace, 17 points; Radford Graves, 14; Chris Pitcock, 13;
Josh Turner, 11; Chase Moore, 7; Cory Netherton, 2; Casey Kirk, 2; and Jonathan Hamilton, 2.
“I’m very proud of the way the team played in the District Tournament,”
said Carter, “and the crowd support was great.”
Russellville
Even with the loss, Monroe was headed to the regional at Allen County-Scottsville gym this past Tuesday night, March 7, to take on a
very strong Russellville Panthers team in the first round of the Fourth
Region Tournament. “I thought we played hard,” said Carter. “We just ran into a buzz saw.” Good description — for Tuesday night’s game just didn’t go well for Monroe from the start. The Panthers clawed the Falcons at the outset, leading by 11 at the end of the opening period and taking a commanding 47-18 lead at halftime. Monroe’s third period scoring improved but they were still ouscored by the Panthers, and although the Falcons outscored Russellville by 5 in the final period, it was too little, too late, and Monroe lost by 33 points. “We just seemed to be a step slow and, with pressure like Russellville’s, which we haven’t faced before, it took a while to get used to it. “After we figured it out, we did fine. However, we were down by too many points,” said Carter. “We knew Russellville was good,” said the coach. “We tried to slow down
their best two players, and we did do that, but their other players picked
up the scoring in their place.”
Scoring by quarters: 1st — Monroe 7, Russellville 18; 2nd — Monroe
11, Russellville 29; 3rd — Monroe 14, Russellville 23; 4th — Monroe 23, Russellville 18.
Stats: Radford Graves, 12 points; Cory Netherton, 8; Zack Grace, 7;
Josh Turner, 5; Eric Davis, 5; Jessie England, 4; Jordan Hale, 4; Jonathan Hamilton, 3; Stan Hubbard, 3; Chris Pitcock, 2; and Casey Kirk, 2.
Carter finished by saying: “I want to thank the four seniors  (Netherton,
Turner, Hale and England) for their leadership, on and off the floor.
They set a good example for future Falcons to follow. And I want to thank all the parents, fans and especially the coaching staff.”
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Deaths
Nine deaths were reported to the Tompkinsville News this past week.
Local deaths were:
— Glidden Emberton, 87, Sulphur Lick Rd., Tompkinsville, who died
March 2 (he was the husband of Mayme [Stephens] Emberton);
— Zelma Smith, 89, Hagan St., Tompkinsville, who died March 1; and
— Ruth (Brown) Hale, 70, N. Main St., Tompkinsville, who died Feb.
29.
Deaths reported from other areas were:
— Nicholas Shawn Gregory, 38, Lafayette, Tenn., who died March 5;
— Ferrell Depp Hammer, 64, Edmonton, who died March 4 (he was the
husband of Mary Hammer);
— Mary Belle Younger, 73, Louisville, a former Monroe County resident who died March 2;
— Junior Eagle Parsley, 70, Whitleyville, Tenn., a Monroe County
native who also died on March 2 (he was the husband of Lora [Netherton] Parsley);
— Sylvia May (Bagwell) Biggerstaff, 54, New York, N.Y., a former
Tompkinsville resident who died Feb. 28; and
— Edgar Bellis Garrett, 75, Indianapolis, Ind., who died Feb. 27.
Details about their backgrounds, survivors and funeral arrangements can be found by clicking here.
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