What a year it has been!

By PJ Martin

Editor

The Herald-News

 

Two-thousand and twenty-four started with Kentucky’s new vehicle registration system, KAVIS went operational in February. The new system replaces a decades-old system. Unpredictable glitches caused the inability to transfer the occasional motor vehicle title, the occasional camper renewal, no small utility trailers, or the issuance of historical plates. Meanwhile, the clerk’s office worked to help everyone they could as the state IT department worked to resolve the glitches in Kavis.

The National 4-H Council announced that long-time volunteer and Kentucky native, Linda Branstetter, was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame. The prestigious award recognizes Branstetter for five decades of service to the 4-H organization and her significant contributions to the community.

Metcalfe County Schools hired Delaney Wilson as its third school resource officer. He joins current SROs Michael Taylor and Adam Avery. Wilson retired from the Edmonton Police Department in 2016. He returned to EPD and served as chief of police for the next seven years.

The Lady Hornets earned the number one seed in the district tournament in 2024, going 7-1 in regular season district play.

The Edmonton Metcalfe Chamber of Commerce held its first ribbon cutting of the year for Community Medical Care (CMC) at their new office at 1704 West Stockton Street in Edmonton in the former Nunn Drugs location. CMC brought affordable medical and Rx care to many seniors in the community.

For the fourth consecutive season, the Lady Hornets wore the crown of 16^th district tournament champions. Metcalfe County then enjoyed their ninth consecutive 4^th region tournament appearance as they made the coveted trip to Diddle Arena.

Meanwhile, the Hornets took the title of 16^th district tournament runners-up and prepared to start anew in Diddle at the 4^th region tournament.

Mayor Doug Smith announced the promotion of Interim Chief David Robertson to the Chief of Police in Edmonton. Robertson had been filling in as Interim Chief since the resignation of Delaney Wilson. Chief Robertson then introduced the new officers hired for the City Police Department Chase Conrad and Daniel Nunn.

On February 19^th, after many years of serving on the Board of Education for District 2, Chairman Joey Shive resigned. The remaining board members nominated and elected John Caffee to fill the Chairman’s spot left vacant by the resignation. Then in March, the board chose Daniel Glass to fill the remaining term left vacant by Shive.

The Metcalfe County Board of Education voted in a new chairman John Caffee who holds the elected board position for District 4 which includes West Edmonton, Cedar Flat, and Subtle.

Precision Engineering (PE) representative Tucker England addressed the fiscal court to present the bids for the construction of the larger food pantry at Bowling Park. A bid was received from J. Stephens Construction, Inc. of Tompkinsville for the amount of $757,540 and was approved by the fiscal court.

After 18 months of paperwork, discussion with architects, and three rounds of taking bids for the construction work, a groundbreaking ceremony was finally held on Wednesday, April 10^th at Leftwich Hall for the Food Pantry Project.

A sizable group assembled at the historic courthouse lawn to honor the Vietnam Veterans of Metcalfe County in a ceremony held by VFW Post 6281 on Friday, March 29^th.

In April, the Kentucky General Assembly produced an order to change the name of the Metcalfe County Judicial Center to “Tom Emberton Metcalfe County Judicial Center” in honor of Chief Court of Appeals Judge Tom Emberton.

The Edmonton Metcalfe County Chamber of Commerce announced Linda Branstetter as the recipient of the 17th Annual Metcalfe County Educator Idol of the Year Award.

The Edmonton Metcalfe County Chamber of Commerce announced Lesley London as the recipient of the 23rd Annual Metcalfe County Educator of the Year Award.

Assistant Police Chief Michael Hampton retired on April 30^th after 22 years of service with the Edmonton Police Department.

On Saturday, May 11^th Summer Shade overflowed with people who arrived to help the small town celebrate the 7^th annual Founder’s Day. Congratulations to the new Honorary Mayor of Summer Shade Mark Parke.

The 1st Annual Paws Paws Masquerade Ball was held at the Old School Gym as a way to raise money for the Metcalfe County Animal Shelter. A total of $4,261 was presented to the shelter by Faye Word who had the idea and worked hard along with her team to make the masquerade ball happen.

Metcalfe County Schools announced on May 31^st the hiring of its new athletic director, John Allen. Allen has been a teacher at Metcalfe County Schools for 24 years. During his career, he coached several sports, including basketball, golf, and cross country.

The 4^th annual Summerfest in Edmonton was held on June 1 around the courthouse lawn with a multitude of vendors, food trucks, a car show, live music, competitions, and more.

Summerfest held its 2^nd annual Metcalfe Idol contest where locals provided their best talent in the singing contest. Metcalfe Idol Winners were: Youth: 1^st – Joy Graham; 2^nd – Caycee Harris; and 3^rd – Tymber Garrett and Adult: 1^st – Haley Kelsay; 2^nd – Roger Johnston; and 3^rd – Vaughn Ferrell.

Governor Andy Beshear announced $8.5 million for 12 projects across the state to improve community facilities. Of that, Barren and Metcalfe Counties each received $750,000 for two projects.

The City of Edmonton plans to use the $750,000 funding towards the community center and amphitheater project at the Edmonton Memorial Park, which will serve as a space for meetings, social events, physical fitness activities, and more. The amphitheater will host concerts and other cultural events.

On July 1, the Kentucky State Police released their 2023 crime report noting that the crime rates were consistent with the previous years and did not increase. Metcalfe County fared better than some with school SROs reporting 14 crimes, Sheriff’s reporting 226, and the KSP reporting 160.

Also in July, Governor Andy Beshear announced the Medical Cannabis Program had passed and medical IDs would begin in January of 2025. The Metcalfe County Fiscal Court decided it was best to let the people vote on the November ballot to allow or prohibit sales in the county. On October 3^rd, the Edmonton City Council voted to prohibit Medical Cannabis businesses within the city limits with the second reading of the ordinance.

The third Sunday in August saw a great celebration and duck race at the Sulphur Well Park on August 17^th and 18^th. The following weekend the 98^th Branstetter Park Music Festival and Homecoming was celebrated.

On August 19^th, the school district staff and alumni announced the formation of Metcalfe County Educational Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that serves as the vehicle for charitable donations for education. The mission is to foster support and prosperity for the next generation. They will focus on 3 areas of emphasis: academic talent identification, civic engagement, and scholarships (especially for underserved students). The intention is to eventually handle all scholarships (and donations) through the foundation and ensure the longevity of specific scholarships.

On August 23^rd, the City Grill celebrated its 25^th Anniversary with a breakfast. The City Grill is owned and operated by Diane Blythe with her daughter, Kayla Blythe Jessee, and Susan Clemmons.

On August 30^th, Gene’s Freeze celebrated its 66^th year in business with 66-cent hotdogs. The Freeze is still owned and operated by a Wyatt family member, Sandy Wyatt Curry.

On September 17^th, the Metcalfe County School Board accepted the resignation of Donnie Perry. He had served as the representative of District 1 for approximately 13 years. At the October 14^th meeting the board approved Wes Jolly as a replacement to finish the term on the board.

Everyone came out for the 42^nd Pumpkin Festival on October 5^th with a large group of vendors. It was reported as the most successful Pumpkin Festival in several years.

The Metcalfe County Public Library has many interesting speakers and events for the community; however, the speaker on October 19^th was a bit different than most. Charlie and Lindsey Raymond presented information about the Kentucky Bigfoot Research Organization (KY BFRO) which he founded after moving to Kentucky 30 years ago.

Halloween Trick or Treating returned to the square this year, but the drenching rain put a damper on the festivities. Despite the rain, hundreds of kids (and parents) came out to take part.

Election Day came and went and Metcalfe County got several new school board members Kelly Bell, Robbie Parnell, and Cassie Reece.

The Edmonton City Council remained the same. The people’s option to allow medical cannabis passed for Metcalfe, along with the state’s Constitutional Amendment 1 requiring citizenship to vote in Kentucky.

For the 3^rd year in a row, the Chamber of Commerce held a nighttime Christmas Parade on December 14. The Grand Marshals were 4 local guys from the band Black Stone Cherry. The honorary grand marshals were Metcalfe Health Care Center and Harper’s Home for the Aged.

A large crowd came out to watch the parade and thankfully the rain held off until the parade was finished.

The first tours of the historic Bell House were held on December 15. The owners Ellen and Eric Gregory who purchased the historic home in 2015, have spent nearly 10 years restoring the home to its historic splendor. The Gregorys graciously donated the proceeds to the Metcalfe County Animal Shelter.

December 19^th saw the official retirement reception for Beth Wilson who has worked at the Edmonton- Metcalfe 911 Dispatch Center for 30 years. The reception was hosted by the city and county governments and the chamber of commerce.

Jobe Publishing and The Herald-News look forward to providing the local news to our loyal customers in 2025.