News Briefs on The LoJo for March 2016
By Jim Turner

RHS challenging baseball

powers Logan and F-S

Early in this 2016 baseball season, the two teams which have dominated 13^th District baseball most of this century are in familiar territory. Logan County (7-2 overall, 2-0 in the district) and Franklin-Simpson, which almost always represent the district at region, are undefeated in district play again. They are, however, being challenged this season by Coach Blake Crabtree’s Russellville Panthers. RHS is winless, but one of the Panthers’ three straight 2-1 losses was to Franklin-Simpson last week. Then Tuesday the Panthers fell just 7-5 to Logan County. In both those games, starting pitcher Colby Nichols, a five-year starting senior, kept them in contention. Watch The LoJo for details of those two games.

Craig resigns from Logan Chamber

From Chris McGinnis of WRUS: Today on Feedback: Ryan Craig announced he is resigning as the Executive Director of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce, in order to return to duties as the full time Editor/General Manager of the Todd County Standard. Craig began his duties at the Chamber in January 2015, while he remained Publisher of the Standard. At that time, his wife, Jenni Osborne Craig, was named General Manager of the paper. Unfortunately, an arm/shoulder injury in the fall has been made worse by her neurological disorder, transverse myelitis. This has made it difficult for her to continue in that capacity. Ryan Craig's last day at the Chamber will be April 8.

Stevenson's Cassie Reding

named to state advisory board

Kentucky Education Commissioner Stephen Pruitt has informed Russellville Superintendent Leon Smith and Stevenson Elementary Principal Lisa White that teacher Cassie Reding has been named to the Teachers Advisory Council. Pruitt said this group "was established to provide the Commissioner of Education with input from classroom teachers across the Commonwealth and advise me on educational goals, strategies, and activities the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) should pursue to help assure that all students are prepared for college and/or career success. Typically, the Council convenes 3-4 times each year, including both face-to-face and virtual meetings to minimize the out-of-classroom time that is required. Certainly, having one of your teachers participate on this Council will be beneficial to their school and the school district."

Autism Awareness event

planned in Russellville Saturday

Logan County will be a part of World Autism Awareness Day this Saturday at 3 p.m. at Russellville City Park with the 3^rd Annual Light It up Blue observance. April Dawn Haley says, “Come support those living on the spectrum in our community and those of us who love them. Wear blue and join the celebration with balloon release, music, face painting, ribbon handouts, information on local resources/services available, photo booth fun, giant inflatables and much more!”

Stevenson K-Kids collecting

teddy bears for kids in need

The Stevenson Elementary K-Kids are sponsoring a Teddy Bear Round-up. New Teddy Bears and youth character throws are being collected and will be presented to the local Department of Protection and Permanency to help benefit children served through their services. All throws will be donated to Child Protective Services and all animals will be donated to the local homeless shelter. "Please help us fill our net and help two great causes!" says Family Resource Services Center Coordinator Carol Kees. "Our Teddy Bear Round-Up Net is filling nicely, with room for more new youth-sized fleece character throws and new Teddy Bear/stuffed animals."

Multi-faceted community

leader Norm Menser dies

Sign language class begins

Community Education's Basic Sign Language Class starts this Thursday. This four-week program (2 classes per week) will end Tuesday, April 19. Classes will be held in the Stevenson Elementary School Cafeteria, from 5-6 p.m. Cost: $80 for eight classes! The instructor, Jesse F. Vincent, is eager to introduce this ability to communicate with the Deaf Community.  Please call Penni Nugent at 270-726-8405, ext. 4331, to register before the class begins or email penni.nugent@russellville.kyschools.us 

Community Ed Spanish class

offered, starting next week

An eight-week Spanish Class offered by Community Education will assist students in learning the basics of conversational Spanish. Sessions will begin Thursday, March 31, and end Thursday, May 26. Classes will be held at Stevenson Elementary School, in Room 407, from 3-4 p.m. The instructor is Griselda Vargas, the Bilingual Tutor with Russellville Board of Education. The cost will be $80 for 8 weeks. Must have a minimum of eight enrolled to have the class—contact Community Ed Director Penni L. Nugent to register on or before Thursday, March 31. Call (270) 726-8405, ext. 4331 or email penni.nugent@russellville.kyschools.us.

Blood drive in Russellville April 4

The Russellville Community Blood Drive will be held on Monday, April 4 from 12-6p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. For an appointment, call 270-725-7241.

Coach Harper resigns at WKU,

3 Topper players suspended

Western Kentucky University has announced the resignation of men's basketball head coach Ray Harper. He will continue to be paid until June 30. A Muhlenberg County native, Harper said, "I feel this is in the best interests of the program, a program I care deeply about. It has been a true honor being a part of this historic program, as both a head coach and assistant coach." WKU Director of Athletics Todd Stewart announced today that Fredrick Edmond, Marlon Hunter and Chris McNeal have been suspended from the men’s basketball program following the outcome of a hearing conducted by the University Disciplinary Committee Wednesday night. No details were released.

Triple shooting in Russellville

 leaves one dead

WRUS has published this news release: The Kentucky State Police Post 3 Bowling Green responded to a report of a shooting at the McDonalds in the limits of Russellville on North Main Street where a male had shot a female and left the scene on foot and encountered Officers with the Russellville Police Department which ended in an Officer involved shooting.

Creekwood to hold spring open

house Wednesday afternoon.

An informational Meet and Greet will be held at Creekwood Place Nursing & Rehab Center this Wednesday from 1-3 p.m. Those attending can tour the facility and get answers to their questions about insurance, rehab services, costs, etc. Creekwood is located at 107 Boyles Drive in Russellville behind WRUS and near Logan Memorial Hospital. For information, call 270-726-9049.

Bruner works 2.2 innings in relief

Logan County’s Caleb Bruner pitched his longest outing as a collegian so far Saturday, going two and two-thirds innings against Albany. When WKU starter Josh Bartley gave up five runs in less than four innings, the Toppers called on Bruner, who got the final out of the fourth, worked the fifth and sixth innings, and got one out in the seventh. He gave up just one run on five hits and two walks while striking out two. Albany handed Bartley his first loss of the season. Bruner’s fellow freshmen, Micah Kaczor & Evan Acosta, also pitched in the doubleheader split.

Stevenson preschool, kindergarten

signups scheduled for March 25

Preschool and kindergarten registration for Russellville’s Stevenson Elementary School will be held Friday, March 25, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Required documents for kindergarten are a birth certificate, physical form, up-to-date immunization record, and proof of eye and dental exams. To schedule a preschool screening time, call Preschool Coordinator Linda Shelton at 270-726-8405.

RHS considering girls soccer

From Russellville High School Athletic Director Calvin Head: The RHS Athletic Department will conduct a student interest meeting in regards to starting a girls soccer program here. The meeting will take place this Friday, March 11, at 11 a.m. The meeting will be for current 7th-10th grade females who have serious interest in playing soccer for RHS. The athletic department feels that we are in a position to offer another female sport to our student athletes and that this could be a great opportunity for our students. 

Cruz top vote getter in Logan

Sen. Ted Cruz was the winner of the Republic Presidential Caucus held in Logan County Saturday, according to WRUS. The voting among the 863 ballots went this way: Ted Cruz 337 votes 39.05 percent, Donald Trump 280 votes 32.44 percent, Marco Rubio 136 votes 15.76 percent, John Kasich 84 votes 9.73 percent, Dr. Ben Carson 21 votes 2.43 percent, Jeb Bush 2 votes .23 percent, Rand Paul 2 votes .23 percent and Uncommitted 1 vote .12 percent. Sen. Paul, Dr. Carson and Gov. Bush had all dropped out of the race but were still on the ballot.

Walk Around the Square set

Tuesday, April 12, at 11 a.m. Logan County Protection & Permanency is sponsoring the 6th Annual Walk Around the Square. Community partners, school children, community officials and the general public are invited to meet and walk around Carrico Park Square in remembrance of those children that have been abused in Logan County. The story of the blue ribbon campaign is read and then the group walks to the Historic Logan County Courthouse for the reading of the proclamation which announces April as Child Abuse Prevention/Awareness Month. Missy Maxwell Perry is the organizer.

Cyber Safety event set for Logan

The Youth Action Team of Logan Inc., is hosting a Cyber Safety event on March 15, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Logan County Extension Office. Topics covered will be what parents/ grandparents need to know about Cyber Safety, Social Predators and you child’s well-being. Speakers will be School Resource Officer Brown, SRO Bubacz and SRO Evans. Also speaking will be Dr. Barry Goley with Logan County Schools. Everyone is welcome. There will be door prizes and light refreshments.

Bruner pitches in WKU win

His second appearance as a WKU Topper pitcher resulted in Caleb Bruner’s being a part of a win. The freshman from Logan County came on in the seventh Wednesday in relief of starter and winner Josh Bartley. He faced three batters, resulting in a strikeout, a hit and a walk. Jackson Sowell closed out the 7-1 win over visiting Lipscomb.

BGH dominates 4th quarter

to end Lady Cougars' season

Bowling Green hit 14 of 16 free throws in the fourth quarter on the way to a come-from-behind 60-51 win over the Logan County Lady Cougars in the 4th Region Tournament at Diddle Arena Friday. Coach Lavonda Johnson's BGH team led only 25 seconds in the first half, but they had cut a 7-point lead to 23-21 by halftime. Logan missed 18 shots in the first half--many from close range--and the Lady Cougars missed 34 for the game, including going just 3 of 20 from long range. Cierra Johnson did shoot well, hitting 6 of 10 shots and finishing with 15 points and 2 steals. Taleia Mason was all over the court had had 1- points, 4 assists and 3 steals. Brooke Barnes had 10 rebounds, 3 blocked shots and 2 assists. Torrie Pollard added 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 each of blocks and steals. Coach Finley Baird's Lady Cougars finished their third straight district championship season with a 22-9 record. MarKiziah Mimms led BGH (28-4) with 17 points. Oneisha Turner added 12 points and 9 rebounds, and Dejia Moore had 10 points.

Sen. Paul to conduct Meet and

Greet at Roy's Friday morning

Friday at 10 a.m., Sen. Rand Paul will conduct a Meet and Greet at Roy’s Bar-B-Q in Russellville, beginning at 10 a.m. The public is invited. Paul has been running for reelection to the U.S. Senate and for president of the United States at the same time, but has suspended his presidential candidacy. He is the son-in-law of Hilton and Lillian Ashby of Russellville.

Lakers sink Panthers 70-69

After leading by eight points with slightly over three minutes remaining, the Russellville Panthers let a regional win slip away Wednesday at Diddle Arena, falling 70-69 to Russell County. RHS led 10 of the final nine minutes 10 and a half minutes with the Lakers going ahead 67-66 with 31 seconds remaining. That came when Panther Paul Jones tried to use a wrap-around foul to prevent Laker star Kel Stotts from hitting the tying shot. Not only did Stotts muscle his way up to hit the shot but also the free throw. Trailing by four, Panther star Pedro Bradshaw was fouled by Kallib Crawley on a 30-foot shot with less than a second showing. The ball went in and rimmed out. Bradshaw hit all three free throws, but RHS needed four points. Stotts scored 29 points, 14 of them coming in the fourth quarter. Eddie Murphy added 15 points. Bradhaw finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds. Jason Mitchell scored 13 and Micah Naylor 12. Coach Phil Todd's Panthers finished 20-8.

Shirts being sold for Lady Cougar

White Out night at region Friday

Friday night’s regional game against powerful Bowling Green for the Logan County Lady Cougars has been declared a “White Out” by Logan County High School, according to Athletic Director Greg Howard. Youth medium to Adult XL shirts are $4 and sizes 2X through 4X are $6. They will be on sale Thursday from 4-6 p.m. at the high school for students and the public. A total of 400 shirts are being printed. If any are left, they will be for sale to students on the stage at lunch. Advance tickets for the game are also on sale at LCHS at $6. They are $8 each at the door.