HICKORY MAN CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILD
The Graves County Sheriff’s Department arrested a Hickory man Tuesday on charges of sodomizing a child. 43-year old John K. Purcell was arrested at his home on a warrant charging him with two counts of sodomy. A 7-year-old girl told investigators that Purcell sodomized her on one occasion in late 2007 when she was 6, according to the sheriff’s department. Deputy sheriffs learned of the allegations after the girl told her mother about them and she called the sheriff’s department. Purcell was a friend of the girl’s family at the time of the alleged attack. He was lodged in the Graves County Jail.

BENTON MAN PLEAS
A Benton man who drove the wrong way on Interstate 24 for 11 mile has pleaded guilty to reduced charges. 49-year old Dale Wyatt has pleaded guilty to 17 counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and one count of driving under the influence.  Tests showed no evidence that Wyatt had taken any alcohol, illegal substances, non-prescribed medications or prescribed medications at higher than the doctor-approved dosage. Wyatt agreed to have his driver’s license suspended for a year. In exchange for his plea and the suspension, prosecutors dropped a persistent felony offender charge and recommended all the sentences run concurrently for a total of 31/2 years.

MURRAY HIGH BAND TO COMPETE IN BARC
More than 20 bands from four states will compete in one of the nation’s most prominent marching band championships, the Bands of America Regional Championship, presented by Yamaha, at Murray State University’s Roy Stewart Stadium on Saturday, October 4. The championship is being hosted by the Murray State University Racer Marching Band, which will also perform in special exhibition. High school marching bands from Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Missouri will perform in preliminary competition, evaluated by a panel of nationally known music educators and marching band experts. The top 10 scoring bands will advance to the evening finals competition where the Regional Champion will be named. This is the first Bands of America Championship to be held at the Murray State University. The competing bands include several previous Bands of America Regional champions and finalists. Preliminary performances start at 10 a.m., with the post-prelims (Murray High is scdeduled to perform at 11:15 am) Class Awards Ceremony at 4:45 p.m. Gates open for finals at 6:45 p.m. The Murray State University Trumpet Ensemble opens finals with the National Anthem at 7:15 p.m. The Murray State University Racer Marching Band, under the direction of John Fannin, will perform prior to both the prelims and finals awards ceremonies, at 4:30 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Tickets are available to the public and are $19 for general admission prelims or finals, $30 for Day Pass good for admittance to prelims and finals. Tickets can be purchase at the stadium ticket office the day of the event.

MCCH LOOKING FOR ESSAYS
Murray-Calloway County Hospital is hosting an essay contest for women in our region. The essay should consist of 500 words or less and explain why your nominee should be crowned MCCH’s "Queen of the Day." The top three finalists will be contacted on Friday, October 24 and the title of "Queen of the Day" will be presented at the Murray-Calloway County Hospital Women’s Health Event on Tuesday, October 28 in the Murray Room of the Regional Special Events Center. Murray-Calloway County Hospital’s "Treating You Like a Queen" Women’s Health Event will begin with educational booths opening at 5:30 pm and keynote speaker, Susan Miller will begin at 6:00 pm. The crowning of  "Queen of the Day" will take place following the speaker. There will be hors d’oeuvres, chair massages, foot massages, and much more at no cost to the community. Judges will look for writing pieces in which the nominees embody the following pillars of character: Graciousness, Caring, Compassionate, Trustworthy, Community Involvement, and a Healthy Lifestyle. Enter Murray-Calloway County Hospital’s "Queen of the Day" essay contest by e-mailing your entry to

MONEY COMING FOR PNTF
Representative Ed Whitfield voted to secure over $350,000 yesterday from the U.S. Department of Justice for the Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force in Hopkinsville. The funds will be used to enhance the Task Force’s efforts to curb methamphetamine use throughout the First Congressional District. The grant will help the Task Force improve and continue their Methamphetamine Hot Spots Program to combat the sale and production of methamphetamines throughout the First Congressional District. The Task Force is providing educational programs on the dangers and effects of methamphetamine to law enforcement, schools, civic organizations and churches.

KDFW WANTS DOGS
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ Law Enforcement K-9 Division needs four new donated dogs to add to its patrol. Donated dogs should be retrieving breeds such as Labrador retrievers, between the ages of one year and fifteen months old. Potential dogs should have energetic, playful temperaments and should be in good physical condition with no medical problems. Dogs go through 10 weeks of initial training, as well as continuous training while on patrol. The dogs have assisted with rescue efforts, tracked poachers and uncovered evidence discarded by wildlife violators. For more information contact the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Information Center at 1-800-858-1549.

ACROSS KENTUCKY
Tuesday governor Steve Beshear recognized 38 year old sergeant William Hasenflu of Cadiz who died Sunday supporting operation enduring freedom in Afghanistan. Hasenflu died from wounds suffered when his unit was transporting prisoners and were ambushed. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Starting today, country of origin labeling is expected to take effect, requiring most food retailers to disclose where many types of meat, produce and other food products come from. Regulations exclude a variety of foods that fall under the labeling requirement but are considered to be processed, or mixed.

Tuesday night, parents were hesitant towards the McCracken County School Board's plan for consolidation. The proposed plan is to either build a stand-alone Lone Oak High School or a consolidated school. The consolidated school would consist of Lone Oak, Reidland and Heath High Schools, with career focused small learning communities. The School Board plans to make a decision on the plan by December.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear says a Japanese auto parts manufacturer is building a new plant in central Kentucky. Beshear says Fuel Total Systems is planning to make fuel tank systems and components in Lebanon, Ky. Beshear says he negotiated with the company during a recent trip to Japan. Officials won't say which automobile manufacturer the company will be supplying. But they say the company jobs will average about $13 per hour plus benefits. The new plant will be 140,000 square feet on 20 acres. Groundbreaking is expected to take place in November.

Speaker Jody Richards says he doesn't have the votes to overturn a controversial pay raise. Legislative leaders have granted Bobby Sherman, director of the Legislative Commission a 47-percent pay raise. Richards says although he doesn't have the votes right now, he plans to prefile a bill in the General Assembly to address the issue.

Voters in Carter County have gone to the polls and approved a proposal that permits Sue and John Bond to open a winery. The couple can open a winery, offering tastings and sell their product on site. Carter is a dry county.

State Police are looking for a walk-away from the Big Sandy Detention Center. 37-year-old Andrew M. Lee was on a work detail at the Paintsville Recreation Center when he took off.

Kentuckians are giving the governor a passing grade. The latest Courier-Journal Bluegrass Poll shows Governor Steve Beshear with a 60-percent approval rating. There are 23 percent who remain displeased with his performance.

Both sides in the debate over whether wine can be sold in Kentucky grocery stores are preparing for a rematch. The Food with Wine Coalition wants lawmakers to reconsider the issue. It would permit wine to be sold in Kentucky grocery stories as wine is today. The Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Kentucky say they will fight the legislation. Those who favor the law note that there are only 16 states that don't permit the sale of wine in grocery stores.