Today's News

When word started trickling out about the closure of the Owenton Dairy Queen last week, it wasn’t like most bad news we hear on a fairly regular basis around here.

Small businesses, especially in the current economic state, fail more often than they succeed. Normally, once a business has been around as long as the Dairy Queen, it’s pretty safe to think they will be around until the owners decide to step down.

But market forces and population issues signaled the death of the Queen.

During the past week, I received several comments concerning the article I wrote on the school board’s decision to increase the tax rate. I would like to take this opportunity to address the subject in my own opinion.

It’s no secret that the United States is currently in a recession. All across the country, men and women are losing their jobs, losing their homes, and can’t afford to pay their bills.

It’s also no secret people do not like to see tax rates being raised in any situation.

Aug. 28, 2009

Michael Asher, 1988, second-degree fleeing or evading the police, bench trial set for Sept. 11.

Michael Asher, 1988, failure of owner to maintain required insurance, one headlight, rear license not illuminated, contempt of court, bench trial set for Sept. 11.

Michael W. Asher, 1988, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, contempt of court, bench trial set for Sept. 11.

With an eye toward building a new facility to better serve the public, the Owen County Public Library Board approved a tax increase.

The board voted to take a 4-percent increase. This year’s real-estate rate will be 10.8, up from last year’s rate of 9.5. The personal property and motor vehicle rates will remain the same as last year.

Owen County Public Library Director Jennifer Nippert said an architectural firm, Brandstetter Carroll Inc., has been selected to assist the library board in site selection and design of a new facility.