Opinion

A few weeks ago, I had a conservation with David Morgan and Holly Bowling about the upcoming Fan Fair and some other projects they are undertaking to promote Owen County.
The Visioneers group, to which they belong, has worked tirelessly to organize this event and it should be pretty amazing.
One issue that we discussed is the need to clean up some parts of the county that visitors will see on their way to the Sprint Cup race in Sparta or to our own Fan Fair.

It’s hard to imagine that a group popular a couple dozen years before I was born — and disbanded long before I was thought of — could make such an impact on the person I’ve become.
I was about 10 years old the first time I heard a Beatles song. From the opening harmonica in “Love Me Do,” I set out on a never-ending quest of Beatles knowledge.
In a short time I collected all of their albums, even some on long-playing records — a format not too many kids my age even recognized at the time.

The economy has caused hardship for many people this year. Lots of people are feeling the crunch in the gas tank, the grocery store, and practically everywhere else. But right now the state of Kentucky is working with Adult Education Centers to help those who need the GED to take the test free.
Director of Owen County Adult Learning Center Veronica Gayle said education will be even more important in the future.

It’s no surprise to anyone who has spent time in and around the county clerk’s office that the clerk and staff have been busy. We are preparing for both the Primary Election May 17, 2011, and for the Delinquent Real Estate Tax Bill Sale.
On May 17, voters will go to the polls to vote on candidates for the state offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor of Public Accounts, Commissioner of Agriculture, and State Treasurer.

Like most Americans, I hadn’t really given Osama bin Laden much thought in recent years.
He had become the bogeyman that still lingered in the shadows from years ago.
He had become an embarrassment that frustrated Americans who wanted to see justice.
He had became a punch line in the movie “The Hangover.”
“Thanks a lot, Osama.”
That sentiment barely changed for me Saturday afternoon when bin Laden popped back up when I was looking through a stack of old newspapers stored in my garage.

I just wanted to give my opinion on making our county wet.
I would hope we keep it dry.
Those who are for it tell us it will mean more money for the county and they are probably right, but they don’t tell us it will mean more paperwork for the county, more law enforcement, more jail space to be paid for. It will also lead to more broken homes, more accidents and more deaths.
Is it worth it?
I would call on all church and county leaders to voice their opinion. I would hope they will vote “no” if it comes to a vote.

At newspapers and schools across the country this week, a special relationship is being celebrated.
This week has been declared Newspaper In Education Week and is designed to highlight the long-time service local newspapers have offered schools.
Under the NIE program, newspapers are delivered to local schools as an educational tool.

Several people have asked about last week’s front-page article on our move to a subscription-based website, effective Feb. 23.
If you’re a subscriber to the News-Herald, don’t worry. You’ll have access to all news and other content at OwentonNewsHerald.com. Access to the website is free for all of our print subscribers.
But you will have to take a few, quick steps to get registered, then you’ll be ready to use the website version of the newspaper.

We often associate certain foods with different countries. Spaghetti is Italian, tacos are Mexican, and what could be more American than apple pie?
Did you know the very first apples ever eaten grew several thousand years ago in fertile land south of the Black Sea?
The history and origins of different fruits and vegetables are as interesting and unique as their taste.