Area News

A fugitive sex offender living under an assumed name was arrested in Burgin Tuesday, April 24. Travis James Zarecki, 34, was arrested at the Burgin residence where he was living under a fake identity by deputies from the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office as well as the officers from the U.S. Marshal’s Central Kentucky Fugitive Task…

Even though it’s been nearly two weeks since the Republican-led General Assembly passed a budget over Gov. Matt Bevin’s veto, many school districts and local governments are still unsure of how to plan for the upcoming fiscal year. “We’re still finding things we didn’t know were in there,” said Dennis Davis, superintendent of the Mercer…

The men responsible for replacing the Kennedy Mill Bridge say the public needs to speak up if they want the replacement finished faster. The state permanently closed the bridge earlier this month, stranding commuters and leaving local marinas trying to save the summer before it even started. Last week, representatives from Walsh Construction Company LLC,…

Mercer County residents have until Monday, April 23, to register to vote in May’s Primary Election. The county clerks’ office will accept online and paper applications until 4 p.m. next Monday. Mail-in voter registration applications must be postmarked by April 23. In Mercer County, there are only three races to be decided. Garland Christopher is…

The Boyle-Mercer County Joint Jail Committee approved a $5 million budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal year, but members of the jail staff were not happy. The budget sets staffing at the Boyle County Detention Center at 39 full-time positions and four part-time positions. BCDC officers were hoping to retain an additional full-time position, the transport…

A Frankfort couple are in jail after being arrested on drug charges last week. On Friday, April 13, William Nathaniel Pope, 38, and Alece Nicole Williams, 30, both of Frankfort, were stopped by the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office during a routine traffic stop. Both Pope and Williams were found to be in possession of a…

The Grand Jury handed down indictments last Wednesday. While most of the indictments were drug charges, the man police believe committed nearly 20 car burglaries in Mercer County last year was indicted on further charges. UNLAWFUL ACCESS TO A COMPUTER Dario Mauriz-Cruz, 25, of 5000 Bryan Station, No. 53, Lexington, was charged with 1st-degree unlawful…

For the first time in over a month, Burgin’s Water Street is not under water. While the flooding seems to have abated for now, some local residents say they are still suffering. Sarah Williams said she has been flooded from her house twice this year, and has not been able to return home after the…

The man accused of attacking Burgin Mayor George Hensley is out on bond. James H. Hurley, 56, turned himself in Wednesday afternoon and was charged with 4th-degree assault and 2nd-degree disorderly conduct. Both charges are misdemeanors, court officials say. Hurley paid a $500 bond and left the courthouse. According to the arrest citation, Hurley and…

Natalie Berry Marshall returns to Ragged Edge Community Theatre in “Always…Patsy Cline.” Berry doesn’t need much of an introduction to local audiences. She has appeared in musical theater and stage plays, on TV and in radio. While she is a musical quick change artist—Berry can impersonate Minnie Pearl, Loretta Lynn, Kitty Wells, and even Porter…