Miss Muhlenberg County Fair 2007 Chelsea Hill is crowned by last year's queen, Rachel Sainato, during the annual pageant at the Muhlenberg County Fair last week. See more fair photos on A-2. (Leader-News Photo/Melissa Putnam)

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FBI looking for Sacramento man convicted of child rape

    Federal authorities believe a Sacramento man convicted of raping an 8-year-old girl has fled the country to avoid jail time.
    Meldrum Greg Harvey received a 40-year prison sentence after he was convicted of raping and molesting a friend of his children in the summer of 2003. Court documents state he was accused of raping and sodomizing the girl in a backyard pool and in his bedroom. He also allegedly took pictures of her while she was changing clothes.

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MCH long-term care payments not in jeopardy, hospital CEO says


    The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have notified the residents of Muhlenberg County they will no longer pay for inpatient nursing services for long-term care patients at Muhlenberg Community Hospital beginning June 24. However, hospital representatives said they have been notified in writing the hospital is in compliance and services will continue.

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Organizers plan largest fireworks event in  county history

Muhlenberg County government officials and community leaders gathered at the Muhlenberg Veterans Mall outside the Muhlenberg County Courthouse last week prior to a meeting to finalize the details of the countywide Freedom Fest. The Freedom Fest will be a Fourth of July celebration at the Muhlenberg County Agriculture and Convention Center in Powderly.  The two-day event will begin at 7 p.m. July 3 with patriotic music, pop and jazz performed by the 202nd Kentucky Army National Guard Band including a light show. Refreshments will be served by the Muhlenberg County Volunteer Firemen. On July 4, gates will open at 4 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Clarence Brewer and friends and there will be exhibits from fire departments, a Brewco racecar, police departments and National Guard. A $500 raffle ticket will be given free to each car entering the parking lot with additional tickets available for purchase. All events and parking are free. Armbands will be available for children's inflatable exhibit activities for $5. The fireworks display will be begin at dusk July 4. The Freedom Fest is a collaborative effort of the cities of Central City and Greenville. Muhlenberg County financial institutions also contributed to the event. Organizers are calling the event the largest fireworks display in the history of the county.