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Danville Register & Bee : For more info read my blog: http://www.danvilleva.blogspot.com.

For the most part, apart from the drugs and the gangs, Danville is a pretty little town to live in. Business is booming, jobs are coming back - and you'd think the local newspaper would be a good source of information about what's happening with new businesses and the rest. But no. Sadly enough...

The Danville Register & Bee doesn't want good people - that's why they fired or chased off the last three photographers they had, and laid off a dozen people before that. Not just laid them off but didn't tell them until 20 minutes before they laid them off that they were being laid off. Then they handed them cardboard boxes and told them they had 15 minutes to vacate the building. Some of those people had worked there 30 and 40 years. They too only had 15 minutes. Since that time turnover has been brutal...with almost everyone in the newsroom that was hired in the last year having left. I am no longer there because I dared complain about sexual harrassment, bullying and incompetent managers and the fact that the workplace is totally hostile towards women. How hostile? Read on.

The one reporter/photographer management did like was Mac McLean. He's the one who video-taped the breasts of women around town and then showed the videos in the newsroom so the men could all gawk, laugh and make comments about the women. Since the managers were involved and supported it by their laughing and Mac wasn't disciplined (actually got on at a bigger newspaper within Media General) the atmosphere there is pretty hostile towards women. When I complained I was told I was over reacting. Steve Kaylor did nothing about it even though I spoke to him one-on-one in his office, emailed him and complained to Human Resources about it. Then he lied about knowing anything about it. The PUBLISHER of a newspaper lying??!! Now do you really trust your local Danville Register & Bee? Think twice. If they promoted the reporter who did that - do you really think they care about you?

I'm not so sure most men or women in Danville would feel safe knowing their wives, daughters, girlfriends or sisters or mothers were being humiliated and laughed at and poked fun at in the newsroom. I know of two women who were videotaped - but there's no telling how many actually were or if the videos were posted to the internet - although that was joked about.

Between the story where Mac/his friends called an alcoholic drink a "real panty dropper" on the Sunday edition - you can see it here...and then the front page the following day with a photo where it looked like a man having sex with a child...and a story about where Danvillians have sex and how often - that's not really the kind of small town daily anyone with any class, morals or ethics wants to work for....The people involved in those stories have all gone on to bigger jobs at other Media General newspapers...Imagine. And that's with a zero tolerance policy for obscenity.

They THOUGHT they got away with it. But stay tuned. A tell-all book is coming...but in the meantime, ask yourself why the former "friend" and sports editor of the Register and Bee, John C. had 13 police citations against him - including at least a couple of DUI's, and an evading police charge here in Danville, but was never fired by the editor? Why did it take the new publisher almost a month to get rid of him?? Yet, Photographer Richard Davis was fired based on a lie told by that same editor, believed by the gullible publisher and yet Richard and proved it was a lie in TWO unemployment commission hearings where he WON his case against the newspaper!!

Newspapers have NO SPECIAL RIGHTS. They aren't "news police." They are a business just like every other business.You don't have to talk to them and you only have to tell them as much as YOU are comfortable telling them, NOT as much as they want to hear. The fact is, YOU, the reader have more power over what goes into the newspaper than you know. If you don't read it they don't print it. If you want to see more happy stories, then tell them and click on the happy stories online. They worry about their advertisers. If you don't like what's happening, then tell the businesses where you shop. Without advertising the newspaper will go under. It's up to you.

If you're buying the paper or buying advertising in the paper - please understand THIS is the sort of business you're supporting. IF you're a Christian, ask yourself if this is where your money should be going. Stand up for what is right. Demeaning and objectifying women is NOT right. If you've heard rumors about the former Sheriff's deputy who assaulted a woman and wondered why it didn't get in the newspaper...I was told "It's not news"....and not allowed to write about it...same with Gary Bengston's supposed suicide, the hospital problems. The Register & Bee is NOT a "real news" newspaper - they're an advertising mill - taking YOUR money so they can send jobs to India (advertising layout) and Lynchburg and run Associated Press stories you can get for free online. Urge the new Media General Board to clean house, or sit back and put up with the kind of crap that passes for "journalism" from your local daily.

Danville Register & Bee

For more info read my blog: http://www.danvilleva.blogspot.com. For ...

Updated: Jun 16, 2008 1:49am EDT

Writing and Design Clips : These clips are not for sale. They are PDFs of my work and are for display under the FAIR USE law. All the design clips are copyrighted originals and include my photography, layout and text or copy writing. News articles with my byline and photo credit are originals - although the newspaper layout of the Danville Register & Bee was not done by me - my layout skills are better than that! The Register & Bee clips are for my writing clips only. Copyright belongs to the owner of each publication and all are displayed under "Fair Use" laws as portfolio pieces. ANY AND ALL ORDERS FOR THESE PHOTOS WILL BE CANCELLED AND FUNDS RETURNED TO THE PURCHASER. THEY ARE NOT FOR SALE.

Thank you...

Writing and Design Clips

These clips are not for sale. They are PDFs of my work and are for dis ...

Updated: Mar 19, 2008 9:13pm EDT

Danville Fires : Sparks flew as water from firehoses struck them during a large fire at the M. Kendall Lumber Company in Blairs Friday night (June 13, 2008). Fire crews battled fires in piles of mulch and pinebark as well as inside the building adjacent to the mulch piles. The site was still in flames and smoldering mulch late into the night.

Blairs Fire & Rescue Capt. Mike Elliott said firefighters had been battling the blaze at the lumber company on U.S. 29 since about 7:30 p.m. Crews from the volunteer fire departments at Mount Hermon, Keeling and Ringgold assisted in firefighting efforts. Virginia State Police and Pittsylvania County Emergency Management teams also responded to the blaze.

Crews waited for utility company personnel to turn off power before venturing too close, but the early sparks worried some firefighters.

"Electricity follows water and those firemen holding the hoses could get electrocuted if it hits just right," a worried female volunteer said. At least one volunteer suffered minor injuries early in the blaze, but was moving under his own power as he sought first aid. No word on the cause of the fire. The area was the scene of another fire earlier this spring when an unoccupied trailer less than a mile from the scene caught fire. Crews were able to extinguish that in less than half an hour and there were no injuries.

Sparks flew as water from firehoses struck them during a large fire at ...

Updated: Jun 17, 2008 2:56pm EDT

Adrienne & Jason Mowrey Wedding BEST : Mowrey Wedding Photos. These photos are also in the Adrienne & Jason Mowrey Wedding gallery. I just selected my personal favorites that seemed to best capture the mood of the day! I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Adrienne & Jason Mowrey Wedding BEST

Mowrey Wedding Photos. These photos are also in the Adrienne & Jason M ...

Updated: Jun 05, 2008 1:46am EDT

Adrienne & Jason Mowrey Wedding : PHOTO PROOFS: These are the Wedding photo proofs for Adrienne and Jason Mowrey. If it was in focus and decently framed it's up here for the Mowrey's and their family to pick and print from. Adrienne and Jason were married May 31, 2008 in Axton at the Pines Lodge. Their rehearsal dinner was Friday the 30th. Keep checking back! I took almost 1,000 photos and am in the process of uploading them. It's slow going but they should all be up by Monday! In the meantime - check the "Wedding Best" photos - my personal favorites - which may or may not be "The BEST", but I like them. They're in the Mowrey Wedding Best gallery! They're in here too - or will be, but not until everything is loaded!

Adrienne & Jason Mowrey Wedding

PHOTO PROOFS: These are the Wedding photo proofs for Adrienne and Jaso ...

Updated: Jun 15, 2008 11:43pm EDT

Amber & Jimmy Higdon Wedding : Amber & Jimmy Higdon's wedding took place Dec. 17, 2005 at the New Beginnings Church in Springfield.

Amber & Jimmy Higdon Wedding

Brenda and Marty's Wedding :

Brenda and Marty's Wedding

Updated: Jun 17, 2008 9:06pm EDT

Soccer :

PORTFOLIO : This gallery may display from 5 to 30 examples of what I consider my "best" photos for review by those wanting to see my work without having to scroll through 6,000 photos. I want this gallery to contain the photos that "take your breath away." The other galleries contain less impactful photos - simply because I shoot for the community - who tell me they enjoy seeing all the pictures. (c) 2005 Photos by Becky Blanton.

Charlie Daniels Band : Country Music legend Charlie Daniels performed at Centre College in Danville recently - on the eve of his 69th birthday as a matter of fact! He also greeted and celebrated with youngsters from the Galiean Children's Home in Liberty, KY - about 30 minutes south of Springfield. I interviewed Mr. Daniels - for the fourth time in two years. He remains strongly supportive of the war and the troops in Iraq, is an outspoken Christian who continues to spread his faith and the message that Jesus Christ died to save sinners. For more information on Charlie Daniels, go to www.washingtoncountymonitor.com. (c) 2005 Photos by Becky Blanton.

Charlie Daniels Band

Patty Loveless : Country Music singer Patty Loveless performed at the 2005 Churchill Downs Chili Cook-off on Saturday, Nov. 5. Local band Sulcer Evans opened for her and both bands put on a fantastic performance! If you missed it you missed great horse racing, great chili and great country music songs. Photos of Patty's performance are here, but catch Sulcer in his own gallery. (c) 2005 Photos by Becky Blanton.

Whooping Cranes in Washington County : The night before the cranes leave it's quiet there. Only the wind blowing through dry leaves and the murmur of conversation drifts down the road. If you didn't know there were 19 endangered whooping cranes hidden away under a dark netting on a far hillside nothing would give them away - except the four ultralight aircraft lined up against the fence line. For this Washington County farm has a secret. One night a year it is host to some of the most incredible birds in the world - the endangered whooping crane. There are fewer than 500 in existence now - not many, but up from only 14 just half a century ago. Overcrowding, hunting and environmental factors have killed off the birds, but concentrated efforts by a handful of dedicated individuals are bringing them back. And in the worldwide scheme of things, Washington County is fortunate enough to have them grace the ground and the skies - for 48 hours once a year. For more information on whooping cranes and on Operation Migration - or to donate to this worthy cause, go to www.operationmigration.org.(c) Photos by Becky Blanton. All rights reserved.

Whooping Cranes in Washington County

Retiring the flag : Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from Mackville/Willisburg conducted two ceremonies on Saturday, May 27 to retire 50 American flags. These are photos from the flag preperation beforehand as well as of the ceremony. For more information and the story on the ceremony go to: www.washingtoncountymonitor.com.
Proceeds from the sales of photographs purchased of this event go back to Scout programs. You may see several photos of the ceremony that are very similar. This is so parents and friends who want photos of their child or a friend's child can select from several photos of the event.

Retiring the flag

08-14-05 Upward Soccer : Upward Soccer - a Christian values and evangelical based sports ministry, started game play Sunday, August 14th with the largest number of Upward Soccer players in the state! The basketball program last winter was so successful that organizers expected the soccer program to do well also. Boys and girls from the age of 5 years old and up participated in five six-minute quarters.

These photos are for sale only through the Upward Soccer program. ALL proceeds of photo sales go directly into the program. Contact The River of Life Church if you want to purchase a photo of your child.

08-14-05 Upward Soccer

Upward Soccer - a Christian values and evangelical based sports minist ...

Updated: Aug 16, 2005 9:37pm EDT

T-Ball : For many of the youngsters pictured here - this was their first T-Ball game. Many hit the ball and ran into the middle of the field or didn't run at all. The excitement, fun and I hope the wonder of the game are reflected in the faces and actions of the kids here.

4-H Horse Show : These are photos of the recent 4-H Show in Willisburg. There are many more photos that haven't been posted in order to encourage you to contact the 4-H club to purchase the CD. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the CD will go to 4-H for their ongoing programs and events. Contact Roberta Hunt at the Washington County Extension Office (859) 336-7742 for your copy. While you may use the photos on the CD for your own personal use, the photo's copyright remains WITH Becky Blanton and the photos may NOT be sold or published in any non-4-H publication without the written consent of the photographer. Thanks for supporting 4-H!!!

MORE T-ball and baseball too :

MORE T-ball and baseball too

Winterfest 2006 KYFM

Beat Bob! : River of Life attendees got a first hand look at how one man, "Bob" can beat a team of volleyball players on Sunday, Nov. 20. Bob, who travels around the country challenging teams to a game of volleyball - Bob (one man) against any team - from professional football and baseball teams to high school teens, faculty members and anyone one else up to the challenge. He wins more than 95% of his games, having played more than 50,000 games and lost less than 250 of them. He gives his witness and shares his personal message of hope and why he plays 80-90 games of volleyball a week with the audience. He has been on national television and shared his message with millions. He will be playing again throughout the day Tuesday at Washington County High School and the public is invited to attend a free pizza party and volleyball game at the High School Tuesday, Nov. 22 in the evening at 6 p.m. Call The River of Life for more details.859-336-7604.

Winterfest 2006 KYFM (new)

Sulcer Evans Band :

Sulcer Evans Band

Sulcer Evans & John Michael Montgomery :

Sulcer Evans & John Michael Montgomery

Sulcer Evans Band at Coy's in Louisville : The Sulcer Evans band played Saturday night at Coy's bar and lounge in Louisville, KY. This hot country band has a loyal following and with good reason - they're great! Check out clips of Sulcer's first CD at: www.sulcerevans.com. Check out photos of the band's performance here. Please check back. There are close to 200 photos still to be uploaded here!

The Sulcer Evans band plays again at The Washington County Sorghum Festival Saturday, Oct. 1 from 3-5 p.m. but you can also see them live in Lebanon on Sept. 18 from 6-10 when they play outside the Channel 6 television studios at a telethon to raise money for Katrina victims. Thanks for visiting and come back soon!

Sulcer Evans Band at Coy's in Louisville

Flying J Wranglers & others in concert : The Flying J Wranglers play traditional country music as well as "cowboy poetry" and western music, bluegrass and even a polka or two. They appeared here at the country music auditorium in Pigeon Forge in 2004. (c) Photos by Becky Blanton. All rights reserved.

Flying J Wranglers & others in concert

High Street Fire : A Saturday afternoon fire at 543 High Street has left a family of four homeless. The fire, started by faulty electrical wiring, smoldered and smoked, burning throughout the floorboards and walls before firemen managed to locate it and put it out. Tabitha Ford, 25 and Terris Trigg, 27 and their two children, a boy 6 and a girl age 9, had lived in the house for almost four years. This was the second fire in three months. The children were not in the house when the fire started. Ford discovered the fire when she came home and smelled smoke - then called Trigg, the landlord and the fire department.

High Street Fire

Kentucky United Pipe & Drum Band : The Kentucky United Pipes and Drums Band is the number one grade 5 Pipe and Drum Band in Kentucky. And, in the South East Region of the United States Grade 5 level Pipe & Drum Bands they are rated 7th out of 177 Pipe & Drum Bands. For all the members playing is their primary passion - one they work their jobs, lives and free time around - such as practicing as shown here - in 84 degree heat and high humidity for more than two hours with only a ten minute break. The Kentucky United Pipe and Drum Band will be performing in both Louisville, KY and later the same day in Springfield, KY in the Independence Day Parade Sunday, July 3. After the parade the band will perform a free 30 minute concert on the courthouse steps. For more about the band read the Thursday edition of The Washington County Monitor! www.washingtoncountymonitor.com

Kentucky United Pipe & Drum Band

Sulcer Evans at Churchill Downs : Sulcer Evans and the Sulcer Evans band rocked Churchill Downs Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005 with their trademarked energy as they opened for country music legend Patty Loveless to an audience of about 10,000 people. They played in-between horse races in 30 minute sets - stopping for 5-10 minutes so the horses could run, but even that didn't take the edge off of their energy. If you're wondering why this site has so many Sulcer Evans photos - then you haven't heard them play. They are incredible. Go! What are you waiting for!? Check their website for dates and playing times and venues. www.sulcerevans.com (c) 2005 Photos by Becky Blanton.

Sulcer Evans at Churchill Downs

Grape Harvest Jimmy Hatchett : There are at least eight vineyards in Washington County and Jimmy Hatchett - owner of the largest - also consented to share a bit of his afternoon allowing photos of the harvest. Hatchett has seven varities of grapes - including table grapes. Hatchett takes his grapes to a processing plant outside the county rather than processing in-house. Thanks Jimmy! I enjoyed the ride on the grape wagon and loved the tour!

Grape Harvest Jimmy Hatchett

Grape Harvest : Central Kentucky and Washington County Residents recently enjoyed the third annual Wine Tasting hosted by the BPW (Business and Professional Women). Washington County wineries and/or wine makers were present to showcase their wines and allow attendees to sample the best of Washington County wines. And, while many enjoyed the wine - few understand the process, time, effort and energy it takes to bring that wine to the finished stages. This gallery is a "day in the life" of Washington County/Willisburg wine makers Eric and Kathy Ringo (Long Lick Vineyard) and Bob and Ann Karsner (Horseshoe Bend Winery). From harvest to wine pressing this is the journey from "Vine to Wine."

My very heartfelt thanks to Eric, Kathy, Bob and Ann for allowing me to follow them around for a day and a half to take these photos and for their patience in explaining the process to me. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

"Recess" at Powers Music Sept. 9, 2005 : "Recess" at the "playground" means the monthly concert at Powers' Music - "the muscian's playground." [133 West Main Street in Springfield]. Each month store owner Ramona "Mo" Powers holds a 3-4 band concert in her store to give area bands a chance to showcase their talents. The musical genre differs each month - from metal/punk in Sept. to upcoming country, rock, christian, gospel and even classical bands. For more information on upcoming concerts or to get more information about having your band appear, contact Mo at (859) 336-0007. For viewers wondering why so many photos of the same thing/band - that's cause bands get their photos taken free - and I'm providing them their choice of photos for printing. Band guys - email me with your favorite pose request and I'll send it to you. Email BeckyBlanton@adelphia.net.

"Recess" at Powers Music Sept. 9, 2005

Prayer Walk : Tired of the sex, alcohol and drug dealing going on in local neighborhoods, the Washington County Ministerial Association decided the churchs in the county could no longer afford to leave drug, alcohol and sexual problems in the community to the mayor or the police. Instead, they have turned to God - trusting him to act in the community. Pastors and church members from across Springfield and Washington County took part in a "prayer walk" Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005 at 2 p.m. They walked down High Street to areas where community members said drinking, drugs and other activities took place and prayed at each area.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (King James Version)" Ephesians 6:12.

Claiming biblical truths and promises the group "bound the devil" and the "powers and principalities" at trouble spots around town and prayed for the deliverance of those addicted to alcohol and drugs. A survey taken last year at Washington County schools shows that almost half of the students in the schools (including the elementary and middle schools) have experimented with either sex, drugs or alcohol. The problem is not one to leave to city officials and is the responsibility of the church and those members in the church said leaders.

For more information on how you can participate in prayer for the county, contact your local church leaders.

Evergreen Terrace : Evergreen Terrace, a fast rising heavy metal band out of Jacksonville, Florida, headlined at The Short Street Lounge in Lexington Wednesday night. The band is on their second tour this year and will be heading to Europe later this fall. The band "Son of Day" also played the lounge shortly before ET. If you're offended by tattoos, body piercings or heavy metal culture - don't view these photos....

Evergreen Terrace

Sulcer Evans at 2005 Sorghum Festival : Rocking Country music band Sulcer Evans Band played 3-5 p.m. at the 2005 Washington County Sorghum Festival to an appreciative and rocking audience. The photos below are available for sale. Sorry to have to put the "PROOF" watermark on them but folks have been downloading and using the photos without asking permission or paying for them and it's the only way I know to help stop or slow down that practice. Thanks for understanding. If you order the photo the PROOF mark will NOT be on the photo! (c) 2005 Photos by Becky Blanton.

Sulcer Evans at 2005 Sorghum Festival

IZABLE the band : Springfield band IZABLE's most recent practice and photo shoot. The band plays cover songs, classic rock, country and a mix of popular favorites. The band's name comes from their philosophy of life, that if you put your mind to it, anything "Iz - do- able, believe- able, conceive -able," etc. So believe. The band will be the only live band performing at the Washington County Relay for Life event June 24. They'll play from 12 a.m. to 3 a.m. It's late, but it's worth a listen.

IZABLE the band

Crain House Fire : Washington County fire fighters from Springfield and Mackville responded to a mid-day fire at the home of Kenneth Crain in East Texas - about 10 miles east of Springfield. The fire fully engulfed the home. Firefighters stayed to make sure the fire didn't spread to the barn or fields. The unoccupied home was for sale and was vacant at the time of the fire. Crain watched as the home burned. No one was believed to have been inside the house at the time of the fire.

Crain House Fire

Christmas Parade : Springfield residents turned out in spite of the biting cold to listen to Christmas Carols, to watch the annual Christmas Parade and to have their children sit on Santa's lap. Here are a few photos of the day! I hope you enjoy them! Some of the children with Santa Photos are at the front of the gallery, but the parade and other pics start on page 2 and 3. The rest of the Santa photos follow those. I think I got a picture of everyone who sat on Santa's lap! So, scroll on through! (c) 2005 Photos by Becky Blanton. All rights reserved.

Christmas Parade

Crosses : While driving around the county - and the state...I noticed a variety and size of crosses in yards, on buildings, in cemetaries....these are photos of the ones I found most interesting, intriguing or just plain beautiful. For some I added verses which came to me...others are left as is...

Halloween 2005 : Halloween downtown is always a huge event and this year was just as big and special. Here are a few of the hundreds of great costumes. I hope you enjoy them. If you want to purchase any of the photos, or a CD of all the photos of your child, please note the number of the photo you want to purchase and take your money or a check for $5 for each photo to Powers Music. If your child has several photos you may purchase a CD with all the photos on it for $25 and make as many copies as you want for your personal - not commercial use. These photos may NOT be purchased off of the web. (c) 2005 Photos by Becky Blanton. All rights reserved.

Sorghum Festival BEST DRESSED DOG : From Tophat and Tails, to Ballroom gowns or magician's robes, the dogs at this years Sorghum Festival's "Best Dressed Dog" competition were the best ever! Take a look yourself and see! The "Proof" watermarking on photos is to protect the pictures from illegal downloading - and will NOT be present on your permanent photo if you chose to order one. Thanks!

Sorghum Festival BEST DRESSED DOG

Father and Son Swing ride : The last Sorghum Festival for many was also the first for a few young riders. This father and son swing ride was the first for this young rider. The two had the ride to themselves - enjoying a special father/son minute. (c) 2005 Photos by Becky Blanton. All rights reserved.

Father and Son Swing ride

password protected gallery

Sorghum Parade 2005 : This year was the last for the Washington County Sorghum Festival. After 29 years the festival has ended and a new one - focused on Abraham Lincoln's parent's wedding - will take its place. This is the last Sorghum Festival parade. There are several photos of some of the entrants - all are posted here to give a sense of "motion" for those viewers who use the slideshow function on this page. This year's Grand Marshal and co-Marshall were Hugh Lee Grundy and his wife Frankie. Hugh Grundy was the first president of the covert CIA airline - "Air America". Grundy is a life-long Washington County native. Now 91 years old, Grundy and his wife drove their vintage Austin Healy in this year's parade.

Sorghum Parade 2005

Cades Cove & Smoky Mountains : Wood carvers and craftsmen and women are one of the best things about East Tennessee. In Townsend and around Gatlinburg are some of the finest crafts and arts around. Here are a few samples.

Cades Cove & Smoky Mountains

SORGHUM FEST Tractor Pedal Pull : This is one of the more popular contests at both Ham Days and The Sorghum Festival - the tractor pedal pull. Contestants must pedal their tractor a given distance. As the tractor moves forward however, so does a engineered weight in the sled they are pulling - making it harder and harder to pedal. Contestants keep going in rounds until one contestant pulls their load farther than the others.

SORGHUM FEST Tractor Pedal Pull

Sulcer Evans Band : If you like country music, you're going to hear a LOT more from singer-songwriter Solomon Sulcer Evans and the Sulcer Evans Band. With two band members (Martin Mudd, harp player and James Stein, soundman) from Washington County, the band is on their way to the top in any Nashville circle. Sulcer Evans played at Fourth Street Live in August. The band will also be playing a Katrina benefit Sept. 18 live on Channel 6 and at the Sorghum Festival in October - a production presented by Powers Music. Sulcer Evans is a Buckner, Kentucky native - he grew up in Louisville. The band has gotten more than just the casual attention of Nashville. Evans has just finished up his CD - "Devils in the Details," with Will Kimbrough, Jonathan Yudkin and Mike Daly and it's sure to top the country music charts soon. Hear cuts from his CD online at: http://www.sulcerevans.com/albums.htm. The Washington County Sorghum Festival ould be one of those proverbial chances to "hear them first." It's free, too.

Sulcer Evans Band

Flagpole Dedication Ceremony : On Saturday, September 3, 2005, The Flagpole outside the Ace Hardware Store in Springfield, KY was dedicated to the memory and honor of Spc. Jonathan "Adam" Hughes, 21. Hughes was killed March 19, 2005 in Iraq when his Humvee struck a roadside bomb while he accompanied a U.S. convoy headed to Baghdad International Airport. A fellow Kentucky Guardsman in the same vehicle was wounded. John Hughes, Adam's father, works at Ace Hardware and store owner Joe Pat Haydon decided he wanted to do something to honor Adam. A plaque was created, a ceremony held and more than one hundred friends and family members attended the ceremony and a buffet dinner at Margret's Restaurant afterwards.

If you or someone you know is in one of these photos and not identified, please add their name by using the comment box below the photo and I'll be happy to add their name. Please feel free to add comments on the dedication ceremony, or any comments honoring Spc. Adam Hughes as well. I know the family and the community will appreciate any rememberances of Adam. You are encouraged to sign your name, but it is not required. Thank you.

Flagpole Dedication Ceremony

Leon Smith appointed Interim Principal : It's classic good versus evil. Last Spring Washington County School Superintendant Larry Graves demoted Director of Pupil Personnel Johnny Reinle, claiming he was not doing his job. He failed to provide proof of his allegations however and resulting legal action forced the issue to a head. And speaking of heads...Leon Smith's head was then feared to be next to fall victim to Graves' proverbial chopping block. Talk of a "hit list," rampant fear among school employees - of whom 30 were either fired or threatened with termination and talk of a strike by school bus drivers stirred the community. Citizens, many of them from the two men's church - The River of Life - rallied in support of the two men, attending school board meetings, talking to school board members and praying for miracles. Their prayers were answered. Johnny Renile's attorney reached a settlement agreement and got Johnny got his job back after agreeing to retire in 2006. Leon Smith, once so concerned he was next to be terminated, was appointed interim principal by the Washington County High School Site Based Council - a strong show of confidence in his character, principles and abilities. God does keep His promises. Those who walk with him are protected. The saga of whether Graves will continue to be school superintendent however, is not over. Graves still has two months on his current contract as superintendant and there's no word yet on whether the school board will rehire him - or simply let his contract lapse. Repeated requests to the state by several citizens and local officials have not moved Governor Fletcher or the State Board to investigate Graves and citizen allegations of bullying, harassment and abuse. Graves denies the allegations.

Leon Smith appointed Interim Principal

Johnny Reinle & Larry Graves reach settlement agreement : Only hours before the regularly scheduled Washington County School Board meeting was to begin, Director of Pupil Personnel, Johnny Reinle and Washington County School Superintendent Larry Graves signed an agreement that will give Reinle his job as DPP back, but that will require him to retire in 2006. Graves declined to speak about the details, citing the fact it was a "personnel decision." Johnny Reinle simply said, "It's over." Graves did say that nothing in the agreement forbade Reinle from speaking about the terms of the agreement and that whether Reinle chose to comment or not was up to him.

Johnny Reinle & Larry Graves reach settlement agreement

2005 Sorghum Festival!! FRIDAY : Welcome to the 2005 Washington County Sorghum Festival! This is the 29th and final year of the festival, so this is a special year. I'll be taking photos throughout the weekend and posting them here for you to enjoy. Each day (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) will have it's own gallery to make it easier to find the photos you may be in - or that you want to look at. I hope you enjoy the photos. Please remember they are copyrighted and not available for reproduction without permission. Thanks again for visiting and come back throughout the day as I take... upload and post additional pictures! And don't forget to attend the Mackville Harvest Festival next weekend for even more fall fun! Thanks, Becky Blanton

2005 Sorghum Festival!! FRIDAY

Tuckaleechee Caverns : Tuckaleechee Caverns is one of 700 known caves in Tennessee. It is also one of the most spectacular caves east of Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. This photo tour through the cave doesn't begin to show the height, color or spectacular formations of the one and a half hour tour. If you get to Townsend, TN - all I can say is TAKE THIS TOUR!! More photos to come...They're slow to load. But, they should all be up no later than Wednesday, Oct. 26...or so...

Tuckaleechee Caverns

Tractor photos :

Updated: Sep 18, 2005 9:37pm EDT

Barn Fire : WASHINGTON COUNTY - A barn, portions of a field and what appeared to firefighters to be a wooden wagon-bed burned to the ground Friday afternoon.

The structures, which were located on a farm off of Lebanon Road, apparently burned for hours before being reported by neighbors who spotted the smoke from their home over a mile away.

By the time fire fighters arrived the barn had completed burned down and spot fires had ignited around the property, putting a second barn at risk.

As of Friday evening no cause was found for the fire, but wind was believed to have played a part in spreading the fire from place to place over about five acres of the property.

For updates and more information about this fire and others - read The Washington County Monitor at: www.washingtoncountymonitor.com

Life Net : In rural areas the "golden" or "critical hour" can easily be eaten up with something as simple but necessary as transportation to a hospital. Helicopters, like Life-Net can cut an hour-long transport by automobile into one taking only minutes by air. These are just a few photos of the men and women of Life Net in action.

Tractor safety : This event was a staged tractor and ATV safety demonstration for Washington County High School in Springfield, KY. Permission to use these photos for educational and informational purposes only and NOT for resale. A photo credit - (C) 2005 PHOTO BY BECKY BLANTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. MUST accompany the photo if you use any of the photos. Thank you for your help and consideration in promoting tractor safety.

Tractor Safety Demo for Univ. of KY : There have been four tractor fatalities in the last year in Washington County. The losses have devastated families and left a community mourning. "Farming is the only occupation in America where we kill our children to make a living," a farmer and farm safety expert recently told a group of nursery owners and farmers. That's the bad news. The good news is that deaths are down from an average 50 a year to 24 a year. With education and instruction in how to stay safe, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture hopes to keep eliminating farm accidents.

The "tractor" accident on the following pages is a demonstration. No one was harmed and although the scenes may look real enough to alarm some viewers, it's all staged. However, those viewing the photos - particularly if you have lost a loved to a farm accident, are urged to use caution when viewing as the scenes may trigger anxiety or fear in some people.

The purpose of these safety demonstrations is to show farmers (the people in the background watching the demonstration) how EMS and rescue workers respond to an accident scene and how they can best help rescue squads if there is an accident on their farm. Anyone wishing to use the photos from this site for educational purposes in a non-profit publication or on a non-profit website may do so ON THE CONDITION that the photos are properly credited with the tagline: (c) 2005 Photo by Becky Blanton. If you use the photos please write to tell where you used them - it's nice to know! beckyblanton@adelphia.net.

Tractor Safety Demo for Univ. of KY

Car fire on JimTown Road : Washington County Firemen responded to a report of a car fire on Jim Town Road about 7:15 pm. Thursday, July 8. Black smoke from the fire could be seen from several miles away. No one was injured in the blaze. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Car fire on JimTown Road

Independence Day Celebration : Springfield celebrated the 4th of July on Sunday evening, July 3. A memorial to Jonathan Adam Hughes and recognition of the families of soldiers currently serving in Iraq was made early in the parade. Shortly before boading their floats the families found out another soldier from the unit was killed - Ryan Montgomery - and another soldier wounded in fighting this weekend....making the ceremony even more difficult for families who still waited to hear who was wounded.

The memorials that were read at the parade may be read online at: www.washingtoncountymonitor.com - along with news of Ryan's death.

Independence Day Celebration

Relay for Life 2005 : Washington County held its first annual Relay for Life at St. Catharine's College this year (2005). Participants deemed the event a rousing success. The weather was hot throughout the day and early evening, but the clear skies made it a bright kick-off for what organizers hope is a successful event for decades to come. (c) 2005 Photos by Becky Blanton. All photos are copyrighted and while they may be purchased for personal use, they may not be resold, recreated or used in any commercial or promotional use without the written consent of Becky Blanton. Thank you.

Relay for Life 2005

Bible Marathon : Springfield, Kentucky was the only city in the entire state to participate in the four day bible marathon - actually completing the event 11 hours ahead of schedule because all their readers showed up and they had great participation from local citizens. These are some of the citizens who were photographed at random times of the day and night.

Gone Fishing :

Graduation 2005 : Washington County High School Graduation 2005

Guys - I figured out the problem and will be uploading these throughout the day....I have about three hours worth of pic's so be patient! They're coming! If you can help me out with names of folks - please do! Thanks! Remember, right click to download them to YOUR computer!

Graduation 2005

Habitat House Dedication : This is the house that God built. This Habitat for Humanity house was dedicated Sunday, May 15 at 2:15 p.m. by the family, volunteers and friends who helped build it.

Habitat House Dedication

Willisburg Homecoming Parade : Memorial Day in Willisburg includes town wide yard sales, food, fun, vendors, rides, basketball tournaments and solemn ceremonies in memory of those veterans and of the civilian men and women who have served and fallen in the line of duty to their country. Part of the day everyone looks forward to is the parade. Here are photos of this year's Memorial Day Parade. Enjoy! Right click on the photo to save it to your computer desktop where you can then print it off at home. If you prefer to just order a photographic print you can do that too by clicking on the shopping cart icon at the bottom of the page. The cost is very reasonable - $1.50 for a 4x6 photo. Ten percent of the proceeds from all sales are tithed. Depending on the site the rest of the proceeds either go directly to the organization (non-profits) or they go to help pay for maintaining this site. Thank you for your comments and support! - Photographer Becky Blanton. Email me at editor@washingtoncountymonitor.com or visit our new website: www.washingtoncountymonitor.com.

Willisburg Homecoming Parade