Officers mean business        if you are impaired driver

Over the weekend of August 27-29, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office joined forces with other area agencies in an effort to combat impaired driving in Marshall County. Agencies participating included the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky State Police, Benton Police Department, and Graves County Sheriff’s Office.

 

Officers conducted 23 different road checks across Marshall County in the event as well as conducting saturation patrols. The road checks were conducted across the county in many communities and at different times. In conjunction with this event, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office also patrolled Kentucky Lake on the Marshall County shore from Kentucky Dam to Kenlake, looking for impaired boaters. Marshall County Sheriff’s Deputies working saturation patrol had the following citations during the event: Click here for more.

Mosque permit denied

(Filed August 25, 2010) A group of Somali natives petitioning to open a new mosque in Mayfield has been denied a conditional use permit by city officials. Board member and city officials met yesterday morning to rule on the permit. A large crowd was expected for the meeting and officials were prepared to hear citizens’ concerns about the mosque. The five member board of zoning adjustment, chaired by Austin Copeland listened to public comment before the vote.  Mayfield Mayor Arthur Byrn said Monday to avoid any trouble; police officers would be on hand.

 

The group of 150 Muslims wanted the mosque in an area of Mayfield where there are four Christian churches located within six blocks of the site.

 

Business owners next to the proposed location questioned the amount of parking available versus the number of people that would be expected to attend the services. Besides the mosque, the group would also build an entertainment center next to the mosque. The proposed site has only six parking spaces.

 

The Mayfield Board of Zoning Adjustment five-member board ruled that a lack of adequate parking around the proposed mosque is a safety issue and an impediment to surrounding businesses, particularly on Mondays and Fridays, which are key days of the week for the Muslim services. No one spoke on behalf of the petitioners at the public hearing.

 

This is the first time the city has denied a religious group a conditional use permit.

 

As of July 29, there were 131 Somalis employed at the Pilgrim’s Pride chicken plant in Graves County. All have reportedly been hired in the last few months.

 

Mayfield City Planner Brad Rodgers said “I think it’s more about the newness of having Muslims in this community. I think that’s what people are concerned about.” But neighbors argue religion is not the problem, it is space.