Society

A replacement span for a collapsed portion of the US 68/KY 80 Eggners Ferry Bridge is now at the bridge site. A 3-barge flotilla took just over 5 hours yesterday to navigate the 30 miles from the Eddyville Riverport, down Lake Barkley, through the LBL Canal, and up Kentucky Lake. 

The Paducah-McCracken County Convention Center Corporation presented its 2012/2013 budget to the county Fiscal Court yesterday. CCC Treasurer Hal Sullivan gave members what he called a “bare bones” budget requesting $100,000 to help with insurance costs and maintenance issues. The money will also help pay the Carson Four Rivers Center for management services. Sullivan says the CCC is trying to pare down its spending so local governing bodies can assist other organizations in need.

A flotilla carrying the replacement span of the Eggners Ferry Bridge and two massive cranes will complete its trip tonight.

Tennessee state officials want businesses selling food to start preparing for reduced rates of sales and use tax.  Effective July 1st, those tax rates on sales of food and food ingredients will be cut to 5.25%, down from 5.5%. 

Officials in three west Tennessee counties are working to create coalitions to fight drug use among teens.  The state Department of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services awarded grants to Dyer, Lauderdale and Tipton counties allowing them to form the panels.