Local News

While a trial date may be shortly forthcoming in the Commonwealth’s murder case against Raymond Revard Jr., both sides are standing strong in their respective beliefs of guilt or innocence of the accused.

Revard, who is charged with murder in the 2009 shooting death of his wife, Lea Revard, was present in Spencer County Circuit Court last Thursday as attorneys debated various pre-trial issues before Judge Charles R. Hickman.

Spencer County Clerk Judy Puckett said Monday that a state auditor’s report noting excessive spending for Sam’s Club memberships last year was not intended to be a misuse of taxpayer dollars.

Puckett’s office was audited by State Auditor Crit Luallen. The audit noted that seven Sam’s Club memberships were purchased for $35 each, for a total of $245. Puckett said Monday that the office had this practice for two years, and that she preferred for each employee to have a club membership.

The Spencer County Christmas Food Basket Program that benefits local less fortunate families during the holidays will go on this year, but perhaps with a few less dollars to support it.

Spencer County Fiscal Court recently decided it would not pledge money toward the program but that it would continue to be the hub for donations, basket distribution and applications for those seeking baskets.

An ethics complaint filed in October against Spencer County Sheriff Steve Coulter and two sheriff’s deputies is under review by the county’s Ethics Commission, but no public decision regarding the accusations has been made yet.

The complaint was filed by Taylorsville resident Lawrence Trageser, who ran as in independent candidate for magistrate in the 2010 election.

The complaint, which was provided to The Spencer Magnet by Trageser and dated Oct. 21, was filed against Coulter, deputy Kyle Bennett and deputy Damon Jewell.