Local News

When Brian Thomas Pauley’s doorbell rang Nov. 28, he had no idea he was about to become a hero.

Although a familiar face appeared at the door — it was his neighbor and fellow Anderson County High School classmate, Laken — what she was about to say was the last thing he expected to hear.

She yelled, “My house is on fire,” Thomas, 15, later recalled.

So, he sprung into action, doing the first thing that crossed his mind.

Anderson County’s unemployment rate eclipsed the state and national averages in October, according to a report issued last week by the state education and workforce development cabinet.

October’s rate here was 6.9 percent, while the statewide average was 6.2 percent and national average was 6.7 percent.

Anderson’s rate was also about a full percent higher than surrounding counties, with Shelby registering 5.8 percent, Franklin at 5.7 percent and Mercer at 5.7 percent.

A man accused of robbing a local service station just over a year ago and threatening to shoot its owner pleaded guilty Monday and will serve 15 years in prison.

Ronald Ray Hopkins pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery, kidnapping, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, fourth-degree assault and alcohol intoxication Monday afternoon just before his jury trial was scheduled to start.

Hopkins will not be eligible for probation or parole and must serve 85 percent of his sentence, said Det. Bryan Taylor with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.

A Stringtown home sustained major damage in a fire Monday morning at 1734 Harrodsburg Road.

No one was home when the fire started, and its cause remains under investigation.

“There are a couple of things we are looking at,” said Anderson County Fire Chief Mike Barnes. “We haven’t been able to pin it down and say for sure what we think it is.”

The home was rented by Beverly Terry, who lived there with her children.