The Christian County doctor accused of growing and selling marijuana from her home will have her case heard by a grand jury.

Hopkinsville attorney Sands Chewning is representing 58-year old Gloria Staples of 15253 North Madisonville Road and said he would waive a preliminary hearing in district court to allow a grand jury to decide if there is enough evidence to proceed to a potential trial.

Doctor Staples was arrested February 11^th after a search warrant allegedly turned up a “grow room” with more than five marijuana plants in the upstairs of her residence.

The doctor who operates a practice on North Drive faces charges of trafficking in marijuana, cultivating marijuana, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police allege they found rolling papers, bongs and pipes in addition to the marijuana.

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02/22/2012/am

The Kentucky House Education Committee unanimously approved legislation Tuesday which could someday expand the Books for Brains program implemented in Trigg County across the state.

The program, which provides age appropriate books to children from birth to five years old free of charge to the families, began as a charitable effort of country music superstar Dolly Parton. It has expanded across the region and legislation sponsor Representative John Tilley says the Trigg Rotary Club and other civic organizations have funded it there.

Representative Tilley says the long-term results of the program will be higher test scores and more well-rounded students.

Budget constraints prevent the General Assembly from taking the program statewide right now, but Representative Tilley and the committee hope private agencies in other counties can mimic what has been done in Trigg County and that more can be done when the state comes out of the recession.

The Trigg County program has provided over 23,000 books to children since August of 2008.

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02/22/2012/am

The Todd County School System will begin its pre-school screenings early next month.

A news release from Tracey Shifflett says the Todd County School system will conduct pre-school screenings and registration for three and four year old children at South Todd Elementary School from 8am until noon on Friday March 2^nd.

It will be the last screening for this school year, according to Ms. Shifflett, who says children who are within six months of turning three may be screened for entry during the current school year.

Any child who turned five on or before October 1^st is kindergarten eligible and can not attend preschool. Screenings for the 2012-2013 school year will be held in May. Parents wanting to schedule an appointment should contact Ms. Shifflett at 265-2436.

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02/22/2012/am

A local technology company has a new owner that is also familiar to the area.

A news release says Cornerstone Information Systems has purchased Dark Fiber Solutions, which ceased to exist Monday.

Cornerstone CEO David Smith says Cornerstone has served western Kentucky and Tennessee for over 27 years and the acquisition of 30 employees from Dark Fiber Solutions will increase their personnel to over 40.

Cornerstone is a regional information technology services firm which supports industries, local governments, public utilities and other business clients.

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02/22/2012/am