Aug. 2--The 18-month-old national recession is taking a toll on the region.

Bankruptcies in Daviess County jumped 45 percent in the second quarter, compared with the same time last year, according to records at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Kentucky.

That's on top of a 43 percent jump in the first quarter.

Daviess County saw 138 bankruptcies during the second quarter, Hancock, 10; McLean, 14; Muhlenberg, 64; and Ohio, 33.

A year ago, Daviess recorded 95 bankruptcy filings; Hancock, five; McLean, 13; Muhlenberg, 51; and Ohio, 25.

-- Owensboro Medical Health System has filed a request with the Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission to rezone 147 acres between Pleasant Valley Road and Daniels Lane for its planned new hospital.

The preliminary development plan filed with the zoning change request shows entrances off both Daniels Lane and Pleasant Valley Road.

There aren't many details in the plan, but it does show a drive-through pharmacy, administration building, a couple of specialty retail stores, an assisted living center, three medical office buildings and a patient tower.

-- Looking for Cajun cooking?

Red's Fish House in Sorgho now features a full Cajun menu on Thursday nights.

-- Boardwalk Pipeline Partners said last week that its operating revenues rose 6 percent in the second quarter to $201.4 million, but net income dropped 69 percent to $20.3 million.

-- The U.S. Census Bureau says Daviess County saw $700 million in federal spending in 2008.

That includes $21.6 million in wages to federal employees and $295.8 million in retirement and disability benefits through Social Security.

-- The Owensboro metropolitan area -- Daviess, Hancock and McLean counties -- lost 1,300 jobs in the year ending June 30, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment & Training.

Government added 200 jobs during the period, and educational and health services added 100.

Mining, logging, and construction; information; financial activities and other services all saw steady employment.

But manufacturing lost 900 jobs; trade, transportation and utilities, 300; professional and business services, 300; and leisure and hospitality, 100.

The report said 100 of the jobs lost came between May and June.

-- A report last week by The Associated General Contractors of America said June construction employment declined in 333 of 351 U.S. metropolitan areas.

But in Owensboro, the report said, construction employment held steady at 2,800 jobs.

That tied it with eight other metros at 11th best in the nation.

The Evansville-Henderson area lost 100 jobs and ranked 22nd.

The Louisville area lost 6,200 construction jobs and ranked 277th.

Keith Lawrence, 691-7301, klawrence@messenger-inquirer.com

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