One of the most heartbreaking stories in Monroe County in recent years has also turned turned out to be one of the most heartwarming, as the community has come together to support four children orphaned after their parents were killed Dec. 23 in a traffic accident in Ohio.

Scott and Michele Barhorst had just moved their family to Madisonville six months ago.

The young couple, only in their 30s, had four children: Tori, 8, a student at Madisonville Primary, Hailie, 9, and Logan, 11, both students at Madisonville Intermediate School, and Tyler, 18, a student at Sequoyah.

Teachers and friends say they family had adapted well to life in Monroe County, but the family was looking forward to going back to Ohio to see family for Christmas.

"They were so excited to be going home for Christmas," said Madisonville Intermediate School Principal Teri Moser.

See full story in the Sunday, Dec. 30, edition of The Advocate & Democrat.