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The fight for a small bar located on the Kentucky-Tennessee state line to have in Logan County poll dancing as a form of paid entertainment is starting to get both regional and national attention.

The story of the Tenn-Tucky State Line Tavern, first reported by the News-Democrat & Leader, has been picked up by the Associated Press and has appeared in newspapers and on television stations nationwide.

“I’ve seen it appear as far away as San Antonio, Texas,” said the bar’s owner, Sheila Haley.

Logan County Judge/Executive Logan Chick said he has gotten a phone call from Texas asking about the subject - and has also fielded calls from Nashville television stations.

Haley applied for an entertainment license in Logan County three weeks ago after building a pole dancing stage in her bar.

Her plan included hiring dancers who would be paid performers, but would stay fully clothed on stage.

But local churches didn’t like hearing that and called a community prayer meeting on April 1. About 300 people showed up in opposition of Haley’s establishment having pole dancing.

“People are just going crazy,” Haley said. “This really shouldn’t be an issue.”

After that, the story began appearing all around the country.

“I had a lady call from Cincinnati and she owns two pole dancing studios,” Haley said. “Once this is all settled, she wants to come down here and hold a day of classes at my place.”

Before the issue is settled, there will have have to be a public hearing concerning the entertainment permit.

Chick has set the meeting for Tuesday, April 24 at 3:30 p.m. at the Red River Fish and Game Club in Adairville.

Chick wanted to have the meeting in the south Logan town and that was the only building big enough to hold it - other than a church or the school.

After the meeting, it will be up to Chick to either give Haley her entertainment permit, or deny it.

Haley said she does not expect to have her request denied.

“There has to be a legal reason for him not to allow it,” she said. “He can’t deny my entertainment license just because the churches don’t want me to have it. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t allow it.”

Haley said she has heard from many in the community who support her having pole dancing in her bar.

“The only people against it is that church group,” Haley said. “Everybody else I have heard from has been positive. I really don’t know why there is such an uproar about it.”

If Haley is granted the entertainment license to pay her dancers, she will have to pay occupational taxes in Logan County.

Most of her taxes are currently paid in Tennessee, because that is where she sells beer in her establishment, but Haley said she does pay sales tax on snacks in Kentucky as well as property taxes in Logan County.