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House Passes Senator Harper Angel's Golden Alert Bill 4-1-08
FRANKFORT - The Senate bill, sponsored by Senator Denise Harper Angel, D-Louisville, to create a Kentucky Golden Alert for impaired adults who are missing today passed the House of Representatives.
Senate Bill 125 directs the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management to issue the Golden Alert through local media outlets whenever an impaired adult 18 years of age or older is reported missing from home, a facility or the care of another person.
The Golden Alert is to be communicated in much the same manner as information is disseminated in the Amber Alerts for missing children. By using the media to inform the public, it widens the net so the public can get involved in finding missing adults and returning them to safety.
"With the ever increasing number of individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease, if this act brings just one person home safely, it is well worth our effort," Senator Harper Angel said.
The Golden Alert has the full support of the Alzheimer's Association.
Ellen B. Kershaw with the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Kentucky/Southern Indiana Chapter said there is an increase in the number of people with early onset Alzheimer's. These adults often drive or walk away and become lost from family and friends. Kershaw sites examples, some with devastating results, such as a 76-year-old Bowling Green woman with Alzheimer's who left home in the night, wandered down the road and was killed when she was struck by a car.
If these missing adults are not found within 24 hours, they are usually in real danger, she said, adding that the Golden Alert could "serve as a tool to reach out and reunite the families."
One in 10 people over the age of 65 and nearly half of those over 85 have Alzheimer's disease. Today, there are more than 74,000 Kentuckians with Alzheimer's.
As a member of the Senate and Appropriations and Revenue and Health and Welfare committees, Senator Harper Angel has said she will work hard for legislation to support Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers.
The Senate unanimously passed the Golden Alert bill Feb. 13 and the House likewise today. Senate Bill 125 now moves to Governor Steve Beshear to be signed into law.
Senator Harper Angel, who represents the 35th District, has served in the State Senate since 2005.

Governor Fletcher, Transportation Cabinet Officials Award Contract for Safety Improvements on Menifee County Highways 11-26-07
JACKSON, Ky. – (Nov. 19, 2007) – Governor Ernie Fletcher and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) continue to make highway safety a top priority in Kentucky. Further evidence of this can be seen through the awarding of a contract for guardrail installation on two Menifee County highways.
The contract calls for installation of guardrail along 0.37 miles of KY 36 near Ratliff Road, and 0.11 miles of guardrail along US 460 near Dog Trot.
“Our administration has been very active in installing guardrail in needed areas along our state’s major highways to improve driver safety,” Governor Fletcher said. “These two highways are important routes linking Menifee County to Interstate 64, and it’s imperative that we do all we can to make them as safe as possible. These guardrail projects will help accomplish that goal.”
George B. Stone Company, LLC, was awarded the low-bid contract for $46,289. The project is scheduled to be completed by June 30.
“In 2007, we will surpass last year’s record for the amount of money spent for much-needed highway improvements in Kentucky,” Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bill Nighbert said. “Our efforts within KYTC to improve operational efficiencies have paid off in investments in the transportation infrastructure to improve safety and promote economic development. Governor Fletcher made safety and economic development the cornerstones of his highway construction program. He has delivered on his promises to Kentuckians to make our state’s roads safer and better.”
Construction activities are scheduled on a tentative basis and are subject to change depending on weather conditions. Motorists are asked to “Drive Smart” in work zones and be aware of workers, traffic control devices and construction equipment when traveling in areas where projects are ongoing.

BRENDON D. MILLER TO SERVE AS FACULTY AT KENTUCKY PROSECUTOR’S INSTITUTE.
Breathitt County Attorney Brendon D. Miller has been selected for the second year by the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office to be an instructor at the Kentucky Prosecutor’s Institute that will be held in Frankfort September 9th through 14nd.  The Kentucky Prosecutor’s Institute is a weeklong training course that is presented by the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office for Commonwealth Attorneys and County Attorneys and their assistants.  KPI provides prosecutors with instruction in trial procedures and trial advocacy and is the only program of its kind offered by a state for its prosecutors.
“I was honored to be selected as faculty for the Institute last year and am again honored that they want me to do it again.  I attended as a student in 2004 and learned so much about trying cases.  Hopefully I can pass some of that knowledge along to other prosecutors, along with learning from them”, said Miller.

Transportation Cabinet urges caution during annual 50-Mile Yard Sale on KY 52 in Breathitt, Estill and Lee counties
JACKSON, KY – (June 25, 2007) -- As residents of Breathitt, Estill and Lee counties prepare for the annual 50-Mile Yard Sale along KY 52 on Saturday, July 7, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Drive Smart Program is urging motorists to use caution during the sale.
“This annual event is gaining in popularity for vendors and shoppers alike,” said Linda Wagner-Justice, chief engineer for District 10, which includes the three counties. “Each year, we’re seeing more traffic along this route on the day of the sale. Since more visitors are expected to the region than ever before, we want to make sure that everyone who participates takes all due care to prevent a tragedy. We want everyone to ‘Drive Smart’ and use caution.”
The Transportation Cabinet offers the following tips for those who will be attending the KY 52 yard sale, as well as for other motorists who will be traveling in the area that day:
Watch out for parked cars, slowed traffic and vehicles turning into or out of side streets and driveways.
Park a safe distance from the highway, preferably outside a 22-foot “recovery zone” extending from the white line on the pavement edge. This area gives motorists plenty of room in which to maneuver in case of trouble. Parking on the shoulder of the road is discouraged.
Watch for pedestrians crossing the road, and especially for children or pets in the area of yard sales.
Use seat belts, obey posted speed limits and other traffic laws, and refrain from drinking and driving.
State law prohibits encroachments on state right-of-way without a permit, and this includes roadside sales. The statutory cite is KRS 177.106.
“The statute forbids anything that interferes with ‘the safe, convenient and continuous use’ of the highway, and the Transportation Cabinet considers roadside sales on state right-of-way to fall under this category,” Wagner-Justice said. We want to make sure that the traveling public has the proper amount of sight distance for intersections, driveway entrances and curves. Vendors who set up their sales on the right-of-way can interfere with the necessary sight distance, as can motorists who park along the shoulders of the road. Therefore, in the interests of safety, we are requesting that no sales take place on the right-of-way in accordance with state law.”
“We applaud the efforts of community leaders in these three counties to increase tourism and generate economic activity in our region, but we want to ensure the safety of the traveling public, especially with this event coming so close to the Fourth of July,” Wagner-Justice said. “Safety is always our primary focus. We hope everyone will 'Drive Smart,' wear their seat belts, and be on the lookout for bargain hunters who will be on the road and on foot along the yard sale route.”

Transportation Cabinet Donates Surplus Road Maps to Owsley County Elementary School
JACKSON, KY (April 12, 2007) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is distributing Kentucky highway maps to schools all across the Commonwealth. The maps will be used for geography, math, and social studies classes, as well as for reference materials in school libraries.
H.B. Elkins, public information officer for the Department of Highways District 10, visited Owsley County Elementary School on Thursday, April 12 to distribute the requested surplus road maps. Teacher Debra Burch accepted the donation on behalf of the school.
“We had excess highway maps in storage and we think this is a golden opportunity for our school children,” said Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bill Nighbert. “When children become familiar with names and places on a map and see how various routes connect different locations, that knowledge can encourage them to learn more about Kentucky’s geography, history, and other facts.”
“This is an excellent way for the Transportation Cabinet to contribute to the expansion of horizons for thousands of young Kentuckians,” said Linda Wagner-Justice, chief district engineer for District 10, which includes Owsley County. “We are pleased to be involved in a project that will provide additional learning tools for students in Owsley County.”
When the determination was made that there was a large supply of surplus maps, the Transportation Cabinet contacted Education Cabinet officials, who, in turn, invited middle school principals and teachers to submit their requests for highway maps. The two Cabinets joined forces in a similar project last year, which involved the distribution of maps to elementary schools. Mrs. Burch participated in the project last year at Owsley County Elementary School and requested to be included again this year.
“Our kids loved those maps last year,” Burch said. “We were able to use them in our classes and we are happy to receive them once again this year.”
“Our successful partnership with the Transportation Cabinet is a shining example of how various agencies of state government can work together to improve student achievement,” noted Education Cabinet Secretary Laura Emberton Owens. “This collaborative effort has produced a ‘win-win’ situation for everyone.”
“This generous offer from the Transportation Cabinet will provide valuable resources to Kentucky’s middle school students,” said Kentucky Interim Education Commissioner Kevin Noland. “Teachers will find many uses for the maps, and students will gain practical knowledge from a reliable, well-produced reference tool.”
Transportation Cabinet representatives from the Central Office in Frankfort and from each district office will be involved in delivering the maps to middle schools. To date, more than 300 map requests have been received from teachers, principals, and superintendents in every area of the Commonwealth.
"This project is consistent with two very important themes in Governor Fletcher’s overall vision for the Commonwealth,” concluded Transportation Cabinet Deputy Secretary Crystal Ducker.  “It advances education and fosters a cooperative spirit among various state government agencies. The Transportation Cabinet’s maps initiative promotes the governor’s vision with Unbridled Spirit!”

CUTLINE INFORMATION: Debra Burch, fifth grade teacher at Owsley County Elementary School in Booneville, displayed one of the surplus road maps donated to the school by the Transportation Cabinet. For the second consecutive year, the Cabinet donated its leftover road maps to Kentucky schools for use in the classroom.

March Madness, Not March Sadness’
Drive Smart Enforcement Blitz Scheduled for KY 15 in Wolfe, Breathitt and Perry Counties March 4-10 Will Coincide With the 14th Region High School Basketball Tournaments
JACKSON, KY. – (Feb. 26, 2007) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Department of Transportation Safety has a message for basketball fans traveling to the 14th Regional high school tournaments this year: Wear your seat belts, obey the speed limit, and don’t drive while intoxicated.
To help reinforce that message and reduce the number of traffic accidents, the Cabinet's Drive Smart Program will be coordinating the KY 15 Safety Corridor Blitz during a weeklong effort beginning Sunday March 4 in Wolfe, Breathitt and Perry counties.
This period coincides with the 14th Regional high school basketball tournaments. High schools from Estill, Powell, Lee, Owsley, Wolfe, Breathitt and Perry counties in KYTC’s Highway District 10 compete in the 14th Region, along with schools in Leslie, Knott and Letcher counties. This year, the boys’ tournament will be held at Letcher County Central in Whitesburg, and the girls’ tournament will be held at Knott County Central in Hindman. Fans from all across the region will be using KY 15 through the three counties to reach those destinations. During the blitz, special education and law enforcement activities will seek to increase compliance with Kentucky's traffic laws while decreasing crashes. This effort is aimed at cutting the number of accidents, injuries and fatalities along a highway that carries a high volume of personal and commercial traffic through Kentucky's mountains.
“We don’t want ‘March Madness’ to turn into ‘March Sadness,’” said Bill Nighbert, secretary of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. “There will be an increased amount of traffic on KY 15 during tournament week, and much of that traffic will be young, inexperienced drivers going to the games. This gives us a perfect opportunity to spread the highway safety message and to reinforce the notion that seat belt usage saves lives.”
The safety corridor and blitz area runs along KY 15 and the KY 15 Spur from the Mountain Parkway in Wolfe County near Campton to the Perry-Knott county line south of Hazard. This section of KY 15 is primarily a two-lane route, with passing lanes on hills and some four-lane sections in Perry County. The speed limit is 55 mph in rural areas, with lower speed limits in the Campton, Jackson and Hazard areas and in a construction zone in Breathitt County.
Working with KYTC's Department of Transportation Safety and the Kentucky River Area Development District, law enforcement agencies in the three counties will aggressively patrol KY 15 and will establish safety checkpoints along the highway. The officers will be looking for drivers committing offenses such as speeding, reckless driving, improper passing and driving under the influence.
“There will be a lot of school buses using KY 15 to transport teams, bands, cheerleaders and pep clubs to the tournaments, and we want to help prevent any crashes involving these buses and other vehicles,” said Tim Hazlette, commissioner of the Department of Transportation Safety.  “Violations such as failure to wear seat belts, improperly restraining children, having improper equipment or failure to have insurance will be strictly enforced during the blitz. Our goal, however, is not just to write tickets, but to improve safety along the route,” Hazlette said.
Participating agencies include Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement, Jackson Police Department, Hazard Police Department, Campton Police Department, Wolfe County's Sheriff's Office, Breathitt County Sheriff's Office and Perry County Sheriff's Office.
During the blitz, portable visual radar units will be placed along KY 15 to notify drivers of their speed and as a reminder for them to obey the posted speed limit. Electronic message boards will also be used to alert drivers to the enforcement emphasis.
The KY 15 Safety Corridor is one of 13 corridors identified for special emphasis in collision reduction through a data-driven process by the Governor's Executive Committee on Highway Safety. Other initiatives that have been undertaken along the corridor include surveying high school students on their seat belt usage habits, installing signs reminding drivers to buckle up at the exits to several high school campuses and installing signs noting KY 15's designation as an official safety corridor.
“The basketball tournaments are a high point of the year for our high schools, given the popularity of basketball in this part of Kentucky,” said Linda Wagner-Justice, chief district engineer for the Transportation Cabinet’s Highway District 10. “Schools and communities rally around their teams at tournament time and there is an increased sense of local pride when the hometown team does well. This is a time of joy and happiness, especially for the winning team and community. We don’t want to see a preventable tragedy intrude on the occasion, so that’s why we are stepping up education and enforcement efforts this week. We want all the fans to reach the games safely and arrive back home safely, win or lose.”
Visit http://drivesmart.ky.gov for more information on safety corridors and other Drive Smart program

Man Barricaded In Estill Co.
On 12/07/2006 at 0022 hours, troopers of the Kentucky State Police Post 7, Richmond, responded to a domestic altercation at a residence on Elmer Richardson Road in Estill County. Upon arrival of the troopers, shots were fired by the suspect. The suspect then apparently barricaded himself in the residence. Troopers were able to establish contact with the suspect and observed him on several occasions exit and re-enter the residence armed with an SKS semi-automatic rifle. KSP troopers established a perimeter at the residence and Kentucky State Police Special Response Team was activated and responded to the scene. Several residents in nearby homes were evacuated by troopers at the scene. At 0712, the Kentucky State Police Special Response Team deployed chemical agents into the residence and shortly afterwards the suspect surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody. No citizens or law enforcement officers were injured during the course of this incident. Fire and EMS personnel from Estill County were standing by at the scene. Michael McDowell was lodged in the Estill County Jail.

SLOT MACHINES SEIZED AT COMMUNITY CLUB
Office of Charitable Gaming finds ‘illegal gambling devices’ during inspection
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 31, 2006) – The Kentucky Office of Charitable Gaming (OCG) seized six slot machines from the McDowell-Minnie-Drift Community Club in Minnie, Ky., on Aug. 24, 2006.
The machines, which cannot legally be used in Kentucky, were found in the office of the organization during a routine compliance check, which is part of the application process for a charitable gaming license.  The case is to be heard in Floyd County District Court on Sept. 6, 2006.
Jimmy Hall, chief executive officer of the club, was charged with possession of an “illegal gambling device,” a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and one year in jail.
Under Kentucky law, it is illegal to knowingly manufacture, sell, transport, place or possess a device for use “in the advancement of unlawful gambling activity.”  A slot machine that is set up to make payouts in the usual sense is an illegal gambling device under Kentucky law.
OCG is an agency of the Department of Public Protection in the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet. It was created to provide a regulatory framework allowing charitable gaming to thrive as a viable fundraising mechanism. The office helps to ensure the productivity of charitable gaming through appropriate regulation, oversight and education.

Breathitt County Days coming up in Frankfort
FRANKFORT — Native Breathitt Countians who have pursued their dreams elsewhere and want to re-connect with others like them will have that chance on Aug. 25.
The Frankfort VFW will be hosting the Second Annual Breathitt County Days from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. that day, allowing those who grew up in the area but now live in Central Kentucky an elsewhere a chance to meet up and share stories.
Among the organizers of the event is Kathy Carter, who spent her childhood in Breathitt County but now serves as a Frankfort City Commissioner and Mayor Pro Tem.
"This is the way we all keep Breathitt County alive for ourselves," Carter said. She noted that last year, the more than 100 participants recorded a videotape detailing what they'd accomplished and where they'd been since leaving Breathitt County. The tape was later played on the local cable show, allowing hometown citizens to see what had happened to their long-lost friends and family.
State Rep. Ted Edmonds, another of the event's boosters, will be providing attendees with staples of local cuisine from when he was growing up. "RC Cola, Moon Pies, and bologna sandwiches," he said. "They bring back memories just as conversation with old friends does."
Both noted that Central Kentucky is filled with notable Breathitt Countians, from hospital and bank executives to business leaders, judges, and government officials.
"We're everywhere," Carter said. "For such a small county, Breathitt County has certainly produced a large share of leaders. That's a testament to the rearing we received and the quality of life in that area."
Although aimed primarily at those who no longer live back home, current Breathitt County residents are encouraged to join in the fun. Everyone is encouraged to spread the word to anyone they know. For more information or to let organizers know you will attend, call Kathy Carter at 502-803-1041 or Ted Edmonds at 606-666-4823.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Captain Jeff Caudill with the Kentucky State Police Post 13 would like to take this opportunity to let every one know that this time of year, especially the 4th of July holiday period, the number of traffic fatalities increase. The state police along with other law enforcement agencies will be conducting several sobriety check points and speed enforcement details to ensure the safety of the public during this holiday. Remember to obey the speed limit, buckle your safety belt, and don’t drink and drive. To report a suspected drunk driver call 1-800-222-5555 or 435-6069.
If you have any questions please call  at 606-435-6069.

SACRED WINDS ENSEMBLE RETURNS
The annual Sacred Winds Summer Concert will be held June 11, 2:30pm at the First Federal Center at the Hazard Community and Technical College.  The Ensemble, which consists of musicians from 15 states, will be performing their tenth concert.  Formed in 1997, the Ensemble has presented a free concert every summer and has premiered eleven original works from various composers. 
The people of Hazard and Perry County have embraced the Ensemble, providing housing for the weekend and lots of good food for the musicians who volunteer their time and talents to present fantastic concerts to appreciative audiences.  Last year over 450 people attended the event which ended with five minutes of thunderous applause.
The theme for this year’s concert is Praise to the Lord:  A.C.T.S. of Worship: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication.  This week we explore the Thanksgiving aspect of worship.
Thanksgiving is one of the programmatic inspirations for the Sacred Winds Ensemble’s upcoming concert, Praise to the Lord.  Exploring four “A.C.T.S.” of worship – Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication – the musical selections, readings, and multi-media presentations will focus on how we may experience a loving relationship with the living God, Jehovah.
“Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for his lovingkindness is everlasting” (Psalm 106:1).
Thanksgiving:  an expression of joy, humility, gratefulness, and wonder.  Thanksgiving should be a natural, involuntary action because of genuine communion with God.  The psalmist writes, “I will give thanks to the Lord with all of heart; I will tell of all Your wonders” (Psalm 9:1).  Our heart is spurred to thanksgiving, recognizing that “every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (James 1:17).
Additionally, thanksgiving is a command of God, not an option.  The apostle Paul writes, “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19 and 20, emphasis added).  Regardless of our circumstances, thanksgiving creates an awareness of who God is, and therefore encourages the believer to continually put their hope and trust in Him.  For “we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
The ensemble will present their concert on June 11, 2006 at 2:30 pm on the campus of the Hazard Community and Technical College.  Admission is free and all are invited.  For further information, please visit www.sacredwinds.org.

BOY SCOUT TROOP 357 NEWS
On Saturday, April 8, 2006, Breathitt County's local Boy Scout Troop 357 sold concessions at the Breathitt Youth Soccer League games at Douthitt Park.  The troop grossed nearly $55.00 in sales of snacks and hot chocolate.  Future concession sales dates for events at Douthitt Park include Saturday, April 22, 2006 and Saturday, May 13, 2006.  Troop 357 would like to thank Tony Turner and Douthitt Park for allowing us to raise funds for our boys at their wonderful facilities.  We also sincerely appreciate Kentucky Mountain News for publicizing our events.
Several boy scouts within Troop 357 were honored at the Academic Boosters awards night on Monday, April 10, 2006 at the Lees College Campus of Hazard Community and Technical College.  Among those honored were:  Derek Abner, Tyler Barnes, Joseph Hamblin, Peyton O'Neill, Hunter Robinson, and James Southwood.  One of our young men, Jerome Hollon of Lee County, was recently honored as a Governor's Scholar.  These young men are excellent representatives of our troop and our communities.  We applaud each of these future leaders on their accomplishments.
Funds raised by our local boy scouts will be used to help send our young men on trips, to purchase necessary supplies, and to help purchase uniforms and other related items.  We appreciate the support our troop has received over the years, and we hope to continue serving as ambassadors for Breathitt County.
Boy Scout Troop 357 meets most Monday evenings from 7:00 pm until 8:30 pm.  We are currently without a permanent meeting facility.  However, if any boys age 11-18 (or grades 5 through 12) would like to attend a meeting, or are interested in joining our local Boy Scout troop, please contact Scoutmaster Don Barnes at (606) 693-0055.


Red Cross Chapter Announces Ambitious Campaign
An 800% increase over previous goal highlights Red Cross Month drive
RICHMOND, KY. (March) – The goal is impressive.  In its first pledge campaign in two years, the Daniel Boone Chapter of The American Red Cross is looking to increase its contribution tally by nearly 800-percent over the previous effort.  Coordinating its drive with the national Red Cross Month of March, the chapter will conduct its campaign through the remainder of the month and into the first weeks of April with the aim of collecting a record $30,000. 
“We’re excited about reaching a very ambitious goal,” said Amanda Alvey, fund drive chairwoman.  “I am very confident the generous people of our region will help us to achieve the funding that’s so critical for our local Red Cross services.  We already have recognized our first $1000 donor.”
The fund drive will feature the “Heroes Campaign,” an effort by local businesses and associations to collect pledges from their supporters to assist the Red Cross.  Also during the campaign, collection cans and bowls will be placed in stores and other organization in the chapter’s service area for “spare change donations,” said Alvey.
All donations collected will be used to help provide the mandated services of the Daniel Boone Chapter of The American Red Cross.  The Daniel Boone Chapter serves Garrard, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Madison, Owsley, and Rockcastle counties. 
Dr. Kerry Anderson Crooks, keynote speaker at the chapter’s campaign kickoff event on March 4, identified funding needs of the Red Cross.  “While the workers of the Red Cross have provided endless effort supporting communities during emergencies, the physical and financial resources of the Red Cross enjoy no such luxury,” he said. Dr. Crooks, who worked hurricane crises over the years in Florida beginning with Hurricane Andrew, noted that valiant Red Cross efforts showed the need for increased funding.  Because of ongoing Red Cross programs in the Bluegrass State, “adequate funding is every bit as important in Kentucky as it is in Florida,” he said.
Information on this year’s fund raising events of the Daniel Boone Chapter of the American Red Cross can contact Amanda Alvey at 270-868-0352 or Amanda_Alvey2@eku.edu.


More drugs, money found in fugitive’s truck    3-17-06
Additional drugs and money was recovered from a secret compartment in a truck owned by a Breathitt County man who has been a fugitive from police for nearly two weeks.
Continued investigation by Operation UNITE into the search for 53-year-old Eddie Arnold Baker Sr. resulted in a tip that police may have missed a secret hiding place in the Chevrolet pickup truck used during his escape from police on January 19.
Using information from the tip, UNITE obtained a search warrant for the truck on Monday, January 30, and recovered 200 assorted pills – including OxyContin, Hydrocodone and Valium – plus $10,000 in cash from a hidden compartment behind the radio, said Dan Smoot, law enforcement director for UNITE.
During an earlier search police found more than 1,000 pills in a compartment hidden under the center console.
UNITE originally attempted to serve search warrants at Baker’s Strongs Branch Road home and the neighboring home of his son, 31-year-old Eddie Arnold Baker Jr.
When police pulled into the driveway they interrupted a drug deal in progress, and Baker fled in the truck through his yard toward his son’s house, said Karen Engle, executive director of UNITE. During his flight attempt he attempted to run over detectives, resulting in their firing shots at the truck.
A short distance later Baker’s truck became stuck in a creek and he fled into the mountains on foot.
During subsequent searches of the property police uncovered 1,621 OxyContin pills with a street value of approximately $132,000, three stolen four-wheelers, $7,432 in cash, and approximately $20,000 worth of building materials that had been stolen from the Buckhorn Children’s Home.


Make the Link Between Nutrition and Oral Health
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 10, 2006) – Dental health and total well-being go hand-in-hand.
The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) has long recognized this connection, but many Kentuckians, particularly children and teenagers, don’t.
Products like sugar-filled sodas, sweetened beverages and unhealthy snacks are excessively consumed in the United States and it’s showing up in dentist offices everywhere.
“Although people are generally aware the foods we choose affect our overall health, they often are not aware of the impact the choices have on their teeth and gums,” said James Cecil, D.M.D., administrator of the state Oral Health Program. “In addition to the oral health concerns regarding the consumption of sugary drinks and unhealthy snacks, these foods may be contributing to weight gain and obesity.”
Cecil said eating patterns and food choices are important in preventing tooth decay. When bacteria (plaque) come into contact with sugar or starch in the mouth, acid is produced, which attacks and damages the teeth in as quickly as 20 minutes.
“Our goal is to change the way people think about food in connection to their dental health,” said Cecil.
During National Children’s Dental Health Month, the American Dental Association and DPH are focusing on the impact good nutrition has on your teeth. The organizations are targeting teens to reduce their consumption of sugar-filled soft drinks, emphasizing overwhelming statistics on sugar consumption and other unhealthy eating habits. For example, the association reports the average teenage boy drinks 81 gallons of soft drinks per year, with some sodas containing as much as 11 teaspoons of sugar per can.
The association, along with DPH, has begun a public awareness campaign to stress the importance of sound dental health practices and a healthy diet, crucial building blocks for good oral health.
Some tips emphasized are:
·        Brushing and flossing teeth as directed
·        Eating a healthy diet
·        Limiting consumption of sugar-filled sodas and sweetened beverages
·        Drinking water more often
·        Limiting eating and drinking between meals
·        Choosing healthy, non-sticky foods for snacks that are low in refined sugar.

Some snack ideas for good nutrition and oral health are:
·         Low-fat popcorn (in moderation)
·         Fresh fruits and vegetables (for infants/toddlers make sure fruits and vegetables are age-appropriate and well-chopped)
·         Low-fat dairy products
·         Nuts
Adapted from: American Dental Association, National Children’s Dental Health Month, Connecticut Department for Public Health, Open Wide.
More information can be found at www.ada.org; www.eatright.org; www.mypyramid.gov; www.dph.state.ct.us.

CADET GRADUATION 9-11-05
The Cadet Leadership Education Program held a graduation on Friday, August 26th, 2005.  Charlie XIII graduated 8th Cadets with a few earning their GED while attending the program.  Congratulations to all 8 Cadets and the entire staff of CLEP for a job well done with these fine young men. PHOTO HERE

Meth Lab explosion in Owsley County Injures Three 7-25-05
Owsley County, KY Three individuals were hurt Saturday afternoon, July 23rd, 2005, when an apparent meth lab they were workin on exploded on them. According to Operation Unite, two men and a woman were seriously hurt, when a meth lab exploded, burning all three. Officers say the lab, was set up in a creek, near an abandoned logging area, a couple miles from the Owsley-Breathitt county line.
According to UNITE Law Enforcement director, Dan Smoot, the individuals jumped in a neighboring pool to help with the burns. The three then drove to KRMC in Jackson for treatment. Alex Keller, 19 and Stacy McIntosh, 18 of Owsley originally told authorities that a gas grill had exploded on them. The third individual, Chris Adams, told witnesses it was a radiator that exploded.
KRMC emergency room, had to be shut down for a short time to de-contaminate the building from anhydros amonia. State Trooper Gross from Richmond Post was investigating the matter.

House Fire on Lower Main St. in Jackson 6-28-05
Jackson, KY.  Around 3 am this morning, an abandoned house on Lower Main Street was reported on fire. When Jackson Fire Department arrived on scene, the house was fully engulfed in flames. According to Jackson Fire Chief Roger Friley, 7 personnel responded to the blaze. This is the 3rd abandoned house on Lower Main that has burned in the past year. Jackson Fire Department personnel should be commended for the tough job they do, day in and day out. PHOTO HERE

Drug roundup targets 26 in Lawrence County 5-24-05 PHOTOS HERE
Acting upon indictments from the Lawrence County Grand Jury, law enforcements officers with Operation UNITE, the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, Kentucky State Police and the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources began picking up 26 individuals on drug-related charges about 7:30 a.m.
Two other people were arrested following the execution of search warrants that resulted from the undercover investigation, said Lee Weddington, Big Sandy Task Force manager for UNITE. During one search, which took place in Johnson County just across the Lawrence County line, police recovered 16 marijuana plants and $6,536 in cash.
Several individuals named in the indictments reside in other counties, but all offenses occurred in Lawrence County, Weddington noted. Most of those arrested Monday were brought back to the circuit courtroom in Louisa for processing before being taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville.
This was the first major roundup of drug dealers in Lawrence County conducted by UNITE, Weddington said. We have heard the complaints from citizens and are now responding to their cry for help to rid Lawrence County of drugs. Although it sometimes takes a while to build solid cases, we want citizens to know we are responsive to their information and will investigate every tip received.