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THERAPISTS ARRESTED FOR MEDICAID FRAUD NOW CHARGED WITH BRIBING A WITNESS 4-21-08
FRANKFORT, KY (April 17, 2008) – Attorney General Jack Conway today announced that two Kentucky therapists from Letcher County have been arrested for allegedly bribing a witness.
Following receipt of a tip, agents from the Kentucky Bureau of Investigation conducted surveillance of Vanessa Rouse, a 35-year-old speech pathologist from Deane, and Janice Fields, a 48-year-old developmental interventionist from Happy.  Agents monitored a transaction in which Rouse and Fields allegedly gave money to a prosecution witness in Perry County and instructed the witness as to how to testify. 
"I appreciate the witness in this case coming forward and working with investigators," General Conway said.  "It is clear that these two individuals crossed the line when, as the indictment alleges, they fraudulently billed for services and then tried to bribe a witness."
Rouse and Fields were previously indicted for fraudulently billing the Kentucky Medicaid Program for services provided to children in First Steps, a statewide early-intervention program for infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities.  During 2006 and 2007, the therapists allegedly billed the state for services that were not provided to children.    Rouse and Fields face up to 20 years in prison on the Medicaid Fraud counts if convicted.  The therapists were indicted in Jefferson County on these charges because that is where the Medicaid billing was submitted for review and payment.
Rouse and Fields are set to be arraigned on the bribery charge in Perry County District Court on Monday, April 21 at 2 p.m. 
Documents were obtained at the time of the arrests showing that other witnesses in the Medicaid Fraud case have been and were going to be contacted.  The investigation continues and more charges are possible. 
Anyone with information about this case or any Medicaid Fraud case is urged to contact the Office of the Attorney General at 502-696-5405.

Can You Duet 12-03-07
Hello:
My name is Brian Updyke and I am working on a new CMT show entitled "Can You Duet?" This show is being produced by Fremantlemedia, the production company responsible for  "American Idol," " America 's Got Talent,"  and "The Price Is Right."
The show is essentially a singing competition - similar to "American Idol" - that is looking for the next big country music duo. I'm writing in hopes to spread the word for our casting call in Nashville , TN on January 12, 2008 . We'd love to see what type of talent we can find from the Louisville area!
I've attached a press release about the show for you to take a look at and hopefully you'll be willing to do an article in your paper. If you have any questions or are open to doing on interview about the show for an article, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me!
In addition to the open call in Nashville in January, we're currently accepting video taped submissions from across the country. Our website covers all of this info, and contains the application, FAQs, Video Submission instructions, deadlines, and a message board for single artists who are trying to link up with other singles to create a duo in order to audition, etc.
WEBSITE:    www.canyouduet.com
Please let me know if you have any questions or have any other promo ideas.  My phone number is below and you can always reach me via e-mail.
We would love to find other great representation from your area!
Thanks so much,
Brian Updyke
Casting Producer
"Can You Duet?"
818.748.1232 (O)
www.canyouduet.com

ARMED ROBBERY
On 09/06/07 at approximately 4:30 p.m. Kentucky State Police Post 13 in Hazard received a call of an alarm activation at the Hyden Citizens Bank in the Wooton community of Leslie County.
Numerous Troopers and other local law enforcement were immediately dispatched to the area. Preliminary investigation indicates that a white male wearing camouflage clothing, a mask and armed with a weapon went to the residence of the bank employee. He then forced the employee to drive her personal vehicle to the bank. The perpetrator made her enter the bank for the money while he stayed in the car. The bank employee sounded the alarm and the male subject fled in the vehicle. The vehicle was located shortly afterwards at a location near the bank. No arrest has been made at this time and the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous. The investigation is continuing by Detectives Dean Craft and Bruce Kelly. If anyone has any information you can contact the Kentucky State Police at (606) 435-6069 or 1-800-222-5555.

Impaired Drivers Make July 4th Holiday Period One Of Deadliest On Roadways
(FRANKFORT, Ky.) -Despite high gasoline prices at the pump, the Kentucky State Police expects heavy traffic throughout the commonwealth during the upcoming July 4 holiday period. With the Fourth of July falling on a Wednesday, many travelers will extend their vacation plans to include the weekend before or after the celebrated holiday. KSP will have increased patrols during this time frame and motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling.
“Throughout the country, the July 4th holiday period has become one of the most dangerous times for highway travel,” says Kentucky State Police Commissioner Jack Adams. “Last year, there were 1,160 crashes on Kentucky roadways during this four-day time period. These collisions resulted in 16 fatalities and 494 people injured. Many of these deaths and injuries could have been prevented if motorists practiced basic defensive driving skills such as obeying speed limits, using seat belts and not driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol.”
Impaired driving tends to increase during holiday periods, notes Lt. Col. Dean Hayes, director of the KSP Operations Division. “Unfortunately, too many people don’t understand that alcohol, drugs and driving just don’t mix,” he says. “Impaired driving is no accident, nor is it a victimless crime.”
State Troopers will be aggressively enforcing Kentucky’s zero tolerance policy regarding impaired driving during the July 4th holiday period says Capt. Tim Lucas, commander of the KSP Highway Safety Branch. As part of Operation C.A.R.E (Combined Accident Reduction Effort), troopers will be working overtime to provide increased saturation patrols and traffic safety checkpoints in high crash, high traffic locations, radar and laser details and coordinated enforcement activities with local police and sheriff’s departments for maximum coverage.
“Although driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 is illegal, you can also be arrested for lower levels if you are under 21 years of age or operating a commercial vehicle,” Lucas explains. “If you are going to drive, it’s best not to consume any alcohol at all.”
“Even first time violators face immediate arrest, which can result in court costs, legal fees, higher auto insurance rates, fines, loss of license and even imprisonment,” he adds. “The consequences are serious and real.”
KSP reminds motorists that Kentucky law requires them to slow down and use caution when they see a law enforcement or emergency vehicle stopped alongside the road with its lights flashing. They must move over to the lane farthest away from the vehicle if they are on a four-lane road with two lanes proceeding in the same direction and can do so safely.
Motorists should also be aware that the back seat is the safest place for children to sit, especially in vehicles equipped with passenger-side air bags. Infants and toddlers should never ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger-side air bag.
Kentucky law requires all children 40 inches in height or less to be buckled into a child safety restraint seat that meets federal standards. Children over 40 inches tall must wear a seat belt. Violation of this law will result in a $50.00 fine with an additional $10.00 fine donated to the Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund.
Kentucky law makes the driver responsible for assuring that all occupants of the vehicle are properly restrained. Violation of this law will result in a fine not to exceed $25.00.
Other tips recommended by KSP for safe road travel include:
·Obey speed limits.
·Slow down in roadway construction zones.
·Don’t tailgate.
·Avoid aggressive driving behaviors.
·Expect the unexpected and be prepared to react.
·Watch for objects in the road road  such as tire treads, garbage, lumber, gravel, tree limbs, mufflers and exhaust parts.
·Take extra care on rural roads with 55 mile per hour speed limits.
·Avoid or minimize in-car distractions such as cell phone use, changing tapes or CDs, eating, etc..
·Get enough sleep.
·Take frequent breaks to keep alert during long distance trips.
·Be extra cautious around large trucks.
"crashes can happen anywhere,” says Lucas. “Three out of four happen within 25 miles of home at speeds of 45 miles per hour or less. About 40 percent of all fatal crashes occur on roads where the speed limit is 30 miles per hour or less.”
“I urge all Kentuckians to observe the speed limit, wear seat belts and refrain from driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol,” says Commissioner Adams. “These are very easy things to do and they may mean the difference between life and death.”
Citizens can further contribute to highway safety during the holiday period by reporting erratic drivers to the KSP toll-free hotline at 1-800-222-5555. Callers will remain anonymous and should give a description of the vehicle, location, direction of travel and license number if possible.

Dennis Roberson Scores Dramatic Win in the Spring Shootout at Richmond Raceway
RICHMOND, KY (April 21, 2007) - Dennis Roberson took advantage of a late race spin by race leader Joey Kramer and held off a hard charging Benji Lee to take the $1,500 win in the Battle of the Bluegrass Open Wheel Modified Series Spring Shootout Saturday night at the Richmond Raceway.  The Lexington, KY driver drove the #41 Hustler Hollywood Tomahawk Chassis to the lead on lap 18 of the 25 lap event when Kramer suddenly spun in turn two.  Benji Lee, Jimmy Payne, Dustin Linville, and Russ Gabbert completed the top five, followed by Shon Flanary, Matt Boknecht, Kelly Warren, Don Adams, and Josh Lucas rounding out the top ten. 
Mt. Sterling, KY native Aaron Hatton drove the #33 Checkered Flag Auto Sales Rayburn Chassis to his first win of 2007 at "The Action Track", leading all 20 laps.  Hatton was followed to the line by Marty Stepp, Michael Chilton, John Jackson, and Jim Robinson.  Brandon Witt, Arnold Anderson, Greg Payne, Dennis Roberson, and Chris Ruble were sixth through tenth. 
In Crate Late Model action, Danville, KY 's PJ Feistritzer led wire-to-wire, taking the #88 Big Daddy Auto Rayburn Chassis to victory lane followed by John Cole, Anthony Reams, and Jeff Rowland.
The Road Hog A-Main saw Glen Hounshell Jr. take the win by a single car length over Wayne Duvall.  Duvall was able to get alongside Hounshell Jr. for lead on the final lap, but couldn't complete the pass. Anthony Harold, Terry Hall, and James Johnson rounded out the top five.
In Chevette action, Tony Antrobus of Taylor Mill, KY overcame a smoking racecar to take his #9 CHS Race Engines machine to victory lane. Antrobus was followed to the line by Chris Schlosser, Thomas Scenhets, and Dusty Maybrier.
Despite getting the program underway a little late, the new management staff at Richmond Speedway ran a smooth program, finishing up the night's final race before midnight.  "We'd like to thank all the fans, drivers, and teams for being patient with us," said track promoter Spencer Wilson.  "Now that we've had a week to work the bugs out, I expect everything to run more smoothly in the future."
This Saturday Richmond Raceway will be closed for the KDKA Kartfest at the adjacent Richmond Kartway.  The following Saturday, May 5, will be the Spring Championships Special Event, paying $1,200 to win for Late Models and $700 to win for Modifieds.
Richmond Raceway is a 3/8 mile semi-banked clay oval located at 328 Greens Crossing Road , just off County Road 52 in Richmond , KY. For more information during the racing season, please call the track telephone number at (859) 626-7555 or visit the newly redesigned track website at www.richmond-raceway.com.
Modified "Spring Shootout" Results - 32 Entries
1. Dennis Roberson, 2. Benji Lee, 3. Jimmy Payne, 4. Dustin Linville, 5. Russ Gabbert, 6. Shon Flanary, 7. Matt Boknecht, 8. Kelly Warren, 9. Don Adams, 10. Josh Lucas, 11. Clint Shutts, 12. Brandon Mason, 13. Joey Kramer, 14. Greg Payne, 15. Steve Gaunce, 16. David Adams, 17. Kevin Mayabb, 18. J.D. Roberts, 19. Jay Mobley, 20. Arnold Adams , 21. Skylar Marlar, 22. Kevin Copher, 23. Walt Neal
Late Model Results - 12 Entries
1. Aaron Hatton, 2. Marty Stepp, 3. Michael Chilton, 4. John Jackson, 5. Jim Robinson, 6. Brandon Witt, 7. Arnold Anderson , 8. Greg Payne, 9. Dennis Roberson, 10. Chris Ruble, 11. Alan Haycraft, 12. Jason Barrett,
Crate Late Model Results - 4 Entries
1. P.J. Feistritzer, 2. John Cole, 3. Anthony Reams, 4, Jeff Rowland,
Road Hog Results - 8 Entries
1. Glen Hounshell Jr., 2. Wayne Duvall, 3. Anthony Harold, 4. Terry Hall, 5. James Johnson, 6. Randy Jones, 7. Jeff Rowland Jr.
Chevette Results - 4 Entries
1. Tony Antrobus, 2. Chris Schlosser, 3. Thomas Scenhets, 4. Dusty Maybrier

Transportation Cabinet provides work boots to employees
Employees of the Transportation Cabinet's Highway District 10 were issued work boots Friday at the Breathitt and Powell County maintenance garages. Over the past few months, KYTC has also provided employees reflective jackets, hats and shirts in the interests of promoting workplace safety and reducing out-of-pocket personal expenses.
Photo Here

Student aid disbursements increase during 2006
FRANKFORT, Ky. (December 19, 2006) — Financial aid awards to help students pay higher education expenses increased by $11.8 million (7.7 percent) during FY 2006, according to the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA). KHEAA is the state agency that administers grants, scholarships, Federal Family Education Loans and other programs to help Kentuckians pay for college or technical training.
During FY 2006, KHEAA disbursed more than $177 million, including $83.3 million in need-based grants and $86.5 million in merit-based Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarships (KEES) funded by Kentucky Lottery revenue. KEES awards are based on students’ yearly high school grade point averages and ACT or SAT scores. No application is required.
High school seniors and others who wish to apply for Kentucky ’s need-based grants for the 2007-2008 academic year may do so by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1. Parents and students who need help filling out the FAFSA should attend the nearest College Goal Sunday location on January 28.
The sessions are sponsored by the Kentucky Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and funded by the Lumina Foundation for Education, The Student Loan Peoplesm and KHEAA. For more information and to find a College Goal Sunday site near you, visit http://www.kasfaa.com/cgs/info.htm.
To learn how to plan and prepare for higher education, visit www.GoHigherKY.org. For more information about Kentucky scholarships and grants, visit www.kheaa.com; write KHEAA, P.O. Box 798 , Frankfort , KY 40602-0798 ; or call (800) 928-8926, extension 7381. For more information about student loans, visit www.studentloanpeople.com; write The Student Loan People, P.O. Box 24328 , Louisville , KY 40224-0328 ; or call (888) 678-4625.

KYTC Department of Highways District 10 to Hold Equipment Roadeo Thursday, Sept. 14
JACKSON, KY. - (Sept. 9, 2006) -- Employees of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Department of Highways District 10 will participate in the district's first Equipment Roadeo on Thursday, Sept. 14. The event will be held at the district's equipment garage located on KY 11 south of Beattyville in Lee County. It will begin at 8:30 a.m. and should be over by 4 p.m.
KYTC District 10 employees from Breathitt, Estill, Lee, Magoffin, Menifee, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Powell and Wolfe counties will be participating. The competition is open to any District 10 employee with a CDL. Other districts have held similar events in the past, but this is the first for District 10. Competition will be held in three events and winners will advance to the state competition Oct. 5 at Kentucky Speedway.
This competition allows equipment operators to show off their skill as well as to begin preparing for snow and ice removal season.
Media outlets from the District 10 area are invited to attend. Those wishing to cover the Equipment Roadeo are asked to contact H.B. Elkins, District 10 public information officer, at (606) 666-8841 or hb.elkins@ky.gov to confirm their attendance and get directions.
In case of rain, the event will be moved back to Friday, Sept. 15. If there is inclement weather in the area, please contact the Beattyville Equipment Garage at (606) 464-2417 to confirm the event is still scheduled prior to traveling.

Protecting Children by using Car Seats
In 2001 alone, nearly 846 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in Kentucky and automobile crashes are the number one killer of children ages 12 and under, according to the Kentucky Transportation Center.  Many of those lives could have been saved if people would have used seat belts and car seats for their children.  The Center estimates that the proper use of car seats can reduce the risk of death by 70 percent and the need for hospitalization by 67 percent.
Both state and federal law require drivers to use car seats for infants and children 40 inches in height or less.
The following are some tips for child safety seats:
·Children—beginning at birth with the first car ride home—should be riding in a car seat.  The seat could be either a special rear-facing infant seat or a convertible seat in the infant position.  The preferable location is in the center of the backseat of the vehicle.  However, the car seat should be moved to the side if the vehicle has an armrest in the center of the backseat.
·Rear-facing car seats should not be placed in the front seat of a vehicle that has passenger-side airbags. The force of the airbag can kill infants and small children.
·A child’s size and weight will determine the type of seat that is the best fit. The infant-only seat faces the rear and reclines. This seat usually is designed for babies that weigh between 7 and 20 pounds. Children that weigh more than 20 pounds or are longer than 28 ½ inches are too big for the infant-only car seat.
·The convertible seat also can be used for infants from about 7 to 20 pounds when it is in the reclining, rear-facing position. When children weigh 20 pounds and are one year of age, they should be buckled into a forward-facing convertible seat placed in the backseat of the car.
·A booster seat should be used once the child outgrows the convertible seat and weighs about 40 pounds (usually about age 4).  This seat is not mandatory by law, but it is recommended for safety reasons.
·Children no longer need to use a safety seat once the car’s lap belt fits snugly across the hips and does not ride up to the abdomen.  The shoulder belt should fit securely as well.
The fine for failing to secure a child under 40 inches in a child safety seat is $50.00, plus court costs, which will bring the total to around $168.00.
Following the birth of my son Evan in November, 2004, Elizabeth and I have become personally aware of the necessity and importance of safely securing a child when her or she is a passenger in an automobile.  Using a safetly seat may at times seem an inconvenience, but that momentary inconvenience may very well save the child’s life in the event of a mishap.  Please take the time to make proper use of child restraints, and report those who do not to authorities.  I hope each of you have a good remainder of your summer.

STATE CLOSES MINE IN PERRY COUNTY
Ventilation seals improperly constructed
FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 28, 2006) – The Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing (OMSL) today ordered the closure of a coal mine in Perry County because seals inside the mine were constructed improperly.
Closure orders were issued against the Blue Diamond Coal Co. No. 74 mine. OMSL inspectors found seals were “dry-stacked,” meaning there was no mortar between the lightweight, synthetic blocks.
OMSL is requiring Blue Diamond to build six seals to replace existing seals.
It was the second such closure order by OMSL in nine days. The Sapphire Coal Co. Advantage No. 1 mine in Letcher County was ordered closed June 20 after inspectors found that it, too, had dry-stacked seals. The state closure order was lifted after the company rebuilt 20 seals.
Nonconventional mine seals – those made of materials other than concrete block – have been under scrutiny since a methane explosion that killed five miners at Kentucky Darby LLC in Harlan County on May 20. Two days later, Governor Ernie Fletcher ordered daily checks of oxygen and methane levels at all nonconventional seals.
In the course of such checks, a seal deep inside a CONSOL of Kentucky mine in Knott County was found to have blown out. The mine was closed, as were two adjacent mines – Ember Contracting No. 10 and Abundance Coal No. 1. Production has since resumed at all three mines.

The Colgate Country Showdown*
At the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg
Co-Produced by WDHR/WXCC, Goodtyme Productions & the Mountain Arts Center Saturday, July 1 – 8 pm
Tickets: tbd
WDHR/WXCC, Goodtyme Productions and the Mountain Arts Center present the Colgate Country Showdown. This national talent competition, now in it’s 25th year, is open to vocal and/or instrumental performers, individuals, or groups of up to seven members who have not performed on a record listed in the national record charts of Billboard, Radio and Records, or The Gavin Report within eighteen months preceding local competition.
Interested participants to the Colgate Country Showdown will need to submit three songs (on CD) of their own performance, a short bio and a picture of individual or group to Goodtyme Productions, PO Box 1597, Prestonsburg, KY 41653.
The Kentucky state finals for the Colgate Country Showdown will take place at ThunderRidge raceway in Floyd County
on August 12, 2006. The state finals will be part of the East Kentucky Fair (August 10 –13).
*The 25th Annual Colgate Country Showdown is designed to find the most promising country music talent in America and to give these performers a chance to launch their professional music careers.
The Colgate Country Showdown begins each Spring with over 450 local talent contests sponsored by country music radio stations throughout the US. Winners advance to their respective State competitions held at leading fairs and expositions. Acts then compete for a $1,000 prize, the State Title and the opportunity to advance to one of five Regional Finals. It’s the last step before the prestigious National Final, which is televised to a national audience from country music’s most exciting venues, like the stage of the Grand Ole Opry House, the Grand Palace Theatre in Branson, the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Epcot Center at Walt DisneyWorld, and Universal Studio Florida. Audiences from coast-to-coast cheer on the Regional Winners, as they compete for the Grand Prize of $100,000 and the National Title. A uniform judging system is used at all levels of competition to ensure fairness.

Letcher County Findings
ON 4/10/06 AT APPROXIMATELY 19:00 HOURS KENTUCKY STATE POLICE POST 13 IN HAZARD, WHITESBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT AND LETCHER CO. SHERIFF’S DEPT.  CONDUCTED A “ KNOCK AND TALK” AT A RESIDENCE IN THE WHITESBURG AREA OF LETCHER COUNTY. DURING A SEARCH OF THE RESIDENCE 9 GRAMS OF COCAINE, A LARGE SUM OF MONEY AND A HANDGUN WERE SEIZED. NO ARREST HAS BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME AND THE INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.


EMERGENCY REPAIR WORK THIS WEEKEND
I-75/I-64 Down to one lane both directions
LEXINGTON, KY (March 29, 2006) - An emergency  freeway repair project will have many drivers in Lexington and central Kentucky taking some alternate routes this weekend.  Construction work to repair the roadway surface on the I-75/I-64 combined route in Lexington will begin Friday night at 8:00PM.  While that work takes place, I-75/I-64 will be reduced to one lane both North and Southbound between milepoints 109 – 112 (South of US 60/Winchester Road to Bryan Station Road Overpass). 
Motorists should expect long delays, with lengthy traffic backups.  Crews will be working on this project non-stop during the weekend. The work is expected to be completed Sunday afternoon around 2:00pm.
“We are working to aggressively inform motorists throughout Central Kentucky about this emergency repair project on I64/I75,” said Commissioner of Highways Marc Williams.  “There is never a convenient time to conduct this work but we hope that by completing it through a 24-hour operation this weekend, it will help to eliminate longer delays and hazards to motorists that would occur in the very near future if we didn't complete this work immediately.”
Portable Variable Message Boards have been placed throughout central Kentucky including Scott, Madison, and Franklin Counties alerting motorists of the upcoming work.  In addition, permanent overhead message boards in the Louisville, London, and northern Kentucky regions will be used to alert motorists of the Fayette County lane closures.  Motorists will also be able to access information through the State’s 511 Traffic and Travel Information System and the 511 website.  This information will also be broadcast to Welcome Centers and rest areas through the Cabinet’s information Kiosk.
“Normally a project such as this would require the contractor to work strictly at night resulting in a 2-3 week project.  By allowing the contractor to work around the clock this project can be completed in one weekend and will reduce the impact to motorists,” said Robert Sturgeon, Chief District Engineer for the Department of Highways District Seven. “It is the Cabinet’s goal to complete this project in one weekend thereby reducing the inconvenience and potential safety hazards to drivers that are normally associated with a multi-week project.”
Some suggested alternative routes include:
I-75 Northbound:  Use Exit 95 (KY 627) Turn Right and travel North approximately 12 miles to Winchester.  Turn Left on KY 1958 (Winchester Bypass) and travel approximately 2.7 miles to I-64.  Take I-64 West to I-75 North in Lexington.
I-75 Northbound to I-64 Eastbound:  Use Exit 95 (KY 627) Turn Right and travel North approximately 12 miles to Winchester.  Turn Left on KY 1958 (Winchester Bypass) and travel approximately 2.7 miles to I-64.
I-75 Southbound:  Use Exit 120 (KY 1973) Turn Right and travel a short distance to US 25.  Turn South (Left) on US 25 and travel approximately 5 miles to KY 4.  Turn right to KY 4 West and travel approximately 14 miles to US 25 (Richmond Road).  Turn right onto US 25 (Richmond Road) and travel approximately 5 miles to I-75 Southbound.
I-64 Eastbound to I-75 Southbound:  Take Exit 58 (US 60) Turn Right and travel approximately 18 miles to KY 4.  Take the first KY 4 ramp (South) and travel approximately 9 miles to US 25 (Richmond Road).  Turn right onto US 25 (Richmond Road) and travel approximately 5 miles to I-75 Southbound.


Laurel County Women Arrested 3-17-06
A Laurel County woman was arrested Wednesday, March 8, after Operation UNITE detectives discovered drugs at her home.
Amy Lewis, age 38, of Highway 490 in East Bernstadt, was charged with second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and trafficking in marijuana, according to Joel Cunigan, manager of UNITE’s Cumberland Drug Task Force.
Acting upon information obtained during an undercover investigation, eight detectives from UNITE and two deputies from the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at Lewis’ residence about 9:30 p.m.
The search uncovered more than 186 grams of marijuana, 18 Hydrocodone pills, and three unidentified pills.
Cunigan said the investigation is still on-going and additional arrests are possible.
Lewis was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.


Reunion!
Buckhorn High School classes of 1992 - 1996 will be having a reunion at Reno's Roadhouse Ballrooms Saturday February 4th  7:00-11:00 pm . DJ, Drinks, Food, & Friends... Get back into touch!
Tickets are $20 single or $35 couple.. Tickets must be R.S.V.P. by February 1st. Call Shannon Turner at (859)625-8491 or email shannondturner@hotmail.com! Hope to see you there!

TREES/SHRUBS THAT INTRUDE ON YOUR PROPERTY  COUNTY ATTORNEY CORNER By BRENDON D. MILLER, Breathitt County Attorney 11-28-05
Your neighbor has a beautiful maple tree that everyone thinks is simply gorgeous in the fall, that is everyone but you.  Hanging over your house’s roof, the maple sheds its leaves directly into your gutters, which are now clogged.  Its roots are threatening to buckle your sidewalk.  But what can you do?  Do you have the right to cut down or trim a portion of someone else’s shrub or tree?  I have received that question many times in the past couple of years.
The answer is yes.  Since 1985, Kentucky has adopted and followed what is known as the “Massachusetts Rule” regarding tree/shrub problems between adjoining property owners.  Under the “Massachusetts Rule,” the property owner is not liable for- and therefore not required to remove limbs or roots of a live tree/shrub that extend into the adjoining property of their neighbors.  The reasoning behind this rule seems to be that is that property owners should be able to grow all the trees/shrubs they want on their own property.  However, you can take action.  You have the right to cut off any limbs or roots that intrude on your property.  Anything that extends over the vertical line straight up from your boundary line may be cut or trimmed.
For example, if your neighbor’s trees are handing over your house or their roots are buckling your sidewalk, you are permitted to cut them back to the property line, if necessary.  Although the law does not require that you receive your neighbor’s consent, it certainly would be more “neighborly” if you discussed your plans prior to cutting on your neighbor’s tree/shrub.
The law applies differently to dead or damaged trees that are likely to fall and cause injury.  Of course, you still have the right to cut back the dead or damaged tree to your property line.  You also could file a civil lawsuit requesting that the adjoining property owner remove the dead or damaged portions of the tree.  The law applies differently to dead or damaged trees because these trees continue to pose a threat to your property if they were to fall, even if they have been trimmed to the property line.  If the tree causes injuries to you or someone else receives injuries from the dead or damaged tree, you also could file a suit for negligence against the adjoining property owner.
Again, I certainly would recommend a neighborly conversation before taking any action.  Most of the time, you will find Breathitt Countians more than willing to be good neighbors and willing to cooperate to resolve the problem.

Ghost Walk a Huge Hit 10-31-05
On October 20th, 2005 local historian, Mr. Steve Bowling, conducted his annual Ghost Walk in downtown Jackson. A crowd of 50+ people showed up for this yearly event. Along the way Mr. Bowling held the crowd in awe as he explained the ghostly history of Jackson and Breathitt County. Included in this true taled tour were stories of killings in just about every part of Jackson along with those out in the county itself. The next time you drive through the town of Jackson at night you might want to drive just a tad slower than usual just to see if someone may be watching you from the many (haunted) places along the streets and buildings. Maybe you'll see shadowy figures on the corner of Main and Broadway or down at the Health Department. Drive up around J.C. Sewell's and across from the Board of Education and sit for awhile to see if anything seems eerie or maybe you'll hear a scream from the monthly parking lot. How about those at BHS? Some of you may very well be sitting over someone's dead body. Maybe Main Street by the court house will brings a few chills from all corners. Many met their maker at these very spots included a few who met him from the end of a rope. KRMC wasn't the first hospital in Jackson and if you stand in front of the old KFB building and look across the street maybe a few old patients might be checking you out. Lee's college dorm may be a place you might think about digging up one of these days. If you like dice, you might find a few bones there. The old Lee's College book store may bring back some old family memories, as it use to be a funeral home. We want to thank Mr. Steve Bowling for a wonderful tour and a big thanks to the The Breathitt County Younger Women’s Club for sponsoring this event.  Photo Here

Motorists Urged to Pull Up To Stop Bars At Intersections To Activate Traffic Signals
JACKSON, KY - (Sept. 15, 2005) -- Are you one of those drivers who complains when you are stopped at a red light for what seems to be an excessive period of time?
You may be able to control your own destiny, in terms of when the light turns green, if you make sure to pull all the way up to the "stop bar" at the intersection. This advice comes courtesy of the highway professionals at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Department of Highways District 10 office.
Modern traffic lights are no longer controlled primarily by timers, but instead by sensors imbedded in the pavement to detect the presence of vehicles. These sensors, technically known as inductance loops, are located directly behind the "stop bars," which are the thick white lines on the pavement. When the inductance loop senses a vehicle stopped for a red light, it triggers the control box to change the traffic light from red to green. When motorists stop well short of the "stop bar," or pull past the "stop bar" into the intersection, the inductance loop cannot sense the presence of the vehicle and thus will not trigger the light to change.
"Stop bars" are positioned so as to give long vehicles with large turning radiuses more room to complete turns. When vehicles stop beyond the "stop bars" and extend out into the intersection, the amount of space long vehicles such as tractor-trailers have in which to turn is reduced.
This can result in collisions between stopped vehicles and turning trucks. "Stop Here on Red" signs have been installed at some intersections to alert motorists of the proper stopping point, and drivers should heed these signs. In the absence of such signs, though, motorists should be sure to pull all the way up to the "stop bar" and not go beyond it.
Traffic light systems still have timers built into them, for occasions when the loop sensors are not working due to construction or malfunction, so that traffic flow can be regulated at intersections controlled by traffic lights. In areas where no construction is taking place, motorists who suspect that a loop sensor is not working properly are asked to contact the Department of Highways to inform maintenance personnel of the problem.