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| Inmate Escaped 5-18-08 Inmate Jeremy S. Barnett, age 23, of Garrison in Lewis County, escaped from a Carter County Detention Center Work Release Detail in Elliot County. Inmates were cutting weeds near the Rattlesnake Ridge Water Plant located in Elliott County near the Carter County line when Barnett escaped. Officers from the Carter County Sheriff’s Dept., Elliott County Sheriff’s Dept., Troopers from the Morehead State Police Post, State Police K-9 and State Police Aircraft Section personnel began conducting a search of North Eastern section of Elliot County in which Barnett escaped from his Work Release Detail. Within just over an hour, personnel in the State Police Helicopter located Barnett in the back yard of a residence and guided troopers on the ground to Barnett’s location where he was apprehended without incident. Barnett was released to Carter County Sheriff’s Dept for transportation back to the Carter County Detention Center in which Barnett was originally serving his sentence. Barnett has been charged with Escape with possible other charges pending further investigation. Clearing a Path Through Snow & Ice 12-18-07 KYTC Equipment on the Roads FRANKFORT, KY (December 14, 2007) – With the possibility of accumulating snow this weekend, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) road crews are prepared to clear a path through snow and ice. Crews are out pre-treating major roads in the Paducah , Madisonville , Bowling Green , Louisville , Covington , Lexington , Flemingsburg, Manchester and Pikeville highway districts. Additional areas could begin pre-treatment based on weather forecasts. The KYTC urges motorists to be alert and pay attention to crews that are out pretreating Kentucky roadways. All districts have held test runs for their brine production and application equipment. The have also performed salt spreader calibrations and have held their annual snow and ice training for state crews and contractors. Pre-treatment using a salt-water type treatment, referred to as “salt-brine”, helps to melt snow and ice from the roadway. The “salt brine” also combats snow and ice buildup on driving surfaces. The Transportation Cabinet has an arsenal of nearly 1,000 snowplows and more than 175 additional pieces of equipment to combat snow and ice. In addition, the cabinet has more than 300 contractors who help to clear state highways during winter weather. The state salt supply stands at 320,000 tons. More than 27,000 road miles are maintained by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Maintenance crews in each county are prepared to work as long as it takes to ensure the roads are in the best condition possible during this winter event. Condition reports on major routes are available by calling 511 or logging onto the 511 travel and traffic information website at 511.ky.gov. Road conditions are described in the following manner: Wet Pavement – The roadway is wet. Ice could form as temperatures drop. Partly Covered – The roadway is partly covered with snow, slush or ice. Markings may be obscured. Mostly Covered – The roadway is mostly covered with snow, slush or ice. Roadway markers may be difficult to see because of packed snow and rutting conditions. Completely Covered – The roadway is completely covered with snow, slush or ice and markings are obscured. Impassable – Roadway conditions are not suitable for travel unless required by an emergency. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, through the 511 service strives to provide the most descriptive and up-to-date information for motorists so they know what to expect when they get out on the road. Drivers are also reminded that bridges and overpasses are typically the most treacherous. Motorists should use extreme caution when traveling during this winter weather event. Motorists are reminded to share the road with KYTC equipment and always buckle up and Drive Smart. Condition reports on major routes are available by calling 511 or logging onto the 511 travel and traffic information website at http://511.ky.gov. Dear Editor, 7-17-07 I want to thank everyone involved who helped the Third Annual Highway 52 Fifty Mile Yard Sale become the success that it was. We were blessed with great weather and wonderful participation. As a result, the number of vendors and visitors alike rose by 25 to 30 percent. The growth of this event year after year shows what a fantastic place our community is. There are a few people and groups that deserve special mention and thanks. The Kentucky Department of Highways, District 10, did a phenomenal job getting out the word about the importance of safety for drivers and walkers alike. Once again this year, there were no serious accidents, and everyone enjoyed a good time without getting hurt. Also, all our local media outlets, including your newspaper and local radio stations, helped us publicize the yard sale to the people of Kentucky, and without that aid, this event never would have happened in the first place. I want to especially show my gratitude to Kevin and Doug at WJSN, who allowed me to go on the air to talk about this wonderful event. Finally, I want to thank the people and groups who set up roadside stands. Despite the crowds that attended, our vendors left our countryside just as clean as when they arrived, and in many cases even more beautiful thanks to their litter cleanup. One of the reasons we have this yard sale is to highlight the natural beauty that surrounds us, and we do that by preserving its unspoiled splendor. I could continue, because there were other people involved too numerous to mention. To a large degree, everyone in our community made this great event happen, and I thank all of them. I hope our success will continue into the future. Transportation Cabinet Donates Surplus Road Maps to Morgan County Middle School JACKSON, KY (May 15, 2007) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is distributing Kentucky highway maps to middle 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. David Cook, social studies teacher at Morgan County Middle School, requested and received surplus road maps for use in his classes. “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 Morgan County. “We are pleased to be involved in a project that will provide additional learning tools for students in Morgan 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. “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!” Lees College Campus Relay for Life Auction On Saturday, March 3, the Lees College Campus Relay for Life Team sponsored an auction to raise money for this worthy cause. Along with a traditional live auction, which was auctioneered by Jeff Carter, the event also included concessions, a cake walk, and a silent auction including theme baskets. According to Team Captain, Kena Mullins, the final tally of all the auction activities put the team over the set goal of $5,000.00. Kena appreciated all the hard work and dedication from team members and other volunteers to make this event a success. The Lees College Campus Relay for Life Team will be hosting other fund raisers and is eager to participate in the Relay for Life Walk on June 1, 2007. Junior Red Cross By: Ashley Wilder The Breathitt County Junior Red Cross has been busy this holiday season. Our group helped to decorate the city for the holidays. We also helped in decorating our tree and a few others at Douthitt Park. We helped with Santa Land during Operation Christmas celebration. We also participated in the parade. We also hosted a mini Christmas party for the children of a family who lost their home to a fire prior to Christmas. Santa, Rudolph and Frosty even made a special trip to deliver and help the children open their gifts. The best part of our Christmas activities was celebrating with our friends at the Senior Citizen’s Center. We enjoyed watching them open their presents, playing games with them, having lunch with them, and talking to them. We hope that they enjoyed it as much as we did. Since its beginning, the Junior Red Cross has always raised their own money by bake sales, car washes, etc. Currently, we are selling discount cards to make money to continue doing projects to benefit our community. These discount cards are $10 and good for one year. Several stores in the local community have donated discounts to help support us – these include Pizza Hut, Movie Gallery, Ada’s Flowers, Jackson Electric, Wayne’s Beauty Shop, Pizzas R Us, Long John Silver’s, Kentucky Mountain News, Town & Country Flowers, Anna’s Flowers, Tire Works, Show Time Video, Hardee’s of Jackson, Ponderosa in Hazard and Multiple Choice. We appreciate their support. If you are interested in purchasing a card, please get in touch with any Red Cross member or call Rose Wolfe. At the end of December, our group attended the Fiscal Court meeting to request support to be able to continue helping the community. We would like to thank the Fiscal Court for their support. This money will allow us to continue with our community projects EX-MARINE VIOLATES A PROTECTIVE ORDER THEN KILLS WIFE; on sept; 14; 06 john;woody; woodring broke his wifes protective order when he entered her home and beat and strangled her and treatened her 13 yr. old son from a previous relatioship. she then went to a north carolina womens shelter for abused women saying that her husband kept tabs on her 24/7 and that he had made threats to kill her if she ever left him. bonnie woodring 48 stood up to him and left him and on sept; 18; 06 john went to the shelter in which his wife was at and pushed past a staff member and shot his wife in the kitchen part of the womens shelter . a nationwide manhunt is out on john woodring an ex-marine turn -con. the car he had alledged stolen turned up at a bus station five days after he had shot his wife a security guard called the police after the car was parked so long at the bus station. he is considered armed and dangerous authorities have said. the car was found at a bus station in knoxville tenn. and will be shipped back to north carolina before the police can examine it for further evidence. bonnie decided to leave the abuse that she had been suffering from so long and i;ll say that she probable though that she would be safe at the shelter. but if a jealous spouse is out to harm you they will do anything to find you and try to get you to come back with them but he had probable though where she had went to the shelter that their was no hope in getting her back and he then decided to kill her no matter what the price was that he will have to pay later. now the son is left without a mother just because some man got mad enough to kill his mother due to her not being able to live with him anymore. and a man is on the run from the law and he could hurt or kill someone else before they catch him, it;s a sad world when a women goes to a dosmetic violence shelter and get;s guned down by the man that she just wanted away from. i pray that she will get her justice in the end.so to all out their stay safe and wear your seatbelts.and if you or someone you know are suffering from any kind of abuse ; from anyone please contact your local kentucky river community care for assistance.. Downtown Beattyville Decorated By Youth Project By Donia Shuhaiber Conrtibuting to the face-lift of a town’s scenery is always pleasant and now thanks to a group of more than 60 Lee County youth, downtown Beattyville looks brighter. Down Main Street there are now several colorfully decorated flags hanging on poles. A few months ago the “Banner Project” began. Several youth from different groups, including the Reclaiming Futures Youth Leadership Group, in Lee County were decorating these banners. The wait is over and the hard work of our youth is displayed along the street poles and light poles of downtown Beattyville. The group decorated 35 double-sided banners. Most of the banners had the phrase “Our Kids Connect” displayed in the middle. This project gave the youth something exciting to do. In addition, now there is a finished product for the whole town and any visitors to see and for our youth to be proud of. Also, it was positive adults in the community and organizations that helped the youth with this project and making it possible to complete. The adults got involved by guiding the youth on decorating the banners as well as providing some materials. “Our Kids Connect” phrase is exemplary of adults and youth connecting through this project in the community in a positive way providing not only positive leadership but also a safe drug free activiy. Lee County’s Reclaiming Futures Youth Leadership group is a group that works through the youth group at the schools. Youth from other organizations participated in this project as well. Groups that were either involved or provided materials, included the Downtown Beattyville Alliance, People Encouraging People Coalition, Kentucky River Community Care, Congleton’s and Kentucky ASAP. This youth group meets weekly and participates in different activities. If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about this project or starting one, please call 606-666-9880 and ask to be connected to your county’s Reclaiming Futures Service Coordinator. Photo#1 Photo#2 Wade Feltner, Writer/ Humanitarian Wade Feltner is a contributing writer for Kentucky Mountain News,( we all hope you have read his features in our pages), and his stories depict the human element, usually described with a "humorous" slant or view about life in our area. That's the writer in him. Wade has a way of reaching your funny bone with his pen and ink, but as we found out today, there is a serious side, his humanitarian side, that he doesn't take lightly.He is serious about his support for Habitat for Humanity. This project for Daniel Boone Habitat for Humanity is only one in a number of them in Leslie County that Wade and wife Elizabeth have been involved in. Wade not only volunteers time and services (whatever needs to be done) but this time, he's even gone so far as to donate storage space from his own personal home space, to provide clean, dry, climate controlled space for materials for this new habitat home. How much space? how 'bout most of his garage/basement! It is people like Wade and wife Elizabeth that are "real" contributors to not only a newspaper, but to the community as a whole. Photo #1 Photo #2 12 Hours of Tsali Mountain Bike Race On May 20th, 4 area mountain bikers made the trip to Bryson City North Carolina for the annual 12 Hours of Tsali Mountain Bike Race. This is, as the name implies, a 12 hour race on the rugged trails of Tsali, a National Recreational area in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The race is simple. Riders, both individual and team categories, race for 12 hours straight on the 11 mile course. At the end of 12 hours, the person or team with the most laps or the fastest time if laps are equal, win. Dave Grigsby, owner of The Bike Shop on North Main Street and professional cycling coach with USA cycling, lead the team of 4 in the non-pro category. Teammates Kenny Gaines of London, John Maggard and Justin Bingham of Hyden, Ky. along with support crew Rodger Cooper, also of Hyden, held off the hard charging field of 30 teams to take second place overall. Teams came from all over the United States with Team Everybodysbikecoach.com being the only team representing Kentucky. “After 12 hours of racing, we were only 90 seconds behind the overall winning team. It was a tight race and next year, we will be gunning for the champagne.” David Grigsby Photo, L-R, Rodger Cooper, Justin Bingham, John Maggard, David Grigsby Unavailable for photo, Kenny Gaines ACCIDENT CLAIMS LIFE OF HARLAN COUNTY MINER Fatality occurred near conveyer equipment FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 21, 2006) – A miner was fatally injured early today in an accident at Lone Mountain Processing Inc.’s Huff Creek No. 1 Mine in Harlan County. Rick McKnight, 45, of Cumberland, was found pinned between mining machinery at approximately 4:30 a.m. EDT. The victim was taken to Harlan Appalachian Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The accident occurred approximately 5.5 miles underground. The Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing is investigating the accident. McKnight was a mechanic with 11 years experience at the mine, located near Holmes Mill. The accident was Kentucky’s fifth active mine fatality of 2006 and the second fatality this week. David Chad Bolen, 28, of Harold, was killed in an accident in Pike County April 20. Drug roundup targets 18 Owsley dealers BOONEVILLE – Ten of 18 people sought on drug charges were arrested Thursday, March 30, in an Operation UNITE drug roundup in Owsley County. The arrests followed a 6-month undercover investigation of suspected drug dealers, said Mike Luttrell, manager of UNITE’s Kentucky River Drug Task Force. Most of the trafficking charges involved illegal sales of OxyContin, Methadone and Lortab pills. Staging at the Booneville Fire Department about 7:30 a.m., approximately 12 law enforcement officers were involved in trying to serve arrest warrants on the 18 individuals. Assisting UNITE detectives with the roundup were Owsley County Sheriff Kelly Shouse and his deputies, the Booneville Police Department, troopers from the Kentucky State Police Post 7 in Richmond, and Breathitt County Sheriff John L. Turner. The 10 individuals arrested as of 2 p.m. Thursday were: • Darren Lee “Cooter” Baker, age 26, Riverside, Booneville, one count first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. • Barbara Ann Herald Bowling, age 43, Highway 28, Booneville, one count second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. • Homer Combs, age 44, Highway 30 East, Booneville, one count first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. • Ralph Ross Gross, age 61, Highway 11 South, Booneville, one count first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. • Brandon Eva Herald, age 20, Highway 28, Booneville, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. • Shane David Mosley, age 18, Highway 28, Booneville, one count second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. • Eugene “Toby” Noble, age 27, Highway 315, Booneville, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. • Julie Ann Smith, age 26, Scoville Road, Booneville, one count first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. • Shelby Spencer, age 33, Route 3, Booneville, one count first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. • Larry Tyrone Turner, age 29, Highway 30, Booneville, one count first-degree possession of a controlled substance. After processing at the Booneville Fire Department those arrested were taken to the Three Forks Regional Jail. Enroll in Music in the Mountains music camp Hazard Community and Technical College presents the Second Annual Music in the Mountains Performing Arts Festival. Choral students will have the opportunity to improve their musical talents during the Choral Music Week June 12-15. Under the direction of noted UK conductor John Stegner and outstanding children’s music educator Debbie Stegner, sight reading and vocal skills will be emphasized in addition to daily rehearsals. The choral students will have a performance open to the public on Thursday, June 15 at 7 p.m. at the First Federal Center, room 123. The festival fee is $65 per student. A $20 non-refundable deposit must accompany the application form, unless a financial assistance request letter is attached. Financial assistance is available. Deadline for applications to the music camp is April 11. If interested, contact Janet Hurley at 800-246-7521, ext. 7-3068 or Janet.Hurley@kctcs.edu The festival concludes on Sunday, June 18 with a concert by the Mountain Chorale, conducted by John Stegner. Members of the Mountain Chorale will enjoy a weekend of Hazard hospitality, fellowship, and intense rehearsals. Coroner’s Office rule death of three children homicide 8-18-05 Per open records request made by Breathitt Online News, officials from the Breathitt Co. Coroner’s Office have ruled that the deaths of three small children who died in a mobile home fire on August 4, 2005 as homicide. Coroner Bobby Thorpe, Jr. said that the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined by officials but other circumstances dealing with the deaths must also be looked at, which was the basis for the rulings on August 17. The coroner would not elaborate on details of the case but said, “Since it is our statutory duty to determine the manner and cause of all deaths that occur in Breathitt Co., we feel very strongly about our decision to rule this case the way we did.” The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the State Fire Marshals Office and the KSP Arson Investigator. Governor Ernie Fletcher and Acting 8-17-05 Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert announce the awarding of a $579,435 contract for highway improvements in Breathitt County. "This project is an example of our administration's goal of providing a safe and reliable transportation system for all Kentuckians," Governor Fletcher said. "Through this project and others like it, we can continue to move the state forward and provide greater opportunities for everyone who calls Kentucky home." The contract calls for resurfacing sections of two highways totaling 9.30 miles. The first section includes 4.3 miles of KY 30, Jackson-Salyersville Road, from KY 15 extending east to KY 2436. The second section includes 5 miles of KY 52, Jackson-Beattyville Road, from the Lee County line extending east to milepoint 5.0. The Breathitt County project is one of nine projects totaling nearly $3.3 million for District Ten awarded as part of the July bidding. The district includes Breathitt, Estill, Lee, Magoffin, Menifee, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Powell and Wolfe counties. "These new projects will help to repair and upgrade our aging highway infrastructure and provide safer roads that will further economic development and enhance safe travel for Kentuckians," said acting Secretary Nighbert. Hinkle Contracting Corp. of Paris was awarded the low-bid contract, and work is scheduled to be completed by Oct. 31. Construction activities are scheduled on a tentative basis and are subject to change depending on weather conditions. Once work starts, motorists are urged to use caution in the work zones and are asked to "Drive Smart" when workers and equipment are present. Coroners PRESS RELEASE 7-11-05 The Breathitt Co. Coroner’s Office received a call at approximately 1:15pm of a fatal accident at Hwy 1110 at Whick. Upon arrival, the body of a 30 year old male identified as Keith Adams of Altro was pronounced deceased at 2:05pm by Deputy Coroner Beth Robertson. Adams was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle after it struck a telephone pole and overturned several times. Hwy 1110 was closed for several hours due to downed phone and other utility lines. He died from multiple injuries sustained in the accident. Another man in the vehicle was transported by Breathitt Co. Ambulance as was later airlifted to Lexington. Coroner Bobby Thorpe said 90% of all fatal accident the coroner’s office responds to involve someone not wearing a seat belt causing them to be ejected from the vehicle. “Seat belts do save lives and I encourage everyone to wear seat belts when occupying a vehicle because it’s the law and it’s a lifesaver,” said the Coroner. The fatal accident remains under investigation by the Kentucky State Police and the Breathitt Co. Coroner’s Office. (According to KSP Post 13, the 2nd victim in the accident was in critical condition Monday morning, July 11th, 2005.) Rogers Rallies Support for Anti-Meth Legislation 2-15-05 PHOTOS HERE WASHINGTON, DC, & Frankfort, KY. – U.S. Representative Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05), along with volunteers from the anti-drug organization called Operation UNITE, led a rally on the steps of the State Capitol in Frankfort today in an effort to build support for anti-methamphetamine legislation being considered by the Kentucky General Assembly. Governor Ernie Fletcher, Attorney General Greg Stumbo, and a number of state and local officials also participated in today’s rally. “Methamphetamine is sweeping through Kentucky like wildfire and we must act quickly if we want to extinguish its flame,” said Rogers. “This highly addictive drug is destroying the lives of our friends, families, and most tragically, our children.” Today’s rally showed support for Senate Bill 63, which was introduced on Wednesday, February 2, by Governor Ernie Fletcher and Lt. Governor Steve Pence. The bill requires anyone purchasing an over the counter medicine containing pseudoephedrine -- the precursor to making methamphetamine -- to show identification. The legislation also places limits on the quantity of the drug that can be purchased at one time. Additionally, Senate Bill 63 seeks to strengthen a law used to prosecute meth manufacturers, create a law making it illegal to make meth in the presence of children, and hold makers liable for the cost of cleaning up meth labs. Similar legislation drastically reduced the manufacturing of meth in Oklahoma. Rogers called on State Legislators to support Senate Bill 63. “It is our duty as public officials to do everything possible to protect our children and grandchildren from the scourge of drugs. I want to encourage every State Senator and Representative to support Senate Bill 63.” To illustrate the problem with methamphetamine, Rogers pointed to a recent incident in which Operation UNITE detectives received a call from the Jackson County 911 Center reporting that a young child accidentally discovered a meth lab while playing in a field near his home. The child opened a bag containing red devil lye, starting fluid, liquid fire, tubing and lithium batteries. The child also discovered five gallons of anhydrous ammonia that was improperly stored in plastic gas jugs. The child inhaled the fumes and had to be rushed to the hospital. “All too often we are hearing stories about children being endangered by methamphetamine, either through personal use or by being in close proximity to a lab,” Rogers said. “In eastern Kentucky, Operation UNITE detectives have removed a number of children from homes with active meth labs. National statistics show that thirty-five percent of children removed from a home where meth is being made test positive for the drug themselves.” Rogers added, “This epidemic isn’t just a problem in Kentucky. Last month a 10-year-old girl from Indiana was abducted and murdered because she witnessed meth activity at an apartment complex near her home. This was a senseless, barbaric death that was fueled by the insanity of meth. It is time for this madness to stop.” Rogers applauded efforts by Governor Ernie Fletcher and his Administration to address the drug abuse epidemic. “Governor Fletcher has worked diligently to address Kentucky’s drug abuse problem from day one. His leadership in creating the Office of Drug Control Policy is to be commended. I applaud Governor Fletcher and Lt. Governor Pence for introducing this important legislation and for seeking to make a difference in the war against drugs.” “Congressman Rogers' commitment to fighting drugs is proven through his support of Operation UNITE,” said Governor Ernie Fletcher. “He is now taking that fight statewide to help us combat a problem that is sweeping the Commonwealth. I would like to thank him for his support of this important legislation.” At the rally in Frankfort Rogers also took time to thank the concerned citizens who traveled from eastern Kentucky and across the State to show support for stamping out drug abuse. “I want to thank each and every one of you for being here in Frankfort. The only way we can truly be effective in the war against drugs is if we all work together. This effort will not succeed without the support of the people in our home towns. It is going to take all of us pulling on the same rope in the same direction at the same time. It’s a new day in Kentucky and we’re not going to stand by and allow drug dealers to control our destiny any longer. The communities we live in are ours and we are going to take them back.” In 2003, Rogers obtained federal funding to create Operation UNITE (Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment & Education), which serves 29 counties in southern and eastern Kentucky. The region-wide program has three main tasks: creating regional drug task forces for interdiction, confiscation and undercover operations; organizing local citizens’ groups and coordinating drug treatment programs; and working with educators to expand drug awareness and education programs. Rogers has included $24 million in the federal budget over the last three years to create and operate the new counter-drug initiative. For more information on Operation UNITE, visit www.operationunite.org or contact Karen Engle at 866-678-6483 Hazard High Recognizes Liberty High School 1-17-05 Hazard, KY. On January 14th, 2005 during halftime of the Jackson City - Hazard Bulldogs, boys basketball game, former players and cheerleaders of Liberty High School were recognized. (From Jess Collins and Liberty High web Site) The first permanent high school for African-Americans in Perry County, Kentucky was open in the city of Vicco (1928) under the name of Higgins High School. William Gatewood was the Principal. In 1929, A.D. Puryear, became the Principal. During the six years that he directed the school it grew from fourteen to eighty students; and from one to three teachers. Also, during this period forty students were graduated and over half of them attended college. Due to transportation problems for many students, the school was moved to Hazard. In 1936, a new school building was erected on Liberty Street to serve the students (1st through 12 grades) of Hazard and surrounding communities. The school was under the direction of Superintendent R.T. Whittinghill, and Karl Walker as Principal. High school students outside the city limits of Hazard were bussed by various bus lines to attend Liberty. The school faculty was made up of 8 full time teachers serving grades 1 through 12. The faculty consisted of Karl Walker, Mollie Madison Adam, Virginia Williams, Delana Jones Laughlin, Louvica Cannon, Edna Arnold, A.D. Puryear,and Susie Puryear. Burgin Hearld and Robert Hardin (athletic coaches) also taught at the school but resigned in 1941 to accept government positions. In 1945, Delana Laughlin resigned and Ovetta Basey was hired to replace her. In 1951, Edna Arnold died and Billy Mimms was hired as her replacement. The faculty endeavored to instill in their students a love and desire for learning and a satisfaction in achieving. Often, there was much to be desired in textbooks, materials, and athletic equipment, but parents, students and faculty persevered in spite of the odds.Liberty High School had neither a gymnasium, nor an athletic field, yet its football and basketball teams excelled. The school library grew from about 100 to 1600 books . The Home Economics Department was well equipped and very popular among the female students.Students from Liberty have filled various occupations i.e.. military, medicine, engineering, law enforcement, postal workers, computer specialist. machine operators, teachers etc. Sixty-three students from Liberty served in World War II. Numerous others served in the Korean and Vietnam War. In 1954, The United Stated Supreme Courts historic decision (Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka Kansas) was handed down declaring segregation unconstitutional. In August 1956, integration reduced the school's population. Liberty students in grades 9-12 were integrated with the formerly all white school Hazard High School.Those students from the county (outside the local community)were enrolled at the various schools in thier areas. The Liberty faculty of A.D. Puryear and his wife Susie Olinger Puryear were reassigned to Hazard High School and Walkertown Elementary respectively, Karl Walker retired. In 1960, urban renewal required the demolition of the Liberty School building to make room for a housing project. By this time, R.G. Eversole Elementary School had been built and all middle school students were enrolled there. Mollie Adams and Ovetta Basey were assigned to teach at this school. In 1997, the City of Hazard, under the direction of Mayor Gorman and the Commissioners, placed a monument on the site where the school once stood. Those who attended Liberty High School will always hold dearly, the memories of dear OLE Liberty High School. On behalf of the Liberty Alumni. The Liberty High School Reunion Committee extends gratitude to the faculty who gave it all for their students. We are forever grateful. PHOTOS HERE ( Photos Courtesy of Jess Collins and Breathitt Online News) On Thursday December 16, 2004 two employess of the Department of Juvenile Justice were presented Kentucky Colonel Certificates by Kentucky Colonel Tommy Noble. The two new Kentucky Colonels are Mitchell Gabbard and Danny Fugate. PHOTO HERE Mitchell Gabbard has been involved with many activities in and around Breathitt County for the last few years. He has served on the PRIDE committee for many years along with working with many church activities in the community. Mitchell has been a valuable asset to the community and to all of Breathitt and surrounding counties. Mitchell is the First Shift Supervisor at the Breathitt Regional Juvenile Detention Center. Danny Fugate has been involved with the youth of Breathitt and surrounding counties for over 20 years with the Breathitt Youth Foundation. He currently holds the office of President within this organization. He has also been the assistant High School Coach of Jackson City for three years and will assume the head coaching position this season. His work with the youth of Breathitt County has definetly made him a valuable asset to the community. Danny is the Transportation Officer based at the Breathitt Regional Juvenile Detention Center. Pictured from left to right are: Mitchell Gabbard, Tommy Noble and Danny Fugate |
