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| More Officials Comments Next Week |
| Interstate 40 Traffic Rerouted In Downtown Knoxville 5-18-08
Several Alternative Routes Available For Motorists Knoxville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Transportation will take on its most ambitious construction task to date when it closes a short section of Interstate 40 in downtown Knoxville at 12:01 a.m. on May 1. A short segment of I-40, located between James White Parkway (Exit 388) and Hall of Fame Drive (Exit 389) will be closed for at least 14 months while the interstate is totally reconstructed as part of the final phase of the SmartFIX40 project. The SmartFIX40 project, which began in 2005, will be completed on or before June 30, 2009 and will save more than two to three years of construction time. "This is a complex project, but the end result will be a safer commute for the millions of people who travel this busy section of I-40 each month," said Governor Phil Bredesen. "The planning the Department of Transportation has put into preparing for the project and communicating its impacts to motorists ahead of time should minimize the inconveniences as construction gets underway." Beginning May 1, I-40 travelers will be rerouted onto I-640. Access to and from downtown Knoxville will be maintained throughout construction. Motorists will have a number of alternate routes to reach downtown and the University of Tennessee. Eastbound motorists can use James White Parkway, Henley Street or Alcoa Highway. Westbound motorists can use the new Hall of Fame Drive to get to Neyland Drive and the South Knoxville Bridge. According to TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely, years of planning and preparation have gone into the SmartFIX40 project. "This is the largest, most complex and most expensive project in TDOT history and our goal is to maintain a safe and efficient traffic flow during the closure. We have worked extensively with local and state law enforcement and emergency response agencies to ensure we are prepared for a variety of contingencies." During the closure, the segment of I-40 will be widened to six through lanes and four auxiliary lanes will be added. In addition to interstate improvements, work will include the construction of nine bridges, 14 retaining walls and three noise walls. Additionally, two existing bridges will be demolished, 12 side roads will be completed and seven new ramps will be constructed. "This particular section of I-40 has been a nuisance to traffic for some time," said Paul Degges, TDOT's Chief Engineer. "Following this phase of reconstruction, we will have corrected long-standing deficiencies and dramatically improved the traffic flow through downtown Knoxville." Broken into two separate contracts, SmartFIX40 has a price tag of $190 million. SmartFIX40 is an accelerated construction process that involves closing a primary roadway to allow around-the-clock work that is uninterrupted by traffic. This will dramatically shorten the time required to complete the project, thereby enhancing safety and reducing long-term inconvenience to motorists. Armed Robbery Occurs in Perry County 12-18-07 On 12/08/07 at approximately 6:35 p.m. Kentucky State Police in Hazard received a 911 call from the Lotts Creek Community Mart in the Lotts Creek Community of Perry County. The caller advised she had just been robbed at gunpoint. The caller stated to the responding troopers that a male subject wearing a black hooded sweatshirt entered the store, pointed a gun at her and demanded money from the cash drawer. The clerk followed the instructions and the perpetrator fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money in a small passenger car. The perpetrator was described as a white male approximately 6 feet tall, thin to medium build, and appeared to be in his late 30’s to early 40’s in age. He also had dark hair and was clean-shaven. He was last seen wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and brown jersey gloves. No further description is available at this time for the passenger car. The subject should be considered to be armed and dangerous. The Kentucky State Police are asking anyone with any information to please contact them at 606-435-6069 or 1-800-222-5555. The investigation is continuing by Det. Clayton Stamper. Transportation Cabinet to remove signs illegally placed on state right of way beginning Oct. 8 JACKSON, KY. – (Sept. 28, 2007) -- With the November general election slightly more than a month away, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) personnel are noticing illegally placed campaign signs appearing on state right of way on an increasing basis. Since these signs can interfere with motorist safety and impede mowing and other maintenance operations along state roads, Highway Commissioner Marc D. Williams has directed maintenance personnel to remove these illegal encroachments on state rights of way. Candidates and their supporters who have improperly and illegally placed signs on state right of way should take notice that maintenance personnel in each of Highway District 10's 10 counties will be removing these signs beginning Monday, Oct. 8. “This is a matter of safety, not only for motorists but for our employees and contractors who put their lives at risk every day to keep our roads in excellent condition,” said Tim Adams, acting chief district engineer. “With our late-season mowing cycles and ditching operations now underway, it’s vital that we remove these signs which impede our operations, as well as create distractions and sight distance obstructions for drivers.” Signs encroaching upon the state's right of way that create a sight distance or other safety hazard or impede maintenance operations will be removed as necessary by Department of Highways personnel. Removed signs will be taken to the state highway garage in each county, where they will be kept for two weeks before being discarded. Owners of the signs may claim them by showing proper identification and completing a claim form. “State law prohibits the placement of these signs on state highway right of way,” Adams said. “We will continue to schedule removal of these illegal signs so they will not interfere with our mowing and maintenance operations, and so they will not pose a safety hazard to motorists. These signs will also be removed without regard to whom they promote. We will treat all illegal signs the same.” Commissioner Williams said that various Kentucky state laws, administrative regulations and Transportation Cabinet policies prohibit the placement of political or other advertising signs on state right of way. This includes any signs attached to utility poles within the state right of way. “Because such signs can distract drivers, obstruct sight distance, reduce the recovery zone for drivers who run off the road, negatively impact roadside aesthetics, and interfere with mowing and litter removal, they are expressly prohibited on state right of way and will be removed,” Williams said. “Our employees who take down illegal signs are simply doing their jobs as required by law and as directed by the Commissioner of Highways," Adams said. "We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of the public.” The sign removal project in District 10, which consists of Breathitt, Estill, Lee, Magoffin, Menifee, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Powell and Wolfe counties, is part of a statewide effort being undertaken in all 120 counties and 12 highway districts. "The safety of the traveling public is our overriding concern,” Adams said. “There are several valid safety reasons that signs should not be placed on state right of way, and we are committed to keeping our highways as safe as possible.” Drainage pipe installation to result in closure of KY 711 in Morgan County on Tuesday, July 31 JACKSON, KY – (July 12, 2007) – Personnel from the Kentucky Department of Highways, Morgan County Maintenance, will install a drainage pipe on KY 711 between mile markers 1 and 2 on Tuesday, July 31. The project will begin around 9 a.m. and will continue for approximately three hours. During this time, motorists can expect lengthy road closures or delays and should plan their trips accordingly. The project location is east of Wrigley and the intersection of KY 7 and KY 711. No marked detour will be posted. In case of inclement weather, the project will be rescheduled. Seat Belt Usage Reminder Sign Installed At Estill County High School JACKSON, KY – (May 16, 2007) – Drivers leaving the grounds of Estill County High School now have another reminder to wear their seat belts. The Kentucky Department of Highways today erected a sign at the school to deliver the “buckle up” message to student drivers, faculty and staff members, and visitors to the school. As part of the Transportation Cabinet’s Drive Smart program, the reminder sign was placed at the exit to the ECHS campus near Irvine. The goal is to encourage students, parents and school employees to follow Kentucky law and use their seat belts. Local officials and school personnel were invited to help unveil the sign. A short unveiling ceremony was held at 2 p.m. Student drivers heard a safety message from Transportation personnel and from Sharon Whitaker from Marcum & Wallace Memorial Hospital in Irvine. Working with District 10’s Drive Smart program, the Bluegrass Area Development District surveyed student seat belt usage at ECHS. The results showed a seat belt usage rate of 41 percent. This is below the statewide average of 68 percent and the average for all Estill County drivers of 53 percent. A followup survey will be done to determine if this program helps increase the number of students who “Drive Smart” and comply with state law by buckling up. Similar signs have been erected at Hazard, Perry County Central, Buckhorn and Breathitt County high schools in the 10 counties that are part of District 10. The signs, done in school colors for each school, were funded by the Department of Transportation Safety and installed by District 10’s sign crew. Anthony Scott Hale of Jackson , KY has re-enlisted in the Kentucky National Guard after nearly a 20 year break in service. He will be assigned to run a dozer for the Det. 1 207th EN Co. of Jackson , Ky. He was sworn in on 22 February by retired Col. Edgar Raleigh. Anthony has stated that the service to his country was the leading factor in his decision to re-enlist in the Kentucky National Guard. If you are interested in joining the Kentucky National Guard call SGT. Brian Curtis at (606)666-2440 or(606)568-6757. Thunder of 2007 By Nellotie Porter Chastain Have you heard the thunder? That's us as we charge into 2007 as if on a runaway freight train. This fast paced life causes my thoughts to return to the days of my childhood, growing up deep in the mountains of southeastern Kentucky. Our days stretched endlessly as we romped on our mountain, sung on grapevines, fished from the creek bank with real, live, slimy, wiggly worms, or ran barefoot on the dirt road to play with our friends. Life was not all play, even though those are the memories that bring the most joy. We had chores--yeah, real chores. With no running water, it was our job to carry in the water. We had to fill the wringer washing maching with water, carry in coal for the stoves, and keep the outhouse clean. We also had to keep our beds made, our clothes picked up, and the dishes washed and put away. And then there was gardening season and canning time. School days began as we ran and bounced across the swinging bridge on our way to our small, one-room schoolhouse with the pot-belly stove. With grades one through eight in one room, we couldn't help but learn the three 'R's, along with discipline and respect. We looked forward to noon time when we could eat our lunches of vienna sausages, crackers, RC Cola and moon pies before playing follow- the-leader, softball, or just spent time wading in the creek. Just as the usually placid waters of Greasy Creek meandered over occasional ripples and through deep, blue holes, so our lives went. I still long for that life. Not just for myself, but for my children and grandchildren. At least once a year, heavy spring rains would cause Greasy Creek to swell over her banks with brown, churning wather that thundered through the valley filling our hearts with fear. So is our life as we thunder into 2007. But, if we put effort into it, we can learn to watch and listen for the wealth of goodness swirling around us. We have the awesome opportunity to leave a legacy for our posterity by being there for them, teaching them by example how to love, how to be kind, how to respect others, and how to be truly campassionate. Do you remember the hype when we neared the end of 1999? It was as if the world was going to end in 2000. And now it is 2007 and we're still chugging along. We'll find that after we've blinked a few times, it will be 2008. Life is moving quickly and will never again be as it was in my childhood, but that in no way means it has to be any less enjoyable. Life is precious and is given to us to enjoy fully. Whether we meander or thunder into 2007, we can do so with excitement and anticipation for what the year will hold for each of us. Instead of making a myriad of useless resolutions, maybe we could make only one. 'I resolve to become a better person in 2007 than I was in 2006.' If we can do that, we will have accomplished something truly worthwhile. Letcher Co. Church Arson ON 9/21/06 AT APPROXIMATELY 01:00 HRS. THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE POST 13 RECEIVED A CALL OF A CHURCH FIRE AT THE BLACKEY PENTECOSTAL CHURCH IN THE BLACKEY COMMUNITY OF LETCHER COUNTY. STATE POLICE AND FIRE UNITS WERE DISPATCHED TO THE SCENE AND AFTER A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION EVIDENCE POINTED TO A BURGLARY AND POSSIBLE ARSON. UNITS CONTINUED TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION AND WERE ABLE TO MAKE 2 ARREST IN CONNECTION WITH THE CRIMES. BOTH SUBJECTS ARE LODGED IN THE LETCHER COUNTY JAIL. THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES BY THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE AND STATE FIRE MARSHALLS OFFICE. Ammonia Nitrate Spill On August 13th, 2006 at approximately 3:30 pm Chief Roger Friley of the Jackson Fire Department, along with Officer John Hollon of the Jackson Police Department, were called to a scene on Railroad Street in Breathitt County where a report was made about Ammonia Nitrate leaking from a CSX Train Car. Upon investigating the scene, it was discovered that someone had opened the bottom of the car and let the Ammonia Nitrate leak out and then filled it into buckets. The prints from the buckets were still at the scene. Chief Friley stated that Ammonia Nitrate is very good fertilizer and someone may be using it as such. CSX Railroad officials were notified and took charge of the scene. Photo#1 Photo#2 Photo#3 Fourteen Die On Kentucky Roadways Last Week (July 5 through July 9) Released on Monday, July 10, 2006 (FRANKFORT, Ky.) - Preliminary statistics* indicate that 14 people died in 12 separate crashes on Kentucky’s roadways from Wednesday, July 5, 2006, through Sunday, July 9, 2006. Preliminary data* indicates alcohol was a suspected factor in one of the 12 crashes. Four of the crashes involved motorcycles and eight involved motor vehicles. Six of the victims were not wearing seat belts, three of the victims were wearing seat belts, and the seat belt status of one of the victims is not known. Three of the four motorcycle victims were not wearing a helmet. One double fatality crash occurred in Hardin County and one in Jefferson County. Two single-fatality crashes occurred in Rockcastle County. Single-fatality crashes were also reported in Caldwell, Floyd, Fulton, Hardin, Harlan, Pike, Whitley and Wolfe counties. Through July 9, 2006, a total of 446 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways. This is 29 fewer than reported for this time period in 2005. Of those 446 fatalities, 25 were pedestrians and 41 were motorcyclists, 24 of whom were not wearing helmets. Two were riding ATVs and not wearing helmets. One was a bicyclist. Of the 377 motor vehicle fatalities, 239 victims were not wearing seatbelts and the seatbelt status of 29 of the victims is not known. Citizens can contribute to highway safety by reporting erratic drivers to the Kentucky State Police toll-free 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. Relay for Life The 2006 American Cancer Society Breathitt County Relay For Life committee, chaired by Ms. Patty Wilder, conducted its annual fundraiser Friday evening into Saturday morning, June 9-10, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. at Douthitt Park in Jackson. The traditionally well-attended event attracts family and friends of hundreds of Breathitt Countians, who have either battled and survived cancer, battled and lost, or are battling cancer right now. The event got underway with a community walk, opening ceremony, and survivors’ walk. When nighttime falls on opening night, the makeshift campsites come alive with plenty of games, music and food. An inspirational Luminary Ceremony takes place well after sundown, around 10 p.m. with thoughtful speakers and a moving tribute to cancer survivors, caregivers and the many people who love them. At the end of the ceremony, with the track lined with lighted luminaries, everyone walks around the track with a lighted candle in hand to read the thoughts and prayers that decorate each luminary bag. Teams are formed, usually consisting of 10 or more members each, who camp out on the grounds of the soccer field, and take turns walking around the track for the 12-hour duration keeping someone from the team on the track at all times. For participants who brought their children, several competitions and games were scheduled early in the evening as part of the Kids Fest to help keep them occupied and content. Adults participated as well in various events, including but not limited to basketball tournaments, softball, baseball, horseshoes and this year something new and different, a spin-off of American Idol. WOMEN FOR CHRIST A Full Day Seminar Featuring Inspirational Testimonies, Music and Fellowship With Guest Speaker of Precept Ministries, Jannie M. Wilcoxson Saturday, April 29, 2006 Beginning at 10:00am Ticket Information:Tickets are $8 (includes lunch) and can be purchased at local Christian bookstores and the Mountain Arts Center. For more information, call (606)432-2660 or the Mountain Arts Center toll free (888) MAC-ARTS. To order tickets or for more information, Call the box office toll free: 1-888-MAC-ARTS (1-888-622-2787) In the late 60s, a missionary couple suffered medical problems and returned home to Chattanooga. Little did they know that God finally had them right where He wanted them. Jack Arthur became the Station Manager for a Christian radio station. And Kay Arthur started a Bible study for teenagers in their living room. By 1970, the teens were meeting in a barn they had cleaned out and patched up themselves. Soon adults were coming, too. And it was obvious that an expanded ministry center needed to be constructed. That`s when Jack left his radio career and became President and leader of this flourishing new organization. Today, Precept Ministries International reaches around the world into over 100 countries. It`s hard to believe that all this could come from a ministry that once met in a barn. But then again, our Lord`s ministry began in a manger. Our mission is to establish people in God’s Word. Our vision is people living as exemplary followers of Jesus Christ: studying the Bible inductively, viewing the world biblically, and serving the church faithfully, in the power of the Holy Spirit. To that end, Precept Ministries International seeks to reach everybody, everywhere, any time, any place, any language, and any age with one message: the Bible, and one method: inductive study, to the glory of God. Precept Ministries International is a transdenominational organization dedicated to the sole purpose of teaching people to study God`s Word for themselves and apply its truths to their daily lives. This is achieved through the inductive study method, a highly effective way of seeking out answers and understanding Scripture. No matter who you are or where you are, we want to reach you. Through thought-provoking materials, radio and television programs, study tours to the Holy Land, conferences and camps for men, women, teens and college students, Precept is working to establish people in God`s Word all over the world. Pine Mountain State Resort Park Offers Writers’ Workshop FRANKFORT, Ky. – Find your muse in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky during the annual Writers’ Workshop to be held March 24-25 at Pine Mountain State Resort Park near Pineville, Ky. The workshop will feature well-known writers Silas House, Sena Jeter Naslund, and Roger Auge’ II. House, author of the best-selling novels Clay’s Quilt (2001), A Parchment of Leaves, (2003) and the Coal Tattoo (2004), has been awarded two Kentucky Novel of the Year awards, the Appalachian Book of the Year Award, and has been twice voted Kentucky’s Favorite Writer in statewide polls. Naslund has published six works of fiction, including the critically acclaimed, national best sellers, Ahab’s Wife and Four Spirits. She has won the Harper Lee Award, the Southeastern Library Association Award, the Hall-Waters Prize, and fellowships from the Kentucky Arts Council and the Kentucky Foundation for Women. Auge’ calls upon his colorful experiences as an English teacher, a newspaper reporter, a former assistant to John Y. Brown Jr., and as a past student of Wendell Berry. His work has been published in the Licking River Review, The Journal of Kentucky Studies, and various other publications. The workshop provides unprecedented opportunities to get important tips and techniques from these successful writers. The package price is $149 per person (double occupancy) or $199 per person (single occupancy), which includes two night’s lodging, Friday and Saturday evening dinner, and admission to all the programs and workshops. Registration is $30 for workshops only. The registration deadline is March 17. For more information, call (606) 337-3066 and (800) 325-1712. Pine Mountain State Resort Park is located in Pineville off US 25E. The park’s dining room features panoramic mountain views. The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 52 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov Jeffrey Scott Voyles (Jeff), Promoted 1-20-06 On January 1st, 2006, Mr. Jeffrey Scott Voyles (Jeff), was promoted to the position of Assistant Superintendent at the Breathitt Regional Juvenile Detention Center located on Highway 30 West in Jackson, Kentucky. Jeff graduated from Lee County High School in 1986, earned an Associate Degree from Lee’s College in 1993 and an associates degree from Eastern Kentucky University in 2002. He is also a graduate from EKU in 2004 with a Bachelors Degree in Juvenile Justice. He also completed the Youth Worker Certification Program in 2002 at EKU. Jeff has been employed by the Department of Juvenile Justice since it opened in 1997 and has served as a Youth Worker, Youth Worker Supervisor and Youth Service Program Supervisor. His past duties within child care and development consist of employment with the Barnabas Home which is located in Jackson County. He has also served as a Chief Deputy and Correctional Sergeant at Lee Adjustment Center located in Lee County. Jeff is married to Angie and they have three children. He is the son of Lona Burton of Lee County and grandson of Oma V. Burton Clair of Breathitt County. Jeff has been a valuable asset to the Department and we wish him the best of luck in his new position. PHOTO HERE KSP Seizes 800 Pounds of Marijuana 11-9-05 Drugs Valued at over Three-Quarters of a Million Dollars (RICHMOND, Ky.) – Kentucky State Police Commissioner Mark L. Miller announced today the seizure of over 800 pounds of processed marijuana in Jessamine County. The seizure was the largest amount of processed marijuana located in both Jessamine County, as well as the entire Post 7-Richmond area and ranks in the top 10% of marijuana seizures in KSP history. “These drugs have a street value of more than three-quarters of a million dollars and this action takes a significant amount of illegal drugs off the streets and out of our communities,” remarked Commissioner Miller. On Thursday, November 3, 2005, at approximately 11:30 AM (EST), acting upon information received by the Richmond Post and through an investigation, Trooper Mark Young and Sgt. Tackett Wilson conducted a traffic stop on blue 2003 Dodge Pick up truck. The traffic stop occurred on US 27 in the northern part of Garrard County. With the assistance of Garrard County Sheriff’s Deputy Dave Amon and his canine Sarge, approximately seven pounds of processed marijuana was located inside the vehicle. Buddy Messer, 34 years of age, of Jessamine County, was arrested and charged with Trafficking in Marijuana over five pounds. Subsequently, a search warrant was obtained for the accused’s property located at 1581 Mt. Lebanon Road, Jessamine County. During the search, 72 bundles of marijuana, weighing approximately 11 pounds each, were discovered inside a horse trailer, located on the property, and seized. The pickup, horse trailer, 32 hundred dollars in cash, as well as assorted drug paraphernalia were also seized. As a result of the search, Buddy Messer was also charged with a second count of Trafficking in Marijuana over five pounds as well as Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was lodged in the Lincoln County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bond. “I commend all of the troopers and officers of our partner agencies involved in this action for their dedication to making Kentucky a safer place to live for all its citizens,” said Commissioner Miller. The investigation is being led by KSP Det. Dustin Hon. Officers from Kentucky State Police Drug Enforcement-East Branch, Garrard County Sheriff’s Department, as well as the DEA are assisting as the investigation continues. Tractor Trailor accident spills thousands of gallons of tar. 11-4-05 An early morning accident involving a tractor trailer in Breathitt County, caused nearly 5,000 gallons of tar, to be spilled from it’s container. A tractor trailer owned by Bell Trucking Co. Inc. in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, left the roadway, before flipping on it’s side. The truck was carrying 5,000 gallons of tar, which was spilled into the ditchline. The tar traveled throught the ditch to a driveway near the scene. The tar covered everything in it’s path. Local fire departments worked hard at containing the spill. It is not known how much of the 5,000 gallons actually spilled before authorities contained it. The driver of the truck was taken to KRMC where he was being treated for injures sustained as a result of the accident. The cause of the accident is under investigation. Photos Here HCTC participates in investigation 9-16-05 Hazard Community and Technical College officials are working closely with the Kentucky State Police to investigate an alleged assault on a student at the Lees College Campus in Jackson. HCTC President/CEO Jay Box said, “Our primary concern is for the safety and well-being of all HCTC students. We will keep the campus and community informed as more information becomes available.” |
