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Ranger of the Year 1-10-08
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Department of Parks recognized six state park rangers for their outstanding work and service Monday in Frankfort.
Doug Wilder, who works at Natural Bridge State Resort Park at Slade, was named Ranger of the Year for 2007. The other five rangers were nominated for the award and represented different park regions across the state. The district winners were:
-Reggie Fields, Kentucky Dam Village at Gilbertsville.
-Mike Schaad, Ben Hawes State Park at Owensboro.
-David Anderson, E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park in Louisville.
-Doyle Bird, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park near Corbin.
-Russell White, Levi Jackson State Park, London.
"We have an excellent group of 65 rangers who make sure our parks are safe for our visitors and employees," said Parks Commissioner J.T. Miller. "The rangers we honored today exemplify true professionalism and public service."
Wilder, 33, is a native of Jackson and currently lives in Beattyville. Wilder earned a degree in recreation and park administration from Eastern Kentucky University and worked on the state park trail crew before becoming a ranger five years ago.
His nomination noted that Wilder willingly comes to work on short notice to help search for lost hikers, fills in for other rangers and works well with other park employees.
"Ranger Wilder has learned the park boundaries to the point of knowing where the person is just by a land mark," Sgt. Dave Wallen said in his nomination for Wilder.
The Division of Rangers also recognized Sgt. Chris Early as supervisor of the year. Early works in Southeastern Kentucky and is based at Kingdom Come State Park at Cumberland.
Col. Joey Hoover, the director of the state park rangers, said supervisors recommend rangers for the honor based on criteria that includes job performance, handling of investigations, initiative, dealing with park employees and visitors, training and dependability.
Each month, state park rangers make 4,100 courtesy contacts with the public, assist 150 motorists, respond to 115 calls for assistance, and open 10 criminal cases.

Reward Offered
The Hyden Citizens Bank is offering a $25,000.00 cash reward to any person(s) who can provide information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) who committed the September 6th 2007 armed robbery attempt and kidnapping at the Wooten Branch Bank location in Leslie County.
If you have information, we urge you to contact the Kentucky State Police at 1-800-222-5555 or call locally to the information hotline at (606) 672-4600.

Attention Smokers
Its time to clear the air! The Breathitt Co. Health Department will be sponsoring the Cooper Clayton Method to Stop Smoking, a 12-week comprehensive program. The classes will begin Tuesday August 14th and will be held at the Life Skills Building (Old Jefferson Hotel) room 201 at  5:00 p.m.  The Cooper Clayton Method to Stop Smoking is an effective smoking cessation method, which addresses all aspects of smoking. The method uses nicotine gum or nicotine patches. For more information contact Rebecca Sharp or James E. Turner at 606-666-7755 or 606-666-5274 at the Breathitt Co. Health Department.

STORM DEBRIS MUST BE PROPERLY DISPOSED OF
Recycling recommended, burning discouraged
FRANKFORT , Ky. (March 29, 2007) – A severe storm leaves downed trees, brush and other debris in its wake.
After a storm, residents should contact their local solid waste coordinators to learn where debris may be taken or if debris will be picked up curbside. A list of coordinators is online at the Division of Waste Management site - http://www.waste.ky.gov/.  People needing to dispose of storm debris in place – on their property – should contact the emergency operations center for instructions.
Most counties address the handling of disaster debris in the five-year solid-waste management plans submitted to the state Division of Waste Management in the Department for Environmental Protection (DEP).
The department strongly encourages local governments to recycle woody/vegetative debris by shredding or chipping for reuse as mulch. Those lacking the equipment are asked to consider commercial shredders or explore the possibility of assistance from other cities and counties.
Open burning is restricted in Kentucky . However, in their storm plans, cities or counties can identify staging areas where woody/vegetative storm debris can be temporarily stored or burned under oversight of local fire departments if recycling isn’t practical.
Each staging area is inspected by DEP regional office staff to ensure it meets specific environmental
criteria. At a minimum, staging areas must be well away from residences and businesses. The areas must be out of floodplains and away from sinkholes and drainage channels. Because of forest fire hazards, burning within 150 feet of woodlands or brush land remains illegal from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. through April 30.
Here are some general disposal guidelines regarding items that should not be burned:
* White goods – This includes refrigerators, stoves, water heaters, air conditioning units and washer/dryers. Damaged appliances can be picked up by a hauler and taken to a recycling center or county staging area. Information on recycling centers is available on the Division of Waste Management’s recycling page at http://www.waste.ky.gov/recycling/. Freon must be recovered prior to crushing or recycling.
* Building materials – Storm-damaged building materials – bricks, concrete, masonry, rock, wood or lumber, insulation – should be disposed of at a construction/demolition landfill. Note: Treated wood that is not reusable should not be chipped for mulch or burned, but instead should be properly disposed of in a landfill.
* Household garbage – Garbage and all residential waste and household hazardous waste (pesticides, dried latex paint) should go to a contained landfill. Plastics that cannot be recycled and damaged furniture should also be sent to a landfill.
Landfill lists are online at http://www.waste.ky.gov/branches/sw/Kentucky+Solid+Waste+Facilities.htm
Special handling applies to:
* Livestock carcasses – Contact the state Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health, 502-564-3956, for information on proper disposal.
* abandoned and orphaned drums/hazardous waste – Note the location and contact the local disaster services office or a Department for Environmental Protection regional office. A regional office list is online at http://www.dep.ky.gov/regionaloffice/.  Do not attempt to dispose of a drum since it may contain hazardous materials or waste. Commercial (non-household) hazardous waste should be secured and properly managed in accordance with all regulatory requirements.

GOVERNOR FLETCHER SIGNS MINIMUM WAGE BILL
FRANKFORT , Ky. – Governor Ernie Fletcher today signed House Bill 305.
B 305 gradually increases the state’s minimum wage to $5.85 an hour beginning July 1, 2007, $6.55 an hour beginning July 1, 2008, and $7.25 an hour beginning July 1, 2009.  If the federal minimum hourly wage is increased in excess of Kentucky ’s minimum hourly wage, the legislation provides that Kentucky ’s minimum hourly wage will be increased simultaneously to the same amount.

1-17-07
Tommy’s place has started the New Year off with a bang with an $18,000 grant and has moved to their new location on Broadway in downtown Jackson.  They would like to say thanks to all of the organizations that have donated time and materials.  Special thanks go to Rose Wolfe, who donated a Popcorn machine and a Nacho machine.  In the new building, they are planning to install drop ceilings, redo the floors, and a new furnace.  The hope is, by the end of January, an after school program will be in place Tuesday through Thursday, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and on Fridays, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Currently, Tommy’s place is open only on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.  The dream of Mary Smith, Director of Tommy’s Place, is to have a drug prevention program, life skill’s program, career planning, fire safety, and gun safety. The facility welcomes those aged 12 – 18 to come enjoy the video games, snacks, board games, and the DJ area.

State employees help capture fleeing suspect in Jackson
JACKSON, KY. - (Sept. 11, 2006) -- Four Commonwealth of Kentucky employees on their lunch break helped Jackson police capture a fleeing suspect on Thursday, Sept. 7.
Ron Easter and Brandon Akers, employees of the Department of Highways District 10 office; Jarrod Morgan, a Commonwealth Office of Technology employee who is District 10's information technology coordinator; and Larry Britton, a COT employee from Frankfort who was installing equipment in Jackson that day, were going to lunch at a local restaurant. They noticed a foot chase through a local shopping center involving a Jackson city police officer and decided to help the police capture the suspect.
The employees cornered the suspect, Paul Moore of Altro, behind a Jackson funeral home and ordered him to lie on the ground until officers could arrive to take him into custody.
Moore was arrested on Breathitt County charges of failing to appear in court, and was also wanted on several charges from Perry County.
Jackson Police Chief Clyde Caudill said his department had received a tip that the suspect was at the Social Security office, located in the shopping center. Caudill and two other officers went to the scene and Caudill said he encountered a subject matching Moore's description. When Caudill asked the suspect's identity, Moore gave a fictitious name and began running when the chief asked him to step aside and answer some questions.
The suspect ran through the shopping center, across a street and up a hill to the funeral home while the chief gave foot pursuit. The state employees, who were in a vehicle, were able to catch up to the fugitive and stop him until the chief got to the scene on foot.
"I appreciate the assistance that the personnel from the Department of Highways gave me in apprehending the fugitive," Caudill said. "Their help was very valuable."
"This act took considerable bravery and courage," said Linda Wagner-Justice, chief district engineer for the Department of Highways District 10. "It shows that our employees are public-minded individuals who are always willing to make positive contributions to their communities. Their initiative is to be applauded."
Two of the employees may have had an added incentive for offering the assistance, Easter's son and Morgan's brother-in-law are law enforcement officers. Easter and Akers are Lee County residents; Morgan lives in Breathitt County.

KENTUCKY TRANSPORTATION CABINET INVITES YOU TO “TAKE A CRUISE DOWN MAIN STREET” AT THE KENTUCKY STATE FAIR
A Wealth of Information Is Available at the “KYTC Welcome Center”
FRANKFORT, KY (August 14, 2006) – All lanes are open on the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s  “Information Highway” this week, during the 102nd Kentucky State Fair in Louisville. You’ll find the Cabinet’s booth on “Main Street” in the South Wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center, August 17-27.
As you might expect, highway safety is the primary focal point of the Cabinet’s State Fair presentation. “2006 has been a landmark year for transportation safety in Kentucky,” said Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bill Nighbert. “The Fletcher Administration has made tremendous strides by successfully guiding primary seatbelt, graduated driver’s license and quick clearance legislation through the Kentucky Legislature. We have reinforced our commitment to safer travel in the Commonwealth with the creation of our new Department of Transportation Safety. There is absolutely no question about the high priority we have placed on saving lives on Kentucky’s roadways.”
The Cabinet’s Division of Traffic Safety, Research and Education will provide a new brochure for the public, which explains the primary seatbelt law. They will also offer a fact sheet which covers all the specifications of the new Graduated Driver’s License Program. Instructional materials will be presented, as well, to guide parents and caregivers in the proper methods for installing child passenger safety seats.
“We’re making every possible effort to reduce the number of preventable tragedies on Kentucky’s roadways,” said Tim Hazlette, Commissioner of the Department of Transportation Safety. “We hope that every driver who visits the Kentucky State Fair will stop by our booth for some valuable information on a variety of highway safety-related topics and to find out how they can help in this quest to save more lives.”
The Kentucky Department of Aviation has included the Kentucky State Fair in its flightline again this year. They return with one of the most popular exhibits in the Cabinet’s booth last year, a fully computerized flight simulator. “This year it’s complete with a 52 inch screen,” said Commissioner of Aviation Paul Steely. “We’re also looking forward to the opportunity to show everyone how vital the Commonwealth’s airports are to effective promotion of economic activity in Kentucky.”
A special feature in the Transportation Cabinet’s “Welcome Center” this year will be one of the innovative new kiosk machines, which were installed at welcome centers throughout the state earlier this year. The kiosks provide a wealth of travel, traffic, tourism and weather-related information. “We call it the Commonwealth at your fingertips,” said Secretary Nighbert. “It’s another way for us to connect the traveler with the Unbridled Spirit of Kentucky.”
Whether you’re interested in learning about the Safe Routes to School Program, mandatory auto liability insurance, or the wide variety of specialty plates available in Kentucky, you’ll find plenty of good conversation, a dose of innovative stimulation, and a truckload of valuable information at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s “Welcome Center” on Main Street, during the 2006 Kentucky State Fair.

Most state facilities to be smoke free August 1
FRANKFORT, Ky.—Governor Ernie Fletcher today signed an executive order that will prohibit smoking in state government offices and common areas occupied by the executive branch beginning August 1.
Pursuant to HB 55, enacted by 2006 General Assembly, the executive order bans smoking in office buildings and common areas occupied by executive branch employees.
This ban excludes offices occupied by legislative and judicial branch employees.  Prior to the passage of HB 55 and the execution of this executive order, the state was required to provide access to indoor smoking facilities in office buildings occupied by executive branch employees.
The executive order applies to all buildings solely occupied by executive branch cabinets. Examples of facilities that will be affected by this smoking ban include:
Capitol Annex Building (offices and common areas occupied by executive branch employees);
Cabinet for Health and Family Services facilities;
Transportation Cabinet facilities, including district offices;
Local Offices including Social Services,  Workforce Development, Revenue, etc.;
State Office Building;
Capital Plaza Tower;
Governor’s Mansion;
State Lab;
State Parks (applies to all common areas and non-smoking guest rooms); and All state correctional facilities with the exception of Eddyville, the state’s only maximum security prison.
The smoking ban does NOT apply to:
Offices occupied by the Legislative Research Commission;
Offices occupied by judicial branch employees; and
Offices occupied by constitutional officers and staff.

Pence Won’t Run By: John Whitlock
Regardless who wins the Republican or Democratic nominations for Kentucky governor next year, there will not be a Fletcher/Pence ticket.
Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Steve Pence announced he wouldn’t join Fletcher in seeking the Republican Party nomination for the top spots in state government.
Pence, who informed Fletcher on his decision with a telephone call Tuesday evening, said it was a personal decision based on lengthy discussions with friends and family. Pence also acknowledged discussing his decision with U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell.
Although the merit-hiring scandal wasn’t the deciding factor in his decision, Pence said the lingering controversy didn’t help.
“This decision is in the interest of what is best for my family,” Pence said.
Pence said he has no plans to seek elected office but acknowledged that could change, saying he hadn’t planned on running for lieutenant governor until shortly before the primary.
Fletcher, who is vacationing in Florida, released a statement through his spokesman Brent Hall praising Pence’s work.
“Steve Pence these past years has served his commonwealth by helping me implement effective narcotics enforcement, updating our sex offender laws and improving our criminal justice system,” Fletcher said in the statement.
The governor also took aim at Attorney General Greg Stumbo’s continuing investigation into merit system hiring and the controversy it has created.
“I fully understand Steve’s decision,” Fletcher said in the statement. “This has been a tough work environment, with or without Greg Stumbo’s relentless attacks. Lt. Gov. Pence has made a decision he believes is in his best interest and whether or not one agrees with it is not the issue.”
Hall said the administration is preparing a list of candidates to take over Pence’s duties as secretary of the Justice Cabinet, a post he will step down from Aug. 1.
Hall declined to name any of the potential candidates. But responding to a reporter’s question, Hall said Robbie Rudolph, secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet, would be “on the top of anyone’s list.”
Hall said Pence told Fletcher that he would not seek the governor’s office as long as Fletcher is on the ticket.
Hall said there was no pressure from the leaders of the Republican Party for a change.
“This is not a party of bosses,” Hall said. “ … Forty-seven percent of registered voters in this state are Republican. That’s who we listen to.”
As he left the press conference Wednesday, Pence was asked if he told Fletcher he would support his bid for re-election. Although Pence paused for a moment as he left, the question went unanswered.

JR. Red Cross
On Saturday April 1st, 2006, the Breathitt County Junior Red Cross members had a very long but enjoyable day.  They started out early with a yard sale at Art and Rose Wolfe’s house on Lakeside Drive.  They enjoyed themselves with games and fun when things got to slow down a bit.  But, when visitors stopped by, the games were over and down to business they went.  Later in the day, they once again went to work in Jackson, painting the outer wall in the walkway between the Seniors Citizens Building and the Jackson Police Station.  There they enjoyed Pizza and soda before grabbing those paint brushes and back to the hard work they enjoyed so much.  Our hats are off to this wonderful group of the young adults and to the adults that helped organize the entire day.  The Junior Red Cross is headed up by Sarah Wolfe and Grace Gross.  If you would like to be a part of this organization, whether it be the main or Junior chapter, please contact Rose Wolfe at 666-9522.


Owsley fugitive arrested
An Owsley County woman wanted in an Operation UNITE drug roundup
conducted in December has been arrested.
Sherry Hyman, age 38, of Booneville, was spotted by a UNITE detective
at a gas station in Booneville on Tuesday, January 24.
Hyman was charged with one count of unlawful possession of a meth
precursor and lodged in the Three Forks Regional Jail in Lee County.
Police had been searching for Hyman since a drug sweep in Breathitt
County on December 13.
According to UNITE Kentucky River Task Force Manager Mike Luttrell,
Hyman was one of four Owsley County residents who went to pharmacies in the
City of Jackson and purchased pseudoephedrine in excess of the state¹s new
9-gram limit within a 30-day period.
Pseudoephedrine, commonly found in cold medications, is one of the main
ingredients needed for manufacturing methamphetamine. Stricter limits
went into effect June 21 following the General Assembly¹s passage of Senate
Bill 63 in the 2005 session.
³We have been able to use this new law to build drug cases,² said Karen
Engle, executive director of UNITE. ³Our legislators heard the concerns
from citizens in the Fifth Congressional District and across the state and
made
it easier for law enforcement officers to fight the war on drugs.²
Two other Booneville residents who were missed during the initial sweep
but have subsequently been arrested are 28-year-old Shawna Gross and
46-year-old Carla Smith. Both face charges of unlawful possession of meth
precursors.
With the latest arrest, UNITE is still searching for six of the 26
people wanted from the Breathitt roundup.
In 2003, Fifth District Congressman Harold ³Hal² Rogers (R-Somerset)
worked to create Operation UNITE, a regional anti-drug initiative empowering
citizens groups and community leaders in 29 southern and eastern
Kentucky counties. UNITE, which stands for Unlawful Narcotics Investigations,
Treatment & Education, seeks to fight the drug epidemic by expanding
drug awareness and education programs to keep people from using drugs;
coordinating drug treatment and outreach programs for those who are
already addicted; and operating regional undercover law enforcement task forces
for interdiction and prosecution of those dealing drugs. Rogers has
directed $32 million in federal funds to the counter-drug initiative over the past
three years. For more information contact Karen Engle toll-free at
1-866-678-6483.


All County Jails To Merge With State Facilities
No Jailer Can Open or Close Jail
Kentucky State Auditor Crit Luallen said that all county jails in Kentucky will begin the merging process with the state correction systems within the next 2-4 years.  According to surveys and studies, county jails are costing the state over 244 million each fiscal year. Nearly half of the expenses were paid by the county and 32% were paid by the state. Once a county jail is closed, they will never be re-opened unless a new county facility is built. One very important note: No county Jailer has the authority to open or close a jail.
"I was against closing the Breathitt Co. Jail and I did everything in my power to keep the jail open,” said Breathitt Co. Jailer James Elliott Turner.   “With the information I have collected concerning all county jails closing, I think we should direct our efforts in getting a regional jail for Breathitt Co.”  Turner said that he realized that building a regional jail would be very costly but the facility would provide several jobs and bring revenue to county. “ We need to look for grants and other types of funding that would bring a regional jail to Breathitt Co.” stated Turner. “
The Commonwealth of Kentucky and the state legislative branch will still require that each county have an elected jailer. Turner said that he has the responsibility of making sure prisoners are transported to and from court, housed properly and that all the paper work is filled out on time along with his full time transporting duties.
The Breathitt Co. Jail closed in early April 2005 and there are only 12 county jails that have remained open and them to will close in the near future. The old Breathitt Co. jail will be renovated into a museum this summer.


Father, 2 sons charged after meth lab found 1-20-06
Police investigating citizen complaints about illegal drug activity in the Hazel Green community of Laurel County discovered a “dangerous” active methamphetamine operation on Tuesday, January 10.
“They were in the process of making anhydrous ammonia outside behind the garage,” said Joel Cunigan, Cumberland Task Force manager for UNITE. “That’s one of the most dangerous parts of the methamphetamine manufacturing process.”
Breathing anhydrous ammonia fumes “can cause serious injury to your lungs,” Cunigan noted.
Arrested were 59-year-old Toleman J. Henson and his two sons, 38-year-old Randy Henson and 27-year-old Toleman J. “T.J.” Henson Jr. Each was charged with one count of first-degree possession of a controlled substance (meth) and one count of manufacturing methamphetamine. In addition, T.J. Henson was charged with possession of marijuana.
Detectives from Operation UNITE went to the Hensons’ home on Selena Lane about 2:45 p.m. to check on information they had received through the drug tip hotline, Cunigan said. After knocking on the door, police were given permission to search the mobile home and premises where they discovered numerous items related to the manufacturing of methamphetamine.
In addition to the active anhydrous operation police discovered evidence of other stages of methamphetamine production, 1.2 grams of finished meth, two boxes of pseudoephedrine tablets and a .22-caliber Marlin rifle.
Members of the Laurel County Task Force 11 Hazardous Materials Team were called to clean up the property. Also assisting were the Kentucky State Police K-9 unit and members of the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office.
The Hensons were lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 17.

Lee County Woman Dies in Accident on Hwy 52  11-10-05
A Lee County woman is dead after a two vehicle accident on HWY 52, near the WarCreek Community. Janet Townsend, 54, of Beattyville, KY, was killed when the car she was driving overturned in a creek on HWY 52. According to authorites, Mrs. Townsend was attempting to pass a truck driven by Cody Slater. Apparently, Mrs. Townsend met another delivery truck in the lane she was passing in. She apparently cut back into the path of the truck she was passing and went over an embankment before flipping and coming to rest on its top in the creek. Mrs. Townsend was pronounced dead at the scene by the Breathitt County Coroners office. The accident is still under investigation by Kentucky State Trooper, Doug Gay.  Photo 1 Here               Photo 2 Here


NATURAL GAS PRICES COULD BE HIGHEST EVER THIS WINTER
PSC urges consumers to conserve energy, switch to budget billing plans
        FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 16, 2005) - Kentucky consumers should be prepared for the highest natural gas prices ever this winter, the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) says.
"A combination of factors is pushing prices to unprecedented levels," PSC Chairman Mark David Goss said. "Natural gas is likely to cost more than it did during the winter of 2000-2001, when prices set a record."
Consumers should prepare now for the coming heating season.
"Get ready for winter by weatherizing your home," Goss said. "If you haven't already done so, contact your utility about budget billing plans that give you a predictable heating bill every month, so you won't get hit with unexpectedly high bills in the winter."
Natural gas prices have been rising in recent years, but the increase has steepened recently. Prices have gone up this summer, instead of declining as they typically have done during the warmer months. They are at levels twice as high as a year ago.
Several factors are combining to push gas prices higher:
The rising price of crude oil has helped drive up fossil fuels prices in general.
A hot summer across much of the nation has increased the use of gas to generate electricity to meet demand caused by air conditioner use. The higher demand for gas has driven up prices.
About half the natural gas used for winter heating is put into storage in the summer. In the past, this gas was less expensive and helped offset higher gas prices in the winter. This year, it is costing more than ever.
Demand for natural gas in North America continues to increase, and new production has been unable to keep pace. The ability to import gas from overseas is limited.
"The supply disruptions caused by Hurricane Katrina simply made a bad situation even worse," Goss said. "Most of the gas used in this part of the country comes from the Gulf Coast, so we will still be feeling the effects of Hurricane Katrina this winter."
The ultimate impact on consumers will depend on the weather during the coming heating season, he said. A warm winter that keeps demand in check would help keep prices in check, but cold weather that increases demand could drive prices even higher, Goss said.
"That is why it is so important that consumers do whatever they can to reduce the amount of natural gas they use," Goss said.