Jones Sponsors Tougher Sex Offender Legislation 1-17-08
FRANKFORT - Senator Ray Jones, D-Pikeville, has filed another bill to add even more bite to the state's already tough sex offender laws.
Senate Bill 70 amends House Bill 3 to include additional restrictions concerning where sex offenders may live.
HB 3, introduced in 2005, limits convicted sex offenders from living within a 1,000 feet of a building, school, preschool, publicly owned playground or licensed day care facility. SB 70 will add to those restrictions a building or structure used as a youth program center that on a regular basis provides recreational, vocational, academic, social or other programs or services for minors on a regular basis.
"This legislation is aimed at protecting children when they visit a facility like the YMCA from sexual predators," said Jones, who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee. "Centers such as YMCAs or church recreational facilities, are not included in the current restrictions. I want this law to be more inclusive of the facilities that regularly provide programming or services to minors in order that we can be more assured that these places too are protected from having a sexual predator living next door."
During the 2007 session, Jones sponsored legislation which has made Kentucky's sex offender laws among the toughest in the nation. Under Jones' legislation, Kentucky became the first state to require convicted sexual offenders to register their online identities. Offenders who fail to register Internet user names in Kentucky will be charged with a Class D felony for the first offense, punishable by up to five years in prison, and a Class C felony for each subsequent offense, carrying penalties of up to 10 years in prison. The enactment of the bill was recognized in a capitol press conference called by former Attorney General Greg Stumbo and attended by the Chief Security Officer for MySpace, as well as numerous law enforcement officials.
"I am committed to making our sex offender laws as severe as is possible to better protect our children from sexual predators," added Jones. "I will continue to look for ways to strengthen our laws."
Co-sponsoring the bill with Jones is Senate Floor Leader Ed Worley, D-Richmond, a native of Pike County.
"Ray and I both feel very strongly about protecting our children from predators and agree that we cannot make our laws tough enough in order to achieve that goal," said Senator Worley. "As a parent, I understand the fear of having a sexual predator living near where my children spend time involved in recreational or academic activities. By adding these additional restrictions, we can cut that gap even further and, hopefully, make these environments safer for our children."
Senate Bill 70 will be considered during the 2008 legislative session, which began this week.
To check for sex offenders in the area, visit the Sex Offender Registry at http://kspsor.state.ky.us or call the Kentucky Sex Offender Alert Line at 1-800-564-5652 and enter a phone number and zip code. When a sex offender moves into the neighborhood, the Kentucky State Police will give residents a notification call.

Twenty Die On Kentucky Roadways Last Week (Oct. 1 through Oct. 7)                             
(FRANKFORT, Ky.) - Preliminary statistics* indicate that 20 people died in 17 separate crashes on Kentucky’s roadways from Monday, Oct. 1 through Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007.
Fourteen of the fatalities were traveling in motor vehicles and eight of the victims were not wearing seat belts. The seat belt status of one victim is unknown at this time. Four of the fatalities were the result of motorcycle crashes and two were not wearing helmets. Two fatalities were pedestrians. Six of the fatalities were the result of crashes involving alcohol.
Three double-fatality crashes occurred: one in Montgomery County, one in Pendleton County and one in Rowan County. Three single-fatality crashes occurred in Madison County. Two single-fatality crashes occurred in Meade County and two in Morgan County. Single-fatality crashes also occurred in Boyd, Hardin, Hopkins, Laurel, Leslie, Lincoln and Oldham counties.
Through Oct. 7, preliminary statistics* indicate that 661 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2007. This is 32 fewer than reported for this time period in 2006. Of the 525 motor vehicle fatalities, 300 victims were not wearing seat belts. Of the 84 motorcycle fatalities, 48 were not wearing helmets. Of the 24 ATV fatalities, 20 were not wearing helmets. Twenty-seven pedestrians and one bicyclist have been killed. A total of 159 fatalities have resulted from crashes involving the suspected use of alcohol.
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.

Home INVASION / CLAY COUNTY
(LONDON, KY) – On Friday June 01, 2007 at approximately 2:48 PM the Kentucky State Police Post 11 London received a report of a Home Invasion at 7295 Johnson Road in Clay County, KY. The victims Charles Dixon, 24, and his sister Martha Dixon, 27, had just returned home when they were approached by a white male armed with a machete. A struggle began between Martha the male suspect, at which time the suspect broke free and fled from the scene, on foot, with the victim’s purse and her brother’s wallet. The suspect is described as a white male, around six feet tall with a tattoo on his left arm. He was last seen wearing a gray mask on his face and socks on his hands to disguise his identity. Detective Mike Bowling is investigating. Anyone with any information on this incident is urged to call the Kentucky State Police at (606) 878-6622 or 1-800-222-5555.

Shooting incident in Thornton Community of Letcher County
On 03/20/07 at approximately 03:34 hrs Kentucky State Police Post in Hazard received a call from Tabitha Lucas that someone was attempting to break into their house in the Thornton Community of Letcher County. The State Police then received a second call of a shooting at the same residence.
Troopers arrived at James and Tabitha Lucas’s residence and found two males, Johnny Honeycutt age 51 and Randall Sturgill age 42 both with gunshot wounds. Honeycutt and Sturgill both were transported by ambulance to the Whitesburg ARH for treatment. No arrest has been made at this time and the investigation is continuing by Det. Randy Combs.

Ten Die On Kentucky Roadways Last Week (Jan. 8 through Jan. 14)          
FRANKFORT, Ky.) - Preliminary statistics* indicate that 10 people died in 10 separate crashes on Kentucky’s roadways from Monday, Jan. 8 through Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007.
Eight of the fatalities involved motor vehicles and five of the victims were not wearing seat belts. One of the fatalities involved a motorcycle and one involved an ATV. Neither of the victims was wearing a helmet. Two of the crashes involved the suspected use of alcohol.
The single fatality crashes occurred in Garrard, Graves, Hickman, Jefferson, Lee, Lewis, Meade, Montgomery, Pike and Warren counties.
Through Jan. 14, preliminary statistics* indicate that 23 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2007. This is four fewer than were reported for this time period in 2006. Of the 21 motor vehicle fatalities, 14 victims were not wearing seat belts.
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.

KRCC SUPPORTS NAMI WALKS
Lexington, Ky. – Driving over two hours, three for some, to support the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), shows the dedication of Kentucky River Community Care, Inc.’s (KRCC) walking team, the Kentucky River Racers to fighting for those suffering from mental illness. Twenty four walkers participated, October 7 in a 5K walk to support NAMI.
Beginning with registration at 12pm, several presenters spoke about the importance of NAMI and how people’s support can help eliminate the negative attitudes that people have towards mental illness. Kelly Gunning, Executive Director of NAMI Lexington, Jim Dailey, NAMI Kentucky Executive Director, Secretary Mark Birdwhistell from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services from the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Teresa Isaac Mayor of Lexington and Gov. Ernie Fletcher all spoke about the importance of supporting NAMI. Following their speeches, they joined in the 5K walk to support mental health.
The purpose of this walk was to raise awareness in Kentucky about NAMI and the benefits from having such an association. About 2800 people joined in the walk to support mental illness. Every year, NAMI Kentucky organizes a walk and every year, the attendance is greater as the word spreads.
NAMI has been working with KRCC and other Kentucky River region agencies and community members to build a NAMI chapter in Hazard, Ky. For more information about NAMI Hazard and NAMI support groups, please call Brenda Rudder at 606-785-0961.

Just Talking About Summer
by Michael K. Smith   
It’s mid-August.  The glow of summer wanes in the shortening days, as children return to school, and some folks return to their jobs.  You never know what to say about the end of summer, or any season, I guess, but it seems I always have something to look forward to, no matter which season ends and which begins. 
For most of the summer, I’ve whittled away at myself, trying to “suck it up” and find a job.  But there were days this summer, days when I actually knew I was moving, not just driving along sedate and silent, or sitting at home reading.  I went to Dale Hollow with my family, back in June, and every night there were 6 or 7 skunks scurrying around
outside, in the communal lawn and parking lot of the little cove of cabins.  I’d never seen so many, being so active with people so nearby.  And every morning, a big gaggle of Canadian geese would make rounds, going from cabin to cabin to check under the porches for crumbs.  After they were gone, you could look out and see distinct streaks and splatters of droppings, tracing the path they had taken.  It was splendid, and funny.  Good times.
Not long after that trip to Dale Hollow, I spent a weekend at The Breaks Interstate Park, which sits on the Ky/Va border, just  east of Pike County.  I knew little about the park, I wasn’t even sure I knew what was there, except for a canyon.  Well, the great surprise for me was that, despite my frequent complaints  about the humidity of the summer, the humidity provided a fog-blanket, which would sink slowly upon the huge sandstone structures adorning the canyon.  I swear, you could smell the difference as the thick, white stuff hovered around, until it finally reduced visibility to nothing but the vast fog-blanket, which even had a sound. It sounded like the big, cold-green mountains were struggling to breath, as the fog blew in gently and river gave off it’s gurgling roar.  All that sound rose from deep inside of the  steam-like mass of wild nature, from down in those mountains,  right up from the bed of the Russell Fork of the Big Sandy, and it eventually started raining, right after the fog started to roll away.
guess I’ve rambled on enough.  I just wanted to say a word for seeing all the things there are to see.  Let’s see them.  I’m going out on my porch now, maybe across the road and up the hill to one of the old mining ponds.  I want to hear the crickets and frogs roar, and I want to start seeing my way home in the dark, even if I’m walking.  There’s more to say, and plenty better things to say about them all, but I’m just talking here, and I think that’s okay.

SELF RESCUER UNITS REMOVED FROM SERVICE
Safety checks ordered by Governor Fletcher reveal damaged units
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 7, 2006) – An ongoing review of Self-Contained Self Rescuer (SCSR) devices used by Kentucky miners showed 119 were not in proper working order and have been taken out of service and replaced.
Governor Ernie Fletcher ordered the state Office of Mine Safety and Licensing (OMSL) in May to re-emphasize proper care and use of SCSR units following the Kentucky Darby LLC mine accident May 20 that claimed the lives of five miners. OMSL issued an emergency bulletin and safety analysts visited underground mines to review the use and care of the units with miners.
“Miners who find themselves in an emergency must rely on the integrity of the SCSR units to save their lives,” Governor Fletcher said. “The safety bulletin and the work of our mine safety analysts have revealed many of the units were not in proper working order and needed to be replaced. An untold number of lives may have been saved by this review process.”
The May 24, 2006, Emergency Awareness Bulletin sent to Kentucky coal mines announced safety meetings on SCSR units. Mine safety analysts demonstrated use of the units and how to properly check their working order. The safety meetings were conducted at the beginning of each shift or at the shift change.
“If the SCSR unit is maintained and working properly, and if the miner knows how to use it correctly, it can save their life in an emergency,” said Susan Bush, commissioner of the Department for Natural Resources.
Coal companies are required to perform the proper checks and testing on the SCSR units used in their mines, and all miners must be knowledgeable of the proper operation and maintenance of their SCSR devices.

TOLL-FREE MINE EMERGENCY NUMBER ACTIVATED
1-877-MINE 911 to be manned 24 hours daily
FRANKFORT, Ky.– A toll-free number to report mine emergencies has been activated by the Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing (OMSL), Governor Ernie Fletcher announced today.
1-877-MINE 911 will be manned 24 hours a day by OMSL and the state Emergency Operations Center in Frankfort.
“The line was developed for coal companies to report accidents quickly since every second counts when miners’ lives are in danger,” said Governor Fletcher.  “Timely reporting of mine emergencies is part of our commitment to insure that every miner returns home safely.”
Senate Bill 200, passed by the 2006 General Assembly, requires any mine fire, explosion, entrapment of an individual (for more than 30 minutes), inundation of water or gases and serious injury or a fatality to be reported within 15 minutes of actual knowledge of the occurrence.  Failure to report the emergency will result in penalties of a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $100,000.
Companies are encouraged to use the reporting line immediately, even though the reporting requirement of Senate Bill 200 does not take effect until July 12.

Governor Ernie Fletcher & Transportation Cabinet Award $500,000 to Morgan County
Money Used for Road Improvements
WEST LIBERTY, KY (May 5, 2006)-Governor Ernie Fletcher and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced today that road improvement funds totaling $500,000 have been awarded to Morgan County.  The money will be used for various road projects.
“Kentucky’s intricate highway system makes up the fabric of our economy,” said Governor Ernie Fletcher.  “This funding helps fulfill my administration’s commitment to improving economic opportunities and the quality of life for our citizens.  Our vision is to provide a safe and reliable transportation network throughout the entire commonwealth.  These highway projects are given considerable thought because each is important.”
Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bill Nighbert will be presenting a ceremonial check to local officials in a ceremony outside the Morgan County Courthouse on Monday, May 8, at 4:30 p.m.
“I want to commend the governor and members of the legislature for their leadership on this issue,” stated Secretary Nighbert.  “The improvements we make to our local transportation system make lives better for everyone in the community.”
House Bill 267, passed recently by the General Assembly, authorized $150 million in funding to be spent on improving existing county and city roads.  The funding can also be used to pay to replace aging bridges.

Couple Charged with Probation Violation
Husband faces new drug trafficking charge A southeastern Kentucky couple is back behind bars after violating provisions of their probation on drug trafficking charges. In addition, the husband now faces a new drug trafficking charge.
On Friday, March 17, detectives from Operation UNITE served an arrest warrant on Paul Widner charging him with one count of second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second offense.
Widner, who turns 38 years old on March 21, reportedly sold a quantity of Hydrocodone pills during an undercover investigation in February – just weeks after a final sentencing hearing on previous UNITE drug charges.
Both Widner and his wife, 38-year-old Anjeanetta Widner, were arrested during an Operation UNITE roundup in Harlan County in August 2004 for selling OxyContin, Lortabs and marijuana during an undercover investigation. They were each charged with three counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, four counts of second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, one count of third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance; and one count of trafficking in marijuana less than 8 ounces.
At the time of the roundup the Widners were living in the Lynch community of Harlan County, but have since moved to Wynn Branch at Partridge off KY 119 in Letcher County.
On November 17, 2005, both entered guilty pleas – Anjeanetta to an amended charge of tampering with physical evidence (a felony) and Paul to all eight trafficking counts.
In accordance to the plea agreement, Harlan County Circuit Court Judge Ron Johnson sentenced Anjeanetta to a 1-year sentence on the tampering charge and placed her on 5 years supervised probation.
There were two separate cases against Paul.
In the first case Johnson sentenced Paul to 5 years on one of the first-degree trafficking charges and placed him on 5 years supervised probation. In the second case Paul received 5 years on each of the other three first-degree trafficking charges, 1 year on each of the second-degree trafficking charges, and 30 days for the marijuana trafficking, with these sentences to run concurrent – or at the same time – and was placed on 5 years supervised probation.
Johnson, however, ordered that the separate sentences should run consecutive – or one after the other – meaning Paul will face a total of 10 years in prison for violating his probation.
Assisted by Sgt. Allen Layne from the Kentucky State Police Drug Enforcement Special Investigations Unit, KSP K-9 Trooper Jimmy Young from the Harlan Post, and Letcher County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Rose, UNITE detectives went to the Widners’ home Friday afternoon to serve the new drug-trafficking warrant.
Both Paul and Anjeanetta were taken to the Letcher County Jail where they were served with warrants from the Kentucky Office of Probation and Parole alleging they failed drug tests mandated as part of their probation. A probation revocation hearing has been scheduled for Friday, March 24.


SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE APPROVES SPEED LIMIT INCREASE
Proposed Change Would Allow 70 MPH on Interstates and Parkways
FRANKFORT,KY  (February 1, 2006) – A bill to increase the speed limit on Interstates and Parkways in Kentucky to 70 MPH was reported favorably out of the Senate Committee on Transportation today.
Senator Brett Guthrie (R-Bowling Green) is the sponsor of the legislation. “I’m convinced that we can safely increase the speed limit to 70 MPH,” said Sen. Guthrie, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee. “If you drive I-65 from Gary, Indiana to Mobile, Alabama the only time you find a speed limit other than 70 is when you’re passing through Kentucky.”
Deputy Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Adams testified before today’s committee to the fact that the Interstates and Parkways were designed to accommodate speeds of up to 75 MPH. “We are confident that a speed limit increase to 70 MPH will not compromise safety on Kentucky’s roads,” Secretary Adams said. “We also believe this bill will facilitate mobility of people and products, which would be another plus for Kentucky’s economy.”
“We’ve studied this proposal carefully,” added Sen Guthrie. “There is no evidence in the data from other states that increasing the speed limit to 70 resulted in a corresponding increase in accidents on parkways and interstates.”
So far, thirty-one states have increased their interstate speed limits to 70 MPH.
The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration.



Car Thief busted after chase  3-16-06
Justin Adam Fugate was apprehended in the early afternoon on Thursday March 16th, 2006  after he stole a vehicle from the Shell Mart in Jackson, KY. The driver of the vehicle, Marlene Hamilton, had just gotten gas and went inside to pay for it. Her 9 year old niece remained in the car. WShe was startled to see Mr. Fugate getting in her car. She ran out and yelled for him to stop at which time the 9 year old got out of the vehicle. Mr. Fugate was spotted near the Southfork area, where K.S.P. Trooper Hurt began pursuit, but Mr. Fugate would not stop. Breathitt Sheriff Deputy Daniel Turner and City Police Officer Jeff Noble Joined the pursuit which reached speed of over 100 miles an hour. Mr. Fugate finally ran out of road on Jones Branch Road off of Southfork. Deputy Turner and Officer Noble apprehended Mr. Fugate. Complete story will be in Mondays issue of the KY MOUNTAIN NEWS. The only local media to cover the story as it happened. PHOTOS HERE

COMPANY CITED FOR BLACK WATER SPILL IN PIKE COUNTY
Precipitated by flooding from an adjacent old mine
            FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 30, 2005) - The Kentucky Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement (DMRE) has cited a coal company for alleged violations that resulted in a "black water" spill on July 20, 2005.  A division inspector observed black water entering the stream at Stone, Ky., in Pike County, about 2 miles downstream from the mine site operated by the company, Patrick Processing LLC of Hazard. 
            Employees mining underground cut into an old mine that was filled with water. The water was pumped to the outside through a sediment pond, but the added flow disturbed the sediment and resulted in a discharge of substandard-quality water.  The inspector instructed the company to cease pumping to allow the pond to settle and halt the discharge.  A notice of noncompliance was issued for discharging substandard water into the stream and for failure to meet effluent limitation standards.
            Repeated black water accidents prompted Governor Ernie Fletcher to authorize Secretary LaJuana S. Wilcher of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet to create the Black Water Task Force. Its report in April 2005 recommended an array of "best management practices" to reduce or eliminate such accidents.
            In addition, the Kentucky Department for Natural Resources has created an online mine mapping Web site to help reduce the risk of cutting into old mine works. The link is http://minemaps.ky.gov/

Bucket Head Bob coming to Breathitt County 7-6-05
Bucket Head Bob has been out traveling again. He is the spokescrow for the Second Annual Fleming Co. Scarecrow Round-up. On his journey, he found these college students working at the demonstration plots in the Robinson Station in Jackson KY.  Jessica Smith, (Eastern), just loved having Bob put his arm around her. Jared Watts (UK) and Brandon Bowling (Morehead) were tagging along for the photo.  These students tend the crops during the summer season.  These demonstration plots are part of the UK College of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service Experiment Station. These students said they would like to visit Fleming Co. this Fall to see all the scarecrow displays that are all over the county.  PHOTO HERE

Another Fatality on Hwy 15 near Vancleve  5-31-05
Vancleve, KY    (From KSP)  On 5-25-05 Post 13 in Hazard received a 911 call of a 1 vehicle accident approximately 8 miles north of Jackson, KY on Hwy. 15. Upon arrival, Trooper Sumner, the victim Kelly Allen of Fairfield, Indiana, was found laying beside his vehicle. The victim was traveling north on KY 15 when he ran off the roadway and struck a guardrail. The victim was ejected from the vehicle. He was transported to the Kentucky River medical Center by the Breathitt County Ambulance Service and then transported to the UK Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The investigation is continuing by Trooper Brian Sumner.  PHOTOS HERE

Secretary Nighbert congratulates two Transportation Cabinet employees for rescuing trapped motorist from floodwaters in Lee County
Lee County - (May 10, 2005) -- Two employees of the Kentucky Transportation
Cabinet's Lee County maintenance crew are being hailed as heroes for rescuing a motorist who had climbed to the top of his car to escape rising floodwaters last week.
Drexel Creech and Aaron Gay rescued Ronnie Paul Smith of Booneville about 6 a.m. on Saturday, April 30. The Owsley County resident had followed a  large truck into high water triggered by heavy rain on KY 52 at Sandfield in western Lee County. The truck made it through, but Smith's vehicle stalled. As waters from Sinking Creek continued to rise around the trapped vehicle, Smith was forced to climb to the roof of his car around 3 a.m. to escape the flood.
"We had gotten called out because of clogged culverts in the area," Creech said. "We had also put out some 'High Water' signs. We spotted him on top of his car, trapped by the water."
Creech said that he and Gay decided to rescue the stranded motorist. They later learned that the Lee County Rescue Squad had been notified and a boat was on the way.
"I 'braved up' and drove the dump truck into the water, and we got him off the top of the car and to safety," Creech said.
Lee County Rescue Squad Captain Eugene Barrett said that it was his understanding that the motorist was on his way to Richmond for dialysis. After his rescue, the motorist was suffering from hypothermia and was transported by ambulance to a Richmond hospital by another route to bypass the flooded KY 52.
Creech is a superintendent I with the Lee County maintenance crew, and Gay is an equipment operator II.
"Part of our goal to provide a safe and reliable transportation system is the dedication of our state employees to their fellow Kentuckians," said Bill Nighbert, acting Secretary, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. "The bravery of these two employees to put themselves at risk to rescue a stranded motorist from a flood is very much appreciated and we at the Transportation Cabinet salute them and applaud their unselfish act. I am proud of Mr. Creech and Mr. Gay and congratulate them." Linda Wagner-Justice, chief district engineer for District 10, which includes Lee County, also praised the actions of the two men."Our employees routinely put themselves at risk, because highway maintenance is by its very nature dangerous work," Justice said. "The actions of Drexel Creech and Aaron Gay were above and beyond the call of duty. They acted at significant risk to themselves to rescue a fellow citizen. We are very proud of them, and grateful to them for their actions. They quite likely saved a life by their efforts, without thought to the risks they were taking."
Wagner-Justice also pointed out that this incident is further proof that motorists should not drive into flooded areas. "Floods are a leading cause of weather-related deaths," she said. "It cannot be stressed enough that motorists should not try to drive on flooded roads. The depth of the water can be deceptive, especially at night, and currents from rushing floodwaters can sweep a car away. It's best to turn around and find another route, or to wait for the water to recede."

Jackson Police Warn of Possible Scam 4-27-05
Jackson, KY The Jackson Police Department has received reports of a possible scam involving a female soliciting citizens and local businesses for money under the guise of helping members of the local National Guard who are deployed over seas.  According to National Guard officials. Those soldiers deployed over seas are well provided for and are lacking nothing.  Care packages and such personal items sent to loved ones over seas are always greatly appreciated, but the National Guard does not solicite any such donations of goods or money.
There have been local efforts in the past to assist local guard members, but there are no known, legitimate efforts ongoing at this time.
Citizens and businesses are cautioned to attempt to determine the legitimacy of such solicitations before contributing. If citizens have questions or wish to report any such possible scams, please contact the Jackson Police Department at (606) 666-2424.

Noted poet Frank X. Walker at “Evening with Poets”  3-31-05 PHOTO HERE
            The 12th annual “Evening with Poets” will be held on April 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the Stephens Library at Hazard Community and Technical College.  The event promotes the work of local talent and will celebrate the new issue of Kudzu, the college’s literary magazine, which will be distributed free of charge.  Admission to the event is free. 
            The guest of honor is Frank X. Walker, poet, artist, arts activist, and native of Danville. His collections of poetry include Affrilachia and Buffalo Dance: The Journey of York which won the 2004 Lillian Smith Book Award.  Another book of poetry, Black Box, is due to be released soon.
            Walker currently teaches in the department of English and Theatre at EKU where he also serves as the Director of the African/African-American Studies Program. 
            A founding member of Affrilachian Poets, Walker collaborates with other artists to celebrate the heritage of African-American art from those with roots in Appalachia. 
Kelly Ellis, cofounder of the Affrilachian Poets and Associate Director of MFA Program in Creative Writing at Chicago State University, said “Frank Walker's poetry is a precise marriage of politics and art; he does not sacrifice his conscience for art or vice versa. His work opens up the precious humanity we all share, as a result we see our many selves: black, white, Latino; woman, man; gay and straight, lovely and ugly too. His work always causes me to pause.”
            Gurney Norman, who will be here for this year’s Spring Writers Workshop, has said of Walker, “I recognized Frank X Walker as a talented writer with great promise way back in the early 1980s … and everyday Frank X strives to fulfill that promise. He is clearly among the most talented writers our region has ever seen.”
            Preceding Walker in the program, college students and members of the community will read from their poetry published in Kudzu. The poetry reading is free and everyone is encouraged to attend. 
Anyone with questions about HCTC’s Spring Writers Workshop or Evening With Poets can contact Scott Lucero at 606 487 3200 or email at Scott.Lucero@kctcs.edu.
News
Back to Main Page
All Our Old News Stories Click Here
PHOTO ARCHIVES CLICK HERE
Holiday Gifts Click Here
Click on Ad to visit them
Looking for someone Special CLICK HERE