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| Transportation Cabinet says: ‘Friends don’t let friends drive drunk’ this St. Patrick’s Day
3-17-08 Don’t depend on dumb luck - designate a sober driver before the party begins FRANKFORT, Ky.—The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Office of Highway Safety, has joined forces with federal, state and local highway safety and law enforcement officials across the nation to remind those celebrating St. Patrick’s Day to drink responsibly. Last year on St. Patrick’s Day, nearly half (44 percent) of the 105 drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or more. “Whether you are meeting a few friends at the local pub after work or attending the parade or party, if you plan on using alcohol, never drive while impaired—and never let your friends drive if you think they are impaired. Friends don’t let friends drive drunk,” said Boyd Sigler, director of the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety. Drunk Driving Prevention Follow these steps for a safer St. Patrick’s Day celebration: Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin. Before drinking, designate a sober driver and give that person your keys. If impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely. §Use your community’s sober rides program. §If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement. If someone is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other travel arrangements. In 2006, traffic crashes that involved a driver or motorcyclist with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher killed 13,470 people. “Driving impaired or riding with an impaired driver is simply not worth the risk,” said Sigler. “Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be really significant.” For more information, visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org. PRIDE awards $5,000 for education in Wolfe County 11-26-07 SOMERSET, KY – Local students will get first-hand experience in good stewardship this school year, thanks to PRIDE Environmental Education Grants announced today. The Middle Kentucky Community Action Partnership, Inc., received a $5,000 grant to enhance the outdoor classroom at its Head Start program in Wolfe County . Books, multimedia materials and a variety of educational equipment also will be purchased. 111 students are expected to benefit from the grant during the current school year. Across the region, PRIDE awarded 49 grants totaling $207,413 to schools and nonprofit organizations for hands-on learning projects that will benefit 20,172 students. Grant recipients that start service-oriented PRIDE Clubs will receive a $500 bonus, bringing PRIDE’s potential investment in environmental education to more than $230,000 this year. “I want to congratulate our grant recipients, as well as thank them for going the extra mile for their students,” said Jennifer Johnson, PRIDE education director. “These students and educators put much time, hard work and creativity into these grant projects. The educators know it’s important to offer fun, hands-on environmental lessons that will last a life time.” “With this year’s grant awards, the number of students influenced by PRIDE grants will exceed 500,000,” said Karen Engle, PRIDE president and chief executive officer. “That is an impressive milestone to surpass just as PRIDE is celebrating its 10th anniversary. It’s exciting to imagine how these students will change our environment for the better since they have grown up learning why and how to care for nature.” PRIDE has awarded 837 Environmental Education Grants totaling $3,561,305 since 1998. The grants have benefited 506,564 students over the past 10 years, according to the estimates reported by grant applicants. The grants have been used to start 35 school-wide recycling projects and build 351 outdoor classrooms, 105 greenhouses, and 45 wetlands. The PRIDE Environmental Education Grant program awards up to $5,000 annually to schools and nonprofit organizations. The grants support projects that help young people understand the importance of a clean environment, personal responsibility and community pride. Grant recipients must match the grants with monetary or in-kind contributions worth 25 percent of the grant amount. Promoting environmental education is the mission of Eastern Kentucky PRIDE, a nonprofit organization that serves 38 counties in southern and eastern Kentucky . PRIDE also encourages and assists communities to improve water quality and clean up solid waste problems. PRIDE, which is funded by a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, was founded in 1997 by Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-5) and Kentucky Environmental Protection Secretary James Bickford. Seven Die On Kentucky Roadways Last Week (Aug. 20 through Aug. 26) (FRANKFORT, Ky.) - Preliminary statistics* indicate that seven people died in seven separate crashes on Kentucky’s roadways from Monday, Aug. 20 through Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007. Five of the fatalities involved motor vehicles and four of the victims were not wearing seat belts. Two of the fatalities were the result of motorcycle crashes. Single-fatality crashes occurred in Bell, Daviess, Fayette, Laurel, Madison, Russell and Taylor counties. Through Aug. 26, preliminary statistics* indicate that 547 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2007. This is 40 fewer than reported for this time period in 2006. Of the 437 motor vehicle fatalities, 252 victims were not wearing seat belts. Of the 68 motorcycle fatalities, 39 were not wearing helmets. Of the 20 ATV fatalities, 16 were not wearing helmets. Twenty-one pedestrians and one bicyclist have been killed. A total of 126 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. ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE KY 1812 in Breathitt County to be closed week of April 16 for new KY 15 bridge construction JACKSON, KY – (April 13, 2007) – In order to allow contractors to set beams on the new bridge that will carry four-lane KY 15 across KY 1812 and Frozen Creek, KY 1812 in Breathitt County will be closed beneath that span beginning Monday, April 16. The closure will begin after the morning school bus run and is expected to remain in effect for most of the week. The road closure is necessary because the cranes that lift the beams into place must be positioned on the highway, therefore blocking it. No marked detour will be posted, but motorists can use KY 15 from Vancleve to Jackson and then follow KY 1812 across Frozen Mountain, or vice versa, as an alternate route. EMT & Paramedic Courses EMT B Course in Hyden The EMT-B class in Hyden will be starting March 6 at 6PM. Class will be at the Leslie County Extension Office and will meet 2 nights a week. This is the class you need to work for an ambulance service. It's not too late to sign up. For more information, call Becki at 606-424-7791 or email frontline@tds.net. EMT B Course in Jackson, KY The EMT-B class in Jackson, KY will be starting in March 2007. This is the class you need to work for an ambulance service. After successful completion of this course, candidates will be permitted to take the NREMT-B exam. Instructor for the Course is Bobby Thorpe, Jr. It's not too late to sign up. For more information, call Bobby at 606-693-0622 or email bobby@thorpecpr.com. Paramedic Course to be offered An EMT- Paramedic Course will begin in March 2007. After successful completion of this course, candidates will be permitted to take the NREMT-P exam and be certified as a Paramedic. Instructor for the course will be Gene Tester. For more information call 606-560-1035. MSU’s Maze Stallworth Named Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Week Morehead State’s Maze Stallworth, a 6-4, 185-guard from Elizabethtown, Ky., and John Hardin High School, is the Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Week. Stallworth averaged 12.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game last week while hitting 57.1 percent (8-of-14) from the field in games against Asbury and South Alabama. He had nine points against Asbury and a game-high 15 points against South Alabama. In the USA contest, he was five-of-six from the field and a perfect four-of-four from the free throw line. Governor Proclaims September Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month FRANKFORT, KY (Aug. 31, 2006) – Governor Ernie Fletcher has proclaimed September Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month in Kentucky, with many events planned statewide to educate and inform Kentuckians about the impact of suicide on the commonwealth. “Kentucky has the 12th highest rate of suicide in the nation,” said Governor Fletcher. “The impact of suicide on our citizens – both victims and survivors – is tragic. Learning to talk openly and honestly about suicide and educating ourselves about prevention can preserve our state’s future and ensure good mental health for all of our citizens.” Many events will take place during National Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 10-16. The observance was designed to raise awareness about the dangers of suicide and to increase prevention efforts across the nation. Events are planned to inform Kentuckians about the prevalence of suicide, educate about prevention, and reduce suicide rates in the state. “Awareness and knowledge are the most powerful tools we have in curbing suicide rates,” said Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Mark D. Birdwhistell. “I want to encourage more Kentuckians to educate themselves about suicide and get involved in prevention efforts. Far too many Kentuckians have fallen victim or lost a loved one to this tragedy.” According to the Department for Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 502 suicide deaths have occurred in the state per year since 1981. In 2003, suicide deaths outnumbered homicide deaths 3 to 1. In Kentucky, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people age 15 to 34; third for people age 10 to 14; and fourth for those age 35 to 54. “Experts believe most suicidal individuals do not want to die, they just want to end the pain they are experiencing,” said Jason Padgett, the state’s suicide prevention coordinator. “According to the American Association of Suicidology, when suicidal intent or risk is detected early, lives can be saved,” Warning signs a person may be considering suicide include when someone: Threatens to hurt or kill him/herself, or talks of wanting to hurt or kill him/herself Looks for ways to kill him/herself by seeking access to firearms, available pills or other means Talks or writes about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person Exhibits hopelessness, rage, uncontrolled anger or seeks revenge Acts reckless or engages in risky activities, seemingly without thinking Feels trapped, like there’s no way out Increases alcohol or drug use Withdraws from friends, family and society Exhibits anxiety or agitation Is unable to sleep or sleeps all the time Experiences dramatic mood changes Says there is no reason for living; no sense of purpose in life If someone exhibits these signs, he or she needs immediate help. A concerned friend or family member can take action by contacting a mental health professional or by calling 800-273-TALK (8255) for a referral. For more information on suicide prevention, visit the Kentucky Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation’s Web site at http://mhmr.ky.gov/mhsas/kspg.asp; or contact Jason Padgett at (502)564-4456 or Jason.padgett@ky.gov. Murder Arrest in Breathitt Co. ON 07/22/06 THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE POST 13 IN HAZARD RESPONDED TO THE RESIDENCE OF ROBERT ALLEN IN THE SOUTHFORK COMMUNITY OF BREATHITT COUNTY. MR. ALLEN WAS FOUND DECEASED INSIDE HIS RESIDENCE WITH MULTIPLE GUNSHOT WOUNDS. HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD BY THE BREATHITT COUNTY CORONER AND SENT TO THE STATE MEDICAL EXAMINERS OFFICE FOR AN AUTOPSY. ON 8/11/06 DET. CLAYTON STAMPER ARRESTED 30 YEAR OLD CARLOS HUDSON OF JACKSON, KY. AND CHARGED HIM MURDER AND 52 YEAR OLD MAXINE HUDSON OF JACKSON, KY. AND CHARGED HER WITH COMPLICITY TO COMMIT MURDER IN CONNECTION WITH THE CRIME. BOTH SUBJECTS WERE LODGED IN THE KENTUCKY RIVER REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER. THE INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING BY DET. CLAYTON STAMPER. Do You Know? Small Boats, Weather, and Safety Eastern Kentucky is home to some of the most beautiful, and the largest of lakes east of the Mississippi River (not counting the Great Lakes). Lake Cumberland, the largest of these Kentucky jewels covers over 50,000 acres. Its reputation for excellent fishing draws residents and visitors alike each year. To get to those fish, many fishermen choose to use a boat. Lake Cumberland is large, but it is not an ocean. Every boat plying the lake is classified as a small boat, even though they range from a fairly large-looking house boat, to the sleek bass boat. As a small boat operator, it is sometimes easy to overlook the obvious. You can easily be beyond a half hour from any marina, and oftentimes, the distance is even greater. Weather can pose a serious threat to any boater, but especially to those who are unprepared. THUNDERSTORM THREATS The spring and summer months offer the Kentucky boater the greatest risk of being effected by a thunderstorm. If you own a boat, or if you plan on renting a boat for day on the lake, make sure that a check with the weather forecast is part of your routine before you leave the marina. Lightning presents a serious danger to boaters. The best course of action a vessel operator can take to reduce the risk from a lightning strike is to return to safe harbor and seek shelter inside a sturdy, enclosed building. If caught on the open water, remember that one does not have to be struck directly by a lighting strike while on deck to receive severe injuries or be killed. Tall masts, antenna booms and fly decks are all high profile targets for a lightning strike, and frequently strikes to vessels produce extensive damages to navigational and communications equipment. All on board should stay away from all ungrounded metal objects. But most importantly, the boat owner should have the boat properly grounded. That evolves having a special cable running through to the boat’s bottom, allowing a path for the lightning strike to travel directly through the boat and discharge into the water, without the electric charge traveling over most of the boat surfaces. In addition to lightning, thunderstorms frequently produce strong wind gusts, either within the core of blinding rain, or out in advance of the darkest, most threatening clouds. Wind gusts of 34 knots or more can easily capsize a small boat, especially when the boater is unprepared. Boaters can look for signs of approaching strong winds near showers and thunderstorms by noting an arc of low-altitude clouds rapidly approaching their location, which foretell a rapid increase in wind. The best course of action would be to head for the nearest harbor away from the approaching clouds, and to make sure all on board are wearing approved personal safety flotation devices. If caught on the open water away from safe harbor, the boat operator should turn the boat into the wind and try to avoid being caught with a broadside gust. Perhaps the boat operator’s most important tool would be NOAA Weather Radio. In addition to the forecast and current weather conditions in the area, NOAA Weather Radio will give the greatest advance warning of thunderstorms approaching the area. You can purchase a NOAA Weather Radio at a local electronic dealer, or at most major retailers. Knowing what to expect will allow everyone to enjoy the resources offered by the area lakes, and also allow for important decision making that can save your life, and the lives of your family. SEKISUI S-LEC Breaks Ground on New Manufacturing Facility in Winchester FRANKFORT, KY – Cabinet for Economic Development Commissioner John McCarty and the state’s Japan office representative Jiro Hashimoto helped break ground today on the future home of Sekisui S-LEC America, LLC in Winchester. The Japanese company, which manufactures interlayer film and sound acoustic film for automotive glass use, announced its Clark County location in January 2006, creating 80 new jobs and investing more than $43 million in the commonwealth. “It is an honor for me to be here today to celebrate this economic development success with the community of Winchester and Sekisui representatives. I commend Sekisui for choosing to locate in our great state and wish them prosperity for years to come,” said Commissioner McCarty. Sekisui S-LEC America’s new facility is being constructed on 23 acres in the Winchester Industrial Park. The facility’s production capacity will be approximately 6 million automobile units per year and is expected to be operational by Fall 2007. “We are delighted to be locating our new facility in Winchester, Kentucky, a community with good accessibility and labor availability,” said Takayoshi Matsunaga, Executive Managing Director and President of High Performance Plastics Company, Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. “The enthusiasm shown and wholehearted support given by the state and community to this project is overwhelming and we look forward to a long and successful future here.” The concentration of Sekisui’s major customers along I-75 and the available industrial park complete with infrastructure was a key component in the company’s decision to locate in Winchester. “Our community is so pleased to have Sekisui choose Winchester for its newest location,” stated Jim Coleman, chairman of the Winchester/Clark County Industrial Authority. “The facility they are constructing here will set the standard for future development of our new Industrial Park. We look forward to a long, fruitful relationship.” Sekisui S-LEC America is a subsidiary of Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd., established in 1947, in Osaka, Japan and employs more than 17,000 people worldwide. Currently, Kentucky is home to nearly 350 international companies employing more than 71,000 Kentuckians. Japanese-owned investment now accounts for 143 of those international companies and employs more than 37,000 Kentuckians. The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved Sekisui S-LEC America for up to $1.6 million in tax benefits under the Kentucky Industrial Development Act, an incentive program aimed at increasing employment in the commonwealth. A community profile for Clark County may be found at the following link: http://www.thinkkentucky.com/edis/cmnty/cw093/Location.htm $7,500 in prize money on the line at UNITE Bass Tournament A buddy bass tournament to raise funds for anti-drug efforts in Knox County will be held on Laurel River Lake Saturday, April 22. Anglers will take to the water at 7 a.m. from Grove Marina and have eight hours to reel in the heaviest five-fish creel of either largemouth or smallmouth bass. Winners will take home a $3,000 prize, second place a $2,000 prize, and third place a $1,000 prize. Fourth place pays $300, third place $200, and $100 each for sixth through 10th spots. The biggest largemouth and biggest smallmouth will each be awarded a $100 prize. The event is sponsored by the Knox County UNITE Coalition. Entry fee is $100 per boat, with proceeds benefiting the Hooked On Fishing-Not On Drugs® kids fishing program. A pre-tournament cookout will be held at 5 p.m. Friday, April 21, at Rex & Dave’s Outdoor World, 825 West Cumberland Gap Parkway, followed by a pre-tournament meeting at 7 p.m. Door prizes will be awarded. To receive an entry form or receive a copy of the rules contact Rex & Dave’s Outdoor World at 606-523-2277, Grove Marina at 606-523-2323, or Claudia Greenwood at 606-546-9515. Last October, members of the Knox County UNITE Coalition partnered with coalitions in Laurel and Whitley counties for a night fishing tournament. That event drew 61 boats and raised more than $10,000 for anti-drug projects in the three counties. Tip leads to suspected cocaine seizure 8-17-05 Two Floyd County men are under suspicion of drug trafficking after a substance believed to be cocaine was discovered in their vehicle early Tuesday morning. Approximately 7.7 ounces of suspected cocaine – which would bring between $22,000 and $27,000 on the street – along with $202 in cash was recovered after the pair failed to stop at a traffic checkpoint just after midnight August 16. Operation UNITE had received an anonymous tip that two vehicles would be bringing a large amount of cocaine to Floyd County from another part of the state, said Lee Weddington, task force manager for UNITE’s Big Sandy region. UNITE detectives contacted Wheelwright Police Chief Randy Johnson, the Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement Special Operations Unit, and Kentucky State Police Post 9 in Pikeville for assistance. A traffic checkpoint was established a short time later on KY 122 in the Left Beaver Creek community of Hi Hat, located in the southern tip of Floyd County. About 1:20 a.m. 1996 Buick driven by 36-year-old Randy Tackett and occupied by 45-year-old Victor Darrel Rhea, both of Wheelwright approached the checkpoint but failed to stop. KVE K-9 Officer Jody Thompson pursued the car for about one-half mile before Thompson pulled over. While police were talking with the men, Thompson’s narcotics dog alerted to drugs being in the vehicle and directed officers to a location on the passenger side where the suspected cocaine was located in a plastic bag. Tackett was arrested at the scene by the KSP on a charge of operating on a suspended driver’s license and lodged in the Floyd County Detention Center. Weddington said Operation UNITE was awaiting the results of a laboratory analysis before charging the men on drug trafficking charges. Following the traffic stop police received consent to search Rhea’s home on Branham Street in Wheelwright where police recovered several drug-related items, Weddington said, adding additional charges were pending a continuing investigation. While police were searching Tackett’s Buick, the second vehicle named in the drug tip drove by. KSP Trooper Brad Hamilton, two KVE officers and Chief Johnson stopped that car. A subsequent search recovered approximately 2 ounces of suspected cocaine and more than $1,500 in cash. Weddington said the second case is being handled by the KSP. “We have had more than 358 calls from Floyd County residents on our drug tip line, 1-866-424-4382, and we take each one seriously,” said Dan Smoot, law enforcement director for UNITE. “This case shows just how important the public is in getting drug dealers out of our communities.” Sugar Camp Golf Club Sugar Camp Golf Club is a beautiful and challenging 9-hole golf facility located in Jackson, Kentucky. The club is privately owned and operated and will be semi-private for play. The Club will open to paid membership play, and guests with members, on Saturday, August 6, 2005, and then public daily-fee play later in the fall depending upon further growth and maturity of the greens. Amenities include: Temporary Clubhouse with 1,500 sq. ft. covered area Practice Range (under construction this Fall) L-93 Bentgrass greens and tees Riviera Bermuda fairways Par 36 layout with 5 sets of tees with the following yardages - Black (Champ) 3,405 yds. for 9, 6,810 for 18 - Two sets of men’s tees with verifying yardages to play 18 - Blue (front 9) 3,120 yds. - White (back 9) 3,100 yds., for total of 6,220 - Gold (Senior) 2,795 yds. for 9, 5,590 for 18 - Red (Ladies) 2,535 yds. for 9, 5,070 for 18 - Fully irrigated greens, tees & fairways - E-Z Go rental cart fleet The course was designed by Brendon D. Miller and Tony G. Watts, and constructed and financed by Darrell Miller and Brendon D. Miller. All aspects of this course were undertaken and completed by Breathitt Countians for the promotion of our county and region. The Club is located on Ky. Hwy. 30 East, 4 miles from Ky. Hwy. 15. The bridge directly across from the turnoff to the Julian Carroll Airport is the entrance. For information on the Club or membership, call (606) 693-4PAR for the club, or contact Brendon Miller at 666-4400. Governor Announces New Kentucky Quit Line to Help Smokers Kick the Habit Kentuckians Can Call 1-800-QUIT NOW FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 6, 2005) Governor Ernie Fletcher announced today that Kentucky smokers will now have one more tool to help them quit smoking. The new 1-800-QUIT NOW quit line will provide smokers with cessation information and one-on-one counseling tailored to their level of readiness to quit. "We all know that smoking and the use of other tobacco products greatly impact Kentucky's health status," said Governor Fletcher. "Although we are seeing a drop in the number of people smoking, tobacco use is still one of the biggest health issues facing us. The quit line is a new resource to support smokers in the Commonwealth who want to make a healthy change and give up smoking." Governor Fletcher also announced that data collected by the Department for Public Health (DPH) in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) shows that the adult smoking rate in Kentucky dropped 10.5 percent from 2003 to 2004. This brings Kentucky's adult smoking rate to 27.5 percent, still the highest in the nation. Research indicates that 70 percent of smokers want to quit. 1-800-QUIT NOW is a statewide telephone service that will provide brief intervention and support for people who want to stop smoking or using other tobacco products. Callers, both smokers and nonsmokers, can receive information about tobacco dependence and treatment options. Tobacco cessation counselors will staff phone lines Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded the quit line through a grant to DPH. "If we truly want to change the health status of Kentucky for the better, we must reduce the number of Kentuckians who smoke," said CHFS Secretary James Holsinger, M.D. "The prevalence of smoking in Kentucky doesn't affect only smokers. It's a Kentucky problem and it is our hope every Kentucky smoker who wants to quit will call this number for help." The quit line offers a one-on-one proactive counseling program for tobacco users who are ready to quit. After the initial call, smokers may receive up to five scheduled call backs from their counselor. For smokers considering quitting, the quit line staff will provide information about tobacco use and treatment options. Counselors will provide state and local resources to callers as another option for tobacco cessation. Parental consent is required for callers under 18. In addition to being a resource for smokers, family and friends of smokers may also call the quit line and receive information to encourage a tobacco user to quit, how best to support a tobacco user's quit attempt, the dangers of secondhand smoke, and other tobacco cessation information. Information is also available to physicians concerning the most up-to date intervention methods to help patients with tobacco use addictions. 1-800-QUIT NOW is available in English and Spanish. TDD is available for the deaf and hard of hearing. Counseling and materials are provided at no charge to callers. Quit lines are one aspect of comprehensive tobacco cessation services. Scientific reviews have established that proactive telephone counseling through quit lines is an effective cessation method. Master's-level counselors undergo extensive classroom and practical experience. Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. Nearly 4,000 Kentuckians die prematurely each year of tobacco use. Smoking is a major risk factor for the four leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Kentucky's local health departments also offer tobacco cessation support in communities across the state. For more information about the quit line, contact RaeAnne Davis at RaeAnne.Davis@ky.gov or (502) 564-7996, ext. 3858. BHS Student Awarded East KY. Walking & Racking Horse JUVENILE of the YEAR! 3-22-05 Breathitt, KY Nicholas Bush, son of Kenneth Jr. & Vanessa Bush of Campton, a senior at Breathitt County High School once again shows his love and talent of horses. He was named 2004 High Point Champion in the Juvenile Country Pleasure class and the Juvenile Open Pleasure Class. According to this, he was named Reserved High Point Champion in the Juvenile Racking Class. To make the evening more exciting, he was named 2004 Juvenile of the Year and was nominated and elected youngest 2005-2006 board member by the East KY. Walking & Racking Horse Association. Nicholas would like to thank everyone that has helped and supported him along the way. PHOTO HERE * Nick and Prides Adam Apple await Judges Decision.* Two charged with drug possession 3-9-05 Two people were arrested on drug charges following the execution of a search warrant at a Knott County home on Wednesday, March 2. Nearly $7,400 in cash and a variety of drugs was confiscated by police, said Dan Smoot, law enforcement director with Operation UNITE (Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education). Carson Thacker, age 42, of Mousie in Knott County, and 24-year-old Amber Collinsworth of Salyersville in Magoffin County, were each charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance after a sizeable quantity of drugs were discovered. Thacker also faces a charge of third-degree possession of a controlled substance. Officers from Operation UNITE and the Knott County Sheriff's Office executed the search warrant at Thacker's Bear Branch home at approximately 6 p.m. Wednesday. During their search law enforcement officers recovered the cash along with 162 Hydrocodone pills, 25 OxyContin pills, 6 Methadone pills, 2 Xanax pills and 3 Morphine capsules. The pills have a street value of about $3,400. Police also confiscated a .38-caliber Smith and Wesson handgun that was found with the pills, Smoot said. Several other people were at the residence at the time, and other charges are pending further investigation, Smoot said, and additional evidence would be presented to the Knott County Grand Jury Jackson City Homecoming 2-15-05 Jackson, KY Jackson City held it's homecoming this past Saturday. During intermission between, Junior Varsity & Varsity games with Estill County, JCS selected it's Homecoming Queen & Runner-Up. Daniel McIntyre was selected as Homecoming queen while her sister, Jessica was name runner-up. Jackson City Boys basketball capped off the night with a hard fought 69-61 win over Estill County. HOMECOMING PHOTOS HERE Jackson Woman Injured in Auto Accident 1-28-05 Jackson, KY Jackson resident, Sally Dunn is listed in critical condition, at UK, following a two car accident at the intersection of Back Lane & Hwy 15, near KFC. Sally Dunn, who was driving a red 1994 Buick Skylark, was attempting to make a left hand turn onto KY Hwy 15 from Back Lane, (KFC), when she ran the stop and go signal, and pulled into the path of Melinda Napier of Jackson who was driving a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Ms. Napier could not avoid the Dunn Vehicle and hit it broadside in the drivers door. The accident is still under investigation. Accident Photos Here |