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| Archives Page # 17 |
| Eldery Woman Found 9-12-04
The body of an elderly lady was discovered by her family at her home in the Little Leatherwood area of Breathitt Co. on September 11, 2004. The elderly lady was pronounced deceased by the Breathitt County Coroner's Office at 4:40 PM. The deceased was identified as 94 year old Eurabane Neace of Little Leatherwood.Kentucky State Police and Breathitt County Coroner's continue the investigation into the manner and cause of death. Breathitt Online News Hits 1,000,000 mark. 9-5-04 Jackson, Ky. On Sunday September 5th, 2004 at approximately 11:30 a.m. Breathitt Online News had their 1,000,000th page visit to their site. Breathitt Online News was started in early 2002 and became an official business on April 5th, 2002. Breathitt Online News was the brainchild of Ron Hamblin, Danny Fugate & Bobby Thorpe Jr. As with anything, changes come and go, and in our case it was a bitter sweet change. We parted ways with our friend Bobby Thorpe Jr. as he became the Breathitt County Coroner. We are all proud of the job Bobby has done. When we began, we had a goal of 100,000 visits our 1st year , and 225,000 our 3rd year. We had hoped by the end of our 3rd year, we would have 350,000 page visits. Well here it is, 2 years and 5 months and we have 1,000,000 page visits, far exceeding any of our expectations. Currently we have 1,500 page visits a day. It is with our deepest appreciation that we say THANK YOU to everyone who has visited this site! Former employee of Henry County attorney pleads guilty to theft of child support funds FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 24, 2004)-A former employee of the Henry County attorney has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the theft or attempted theft of more than $16,000 in undistributed child support funds. Under a plea agreement, she has also repaid the amount she stole and paid for the costs of investigating her attempted fraud and stopping payment on checks. Theressa Y. Clements, 45, of Pleasureville, Ky., pleaded guilty May 14 to multiple counts of theft and attempted theft, unlawful access to a computer, tampering with physical evidence and criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree. Sentencing in Franklin Circuit Court is set for July 16. Clements' plea agreement calls for a recommended sentence of eight years. Prosecutors agreed to take no position on probation provided she pay restitution of $9,951 and pledge never again to seek employment with the state or with any child support enforcement program. Clements was indicted last December after an investigation revealed that she had been directing child support checks to herself. Last October, one of those checks went astray and the person who received it alerted the staff of Henry County Attorney Virginia Harrod, who in turn alerted state child support officials. Harrod, like many county attorneys in Kentucky, administers child support jointly with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Steven Veno, the cabinet's child support director, said Clements' restitution covers $5,047 she actually stole, the costs of stopping payment on another $11,361 she tried to steal and the cost of the work time that state and county child support officials spent investigating the case. Veno said he hopes Clements' plea agreement "sends a clear message that the cabinet fully intends to prosecute these matters and also intends whenever possible to seek restitution" of all associated losses and costs. PRESCRIPTION DRUGS - WHAT DRUGS REALLY COST 3-22-04 (Story submitted via email, we are not responsible for it's content) Did you ever wonder how much it costs a drug company for the active ingredient in prescription medications? Some people think it must cost a lot, since many drugs sell for more than $2.00 per tablet. We did a search of offshore chemical synthesizers that supply the active ingredients found in drugs approved by the FDA. As we have revealed in past issues of Life Extension, a significant percentage of drugs sold in the United States contain active ingredients made in other countries. In our independent investigation of how much profit drug companies really make, we obtained the actual price of active ingredients used in some of the most popular drugs sold in America. The chart below speaks for itself. This is based on 100 pills. BRAND STRENGTH WE PAY STORE COST MARK UP Celebrex 100 mg $130.27 $0.60 21,712% Claritin 10 mg $215.17 $0.71 30,306% Keflex 250 mg $157.39 $1.88 8,372% Lipitor 20 mg $272.37 $5.80 4,696% Norvasc 10 mg $188.29 $0.14 134,493% Paxil 20 mg $220.27 $7.60 2,898% Prevacid 30 mg $44.77 $1.01 34,136% Prilosec 20 mg $360.97 $0.52 69,417% Prozac 20 mg $247.47 $0.11 224,973% Tenormin 50 mg $104.47 $0.13 80,362% Vasotec 10 mg $102.37 $0.20 51,185% Xanax 1mg $136.79 $0.024 569,958% Zestril 20 mg $89.89 $3.20 2,809% Zithromax 600mg $1,482.19 $18.78 7,892% Zocor 40mg $350.27 $8.63 4,059% Zoloft 50mg $206.87 $1.75 11,821% Since the cost of prescription drugs is so outrageous, I thought everyone I knew should know about this. Please read the following and pass it on. It pays to shop around. This helps to solve the mystery as to why they can afford to put a Walgreens on every corner.................. On Monday night, Steve Wilson, an investigative reporter for channel 7 News in Detroit, did a story on generic drug price gouging by pharmacies. He found in his investigation, that some of these generic drugs were marked up as much as 3,000% or more. Yes, that's not a typo..... three thousand percent! So often, we blame the drug companies for the high cost of drugs, and usually rightfully so. But in this case, the fault clearly lies with the pharmacies themselves. For example, if you had to buy a prescription drug, and bought the name brand, you might pay $100 for 100 pills. The pharmacist might tell you that if you get the generic equivalent, they would only cost $80, making you think you are "saving" $20. What the pharmacist is not telling you is that those 100 generic pills may have only cost him $10! At the end of the report, one of the anchors asked Mr. Wilson whether or not there were any pharmacies that did not adhere to this practice, and he said that Costco consistently charged little over their cost for the generic drugs. I went to the Costco site, where you can look up any drug, and get its online price. It says that the in-store prices are consistent with the online prices. I was appalled. Just to give you one example from my own experience, I had to use the drug, Compazine, which helps prevent nausea in chemo patients. I used the generic equivalent, which cost $54.99 for 60 pills at CVS. I checked the price at Costco, and I could have bought 100 pills for $19.89. For 145 of my pain pills, I paid $72.57. I could have got 150 at Costco for $28.08. I would like to mention, that although Costco is a "membership" type store, you do NOT have to be a member to buy prescriptions there, as it is a federally regulated substance. You just tell them at the door that you wish to use the pharmacy, and they will let you in. Breathitt Co. Coroners Office Bobby Thorpe, Jr. –Coroner 1154 Main Street Jackson, KY 41339 April 14, 2004 PRESS RELEASE Name of Victim: Sammy Turner Age and Address of Victim: 70 y/o Male from Talbert KY Date and Time of Death: 04/13/2004 @ 1040 PM @ Hwy 315 Turners Creek Pronounced Dead by: Calvin Saum- Deputy Coroner. Location and details of death: Death occurred near the Old Turners Creek School on Hwy 315. Mr. Turner was a pedestrian that was struck by vehicle operated by Coy Turner of Booneville, Ky. Mr Turner was pronounced dead at the scene at 1040 PM as a result of multiple trauma by the Breathitt County Coroners Office. Other details not available at this time. Ky State Police & Breathitt County Coroner’s Office continue the investigation. Single Vehicle Crash Results in Arrest of Driver 4-30-04 FRANKFORT, Ky. - A single vehicle crash on Interstate 64 near the 75 mile marker injured a seven month old infant and resulted in the arrest of the infant's mother, the vehicle operator. At approximately 7 a.m. this morning, Robin E. Broudis was traveling east on Interstate 64 when she lost control of a 1998 Ford Explorer. The vehicle struck two guardrails and overturned in the roadway. A passenger, seven month old Mackenzie Baker, was ejected from the vehicle during the crash. Both Broudis and Baker were transported to the University of Kentucky Medical Center. Baker has been admitted to the medical center and is being treated for her injuries. Robin Broudis of Lexington, 27 years of age, was subsequently arrested and charged with: Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol (Second Offense) Operating on a Suspended Operator's License No Insurance Failure to Use Child Restraint Device in Vehicle Endangering the Welfare of a Minor Assault Second Degree Broudis was lodged in the Fayette County Detention Center. The investigation into the crash is continuing by Kentucky State Police Trooper David P. Jude. Local Residents survive crash 5-3-04 The Jackson Fire Department recieved a report of a two-vehicle motor vehicle accident on Highway 15 South at Ned near the mouth of Cockrell's Fork. Crews from Jackson responded to the scene and found an older model Toyota Tercel had collided with a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban in the curve in front of Jeff's Body Shop. The Tercel was driven by a resident from Avawan Ky. The Suburban was driven by Brenda Combs of Jackson. Eugene Combs was a passenger in the Suburban. The accident occurred around 3:27 pm on 5-2-04. Crews, assisted by 10-12 rescue personnel from the Grapevine-Chavies Fire Department, removed the driver of the Tercel and his minor son who had both recieved multiple injuries. There were 14 members from the Jackson Fire Department. The driver of the Chevrolet Suburban and her passenger received minor injuried related to seatbelts but did not recieved any cuts. All four were transported to the Hazard ARH. No alcohol was involved in the accident. The accident is still under investigation by KSP Trooper Robert Woods. We will have photos as soon as they become available. Photos Click Here Local Resident Expresses Frustration 5-9-04 Jackson, Ky A local resident, decided she would show her frustration with the local Protective & Permenency office by posting signs on her vehicle, outside the local Protective & Permanency office. According to this resident, she was in dispute with the local office over the removal of her children from her home. Representatives from the local office refused to comment on the situation, noting confidentiality. Mike Jennings, Protective & Permanency representative from Frankfort, stated he was not aware of the situation, and that he welcomed the resident to contact him and discuss her concerns. He stated that the state had several avenues for individuals who had complaints or concerns with their local office. We will have more on this story as details become available. The name of the resident is being withheld due to the pending case with her children. Breathitt County man dies in vehicle accident Coroners Office Bobby Thorpe, Jr. –Coroner 1154 Main Street Jackson, KY 41339 May 24, 2004 PRESS RELEASE Name of Victim: Greg Banks Age and Address of Victim: 23 y/o white male from Frazier Lane, Jackson, Ky. Date and Time of Death: 05/23/2004 @ Approx 3 PM. at Ky Hwy 476 Clayhole Ky. Pronounced Dead by: Bobby Thorpe –Coroner. Location and details of death: Victim was operating a motor vehicle in the Clayhole Community of Hwy 476 when he lost control of the vehicle causing it to overturn and victim died from head trauma. Seat Belts were not in use. Victim pronounced dead at the scene at 3:55 PM. Ky State Police and Breathitt Co. Coroner’s Office continue the investigation. Photo Click Here May 24, 2004 PRESS RELEASE Name of Victim: Jayven Hunter Johnson Age and Address of Victim: 2 y/o white male from Smith Branch Road Jackson, Ky. Date and Time of Death: 05/21/2004 @ Approx 11:10 AM. at Ky Hwy 1098 Portsmouth Ky. Pronounced Dead by: Bobby Thorpe-Coroner. Location and details of death: Victim was a passenger in a 1987 Toyota Truck being operated by his mother Angelina Prater Johnson when the truck left the roadway and struck a tree. Victim was transported to KRMC by Breathitt Co. Ambulance where he was pronounced dead at 11:10 am. Victim was not in a child restraint seat and it is unclear whether the child was in a seatbelt. Ky State Police and Breathitt Co. Coroner’s Office continues the investigation. Photo Click Here 4-12-04 The Breathitt Coalition on drugs continues to grow and make progress. This past week the Coalition adopted it's new name. N.I.T.W.I.T. which stands for, Narcotics Intervention Treatment...Whatever It Takes. The meeting also elected Committee Members Chair persons, who will sit on the Breathitt Coalition Main Committee. Those elected by their peers were; Court Watch - Gerry Hurst Treatment/Aftercare - Austin Rogers Medical Advisory - Tom Parr Family Support - Mildred Lee-Rogers Neighborhood Watch - Bobby Thorpe Education - Deana Robinson Fundraising - Donna Fraley Youth Activities - Joe Isaacs The Breathitt Coalition Board of Directors include; Chairman - Rose Wolfe Co-Chairman - Karen Bunn Secretary - Marilyn Haddix Treasurer - Bobby Thorpe Public Relations - Ron Hamblin The Next Meeting for the Breathitt Coaltion on drugs will be, May 10th, 2004, at 6:30p.m. The meeting will be held at the Breathitt Life Skills Center. Teens Reaching Out to Teens KICK BUTTS DAY - NINE YEARS AND KICKIN' FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 23, 2004) -- In an effort to educate others, hundreds of teens across the state are planning Kick Butts Day activities - events aimed at educating teens about the health risks of tobacco use, and alerting the public to the marketing practices of the tobacco industry. Although Kick Butts Day - March 31 -- will fall during spring break for most Kentucky students, many areas have scheduled their activities before or after the early April school holiday. Currently, 34 percent of Kentucky high school students smoke; 15 percent of middle school students smoke. Both rates are well in excess of the national averages of 28 percent and 11 percent respectively. To meet the Healthy Kentuckians 2010 goals, current cigarette smoking must be reduced to 28 percent for high school students. "I'm glad to see our teens involved in helping to spread the word about the harm tobacco can cause," said Dr. Rice Leach, commissioner of the Department for Public Health. "Teens don't realize just how easy it is to become addicted by smoking just a few cigarettes before they leave high school. If we can encourage them not to start we can save lives and lower health care costs at the same time." Kick Butts Day is a national teen initiative to encourage teens to take an active role in choosing a healthier lifestyle - one that does not include tobacco use. Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. In Kentucky, nearly 8,000 die each year as a result of tobacco use. Every day more than 4,000 kids nationwide try their first cigarette; another 2,000 become addicted smokers. Across the state, teens will participate in a variety of Kick Butts Day activities to increase awareness of the effects of tobacco use. Early Morning Bus Wreck Injuries several 2-18-04 Lost Creek Ky. An early morning bus accident has injured several children and a bus driver. The accident occured around 7:00am this morning at the junction of 476 & Ky Hwy 15 at Lostcreek. The bus driver was apparently attempting to cross Hwy 15 to the Marie Roberts side, when it pulled into the path of a tractor trailer hauling logs. According to Sheriff John L. Turner, the driver apparently tries to swerve to miss the bus. The log truck hit the front of the bus then traveled through the guardrail and over an embankment coming to rest on the river bed. By trying to avoid this terrible accident, the log truck driver may have saved numerous lives, by avoiding hitting the bus broadside. We will have more on this story as it develops. The accident and causes are still under investigation. **UPDATE** 2-18-04 12:35pm 44 total patients were seen at Kentucky River Medical Center. including, 1 bus monitor, 1 bus driver, and the truck driver, all were taken to hospital. At this time no injuries are life threatening. One child was transported to another location. We will have more as it becomes available. Kentucky State police report: Type: ACCIDENT Date: 2-18-2004 Time: 0710 County: BREATHITT Location: JCT. OF KY 15 & 476 Investigating Officer: TROOPER TIM KILBURN Other Officer/Agency: KENTUCKY STATE POLICE Summary: A 1996 INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL BUS BEING OPERATED BY 74 YEAR OLD KATHERINE NOBLE WAS ATTEMPTING TO CROSS KY. 15 FROM THE KY. 476 INTERSECTION WHEN IT WAS STRUCK BY A 1994 INTERNATIONAL TRUCK BEING OPERATED BY 65 YEAR OLD EDWARD WRIGHT OF WEST LIBERTY, KY. AT THIS TIME IT APPEARS THAT THE OPERATOR OF THE SCHOOL BUS FAILED TO SEE THE LOG TRUCK. ALL 41 STUDENTS ABOARD THE BUS WERE TAKEN TO THE EKRMC IN JACKSON TO BE CHECKED BY THE HOSPITAL. BOTH OPERATORS AND 5 STUDENTS WERE ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL. NONE OF THE INJURIES RECEIVED DURING THE ACCIDENT APPEAR TO BE LIFE THREATENING. AT THIS TIME TROOPER TIM KILBURN IS CONTINUING THE INVESTIGATION Complete Photos Click Here Life Care Owner Found Guilty of Insurance Fraud 4-27-04 Jackson, Ky. According to Court Records, Michael D. Johnson, former Owner of Life Care Ambulance, was adjudged guilty on or about, April, 2004, of (3) Three Counts of Fraudulent Insurance Acts over $300.00 and Failure to Maintain Insurance. Michael D. Johnson was sentenced to (3) Three years in the State Penitentiary and $10,000 for each of the 3 counts of Fraudulent Insurance Acts over $300.00 and 90 days a $1,000.00 fine for failure to maintain Insurance. Jail time to run concurrently and probated for 18 months. Fines to run concurrently. Defendant to pay $5,00 and the remaining $6,000 suspended. Defendant is to perform 156 hours of community service and shall maintain auto insurance. This case stems from charges due to a Life Care Ambulance involved in a fatal accident on Hwy 30, near the Breathitt Detention Center Photo Here Breathitt County Younger Women’s Club 8-20-04 On August 17, 2004, the Breathitt County Younger Women’s Club, along with the Juniorettes, met at the Breathitt County Life Skills Center. This meeting was a new members meeting and dinner. The evening began with a nice meal and was followed with the meeting. President Patty Wilder led the meeting as we discussed upcoming and future events. She also explained the club to the new future members. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Breathitt County Younger Women’s Club, feel free to call 666-2458 or write: Breathitt County Younger Women’s Club, P.O. Box 158, Lost Creek, KY 41348. Vice President Renee Snowden met with the Juniorettes. This is for young ladies between the ages of 12 – 17. If you are interested in the Juniorette Club, feel free to call 666-2458 or e-mail junioretteclub1@hotmail.com. Buckle up or Pay 5-20-04 (FRANKFORT, KY) - Kentuckians will be surrounded with the strong message, "Buckle up Kentucky - It's the Law and It's Enforced" as the Kentucky State Police join more than 13,000 law enforcement agencies in a nationwide crack down on those who violate seat belt laws. The message will be targeted particularly to teens and young adults, the age group least likely to buckle up. The "It's the Law and It's Enforced" message will be seen and heard in television and radio ads and through enforcement events conducted by both state and local law enforcement agencies all across the state. The two-week enforcement wave, which runs from May 24 through June 6, will be supported by more than $30 million in Congressionally-funded national and state advertising. The Kentucky Governor's Highway Safety Program is publicizing the enforcement mobilization through innovative new television commercials featuring "Buckle Up Chuck," an animated character derived from the seat belt warning indicator light found on all vehicle dashboards. Radio ads using "Chuck's" voice have also been developed. The ads will air through May 30th during TV and radio programming that appeals to young adults. Last May, the nationwide law enforcement mobilization and advertising campaign increased the U.S. average seat belt usage rate to its highest rate ever, 79 percent. Methadone abuse hits state hard 345 deaths in 17 months tied to drug 5-9-04 By ALAN MAIMON The Courier-Journal PHOTOS BY TIM WEBB, SPECIAL TO THE C-J Methadone has become Kentucky's deadly drug of choice, investigators and many coroners say. More than 340 Kentuckians have died from overdoses related to the synthetic narcotic since January 2003, according to a survey by The Courier-Journal. A top Eastern Kentucky drug investigator said methadone is replacing OxyContin as the region's most abused prescription drug. Methadone, invented in Germany during World War II as a substitute for morphine and used now as a painkiller and to treat heroin addiction, has found new popularity because of tighter controls on OxyContin, authorities said. "Most of your big pain treatment centers and doctors quit prescribing as much OxyContin and started prescribing methadone," said Dan Smoot, a former state police detective who is head of law enforcement for the federally funded anti-drug task force Operation UNITE in Hazard. No county in Eastern Kentucky has been hit harder than Breathitt, population 16,000. Since January 2003, 40 people have died from a combination of methadone and either alcohol, another painkiller or a tranquilizer, according to Bobby Thorpe, the county coroner. In Jefferson County, 34 people have died from methadone-related overdoses in the past 16 months, by far the most of any drug, Chief Deputy Coroner Mark Handy said. On average, Kentucky has about 400 overdose deaths annually from all drugs, said Tracy Corey, the state's medical examiner. No agency keeps a statewide total of methadone-related deaths, but The Courier-Journal called coroners or deputy coroners in all 120 counties. As of Friday, 80 from all parts of the state had responded, reporting a total of 345 deaths linked to the drug since January 2003. Those counties represent about 75 percent of Kentucky's population. Some coroners who responded to the survey, which began the last week in April, said their methadone figures were estimates rather than precise counts. Asked about the results of the survey, Lt. Gov. Steve Pence, who also is the state's justice secretary, said, "It disturbs me." In an interview Friday, Pence discussed the possibility of creating a "central depository on drug overdose deaths" to track whether certain areas are having abuse epidemics. A team of 50 state, local and federal officials is compiling a report on Kentucky's substance-abuse issues, and Pence said the report will go to Gov. Ernie Fletcher on June 20. Overdose victims The survey of coroners showed that many victims have died from combining methadone with sedatives. Bonnie Honaker, who lives in the Lost Creek community of Perry County, lost her sister to a lethal mixture of methadone and what her family described as nerve pills. On the day after Christmas last year, 41-year old Jackie Melson, a mother of six, died in her Breathitt County home in Flintville, one of 10 county residents who died that month from a methadone-related overdose, according to Thorpe, the coroner. Honaker said she knew that her sister occasionally abused drugs but that she was on the verge of getting her life back in order. She said Melson recently had moved from Columbia, Ky., to be closer to her parents and had told her family that the move marked a new start. "She always called me and said, `I'm tryin' to straighten my life up,'" said Melson's 23-year-old daughter, Jennifer York, who lives in Cartersville, Ga. "I think she was real close to doing that when she died." Dean Craft, a Kentucky State Police detective in Hazard, said an investigation into Melson's death is still open. In 2001, Kentucky physicians wrote more than 150,000 prescriptions for OxyContin, but that dropped to 130,000 in 2003, according to the Cabinet for Health Services. Meanwhile, the number of methadone prescriptions increased by about 340,000, to nearly 2.7million, during that time. Authorities seized more methadone than any other drug during a series of investigations earlier this year that led to warrants for the arrest of more than 200 street-level drug traffickers in the region, Smoot said. Abusers, who span a wide range of ages, often crush and snort methadone with other drugs, or dissolve them in liquid and inject them. The combination can produce a lethal high by leading to respiratory failure or a heart attack, coroners said. With a prescription, 90 tablets of methadone are available for about $40 at a pharmacy, Smoot said, and one methadone tablet on the street sells for around $12. Methadone wafers — large sheets of the drug used at, and sometimes stolen from, methadone clinics — sell for $50 on the street. `Deadly cocktail' Karen Engle, executive director of Operation UNITE, referred to methadone and certain sedatives as a "deadly cocktail." Thorpe, the Breathitt County coroner who has a locker full of methadone pills taken from overdose scenes, said most of the deaths there were attributed to methadone tablets prescribed by doctors and either given to the victims or trafficked on the street. The increase in methadone prescriptions and deaths related to the drug come at a time when OxyContin has become less available, partly because of publicity about the abuse epidemic that included the conviction of at least seven Eastern Kentucky doctors for overprescribing the powerful painkiller. But the methadone-related deaths have received little of the fanfare associated with Oxyfest, a 2001 operation that led to the arrest of 207 drug dealers. In announcing Oxyfest in February 2001, authorities said OxyContin had killed 59 Kentuckians in the previous year. Some coroners pointed out that OxyContin abuse is still a problem. Lawrence County Coroner Mike Wilson said six people in his county have died of OxyContin-related overdoses in the past 16 months, but the county has had only one methadone-related death in that time. Last month, officials announced the largest drug crackdown in the state. Smoot said about half of more than 200 arrests involving eight Eastern Kentucky counties were for possession or trafficking of methadone. Medical fallout Elsewhere, a Louisville doctor had his medical license suspended last year after 10 patients in his care died from methadone overdoses, said Handy, the chief deputy coroner. The doctor, David Thurman, has since had his license restored by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, but he is prohibited from prescribing controlled substances pending a full hearing scheduled for later this month. Thurman also is under state investigation stemming from the patient deaths, said Alex Dathorne, an assistant commonwealth's attorney in Jefferson County. Thurman declined to comment, but his attorney, J. Fox DeMoisey, said the case is a good example of how doctors are made scapegoats when patients in their care overdose. "The simple fact is that methadone in prescribed dosages should not have this effect," DeMoisey said. "When a physician gives medicine and says you should take it in a certain way and a patient doesn't listen, how does a doctor bear responsibility?" Grady Stumbo, a Hindman physician and former chairman of the Professional Activities Committee at ARH Hazard Regional Medical Center, said doctors need to recognize when patients seek prescriptions for illegitimate purposes. "We're part of the problem because we're making too many of these drugs available," Stumbo said. "But we're part of the solution, too, if we take a greater stand and speak out and keep that from happening." Some prosecutors hope that methadone cases lead to criminal charges against doctors and other people who knowingly give someone a fatal combination. "If we start bringing charges for murder, it'll scare the hell out of people," said Perry Commonwealth's Attorney John Hansen. Some pharmacies, meanwhile, are watching how many methadone prescriptions they fill, and in what doses. Brenda Turner, a Breathitt County pharmacist, said her pharmacy plans to stop stocking 10-milligram methadone tablets starting in June in response to the high number of deaths. Rural areas hit hard Other Appalachian states also have seen an increase in methadone-related deaths. Dr. William Massello III, Virginia's assistant chief medical examiner in Roanoke, said 85 methadone-related overdose deaths were reported last year in southwestern Virginia, an area with around 1.5 million people. "Methadone is a very deadly drug," Massello said. "And this seems to be happening in many rural areas in America." A report released in March by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration said that nationwide, most methadone-related deaths are a result of diverted pharmaceuticals and not from methadone taken at or from treatment centers. Mac Bell, the state narcotic authority commissioner at the Cabinet for Health Services, said strict regulation and monitoring of Kentucky's methadone clinics indicates that drug abusers are getting methadone elsewhere. "From the reports I'm getting from the field, the methadone is not coming from our clinics," Bell said. "It's coming from pain management clinics." Methadone clinics dispense the drug in liquid form on site, and clients are permitted to take home doses only after showing an ability to remain clean. Of Kentucky's 12 methadone facilities, 10 are private clinics and two are publicly funded, Bell said. But the number of Kentuckians receiving methadone treatment for opiate addiction has increased from 200 in 1995 to more than 1,500 this year, Bell said. In Breathitt County, only one of the 40 people who died from a methadone-related overdose in the past 16 months was a client at a methadone clinic, Thorpe said. 3-16-04 Here is an eyewitness account of the bombing of the train in Madrid -from my friend Steffie. She taught at Jackson City School for a year. She lived with us for that year. From Estefanía Ortega to Peggy Hello Peggy, Oh, finally I can get in touch with you! I am so glad!! I have not received any other message from you, just this one I am answering you back. This is horrible, in here. Oh Peggy, we are all so pitiful. I cannot believe what happened! it looks like lately as a terrible nightmare. I live 3 minutes walking from the train station. I take the train at 8.05 every morning. I was so lucky that train was not mine. The images taken from the dead people are sorrowful and horrible, Peggy. I was at homegetting ready to leave when I heard three explosions and felt my house move. I went down with the elevator and went out to the street where I knew the news because many people were running down through my stree crying out and plenty of panic. I anwered about it to a man who were crying and he told me to come back right then to my house because there were more bombs!! and the police were trying to move people away from the area because it was getting dangerous. I started to call the people who works with me and take the train too. cellphones did not work. I started to panic. I did not know what to do if go home or take the subway and get away! I called my family and tell the news. Oh Peggy! I will not forget those hours. Next day I took the train in the morning. I did it today too. You cannot even imagine what people look like. We lost the elections. I dont like that president. He won taking profit from this situation. we chaged government! I think Bush must be sad. He loved Aznar and his people. Oh, Peggy. why do people behave in that way? I was mising you so much. Love, Estefanía Ortega Breathitt Grand Jury Week Ending 3-21-04 Commonwealth vs. Criminial information and waiver of Grand Jury Indictment Pursuant to RCr.6.04 Michael D. Johnson Defendant On or about February 4, 2003, the Defendant, Michael D. Johnson, committed the offense of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (over $300), where he knowingly and with the intent to defraud or deceive issued and presented to the Breathitt County Clerk a fake or counterfeit insurance identification card to renew the registration on a 1996 Ford Ambulance. On or about February 4, 2003, the Defendant, Michael D. Johnson, committed the offense of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (over $300), where he knowingly and with the intent to defraud or deceive issued and presented to the Breathitt County Clerk a fake or counterfeit insurance identification card to renew the registration on a 1991 Ford Ambulance. On or about February 4, 2003, the Defendant, Michael D. Johnson, committed the offense of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (over $300), where he knowingly and with the intent to defraud or deceive issued and presented to the Breathitt County Clerk a fake or counterfeit insurance identification card to renew the registration on a 1994 Ford Ambulance. On or about May 15, 2003, the Defendant, Michael D. Johnson, committed the offense of failing to maintain insurance as required, when he as Owner of Life Care Ambulance permitted the 1994 Ford Ambulance to be operated on the highway. 4-12-04 Letter to the Editor and the children of Breathitt Co., Regarding the ad put in the paper by the Breathitt Board of Education. I resent the word AGAINST the Breathitt county schools. That implies that I am against the children that attend the county schools. I have never and never will be against any child. I have spent a lifetime working with children. I never once asked a child where they went to school or where they were from. I paid dearly for the right to do with what I choose with property that own. I Served two tours of duty in Vietnam for the freedoms I have. I was wounded both tours of duty. I would do it again if my country asked. I spilled my blood on land that belonged to someone else, so that I would have the freedom to do with my land what I wanted. I am against no child or their parents. My children attended Breathitt county schools and graduated ftom there. My grandchildren attend Jackson City School. I have a daughter and daughter by marriage that works for the school. Do I not have the right to help my family in a time of need? Who chooses the freedoms for which I have the right to exert? Both schools have handled this matter wrong. Both school systems deserve a right to exist. Both need to sit down and work this matter out. But make no mistake, I have not now nor ever will be AGAINST any child. To imply this is wrong, very wrong. God bless all the children and my he guide both boards to do the right thing. Letter Submitted and Signed by: Arthur R. Wolfe Breathitt County Younger Women’s Club 4-26-04 The Breathitt County Younger Women’s Club held it’s last meeting on Tuesday, April 20th at City Hall. Nan Combs from Social Services was the guest speaker. She came and talked about Child Prevention Month and how we can help make the world a safer place for children. During this meeting they discussed several things that has to do with the club. One of these was elect new officers for the 2004-2005 year. The new officers for 2004-2005 are: President – Patty Wilder Vice President – Renee Snowden Treasurer – Carmen Watts Corresponding Secretary – Chrystal Noble Recording Secretary – Bonnie Combs Parliamentarian – Holly Griffith The installation dinner will be held on May 3 at 6:30 at the Feed Store, along with the Breathitt County Women’s Club. American History Teacher Nominations Needed Frankfort, KY (April 28, 2004) - The Kentucky Historical Society announces the national Preserve America History Teacher of the Year Award program to honor outstanding teachers of American history across the country. KHS is administering the state contest for Preserve America, a multifaceted initiative of the White House supported through partnerships with various history organizations. Nominations will be accepted through May 15, 2004. Kentucky history teachers, K-12, are eligible for nomination and will be selected based on the following criteria: § a deep career commitment to teaching American history § evidence of creativity and imagination in the classroom § close attention to documents, artifacts, historic sites and other primary materials of history § demonstrated effectiveness in improving students' knowledge of and enthusiasm for American history Kentucky's "History Teacher of the Year" will receive a $1,000 cash prize, a plaque and an archive of primary source material donated by the Gilder-Lehrman Institute of American History, for use in his/her school's library. Kentucky's finalist will be nominated for the "National History Teacher of the Year" award. For more information about this program, please call (502) 564-1792, ext. 4475 or visit the Web at http://history.ky.gov/Teachers/am_hist_teach.htm. Man dies in Motorcycle Accident 5-9-04 Vancleve, Ky. Eddie McIntosh, 50, of Booneville Ky. was pronounced dead around 9:30 p.m. Saturday May 8th, 2004, by Breathitt County Coroner, Bobby Thorpe Jr.. Mr. McIntosh was traveling on Hwy 205 towards Jackson when he crossed the center line and hit a SUV truck head-on. The truck, a white Avalanche, was driven by Margaret Combs of Jackson. The Avalanche sustained moderate damage. It was not known if Mrs. Combs was injured. The accident is still under investigation by the Kentucky State Police. It is not known at this time, why Mr. McIntosh crossed the centerline. Long Live Ray Charles By: Renee Snowden 6-10-04 Ray Charles,73, passed away on June 10, 2004 at his home in Beverly Hills.. Charles had many fans of all ages. Charles who went blind at age seven, still rose to fame with songs like “Georgia on My Mind”, and “Hit The Road Jack.” Charles was sent to a school for the deaf and blind in Florida, where his gift and life long passion for music emerged. 2 Yr. Old Dies in car wreck 5-21-04 Southfork, Ky. A 2 yr. old boy is dead after the truck his mother was driving left the road and hit a tree. Angelina Prater, of Smith Branch Road, in Southfork, was traveling West Bound on 1098, (towards Jackson,) when her Toyota truck gradually left the roadway. The truck traveled roughly 125 feet before it struck a tree on the passenger side. According to Trooper Sumner, of the Kentucky State Police, neither the mother nor the 2 yr. old child appeared to be wearing a seatbelt or a child safety device. Both were transported to the Kentucky River Medical Center, where the 2 year old boy was pronounced dead by the Breathitt County Coroner, Bobby Thorpe Jr. at 11:10am, as a result of Head Trauma and no Safety belt or child seat.. The accident is still under investigation by the Kentucky State Police. Click here for Photos "You Drink & Drive. You Lose" Enforcement Campaign Begins August 27, 2004 (FRANKFORT, Ky.) - The Kentucky State Police Governor's Highway Safety Program advises motorists throughout the Commonwealth that extra enforcement efforts targeting impaired drivers will begin Aug. 27 and continue through Sept. 12. As part of the nationwide "You Drink & Drive. You Lose" traffic enforcement campaign, law enforcement agencies across the state will maximize their presence on the state's roadways through extra personnel and duty hours, saturation patrols and traffic safety checkpoints designed to catch impaired drivers and lock them up. "Unfortunately, many law-abiding citizens continue to view impaired driving merely as a traffic offense," says KSP Commissioner Mark Miller. "Impaired driving is no accident nor is it a victimless crime. It is one of the most frequently committed violent crimes. Every 30 minutes, nearly 50 times a day, someone dies in an alcohol-related crash." The "You Drink & Drive. You Lose" campaign began in 1999 and is funded by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). It combines highly visible law enforcement activities with a $14 million national advertising program aimed at 21- to 34-year old males. Research identifies this group as the most likely to drive impaired. NHTSA estimates that 17,401 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in 2003. Research shows that three out of four Americans strongly endorse the use of strict and severe penalties against impaired drivers to protect themselves and their loved ones. As a result, KSP will follow a zero tolerance policy regarding impaired drivers. "There will be no second chances," notes Capt. Brad Bates, commander of the KSP Community Relations Branch. "If a motorist has a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or above, they will be arrested, booked, fingerprinted and jailed. They'll face an expensive and time-consuming process of arranging bail, finding a lawyer, appearing in court, paying fines and court costs and a possibility of losing their license or serving a sentence." "The message is simple," he adds. "If you drive impaired, you will be arrested. It's not worth the consequences." An early morning house fire in eastern Kentucky leaves one person dead The home that caught on fire around 5:30 Wednesday morning, August 18th, 2004 in Hardshell. 22 year old J.R. campbell was living in the house. "Our job right now is to assist Dr. Emily Craig with evidence recovery we'll be collecting all the evidence around the scene and as soon as we get all the evidence and the body packaged we'll be sending it to Frankfort for an autopsy," Calvin Saum Deputy Coroner. Officials are now saying the deadly fire in Breathitt County was an accident. The Wednesday morning fire in the Hardshell community claimed the life of 22 year old Stanley Ray Campbell Junior. The exact cause of the fire has not been determined, but foul play is not suspected. CORONER PRESS RELEASE: House Fire August 18, 2004 at Hardshell, Ky 08/19/2004 The Breathitt County Coroner's Office received a call at 8:05 am on August 18, 2004 of a victim who was deceased in a house fire in the Hardshell Community of Breathitt County. Our office responded and arrived at the scene at 8:47 am. An unidentified male between the age of 20-25 was pronounced dead at 8:50 am. The State Medical Examiners Office was notified and responded to assist our office with retrieval and investigation of the scene. The remains of the unidentified male were transported to the Ky Medical Examiners Office for identification and autopsy to determine manner and cause of death. Foul Play can not be ruled out at this time. The Breathitt Co. Coroner's Office is still investigating the death. UPDATE August 19, 2004 The victim of this fire has been identified as Stanley Ray Campbell. Jr. Age 22 of Hardshell. Cause of death is Smoke Inhalation and manner of death at this time is accidental. Deaton Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements of Mr. Campbell. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends. Bobby Thorpe, Jr. -Coroner School Mediation Ends 5-6-04 Jackson, Ky. Despite being asked by the Kentucky Board of Education to attempt to iron out an agreement through mediation, Breathitt County Schools and Jackson City Schools could not get it done. Although neither school would comment on specifics, it was stated that the parties involved could not reach an agreement. The decision now goes back to the Kentucky State Board of Education where it will hear the case again in early June Body Identified 4-30-04 The Body found on Earl Stevens property in the Noctor area has been identified as Cleta Mae Dunn, 67, of Noctor. Dr. Lee, Forensic Dentist, from Frankfort, positively identified the body. Breathitt County Coroner, Bobby Thorpe Jr. said he was notified Thursday, April 29th at 8:47pm of the confirmation. Mr. Thorpe also stated that he would not jump to conclusions on identifying the body without proper Identification. Although items at the scene gave Mr. Thorpe an avenue to investigate the identity, he stated it was premature for anyone to release the information on a possible identity without getting absolute verification. Mr. Thorpe also stated, The concern and respect for the family was a paramount concern for the Coroner's office. Releasing unconfirmed information in cases like these, only hurts the family of the possible victims. PRESS RELEASE Breathitt Co. Coroners Office Bobby Thorpe, Jr. –Coroner 1154 Main Street PO. Box 741 Jackson, KY 41339 April 24, 2004 PRESS RELEASE Name of Victim: Jane Doe Age and Address of Victim: Approximately 60-70 year old white female. Date and Time of Death: 04/24/04 @ 2:01 PM. at Hwy 30 East On Earl Stevens Property. Pronounced Dead by: Bobby Thorpe –Coroner. Location and details of death: Decomposed remains found on the Earl Stevens Farm on Hwy 30 East. The cause and manner of death is unknown at this time. Body was transported to Ky Medical Examiners Office in Frankfort for identification and autopsy to determine manner and cause of death. Ky State Police and Breathitt County Coroner’s Office continue the investigation. Photos will be posted later. **UPDATE** As of 4-27-04 at 11:42 am there is no positive I.D. of the body found off Hwy 30 on Earl Stevens Property. The body was discovered by Earl Stevens on Saturday, April 24th, 2004 around 1:00pm by Mr. Stevens. Arriving on the scene were K.S.P. Detectives and State Police along with the Breathitt County Coroner and Breathitt Online News. Despite reports to the contrary, No other news sources or law enforcement were there. As soon as a positive I.D. is made and the family notified by authorities, we will update this story. PHOTOS HERE KNOWING WHAT TO DO SAVES LIVES IN FLASH FLOODS FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 15, 2004) - Recent heavy rains are reminders that Kentucky is in the midst of its rainy season - November through May. Although this is the typical flood season, flash floods can occur at any time. Flash flooding is the Number 1 weather-related killer in the United States. Because Kentucky has 89,431 miles of rivers and streams, virtually everyone in the Commonwealth will at sometime or another be in an area susceptible to flash floods. With flash floods, time is short and danger is great. The Kentucky Division of Water offers these suggestions on how to be prepared when flood warnings occur: First of all, have a plan of action. Know where you are, and know where high ground is and how to get there. Keep in mind that you don't have to be at the bottom of a hill to be a target for flash flood dangers. Water runs off higher elevations very rapidly. Stay away from natural streambeds and other drainage channels during and after rainstorms. Never camp on low ground. A flash flood could catch you while you are asleep. A flash flood watch is an advisory that heavy rains may result in flash flooding in the specified area. If one is issued by the National Weather Service for your area: *Listen to area radio and television stations for National Weather Service warnings and reports. *Recall your plans for such an emergency and prepare to move out of danger's way. *If you are on a road, watch for flooding at dips, bridges and low areas. A flash flood warning advises that flash flooding is occurring or is imminent in the specified areas. If a flash flood warning is issued for your area: *Act quickly; you may have only minutes to leave the area. *Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream on foot if water is above your knees. Flood waters can move boulders or heavy trucks, and the depth and speed of swift water is very difficult to judge. *If you are driving, don't try to go through water of unknown depth. If your car stalls in rising water, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground. * Be especially careful at night, when flood dangers are harder to recognize. *Stay tuned to area radio or television for additional information or changing conditions. After the flash flood watch or warning is canceled, continue to stay tuned to the radio or television for follow-up information. General flooding may come later in headwater streams and in major rivers. |