| Breathitt Online News Archives Page #3 |
| Locals Citizens Voice Concern over Raises 5-02 Breathitt County, Ky. Some local residents and candidates are voicing concerns over the recent Special Meeting by the Breathitt County Fiscal Court, to raise the Commissioners salary.It was hoped that the extra money generated from the County going to a 3 Commissioner system, would go towards the benefit of the County. This was not the case. Also the timing of the meeting makes it virtually impossible, for the public to call for another Meeting to dispute the raises. This had to be done by the 1st Monday in May, with a 24 hour notice. In a statement from David Wheeler, candidate for Commissioner District #2, Mr. Wheeler stated that any extra money found in the budget, should be used for the benefit for the County as a whole. Also current Magistrate, James Turner, who voted against the raises, stated that he felt the money could have been used to benefit the County in other ways such as recreation and money for the coroners office. These raises also bring up the question of what will be done with the $40,000 a year salary for Mr. Frank Noble, should a pro-tem not be appointed for the next term. If you have any questions concerning these fiscal court preceedings, you may call the County Judges Executives Office at 666-3800. DNA Testing may exonerate defendant. Kentucky's Innocence Project's work could free man convicted of rape. (Frankfort, Kentucky, June 10, 2002) A motion for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence has been filed in Franklin Circuit Court in the case of Commonwealth v. Herman Douglas May. Mr. May was convicted of rape and sodomy and sentenced on October 13, 1989 to twenty years imprisonment. He has spent the last 12 years of his life incarcerated. Department of Public Advocacy Attorney Marguerite Thomas filed the motion on behalf of Mr. May on June 7, 2002 seeking a new trial and asserting that DNA test results "absolutely exclude the Defendant as the source of the semen and therefore absolutely excludes him as the man who attacked the victim in May, 1988." The motion is set to be heard on June 21, 2002 in Franklin Circuit Court. The Kentucky Innocence Project is a program of the Department of Public Advocacy that was established in September, 2000. The Kentucky Innocence Project functions within the Post-Conviction Branch of DPA and Ms. Thomas is the Manager of the Post-Conviction Branch. Students from the University of Kentucky College of Law and the Northern Kentucky University, Chase College of Law work with the Kentucky Innocence Project as interns. Students from both schools have been involved with the investigation of the May case. The Kentucky Innocence Project has also been the recipient of an Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts Fund (IOLTA) grant from the Kentucky Bar Association. The grant funds were designated to be used for DNA tests for clients of the Kentucky Innocence Project and it was the IOLTA grant funds that provided the source for the testing that excludes Herman May. To date, 110 men have been released from prison across the nation due to new evidence discovered through DNA testing. Mobile homes make up large share of housing in eastern Kentucky 6-02 ROGER ALFORD Associated Press Writer COAL RUN, Ky. - Dorothy Hall likes the view from her mobile home. She can sit on the porch and watch the lunch crowds gather at fast-food restaurants across the street. From her lawn, she sees the constant flow of customers marching in and out of gas stations and the assortment of grocery and department stores on either end of her trailer park. Car doors slam, horns blow, brakes on big trucks grate, and air conditions in neighboring yards drone on. It's a noisy place. "That don't bother me," Hall said. "I've lived here eight years and I've gotten used to it." Census figures show that about one of every two residents in Coal Run, a small city in Pike County, live in mobile homes. Even the Coal Run city hall is in a mobile home. City Clerk Debra Tackett said a welcoming attitude toward mobile homes was a key factor in the town's population spurt between 1990 and 2000. Coal Run, one of the state's smallest cities, more than doubled in population, going from 262 to 577 people over the 10-year census period. Mobile homes make up a large share of the housing market across eastern Kentucky. The census showed, for example, that mobile homes accounted for 44.2 percent of all homes in Magoffin County. At the county level, that was the highest concentration of mobile homes in the state. Nationwide, there were nearly 8.8 million mobile homes, which was 7.6 percent of all housing units in the United States. Kentucky proportionately had nearly twice as many mobile homes. Nine states had higher rates, topped by South Carolina, where one dwelling in five was a mobile home. In Kentucky, the statewide percentage is 14.1 percent. The Census Bureau reported 1,750,927 homes in Kentucky, of which 246,443 were mobile homes. All but one of the top 10 counties in Kentucky by percentage of mobile homes were in the eastern part of the state. Mobile homes accounted for 39.7 percent of all homes in Martin County, 38.7 percent in Breathitt County, 37.5 percent in Wolfe County, 37.3 percent in Pike County, and 35.9 percent in Leslie. "Not everybody can afford a $100,000 house, but yet they want to be homeowners," said Pete Smith, a salesman for a Pikeville mobile home dealer. "Manufactured homes are more affordable and a natural choice." Ewell Balltrip, director the Kentucky Appalachian Commission, said lower prices is only part of the reason for the widespread use of mobile homes. The lack of level land in the rugged region, he said, plays a large role. "It strikes me that the topography of the land is more suited to mobile homes than traditionally built houses," Balltrip said. "In this hilly terrain, you just go in and create a narrow bench on the hillside for the trailer to sit, and that's a lot less expensive than going in an excavating half a mountain for a traditional house seat." A new three-bedroom doublewide can sell for $50,000 less than a comparable traditional home. Thad Vann, executive director of the Kentucky Manufactured Housing Institute, said that's all the reason people need to choose manufactured homes. Balltrip said some people oppose the proliferation of mobile homes, and some cities have banned them from their borders. "They're certainly better than the alternative, which might be homelessness or some 1950s-era Appalachian shanty," Balltrip said. "They're an alternative for folks who either elect to buy that type of housing or who can't afford traditional housing." Chester Damron, 84, a retired school teacher, said he moved to a mobile home in Coal Run when he realized his eyesight and his ability to drive were quickly failing. He and his wife Rose gave up a three-bedroom house at Elkhorn City for the single-wide mobile home where they now live. "This is all we need," Damron said. "We wanted a place where we wouldn't have to drive." Tackett said the willingness of city leaders to allow mobile homes inside the city limits had perhaps the greatest effect the population of Coal Run. One of Coal Run's largest mobile home parks has row after row of single-wide trailers on reclaimed coal mine land. More than 60 families live there. Hall, a widow, said she had lived in an apartment building before moving to her mobile home at Coal Run. "I thought I never would live in a mobile home," she said. "Now I can't think of any place I'd rather live." West Nile Virus Information, Recommendations From Dept. for Public Health FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 5, 2002) -- Kentuckians can help prevent the spread of West Nile Virus by following recommendations from the Department for Public Health in the Cabinet for Health Services. Although Kentucky's West Nile surveillance for the year has begun, no positive test results on humans, birds or mosquito pools have been reported for this year in the state. In 2001, Kentucky reported no human cases, eight positive West Nile horses from eight different counties, 43 positive birds from nine counties, and six positive mosquito pools from Jefferson (four) and Fayette (two). West Nile virus can only be contracted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Even in areas where mosquitoes carry the virus, very few mosquitoes - much less than 1 percent - are infected. Severe illness occurs in less than 1 percent of people bitten by infected mosquitoes. The Department for Public Health advises that the risk of people and/or animals contracting WNV is very small and offers the following facts about and tips for reducing the risk of contact with WNV. To reduce the risk of becoming infected with the virus people can: * Stay indoors at dawn, dusk and in the early evening when mosquitoes are most active. * Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors. * Spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET(N,N-diethyl-meta-touamide) since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. * Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. An effective repellent will contain 30 percent DEET for adults and 10 percent DEET for children. * Whenever you use an insecticide or insect repellent, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's Directions for Use printed on the product. NOTE: Vitamin B and "ultrasonic" devices are NOT effective in preventing mosquito bites. Additionally, people can take the following steps to reduce mosquitoes around their home and neighborhoods by reducing the amount of standing water available for mosquito breeding: * Remove all discarded tires on your property. Used tires are one of the primary breeding areas for mosquitoes. * Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar water-holding containers. * Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors. Make sure roof gutters drain properly, and clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall. Roof gutters can produce millions of mosquitoes each season. * Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use. * Change water in birdbaths. * Clean vegetation and debris from edges of ponds. * Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Aerate or add fish to ornamental ponds. Remember to drain water from pool covers and tarps. * Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property. * Mosquitoes may breed in any puddle that lasts for more than four days. "These measures for reducing standing water are really important because you can personally reduce the number of mosquitoes if you follow this advice," said Dr. Rice Leach, commissioner of the Department for Public Health. Most people who are exposed to the virus will not show symptoms. Even people living in at-risk areas are unlikely to get sick from exposure to the virus. However, mild symptoms may include slight fever and/or headache, possibly with skin rash and swollen lymph glands. A rapid onset of high fever withhead and body aches, neck stiffness, disorientation, stupor and muscle weakness marks more severe infections of encephalitis. Those who may be most at risk are persons over the age of 50 and those with weak immune systems. Kentucky has been actively conducting surveillance for West Nile virus since early 2000. Dead bird surveillance is ongoing throughout the state. Mosquito testing will be continued in five districts that participated last year -- Fayette and Jefferson counties, Northern Kentucky, Gateway District, and Barren River - as well as in the Kentucky River, Green River and Purchase districts. The principal hosts of West Nile virus are numerous species of wild birds. In 1999 and 2000, many bird species were infected with crows and blue jays suffering the highest mortality. State officials are actively seeking reports of unusual bird behavior or deaths in all bird species to determine if the virus is active in the state. Kentuckians can help by reporting any sick or dead birds (usually found singly or in small groups of 2 - 3) to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-858-1549 ext. 352. WNV can also infect other animals such as horses. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture's Division of Animal Health is responsible for directing and coordinating investigations to determine if a horse has become infected with WNV. When a horse shows signs of neurological disorder or an encephalitic disease is suspected, a veterinarian should be consulted. The local veterinarian should then notify the State Veterinarian, Dr. Don Notter, at (502)564-3956. Further information on West Nile Virus and test statistics from 2001 are available on the DPH website at http://publichealth.state.ky.us/west_nile_virus.htm. The website will be updated as testing statistics and other new information is available. West Nile virus surveillance nationally in 2002 has found positive birds in Florida, Louisiana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan, Georgia, Connecticut, and the District of Columbia. Horses have tested positive in Florida and Louisiana. There have been no positive mosquito pools and no confirmed human cases at this time. Memorial set for Highway Deaths Frankfort, KY. –(May 23, 2002)— Today, in front the State Office Building Lieutenant Governor Henry and Secretary of Justice, Ishmon Burks joined Secretary of Transportation, James C. Codell, III in unveiling a memorial dedicated to the loved ones who have lost their lives on Kentucky highways in years past. The monument is one of nine that have been placed at Welcome Centers throughout the Commonwealth. Public Protests Against Fiscal Court Raise Jackson, Ky. A small number of people turned out for a protest in front of the Breathitt County Courthouse on Monday May 20,2002. . WYMT-TV, Jackson Times, and Breathitt Online News staffs were present to cover the protest. Candidate present was David Wheeler. The media interviewed citizens as well as James “Jimbo” Combs who stated the raise was needed due to “increase in work load.” He went on to state that he was a full time commissioner and that he had to quit his private business due to do the commissioner job. Memorial Day Holiday Fatalities (FRANKFORT, Ky.) - Preliminary statistics show that six people died in five separate crashes on Kentucky's roadways this Memorial Day Holiday. The number of fatalities decreased drastically from the 2001 holiday period during which ten people died in ten crashes. Of the six fatal Memorial Day holiday crashes, preliminary data indicates alcohol was a suspected factor in two of the crashes. Only one of the six victims was wearing a safety belt. Single fatality crashes occurred in Knox, Harlan, McLean, and Grant counties. A double fatality crash occurred in Rowan County. The official Memorial Day holiday period ran from 6 p.m. Friday, May 24, 2002 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 27, 2002. All statistics are from that time period. Lady Tigers Round Out Successful Season 5-02 The Jackson City Lady Tigers have come a long way this season and have a record of 10-7. The Lady Tigers Varsity and Junior Varsity Lady Tigers have improved as the year has progressed and are now ready to play in the District that will start Monday at 5:30. This will be an exciting District Tournament because all 3 teams from Breathitt County are in the same bracket. Also are Cordia and Knott County who are in the top bracket. The Jackson Lady Tigers will face off with the Breathitt High Ladycats on Monday at 5:30. The Tuesday game will be Knott County and Cordia at 5:30 and Riverside Lady Rams facing the winner of BHS and JHS. The championship game will be played Wednesday at 5:30. This years tournament is being hosted by the Jackson Lady Tigers and the Region will be held by the Breathitt County Ladycats. This makes all District and Region play to be held in Breathitt County. Everyone needs to come out and support all of our teams from Breathitt County and hopefully see one of them win the District and Region Tournaments. Breathitt Health Department & B.Y.F. celebrate "Butthead. 5-02 Jackson, Ky.The Breathitt County Health Department Staff presented all the children of the Breathitt Youth Foundation with T-Shirts and Drink Containers. This was to celebrate "Butthead", which is to get people to quit smoking and to educate young people from beginning to smoke. The entire staff at the Breathitt County Health Department and Home Health Agency need to be commended for not only this, but for all the help they have given Breathitt County throughout the years. When you see someone from this facility give them a "smile" and a "thank you". They deserve to be honored for the outstanding duties that they perform. Breathitt County #9 in State for Highest Unemployment Rates In April Frankfort Ky. May 31, 2002 Breathitt County is in the top ten in the state. Before you get excited, it is for the 9th highest unemployment rate in the state for the month of April. Breathitt posted an 8.8% unemployment rate. Counties above Breathitt were; Lewis, 8.9, Elliott 9.3, Nicholas 9.4, McCreary 9.6, Russell 10.1, Carter 10.6, Clay 11.2, & Magoffin leading the State with a 12.7 rate. The lowest unemployment rate in the State were Oldham and Franklin Counties at 2.7. In all 108 counties had their unemployemnet rates go down, while 1 stayed unchanged and 11 saw an increase. The state average is 5.1% Fiscal Court Approves Animal Control Budget, Now Higher than Coroner! Jackson Ky:The Breathitt County Fiscal Court met in regular session on May 30, 2002. Items discussed were mostly new budget matters. One of the big highlight to the meeting was the budget for the Coroners Office. According to the budget, the Coroners Office recieved less money to operate than the Animal Control. The proposed budget for the Coroners office is $73,935.00. The proposed budget for the Animal Control Office is $103,159.00. Also the first reading of an ordinance on advertising was read. To sum the new ordinance up, there will be a $50.00 non-refundable fee for advertising with one sign. If there are multiple signs, a $150.00 fee will apply. Commissioners also voted to purchase a new vehicle for the Animal Control Officer at the cost of $26,836.70. The water lines at Hayes Branch were also discussed. The court said more work needed to be done before the lines were laid and they are not scheduled as of yet to be laid. Some audience members spoke up and let their minds be known on the Commissioner raise issue. Also none of the candidate-elects attended the meeting other than the Coroner elect. Also part of this meeting, Gary Taulbee, current Magistrate, and also the first to pioneer the raise, stated the reason for the raise was due to going to a 3 commissioner system, and that the workload would increase since there would no longer be four Magistrates. The Court also approved the first reading of the 3.5 million dollar budget. Local resident Bobby Thorpe also quetions several items in the new budget, and how the Animal Control received more money to run than the Coroner received. Men held in 5 boys' kidnapping Campers sexually assaulted, police say 7-20-02 By Lee Mueller EASTERN KENTUCKY BUREAU Three Magoffin County men have been charged in connection with the alleged kidnapping, terrorizing and sexual assault of five boys, ages 10 to 12, who were camping overnight alongside the Licking River. "It sounds like something out of Deliverance," said Sal-yersville police officer Bob Jordan, who helped arrest the three suspects this week. A fourth suspect is still at large, he said yesterday. "It's scary," Jordan said. "You can't imagine what those five little boys went through for 21/2 hours." Jordan said some of the boys' parents had helped arrange the one-night fishing and camping outing in a river bottom at Sugar Camp, not far from downtown Salyersville. The property is owned by a family member of one of the boys, and one of the parents provided a horse trailer for sleeping, as well as hot dogs and marshmallows, he said. The four suspects -- all between 19 and 22 -- allegedly entered the children's camp at 2 a.m. on July 10, forced them at knifepoint to cross the river to their red pickup truck and held them against their will until 4:30 a.m., when they were scared away, he said. A criminal complaint filed in the Magoffin Circuit Clerk's office this week said one defendant threatened "to kill each juvenile if they ran" and held a knife to the throats of two. Jordan said in an interview that one suspect also exposed himself to one child and attempted to force him to perform oral sex. The boys also allegedly were forced, under death threats, to drink beer and fight among themselves, Jordan said. One defendant, Jordan said, "told them he had been in jail for 40 days and they were going to be his lovers." The boys escaped after a car resembling a police cruiser approached the scene and one of the boys yelled, "There's the law!" Jordan said. The suspects fled, Jordan said, but not before warning the boys that if they contacted authorities, "we'll come back and kill you," Jordan said. The three suspects were arrested Tuesday and Wednesday. Chris J. Helton, 22, of Sal-yersville, was charged with five counts of kidnapping a minor; three counts of second-degree sexual abuse; unlawful transaction with a minor; five counts of terroristic threatening; and two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, police department records show. Jeremy B. Howard, 20, of Salyersville, was charged with kidnapping, criminal mischief for allegedly stealing a CD player from an all-terrain vehicle, theft, and unlawful transaction with a minor, Jordan said. Freddy Brown, 22, Howard's half-brother, was charged with kidnapping and threatening bodily harm to the five boys and menacing, records say. "He threatened to shove sticks up the juveniles' rectums," Jordan said. A fourth suspect, identified as Matthew Howard, 19, of Salyersville, is still at large, Jordan said. The three defendants are being held in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center under $500,000 bonds. An arraignment is scheduled Monday in Magoffin District Court. Woman charged with assault 7-20-02 MAN ACCUSED OF RAPING HER DAUGHTER By Eastern Kentucky Bureau A Magoffin County woman was arrested, but not jailed, this week after she allegedly assaulted a courthouse janitor accused of raping her daughter. The 38-year-old Salyersville woman was charged Wednesday afternoon with attacking Lloyd "Monk" Patton in the lobby of the Magoffin County Courthouse. In a warrant obtained by Patton, he accused the woman of shoving him and hitting him in the face. She was taken into custody by Salyersville police, but released without bond by Trial Commissioner Gordon Long. The woman, who is scheduled for arraignment July 29 on assault and disorderly conduct charges, could not be reached for comment. But a Prestonsburg lawyer who has filed a federal lawsuit against Patton and Magoffin Fiscal Court in connection with the rape charge called it an "outrage" that Patton is still working inside the courthouse. "It's outrageous he's not in jail," Ned Pillersdorf said, "and it's beyond outrageous that he's still on the public payroll." Pillersdorf filed a $16 million civil suit against Patton and Magoffin Fiscal Court in connection with the alleged act last August, nearly eight months before a local grand jury indicted Patton in April this year. Magoffin Deputy Judge-Executive Marcella Salyer said yesterday that Patton is still working at the courthouse because "we consider him innocent until proven guilty." Salyersville police officer Bob Jordan said he saw the woman and her daughter at the courthouse shortly before the alleged assault. The woman said she had come to meet with a prosecutor in the rape case, he said. The Herald-Leader is not naming thewoman because doing so would identify her daughter. The newspaper normally does not identify alleged rape victims. It is not clear what started the scuffle. Pillersdorf said Patton insulted the woman's daughter, but Jordan quoted Patton as saying the woman "just came in here and started in on me." A pretrial hearing is scheduled Sept. 19 for Patton on the rape charge. SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS STORY Frankfort, KY --(July19, 2002)-- How do you write a success story if you are running a small business in today's economy? Tom Masterson, president of T.E.M. Electric, Inc., Cynthia Lindsey, president of CEL Consulting Services, Inc. and Molly Foree, president of Third Rock Construction, LLC. have already written their success stories. They are going to share some basic strategies they used to build successful companies at the Entrepreneurial Development Institute (EDI) scheduled for Wednesday, July 24 and Thursday, July 25. EDI is a nationally recognized model training program and unlike others, it is constantly redesigned to fit the changing needs of small business owners. It is a free training session and outreach for minority and women Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) and will be held at the Lexington Small Business Development Center located on the fourth floor of the Lexington Central Library at 140 East Main Street, Lexington. Small minority and women owned DBE firms will learn about the importance of sound business plans, marketing practices and utilizing new programs and resources. These new resources include the statewide Minority and Women Contractor Program, now in the development stages, the Kentucky Procurement Assistance Association and the streamlined DBE certification program. DBE staff will be available to provide onsite assistance to new program applicants. This training is sponsored throughout the year by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Office of Minority Affairs. Food and parking are provided. For more information or to register, contact Diana Peters or Ricardo Moore, Office of Minority Affairs, at 800.928.3079. Kentucky State Police Announce Recruitment Initiative 7-20-02 (FRANKFORT, Ky.) - The Kentucky State Police is embarking on a new endeavor in the area of recruitment and hiring of today's up and coming law enforcement professionals. As the selection pool continues to dwindle due to better economic times, the effort to recruit and retain qualified officers continues to be a challenge to agencies across the country. Compounding this endeavor is the cost and time associated with the extensive training that sworn officers must receive. The Kentucky State Police Accelerated Entry Program has been created to expedite the selection, training and placement of individuals who already possess the skills, experience and certification meeting Kentucky's Peace Officer Professional Standards. Approximately 40 applicants who meet the accelerated entry program requirements and successfully complete the selection process will report for training on October 27, 2002, and undergo 11 weeks of training, half of the traditional 22 week training. In addition to current statutory requirements, qualifications for men and women interested in the KSP accelerated entry program include: * three (3) years of full-time employment with a Kentucky law enforcement agency, or agencies, following the date of graduation from the Department of Criminal Justice Training, or other training approved by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council, AND * the applicant is not subject to an existing employment contract including, but not limited to, an employment contract authorized under Chapter 70 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, AND * is a Peace Officer Professional Standards (POPS) certified police officer, AND * receive an endorsement from an active or retired KSP trooper. Informational seminars regarding the accelerated entry program are scheduled for 9:00 a.m. EDT Saturday, July 27, 2002, and 1:00 p.m. EDT Sunday, July 28, 2002, at Kentucky State Police Headquarters, 919 Versailles Road, Frankfort, Kentucky. Accelerated entry applicant testing is scheduled to begin on Saturday, August 17, 2002. An applicant must turn in his/her application to one of the 16 Kentucky State Police posts no later than August 14, 2002, for this testing process. Applications for the accelerated entry program are available at each of the 16 Kentucky State Police posts, the Kentucky State Police Recruitment Office, or you may download an application from our web site at www.kentuckystatepolice.org. For additional information, please contact the Recruitment Office, Kentucky State Police at (502)-695-6320. Two Kentucky War Heroes to Receive Special License Plates 7-19-02 Winchester and Midway residents to be honored in local ceremonies Two Kentucky residents are to receive distinctive license plates issued in separate ceremonies next week. Mr. Richard Starks will receive his special plate on Thursday, July 25, 2002 at 1:00 P.M. at the Aviation Museum in Lexington. Mr. Starks is a recipient of the U.S. Army’s Distinguished Service Cross. Mr. Elton L. Hatler will receive his special plate on Friday, July 26, 2002 at 2:00 P.M. at the Southwind Golf Course on Boonsboro Road in Winchester. Mr. Hatler is a Navy Cross recipient. These two gentlemen are absolute heroes by anyone's definition (the Distinguished Service Cross and Navy Cross are second only to the Medal of Honor). During the 2001 legislative session Kentucky law makers enacted legislation that authorized the Transportation Cabinet to create a new plate to recognize Kentucky recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Air Force Cross…an award for valor. All media outlets are welcome. Challenger Center excites kids By: Connie Hagans and Amber Huff HCC Upward Bound Interns 7-17-02 Eastern Kentucky has been excited about the opening of the new Challenger Center on the campus of Hazard Community College. The purpose of the center is to introduce children to the concepts of math, science, and astronomy. This summer, the center has been packed with students of varying ages from schools in surrounding areas. Students from the Martha Jane Potter Elementary School in Letcher County have been frequent visitors this summer season. "Last summer the kids came down for a week long camp and they were learning about the ISS (International Space Station Challenge) and they really enjoyed it," commented a staff member from Martha Jane Potter, Theresa Branhan. "They decided to come back for another week, and they learn different things each year. Many kids came last year and so they knew what it would be like. They have so much fun, when it is time to come home, they don't want to go. If I was a kid, I would like to do this because when I was growing up we didn't have any summer programs like this. I enjoy working with the kids." Volunteer from the school, Gale Murphy, agrees. "They really have fun. They learned how to guide a spaceship and directions. Each day, they learn something different from their task. When they first started, one person wanted to make all of the orders, but the kids started giving suggestions each day and they came together more as a team." "This is my second year of coming to space camp," student Tyler Short told us. "Last year, we were at the other Challenger Center and both are great. I have learned a lot about teamwork. Last year I was a team leader and this year I am a leader and a follower. I like the robot game where you sit in a chair and there is a camera and your blindfolded and you tell people which way to go because people are telling you the directions and there is a pipeline that looks like the space station and you have to dock with the pipe." The Challenger Center is beneficial for summer recreation as well as educational purposes. Everyone involved thoroughly enjoys the time they spend with each other in this learning environment. The center will open for years to come to increase students' knowledge and to bring them together. |
| New Business in Jackson 6-02 Jackson, Ky. A new business has opened today here in Jackson. It is called The Movie Gallery. This new movie place is located next to Little Caesar's. This store will be managed by Tina Noble. Movie Gallery was founded in 1985, and has 1500 stores nation wide as well as stores in 3 Provinces in Canada. According to District Manager Tammy Varner, Movie Gallery's primary goal will be their customers. Movie Gallery's home office is located in Dothan Alabama. Tammy Varner also said that Movie Gallery's main competition in the movie rental market are Blockbuster and Hollywood. Movie Gallery generally opens it's stores in rural communities to give people the opportunity to be able to rent and buy movies at good low prices. Movie Gallery is also committed to taking employment applications all the time and will keep them on file. For the next 4 weeks, Movie Gallery will offer movies and games for rent, for the price of .99 cents. After this promotion is over, New Releases will be $3.29, while Gallery Movies will be $2.49. All games will be $4.99. Movies and games may be kept for additional days at the cost of $.99. Movie Gallery offers free memberships, with 2 forms of ID's. One must be a picture ID, and the other must have address verification on it. Movie Gallery also offers a point system, where a customer accumulates points for rentals, when 12 points is reached, they receive a free rental. Also if you buy 2 previously viewed movies, you get a 3rd free, of equal or lesser value. These movies range from $1.99 - $14.99 each. You may visit the Movie Gallery website by going to www.moviegallery.com or contacting them at the customer service 1-800-239-1949 ext. 91485. You may call this new local store at 666-0075. Welcome to Jackson, Movie Gallery!! Kentucky State Police Advise Extra Caution On Roadways During July 4th Holiday Period 6-02 (FRANKFORT, Ky.) -Traffic on Kentucky's roadways is expected to increase significantly during the four-day July 4th holiday period beginning at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 3rd and ending at midnight on Sunday, July 7th. Accordingly, the Kentucky State Police plan increased highway patrols and traffic safety checkpoints to ensure safe travel for in-state motorists as well as visitors to the Commonwealth. "Our main goal is to save lives," says Lt. Col. William Stewart, director of operations for the Kentucky State Police. "That means increasing our visibility and encouraging drivers to slow down and buckle up. There's a direct connection between these two actions and the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities on the road." Last year, four people lost their lives in four separate crashes during a two-day July 4th holiday period. Three of the fatalities involved alcohol and only two of the four victims were wearing seat belts. "With a longer holiday period this year, there will be more over-the-road travel and more opportunities for crashes," Stewart notes. "To help increase our visibility, all Kentucky State Police officers will be on duty in the field on July 3rd and July 7th." Troopers will be coordinating their enforcement strategies with local police and sheriff's offices targeting alcohol-impaired and reckless drivers, speeders, safety belt and child restraint violations, he adds. "Kentucky has a no tolerance stance regarding driving while intoxicated," says Stewart. "Anyone operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08 is subject to immediate arrest even for a first offense." Citizens can assist law enforcement officers in keeping the state's roadways safer by reporting drivers suspected of being impaired by calling 1-800-222-5555 toll free. "Just provide the direction of travel, a vehicle description and a license number," says Stewart. "We'll handle it fromthere." New Road In Breathitt County 6-02 Vancleve Ky. It isn't the 4 lane road we were hoping for, but it will do for now. The Highway Department was working hard at resurfacing the stretch of highway 15 from HWY 205 up to the Breathitt Couny, Wolfe County line. This stretch of highway is one of many that are in dire need of resurfacing. Another stretch of highway recently resurfaced was the stretch of highway that runs past Wal-Mart down to Hwy 30. As you see the highway department working on the resurfacing projects, please drive safely! Locals Homes Torn Down 6-02 Jackson, Ky. Local homes on Patton Avenue, are being torn down to make room for Jackson City School expansion. This expansion should help Jackson City School as it continues to grow and add students. Jackson City School recently added a new Gymnasium and added classrooms in the old gym. 4th of July fast approaching!!! 6-02 Jackson, Ky. As the 4th of July rapidly falls upon us, we would like to take this time out to ask each of you to remember exactly what each of you are celebrating, and to take a look around the world, and cherish just how good each of us have it. We have the right to be able to express ourselves in ways not many in other countries will ever have the opportunity to do. Things we take for granted like what we can read, say, watch or even do in the privacy of our own homes. The right to raise our children with the expectation that thier future will be better than ours was. So when you light that firecracker or set off that bottle rocket or roman candle, take a moment to think why you have the right to do even that. God Bless America, and all of it's people. Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July!!! Tony Turner Dies Of Car Accident Injuries June 30th 2002, Lexington, KY. Tony Turner, the WYMT news anchor, news director, and station manager, died Sunday of injuries sustained in a car accident. He was 40. Turner was critically hurt in a car accident three weeks ago in Whitley County. A mother and daughter in another vehicle died in the same crash. Mr. Turner appeared to be recovering for a day or so then slipped back to critical condition, before passing away tonight. Turner is survived by a wife and two children. Our Prayers go out with his family. The Following is an update of WYMT News Director Tony Turner. 6-21-02 Basically, the doctors inserted a rod in Tony's left leg. All the hardware is inside. They are cleaning all wounds during this surgery, but won't operate on other bones at this time. Tony remained in stable condition throughout the surgery. He has done very well. He is expected to be back in ICU soon after the surgery. Doctors hope the pelvis will heal itself to avoid surgery, and the same for the tailbone. As long as you are in ICU you are not out of the woods, so continue to pray. It is important that they are now able to do the surgery... It means he has come a long, long way since last week. In addition, If you would like to send a card, the address is Tony Turner, c/o the Trauma Center/ICU, University of Kentucky Medical Center, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, 40536. They are now putting cards on the wall for Tony to see. We also want to share with you that the Tony Turner Benefit fund has been established at the Bank of Harlan to assist Geraldine and Tony with the ever mounting expenses. We all know insurance doesn't cover the costs of having loved ones with you.... Which is something that is so important in the recovery process. The address is: Tony Turner Benefit Fund, c/o Bank of Harlan, P.O. Box 919, Harlan, KY 40831. Federal Appeals Court say Pledge of Allegiance Unconstitutional! California June 26 — A federal appeals court declared the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional Wednesday, finding that the words “under God” amounted to an endorsement of religion. Reaction to the ruling, which President Bush called “ridiculous,” was swift, as the Senate voted 99 to 0 to urge the court to reverse itself and a House member introduced a constitutional amendment to preserve the pledge as written. IF ALLOWED to stand, the 2-1 ruling by a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco would prevent children in public schools in nine Western states from reciting the pledge. The decision, which was handed down in the middle of a fiercely contested midterm election season, triggered expressions of outrage from across the political spectrum. “The view of the White House is that this was a wrong decision, and the Department of Justice is now evaluating how to seek redress,” White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said in a statement. “... This decision will not sit well with the American people, and it certainly does not sit well with the president of the United States.” Fleischer, who said Bush characterized the ruling as “ridiculous,” added that when the president visited Arizona on Tuesday to meet with people whose homes had been destroyed by wildfires, “the thing he said that brought the most warmth and hope to those people ... was, ‘Have faith in God Almighty.’ ” Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., and Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., offered a resolution condemning the ruling and re-affirming the use of the words “under God,” which Congress added to the pledge in 1954, at the height of the Cold War. The resolution, which passed 99-0, instructed the Senate’s legal counsel to seek to intervene in the case to defend the constitutionality of the pledge. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., who is recuperating at home after heart surgery, was the only senator to miss the vote. After the vote, Daschle urged senators to show up Thursday morning to recite the pledge. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT DRAFTED It took only a few hours for a constitutional amendment to preserve the pledge to materialize. It came from Rep. Charles W. Pickering, R-Miss., who was thrown into a difficult battle for re-election against fellow Rep. Ronnie Shows, D-Miss., by the redistricting process. In a floor speech, Pickering called the San Francisco court’s ruling an “unfortunate assault on America’s tradition of recognizing the role of God in our country’s life and as a foundation of our liberties.” “This most outrageous decision cannot and will not stand,” he vowed. Meanwhile, about 100 House members, led by Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., gathered on the east steps of the Capitol to recite the pledge and sing “God Bless America.” “A judge who believes the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional doesn’t belong on the bench,” said Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas. “I hope the court returns all the taxpayer money they have been paid in currency marked ‘In God We Trust.’ ” Reaction was not unanimous, however. “We believe the court’s finding was correct and is consistent with recent Supreme Court rulings invalidating prayer at school events,” the American Civil Liberties Union said in a statement. “... Schools can and should teach tolerance and good citizenship but must not favor one religion over another or belief over non-belief.” The Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said the decision was long overdue. “Where you interject the controversy about religion into it, you turn a proclamation of patriotism into a religious creed, and that is something Congress should not do,” said Lynn, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. Birds in Metcalfe County found with West Nile Virus FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 25, 2002) The Kentucky Department for Public Health announced today that tests of two dead birds from Metcalfe County indicate they had the West Nile Virus. These are the first positive test results for West Nile Virus in Kentucky this year. The birds, both grackles, were found in Metcalfe County and submitted by the Barren River District Health Department. The tests of the two birds at the University of Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Laboratory indicated the birds were positive for the virus. There have been no cases of West Nile Virus in humans in the state. In 2001, Kentucky reported eight positive West Nile horses from eight different counties, 43 positive birds from nine counties, and six positive mosquito pools from Jefferson (four) and Fayette (two). West Nile virus can only be contracted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Even in areas where mosquitoes carry the virus, very few mosquitoes - much less than 1 percent - are infected. Severe illness occurs in less than 1 percent of people bitten by infected mosquitoes. The Department for Public Health advises that the risk of people and/or animals contracting WNV is very small and offers the following facts about and tips for reducing the risk of contact with WNV. "Taking steps to avoid mosquitoes and to remove their breeding places go a long way toward preventing human disease," said Public Health Commissioner Rice Leach. To reduce the risk of becoming infected with the virus people can: * Stay indoors at dawn, dusk and in the early evening when mosquitoes are most active. * Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you are outdoors. * Spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET(N,N-diethyl-meta-touamide) since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. * Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. An effective repellent will contain 30 percent DEET for adults and 10 percent DEET for children. * Whenever you use an insecticide or insect repellent, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's Directions for Use printed on the product. NOTE: Vitamin B and "ultrasonic" devices are NOT effective in preventing mosquito bites. Additionally, people can take the following steps to reduce mosquitoes around their home and neighborhoods by reducing the amount of standing water available for mosquito breeding: * Remove all discarded tires on your property. Used tires are one of the primary breeding areas for mosquitoes. * Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar water-holding containers. * Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors. * Make sure roof gutters drain properly, and clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall. Roof gutters can produce millions of mosquitoes each season. * Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use. * Change water in birdbaths. * Clean vegetation and debris from edges of ponds. * Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Aerate or add fish to ornamental ponds. Remember to drain water from pool covers and tarps. * Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property. * Mosquitoes may breed in any puddle that lasts for more than four days. Most people who are exposed to the virus will not show symptoms. Even people living in at-risk areas are unlikely to get sick from exposure to the virus. However, mild symptoms may include slight fever and/or headache, possibly with skin rash and swollen lymph glands. A rapid onset of high fever with head and body aches, neck stiffness, disorientation, stupor and muscle weakness marks more severe infections of encephalitis. Those who may be most at risk are persons over the age of 50 and those with weak immune systems. Kentucky has been actively conducting surveillance for West Nile virus since early 2000. Dead bird surveillance is ongoing throughout the state. Mosquito testing will be continued in five districts that participated last year -- Fayette and Jefferson Counties, Northern Kentucky, Gateway District, and Barren River - as well as in the Kentucky River, Green River and Purchase districts. The principal hosts of West Nile virus are numerous species of wild birds. In 1999 and 2000, many bird species were infected with crows and blue jays suffering the highest mortality. State officials are actively seeking reports of unusual bird behavior or deaths in all bird species to determine if the virus is active in the state. Kentuckians can help by reporting any sick or dead birds (usually found singly or in small groups of 2 - 3) to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-858-1549 ext. 352 or to their local health department environmentalist. WNV can also infect other animals such as horses. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture's Division of Animal Health is responsible for directing and coordinating investigations to determine if a horse has become infected with WNV. When a horse shows signs of neurological disorder or an encephalitic disease is suspected, a veterinarian should be consulted. State Announces Most Medicaid Rates To Be Held At Current Levels FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 28, 2002) - Medicaid rates for most Kentucky health care providers will remain at current levels effective July 1 due to the Medicaid budget crisis, the Cabinet for Health Services announced today. No services are being eliminated and no rates will be reduced as a result of this action. The state's Medicaid program faces a $216 million deficit during the 2003-04 budget year. The $3.5 billion Medicaid budget is under review by the Medicaid Executive Steering Committee. Several cost-cutting steps have already been taken with a focus on managing utilization. Shelby County Rest Area Closes 7-02 FRANKFORT, KY. The westbound I-64 Shelby County rest area facility will close its doors on Monday July 8, 2002. The Transportation Cabinet oversees the operation of the state's rest areas. Secretary James Codell says the closure was inevitable. "As with all government agencies and the private industry, we're continuously evaluating our processes to find ways to become more efficient, yet still serve our travelers well." As part of the Empower Kentucky initiative, implemented by Governor Patton to streamline and improve the delivery of government services, a group of cabinet employees evaluated the interstate rest areas. The group found that financial resources were not available to rebuild or reconstruct all of the aging rest area facilities throughout the state. In addition, the rest area facilities were too closely spaced. A long-range plan reduces the number of rest areas by eight and improves the spacing between facilities. The Shelby County rest area was built in 1966 and the condition of the facility is declining, the study found. Only three employees are assigned to the rest area, which limits the service provided to customers. Moreover, the facility has one of the lowest daily visitation counts, and truck-parking spaces are inadequate. A total of eight rest areas will be closed throughout the state in the next several years. New, larger facilities are being built to accommodate travelers and provide improved services. 4th of July 2002 Celebration at Douthitt Park a Big Hit!!! Jackson, Ky. Well the 4th of July has come and gone, but with it are memories that will last forever. Several events were held at Douthitt in celebration of the 4th. From the Homerun hitting contest to the watermelon seed spitting contest, everyone had fun. The evening was capped of by a fireworks display. Winners at Douthitt Park 12 & under Frisbee Throwing - Shaniquia Howard and Mark Myers Frisbee Throwing Distance - Jamie Moore Remote Control Car - Justin Phipps Home Run Contest - Tim Gross Horse Shoes 13 & Over - Kenny Huffman Basketball Shootout 12 & Under - Male - Tanner Lawson Female - Spencer Moore Basketball Shootout 13 & Over - Male - Cody Pennington Female - Amy Turner Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest - 1st - Kenny Huffman 2nd - Ian Chapman Duck Race - Auto Salvage Team MISSING BREATHITT COUNTY MAN FOUND IN RIVER. Breathitt County, The man pictured to the right, is Elmer Campbell. He had been Missing since 2pm today, Wed. July 3rd 2002. He was last seen walking towards Campton on Hwy 15 N. Mr. Campbell was found in the river behind Citgo, and was found by Edgar Raleigh, Chuck Allen, & John Allen around 1200pm Thursday July 4th. Jackson City Police Chief says he did not suspect foul play. The Family would like to think all the people who helped in the search for Mr. Campbell. Our prayers and thoughts are with this family in their time of need. Unemployment rates decrease in 67 Kentucky counties in May FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 28, 2002) - Breathitt County remains in the top ten for highest unemployment rates in the state. Breathitt went from 9th worst in the state to tied for 7th in the state. Not the direction you want to move toward. Unemployment rates fell in 67 Kentucky counties between April and May, rose in 42 and remained the same in 11 counties, according to the Dept. for Employment Services, a Cabinet for Workforce Development agency. Kentucky's jobless rate remained at 5.1 percent from April to May. From May 2001 to May 2002, jobless rates dropped in 62 counties, went up in 54 counties, and stayed the same in Adair, Garrard, Owen and Pulaski counties. In May 2002, four counties had jobless rates at or above 10 percent. Four counties recorded double-digit rates in April 2002 and 10 in May 2001. Oldham, Jessamine and Woodford counties' 2.7 percent jobless rates were the lowest in the commonwealth. Other low rates were recorded in Franklin County, 2.9 percent; Campbell County, 3 percent; Barren County, 3.2 percent; Fayette County, 3.3 percent; and Hart, Marion and Metcalfe counties, 3.4 percent each. Magoffin County recorded the state's highest unemployment rate - 13 percent. It was followed by Carter County, 11.4 percent; Elliott County, 11.3 percent; Clay County, 10.4 percent; Harlan County, 9.4 percent; Morgan County, 9 percent; Breathitt and McCreary counties, 8.9 percent each; Russell County, 8.8 percent; and Nicholas County, 8.6 percent. Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks. BREATHITT LEADS STATE AGAIN Dropout rates cost schools rewards LOSING TOO MANY STUDENTS OVERRIDES GOOD TEST SCORES By Linda B. Blackford From Lexington Herald-Leader 6-02 Nearly 60 of Kentucky's 235 high schools won't be eligible to earn cash rewards for improved test scores, because too many of their students dropped out of school in 2000 and 2001. Under the statewide Commonwealth Accountability Testing System, schools with dropout rates of more than 5.3 percent in that two-year span can't get the rewards given to schools that improve test scores. The Kentucky Department of Education released data on dropout, attendance and retention rates today. It also attempted to measure how many students make a successful transition to adult life by attending college, enlisting in the military or working. Those numbers will make up a small piece of overall test scores. But the dropout penalty is supposed to make sure that even successful schools don't ignore dropouts. Dropout rates are counted by the number of students who leave school in one given year. A four-year rate, between ninth and 12th grade, would be much higher. For example, if a school loses 8 percent of its students every year, it could actually be losing nearly 32 percent of students between ninth and 12th grade. "This is one of the biggest issues we're trying to address," said Bob Gilmore, principal of Bryan Station High School, which had a dropout rate of 7.7 percent in 2000 and 2001. One other Lexington school, Tates Creek High School, won't be given rewards because its dropout rate was 7.9 percent in that time. The non-academic data is collected from 2001, although the test scores are from 2002. Statewide, there was a small decrease in the dropout rate, from 5.1 percent in 2000 to 4.79 percent in 2001. In other findings: • Dropout rates for African-Americans and Hispanic continue to greatly exceed those of white students. Although black rates and white rates both decreased slightly, Hispanic rates climbed from 6.65 percent to 7.4 percent. • Boys continue to drop out at a much higher rate than do girls, 5.73 percent compared to 3.80 percent. • Although ninth-grade retention rates improved slightly, students are still most likely to be held back in that year than in any other. The retention rate for that year stayed at 11 percent. • The number of high school graduates going to college increased from 46.3 percent to 47.5 percent. • Roughly 95 percent of high school graduates are considered to make a successful transition to adult life. But that figure tracks only those who graduate and doesn't take into account what happened to the dropouts. • Dropout rates were greatest in Jefferson County, which had an overall percentage of 7.16, followed by 5.79 percent in Region 6 in southeastern Kentucky. "This really seems to be more prevalent in Eastern Kentucky," said Michael White, principal of Clay County High School, which had a dropout rate of 8.1 percent in 2001. "If anyone had an answer, we'd have solved it by now." However, White did point to increased requirements for graduation, which he thinks have further alienated disengaged teens. His school hopes to adopt a year-round calendar next year, which he thinks will keep students more engaged with school. Breathitt County High School had the highest dropout rate in the state, 14.75 percent. Principal David Napier said: "I'm not interested in having this conversation," and hung up. But other educators want to discuss what they call their puzzlement over an issue that has been the subject of plenty of task forces and anguished conversations. "There's a lot of blame, but we're trying to find solutions," said Tates Creek High School Principal Bob Gardner. His teachers are looking at ways to connect with more students, such as finding good literature that's more in tune with their lives. In addition, he's asking 30 teachers to become one-on-one mentors to at-risk students. Cordia High School in Knott County has improved rates, but Principal Charles Jones says they're still too high. "There's not a lot of engagement with families," he said. "We're going to try to get families involved and have parents make promises that they're going to have kids come to school." There's some good news. Thirty-five high schools have dropout rates of less than 2 percent. One, Walton Verona High, lost no students last year. 2 More Deaths in Breathitt County Breathitt County KY. In seperate instances, 2 more Breathitt Countians lost their lives. Burnam Hudson, 911 coordinator, died early Monday Morning. Cause of death is still being investigated. Also passing away was Roy Johnson. Mr. Johnson's death is still under investigation. We will update this information as soon as it becomes available. Vandals hit Douthitt Park Jackson, Ky. In yet another example of extreme stupidity, someone drove their vehicle down on the ballcourts at Douthitt Park and proceeded to do doughnuts on the courts. Not only is this a disgrace but a black eye on the City of Jackson. This park is the meeting area for hundreds of Breathitt Countians for fun and recreation. It is unbelievable that someone would stoop to this level of vandalism. What we are asking from you the public is simple. If you know who did this act of extreme stupidity, please report them. Someone somewhere knows who did this. Do the right thing and report it to the authorities. We have no room in our society for these type of people who would do this. Help us keep this nice park in good condition and report people who commit vandalism Buckhorn Lake Cleanup Pleases State Park Official 7-02 FRANKFORT, Ky. The park manager at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park is pleased to hear that work will begin soon on cleaning up debris that has accumulated near the lake's dam. Julian Slone said he hopes the image of Buckhorn Lake will be cleaned up along with the trash. Slone said the park has received several calls lately from persons who are concerned that the entire length of the lake is filled with trash. These include guests who have made reservations at the resort park lodge. In fact, Slone noted, the debris -- consisting mostly of trees and branches was washed downstream during spring floods and is piled up around the dam. The trash is being confined to a specific area, and is not hampering boating there. The area around the park lodge, its marina, and most of the length of the lake is mostly clear of debris and is safe for water recreation. "We want people to know that, outside of the dam area, Buckhorn Lake remains the clean, scenic mountain lake that it has always been," Slone said. The dam is situated about five miles by water from the 856-acre park. From the lodge, the lake winds southeast for another 15 miles to its headwaters. Slone said the park staff stands ready to assist the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the lake, and PRIDE, the environmental group sponsoring the clean up of the dam area, which is scheduled to start July 20. *** The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 50 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. During the administration of Gov. Paul Patton, two lodges have been built and all 15 others have been renovated. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7.6 million visitors and contribute $289 million to the economy. |
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