KYGenWeb: Floyd County

Information taken from the Floyd County Times

Sept. 21 and 23, 1994

Floyd County's solid waste woes could be just beginning, despite what appeared to be the county's saving grace in July, when an Ohio Company took over waste disposal for the county. The Floyd County Solid Waste Commission entered into a five-year agreement with Rumpke of Kentucky, in June, which was touted as a pact to keep residential garbage rates at an affordable $10 per month for the term on the contract. Baretta R. Casey feels she has been penalized for opening a primary care practice in her hometown, Pikeville. Dr. Casey opened a family practice about two months ago, and the investment cost her $200,000. She paid $40,000 down with money she had earned doing extra work during her last two years of residency. She borrowed the rest. Casey wonders how she will keep her office open, if the proposed cuts in Medicaid reimbursement become effective. The Wheelwright City Commission held a meeting on Monday night with an air of mystery. The meeting came to order at 7 p.m., and at ten minutes after seven, the members of the commission went into closed session to talk on the telephone with a representative from Landrum and Shouse Law Offices for approximately 25 minutes. Mayor Marley Sammons later announced that no information about the telephone call would be given out until a later date. An incinerator used to burn medical waste became a hot topic at a meeting of the Floyd County Solid Waste Commission, Monday evening. Attorney Kevin Costetto, representing the company, Medisin, which owns the incinerator, asked the solid waste board to amend its solid waste plan to allow Medisin to take in 561 tons of waste per year. Costetto called the solid waste plans, 100 ton per ten year limit, a "clerical error" because an assistant for Floyd County Judge Executive John M. Stumbo told him "someone had called a facility and was given an amount for ash leaving that facility, not the amount coming in.". Floyd County's Fiscal Court were surprised and appeared upset, Friday, when the architect for the jail project submitted approximately $150,000 in change orders for site work. A trailer fire Saturday evening, at McDowell, killed a 27-year-old Floyd County man. Preliminary autopsy reports indicated that Larry Wayne Collins, of Ned's Fork, died of smoke inhalation. An ongoing undercover investigation by Kentucky State Police culminated in 15 arrests, early Tuesday morning, in three counties, which snagged seven Floyd Countians. State police began rounding up suspected drug dealers on Tuesday morning, and more arrests were expected throughout the week. Floyd County School Board members held firm on their decision that teachers be evaluated each year, but agreed to a proposal that would elimnate a second semester review if teachers make passing grades in the first. The largest Sears Authorized Retail Dealer Store in the eastern district of the United States will open in Prestonsburg, as soon as renovations are completed on the former Sundry Store building. State education officials have rejected the purchase of a site for a Betsy Layne middle school, because the cost and development of the property is projected to exceed 10 percent of the total project cost. State Police have determined that a Floyd County man and two Magoffin County brothers, who were killed in a marijuana field in Breathitt County, September 1, were trying to disarm booby traps, that at least two of the men had placed in the pot patch. In just four days, close to $30,000 in delinquent taxes have been collected by the Floyd County Sheriff's Office, and taxpayers have until today (Friday), to settle up or face stern action. Collection efforts began Monday and most offenders have been cooperative and paid their bills. A Prestonsburg woman was killed Tuesday afternoon, in a two-car accident at the intersection of KY 1428 and U.S. 23, near Prestonsburg. Jean Wallen Dotson, 60, was pronounced dead at the accident scene by Floyd County Coroner Roger Nelson. For the last 28 years Constance Lackey, 93, of Tram, has devoted her time, attention and compassion, to the workings of the Big Sandy Area Community Action Program Inc. (BSACAP). Now, in the same year that community action programs commemorate 30 years of helping people, Constance has received two major awards for her volunteer service with the Big Sandy Area CAP program. The Jenny Wiley Festival will celebrate its 13th year, beginning October 3, with competition, gospel singing, and a concert by the Gibson/Miller Band. There died: Palmer Shepherd, 51, of Columbia City, Indiana, Saturday, September 17, at Whitley County Hospital; Olga Wright Martin, 63, of Lexington, formerly of Eastern, Wednesday, September 14, at St. Joseph Hospital, Lexington; William Harold Litton, 64, of Martin, Friday, September 16, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital, Martin; Larry Wayne Collins, 27, of McDowell, Saturday, September 17, in a house fire at his residence; Joe Branham, 89, of Melvin, Monday, September 19, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Rhoda Francis "Tody" Blankenship, 71, of Stanville, Saturday, September 17, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Mary Margaret Rose, 68, of Knox, Indiana, Sunday, September 18, in her home; Inez Spears Shaefer Hall, 71, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, September 15, at U.K. Medical Center, Lexington; Rhoda Francis "Tody" Blankenship, 71, of Stanville, Saturday, September 17, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Mary Margaret Rose, 68, of Knox, Indiana, Sunday, September 18, in her home; Inez Spears Shaefer Hall, 71, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, September 15, at U.K. Medical Center, Lexington; Frank Mullins, 69, of Bevinsville, Friday, September 16, at his residence; Verdie Newsome, 50, of Craynor, Saturday, September 17, at her residence; Belvia Newsome Slone, 86, of Versailles, formerly of Garrett and Prestonsburg, Wednesday, September 14, at St. Joseph Hospital, Lexington; William Hatcher, 90, of Salyersville, formerly of Stanville, Thursday, September 15, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Walter Marshall Hall, 72, of Tennessee Ridge, Tennessee, Monday, September 12, at his residence; Alabama "Allie" Fugate, 85, of Hesperia, California, formerly of Dwarf, Thursday, September 8, at Barstow Community Hospital, Barstow, California; Burns Jarrell, 78, of Martin, Thursday, September 15, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Ruby S. Martin, 74, of Garden City, Michigan, formerly of Ivel, Wednesday, September 21, at Pine Meadows Health Care Center in Lexington; John Sanford Rodebaugh, 73, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, September 20, at his residence; Bill May Derossett, 79, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, September 20, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Lizzie Shelton, 88, of Lagro, Indiana, formerly of Floyd County, Wednesday, September 21, at Wabash County Hospital; Sammie Hackworth, 67, of Blue River, Tuesday, September 20, at his residence.

August 24 and August 26, 1994

A civil suit arising from the May 1993, Democrataic primary election in Floyd County took two unusual turns last week. The first twist came, Thursday, August 18, when the suit's accuser, radio station owner Dale McKinney indicated that he would ask that his complaint against Floyd County Judge-Executive John M. Stumbo be dismissed. Floyd County School Board members are asking for a full report on a hazing incident that happened at Prestonsburg High School's football camp earlier this month, which resulted in three players being suspended for two games and one player being kicked off the team. .A motorcycle-car collision,, at Harold, on Saturday night, claimed the life of a Pikeville woman and serously injured her husband. According to a state police report, Ronnita Adams, 41, of North Mayo Trail, was killed, when the 1993 Harley Davidson motorcycle she was riding was struck by a 1983 Ford Fairmount driven by Delmar E. Hamilton, 24, of Teaberry. The victim's husband, Robert, 40, who was operating the motorcycle, suffered neck injuries and a broken leg. Floyd County School Board members voted, Monday, to pay $409,400, for a site for a Betsy Layne Middle School, which includes other undisclosed expenses. Robert Tackett, 44, of Burdine, is facing nine felony charges in connection with an assault of ambulance personnel and the theft of an ambulance, responding to the scene of a car accident. Allen Taylor, Wheelwright City Commissioner, who has been accused by fellow board members of allegedly selling a city lawnmower, apparently turned over the proceeds of that sale to the city in February. A Floyd County Grand Jury returned a murder indictment Monday, against Jackie Ray, 45, for allegedly shooting his brother, Allan Tommy Ray, 41, of Lexington, during an argument at Jackie Ray's home last month. Paul Joseph, who operates ambulance services in Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Wolfe and Knott counties, has been named in a 299-count federal indictment alleging a scheme to defraud Medicaid of thousands of dollars, and mail fraud. Floyd County students went back to school, Monday. School officials reported that the opening day of classes was relatively calm and no major problems were reported. John Calhoun Wells, formerly of Auxier, has been appointed by President Bill Clinton as Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and as such, will sit at the head of a bargaining table and help major league baseball players and owners try to reach an agreement that would put the players back on the field and fans back in the stands. Jurors are expected to render a verdict today, (Friday), in the murder trial of Larry Robinson, who is accused of killing William Bucky Rose on Memorial Day, 1993. Police say a Daniels Creek man said he thought he was shooting at a dog, Saturday evening, when he fired two blasts from a shotgun, hitting a man riding a four-wheeler past his home. Kentucky State Police forced their way into the home of Malcolm Lewis, 74, Saturday night, and arrested him, after he allegedly shot Charles Jervis, also of Daniels Creek. A family reunion at Archer Park, Saturday, turned into an adventure that one Lexington family won't soon forget after their three-year-old toddler tumbled into a creek. The toddler fell into the creek when he attempted to climb into the back of his grandfather's truck, which was parked close to a creek bank at the park. Fifth District Congressman Hal Rogers will dig in during groundbreaking ceremonies in Prestonsburg for the Mountain Arts Center on Monday, August 29. Rogers will join local officials Jerry Fannin, Prestonsburg mayor; John M. Stumbo, Floyd County judge-executive; and Paul Hughes, chairman of the Kentucky Opry Board for the ceremony. Jenny Wiley Summer Music Theatre and the Prestonsburg Tourism Commission has received funds disbursed by the state Depatment of Travel Development to the Eastern Highlands-North Tourism Region through a matching grant program. The doors to the D.W. Howard Fieldhouse were locked, Wednesday, pending an inspection by state officials for asbestos in broken wall panels. There died: Ova Johnson, 73, of Bevinsville, Thursday, August 18, at his residence; Liza Hall, 88, of Bevinsville, formerly of Dana, Saturday, August 20, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Alice Mosley Kendrick, 92, of Huntington, West Virginia, Saturday, August 20, at St. Mary's Hospital; Terry Mullins, 44, of Norwalk, Ohio, Saturday, August 20, at his home; James A. Cole, 80, of Parkersburg, West Virginia, formerly of Printer, Thursday, August 18; Girdell Dingus Salyers Breeding, 90, of Martin, Tuesday, August 23, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Nancy Moore, 81, of Lackey, Sunday, August 21, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Bradie Shepherd, 83, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, August 21, at Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, Tennessee; George Edison Rickman, 66, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, August 24, at his residence; Albert Hubbard, 78, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, August 23, at his residence; Wilford B. Boyd, 65, of Dana, Tuesday, August 23, at his residence; Bert Hall, 86, of Hunter, Monday, August 22, at Highlands Regional Medical Center.

August 17 and August 19, 1994

Kevin Wade Parsons, 21-year-old native of Harold, died August 15, ending a six-year battle with Laforda Body Disease, an affliction so rare, that fewer than a dozen cases have been diagnosed worldwide. Three Wheelwright City Commissioners want to oust a fellow board member for selling a piece of city property, allegedly without the approval of the board. At Monday's commission meeting, Commissioner Allen Taylor was accused by Commissioners Luther Johnson Jr., Charles Harmon and David Hall, of selling a city lawnmower to an individual for $35. While the Pike County Fiscal Court was authorizing its county attorney, Monday night, to take any action necessary to collect a $216,000 delinquent account owed by the Floyd County Solid Waste system, Floyd County Solid Waste Commissioners at their meeting were disputing the bill. A ruling earlier this year by the state Supreme Court resulted in an order from the state Public Service Commission which will require municipal utility companies that provide services, mainly water, to seek commission approval for proposed rate increases. The commission's order includes the Prestonsburg City Utilities, but it will have no immediate impact on the utility company. The state Supreme Court will be asked to decide if a hearing to determine if accused murderer, Clawvern Jacobs, is competent to aide in his defense should exclude the prosecution and the public. A Pike County man was arrested in Floyd County, August 11, during an investigation into an alleged truck tire theft operation. Christopher Hodges, 22, was lodged in the Floyd County Jail and charged with third-degree burglary and theft by unlawful taking. Next Monday, August 22, they'll ring in the start of a new school yer for nearly 8,300 Floyd County students, and they'll signal the final countdown on a critical phase of education reform in Kentucky. One of the final pieces of the funding puzzle for the development, in Prestonsburg, of a Mountain Arts Center was put in place, Thursday, by Congressman Hal Rogers. Rogers said, Thursday, that a second $1 million grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has been approved by the House of Representatives, with concurrence expected soon from the Senate. McDowell senior cittizens will host dedication and open house ceremonies at their new senior citizens center, located in the Viola Bailey Memorial Community Building, Sunday, August 21, from 2-6 p.m. U.S. Senator Wendell Ford announced, Thursday, that the Appalachian Regional Commission has approved $98,000 in Section 207 funds to assist in the construction of 15 multi-family housing units for low-income families in Floyd County. A leading education enrichment organization has targeted Floyd County as a place to establish one of its affiliates. Forward in the Fifth Inc., was awarded a $50,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant to organize three local affiliates, and the agency hopes that one of those offices can be established in this county. The search is underway for a new executive director for the Floyd County Development Authority, and for a candidate to fill a vacancy on the board. A missing persons report was filed this week with the KSP for George Dee Howell, 61, more than two months after Howell told his sister Nancy Slone, that he was "going to Paintsville." Family members offered no explanation for the long delay in reporting Howell's disappearance, but indicated he may have been seen as recently as three weeks ago in the Pikeville area. The situation has been likened to martial law, but security guards hired to keep an eye on things at Left Beaver Townhouses are a temporary measure designed to thwart suspected drug activity in the housing project. State police are investigating the cause of a fire at Wheelwright, Wednesday evening, that claimed the life of Glen Randall Johnson. Johnson's home on the Left Fork of Otter Creek caught fire at approximately 7:30 p.m. and members of the Southeast Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene. A survey will be conducted during the next several months that will assess the literacy level of Kentucky's adults. There died: Shirlene Branham Slone, 73, of Pinellas Park, Florida, formerly of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, August 10, at the Sunshine Village Nursing Home, in Pinellas Park; Margarett Slone, 92, of Dema, Thursday, August 11, at the home of her daughter, Clotine Hicks in Payne, Ohio; Judy Hall, 73, of Lackey, Friday, August 12, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Marcus D. Slone, 66, of Garner, Monday, August 15, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Mars Robinson, 69, of Canal Winchester, Ohio, formerly of Martin, Sunday, August 14, at Mount Carmel East Hospital in Columbus, Ohio; Martha Harvey, 71, of Dema, Thursday, August 11, at Kentucky River Medical Center in Jackson; Romain Shepherd, 76, of Blue River, Sunday, August 14, at his residence; Shelby Slone, 60, of Lackey, Saturday, August 13, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital in Martin; Kevin Wade Parsons, 21, of Harold, Monday, August 15, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington; Adrian Lee Shepherd, 56, of West Prestonsburg, Monday, August 15, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Mary L. Blankenship Nelson, 62, of Auxier, Thursday, August 11, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Randall Johnson, 48, of Melvin, Wednesday, August 17, at his residence; Brozie Whitaker, 100, of Warsaw, Indiana, a native of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, August 17, at Miller's Merry Manor in Warsaw; Daniel Goldberg, 41, of Columbia, Monday, August 15, at his home; Imogene Smith Hall, 70, of North Carolina, a native of Ivel, Saturday, July 23, in Franklin, North Carolina.

August 10 and August 12, 1994

A special judge has given the attorney for a Floyd County man until Friday to complete the taking of evidence in a civil suit that accuses Judge-Executive John M. Stumbo of election fraud during the May 1993 primary election campaign. But attorney C.K. Belhasen, who represents radio station owner Dale McKinney in the suit against Stumbo, said he had not been officially served with the judge's order on Monday. A former Adams Middle School principal's suit against the Floyd County Board of Education will go to trial Thursday, more than two years after the orginal complaint was filed. About 25 craftspeople from Floyd County, and other counties in the region, gathered at the lodge at Jenny Wiley State Park, last Wednesday, to learn the ends and outs of marketing their crafts. The day-long workshop was sponsored by the Kentucky Arts and Crafts Foundation in Louisville. Allen City Hall became a verbal battleground Monday night, during the city's council meeting, but that didn't stop the council from giving themselves raises, or naming a city manager. Discussion became heated about halfway through the meeting when city councilwoman Anne Bentley began casting aspersions on the ability of police chief Virgil Conn, to carry out his duties. The Prestonsburg City Council's personnel committee will be going back to the drawing board to find the best way to comparing "apples to apples." The council is trying to finalize the pay rates, work schedules and raises for city employees for the current fiscal year, with dispatch, fire and police departments still to be worked out. Several coal trucks lined up at Garth, last week, as Rumpke of Kentucky cleaned out the temporary land fill. The waste was transported to Cooksey Brothers Land Fill in Greenup County. Martin City Council is continuing its efforts to clear up the city's water problems, and is considering assistance from the Water Resources Assistance Corporation (WRAC), a division of the Big Sandy Area Development District. It is also considering raising the city's water rates. Prestonsburg Mayor Jerry Fannin handed acting Police Chief Darrell Conley the keys, Wednesday, to one of the six new police cars the city purchased for the police department. A countywide crusade to raise donations for Terri LaShae Jarvis, of Allen, a Floyd County infant, in need of two life-saving transplants will get underway today. Crusade volunteers were manning roadblocks at strategic locations in Prestonsburg, Martin, Allen, Mud Creek and Garrett, and asking for donations for expenses needed for transporting the infant and mother to a Pittsburgh hospital for a donor match and to cover other expenses. Members of the Jenny Wiley Festival Committee, the Prestonsburg tourism director, and the press, waited for almost an hour wednesday morning, for a meeting of the Prestonsburg Tourism Commission to get underway. Preliminary hearings were held in Floyd District Court, Wednesday afternoon, and included a hearing for a Floyd man who escaped from custody earlier this month. Rodney Blackburn had been brought downstairs from the Floyd County jail to District Court for arraignment on August 2, along with 12 other prisoners and fled when the group was filing into the courtroom. Testimony concluded Thursday afternoon in a day-long civil trial involving a dispute between a former Adams Middle School principal and the Floyd County Board of Education. It could take a month, though, before a verdict is issued in the case. At issue is a complaint filed by former AMS principal Thomas Tackett, who was demoted in 1992 by interim, state-appointed superintendent Eldon Smith to the job of housebound instructor. The Army Corps of Engineers will soon be looking at the ups and downs of flood control along the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River. Funding for a study of the Levisa Fork Basin in Floyd, Pike and Johnson counties was included in the 1995 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, passed by the House of Representatives this week. There died: Tina Lafferty Crum, 84, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, August 4, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Oma Whittaker, 84, of Prestonsburg, Monday, August 8, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Opal Spears May, 84, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, April 6, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Frank Patton, 65, of Ashtabula, Ohio, Wednesday, July 27, at his home; Nora Belle Martin, 87, of Martin, Friday, August 5, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Emogene Moore, 56, of Bainbridge, Indiana, formerly of McDowell, Sunday, August 7, at Putnam County Hospital in Greencastle, Indiana; Lucille Greene Bingham, 87, of Hurricane, West Virginia, formerly of Prestonsburg, Thursday, August 4, at Chateau Grove Nursing Home, Hurricane, West Virginia; Bobby D. Wallen, 37, of Martin, Friday, August 5, at his residence; Everett Slone, 75, of Martin, Saturday, August 6, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Alice Gearheart, 75, of Hi Hat, Monday, August 8, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Alexander Boone Fletcher, 84, of Knoxville, Tennessee, Monday, August 1, at St. Marys Hospital in Knoxville; and Rebecca Hall, 20, of Delaware, Ohio, Monday, August 8, at the Grady Memorial Hospital, following injuries suffered in an automobile accident.

July 27 and July 29, 1994

Timothy R. Prater, 32, of Middle Creek, died at about 5:20 p.m., Monday, when the mine car he was riding collided with another car at Pontiki Coal Corporation No. 1-A mine at Lovely. With less than a week to go, no one has filed with the county court clerk's office for three seats on Floyd County's school board, which will be on the ballot in November. The state budget, recently passed by a special session of the legislature, included new funding for the Rural Secondary Road program, and that means blacktop patching for eight Floyd county roadways. The Prestonsburg City Council took a step toward future annexation, Monday night, with the first reading of an ordinance that could allow the city to incorporate areas without any objection. The results of a four-month evaluation of Floyd County Superintendent Steve Towler are expected to be made public at the August 1 school board meeting. School board members met Monday night at May Lodge for more than two hours in closed session, to complete their assessment of Towler's job performance. An on-again, off-again debate has been renewed concerning leased property adjacent to the old Floyd County landfill site at Garth, where county officials aren't sure if an extended lease agreement is valid. The Prestonsburg City Council voted, Monday, to allow Mayor Jerry Fannin to appoint a board to look at building an 18-hole golf course and athletic complex at Mayo Hollow. Fannin said that having a board would allow Prestonsburg to work with the state in efforts to build the "world class" course. U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers announced, Tuesday, that the Appalachian Region Commission (ARC) has approved a $50,000 grant for Forward in the Fifth, the education improvement project started by Rogers and community leaders seven years ago. Forward in the Fifth serves more than 40 counties in southern and eastern Kentucky. For the second time in eight years, the Floyd County Clerk's office has received a local records grant to help with the restoration of records. Floyd County Clerk Carla R. Boyd was awarded the grant recently from the Department for Libraries and Archives, an agency of the Education, Arts and Humanities Cabinet. A joint effort is underway between the Floyd County Development Authority and Kentucky Power Company to construct a 21,000 square foot building at Cliff. The building will be used to entice new business into the county. The site is owned by the Prestonsburg Industrial Development Corporation. Jimmy Branham raced in the Open Wheel Modified, last Saturday night, at Thunder Ridge. He is the youngest driver to take part in a race at Thunder Ridge at the age of 14 years. Martin City Council has been trying for the past several months to figure on a way to get a handle on the finances of the city water department and, also, to hire a city attorney. U.S. Representative Hal Rogers has recently urged federal transportation officials to support the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's $975,000 request for preliminary work for the Kentucky segment of I-66. The case of a Toler Creek man charged with murder in the July 17 shooting death of his brother has been waived to the Floyd County Grand Jury. At a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Floyd District Court, Judge Danny Caudill ruled that enough evidence was presented to establish probable cause that Jackie M. Ray, 45, was responsible for the death of his brother, Allan Tommy Ray, 41, of Lexington. .With four days to go until the filing deadline, two current school board members and a Wayland City Councilman have filed to retain their seats in November. A special meeting of the Prestonsburg-Floyd County Public Properties Corporation has been called for Tuesday, August 2, at 3 p.m. On the agenda for the meeting is an update on design of the Mountain Arts Center with discussion on the design of the facility..The folks at Riverview Manor Nursing Home know Tommy Franklin is a hero. On August 13, the folks living in the tri-state area of Kentucky, West Virginia and Ohio will also know that Franklin is a hero when WSAZ airs its Hometown Hero segment. Franklin's volunteer work at the nursing home was filmed by WSAZ's Randy Yohe, and he was awarded a certificate proclaiming him a "Hometown Hero.". There died: Timothy Randle Prater, 32, of Middle Creek Road, Prestonsburg, July 25, in Martin County, from injuries sustained in a mining accident; Lillia Mae Price, 82, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, July 23, at the residence of her daughter; Stella Catherine Hall Akers, 88, of Grethel, Thursday, July 21, at her residence; William "Bill" Allen, 82, of Dwale, Sunday, July 24, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia; Garnette Stanley Crisp, 46, of Pikeville, July 24, at Central Baptist Hospital, Lexington; Darcus W. Lafferty, 89, of Martin, Monday, July 25, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital, Martin; Foster Mitchell, 56, of Sandusky, Ohio, Wednesday, July 20, at Providence Hospital; Rhoda Shepherd, 94, of Mansfield, Ohio, formerly of Floyd County, Thursday, at Mansfield General Hospital; Effie Blanche Strunk, 80, of Prestonsburg, Monday, July 25, at Mountain View Health Care Center, Elkhorn City; Marvel Johns Perkins, 76, of Indianapolis, Indiana, Sunday, June 10, in Bloomington, Indiana; Archa B. Hix Jr., 63, of Harold, Friday, July 22, at his residence; Ivelee Hamilton, 102, of Bellevue, Ohio, Tuesday, July 26, at Bellevue Care Center; Amos A. Flannery, 85, of Jackson, June 11; Sylvia Hall Newman, 81, of Hi Hat, Friday, July 22, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Lillia Mae Price, 82, of Prestonsburg, July 23; Nelva Boyd Cochran, 75, of Danville, Virginia, Thursday, July 21, at Danville Regional Medical Center; Helen Dials, 60, of Prestonsburg, Monday, July 25, at her residence; Allie Combs Miller, 91, of Ary, Thursday, July 21, at Hazard Appalachia Regional Medical Center; Darrell Wayne Little, 27, of Bypro, Thursday, July 21, at Wheelwright; Harold Crum, 50, at Wheelwright; Harold Crum, 50, at Martin, Sunday, July 24, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Michelle Michalski Martin, 46, of Crestline, Ohio, formerly of Dema, Wednesday, July 20, at her residence; Martha Osborne Nelson, 89, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, July 27, at Highlands Regional Medical Center.

June 8 and June 10, 1994

South Floyd High School's first graduating class will hold its commencement exercises today, Wednesday, June 8, at 6 p.m., in the parking lot at South Floyd. There will be 115 seniors receiving their diplomas.
Floyd County school officials apparently violated state law with Monday's award of a one-bid construction contract to the construction manager of a school project, but that move should not delay a scheduled June 15 bond sale. At Monday's board of education meeting, bond members voted to award a $56,650 hoisting contract for the Betsy Layne Elementary classroom addition to Martin Engineering, the company that is employed to provide construction management services on the project.
An Auxier man wanted on drug charges turned himself in, Monday morning, to the Floyd County Sheriff's Department. William 'Ray' Johnson, 22, was wanted on charges of cultivating and trafficking in marijuana in connection with a raid on his home last week.
On May 27th, four-year-old Hailey Scarberry and her father, Malcum Scarberry, were returning home at Turkey Creek, from a friend's house, when the Jeep the father was driving veered out of control and plunged down a steep hill. The father was flung from the topless Jeep and into a ditch. The child was still inside the Jeep, buckled into the passenger's seat. Hailey pulled herself up the steep embankment, and stopped two passing vehicles, directing the occupants to her father. Scarberry was transferred to the ICU of the University of Kentucky Hospital, where he was listed as being in critical, but stable condition.
A recanvass, Tuesday, in Floyd County, of voting machines used in the May Primary election didn't produce any changes in the final tallies for two candidates. County Court Clerk Carla Boyd said, Tuesday, that vote totals in the race for the Fifth Congressional District showed Walter 'Doc' Blevins with 1,284 to challenger Steve Maynard's 695.
.It appears that it's back to the bargaining table for the Floyd County School System's bus drivers following the school board's failure, Monday night, to ratify a drivers contract with the United Steelworker's Union. Union representatives and school officials have been working on the three-year contract for bus drivers over the past five months.
A Prestonsburg attorney has been named to fill the vacancy in the Division One Circuit Judge's seat in Floyd County. Governor Brereton Jones announced, on Friday, that Paul P. Burchett, who is also a candidate for the post in November, would replace Judge Harold Stumbo, who died in January.
With less than a month to go before the start of the racing season in Prestonsburg, Clyde Woods, a co-owner of the new harness racing track, announced the name of the track will be the Thunder Ridge Racing and Entertainment Center. John M. Stumbo, Floyd County Judge-Executive, and Dr. Chandra Varia, were inducted into the Floyd County Hall of Fame during the annual meeting of the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce.
Joe Russell Mullins was a member of the Marine Honor Guard at the White House during the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations, served as a member of the security force at the United Nations and at the Camp David Accord meetings, and for 28 years was deputy marshal of the Eastern District of Kentucky. But the pinnacle of the Wayland native's career as a lawman occurred February 16 when he was sworn in as United States marshal of the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Martin City Council members may find themselves in a legal quandary because apparently purchases are being made for the city without using purchase orders.
An agenda item for today's (Friday) special meeting of the Floyd County Solid Waste Commission, which lists going into closed session to review bids for garbage services in Floyd County, appears to be in violation of the state Open Meeting law.
A Prestonsburg man was arrested, Tuesday evening, after allegedly shooting his son during a domestic dispute. Prestonsburg Police were called to the Sun-E-Bunz tanning center on University Drive at approximately 7:30 p.m. after Gary Williamson, 37, went into the business and announced that he had been shot. Bruce Williamson, 67, was taken into custody at the scene, and charged with attempted murder..Allen Central's graduating class will be the last of the four county high schools to hold their commencement exercises as Allen Central seniors will graduate this Tuesday, June 14, in the school's gym. There are 105 seniors set to receive their diplomas, and among those graduating, 12 students have earned the distinction as tops of the class as they rank among the class's Top Ten.
The attorneys of two Floyd County widows, who claim their husbands were driven to suicide by the sleeping pill Halcion, have accused The Upjohn Co. of withholding documents in the case. Billy Johnson, 59, formerly of Weeksbury, and Luther Messer, 68, formerly of Garrett, shot themselves in 1991.
Work began, Thursday, on the site for a new Floyd County jail, which will be built behind the courthouse.
There died: Dr. Winston Layne Burke, 68, formerly of Prestonsburg, Sunday, June 5; Liva Bentley, 91, of Garrett, Sunday, June 5, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Octavia Conn Rhodes, 75, of Harold, Thursday, June 2, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Rudolph 'Duke' Jacobs, 58, of St. Marys, Ohio, Thursday, June 2, at Twp. District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys, Ohio; Virginia Frances Hyden, 72, of New Vienna, Ohio, Sunday, June 5, at Clinton Memorial Hospital, Wilmington, Ohio; Jeffrey Stuart Akers, 23, of Burlington, Sunday, June 5, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Hebron; Ella Craft Halbert, 69, of Martin, Friday, June 3, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Hazel Crowder Howard, 77, of Wayland, Monday, June 6, at her residence; Silas Slone, 97, of Martin, Friday, June 3, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Oakley Lafferty Morrison, 83, of West Prestonsburg, Monday, June 6, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Rosie Conley, 84, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, June 7, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Vertis Slone, 68, of Kite, Tuesday, June 7, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center.

April 20 and April 22, 199$1

The Floyd County Board of Education put an end to months of debate and dissention, Monday evening, authorizing the advertisement of bids for a school renovation project at Betsy Layne Elementary. That action effectively closed the books on a series of misadventures that have plagued the project from its inception.
Although the meeting room was packed above the maximum occupancy level, standing room only was not the most heated issue discussed at Friday's Floyd County Fiscal Court meeting. For the last two months, several citizens attending the monthly fiscal court meetings have complained that they have difficulty breathing in the small meeting room, because of cigarrette smoke.
A Floyd County man got more than he bargained for, when he allegedly broke into a Johnson County residence Monday night. Jack E. Farley, 39, of Wayland, was shot once in the leg, after he broke into the Staffordsville home of Mildred King, 50, at 11:55 p.m., state police in Pikeville said.
City government almost came to a halt in Wayland, Monday night, during a city council meeting after two city councilmen and an auxiliary policeman resigned. The Floyd County Board of Education, in a split vote, Monday, authorized a plan to make up for days lost during last winter's spate of severe weather that will add one hour and twelve minutes to each school day for the next five weeks..Floyd County's solid waste program did something in March that it hadn't done in quite a while. It took in more money than it spent.
Floyd County Fiscal Court members voted, at a special meeting, Thursday, to accept the low bid on bonds to be sold to build a new jail; but in a 3-2 vote the court rejected a recommendation to review construction bills before paying them.
William F. Warrix, 71, of Jane Brown Branch Road, Prestonsburg, died Tuesday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, after he had fallen from a lawn tractor he was operating at his home.
Five fugitives, including a West Virginia man wanted on a murder charge, were arrested in Floyd, Pike, and Johnson counties, Wednesday, by Kentucky State Police. Among them, James G. Maynard, 43, was arrested in South Williamson by troopers Henry Banks and Jim Booth. Maynard is wanted by the West Virginia State Police on murder, arson and armed robbery charges.
There will be a new director at Wheelwright's minimum security prison next month, but not because eight prisoners have walked away since it opened. 'It is too good an offer to refuse,' Otter Creek director Tim Maguigan said this week. 'It is a good opportunity for me, and a good move for my family.'.
Wayland and Garrett firefighters literally dodged bullets, Monday evening, while they fought a fire on Stamper Branch at Wayland. Gun shells in the mobile home of Steve Banks exploded in the fire, said Steve Henegar, a Wayland firefighter, posing a hazard to firefighters and young children standing near the area.
Soil and Water Stewardship Week kicked off, Wednesday morning, with the Floyd County Conservation District's annual Stewardship Breakfast at May Lodge.
Earl Compton, 66, of Prestonsburg, former administrator of the Floyd and Martin county health departments, died Tuesday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center.
There died: Marjorie S. Akers, 71, of Dana, Monday, April 18, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Dove Newman Hall, 76, of Southgate, Michigan, formerly of Hi Hat, Tuesday, April 12, at her residence; Woots Shepherd, 79, of Hunter, Thursday, April 14, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Larry D. Isaac, 44, of Hebron, formerly of Martin, Saturday, April 16, at St. Luke Hospital, West Florence; Elder Claude Ousley, 85, of Shelby, Ohio, formerly of Floyd County, Monday, April 18, at Hillside Acres Nursing Home, Willard, Ohio; Dora M. Johnson, 94, of Brownstown, Michigan, formerly of Melvin, Friday, April 15, in Brownstown; Earie Sister Triplett, 74, of Mousie, Monday, April 11, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Raymond Daniels, 66, of Monroe, Michigan, Thursday, at his home; Freddie Waller, 47, of Meally, Sunday, April 10, in Middlesboro; Sheila Frasure, 28, of Grethel, Monday, April 11, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Jo Allyn Scott Howell, of Harold, Sunday, April 17, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Marie Durbin, 76, of Paintsville, Friday, April 8, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Maryland Collins, 84, of Topmost, Wednesday, April 20, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Willie H. Hamilton, 78, of Teaberry, Wednesday, April 20, at his residence; Harvey (June) Johnson, 76, of Kite, Wednesday, April 13, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Earl Compton, 66, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, April 19, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center; Virgil Epling, 67, of Virgie, Wednesday, April 20, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Ernestine Miller Holbrook, 54, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, April 19, at her residence; John B. Pigman, 72, of Johnstown, Ohio, formerly of Dema, Monday, April 18, at his residence; William F. Warrix, 71, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, April 19, at U.K. Medical Center, Lexington.

Feb. 23 and Feb. 25, 1994

Traditional adversaries became philosophical allies, Monday, in a tongue-lashing meant for State Representative Greg Stumbo. Floyd County Education Association (FCEA) president Pat Murphy appeared somewhat stunned herself by the alliance, which saw the Floyd County Board of Education unanimously endorse a letter to Stumbo, criticizing the legislative leader's recent attacks on State Education Commissioner Thomas Boysen.
With their backs apparently against a rigid budgetary wall, the Floyd County Board of Education agreed in principle, Monday evening, to explore a funding system that would offer staffing and program flexibility to individual schools. Superintendent Stephen Tolwer asked for and received non-binding approval from the board to proceed on a proposal that would revise the way non-instructional and special duty staffing is allocated at each school.
One of three inmates who walked away from the Otter Creek Correctional Facility, Saturday night, was captured, Tuesday afternoon, near Wayland. Michael Leland Ackerson, 39, was arrested by CSX Railroad Detective Gary Powers after engineer Bill Tom Goble, discovred him on the train, Floyd County Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson said Tuesday. Ackerson was walking on railroad tracks in the opposite driections of the train and was detained by Powers.
Officers from the special investigations unit of the state attorney general's office are set to investigate an alleged altercation between the Floyd County Attorney and a local insurance salesman, after Friday's fiscal court meeting. State police confirmed, Tuesday, that a complaint had been made regarding an alleged altercation between Floyd County Attorney Jim Hammond and salesman William O. Goebel III.
Pike Judge-Executive Donna Damron called it a good-faith effort, but fiscal court members apparently weren't so convinced by a proposal, Monday, that would let Floyd County utilize the Pike County landfill. According to a report, Tuesday, in the Williamson Daily News, Pike County magistrates declined an offer from Floyd County Solid Waste 'custodian' Bob Meyer, Monday, that would pay Pike County $22.50 a ton for garbage dumped in the Pike landfill and establish a repayment schedule for a past due debt.
Former Prestonsburg Community College President Dr. Henry A. Campbell Jr., 68, died Tuesday morning at the Veterans Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia.
Public access to a cramped Floyd County Fiscal Court meeting room has traditionally been assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, but recent interest in court proceedings could force the court to make room for the expanding audience. While state Open Meeting laws require court meetings to be held at places and times 'convenient to the public' and in facilities which 'allow effective public observation,' state fire regulations designate maximum occupancy rates for public facilities.
A member of the Floyd County Development Authority has asked the Courts to decide if her membership on the authority board represents a conflict of interest. In a complaint filed February 17, against Floyd County Attorney Jim Hammond, authority member Dolores Smith asked that the court issue a declaratory judgement that she has not violated state law, and that she had 'fully complied' with the development authority's policy concerning conflicts of interest.
Auditions for Jenny Wiley Summer Theatre, originally scheduled for Prestonsburg Community College, will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Prestonsburg. The location change results from the cancellation of activities at the college for visitation and funeral services for former college president Dr. Henry A. Campbell Jr., who died Tuesday.
February 28 marks the 36th anniversary of the Floyd County bus accident, and fund-raising efforts are underway for a 'February 28-Living Memorial Fund' scholarship.
Customers of the Martin water system will see at least a fifty-two cent increase in their monthly bills, but that raise could double to help pay for a new sewage treatment plant.
A letter purportedly written on behalf of the Floyd County Education Association, criticizing State Representative Greg Stumbo, apparently was not approved by the membership of FCEA..Costs could soar as high as $200,000 to build a baseball field at Allen Central High School and that doesn't include the price for a running track and football field.
Two escapees from the Otter Creek Correctional Facility at Wheelright, last weekend, apparently stole a logging truck near Ligon, hours after leaving the facility, officials said Wednesday.
There died: James William 'Bill' Pettrey, 90, of Prestonsburg, died Sunday, February 20, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Stevie Edward Conley, 22, of Salt Lick, died Saturday, February 19, on Highway 23 North, Pike County, following an automobile accident; Raymond Waddle, 84, of Abbott Creek, Tuesday, February 22, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Alka Fraley Miller Burchett, 81, of Prestonsburg, Monday, February 21, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington; Fred Ridener, 61, of Estill, Friday, February 18, at Loyola University Hospital, Chicago, Illinois; Mildred Bates Holbrook, 49, of Bridgeview, Illinois, formerly of Kite, died Thursday, February 17, at her residence; Harold Hall, 75, of Topmost, Friday, February 18, at his residence; Curtis Goodman, 58, of Martin, Saturday, February 20, at Central Baptist Hospital, Lexington; Raymond Tackett, 64, of Dorton, February 16, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Norman Hale, 75, of Hueysville, Saturday, February 19, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Jim Gibson, 61, of Parker, Florida, Friday, February 18, at his residence; J.D. Osborne, 61, of Allen, Monday, February 21, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Buster Eugene Adams, 63, of Redfox, Thursday, February 17, on Highway 15, at Refox, following an accident; Teddie Wayne Light, 31, of Teaberry, Friday, February 18, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Ralph Haley, 66, of Columbus, Ohio, formerly of Wheelwright, February 18, at the Ohio State University Hospital; Dr. Henry A. Campbell Jr., 68, founding president of Prestonsburg Community College, Tuesday, February 22; Andy 'Jack' Mitchell, 68, of Beauty, Tuesday, February 22, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Kenis T. Clark, 84, of Honaker, Tuesday, February 22, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Laura Darby, 80, of Cow Creek, Wednesday, February 23, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Mirtie Perkins, 69, of Minnie, Tuesday, February 22, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Hobert B. Smith, 83, of Louisville, formerly of Wheelwright, Tuesday, February 22, at Suburban Medical Center.

(Feb. 16 and Feb. 18, 1994

A special session of the Floyd County Grand Jury, which was held, February 7-8, ended, Monday, with jurors returning 25 indictments, which included one murder charge, and many drug charges. Joseph L. Banks of Wayland, faces a murder charge for the January 9, shooting death of Robert Dean Jacobs, also of Wayland. Fifteen charges were brought against Larry 'Kojac' Slone, 21, of Wheelwright, after a high-speed 14-mile car chase, early Sunday morning. Slone was arrested by Kentucky State Police trooper John Hunt, after losing control of his vehicle near the Holiday Inn in Prestonsburg.
As far as most area businesses are concerned, Old Man Winter has been something of a grouch so far this year. Unusually harsh weather has put a crimp in business-as-usual, setting some enterprises back weeks and even months from their typical positions for this time of year.
Prestonsburg City Council voted, Monday, to begin reviewing the employment records of two firefighters to determine if they are eligible for on-call time back pay similar to benefits awarded to nine other firemen. Nine firefighters sued the city in March 1992, claiming that city officials violated federal Fair Labor Standards by failing to pay the firemen for on-call time. Council voted last month to settle the lawsuit and pay the firemen $20,000 each, plus back pay.
A Floyd County deputy jailer was treated at Highlands Regional Medical Center, Friday night, after he was bitten by a prisoner during the booking process at the jail. Deputy Jailer Marty Howard was allegedly bitten on the chest by Randy Holbrook, 32, of Prestonsburg, while being booked at the jail on charges of criminal trespass, alcohol intoxication, resisting arrest and fourth degree aggravated assault.
While answering a domestic violence complaint at Price, Monday night, state police confiscated two pounds of marijuana, and arrested an Indiana man who is a fugitive from that state. Michael Hollingshead, 33, was arrested and charged with being a fugitive from justice and trafficking in marijuana by Kentucky State Police trooper Les Stapleton.
If you've found yourself laughing all the way to the waste basket with those city parking tickets, listen up. It's not funny anymore. That's the word from Prestonsburg City Hall, where ignoring the laws'particularly city parking laws'will no longer be an acceptable practice.
James Eddie Fields, 41, of Elkhorn City, was arrested Thursday, by Pike County sheriff's deputies and transported to Floyd County to face drug charges. Fields was indicted Monday on four counts of trafficking in cocaine. Floyd deputy Denver Spurlock, took Fields into custody from Pike County officials.
Guests at May Lodge think the small, wiry folk musician playing the fiddle in the foyer is part of the paid entertainment. He isn't. He is a judge. When he doesn't have a fiddle in his hands, he has a gavel. Administrative Law Judge Lawrence Pauley, 64, of Huntington, West Virginia, comes to Floyd County at least once a month. During the day, he sorts fact from fiction when he presides at hearings involving Social Security disability claims.
With less than a quorum of Floyd County's Development Authority present Wednesday, the validity of actions taken during the meeting could be questionable. Three members of the six-member board were absent from Wednesday's meeting, but board member H.D. Fitzpatrick said he had those members' voting proxities.
A Floyd County woman who allegedly kidnapped a Turkey Creek man last year, and tried to get the man to empty his checking account, pleaded guilty, this week, to first degree attempted robbery. Rhonda Vanco, 33, of Prestonsburg, entered an Alford plea Monday, before Floyd Circuit Judge John David Caudill. Judge Caudill sentenced Vanco to an eight-year prison term.
Former Prestonsburg Mayor Ann Latta will be one of three Kentucky women leaders featured on WYMT-TV's talk show 'Issues and Answers: The Mountain Edition.' Latta will appear with Pike County Judge-Executive Donna Damron and Harlan County Judge-Executive Delzinna Belcher. The women will discuss their roles as women in leadership positions, and issues they face.
For the first time in at least four years, the Paintsville-Prestonsburg Airport Board has a full cast of members. New administrations took over in both cities on January 1, signaling the probable end of an ongoing controversy about the future use of the airport.That's not necessarily so, said the new mayors of Prestonsburg and Paintsville..There died: Irene Johnson Thomas, 85, of Camilla, Georgia, Monday, February 14, at Mitchell County Hospital; Robert Lowell Perry, 56, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, February 13, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Myrtle B. Peters, 78, originally of Prestonsburg, Sunday, February 13, at the Mease Manor Nursing Home, Dunedin, Florida; John Edward Allen,70, of Martin, Saturday, February 12, at Paul B. Hall Medical Center; James Alonzo Stratton, 84, of Ivel, Saturday, February 12, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Ethel Hall, 55, of Kite, Saturday, February 12, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Leavodis Williams Collier, 80, of Estill, Saturday, February 12, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital, Martin; Keenis Setser, 92, of Allen, Friday, February 11, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home, Prestonsburg; William Henry Bayliss, 68, of Wabash, Indiana, formerly of Weeksbury, January 24, at the Marion, Indiana, V.A. Hospital; Susie Mae Hughes, 72, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, February 10, at her residence; Delbert Leland Wells, 62, of Auxier, Tuesday, February 15, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Esther Marie Hamilton Howell, 69, of Banner, Tuesday, February 15, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Charles W. Elkins, 66, of Battle Creek, Michigan, Sunday, February 6, at his home; Helen L. Stephens, 74, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, February 16, at Lutheran Nursing Home, Fort Wayne.

Jan. 12 and Jan.14, 1994

Floyd County Attorney Jim Hammond took an unusual step, Tuesday, filing suit against a county commission, with neither the approval nor the participation of the governmental body responsible for the oversight of the commission. Hammond, who would ordinarily be called upon to defend county agencies in such actions, took the plaintiff's role, Tuesday, in a suit which seeks to oust members of the county's solid waste commisson, and to void a rate increase for garbage collections enacted by the commission on December 30.
Earnestine Woods, 58, of Prestonsburg, died Friday afternoon, when the small pickup in which she was a passenger was pinned to a hillside along Route 80 by a tractor trailer. Two other women'Debra Woods, 36, of Martin and another passenger, Misty A. Lowe, 28, of Prestonsburg were injured in the accident which happened about one mile west of Kinzer Drilling.
A 32-year-old Wayland man has been charged with murder, after allegedly shooting Robert Dean Jacobs, early Sunday morning, at Shop Fork near Wayland. Joseph L. Banks was lodged in the Floyd County Jail Monday morning, after being released from McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital, where he was treated for injuries he received during an alleged altercation with Jacobs, prior to the shooting.
Prestonsburg's City Council put the finishing touches, Monday, to an agreement that will resolve a two-year-old federal lawsuit and will give $20,000 apiece to nine city firefighters, who brought the suit. The agreement, reached, Friday, in a special meeting of council, provides $180,000 to be shared by the nine litigants, who contended in their suit that they had been denied salary increases and pay for 'on-call' status.
Floyd County's garbage troubles continue to pile up with Monday's decision by the Pike County Fiscal Court to reject Floyd County's proposal to pay a past due account for dumping trash. Pike County officials say Floyd County owes $216,826.03 in past due dumping fees, and Pike County magistrates voted, Monday, to tack on a four percent interest penalty.
Floyd County School Board member Hattie Owens has chosen to give up her board seat in order to acccept a job with the county road department.
Parents of special needs children in the Floyd County School System continued their pleas to the school board at Monday's meeting for a learning center for emotionally disturbed students.
On Friday afternoon, members of the Floyd County Emergency and Rescue Squad evacuated Margie Collins from her home at Wayland. Collins became ill, Friday, and could not be transported from the home, because of high water caused by last week's rain.
Judging from the calls and letters to local media, Floyd Countians aren't going to take it anymore. Since the Floyd County Solid Waste Commission voted last month to double the rates Floyd Countians pay to have their trash hauled away, talk on the street has centered on little else.
Newly-elected members of Martin's City Council found the going tough, Wednesday, in their first meeting of the year, where legal concerns drew little more than frustration. Decisions on several key issues releating to the city's new sewer plant, hiring of city employees and whether to compensate housing authority board members were postponed pending advice from city attorney Keith Bartley, who did not attend the meeting.
Two juveniles were injured, Tuesday night, after a fight which apparently stemmed from an ongoing rivalry between two local high schools. During a basketball game between Allen Central and South Floyd High Schools, a fight erupted in the parking lot at Allen Central and South Floyd high schools, a fight erupted in the parking lot at Allen Central High School and two adults have been charged in the case.
A fire at Dwale destroyed a mobile home, Wednesday morning, but the home's occupants, escaped without injury. Ollie Leslie and his family were home at the time of fire, but the family saw the blaze in time to get out safely.
There died; Ocie Collins Puckett, 73, of Left Fork of Abbott, Prestonsburg, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Douglas MacArthur Hall, 51, of Milan, Michigan, January 8, at the V.A. Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Marcum Reynolds, 72, of Allen, Tuesday, at his residence; Grady Spradlin, 85, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Shannon Bates, 43, of Raven, was dead on arrival, Friday, at Stumbo Clinic; Bobby Clatworthy, 60, of Cynthiana, Floyd County native, Sunday, January 9, at his residence; Lida Sherman, 72, of Endicott, Wednesday, December 29; Joseph 'Lonzo' Shepherd, 66, of Hueysville, Monday, January 10, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Margaret P. Moore, 109, of Mousie, Friday, January 7, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital, Martin; Greta A. Hector, 85, of Newark, Delaware, formerly of Prestonsburg, Saturday, January 1, at Christina Hospital in Delaware; Clotine Rowe, 67, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, December 18, in Barnes Hospital in St. Louis; Ed 'Ted' Evans Jr., 69, of Grethel, Friday, January 7, at his residence; Robert Eugene Adkins, 66, of Harold, Thursday, January 6; Earnestine Lafferty Woods, 58, of Prestonsburg, Friday, January 7, at Rt. 80, Water Gap, following an automobile accident; Robert Dean 'Robbie' Jacobs, 22, of Hueysville, Sunday, January 9, at UK Medical Center, Lexington; Flora Irick Moore, 87, of Prestonsburg, January 6, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; William H. Gibson, 74, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, January 12, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Sherbert Slone, 64, of Garrett, Wednesday, at his residence; Leah Hubbard, 97, of Shively, Friday, December 31, at S.S. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital; Arthur Tackett, 73, of Hi Hat, Tuesday, January 11, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Della Crisp Click, 89, of Martin, Wednesday, January 12, at her residence; Reese Meadows, 83, of Louisville, formerly of Floyd County, Tuesday, January 11, at the Suburban Medical Center, Louisville.

Oct. 27 and Oct. 29, 1993

Floyd County voters will use new, computerized voting machines Tuesday to fire the final shot in a countywide election that has often resembled a war between the county's political 'haves' and 'have-nots.' Most eyes will be focused next Tuesday, on a write-in campaign for the District Three school board seat, and all-out assaults on the offices of County Judge-Executive and District One Magistrate, where a GOP father-son tandem have engaged incumbent officeholders in mortal combat.
The Prestonsburg Municipal Holding Corporation voted, Friday, to enter into a two-year option, worth $365,000 with the county government for the sale of the municipal parking lot, where it appears a new government building is to be constructed. The option will allow the city to continue using the parking lot until the option is exercised.
A 13-step plan of action has been developed by Floyd County school officials in an attempt to improve student scores on the new state accessment tests.
Floyd County parents will see red this week as area elementary and high school students join in a statewide campaign, celebrating drug and alcohol-free lifestyles during Red Ribbon Week.
Floyd County's garbage woes continue to pile up with reports that Pike County is owed more than $130,000 in past-due fees. The issue apparently won't be resolved until after the November election.
Auxier native John C. Wells has been appointed by President Bill Clinton to head an independent agency that mediates labor disputes. The U. S. Senate confirmed Wells' appointment as director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Thursday night.
November 6 is the deadline for residents of Educational District One to submit an application, if they want to be considered as a candidate to fill the seat of former Floyd County School Board member Eddie Billips, who resigned his seat earlier this month.
When U.S. Senator Bill Bradley, Dem.-N.J., made a brief visit to eastern Kentucky last fall, he expressed an interest in coming back to the area to learn more about the people and issues of the region. That's what he did last weekend, at the invitation of Dr. Deborah Floyd, president of Prestonsburg Community College.
One preliminary hearing was held and five were postponed, Wednesday, for defendants charged with drug-related crimes in connection with the October 19 drug roundup by Kentucky State Police. Six other cases resulting from the roundup were waived to the Floyd County Grand Jury, which meets next month.
A federal lawsuit was filed last week against the Floyd County School Board, superintendent, and a grade school principal, alleging that scool officials are not providing an adequate education for a special needs student. Velma Banks filed the lawsuit on behalf of her son, Travis Banks, who is an eighth-grade student at Duff Elementary.
Trick or Treat in Floyd County will be Saturday, October 30, from 6-8 p.m. county-wide.
A Wayland woman has filed a federal lawsuit against a Wayland auxiliary policeman, and Wayland City Commissioners, claiming the officer discharged a weapon at her feet at her home last April. Joyce Martin, who filed the suit, claims that auxiliary policeman Douglas Harvey fired his weapon in the ground beside her feet during an altercation between Wayland police chief Danny Francis and a juvenile,.
There died: Marcus D. Conley, 60, of Hueysville, Monday, at the Veterans Hospital, Huntington West Virginia; Fannie Samons, 81, of Pleasant Lake, Michigan, Monday, at Jackson County Medical Care Facility; Tommie Newsome, 75, of Garrett, formerly of Ligon, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Rosa A. Hall, 97, of Galveston, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Roger Reed, 55, of Hippo, Monday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Anna Allen Neil, 71, originally from Prestonsburg, Wednesday October 13; Robert C. Hall, 65, of Decatur, Indiana, October 20; Garrie Clinton Turner, 49, of Garrett, Thursday, at his home; Clifford Henson, 61, of Beaver, Wednesday, at his residence; Susan Porter Herron, 99, of Pikeville, formerly of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home, Pikeville; Theckley Osborne Short, 83, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Billie Thompson, 63, of Milton, West Virginia, formerly of Floyd County, Wednesday; Kelly Johnson, 86, of Melvin, Wednesday, at Parkview Manor Nursing Home, Pikeville.

Sept.29, and Oct. 1, 1993

A cease-fire was signed, Monday, in a long and often bitter dispute over the construction of a coal-ash landfill near Ivel, clearing the way for the issuance of an operating permit for the facility by the end of this year. The state's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet announced, Monday, that an agreed order had been inked by representatives for Costain Coal Company Inc., and the Ivel and Big Sandy Citizens Against Pollution, who have been battling one another for much of the past three years.
A majority of Floyd County School Board members rejected a recommendation, Saturday, from the district's Local Planning Committee, to reinstate the Betsy Layne Elementary building project as a number one priority.
Perry County Circuit Judge Douglas Combs was tossed the political hot potato, Tuesday, when he was assigned to hear testimony in a Floyd County case alleging election fraud in the May primary. Combs was assigned the case of Dale McKinney vs. John M. Stumbo and Floyd County's Board of Education by Chief Regional Judge Stephen 'Nick' Frazier, after Pike County Judge Charles Lowe recused from the case.
Floyd County civic leader Blaine Ronald Hall died Saturday, September 25, at Highlands Regional Medical Center. A member of the Prestonsburg Development Corporation board, Hall, who was 72, helped instigate the building of the Jenny Wiley Convention Center. He also sat on the board of directors of several civic and social organizations.
The Prestonsburg City Council meeting, Monday, yielded some interesting comments from Mayor Ann Latta about 'unwritten understandings' and 'verbal commitments' between the city and Floyd County officials for the construction of a new courthouse and government facility on the site of the city's main parking lot.
Although no evidence of vote fraud emerged from depositions of witnesses Thursday, three people testified that the Floyd County Attorney tried to get a member of the Floyd County Board of Elections a higher ranking job in the Floyd County School System.
Jim Jack Penix Jr., was denied parole Wednesday, September 22, by the Kentucky probation and parole board, but his fortune could be changing. In August the Kentucky Court of Appeals ordered a new trial for Penix, 34, formerly of Van Lear, now lodged in a Bell County Detention Center, in the shooting death of Barrett Heath Endicott, of Prestonsburg, in a trailer park behind Combs Airport on May 13, 1990.
Special meetings of the Floyd County Public Properties Corporation and the fiscal court will be held Friday, (today), beginning at 9:30 a.m. The public properties corporation will meet, first, to open a sealed bid from Simpson and Associates to build a stadium facility for a harness racing track in Floyd County.
A write-in candidate has filed to run against District Three school board member Brent Clark in the November election. Betsy Layne resident Lance Blackburn filed his declaration of intent to run as a write-in candidate in the county court clerk's office, Thursday morning.
At a special meeting Wednesday, Wheelwright City Commissioners voted to hire a new acting police chief and agreed to a lease with the Floyd County Board of Education for a building for a family resource center.
Kentucky Department of Education investigators are scheduled to be in Floyd County, Monday, to begin a week-long review of improvements in the school system, noted in an extensive report submitted to the state earlier this month.
A Wednesday evening raid in the left fork of Toler Creek by the Mountain Area Drug Task Force netted approximately $3,500 worth of marijuana. Junior Hall, 63, of Harold, was arrested by Floyd County Chief Deputy Linzie Hunt and charged with trafficking in marijuana.
Depositions were taken Thursday, from 20 witnesses expected to testify, Monday, in a vote fraud civil lawsuit filed against Floyd County Judge Executive John M. Stumbo. Although none of the witnesses testified that they knew of any wrongdoing or illegal acts, by Stumbo in the May primary, three of those scheduled to testify, invoked their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
There died: Perlinda McDaniels, 81, of Minnie, Saturday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Jesse James Vance Jr., 69, of Fairborn, Ohio, formerly of Floyd County, Tuesday, at his residence; Robert F. Heintzelman Sr., 59, of Wyoming, September 21; Jackie Mulkey, 51, of Ivel, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Tommy Dean Bray, 36, of McAndrews, formerly of Drift, Friday, at South Williamson Appalachian Regional Hospital; Edward Crase Sr., 72, of Leesburg, Indiana, September 25, at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, Indiana; Edd Thornsberry, 73, of Topmost, Saturday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Jewel Agnes Pilkington, 63, of Lake City, Florida, a native of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at her home; Marvin Dixon Jr., 57, of Auburndale, Florida, formerly of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Winter Haven Hospital; Oma Tackett, 81, of Houston, Texas, Sunday, in a Houston hospital; Sarah Prince, 83, of Dwale, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Pauline Robinson Symbulski, 63, August 28, at St. Alexis Hosital in Cleveland, Ohio; Elvyrtha Scott Mosley, 88, of Wheelwright, Sunday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Sadie Ratliff, 73, of Albion, Michigan, Thursday, at Albion Community Hospital.

Aug. 4, 1993 and Aug. 6, 1993

A reduction in cash flow has resulted in layoffs in the Floyd County Sheriff's Department, which Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson says is not uncommon in county sheriff's offices. An outdated system used to run a sheriff's office, coupled with 'guess work,' are some of the reasons, Thompson said, for the current budget crunch.
The effort to bring a multi-million dollar manufacturing plant to Floyd County entered its final stages, Tuesday, as RND Design Inc., officials approved terms to settle the company's operations at Martin. Darrell Gilliam, executive director of the Floyd County Development Authority, said Tuesday, that county officials and RND President Ralph Bowen reached a memorandum of understanding concerning the company's relocation from Chula Vista, California, to the old United Supply Building near Warco.
A three-day search for a missing Mud Creek woman ended happily, Tuesday afternoon, when the woman was found alive and apparently well. Sergeant Lowell Ward of the Pikeville Post of the Kentucky State Police said, Tuesday, that Lois Ann Nelson, 38, had last been seen at Frasure's Branch of Mud Creek at around 7:30 p.m., Sunday. Nelson's sister, Kathy Garrett, said Tuesday that Nelson, originally of Calf Creek, had lived at the Frasure's Branch home of Daisy Hamilton for the last two months as part of Mountain Comprehensive Care Center's family home provider program.
A Floyd County coal hauler was injured- Friday, at Louisa, in a four-coal-truck accident that resulted in a fuel spill and fire that forced the closure of all five lanes of U.S. 23 for several hours. According to a report issued by the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department, three coal trucks were parked on the side of the highway Friday, when Clayton Conn, 23, of Harold, apparently rear-ended one of them. Conn was thrown from the truck, the report said, but the vehicle burst into flames. Drivers of the other trucks pulled Conn to safety, the report said.
Floyd County Commonwealth Attorney Jerry Patton filed an appeal, Friday, objecting to the dismissal of arson charges against Jailer-elect Roger Webb and two other men. The appeal filed in Floyd Circuit Court, lists no reason for appealing the dismissal. Last month, Floyd County Judge John David Caudill dismissed arson charges against Webb. Columbus Slone and Willie Delong, because of a three-year rule concerning criminal cases. Under the rule, defendants must be brought to trial withn three years.
Floyd County School Board member Eddie Billips has been asked to speak to an education subcommittee in Frankfort, Thursday, about the school superintendent selection process. State Representative Joe Barrows, chairman of the Subcommittee on Governance and Finance of the Interim Joint Committee on Education, invited Billips to discuss the relationship between the screening committee and the school board; to give an overview of the committee's operations, as adopting guidelines and timelines; hiring a consultant; the applicant pool; and financial support process.
Floyd County School District's technology program is receiving recognition is one of the state's best. The program was deemed 'one of the best plans' reviewed by the state Department of Education's director of the Division of Computer Operations, David Couch. Couch, in a letter about the district's technology plan, wrote, 'It is obvious that your technology coordinator and committees have tried to maximize the planning effort for your district. Their efforts are commenable. Your district and the Kentucky Education Technology System (KETS) will benefit for many years from this comprehensive effort.'.
Candidates flocked to the Floyd County Court Clerk's office, Monday and Tuesday, to beat the filing deadline for November's general election. Also Tuesday, no petition was filed by Judge-Executive John M. Stumbo to put the question to Floyd County voters whether to move the county seat out of Prestonsburg.
Reba Sue Hammond, a teacher at Betsy Layne High School, knows from experience what it is like to be a high school dropout. Married at 14, she quit school. However, she soon realized that a lack of education was a financial-dead end. She returned to school at 16, and graduated from college at 19. As a teacher, this experience and her enthusiasm for education, have inspired many of her 'at risk' students to finish high school and pursue vocational job training.
A Floyd County woman was killed, Wednesday morning, in a two-car accident at Stanville. Betty S. Ratliff, 56, of Stanville, was killed just after 7 a.m. Wednesday when the car she was driving pulled into the path of a vehice driven by Carolyn J. Blevins, 44, of Pikeville, according to a police report.
Testimony is scheduled to resume at noon today (Friday) in a civil case between a 17-year-old student and the Floyd County Board of Education. Tammy Hunt sued the school board after she allegedly was trapped in a school bus lift, in November 1991, for approximately 20 mintues. Hunt, who has muscular dystrophy, and her mother, Doris Hunt who drove the bus, claim the school system's transportation department failed to correct reported problems with the lift.
Legal battles and intervention by the state fire marshal have at least temporarily postponed one of Floyd County's oldest and most time-honored summer tourist events. Auxier's annual Pioneer Folk Festival, formerly known as the Sadie Hawkins Festival, draws hundreds of visitors each year. Although the event was slated to be conducted this month, it has now been tentatively rescheduled for December. Robert D. 'Bobby' Castle, one of the organizers of the event, said Thursday, that the festival was postponed, in part, because the Floyd Fiscal Court had, based on a fire marshal's recommendation, ruled that power boxes at Auxier Park were unsafe and inadequate to provide electricity for the festival's events, and should be removed.
State officials are continuing an investigation into allegations of improper spending in the Floyd County Head Start program. Head Start director Janie Bailey and bookkeeper Ruth DeRossett were suspended without pay, last week, following a week-long investigation into the program by local school officials, the state's office of Education Accountability (OEA) and officials with the Big Sandy Community Action Program, which administers Head Start programs in the Big Sandy region.
There died: Evelyn M. Hall, 91, of Bevinsville, Thursday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Troy Whitt, 68, of Red Bush, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Linda Roop, 99, of Orangeville, Pennsylvania, Friday, at the home of her niece and nephew, Myron and Opal Welsh, with whom she resided; Teddy Wayne Walters, 39, of McDowell, Sunday, at the U.K. Medical Center, Lexington; Elder Andy Hamilton, 70, of Ashtabula, Ohio, formerly of McDowell, July 29, at VA Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio; John Crittenden 'Crit' Wells, 86, of Wabasso, Florida, formerly of Wayland, Saturday, at Mary Mount Hospital, London; Andy Scott, 81, of Garrett, Sunday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Jason Newsome, 15, of Belleville, Michigan, Sunday, in Wayne, Michigan, as a result of an accident; Beatrice Bickford, 69, of Auxier, Wednesday, at her residence; Yancy Horn, 76, of West Prestonsburg, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Catherine 'Cattie' Whitaker, 92, of Warsaw, Indiana, formerly of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at Milter's Merry Manor Nursing Home, Wabash, Indiana; Leon C. Hall, 31, of Topmost, Wednesday, at Kite; Stephanie Rene Hall, 3-month-old daughter of Keith and Tina Jo Williams Hall of Honaker, Thursday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Nannie Moore, 87, of Price, Tuesday, at her residence; Jackie Smith, 55, of Pikeville, Tuesday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Gladys Lewis Dixon, 71, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Bertha Ann Shelton Meade, 78 of West Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Cody Jarred Ward, infant son of Brad and Rhonda Campbell Ward of Salyersville, Wednesday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital.

July 21 and July 23, 1993

The pilot of a single-engine aircraft was killed Tuesday when his plane crashed nose-first onto the runway at Combs Field and burst into flames. The victim was identified by Johnson County Coroner J.R. Frisby as Michael D. Cashion, 66, of Nashville, Tennessee. Cashion was believed to have been returning from a service clinic in Massachusetts on Beechcraft airplanes, the type he was flying when he crashed. Officials said Cashion was thought to be an airplane maintenance specialist.
The spectre of relocating Floyd County's countyseat was raised again Friday during the regular meeting of the fiscal court. Magistrate Jackie Edford Owens directed County Attorney Jim Hammond to have a petition to relocate the countyseat ready to file with the county court clerk by the August 3 filing deadline. Fiscal court members have been discussing the possibility of moving the countyseat out of Prestonsburg for the past two months because of a controversy involving the city's municipal parking lot.
Floyd County Fiscal Court members voted Friday to limit the amount of waste, Medisin Inc., can burn in their incinerators located at Auxier. The court voted to limit Medisin to dispose 100 tons of medical waste over the next 10 years. It was reported after Friday's meeting that Medisin vice president Bob Ford said that company officials intended to challenge the court's decision, because he believes the incinerators are exempt from state laws governing incinerators.
Public input ranged from threats to pleas, Monday evening as Floyd County board of education members collected comments on the system's four-year facility plan. A Middle Creek citizen threatened to file a lawsuit to halt all school construction in Floyd County if the local board of education does not vote to build a new Prestonsburg High School at the Middle Creek site. Derek Hicks, speaking for proponents of the Middle Creek site, threatened to file a class action lawsuit if the school board goes ahead with a plan to renovate the current Prestonsburg High School.
Three Floyd County administrators lost a battle in circuit court to remain in their jobs, and the fight will now continue in federal court. Johnson County Circuit Judge Stephen Frazier ruled Monday that the Floyd County Board of Education did not violate the state's Open Meeting Law when a central office reorganization plan was discussed in a closed session. Judge Frazier also ordered the administrators' complaint dismissed.
A move to cancel a controversial school construction project Tuesday pitted the two newest members of the Floyd County Board of Education against each other. Newly-appointed board member Brent Clark asked that a 21-class-room addition project at Betsy Layne Elementary be abandoned until a new middle school can be constructed in the Betsy Layne area. Board member Bob Isaac disagreed with abandoning the project, saying it would open the door for 'politics as usual' to interfere with decisions to build schools.
Floyd County's school board members voted Tuesday to give pay raises to certain classified personnel, but nixed raises for teachers and certified workers. The regular July meeting was moved from South Floyd High School to Allen Elementary, Tuesday, because the district could not obtain a certificate of occupancy to hold the meeting at the new school. A fifty-cent per hour increase was granted to the system's cooks and custodians, while school bus drivers received a two-dollar per day pay raise.
Combs Field remains closed to air traffic this week following a plane crash Tuesday that killed a Tennessee man. Wreckage of a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza still covered part of the Combs Field runway, Thursday, as officials with the National Transportation Safety Board searched for clues to the cause of the crash in which pilot Michael D. Cashion, 66, of Nashville was killed.
There died: Maudie Jordan Hamilton, 78, of Teaberry, died Tuesday, July 20, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Irene 'Renie' Hamilton Tackett, 83, of McDowell, Thursday, at her residence; Mary Jane Daniels Blackburn, 68, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Cherokee Kimberly Dawn Rogers, infant child of Tina Rogers and Adam Sullivan of Betsy Layne, Monday, at the U.K. Medical Center, Lexington; Pearl M. Roberts, 76, of Harold, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; E. Marie Ousley England, 59, of Warsaw, Indiana, formerly of Spurlock Creek, Sunday, in Grace Village Health Care, Winona Lake, Indiana; Rosa Click Thacker, 91, of Martin, Thursday, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home; Josie Hunt Blanton, 86, of Norwalk, Ohio, formerly of Floyd County, Friday, at her home; B. R. Conn, 70, of Martin, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Norma Harmon Thompson, 85, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Frank 'Cowboy' Crum Sr., 70, of Big Sandy, Tennessee, formerly of Floyd County, Saturday, at Valley Regional Hospital, Camden, Tennessee; Bernie Lou Gayheart, 94, of Eastern, Sunday, at her residence; Luke Woods Sr., 64, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Sterlin Tackett, 46, died Wednesday, at his home in Ypsilanti, Michigan; Tommy Reece Music, 21, of Prestonsburg, died Tuesday; Ira E. Frazier, 78, of Martin, Tuesday, at the Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Armina Jones, 72, of Stanville, Thursday, at Jackson County Memorial Hospital, Seymour, Indiana.

June 9, and June 11, 1993

An attorney representing the company which did the site preparation work for South Floyd High School called a state Department of Education report on the project inaccurate and one-sided. Phillip Damron, representing Triple B Corporation, which won a civil lawsuit against the school board last year, told Floyd County school board members, Thursday, that the report written by Gary Griesser, associate commissioner for district support services, was 'short on brains and long on title.' Griesser was asked by state Education Commissioner Thomas Boysen to prepare a chronological report of the problem-plagued South Floyd High School project which has been active since 1986. Griesser released his report last month to members of the State Board for Elementary and Secondary Education. Griesser's report blamed much of the problems and delays on the South Floyd project on Triple B, former architect James Ellis and the local board of education.
Upon hearing testimony from Kentucky State Police officers Detective Joel Newsome and Trooper Earl Gorrell, Floyd District Judge Danny Caudill found that there was probable cause to hold accused murderer Larry Robinson over for grand jury deliberation without bond. Robinson is accused of deliberately running over and killing William Kent 'Bucky' Rose, at Banner, on Saturday, May 29.
Jeannie Jacobs Fouts and her sister, Betty Thomas, pleaded guilty, Monday, in Floyd Circuit Court to charges relating to the theft of items for Fouts' wedding to Danny Fouts last year. Fouts, 19, of Knott County, and Thomas, 23, of Prestonsburg, pleaded guilty to one count each of misdemeanor theft. They were arrested March 14, 1992, after Prestonsburg Police officers Anthony Castle and Herman Morris discovered approximately $1,500 worth of merchandise, believed to be stolen, in the trunk of the vehicle in which they were passengers.
A fired Floyd County high school principal won a battle to keep his teaching certificate earlier this month when a state hearing officer ruled that the charges against him be dismissed. Lewis G. 'Spike' Berkhimer, 47, was accused last year of touching a 15-year-old female student in a sexual way, and of filing a false employment application. Berkhimer, former principal at Wheelwright High School, was suspended from his post after the student accused him on two different occasions of improperly touching her. He was later rehired as principal by former superintendent Ron Hager, but was fired by interim superintendent Eldon Smith, when Hager was ousted by the State Board for Elementary and Secondary Education.
Two well-known Civic activists, and one of Floyd County's leading employers, were recognized for special awards, Thursday, during the annual meeting of the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce. Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson, who has spearheaded efforts to construct a new state prison at Wheelwright, and who has directed a popular drug abuse awareness program for county school children, was named Floyd Countian of the Year by the Chamber. O. Sam Blankenship, executive officer for Bank Josephine in Prestonsburg and a leader in area economic development efforts, was selected Floyd County Businessperson of the Year. Worldwide Equipment, one of the county's top three manufacturers, was named Floyd County Business of the Year.
According to a press release issued Monday, by the Kentucky State Police, 19-year-old Shawn Patrick Prater was a passenger in a vehicle driven south on U.S. 23, near Betsy Layne by his brother-in-law, Billy Ray Craft, who was following a vehicle occupied by Darnell Williams, 32; William Blackburn, 24; and Jerry Michael Martin, 22, all of Gethel. KSP Detective Joel Newsome said Tuesday, that Craft was allegedly pursuing the three men after an incident in which he found them in a small marijuana patch near his home. Martin allegedly fired a slug from a 12-gauge shotgun into the passenger side of the Craft vehicle, Newsome said, striking Prater in the left side of his chest. Prater was pronounced dead at the scene. All three men are currently charged with capital murder.
117 Allen Central High School seniors will receive their diplomas on Wednesday, June 23, in the high school gym.
The graduating class of 1993, will be the last to 'walk the aisle' at Wheelwright High School. On Friday, June 18, at 7 p.m., in the school gym, 143 seniors will be granted their diplomas.
Floyd Superintendent Steve Towler doesn't seem to be too disappointed about being passed over for the job of superintendent of the Russell Independent school system. He said he's glad it's over with, and he's not overly disappointed. He's accepted it. Ronnie Back, an assistant superintendent in the Russell district had been offered the job.
Former Governor Julian Carroll and Eastern Kentucky Racing Incorporated, haven't closed the betting window on live racing at Eastern Kentucky in 1993'yet. Carroll is wagering that, with a little luck, the once adversarial Kentucky Racing Commission will decide to conduct its annual end-of-season celebration at Kentucky Downs itself, this year. Carroll had met with racing commissioner Nate Sholer prior to Wednesday's commission meeting at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Sholer suggested that the commission might be persusaded to hold its Final Fairgrounds race meet at Kentucky Downs, thus making the facility eligible for intertrack wagering dates later this year.
Despite previous allegations of double-dealing and mishandling, Tuesday's marathon recanvass of the ballots cast in the May 25 primary revealed no major changes in the election's outcome, Floyd County Clerk Carla 'Robinson' Boyd said this week. The recanvass was requested in May by out-going Commonwealth's Attorney Jerry Patton; county judge/executive candidate Dale McKinney and jailer candidate Junior Joseph, after multiple mechanical malfunctions at polling places around the county prompted cries of fraud and negligence.
Three Floyd County school administrators have filed a lawsuit against the board of education to prevent the implementation of central office reorganization plan. The administrators are also asking the state's attorney general to declare void, actions taken by the board to approve the plan which, they claim, was discussed during three 'illegal' closed sessions.
Martin City Council agreed, Wednesday, to ask Our Lady of the Way Hospital representatives to repair damages to a city street after several residents raised concerns about the hospital's expansion project. Rita Laferty and Beecher Scutchfield alleged that engineering plans were in error, and hospital officials had deceived the council and citizens about the design of the project.
Proceedings continued, Thursday, in the apparently drug-related death of an Auxier teen. Darrell Williams, 32; William Blackburn, 24; and Jerry Michael Martin, 22, all of Grethel, were arrested near Mud Creek, early Tuesday morning, less than an hour after 19-year-old Shawn Patrick Prater died of a gunshot wound to the chest.
There died: Bertha Click Flanery, 85, of Martin, Saturday, at her residence; Henry Hamilton, 70, of McDowell, Saturday, in the Veterans Hospital, Lexington; Shawn Patrick Prater, 19, of Auxier, Sunday, at US 23, Stanville; Anna 'Alice' Harris, 87, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at her residence; Mary (Stacy) Lowe, 88, of Prestonsburg, Sunday; Ernest Gibson, 77, of Lackey, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Leona Sturgill, 87, of Thealka, Thursday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center, Paintsville; Martha Shepherd Nelson, 81, of David, Saturday, at the Good Samaritan Hospital, Lexington; Paul David Wiley, 47, of Meally, Thursday, at his residence; Emogene O. Hamilton, 68, of Langley, Sunday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Herman Tackett, 49, of Banner, Monday, at the Veterans Hospital, Lexington; Eulah Osborne, 90, of Wheelwright, Monday; Connie McFarlan Conn, 43, of David, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; William 'Bill' Edward Elliott, 54, of Topeka, Kansas, May 15, at Nashville Memorial Hospital; Madeline Stumbo Schmitz, 60, of Lexington, formerly of McDowell, Friday, at her residence; Dolores Ilene Conn, 60, of Leesburg, Florida, formerly of Betsy Layne, May 28; Arlene Meade Akers, 43, of Martin, Monday, at her residence; Lora Vanderpool, 74, of Jackson, Michigan, formerly of Hueysville, Wednesday, at Foot Hospital, Jackson, Michigan.

May 26 and May 28, 1993

Incumbent Floyd County Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson, came cleanly away from what was easily the muddiest campaign of the primary season to lead all vote-getters, Tuesday. Although former deputy sheriff John K. Blackburn had been expected by some to run neck and neck with Thompson, the incumbent pulled away to cross the finish line with more than 4,000 votes more than the second-place Blackburn.
Incumbent Floyd County Judge-Executive John M. Stumbo turned back a spirited challenge, Tuesday, from one well-known radio personality to earn a chance against another this fall. Surprisingly close, as early returns filtered in, Tuesday, Stumbo's margin over Republican-turned-Democrat Dale McKinney, widened as the night drew on. McKinney, owner-operator of Martin radio station WMDJ, made an issue of the county's solid waste problems during his campaign, and that issue obviously helped McKinney carry 12 of the county's 41 precincts. Unofficial totals gave Stumbo the win, however, with a 8,994 vote total to McKinney's 7,011 votes. Stumbo will now face Republican nominee Gorman Collins Sr., in the November election. Collins is owner of Prestonsburg station WQHY, and is currently a member of the Prestonsburg City Council.
Eula Hall, founder of the Mud Creek Clinic, received yet another honor, Sunday afternoon, when she was awarded an honorary Ph.D. by the president of Hartford, Connecticut's prestigious Trinity College. According to Trinity College President Tom Gerety's speech, Hall was awarded the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters Sunday for her '.
countless acts of caring kindness.
, selfless toil.
, and (her) message of hope for the people of Appalachia' .
The Prestonsburg City Council is proceeding with caution on plans to offer a portion of the Bert T. Combs Airport property as a potential site for a new Veteran's Administration nursing home. The plan was first announced, last week, when Floyd County Development Authority Executive Director Darrell Gilliam told members of that agency that an informal consortium, including members of the governmental bodies of Prestonsburg and Paintsville, and Floyd, Martin and Lawrence counties, had suggested submitting an application to the federal government ,offering property adjacent to the airport for the facility. One problem with the plan, Big Sandy Area Development District Director Roger Recktenwald told members of the board, last week, is that the VA nursing home facility might not be compatible with the airport strip.
Problems at the polls plagued the political process in Floyd County, Tuesday, preventing some early morning pollsters from casting their ballots and giving the state Board of Elections pause for thought. The problems started early, Floyd County Clerk Carla 'Robinson' Boyd said, when workers transporting the voting machines to the election precincts, inadvertently switched the machines designated for Auxier and Abbott Creek.
Floyd County voters unseated incumbent Commonwealth's Attorney Jerry Patton, Tuesday, electing dark horse challenger John Earl Hunt by a slender margin, in what may have been the primary's greatest upset. In unofficial totals of the 17,030 ballots cast in Tuesday's election, representing more than 56 percent of registered voters in the county, Hunt defeated Patton by a 539-vote margin, receiving 8,383 votes to Patton's 7,894.
Bingo is back at Prestonsburg High School, and the first numbers are expected to be called at the weekly game's revival on Monday, June 7. Floyd County school board members approved a proposal from principal Karen Trivette, Wednesday, to bring back one of the top money-making fund raisers for that school.
Despite mechanical malfunctions and apparent vandalism that compelled out-going Commonwealth's Attorney, Jerry Patton, to request that seven ballot machines be impounded immediately after the election, Tuesday, Floyd County Clerk Carla Boyd said, Thursday, that none of the losing candidates have as yet asked for a vote recanvass. Boyd said that she, Patton and Attorney General Chris Gorman, had asked the Pikeville Post of the Kentucky State Police to impound the machines after mechanical malfunctions at the Wheelwright, Maytown and Cliff Number Two precincts, forced voters to cast paper ballots, and the locks on machines at the Auxier, Abbott Creek, Porter and Garrett precincts had apparently been tampered with.
President Bill Clinton's controversial new energy tax plan may spell trouble for Eastern Kentucky, Fifth Congressional District Representaitve Harold Rogers said Wednesday, costing the region nearly 2,000 jobs. Rogers said in a press release issued Wednesday, that Clinton's energy plan, which went before the House of representatives Thursday, contains the 'largest tax increase in America's history' and will have a dramatic impact on rural America, particularly Eastern Kentucky.
A Floyd County man was allegedly held at gunpoint, Wednesday, by a Prestonsburg woman who demanded the man take her to the First Guaranty National Bank and withdraw funds from an account. The man, Mike Taylor, told police that a woman, identified as Rhonda Harris, also known as Rhonda Vanco, came to his business place, Thursday, claiming that her car had a flat tire, and that she was pregnant and needed assistance. Floyd County deputy Ricky Thornsberry said the victim said the woman pulled out what appeared to be a .45 caliber weapon and said she was wired with explosives. Taylor reported that the woman instructed him to drive to the bank at Martin. When Taylor pulled into the parking lot at the bank, he fled the vehicle and phoned the sheriff's department. The woman was later taken into custody.
A site preparation contract was awarded, Wednesday, to Ooten Coal Company, for work to begin on the physical education facility at South Floyd High School. Because the site preparation part of the project was declared an emergency, four companies were contacted to submit proposals, and Ooten's $91,398 cost estimate was the lowest received.
There died: Sonjia Sue Meade, 50, of Harold, Thursday, at St. Joseph Hospital, Lexington; Melvin Floyd Conn, 82, of Harold, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Virgil Handshoe, 75, of Gunlock, Saturday, at his residence; Dollie K. Mitchell, 82, of Harold, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Dennis Gene Johnson, 46, of Wyandotte, Michigan, Monday, at the University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor; Juanita J. Cook, 70, of Urbana, Ohio, Monday; Eulah Stephens May, 85, of Orange City, Florida, formerly of Langley, May 22, at her home; Norcie Gibson Hunt, 89, of Hueysville, Friday, at the Knott County Nursing Home, Hindman; Stella Mae Lafferty, 66, of South Bead, Indiana, formerly of Dwale, Monday, in Plymouth, Indiana; Herman Ward, 52, of Orient, Ohio, a Wheelwright native, March 27, at Mt. Carmel Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio; Luther Tackett, 81, of Drift, Wednesday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Hugh Vinson Osborne, 42, of McDowell, Tuesday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; George Edward Allen, 79, of Lancaster, formerly of Langley, Tuesday, at the Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center, Danville.

May 19 and May 21, 1993

A two-day review by state officials of a long-running school construction controversy in Floyd County was delivered Tuesday in a report to the state Board for Elementary and secondary education meeting at Barren River State Park. The report, delivered by Gary Griessler, associate commissioner for district support services, offered eight recommendations which arose from a chronological review of the controversial south Floyd High School project in Floyd County.
Due process hearings scheduled in Monday for four Floyd County school administrators whose jobs were eliminated under a reorganization, were canceled on the advice of the board's attorney. Board Attorney Cliff Latta recommended, on Monday, that the hearings be canceled, because, in his opinion, the administrators didn't comply with a provision of state law regarding demotion hearings.
The Floyd County Board of Education has until September to convince the state Department of Education that adequate progress is being made to implement department-mandated short and long-range goals, Education Commissioner Thomas Boysen said Tuesday. Addressing the state board for Elementary and secondary education at Barren River State Park-near Glasgow, Boysen suggested that some leeway would be granted a nearly all-new Floyd County board, but he added that progress on the educational improvement plan is a must.
Pilot error was the probable cause of a plane crash last Thursday evening that left two men critically burned and injured, officials say. Miraculously however, Terry D. Hall and Larry K. Williamson survived when the single-engine aircraft slammed into a mountainside and burst into flames, moments after taking off from Bert Combs Field.
Just one week before the one-year anniversary of the date a young Swiss traveler disappeared, a Floyd County man, who is wanted for questioning in the disappearance, was arrested by Kentucky State Police Friday in Laurel County. Harry Eugene Hale, 46, of Martin, is being held at the Laurel County jail on a bail jumping charge from Carrollton, Georgia. Hale was arrested in Georgia, last year, on a theft charge involving the use of a credit card belonging to Chris Zahn from Bolligen, Switzerland, who has been missing from Deltona, Florida, since May 21, 1992.
A Perry County woman was killed and a Floyd County couple were seriously injured in two separate accidents Wednesday, less than an hour and a mile apart on new US 23. At 11:45 a.m., Wednesday, Elaine S. Adkins, 63, of Hazard, was killed when she apparently drove her vehicle into the path of a truck driven by Stephen Salyer, 23, of Stambaugh, a state police report said. Less than an hour, Charles and Grace Woody of Prestonsburg, were traveling south on new US 23, when their vehicle was apparently struck by a van, driven by Kathy Lowe of Prestonsburg. Charles Woody, 73, received lacerations to his head and arms. Grace Woody, 65, received a severe laceration to her head. The couple is in stable condition.
A Wheelwright City Commissioner said Thursday that comments made at Tuesday's commission meeting concerning the lack of local jobs for the construction of a new prison were the result of a misunderstanding.
The long-standing battle over the ultimate fate of the Bert T. Combs Airport may soon come to a close, as an informal city-county affiliation proceeds with plans to offer the property to the federal government as a possible site for a proposed Veteran's Administration nursing home. The heated debate over the airport's impending demise began early last year'when the cities of Prestonsburg and Paintsville proposed closing the facility for use as an industrial site. Others contested that the airport was far too valuable to the Big Sandy region's economy to shut down, just because the site had development-potential. The matter remains unresolved pending further investigation by an advisory panel created by the two cities.
Combining '60s activism with good old fashioned Eastern Kentucky pride, a small group of concerned citizens converged on Governor Brereton Jones' Frankfort offices, Thursday, in an attempt to air their grievances with the Kentucky Racing Commission. The protest group, organized last week after the racing commission apparently reneged on its original commitment to Eastern Kentucky Racing Incorporated, by refusing to allow the group to operate the proposed Kentucky Downs Harness Track with temporary facilities. State school officials have disputed a claim that local school board member, Eddie Billips, is responsible for delaying phase III of the South Floyd High construction project..There died: Clinton 'Charlie' Ray, 58, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at his residence; Mary Burchell Blackburn, 87, of Westwood, Sunday, at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital, Russell; Della Whitaker Allen, 88, of West Prestonsburg, Saturday, in the Mary Breckinridge Hospital, at Hyden; Willis Sexton, 75, of Hueysville, Friday, at his residence; MacKenzie Allan Banner, 12, of Lawrenceburg, Monday, at University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington; Mary Taylor Lewis, 72, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Lizzie Hamilton, 78, of Teaberry, Saturday, at her residence; Janice Opal Tackett, 57, of Virgie, Saturday, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home, Pikeville; Hawley Scott, 89, of Garrett, Tuesday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington; Fay H. Hall, 92, of Pekin, Indiana, formerly of Honaker, Wednesday, at the Meadow View Health Care Center, Salem, Indiana; Minnie Bradley Pope, 84, of Hollybush, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Lenna B. Moore, 98, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; James Robert Shelton, 67, of Fisty, Tuesday, at his residence; Norman Woodrow Foley, 50, of Warsaw, Indiana, Wednesday, at his home; Floyd Ray Frasure, 59, of Pine Knot, May 17, at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital; Leslie Isaac Scott, 65, of Topmost, Thursday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Margaret G. Slone, 68, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at her residence.

May 12 and May 14, 1993

An architect is blaming a Floyd County School Board member for delays on a controversial school construction project which apparently was never approved by the board of education in the first place. At Monday's board of education meeting, South Floyd gym architect, Paul Hoffman, claimed that state education officials 'mysteriously' put a hold on the gym project at South Floyd because board member Eddie Billips 'had a meeting in Frankfort' last month. Billips had raised questions about the cost of moving the gym site from its original location, and whether approval to move the gym by a 'consensus' of the board was proper.
A discussion on the upcoming Festival of F.A.C.E.S., and a disagreement over the uncertain fate of the Bert T. Combs airport turned faces red, Monday evening, at a meeting of the Prestonsburg City Council. Debate over the Festival of F.A.C.E.S. began Monday, when Prestonsburg Tourism Commission director Fred James said that much of this year's festival would be confined to the Prestonsburg Municipal Parking Lot, rather than having it spread out over the downtown area, as in past years.
.Residents of Auxier are ready to take matters into their own hands to prevent the planned closure of their elementary school by the Floyd County Board of Education. After offering their emotional pleas at Monday's special school board meeting, to keep the school open, several residents announced, afterward, that they are planning to incorporate their town and establish an independent school system.
Eastern Kentucky law-enforcement agencies could soon be escalating the war against drugs, with the formation of the proposed Mountain Area Drug Task Force, a joint effort between the cities of Prestonsburg and Hazard, along with Floyd, Perry, Letcher, Knott, Magoffin and Pike counties, to end drug trafficking and abuse in the entire region. Prestonsburg Police Chief Greg Hall told members of the Prestonsburg City Council, Monday evening, that the Mountain Area Drug Task Force would utilize personnel and resources from each of the participating law-enforcement agencies, to form a multijurisdictional unit that would greatly enhance each agency's drug enforcement efforts.
Monday's two appointments to the Floyd County Board of Education, by Education Commissioner Thomas Boysen, marked the first time, since January, that a full board has been complemented. Robert Isaac and Brent Clark were officially named, Monday morning, to fill board seats in educational districts two and three respectively, and took the oath of office at a special board meeting, Monday evening.
A single-engine airplane crashed, Thursday evening, at Block House Bottom, across from Combs Airport and injured at least two men. Two unidentified male victims were removed from the scene and taken to new highway U.S. 23 to be transported into waiting helicopters. One victim reportedly fell 50 feet from the crash site down onto a set of railroad tracks. The other victim was reportedly trapped between the airplane wreckage and a tree. Both men reportedly received burns on their hands, arms, and faces.
Second degree wanton endangerment charges against a Martin City Councilman were dismissed last month, when the prosecuting witness failed to show up in court. Two charges against councilman Jeff Jones were dismissed, April 28, by Floyd District Judge Danny Caudill. Court records show that the complaining witnesses, James Meade and Margaret Woods, did not appear in court that day.
An attorney representing three Floyd County administrators, whose jobs were eliminated under a district reorganization plan, claims the local school board violated the state's Open Meetings Laws and statutory requirements for conducting due process hearings for employees affected by the plan. In a May 12 letter to acting board chairman Eddie Patton, attorney E. Mickey McGuire, contends that the board's discussion of the reorganization plan in a closed session at the March 30 and April 3 meetings, was in violation of the law.
Floyd County school superintendent Steve Towler is apparently one of five finalists in the superintendent search for the Russell Independent School System, in Greenup County. Towler, who signed a four-year contract to direct the Floyd County system last July, will be interviewed today (Friday) by the Russell search committee.
There died: Beatrice Miller Rogers, 80, of West Prestonsburg, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Melody Music Sebring, 86, of Findlay, Ohio, Monday, at Blanchard Valley Hospital; Harold Isaac, 64, of Wabash, Indiana, formerly of Topmost, Saturday, at the Wabash County Hospital; Virgil Shepherd, 63, of Hueysville, Thursday, at his residence; Lucy Johnson Ransdell, 93, of Prestonsburg, Monday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Virginia Colwell, 71, of Campbellsville, Saturday, at Norton Hospital, Louisville; A. Jack Brown, 75, of Lenore, Idaho, Tuesday, from injuries sustained in an auto accident; Earnest Hensley, 68, of Melvin, Friday, at McDowell Applachian Regional Hospital; Roy Earney, 61, of East Point, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; William 'Billy' Keith Wells, 36, of Langley, Friday, in Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Lee Conley, 72, of Hueysville, Wednesday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Walter R. Wells, 74, of Pikeville, Thursday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital.

May 5 and May 7, 1993

Floyd County Solid Waste Incorporated, officials continue to deny they violated Kentucky state law by operating a waste transfer station without a proper permit, calling Environmental Protection officials' investigation 'politically motivated.' On Friday, Floyd County Solid Waste was issued a notice of violation by the Cabinet for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection for dumping waste on a concrete pad at a non-operational coal company, then transferring the waste to larger trucks.
An item on the agenda for a special Floyd County Fiscal Court meeting, today, Wednesday, appears to be in conflict with state law. The court has proposed action on a resolution to set salaries for elected officials whose terms will begin next January, but any decision on that matter could be illegal. State law requires the fiscal court to determine salaries for elected officials 'not later than the first Monday in May, in the year in which the officers are elected.'.
School construction regulations issued by the state, March 24, to contractors and architects, are not entirely new, an official said, Tuesday, but they apparently came as a surprise to local school officials. Meanwhile, other long-standing construction regulations have apparently been overlooked in relation to local school building projects. Gary Griesser, associate commissioner for district support services for the Department of Education, said Tuesday, that the March 24 list of construction requirements was issued 'as a reminder and a preview of things to come.' He said several of the items outlined in the memo to contractors had not yet been adopted as official regulations, but they were expected to be, and he urged contractors and architects to follow them.
.The race may be over, but it will be a few more days before the results of the photo-finish are released, indicating whether or not Eastern Kentucky Racing Incorporated, and the Prestonsburg-Floyd County Properties Corporation, will trot to the winner's circle in the marathon effort to bring live horse racing to eastern Kentucky. Floyd County Attorney Jim Hammond told members of the Properties Corporation, Tuesday, that former Governor Julian Carroll, representing Eastern Kentucky Racing, had been granted a special meeting on May 12, with the Kentucky Racing Commission to discuss final approval on the Kentucky Downs harness track project.
In the first reported hunting accident this year, a Cow Creek man was slightly injured, Sunday morning, when he was hit by shotgun pellets fired by another hunter. Johnny Lee Jervis was treated and released from Highlands Regional Medical Center after being struck by pellets which ricocheted from a shot fired at a turkey by Larry Lafferty, while hunting at wildlife management development area at Dewey Lake.
Kentucky State Police arrested a Floyd County man, Wednesday, after he allegedly molested a seven-year-old child. Raleigh Collins, 68, of East Point, was arrested at his home, Wednesday, on one count of first degree sex abuse, and lodged in the Floyd County Jail by troopers Bobby Day and David Walkins, of the Pikeville Post of the Kentucky State Police, Deputy Floyd County Jailer Duran Jarrell said, Thursday.
Continued efforts to locate and eradicate marijuana patches paid off, Thursday, when law enforcement officers destroyed, 118 plants. Kentucky State Police and Floyd County Sheriff's deputies received an anonymous tip that led to the discovery of the patch, high on a hillside at Weeksbury.
Education Commissioner Thomas Boysen missed his second self-imposed deadline, Thursday, to name two Floyd Countians to fill vacancies on the local school board. Education department spokesman Steve Swift said, Thursday, that Commissioner Boysen may announce the appointments next week. 'The information has been sent to the commissioner, and we're just awaiting his decision,' Swift said Thursday. 'I don't know if there is a deadline. They were hoping to get it done by the end of the month, and they didn't get it done then. Now what we're doing is trying to get the decision as soon as possible.
Two days past the legal deadline, Floyd County Fiscal Court members, on Wednesday, set salaries for elected county officials who will serve five-year terms beginning January 1994. The court apparently will not be penalized for the violation, because there were no adverse effects to the public as a result of the two-day delay.
There died: Elex P. Davis, 88, of Banner, formerly of Betsy Layne, Monday, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington; Foley Hicks, 75, of Garrett, Wednesday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Robert Marvin 'Preacher' Mayton, 60, of Stanville, Friday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Elma Musick, 80, of Gypsum, Ohio, formerly of Tram, Friday, at the Edgewood Manor Nursing Home, Port Clinton, Ohio; Sidney E. Bailey, 69, of Langley, Friday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Eva Jean Lawson Hall, 57, of McDowell, Friday, at Printer; Junie Harvey, 73, of New London, Ohio, Thursday, at her home; Ricky Dean Holbrook, 27, of Murray, Friday, at Western Baptist Hospital, Paducah, from injuries sustained in a car-pedestrian accident; Ruth Evelyn Wright, 70, of West Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident; Majorie Jones Blair, 65, of Simpsonville, South Carolina, formerly of Weeksbury, Monday, at St. Francis Hospital, Greenville, South Carolina; Mahlon Mullins, 64, of Virgie, Wednesday, at his residence; Clettus Hayes Lafferty, 82, of Elizabethtown, Tuesday, at Hardin Memorial Hospital; Mallie Colwell, 90, patient of Riverview Manor Nursing Home, Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Elsie Dotson Prater, 89, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Howard Austin Wilhite, 71, of Ligon, Wednesday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Lowell Edwin McCown, 58, of Auxier, Wednesday, at his residence; Edna Evelyn Nichols Clark, 77, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center.

April 28 and April 30, 1993

The Floyd County Times was presented the Outstanding Media Award for 1992-93, during the 6th annual East Kentucky Leadership Conference, held in Morehead on April 23 and 24. The Times was recognized by the East Kentucky Leadership Foundation, a coalition of 5th Congressional District counties, for the newspaper's ongoing coverage of educational issues facing the troubled Floyd County School System.
Diversifying and industrializing our economy to ensure employment and financial success for all, should be eastern Kentucky's number one priority, Lieutenant Governor Paul Patton told members of the Big Sandy Area Labor-Management Committee Monday. The committee met, Monday morning, at Jenny Wiley State Park's May Lodge, to unveil the results of its intensive labor-management survey of the five-county area. The findings of that survey are, Floyd County Development Authority Executive Director Darrell Gilliam said Monday, 'overwhelmingly positive.'.
Floyd County school officials set a May 10 deadline, Saturday, for South Floyd architect Paul Hoffman to produce design plans for a relocated gymnasium. Floyd board members met with Hoffman at the controversial school site, Saturday morning, for an explanation of why the architect wants to locate the gym in a different area. Hoffman said that the 1,700 seat gym would not fit on the original gym site. He added that the original plans called for a seating capacity of 750.
With a price tag, to date, totaling nearly $7 million over original estimates, an incomplete South Floyd High School continues to tug at the Floyd County School System's purse strings while school officials struggle to finish construction in time for an August opening. The latest adventure in financing for the new school arose, last week, after officials learned they would likely be short of funding needed to furnish the school.
Despite honoring a request from Eastern Kentucky Racing Incorporated, to remove from its agenda, a discussion on a proposed off-track betting parlor at Hazard, Monday, the Kentucky Racing Commission, apparently renewed its on-again/off-again opposition to the much-beleaguered Kentucky Downs harness track project. Former Governor Julian Carroll, representing Eastern Kentucky Racing, last week asked the commission to curtail discussion on the Hazard OTB parlor, proposed by Kentucky Off-Track Betting, reasoning that such a facility, located within 75 miles of Kentucky Downs, would violate Kentucky state law, and the terms of Eastern Kentucky Racing's license.
A mid-afternoon collision at the intersection of U.S. 23, and Ky. 1428, claimed the life of an elderly Prestonsburg woman, Wednesday, and hospitalized an Oil Springs native. According to a report issued Thursday, by the Prestonsburg Police Department, the accident occurred Wednesday, when Ruth Wright, 70, of Prestonsburg, attempted to turn unto U.S. 23, from Ky. 1428, directly in the path of a northbound vehicle, driven by Sherletta M. Doderer, 29, of Oil Springs. Wright was apparently thrown from her vehicle. Both women were transported to Highlands Regional Medical Center, where Wright was pronounced dead by Floyd County Coroner Roger Nelson.
A Floyd County man was arrested, early Saturday, by officers of the Kentucky State Police, after allegedly abducting, beating and raping an elderly Ivel woman. According to Floyd County Jail records, Eddie Dean Hall, 20, of Tram, was arrested at the Tram residence of his uncle, Junior Hall, by Kentucky State Police Detective Lynn Cross, and lodged in the jail at around 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
State school officials have chastised Floyd County school superintendent Steve Towler for failing to provide local board members with vital information relating to the district's improvement plans. Local board members apparently have also been bypassed in the distribution of revised state guidelines'some of which require their attention'concerning school construction projects.
There died: Rev. Elmer M. Francisco, 79, of Hornell, New York, formerly of Grethel, April 12, at St. James Mercy Hospital; Robert Douglas Gregory, infant son of Robert Gregory and Glema Yates of Martin was stillborn April 22, in Martin; Paul J. 'Jeff' Stewart, 40, Martin native, of Ashland Saturday, at King's Daughters' Medical Center; Harold Eugene Duff, 53, of Eastern, Saturday, in the Veteran's Hospital, Huntington, West Virginia; Bill Jones, 60, of Wayland, Sunday, at his residence; Nadean Fleming, 70, of Virgie, a Weeksbury native, Friday, at Jenkins Community Hospital; Dan T. Martin, 85, of Hindman, Monday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Robert Clinton Watts, 40, of Mousie, Monday, at his home; Helen Diane Watkins, 54, of Lackey, Monday, at the U.K. Medical Center in Lexington; Thelma Ruth Whitaker Dotson, 74, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Mary Jane Lewis, 87, formerly of Ivel, Saturday, at the residence of her daughter, Thelma Ruess of Markle, Indiana; Sarah Keane Hale, four-month-old infant of Benjamin Lee and Keane Gregory Hale, of Blue River, Saturday, in the University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington; Robert L. Crum, 73, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at the V.A. Medical Center Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia; William Matthew Little, 18, of Wheelwright, Friday, at Wheelwright; George Preston Adams, 80, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Emery Osborne, 66, of Betsy Layne, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Arizona Moore, 77, Wednesday, at Life Care Center in LaGrange, Indiana; Hester Prater Page, 81, of Martin, Wednesday, at the residence of her daughter, Pauline Vineyard of Burnswick, Ohio.

April 14 and April 16, 1992

A write-in candidate for the district three school board seat, who received just two votes in last November's general election, is asking state officials to declare him the winner of that race. Robert Stewart, who was defeated by incumbent board member Tommy Boyd by 1,496 votes, sent a letter, Tuesday, asking Attorney General Chris Gorman to investigate the issue, because he says he wants to know 'how a person can resign from office when, legally, he never held that position.' Boyd, who suffered a stroke, last October, and who has remained in a wheelchair and unable to speak, was sworn into office in a private ceremony in January. Dan Hall, acting as legal guardian for Boyd, resigned Boyd from his board seat March 31, because of health reasons. Boyd's resignation came just days before he was scheduled to answer charges of misconduct in office, before the State Board for Elementary and Secondary Education.
The Easter holiday was marred, for at least three Floyd County families, Sunday, following an afternoon traffic accident that put two men in the hospital, and a Meade Branch woman in the Floyd County Jail. Mickey Keller and Erman Dean Poe were driving west on Route 114 at Middle Creek, Sunday, when an eastbound Cadillac, driven by Lois G. Hieronymus, crossed the center line, struck the Keller vehicle and forced it off the road. Keller and Poe were transported to the Highlands Regional Medical Center, where they were treated and released. Trooper David Maynard of the Pikeville Post of the Kentucky State Police, arrested Hieronymus, and transported her to the Floyd County jail. She was charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicant.
A third suspect has been charged in the Thursday night assault on Wayland police chief Danny Francis. Marion Wade Martin, 21, of Wayland, was arrested Monday night and charged with fourth degree assault on a police officer. Martin is the third person charged in the incident, which left Francis slightly injured. Francis received a broken nose and required stitches in his face and head. Two suspects were arrested at the scene, Thursday, Gary Jacobs, 18, of Wayland and a 17-year-old juvenile. Both were charged with third degree assault on a police officer.
Members of a local planning committee, charged with recommending architects for future school construction projects, have wasted no time in getting down to work. Monday evening, committee members listened to presentations from three architectural firms, and have sessions planned to talk with six more companies. The committee is conducting the informational sessions in an effort to get a jump on two projects they have listed as the next major school construction projects needed for Floyd County.
Discussions about the city's annual July Fourth fireworks display, and about the use of Area Development Fund revenues, set off fireworks of a different kind, Monday evening, at a meeting of the Prestonsburg City Council. Tempers flared when Perry Summers, newly-elected chairman of the Prestonsburg Tourism Commission, told council members that he was 'pretty sure' that the tourism commission would arrange and pay for the annual Fourth of July fireworks display at Archer Park, but said that, with severe budget cuts, he was not sure where the commission would find the funds to pay for the display.
A CSX railroad worker was killed at Dwale, Tuesday, when he was struck by a train while walking along the track. Franklin 'Frank' Scalf, 44, of Prestonsburg, was struck by an oncoming train, and died at the scene. Scalf was a brakeman for the CSX Corporation.
Two Floyd County men were indicted, Tuesday, by a Fayette County grand jury on heroin trafficking charges, following a February arrest by officers of the Lexington-Fayette Urban-County Police Department. Joey Wesley Campbell, 28, of Prestonsburg, faces trial on one count of trafficking in heroin; and Ronald Harold Neeley, 32, also of Prestonsburg, has been charged with one count off trafficking in heroin, one count of possession of heroin, and first degree persistent felony offenses.
The Mountain Comprehensive Care Adult Day Habilitation Program, better known as 'the Greenhouse Training Program,' is currently celebrating its twentieth year of operation as 'a growing concern.' Program Director Chalmer Howard has been active with the Adult Day Habilitation Program since its inception, overseeing about 45 developmentally challenged adults who work at the greenhouse, growing trees, flowers and vegetables for the entire region.
Two Floyd County school board members discussed the finishing touches on a revised short-term improvement plan, Tuesday, in order to meet a deadline imposed by state education officials, and to avoid the threat of being ousted from office. Board members approved revisions on 35 recommendations in the short-term plan, which state officials had deemed unacceptable last month.
Area health care providers publicly criticized Governor Brereton Jones' controversial new health care reform program, Tuesday evening, at a Floyd County Medical Association banquet, saying that it needed a 'major overhaul' in order to accomplish its projected goals. Keynote speaker for the event, Chairman of the Board of the Kentucky Medical Association Political Action Committee, Dr. Samuel J. King, said that the members of his organization are 'so disgruntled (about Jones' plan) that we are considering.
pursuing litigation.'.
There died: Shirley Caldwell, 76, of Betsy Layne, Saturday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Lorena Mullins Hamilton, 59, of Betsy Layne, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Abel Johnson, 68, of Bevinsville, Thursday, at the UK Medical Center, Lexington; George Smith, 74, of Leburn, Friday, at his residence; Sam Williams, 86, of Mousie, Wednesday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Ollie James Slone, 80, of Bypro, Monday, at his residence in Monticello; Vance Hall, 23, of Honaker, Friday, at Honaker; John Dennis Caudill, 87, of Bevinsville, Friday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Jacquline Johnson, 54, of Wayland, Friday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Edgar Holland, 69, of Carrie, Wednesday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; William Yancy Cash Sr., 74, of Prestonsburg, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Florence Ann Nelson, 59, of Auxier, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Ena Pigman Mills, 80, of Wayland, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; 'Tootsie' Dorothy Joyce Hall, 66, of Harold, Friday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Franklin 'Frank' Scalf, 44, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, as a result of a train accident at Dwale; Mamie Sturgill, 73, of Wayland, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Cosby 'Connie' Hazlett, 64, of Ocala, Florida, native of Martin, Thursday, at Shands Hospital; Nola Gearheart Cox, 75, of Greenwich, Ohio, native of Hueysville, Monday, at the Mansfield General Hospital.

April 7 and April 9, 1993

About 50 people gathered in the Wheelwright High School auditorium, Monday night, to hear details and ask questions about 85 new jobs expected to be available when the Otter Creek Correctional Center opens in the community this fall. U.S. Corrections Company officials, who are building the 300-bed minimum security prison, explained to the prospective employees about salaries, benefits, and job descriptions which will be available when the facility opens. Most of the questions from citizens centered on job salaries and educational requirements.
Less than two weeks after he had been shot, Wheelwright Police Chief Bob Moore resigned from his post, citing personal reasons. Moore told city commissioners, Monday night, that he could no longer hold the position of Police Chief, because he needed to take care of his mother who is ill. Moore did ask to stay on the police force as an auxiliary officer. Moore's resignation was accepted by Commissioner Lowell Parker, who supervises the police department, and David Duncan was appointed as acting chief. A special meeting was set Thursday, April 8, to discuss Moore's replacement.
Two Wayland men were arrested early Tuesday morning and charged with burglary for allegedly entering the home of Todd Crace at Water Gap, and taking several items. Floyd County Deputy Sheriff Danny McCoy said, Tuesday, that he had received a call that two men had entered Crace's home, and that Crace was holding one of the suspects at his home. On his arrival, McCoy said, Crace had restrained Robert Jacobs, 20, after he apparently opened the unlocked front door of the trailer and went inside. The deputy said that a second suspect had fled the scene. McCoy found the second suspect, Brian Mulkey, 20, at a Cardinal Mart, near the Big Branch residence.
Larry and Charlene Johnson, of Maytown, and their country line dance group, the Rhinestone Cowboys, will soon be performing nationally. The Johnsons and the Rhinestone Cowboys, 72 people in all, will travel to Knoxville, May 21, to appear on several tapings of The Nashville Network's 'White Horse Cafe' country dance show, which is broadcast daily.' A Floyd County company that operated two medical waste incinerators was cited, March 25, by the Kentucky Division of Air Quality, for an opacity level violation. Medisen Inc., was cited for releasing smoke omissions that exceeded the allowable 10 percent opacity level.
First Commonwealth Bank President Burl Wells Spurlock said, Thursday, that he intends to appeal a Pike Circuit jury's decision against the bank in which a Floyd County coal operator was awarded more than $2.6 million. Jerry Baldwin, of the Lexington-based law firm of Frost & Jacobs, said Tuesday, that the jury had awarded Terry Giese, of Prestonsburg, $1.9 million in compensatory damages, and $700,000 in punitive damages in a breach of contract countersuit.
There died: Purvis Riley, 54, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, formerly of Teaberry, Wednesday, at the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Ocie Lee Music, 90, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, Saturday, in Eaton Rapids; Lee Franklin Mitchell, 34, of Teaberry, Sunday, at U.K. Medical Center, Lexington; William 'Brad' Boyd, 97, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Rebecca Bernice Thompson, 62, of Wyandotte, Michigan, formerly of Betsy Layne, Monday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Millie Waddles, 83, of Kite, Saturday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; J.R. Miller, 56, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Inez S. Jacobs, 63, of Auxier, formerly of Pippa Passes, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Harold H. Fitzpatrick, 71, of Columbus, Ohio, native of Martin, March 31, at his residence; and Bertha Hale Hicks, 74, of Blue River, Tuesday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center;

March 10 and March 12, 1993

A Louisville man, charged with murdering his father, was convicted of reckless homicide by a Floyd County jury last week. Douglas Hughes, 51, shot his father, Billie Hughes, 84, of Salt Lick, four times, twice in the back of the head, after the two argued at Billie Hughes' home in November 1990.
Only one of three controversial construction management contracts was ratified, Tuesday night, by the Floyd County Board of Education, despite a warning from an attorney for Martin Engineering that failure to ratify all three could lead to legal action and a work stoppage on those projects.
A Floyd County youth was charged with murder, Monday, in connection with the early morning shooting of a Topmost man at Price. Whirley Hall, 49, of Topmost, died Sunday afternoon, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center at Lexington, from a gunshot wound to the head. 19-year-old John Preston Henderson, of Weeksbury, apparently shot Hall one time, after an altercation at a residence at Price.
Local merchants were advised that criminals are passing counterfeit cash, according to Prestonsburg Police Chief Greg Hall. The counterfeit bills are one dollar bills with the corners of twenty dollar bills passed on them and passed to merchants as twenties. At least three have been discovered in the last seven days.
Some candidates for public office have apparently been flaunting Kentucky election laws for the last seven years without even knowing it. According to a press release issued by Kentucky Registry of Election Finance Executive Director George Russell, Wednesday, candidates for public office in the state of Kentucky, may no longer continue the practice of giving charitable contributions from their campaign warchests in order to receive positive publicity.
In an effort to collect more than $40,000 in past due accounts, Martin City Council, at Wednesday's meeting held second reading of a revised water ordinance which has provisions to disconnect the water meters of delinquent customers. The city may not be able to collect the entire amount of past due bills though, because several delinquent customers'some owing thousands of dollars'have died.
An elderly Floyd County man died in a freak accident, Tuesday, near his home at Bevinsville, Floyd County Coroner Roger E. Nelson said this week. Willie Jackson Rainey, 84, a retired coal miner, was apparently using a chain saw to trim an apple tree on his property, Tuesday, when a limb fell, hitting him in the face.
Floyd County's school spelling champions competed for the county championship, Friday, at Adams Middle School. Jeremy Parsons, of Stumbo, outlasted Brent Tackett, of Melvin, to receive the championship plaque.
There died: Neil Watson, 68, of Hueysville, Friday, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington; Donald Ray Keathley, 47, of Allen, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Lillian Slone Campbell, 69, of Mousie, Saturday, at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Alpha Jean Blevins, 59, of Tram, Thursday, at her residence; Ethel Owens Caudill, 81, of Garrett, Thursday, in Highlands Regional Medical Center; Mollie Rose Green, 96, of David, formerly of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Whirley (Gig-Poe) Hall, 49, of Topmost, Sunday, at the UK Medical Center, Lexington; Noah Hamilton, 76, of Michigan City, Indiana, native of Melvin, Wednesday, at the Life Care Center, Michigan City; Sarah Carrie King, 68, of Taylor, Michigan, formerly of Knott County, Saturday, at the Heritage Hospital, Taylor, Michigan; Wanda 'Peggy' Mildred Spears, 74, of Endicott, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Annie Anderson, 75, of McDowell, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Willie Jackson Rainey, 84, of Wheelwright, Tuesday, at his residence; Mary Francis Reynolds Bentley, 82, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center.

(Feb. 24 and Feb. 26, 1993

An attorney for Education Commissioner Thomas Boysen made an abrupt about-face, Monday evening, in closing comments to the state board of education, recommending that the board reprimand, rather than remove, Floyd County board chairman Ray 'Shag' Campbell. Just prior to making that request, Boysen's attorney, Steve Wolnitzek, and Office of Education Accountability investigator Steve Yater were overheard finalizing language for closing comments that would have asked the state board to remove Campbell for misconduct. The change from removal to reprimand apparently was made by Boysen, who conferred briefly with Wolnitzck outside the board meeting room just before closing comments were made.
A Floyd County Grand Jury handed down 34 true bills, Friday, which included a 12-count indictment against a Wheelwright man who pulled a loaded gun and threatened to kill the police chief, at a Wheelwright City Commission meeting, last month. Grand jurors charged Rodney Thornsberry, 38, with criminal attempt to commit murder and 11 counts of first degree wanton endangerment. Thornsberry was charged with attempted murder for pointing a loaded gun at Wheelwright Police Chief Bob Moore at a Wheelwright Commission meeting January 23. Wanton endangerment charges resulted when Thornsberry wrestled with Moore over the gun which was pointed in the direction of 12 people who attended the meeting.
Tragedy struck in Prestonsburg, Monday evening, when a 32-year-old mother of three was apparently accidentally shot to death by her own 13-year-old son. Theda Rose Gayheart Walters, of Prestonsburg, died, Monday, as the result of a single gunshot wound to the side, Captain Darrel Conley, of the Prestonsburg Police Department, said Tuesday. Conley and patrolman Rick Kendrick responded to reports of a gunshot at 405 North Central Avenue at around 6 p.m., Conley said. There, they discovered Walters lying on the floor surrounded by her three children. Her husband, Tony Ray Walters, told police that he was visiting a sick relative at the time of the incident. Conley said that the boy was apparently playing with a single-shot 12-gauge that he thought was unloaded, when the firearm discharged accidentally, striking his mother.
A friendly argument apparently exploded in violence, early Sunday morning, when a Floyd County man allegedly stabbed a friend to death in a drunken rage. According to Floyd County Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson, Chad Edward Lovely, 19, of Wayland, and Michael Lloyd Manns, 23, of Seitz, were engaged in a friendly poker match, Saturday night, at a friend's house at Estill. The two began arguing, Thompson said, and had apparently settled their differences when Lovely allegedly plunged a five-inch knife into Manns' back. Manns, the brother of Lovely's step-father, was pronounced dead at the scene by Floyd County Coroner Roger E. Nelson.
A Floyd County woman was killed at Ligon, Monday evening, in an auto accident that police say was an alcohol-related murder. Cora Tackett Booth, 66, of Hi Hat, was a passenger in a vehicle driven south on Kentucky 979 by her daughter-in-law, 33-year-old Pearl Booth, when a northbound vehicle, driven by Glennis Gayheart, of Beaver, crossed the center lane and struck the Booth vehicle head-on. Cora Booth was pronounced dead at the scene by Floyd County Deputy Coroner Buddy Smith. Gayheart, 20, who was allegedly driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages, is expected to be charged with murder.
A commemorative service will be held, this Sunday, marking the 35th anniversary of the 1958 school bus, tragedy that focused the eyes of the nation on Floyd County. On Friday, February 28, 1958, a Floyd County school bus, bearing 46 children and one adult, struck two vehicles, teetered momentarily on the brink of an 83-foot embankment, and plunged into the icy, rain-swollen waters of the Big Sandy River at Knotley Hollow, near Cow Creek. Twenty-six children and one adult died that day. Douglas L. 'Dootney' Horn, driver of the first vehicle the bus struck, along with eyewitnesses, Bennie Blackburn and C.O. Williams, dove into the icy river and helped pull twenty of the stranded children to safety before the bus tragically, inevitably submerged, trapping the other 27 passengers.
It appears that plans to bring live harness racing to eastern Kentucky may have once again stalled in the starting gate, Floyd County Development Authority Executive Director Darrell Gilliam told Development Authority board members, Wednesday. Gilliam said that the proposed Kentucky Downs harness track/convention center project continues to be plagued by both financial and time restraints. Initial construction of the track has stalled, Gilliam said, because a necessary change in the track's configuration has required the additional removal and grading of several thousand tons of additional earth that were not included in original feasibility studies.
There died: James Walter Henegar, 60, of Wayland, Monday, at South Williamson Appalachian Regional Hospital; Theda Rose Gayheart Walters, 32, of Prestonsburg, Monday, at her residence, victim of a gunshot wound; Earnest Moore, 68, of Martin, Thursday, at Parkview Manor Nursing Home in Pikeville; Hatler Jones, 45, of Beaver, Friday, at U.K. Medical Center, Lexington; Cora Tackett Booth, 66, of Hi Hat, Monday, at Ligon, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident; John Albert Calder, 78, of Louisville, Saturday, at the Baptist Hospital East; Cora P. Robinette, 83, of Harold, Monday, at Parkview Manor Nursing Home, Robinson Creek; Clarence 'Dog' Slone, 69, of Langley, Sunday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Easter Mae Lowe, 56, of Harold, Tuesday, at the University Hospital, Augusta, Georgia; Luther Thornsberry, 71, of Willard, Ohio, formerly of Wheelwright, February 15, at Mercy Hospital, Willard; Oakie Shepherd, 82, of Gunlock, February 13, at his residence; Clyde Stephens, 41, of Van Lear, Tuesday, at U. K. Medical Center, Lexington; Sofa Hall, 92, of Kite, Wednesday, at Whitesburg Hospital; William L. (Mato) Martin, 78, of New London, Ohio, native of Harold, Thursday, at his home; Ethel Ward, 70, of Tomahawk, Tuesday, at Three Rivers Medical Center in Louisa; George Woods, 95, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, in the Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Ollie R. Combs, 87, of Fisty, Tuesday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital.

Feb. 17 and Feb. 19, 1993

Floyd County Housing Authority Director Julia May is in stable condition at a Frankfort hospital, recovering from injuries received last week when she was struck by a van. Steve Clark, spokesman for the Frankfort police, said Tuesday that May, 56, was hit at 3:15 p.m., last Wednesday, while she was trying to cross Clinton Street in Frankfort.
Two Floyd County brothers were killed, Saturday, when their house at Little Paint burned to the ground. Ronald Clay Freeman, 52, and Paul Freeman, 46, of East Point, were both pronounced dead at the scene by Floyd County Coroner Roger Nelson. Another brother discovered the fire around noon Saturday. Police suspect the fire was caused by an electric space heater in the living room. Ronald Freeman stayed at home to care for his brother, Paul, who had Down's Syndrome, relatives said Saturday.
In an effort to improve communications between personnel and the community, Floyd County Superintendent Steve Towler hired a former newspaper editor as an administrative assistant for personnel and communications. Terry Spears, 31, of Pike County was hired last week to the new position created in December by the Floyd County Board of Education. Spears, former editor of the Appalachian News-Express in Pike County and The Martin Countian and Mercury in Martin County, assumed his duties Tuesday.
Intense heat, high winds and a store of ammunition contributed to the injuries of five Prestonsburg firefighters, Sunday, when they attempted to extinguish a blaze at the Middle Creek residence of Prestonsburg attorney C.V. Reynolds. Department spokesman Major Mike Wells said, Tuesday, that firemen Tommy Hereford, Mike Mays, James Hager, Kenny Crisp and Adrian Blackburn were taken to the Highlands Regional Medical Center for various injuries and smoke inhalation.
The Longrifles are coming back to Eastern Kentucky! No, it's not the famous Kentucky pioneer weapon of years gone by'it's baseball in the mountains. The Kentucky Longrifles will make the Big Sandy Valley their home, according to an announcement, Monday, by Paintsville City Councilman and former major league player Johnnie LeMaster.
Georgia authorities released Floyd County native Harry Hale on bond, Friday, but they are looking for him again to assist the Floyd County Sheriff's Department. Hale, 46, is charged in Floyd County with possession of stolen property in connection with a search at his home last month which turned up several personal belongings of a Swiss traveler, Christoph Zahn, 21, who was reported missing in Atlanta last year. Hale is also wanted for questioning by the Floyd County Sheriff's Department in the 1990 disappearance of Mitchell Manns.
A removal hearing for Floyd County School Board Chairman Ray 'Shag' Campbell will begin at 9 a.m., Monday, February 22, at the state board meeting room in Frankfort. In January, Education Commissioner Thomas Boysen charged Campbell with misconduct in office for signing architect and construction manager contracts without the full school board's approval. Boysen recommended that Campbell be publicly reprimanded for his actions, but the State Board for Elementary and Secondary Education ruled last month that enough evidence was presented to conduct a removal hearing. Campbell denies any wrongdoing in the case.
The Kentucky State Police undercover Operation: CUPID netted nearly 500 suspected drug-offenders statewide, Wednesday, including three Floyd County residents. Among the 13 alleged offenders captured were Glen 'Nero' Vance of Mud Creek; Teddy B. Tackett of Tinker Fork; and Mike Riley, no address given. Charges included trafficking in marijuana, prescription drugs and cocaine.
There died: Manis E. Gray, Tuesday, February 16, at his home in Lancer; Ronald Clay Freeman, 52, and Paul Freeman, 46, of Little Paint, at East Point, Saturday, as the result of a fire at their residence; Clyde B. Bates, 72, formerly of Buckingham, and more recently of Silver Lake, Indiana, Wednesday; J. David Tufts Sr., 91, of Wayland, Thursday, at the Parkview Manor Nursing Home, Pikeville; Billie B. Little, 71, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, in Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital; Allie Smith Parsons, 83, of Allen, Friday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Joseph Akers, 50, of Galveston, Sunday, at his residence; Clyde Bates, 66, of Melvin, Sunday, at the Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington; Andy Reynolds, 11-month-old infant son of Hugh and Becky Hunderson Reynolds of Beaver, Monday; Raymond Lewis, 54, of Sidney, Wednesday, at his residence; Ethel Ward, 70, of Tomahawk, Tuesday, at the Three Rivers Medical Center at Louisa; Vernon Martin, 71, of Wittensville, formerly of Coal Run, Stone Coal, in Pike County, Thursday; Champ Childers, 60, of Dema, Wednesday, at his residence; Christina Lewis, 45, of Sidney, Wednesday, at her residence; Aaron J. Akers, 77, of Louisville, formerly of Banner, Friday, at the Surburban Humana Hospital, St. Matthews; Richard 'Dick' Spurlock, 89, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home; Easter Mae Lowe, 56, of Harold, Tuesday, at the University Hospital, Augusta Georgia; Cedric Jesse Rodebaugh, 65, of Creedmoore, North Carolina, Tuesday, at his home; Ora Pigman Horn, 88, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Sadie Shepherd Salyers, 81, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Ivan Slone, 73, of Brinkley, Tuesday, at his residence; Oma A. Hackworth, 79, formerly of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Meadowview Care Center in Seville, Ohio.

Feb. 3, and Feb. 5, 1993

Five counties in the Big Sandy region will go their separate ways in an effort to come together with a vision for the future. Following a mandate from Governor Brereton Jones, and the state's General Assembly, the Big Sandy Area Development District on Thursday, January 28, launched the local version of 'Kentucky 2001,' a state-wide project aimed at assessing needs, setting goals and implementing strategies for Kentucky's development into the next century. Each of the state's 15 area development districts will undertake similar planning processes to contribute to an overall strategic plan for the commonwealth.
Three weeks before her murder, Ella Frances Hunter called Kentucky State Police and said she feared her estranged husband would follow her to Karate class at Betsy Layne High School and 'cause trouble.' Last Sunday, at the gate to Betsy Layne High School, police say Hunter's husband, Phillip Hunter, shot and killed his wife and her boyfriend, just prior to the beginning of her Karate class. KSP Captain Robert Forsythe said, Tuesday, that Ella Hunter called the Pikeville police post on Sunday, January 10, saying she feared her husband would follow her. Forsythe said Ella Hunter, 41, was advised to call the post if her husband showed up. Apparently, her husband did not follow her that day. Phillip Hunter, 46, of Honaker, was charged with two counts of capital murder, Sunday afternoon, after he allegedly killed his wife, and Darrell Blackburn, 45, of Pikeville.
Representatives from Equitable Gas Company met, Wednesday, in a public hearing in Frankfort with the Kentucky Public Service Commission, in an effort to enact a proposed natural gas price hike, which could affect nearly 2,000 Floyd County residents. The proposed hike would affect nearly 5,000 Equitable Gas Company customers in Floyd, Johnson, Pike, Martin, Magoffin, Letcher, Knott, Perry, Leslie and Lawrence counties, a company spokesman said, Thursday. Equitable Gas Company, a division of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based Equitable Resources, Incorporated, works in conjunction with the Kentucky-West Virginia Gas Company to provide natural gas to an estimated 1,600 Floyd County customers, Equitable Resources Communications Director Brian Plant said, Thursday. He added that Kentucky-West Virginia Gas customers should not be affected by the price hike, if it is allowed.
The signs may have been taken down repeatedly, but the message remains the same'why? Why have the accidents at the new U.S. 23 and Route 1428 continued, killing two people and critically injuring four others. Even more importantly, one Floyd County man asks, why hasn't the state taken the necesssary measures to stop what he terms the 'senseless slaughter.' The man, who prefers to be known only as 'Anonymous,' continues to place the signs proclaiming 'Why?' on the rock cliff that provided an untimely end for Jimmy Howard Brewer, 34, of Seagrove, North Carolina, and 15-month-old Katherine Baker, of Clintwood, Virginia.
A Wheelwright man who threatened to kill acting Wheelwright Police Chief Bob Moore during a Wheelwright city commission meeting last month, did so, because he was under the influence of a drug called Prozac, his attorney said Wednesday. Prestonsburg attorney Ned Pillersdorf appeared in Floyd County District Court, Wednesday, for a preliminary hearing on behalf of his client, Rodney Thornsberry. Pillersdorf waived the hearing and District Judge Danny Caudill sent the matter to circuit court where a grand jury is expected to hear evidence in the case later this month. Pillersdorf said if Thornsberry is indicted for wanton endangerment and first degree assault on a police officer with a weapon, and the case goes to court, he will blame his client's actions on his taking the drug Prozac, a drug commonly prescribed to treat depression.
There died: Herby Messer, 70, of Leburn, Sunday, at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Dora Martin Blackburn, 74, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Hazel Crisp, 88, of Wheelwright, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Janice H. Dingus, 55, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Paul B. Hall Medical Center; Hattie Mae Burke, 69, of Bevinsville, Monday, at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Opal M. Butler, 67, of Sciotoville, Ohio, formerly of Drift, Saturday, at Scioto Memorial Hospital, Portsmouth, Ohio; Norsie Thelma Goble, 73, of Auxier, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Ella Frances Hunter, 41, of Honaker, Sunday, at Betsy Layne; Charles Elliott Corder, 72, of Ray, Ohio, formerly of Van Lear, Saturday, at Medical Center Hospital, Chillicothe, Ohio; Josie Likens Moore, 94, of Berea, formerly of Harold, Friday, at Berea Hospital; Darrell G. Blackburn, 45, of Spring Branch, Pikeville, Sunday, at Betsy Layne; Lack Hamilton, 92, formerly of Hurricane Creek, Wednesday, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home, Pikeville; Beulah Ratliff, 98, of Lackey, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Amy Ratliff Campbell, 74, of Corn Fork, Prestonsburg, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Maggie Crider, 97, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, at the Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Ethel Sturgill Gibson, 77, of Wayland, Sunday; Mabel R. Mosley, 62, of Shelby, Ohio, native of Drift, Monday, at her home; Melvin Click Jr., 55, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Helen M. Holbrook, 69, of Continental, Ohio, formerly of Floyd County, Monday, at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima, Ohio; Aggie Hall Burke, 86, of Weeksbury, Monday, at Weeksbury; Bernice Crawford, 66, of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, December 14, at her home; Ona Blackburn Harris, 73, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Hattie Mae Burke, 69, of Bevinsville, native of Halo, Monday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Gearline Case Stewart, 53, of New London, Ohio, Wednesday, at Fisher-Titus Medical Center, Norwalk, Ohio.

Jan. 27 and Jan. 29, 1993

A 38-year-old Floyd County man was released on bond, Tuesday, when he pleaded not guilty to various charges resulting from an altercation, Saturday night, before a city commission meeting, when he pointed a loaded pistol at the head of Wheelwright Police Chief Bob Moore and threatened to shoot him. Rodney Thornsbury was arraigned in Floyd County District Court, Tuesday, on charges of first degree wanton endangerment; first degree assault on a police officer, with a weapon; resisting arrest; and criminal mischief. Thornsberry pleaded not guilty, and was released on a $9,000 surety bond.
A restraining order was issued against Floyd County Fiscal Court members, Tuesday, barring the court from terminating the employment of a deputy jailer who has filed to run for jailer. Deputy jailer Jody Mullins filed a lawsuit against the fiscal court ,Tuesday claiming that a 1988 amendment, to the county's personnel code is unconstitutional. The amendment says county employees seeking to run for elected office, must take a leave of absence without pay.
First, he was in the race, then he dropped out'now he's back in No, it isn't Ross Perot, but Floyd County's own Commonwealth Attorney, Jerry Patton. Last week, Patton removed his bid for re-election to the office of Commonwealth Attorney, a position which he has held since 1988, citing a desire to devote more time to his private legal practice and to his five-year-old son. On Monday, however, Patton announced, in a press release, that he had re-entered the race so that he could continue serving people of the Commonwealth. He said that his original decision to pull out of the race was based primarily on the fact that he was concerned about the strain that a campaign would put on his parents, since his father had earlier experienced heart problems and underwent coronary bypass surgery.
A Floyd County couple died, Wednesday afternoon, after their automobile collided with a coal truck on Route 114 at Middle Creek. According to a report filed, Wednesday, by the Pikeville Post of the Kentucky State Police, Eula Mae Huppert, 73, of Prestonsburg, drove her vehicle out of the Compton's Grocery parking lot on Route 114, directly into the path of a fully-loaded coal truck, driven by Donald Sturgill. Sturgill, 42, of Pound, Virginia, was unable to stop in time, and struck the Huppert vehicle. Both vehicles careened into the east-bound lane and struck a guard rail. Sturgill's truck went over the hill, knocking over a utility pole. Huppert's passenger, her husband, John W. Huppert, 65, was pronounced dead at the scene by Floyd County Coroner Roger E. Nelson.
Despite earlier reports and a United States Department of Agriculture spokesman's insistence to the contrary, last week, the Floyd County Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Services may still fall under the knife in a massive budget cut. The proposed cut is part of a major down-sizing effort, intended to update and streamline the Department of Agriculture's operations. The current USDA field office structure is comparable to that which existed, when 20 percent of the U.S. population lived on farms, and was without modern communication.
The starting lines have been drawn, and a 20-year race for educational improvement is on in Kentucky schools, where the stakes are high for those unable to keep up the pace. Test scores released Wednesday, by the State Department of Education, will serve as the baseline for improving education in Kentucky, and they suggest some schools will have to travel a wider circuit if they are to meet state goals. The formula for measuring success is fairly simple, schools are expected to attain test scores of 100 points, over a period of 20 years. Scores from 1992 testing serve as the starting point, and the difference between that number and the goal of 100 points, must be made up in ten percent increments every two years.
A Floyd County jury found a Johnson County man guilty, Thursday, of the attemped rape of a Prestonsburg Community College student, last year, as the school campus Romie Adams, 60, of Nippa, who was an usher at the Upper Room Church, in Paintsville, was convicted of first degree criminal attempt to commit rape after a two-day trial in Floyd County Circuit Court.
There died: Marie Rainey, 76, of Wheelwright, Friday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Elva Reynolds, 85, Wheelwright, Sunday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Charles E. Hall, 65, of Bypro, Monday, at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Roxie Meade Parker, 68, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; James B. Daniels, 71, of Hillsboro, Ohio, formerly of Garrett, Sunday, at Highlands District Hospital in Hillsboro; Ronnie Warren Slone, 39, of Hindman, Saturday, at his residence; Phillip Morris Hall, 52, of Topmost, Thursday, at his residence; Billy Ray Castle, 47, of McDowell, Sunday, at his residence; Mary Elizabeth (Maw) Caudill, 79, of Lexington, formerly of Melvin, Thursday, at her residence; Ada O. Stephens, 78, of Martin, Friday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Arlen Lewis, 78, of Tram, Monday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington; Eliza Jane Little, 84, of Weeksbury, Thursday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Herald Campbell, 82, of Burlington, New Jersey, formerly of Floyd County, Saturday, in the Rancocas Valley Hospital in Willingboro, New Jersey; Arvil Crum, 75, of Martin, Friday, at his residence; Bob Griffith, 79, of Eastern, Monday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Dona B. Hinton, 78, of Orange Park, Florida, formerly of Floyd County, Wednesday; Mary Belle Griffith, 68, of Ligon, Thursday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Charles Everett Martin, 83, of Eastern, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Aggie Hall Burke, 86, of Weeksbury, Monday; Ola Mitchell, 75, of Drift, Friday, at his residence; Mildred Kidd Adkins, 58, of Ivel, Tuesday, in Highlands Regional Medical Center; Robert John Bowling, 44, of San Francisco, California, formerly of Weeksbury, Monday, at the University of California Hospital; Zeb Ousley, 86, of Hueysville, Thursday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; John H. Huppert, 65, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, as a result of an automobile accident on Route 114, Middle Creek Road, Prestonsburg; Eula Mae Huppert, 74, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center, as a result of an automobile accident; Millie Lawson, 89, of Garrett, Wednesday, at Mountain View Health Care Center, Elkhorn City.

Jan. 20 and Jan. 22, 1993

A Floyd County man accused of the attempted murder of Floyd County Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson was sentenced, Tuesday, to a four-year prison term after he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge last week. Greg Little, 37, of Water Gap, appeared before Circuit Court Judge Harold Stumbo for sentencing Tuesday morning. Stumbo sentenced Little to the term recommended by the commonwealth attorney's office and wished Little 'the best of luck.'.
State education officials are proceeding with hearings for two Floyd County School Board members to determine if the pair should be ousted from office. Thursday's agenda for the State Board for Elementary and Secondary Education includes a proposal to schedule a hearing for Floyd County Board vice-chairman Tommy Boyd, who has been accused of misconduct in office. Boyd was accused by Education Commissioner Thomas Boysen, in October, of interfering in the hiring of a employee for the Betsy Layne High School Youth Service Center. State School Board members will also conduct a summary hearing concerning allegations of misconduct levied, January 5, against Floyd County Board Chairman Ray 'Shag' Campbell, accused of signing architect and construction manager contracts for the 21-classroom addition at Betsy Layne Elementary, in October 1991, without board approval.
A 27-year-old Magoffin County man pleaded guilty to charges of first degree robbery Saturday afternoon, two days before his trial was scheduled to start. John Fletcher of Marshallville had pleaded guilty, last year, to the robbery charge, but failed to adhere to part of the agreement, and his trial was reset to begin Monday. Commonwealth Attorney Jerry Patton said Monday. Patton recommended a 12 and one-half year prison sentence on the robbery charge. Formal sentencing has not been set.
State School Board Members voted, Thursday, to hold a second hearing, next month, for Floyd County School Board Chairman Ray 'Shag' Campbell to determine if misconduct charges levied against him warrant his removal from office. At a summary hearing, Thursday, in Frankfort, state board members listened to evidence in Campbell's case and voted to hold a second hearing on the charges, February 22, at 9 a.m. The second hearing was scheduled in order for the state board to 'get greater depth and detail of evidence and defense testimony,' department spokesman Steve Swift said after Thursday's hearing.
Carl Thomas Patton's wife and child left the Floyd Circuit Courtroom in tears, Thursday, when he pleaded guilty to the 1991 first degree rape and sexual abuse of a nine-year-old girl. During jury selection Wednesday, public defender David L. Williams sought to delay the trial, complaining that he was only recently assigned to the case and was not allowed enough time to prepare an adequate deffense. Williams also told prospective jurors that his client could prove that he had been out of the state on the day of the rape; that Patton's civil rights had been violated, because no counsel was present when he was questioned by police; and that Patton had been confused, because he had only a first-grade education, was illiterate, and had a possible history of mental and behavioral problems.
In response to state education department scrutiny, Floyd County School Board members called for a thorough review of contracts for ongoing school construction projects at Tuesday's board meeting. The board also voted to delete a highly controversial open-ended clause in the construction manager's contract for the Betsy Layne classroom addition in October 1991. The clause in the contract allows for monthly payments to continue to the contractor even if the project is delayed 'through no fault' of the construction manager. Removal of the 'open-end' provision in the construction manager's contract appears irrelevant at this point, however, since the validity of the entire agreement remains in question.
There died: Samuel R. 'Buddy' Hatcher, 83, of Allen, Monday, at Humana Hospital in Louisa; Hannah Mead, 71, of Hi Hat, Monday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Josephine Thompson, 81, of Martin, Saturday, at her residence; Maxine Boyd, 48, of Dana, Sunday, at Central Baptist Hospital, Lexington; Helen Slone Smallwood, 43, of Bevinsville, Wednesday, at U.K. Medical Center in Lexington as the result of an automobile accident; Burt Hollifield, 53, of Clear Creek, of Fisty, Friday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Bessie Gibson Isaac, 74, of Prestonsburg, Monday, at her residence; Ernest Prater, 79, of Brainard (Prestonsburg), Thursday, at St. Joseph Hospital, Lexington; Jerry Lee Tackett, 42, of Willard, Ohio, formerly of McDowell, Thursday, at the Willard Mercy Hospital; George Leo Murray, 73, of Wayland, Saturday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; William Charles Anthony 'Tony' Francis, 20, of Ft. Lewis, Washington, formerly of Garrett, Sunday, in Washington; Jim Conn, 71, of Martin, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Sally Newman Humphreys, 90, of St. Cloud, Florida, Monday.

Jan. 13, and Jan. 15, 199$1

Though he is confined to a wheelchair and unable to speak, Floyd County Board member, Tommy Boyd, was sworn in to his second term at his home Friday, where he is recovering from a stroke. By offficially taking his seat on the board, Boyd may have paved the way for state board action on charges of misconduct, filed by Education Commissioner Thomas Boysen. Boysen charged Boyd, last November, with misconduct in office, alleging Boyd had tried to influence the hiring of a school employee for the New Horizon Youth Service Center in Betsy Layne. Boyd was sworn in by Deloris Dingus, finance officer for the Floyd County Fiscal Court, at his home around 1 p.m., Friday. Dingus said Monday that several witnessed the swearing in, and Boyd had 'made his mark' on the offficial documents.
Floyd County schools chief Steve Towler has filled a newly-created position of budget director with an independent consultant from Lexington. David Ryan Johnson, whose wife, Janet Reed, is from Drift in Floyd County, begins work today, Wednesday, at the district's central office. Johnson's duties will include being an 'advisor'' to the board and the superintendent, Towler said Tuesday.
'He's actually not going to supervise anyone,' Towler said. 'He's going to be working with the people, he's going to be an information provider and an information dispenser and an advisor on the budget. He'll be an advisor on the budget. He'll be an advisor to the board and to me. He will not have any final say.'.
Elvis has left the county. Floyd Countians, like stamp collectors and fans of the King all over the country, turned out in droves, Friday, in an effort to buy the United States Postal Service's new commemorative Elvis stamp, quickly depleting the limited supply and leaving postal workers all shook up. Although 300 million Elvis stamps were printed initially, post offices everywhere quickly sold out, prompting the postal service to print 200 million more.
Mayor Ann Latta delivered her State of the City address to the Prestonsburg City Council at its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday evening, declaring, in essence, that these are both the best of times and the worst of times. 'Last January,' Latta said, 'I warned that 'caution should be the fiscal byword for the coming year.' Those words have proven to be prophetic.' Latta said that although the city's economic climate is good, with a number of new businesses, a higher employment rate and a stable economy, the county's landfill woes have seriously depleted the city's budget.
Funeral services were held, Thursday, for a Floyd County man and his 10-year-old daughter who were killed, Sunday, in a car crash at Hueysville. Denzil Ray Hall, 38, of Allen, and his daughter, Olivia Nikole Hall, died of their injuries at the scene of the crash. Karen Duff Hall, Denzil Hall's wife, and the child's mother, who was also in the vehicle, remains hospitalized in critical condition at St. Mary's Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia. Classes were cancelled at Duff Elementary Thursday where Nikole Hall was a fifth grade student, and where her mother is a fourth grade teacher. The accident occured Sunday on KY 550 when Hall's Ford Bronco II crossed into the west bound lane, plunged over a 65-foot cliff, made impact with the railroad tracks below, and came to a final rest in the Right Fork of Beaver Creek.
Commonwealth Attorney Jerry Patton made his reelection campaign official when he filed last week to run in the May Primary. Patton is seeking his second term as commonwealth attorney. The race for the Mayor of Prestonsburg has expanded with the second Prestonsburg City Councilman tossing a hat into the ring. George P. Archer of Prestonsburg, announced his intentions to seek the city's highest office, Tuesday. Archer joins fellow councilman Jerry Fannin in a bid for that office.
Several hours of grueling deliberation greeted jurors, Thursday, in United States District Court in Pikeville, before they returned a verdict of guilty against Jeffrey Mullins, the man accused of robbing a Prestonsburg bank twice in less than two weeks after a four-day trial. Mullins, 34, formerly of Hi Hat, had been accused of robbing the North Lake Drive, Prestonsburg branch of the Bank Josephine on June 26 and July 8 of last year, threatening bank tellers and patrons, and stealing a total of $12,669.
Members of the Big Sandy Labor-Management Committee met in Prestonsburg, Thursday, with Floyd County Development Authority Executive Director Darrell Gilliam to discuss an upcoming comprehensive employment survey of the five-county area. The Big Sandy Labor-Management committee is a non-profit organization formed in 1987 with matching grants from the Kentucky Labor Cabinet's Office of Labor-Management relations. It is made up of more than 30 representatives of both labor and management in Floyd, Pike, Martin, Johnson and Magoffin counties, and is dedicated to educating managers, workers and the general public about the current state of labor relations in the Big Sandy area.
.Kentucky State Police are investigating a string of incidents aimed at the acting Wheelwright police chief which include a death threat and the vandalism of the chief's personal vehicle. Acting police chief Bob Moore found a note in his police cruiser last month which said 'Moore will die tonight.' Moore reported the threat to KSP, and trooper Jeff Anderson is investigating the matter, said KSP Captain Bob Forsythe. Forsythe said if anyone is prosecuted in the case, the charge would be terroristic threatening.
A Bevinsville woman died Wednesday from injuries suffered in a weekend accident at Buckingham. According to a report filed by Trooper Jeff Anderson of the Pikeville Post of the Kentucky State Police, the accident occurred when Richard Adkins, 46, of Stone, driving west on Kentucky 122, crossed the center line. Adkins apparently struck an eastbound vehicle driven by Lorenza Smallwood, 49, of Bevinsville, head on. Helen Smallwood, 43, a passenger in the Smallwood vehicle, who had extensive injuries was transported to the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, where she was pronounced dead at approximately 7:35 a.m., Wednesday.
There died: Denzil Ray Hall, 38, of Allen, Sunday, at Hueysville, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident; Olivia Nikole Hall, 10, of Allen, daughter of Karen Renee Duff Hall and the late Denzil Ray Hall, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident; Moverine C. Goble Lewis, 57, of New London, Ohio, Saturday, at her residence; Mitchell Huff, 79, of Garrett, Friday, at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Lexington; Martha Mae Branham Miller, 90, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Frankie L. Bentley, 51, a native of Estill, and a Peninsula, Virginia, Saturday, Jan. 2; Wanda Faye Wicker, 54, of Mousie, Sunday, at her home; Goldie Irene Miller, 71, of Drift, Monday, at St. Joseph Hospital, Lexington; Melinda Tackett Hamilton, 71, of Harold, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Winford Howell, 67, of Wayland, Sunday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Ishmael H. Hayes, 88, of Ironton, Ohio, Friday, at his home; Arnold Roberts, 64, of Pikeville, January 12, at Pikeville; Leda A. Osborne, 62, of Hi Hat, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Johnnie Warren, 75, of Wurtland, December 22, at Grant Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.

Dec. 16, and Dec. 18, 1992

A mishap Tuesday evening on Route 23 caused a brief scare and an extended detour near Allen, when a truck carrying explosives broke down on the highway. Traffic on Route 23 was rerouted through New Allen by officials with the state's department for Disaster and Emergency Services, while the truck's contents were removed. The vehicle, owned by EconExpress, of Wheaton, Illinois, was transporting explosives to a Pike County mine. The road was reopened at 6:30 p.m., about two hours after the truck broke down when its frame reportedly snapped. No injuries were reported.
Members of the Prestonsburg City Council publicly assailed the Floyd County Board of Education Monday evening for its plan to move its headquarters from the city of Prestonsburg. Mayor Ann Latta told the council at its regularly scheduled meeting Monday that Superintendent of Floyd County Schools Stephen Towler was expected to recommend that the board consider moving its central office out of Prestonsburg to a new location in Martin because the Prestonsburg office was run down.
The Floyd County Landfill, temporarily closed earlier this year in order to accommodate stringent new environmental regulations, may not reopen at all in the forseeable future.
at least as a landfill facility. Due to the Kentucky Cabinet for Natural Resource's lengthy review and constant disapproval of proposed changes in the landfill's permit application, Floyd County Judge/Executive John M. Stumbo said Tuesday, Floyd County Solid Waste's resources are severely depleted and several other options must be discussed for solving the problem.
Public and private officials from around the state fought snow and ice Friday afternoon to pick up a shovel and dig right in at the ceremonial groundbreaking at the future site of the Kentucky Downs Harness Track/East Kentucky Fair Grounds and Convention Center. Kentucky Racing Commissioner Wayne Lyster III, who cast the deciding vote allowing the first legal horse racing facility east of Interstate 75, called the event an 'historic occasion.'.
The Christian Appalachian Project and volunteers from as far away as Delbarton, New Jersey labored for hours Thursday to help make Christmas just a little bit merrier for the homeless, the jobless, the disabled and the disenchanted of Eastern Kentucky. A sizable crowd of people huddled closely in line Thursday at the Christian Appalachian Project's West Prestonsburg's warehouse to receive packages of food, clothing and Christmas gifts. In all, Christian Appalachian Project spokesperson Judy Crum said Thursday, the group hopes to help 795 Appalachian families this year.
There died: Hobert E. Ward, 70, of Paintsville, Tuesday, at U.K. Medical Center; Gladys Little Tackett, 70, of Topmost, Sunday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Curtis Tackett, 82, of Bypro, Sunday, at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Sallie Brown, 79, of Pierceton, Indiana, formerly of Floyd County, Saturday, at her residence; Cinda Newsom Stumbo, 81, of Pocatello, Idaho, Saturday, at a healthcare center there; Jessie James Napier, 93, of Melvin, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Veda Maris 'Vennie' Harper, 97, of Logansport, Indiana, formerly of Hueysville, Tuesday, at the Memorial Hospital, Logansport; David Wayne Ratliff, 34, of Honaker, Friday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Denvel Hunt, 49, of Norwalk, Ohio, formerly of Weeksbury,Monday, at Galion, Ohio; Carol Allen, 58, of Williamsburg, Ohio, Tuesday, in Anderson Mercy Hospital; Carlos Hale Haywood, 76, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at her residence; Anna Steffey, 89, of Tram, Wednesday, at her residence; Jane Derossett Nelson Collins, 100, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Irene Lewis, 72, of Stanville, Tuesday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital.

Dec. 9 and Dec. 11, 1992

A Floyd County woman died Friday afternoon at the Dickey Town area of East Point after the vehicle she was driving was struck by a train. Zelda Vaughan, 79, of East Point, apparently drove her vehicle onto the railroad crossing near her homes directly into the path of an on-coming CSX train. The engineer was unable to stop the train in time, and Vaughan's vehicle was struck in the passenger side.
Although Allen City Commissioner Ann Bentley rescinded her resignation at the commission's regularly scheduled meeting Monday evening, the city agency is still trippled by the lack of a mayor and a forum of commissioners. Both Bentley and Mayor Pro Tem Elmer 'Fudd' Parsons resigned their posts on November 13, leaving Commissioner Chris Waugh as the sole remaining city offficer. Parsons cited disagreements with City Clerk Bill Parsons as the reason for his resignation and Bentley said that her physician had advised her to resign her post due to health problems.
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Economic Development Paul Patton this week officiated a ribbon cutting and open house ceremony at the Cabinet for Economic Development's new Eastern Kentucky Department of Community Development in Prestonsburg. The office, located at 123 South Lake Drive, opened earlier this year as part of Governor Brereton Jones' economic development initiatives to help serve the state's counties.
A Floyd County man filed a civil lawsuit December 4 against an unidentified Floyd County deputy jailer and the Floyd County Fiscal Court claiming he was injured at the jail because of negligence. In the suit, David resident Bill Thomas Shepherd alleges that during the last weekend in May when he was jailed on an alcohol intoxication charge, he was placed in the general population area of the jail with a violent inmate and as a result of that he was injured.
Although teenage pregnancy statistics have been greatly exaggerated, Kentucky still has the second highest rate in the nation of births to teen-age mothers and Floyd County has the second highest rate in the eastern portion of the state. Secretary of the Cabinet for Human Resources Brad Hughes said Tuesday, that there were 9,181 live births to Kentucky mothers ages 15 to 19 last year and 199 births to mothers under the age of 15. Nearly 140 of those births were in Floyd County, Hughes said.
There died: Estill Martin, 65, of Minnie, Sunday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Sandra Nadine Stumbo Wooten, 51, of Langley, Saturday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Zelda Thomas Vaughan, 79, of East Point, Friday, in an automobile/train accident at East Point; Woodrow Jarvis, 75, of Cow Creek, near Prestonsburg, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Riley Hall, 97, of Allen, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Woodrow (Woody) Lewis, 55, of Warsaw, Indiana, formerly of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at his residence; Ocelene Baker, 45, of Auxier, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Fred Baldridge Jr., 79, of East Point, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Edgar Allen Poe 'Ed' Leslie, 77, of Emma, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Maggie Dixon, 67, of Wayland, Wednesday, at her residence; Virgie Olive Dunkelbburger Reed, 103, of Winston Salem, North Carolina, formerly of Drift, Wednesday, at Meadowbrook Manor, Clemmons, North Carolina; Alex Montival Johnson Sr., 75, of Ashland, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Timothy Leon Brafford, 29, of Robinson Creek, December 9, in Robinson Creek; Maxie L. Paige, 46, of McDowell, Tuesday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Janet Perry Deal, of West Haven, Connecticut, November 3, in Connecticut Hospice; Rev. Hampton H. Ratliff, 74, of Marion, Ohio, Tuesday, at Med-Center Hospital, Marion, Ohio.

(Nov. 11, 1992, and Nov. 13, 1992

Thanks to prolonged discussions by the Prestonsburg City Council at its regularly scheduled meeting, Monday evening, three city employees will retain their jobs, and the city itself, hopefully, will stop losing money. The council had previously discussed the possibility of laying off the three attendants at the municipal parking lot in order to save the city the approximately $25,000 loss it suffered annually on the municipal lot system. However, hesitant to fire anyone, the council reasoned that the attendants perform other important duties, such as giving directions, providing motorist assistance and acting as goodwill ambassadors. The council, acting on the recommendation of the traffic committee, worked out a complex plan that is expected to bring increased revenues to the city, and provide more and better parking for the citizens of Prestonsburg.
Members of the Betsy Layne High School Site Based Council have called misconduct charges levied by state Education Commissioner Thomas Boysen against school board member Tommy Boyd 'a grave travesty of justice.' School council members are also calling for the State Board for Elementary and Secondary Education to conduct its own investigation into the alleged interference by a school administrator in the hiring of a youth service center office manager.
Floyd County school officials are trying to get an estimate of damages to the roof at the new Left Beaver High School, after the facility was apparently vandalized Halloween night. Officials are also trying to determine why there was no security on the school construction site when the incident happened.
Prestonsburg Mayor Ann Latta signed a proclamation yesterday, Thursday, proclaiming Friday, November 13, as 'Blackcat Day' in Prestonsburg. The proclamation came as a result of the Prestonsburg Blackcat football team reaching the semifinals of the Region 4 playoffs in which they will face the Russell Red Devils, tonight, at the Prestonsburg stadium.
Volunteers in five counties are preparing to combine their efforts, Saturday, to call attention to the problem of hungry senior citizens, and to celebrate national 'Make A Difference Day.' Senior citizen centers and local civic groups are planning activities in the five-county area served by Big Sandy ADD to raise money for the Meals on Wheels program that provides meals to needy senior citizens.
There died: Wanda Perkins, 62, of Hindman, Saturday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Peggy Taylor, 61, of River, Wednesday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Doris E. Lyday, 74, of Fairfield, Ohio, November 2, at Mercy Hospital, Hamilton, Ohio; Edna Conley Everidge, 66, of Garrett and Eastern, Sunday, in Lexington, of cancer; Nancy Ruth Akers, 71, of Martin, Monday, at UK Medical Center; Desta Louise Conlee Price, 41, of Prestonsburg, Sunday morning, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Dollie Mosley, 67, of Hindman, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Jessie Mae Caudill Oliver, 81, of Marysville, Ohio, Friday, at Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Johnie Hagans, 84, of Gallipolis, Ohio, formerly of Langley, Sunday, at the Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis; Ella Bowling, 89, of Pikeville, Wednesday, at the Parkview Manor Nursing Home, Douglas; Flo Francis Homes, 87, of Louisville, formerly of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, in the Jefferson Manor Nursing Home; Edward Newsome, 63, of Vermilion, Ohio, formerly of Dana, Sunday, at his residence.

Oct. 28 and Oct. 30, 199$1

Despite political gerrymandering which has left Republican Fifth District incumbent candidate Harold 'Hal' Rogers with a brand new, primarily Democratic constituency, Rogers is confident that he will be elected to a sixth term. Rogers, 55, of Somerset, began his public life in 1969, when he was elected as the Pulaski/Rockcastle Commonwealth's Attorney, a capacity in which he served for more than 11 years.
Eastern Kentucky Racing Incorporated, officials, Prestonsburg Mayor Ann Latta, and Floyd County Development Authority Director Darrell Gilliam saddled up, Tuesday, for yet another lap in the race to bring a live harness track to eastern Kentucky. Ched Jennings, director for Eastern Kentucky Racing, said, Tuesday evening, that he was very encouraged by the nature of the discussion between his group and the Kentucky Racing Commission at their meeting, Tuesday afternoon.
The state's Office of Education Accountability is reviewing a complaint alleging that a Floyd County School Board member, who has not been identified, threatened and intimidated school administrators. OEA investigator Steve Yater said, Tuesday, that the complaint had been received, and that a review of that complaint by OEA is underway.
A Floyd County man died early Saturday morning from injuries suffered in an automobile accident. James Keith Hall, 21, of Grethel, was driving south on Route 979, at approximately 3:45 a.m., Saturday, when his car left the roadway and struck a tree. He was not wearing a seatbelt.
Floyd County school officials have made revisions to a number of items addressed in the district's short-term plan for improvement in response to a review of that plan by the state Department of Education. The state found the majority of the recommendations in the short-term plan acceptable, but noted their objections in several areas which included the reorganization of the central office.
The property of a Floyd County family is among four historic sites in Kentucky, Alabama, and South Carolina, designated, this week, as national historic landmarks. The property, which has been owned by the Fitzpatrick family for more than two centuries, is the site of the Civil War Battle of Middle Creek which was fought on January 10, 1862.
The latest obstacle has been hurdled, the last steeple has been chased and the dark horse has won'Floyd County will soon have its own live harness racing track. 'Score one for David,' Floyd County Development Authority Director Darrell Gilliam, said Thursday afternoon, referring to eastern Kentucky Racing Incorporated, and the Prestonsburg/Floyd County Properties Corporation's triumph over gigantic odds to bring live horse racing to Eastern Kentucky for the first time in the state's 200-year history.
There died: James Keith Hall, 21, of Grethel, Saturday, in Harold, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident; Robert Dale Wallen, 55, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, at his residence; Lucinda Brown, 69, of Mousie, Friday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Carl Akers, 80, of Jackson, Ohio, formerly of Dana, Saturday, in the Ohio State University Hospital, Columbus; Paul Osborne, 70, of Wheelwright, Monday, at his residence; Isaac Wayne Pigman, 27, of Hindman, Friday, at the June Buchanan Clinic; Florence Newsome, 88, of Melvin, Saturday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Tessie Bolen Fannin, 73, of Prestonsburg, formerly of West Van Lear, Saturday, in St. Josephs Hospital in Lexington; Roy A. Stambaugh, 63, Friday, at King's Daughters' Medical Center at Ashland; Florence Mae 'Toad' Rice, 87, of Ivel, Thursday, at her residence; Hershel Joe Carroll, one-year-old son of Lowell T. and Rhonda Fouts Carroll of Honaker, Thursday, at Wurtland; Nora Lee Thornsberry, 45, of Mousie, Monday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Devin Renee Gayheart, 6, daughter of Cledis Gayheart Jr., of Hindman, and the late Brenda Lou Watson Gayheart, Monday, at Hindman, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident; Martha Bradley, 82, Sunday, in DeKalb Memorial Hospital, Auburn, Indiana; Ella Boyd, 79, of Huntington, West Virginia, October 23, at Cabell-Huntington Hospital; Pansy Goble, 52, of Auxier, Wednesday, at the home of her daughter in Lexington; Dr. Mary Louise Osborne, 63, a Louisville resident, and native of Bypro, who gave up practicing law to become a physician, Wednesday, at her residence.

Oct. 21, 1992, and Oct. 23, 1992

More budget cuts for the city of Wheelwright could be in store soon, following an announcement at Monday's city commission meeting that the general fund balance is $298. At Monday's meeting, three city commissioners defended their decision, last week, to lay off the city's part-time and auxiliary policemen, a city worker and to employ the city clerk only three days a week.
Floyd County Fiscal Court members received a resolution, Friday, which proposed that the county particpate in a community-based solid waste management planning process to prepare for the disposal of Floyd County's solid waste, after June 30, 1995. Floyd County Attorney Jim Hammond and Big Sandy Area Development District Director Roger Recktenwald told the court, Friday, that community input into the plan is essential to develop a long-term waste disposal plan for the county. 'This is inviting folks like Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, and any other citizen groups, in to plan for a community-wide meeting,' Recktenwald said. 'We are going to ask (citizens) to come to meet and participate in the plan. We want to try to have as much public input as possible.'.
A Hueysville couple was arrested, Saturday night, when Floyd County sheriff's deputies found three pounds of marijuana at their home while responding to a domestic violence complaint. Larry D. Collins, 31, and his wife, Rebecca Collins, 26, were arrested and charged with trafficking in marijuana, more than eight ounces, less than five pounds; posession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful use of a police radio.
.With children beginning to experiment with drugs at a younger age, a push is on, by the Floyd County Sheriff's Department, to educate more elementary students with the addition of another D.A.R.E. instructor. Floyd deputy Dewayne Jarrell joined lone D.A.R.E. officer Ricky Thornsberry, this school year, in teaching the nationally-used D.A.R.E. curriculum in the Floyd County School System.
Amendment No. 3 on the ballot for the upcoming November General Election, which, if passed, will, among other things, abolish Kentucky's Railroad Commission, has a surprising amount of supporters.
including one of the members of that commission. Believe it or not, Railroad Commissioner J.E. Combs, who has been on the commission for five years, will be spending much of the next two weeks trying to persuade his constituents to vote him out of office.
An attorney representing Floyd County school administrators has forwarded a complaint made by the group against an unnamed member of the board of education, to the state's watchdog for school reform. John David Caudill said, Thursday, that he advised members of the Floyd County Administrators Association to ask the state's Office of Education Accountability to investigate their claims that they have been threatned and intimidated by a school board member.
There died: Billia Irene Wright Atkinson, 68, of Madeira Beach, Florida, formerly of Martin, Sunday, at her residence; Stewart Banks, 78, of Hueysville, Saturday, at his residence; Martha B. Yates, 76, of Printer, Friday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; James Lee Laferty, 57, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Lacy Mae Hall, 87, of Galveston, Sunday, at her residence; Howard Doc Thurman, 88, of Wheelwright, October 12, at Bluefield Regional Medical Center; Ruth A. Music, 54, of Mansfield, Ohio, native of Betsy Layne, Monday, at Mansfield General Hospital; Ershel Calhoun, 76, of Warsaw, Indiana, formerly of Prestonsburg, Thursday, in the Kosciusko Community Hospital.

Oct. 14, 1992 and Oct. 16, 1992

Floyd Countians can expect to see higher property taxes this year as the Floyd County Board of Education voted to pass a general fund tax increase at its regularly scheduled meeting at Adams Middle School, Tuesday evening. The board's decision followed a special public hearing prior to Tuesday's meeting to allow the public the opportunity to comment on the new tax. However, only one person spoke at the thirty-minute meeting before board chairman Ray 'Shag' Campbell broke off the monologue to begin the regular monthly board meeting.
Four days of fun in Floyd County will begin Thursday, October 15, at Martin with the opening of the 23rd annual Red, White and Blue Days, and culminating, Sunday, at Stumbo Park at Allen, with WMDJ's annual Day in the Park. Martin's Red, White and Blue Days will include a gospel sing on Thursday; and live entertainment, food, games, crafts and clogging on Friday.
The city of Prestonsburg is losing more than $20,000 per year, Councilman Billy Ray Collins' said at Monday evening's regularly scheduled city council meeting, and that annual loss may cost three city employees their jobs. The city's municipal parking lots are costing the city much more revenue than they bring in, Collins said, due to leasing, payroll and worker's compensation expenses, and the unreliability of the city's metering system.
Floyd County Education Forum members passed a resolution, Monday, criticizing an 'attack' on state Education Commissioner Thomas Boysen, and the Office of Education Accountability, by State Representative Greg Stumbo last week. Stumbo last week accused Boysen of being a 'prima donna' who surrounded himself with high paid employees, and said that the Department of Education is 'right back in the mess it was in, 'before Kentucky's Education Reform Act was passed.
A discussion on the physical condition of Martin Elementary sparked a debate at Tuesday's school board meeting between a parent and the school system's director of buildings and grounds. Tallina Rayburn, who has a child at Martin Elementary, asked Frankie Francis, buildings and grounds director, if work had been done to correct problems noted in an engineer's report on the condition of the school. Francis said the work had been completed and the building had been inspected by architect Randy Burchett. Rayburn disagreed with Francis and passed out to the board recent photographs taken at the school. 'I brought some pictures for you to look at and a lot of (these repairs) have not been done,' Rayburn said.
Three new state constitutional amendments will appear on the ballot for the November 3 general election. Kentucky's Legislative Research Commission has compiled information on these amendments, which will appear in its entirety in the Floyd County Times.
The Prestonsburg Police Department, on Wednesday afternoon, destroyed nearly one million dollars worth of marijuana, cocaine and illegal prescription medication that had been confiscated in several of the department's raids and undercover sting operations. Chief of Police Greg Hall and Assistant Chief Roy Roberts dumped two garbage bags full of illegal drugs taken between December, 1989 and December 1991, alone, into the incinerator at the Highlands Regional Medical Center.
A body found near Atlanta, Georgia, last week, has been positively identified as that of a missing Carl D. Perkins Job Corps student. John Bankhead, public affairs director for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, said Thursday, that dental records sent to the bureau proved conclusively that the body was that of Walter Cropper, 21, formerly of Panama City, Florida.
There died: Quinciano C. Asuncion of Taytay, Rizal, Philippines, brother of Dr. Virginia A. de Guzman of Martin, died October 10, in an automobile accident at Layfayette, Indiana, following a brief visit here; Susie Puckett, 75, of Ada, Ohio, Monday, at Lima Memorial Hospital; Cora G. Watts Sparkman, 73, of Pippa Passes, Wednesday, at the East Kentucky Health Services Center at Mallie; Russell Johnson, 61, of Hi Hat, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Tivis Neeley, 43, of Hueysville, Monday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington; Christine Sweeney, 63, of Prestonsburg, Friday, in Highlands Regional Medical Center; Maude McComas, 90, of Cridersville, Ohio, formerly of Eastern, Friday, in the Wapakoneta Nursing Home; Courtney Lee Ann Griffith, 2 1/2, of Whitesburg, Tennessee, Saturday, at the Knoxville Childrens Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee; Montana (Tean) Keathley Osborne, 56, of Banner, Sunday, at her residence; Ramon Hamilton, 56, of Phyllis, formerly of Teaberry, Saturday, at his residence; Eugene Tackett, 45, of Hi Hat, Monday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Veaneda A. Boyd, 67, of Bevinsville, Tuesday, at Jenkins Community Hospital; Lillie Newsome, 79, of Teaberry, Tuesday, at her residence; Elisha Hall, 73, of Grethel, Tuesday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital.

September 30-October 2, 1992

Plans for Eastern Kentucky Racing Incorporated's, proposed Kentucky Downs Harness track trotted back to the drawing stable, Tuesday, when the Kentucky Racing Commission tabled until late October, discussion on whether or not the track would be allowed live racing dates. The racing commission received an avalanche of criticism when, at its September 1 meeting, it approved live racing dates for every thoroughbred track in the state, but denied dates to Riverside Downs in Henderson and Kentucky Downs in Prestonsburg, two of only three harness racing tracks seeking approval.
The Ivel and Big Sandy Citizens Against Pollution received powerful support from a number of sources in their opposition to Costain Coal Incorporated's proposed residual landfill, Thursday evening, including Fifth District Democratic candidate for the office of U.S. Representative John Doug Hays. Hays was on hand, Thursday evening, for the second Kentucky Cabinet for Natural Resources Division of Waste Management public hearing to determine whether or not to approve Costain's permit application to construct the landfill.
Despite the Floyd County Fiscal Court's continued public opposition to a residual landfill proposed by Costain Coal Incorporated, it is continuing negotiations with Costain to secure property to be used as an industrial site. Floyd County Attorney Jim Hammond announced those intentions, Thursday, at a public Division of Waste Management hearing to determine whether or not Costain would be allowed to construct a residual landfill that will contain fly and bottom ash produced by the burning of Costain-mined coal.
A Prestonsburg lawyer, on Tuesday, filed a second lawsuit in Floyd County Circuit Court against the Kalamazoo Michigan-based UpJohn Company, the maker of the 'nerve pill' Halcion, claiming the drug had driven a Garret man to take his own life. Ned Pillersdorf, a Prestonsburg attorney, said Tuesday, that Halcion had caused Luther Messer, 68, to become increasingly confused, depressed and paranoid, and ultimately drove Messer to put a shotgun in his mouth and pull the trigger.
An 18-year-old Floyd County woman was killed in a two car accident, Wednesday, at the intersection of KY 80 and KY 1210, at the mouth of Stephens Branch, near Martin. Jennifer L. Ousley apparently pulled into the path of a pickup truck driven by Ella C. Hamilton, 51, of Viper, in Perry County, while trying to make a left turn off KY 1210 at Martin, police said. Ousley was taken to Our Lady of the Way Hospital in Martin and was transferrred to the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington where she died at 12:30 a.m., Thursday.
There died: Edith Isaacs, 72, of Teaberry, Thursday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; William K. Steele, 85, of Allen, Thursday, at the Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Catherin Akers, 55, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Pearl Childers Williams, 74, of Thelma, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Allard Hamilton, 75, of Stanville, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Wilma 'Fay' Hall, 61, of Pikeville, Monday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Edgar Bowling, 75, of Hager Hill, Sunday, at Highland Regional Medical Center; Jackie Lynn Newsome, 40, of Belleville, Michigan, formerly of Hi Hat, Saturday, at Annapolis Hospital, Wayne, Michigan; Edna Mae Samons, 75, of Allen, Thursday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; James Benjamin 'Putch' Wells, 58, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Monroe Booth, 69, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, in the Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Shelby Jean Hall, 51, of Galveston, Tuesday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital.

Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, 1992

Four people were killed, Monday, when an ambulance collided head-on with a coal truck and both vehicles exploded into flames on Route 460 in Johnson County. The fatality, considered the worst in Johnson County in several years, apparently occurred when the ambulance owned by G & B Ambulance Service of Salyersvville, veered into the path of the 18-wheel coal truck. The crash happened at 5:15 p.m. as the ambulance was returning to Magoffin County from Paintsville.
A two-year-old Grethel boy was killed, Tuesday morning, in a freak accident when a wringer washer tumbled off a back porch and fell on top of him. Brandon Handshoe, who would've been three years old September 20, was pronounced dead on arrival at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital by Floyd County Coroner Roger Nelson.
A Carl D. Perkins Job Corps counselor was cleared, Tuesday, of charges that he solicited an assault on a 17-year-old student at the center on January 10. Attorneys for both sides reached an agreement just before Clearance Trammell Jr., 52, was to stand trial in Floyd County District Court on misdemeanor charges of criminal solicitation and criminal facilitation.
Two Prestonsburg sisters were indicted, September 3, by a federal grand jury, in Lexington, for allegedly redeeming forged money orders stolen from three Eastern Kentucky post offices since May. Donna DeRossett, also known as Donna Stumbo, 31, and her sister, Ella Compton, 38, both of Prestonsburg, were arraigned in U.S. District Court in Lexington, Friday, and entered not guilty pleas to charges of conspiracy to present and presenting forged money orders in several eastern Kentucky counties.
A Prestonsburg woman died and two men were hospitalized, Wednesday evening, following an auto accident in which the woman's vehicle apparently collided with the other, flipped over a concrete barrier and landed on its roof, halting traffic in the south-bound lane of U.S. 23 for more than two hours. Joyce H. Weddington, 60, of Prestonsburg, was apparently driving her 1987 Chrysler north in the south-bound lane of U.S. 23 near Rudd Equipment, near the Route 114 intersection, when she struck a Dodge Dakota pick-up driven by Timothy W. Robinson, 25, of West Prestonsburg.
Three Coldwater men were arrested, Tuesday night, and approximately five pounds of marijuana were confiscated in a raid by sheriff's deputies. Floyd County Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson said, Wednesday, that a preliminary investigation begun two months ago paid off Tuesday, with the arrest of Todd Keathley, Clarence Keathley and Randy Yates, all of Coldwater.
Jack Cashman, director of the Red Mile harness racing facility in Lexington announced this week that on Sunday the track would host The Red Mile Rally to celebrate Kentucky's harness racing industry. Cashman urged all eastern Kentuckians, particularly those displeased with the decision to deny a Floyd County track, live racing dates, to attend. Cashman publicly announced the rally, Tuesday, at a Red Mile press conference coinciding with the press conference conducted by racing commissioners at the Kentucky Horse Park to deny that they were attempting to ride the harness industry into the ground.
There died: Charles Eugene Hines Sr., 84, of Ivel, Thursday, at his residence; Rasser D. Martin, 34, of Drift, Friday, at Cow Creek; Nancy Hall, 38, of East Point, formerly of Banner, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Earnest Jones, 57, of Martin, Saturday, at his residence; Rhoda Burke, 87, of Princeton, formerly of Weeksbury, Wednesday, at Jennie Stuart Medical Center, Hopkinsville; Ray E. Childress, 82, of Hillsboro, Sunday, at St. Claire Medical Center, Morehead; James Lincoln Burchett, 74, of Endicott, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Charlie H. Prater, 68, of Old Middle Creek Road, Prestonsburg, Sunday, at his residence; Mary Boyd Akers, 75, of Dana, Monday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Gary Lee Day Sr., 47, of Bypro, Thursday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Rexford 'Rex' Beach Merritt, 68, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, formerly of Emma, Thursday, at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Hampton, Virginia; Greeley M. Hicks, 72, of Peru, Indiana, Monday, at Dukes Memorial Hospital, Indiana; Elizabeth Mayo, 90, of Harrodsburg, Wednesday, at Haggin Memorial Hospital; Arnie Thornsberry Elliott, 50, of Plymouth, Ohio, formerly of McDowell, Monday, at Arthur James Cancer Center University Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Joyce Hall Weddington, 60, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, from injuries she received in an automobile accident; Janie Hicks Montgomery Moore, 73, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Minerva Jane Cooper, 83, of Estill, Wednesday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington; Kennith Ray Bates, 38, of Wheelwright, Tuesday, at his residence from a self-inflicted gunshot wound; Mary Ann Minix Hall, 59, of Prescott, Illinois, formerly of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Good Samaritan Hospital, Grover, Illinois.

Sept. 2 and Sept. 4, 1992

A two-month extension, granted by the state, to bring the Floyd County landfill into compliance with new regulations expired Sunday, and county officials are asking for more time. By Sunday, the state natural resources and environmental protection cabinet expected the county to have installed, a ground water monitoring system, a clay liner and a leachate collection system at the Garth site.
The Floyd County Development Authority has entered into an agreement with Lowe's Home Centers to negotiate the purchase of 12 acres of land near Prestonsburg, to provide a permanent home for the Kentucky Opry. Darrell Gilliam, executive director of the development authority, announced the agreement, Tuesday, and he said if the site is purchased it could be used to attract other industrial and commercial facilities.
Two separate traffic accidents Monday morning in less than seven hours, claimed the lives of three Floyd Countians, including a 32-year-old woman. Clara Jarvis, 32, of Banner, died after she drove into the path of a Mack utility truck on US 23 at Ivel. The accident happened at 6:55 a.m. In an earlier accident, Monday, Harmon W. Goble, 30, of Prestonsburg, and James E. Sword, 24, of Prestonsburg, were killed when the vehicle they were in, collided with a flatbed truck, on U.S. 23, one mile north of Prestonsburg.
A Floyd County jury, picked to hear a civil case concerning the controversial Left Beaver High School construction project, listened to opening arguments, Thursday, on the school ground. Jurors were taken to the school site, at Hi Hat to get a better understanding of the lawsuit filed by Triple B Corporation against the Floyd County Board of Education and B&J Construction.
There died: Howard Doss Blackburn, 70, of Prestonsburg, Monday, in the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Yvonne B. Davis, 60, of Waynesville, Ohio, formerly of Floyd County, Thursday, from injuries sustained in an auto accident; James Edward 'Pete' Sword, 24, of Goble-Roberts, Prestonsburg, Monday, on Auxier Road, near Prestonsburg, from injuries received in an automobile accident; Ivis Hall, 69, of Garner, Monday, at the V.A. Medical Center, Huntington, West Virginia; Betty J. Osborne, 56, of Hunter, Thursday, at St. Joseph Hospital, Lexington; Gertrude Holbrook Arnett, 80, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Harmon Goble, 30, of Allen, Monday, on Auxier Road near Prestonsburg, from injuries received in an automobile accident; Roscoe E. Evans, 92, of Prestonsburg, formerly of Elliott County, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Winfrey Lee, 59, of Marion, Ohio, Thursday, at the Marion General Hospital; Lee Edward Turner, 66, of Wabash, Indiana, July 15, at Parkview Memorial Hospital, Ft. Wayne, Indiana; Palmyra Branham, 84, of Melvin, Friday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Clara Ellen Jarvis, 32, of Banner, Monday, on U.S. 23, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident; Parthene Rogers, 64, of Robinson Creek, August 29, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Ova Lawrence Thompson, 84, of River, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center.

August 12 and August 14, 1992

Johnson County resident Wanda Couch, breathed a welcome sigh of relief, Saturday, as voters in McDowell's John Ant No. 22 precinct declared by a narrow eight-vote margin that the sale of alcoholic beverages will continue to be permitted. Fewer than half of the precinct's 546 registered voters cast their ballots in Saturday's election, keeping the precinct wet by a vote of 130-122.
Quick thinking and quicker action narrowly averted tragedy, Tuesday afternoon, as a prisoner in the Floyd County Jail hanged himself in his cell. Deputy Jailer Duran Jarrell said, Tuesday, that John Fletcher, 27, attempted to take his own life by tying one end of a bedsheet around the top bar in his cell, and the other around his neck.
Funeral services were held Monday, August 10, for Barbara Allen Heinze, 64, former business manager, editor and publisher of the Floyd County Times. Mrs. Heinze was born February 3, 1928, in Prestonsburg, nearly a year after her father, the late Norman Allen, founded the Times. She became editor and publisher of the state's most widely circulated non-daily newspaper upon her father's death in 1986.
Prestonsburg firefighters for hours battled a blaze in West Prestonsburg that threatened neighboring homes early Thursday morning. Members of the Prestonsburg Fire Department quickly responded to an emergency call alerting them to the fire, shortly after midnight Thursday, but the fire had apparently begun much earlier. By the time they arrived at the scene, the uninhabited structure was nearly engulfed in flames.
Nerves of steel are always a plus when trying to get a driver's license, but a Floyd County man and his license examiner found the going extra difficult, Wednesday, when a snake delayed the start of their road test. Chris Johnson of Weeksbury, and license examiner Ethel Sammons, were startled by a two-foot snake striking at the sidewalk before they got in the car.
Eight people were involved in a two-car collision on new U.S. 23, Wednesday afternoon, four of whom, were rushed to Highlands Regional Medical Center for emergency treatment. The accident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, at the entrance to Stephens Branch, when a 1983 Dodge, driven by a Lexington woman, collided with a 1988 Oldsmobile, driven by a McDowell man.
There died: Zetta Gibson Johnson, 70, of Martin, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Billy Jay Hall, 57, of Beaver, Thursday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Henry Chaffins Jr., 68, of Floyd County, Wednesday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Georgia Young Little, 71, of Lowmansville, formerly of Huntington, West Virginia, Monday, at St. Mary's Hospital, Huntington, West Virginia; Haley Hamilton, 101, of Betsy Layne, Monday, at Salyersville Health Care Center; Walter C. Spears, 79, of Leander, Saturday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home, Prestonsburg; Barbara Allen Heinze, 64, of Spruce Pine, North Carolina, formerly of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Spruce Pine Community Hospital; Edgar Adams, 76, of Gaffney, South Carolina, Saturday, at Carolina Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina; Ralph Mullett, 39, of Wittensville, and a native of Floyd County, Monday, from injuries received in an automobile accident on Route 23 in Paintsville; Lola Thornsbeary, 67, of Mousie, Sunday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington; Franklin Delano Salisbury, 60, of Hunter, Sunday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Crawford Cline Jr., 73, of Blaine, Sunday, at Humana Hospital, Louisa; James Lee (Lee Bug) Boyd II, 4, son of James Lee Boyd and Randi Gail Crider Boyd, both of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Edgar B. Newman, 41, of McDowell, Thursday, July 30, from injuries suffered in a mining accident; John Younce Jr., 68, of Offutt, formerly of West Prestonsburg, July 15, at his home; Burnis Newsome, 55, of Craynor, Wednesday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Willie Allen, 96, of Prestonsburg, August 4; Major Richard Castle, 63, of El Paso, Texas, native of Floyd County, Tuesday, at El Paso; Milt Hunt, 76, of Betsy Layne, Monday, at his residence; Randy Lee Crawford, 9, of Warsaw, Indiana, Saturday; Howard Ray Osborn, 71, former resident of Floyd County, Monday, at Humana Hospital in Florida; O.C. Howell, 66, of Allen, August 11, at his residence; Icie Prater Hampton, 63, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at her residence; Lula Inez 'Dottie' Cornett Holbrook, 68, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, at her home; Arlit Little, 78, of Weeksbury, Tuesday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Bertha McKinney, 80, of Litt Carr, Thursday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital.

Aug. 5 and Aug. 7, 1992

A Floyd County man was charged, Saturday, with the armed robbery of a Paintsville business. Paintsville Chief of Police Tom Haney said Monday, that Charles D. Parsons, 38, of Betsy Layne, allegedly walked into the Broadway Pharmacy in Paintsville at approximately 11:37 a.m., and handed a clerk a note which demanded that the clerk give Parsons various Schedule II and Schedule III drugs, including Percocet, Percodan, Tylenol 3, and Tylenol 4.
At least three Floyd Countians and one Pike County man are currently lodged in the Floyd County Jail as a result of the largest drug bust in Kentucky history. George E. Kidd, John D. Hall, Charles E. Hall and Arnold E. Tackett were arrested, Tuesday morning, by officers of the Pikeville Post of the Kentucky State Police as a part of Operation Round-Up, an annual sting operation conducted by the Kentucky State Police, local police and sheriff's departments, to wipe out street-level drug sale and abuse.
The Floyd County Chamber of Commerce, in association with County Court Clerk Carla Boyd and Prestonsburg Community College, is developing plans to conduct voter education forums, this fall, in each of Floyd County's four magisterial districts. The forums are expected to focus on four constitutional questions that voters will be asked to decide in the November 3 election.
Floyd County sheriff's deputies discovered 238 marijuana plants in two days in an effort to destroy as much of the home grown weed as possible, before the fall harvest. Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson, chief Linzie Hunt, sergeant Lloyd Powers and deputy Ricky Newsome discovered 169 pot plants, Tuesday afternoon, at Big Branch in Little Mud Creek. The illegal crop was burned at the site.
The Floyd County Landfill, which closed temporarily last week, may be ready to reopen within the next four to six weeks. The Floyd County Solid Waste division began storing all waste at a temporary site in June, following closure of it's phase I landfill, due to tougher standards and restrictions imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency and Kentucky's Cabinet for Natural Resources Division of Waste Management.
A Floyd County man narrowly escaped a fiery death, Wednesday evening, when his neighbors pulled him from his blazing home. The Prestonsburg Fire Department responded Wednesday to a 10:20 p.m., call from Kenny Marsillett of West Prestonsburg, who said that his brother Eugene, was trapped in a blaze at his mobile home at Corn Fork.
Two Floyd County men died in separate traffic accidents on Route 80 this week, prompting investigations by the Kentucky State Police and the Floyd County Coroner's office. On Wednesday, Donald Martin Thompson, 38, of Rough and Tough Road on Middle Creek, was killed instantly, as he was traveling east on Route 80 near Langley at around 1 a.m., when his car was struck by a vehicle driven by Edward P. Dobbins, of Wooten; Edward Patton, 73, of McDowell, was killed around 5:50 a.m., Thursday, while a passenger in a vehicle driven by his wife, Ola, which struck approximately four to five tons of coal that had been spilled in the east-bound lane of Rt. 80, by an unidentified coal truck. Ola Patton lost control of the vehicle and crossed into the west-bound lane, striking a vehicle driven by Bobby Stewart, 35, of Summersville, West Virginia.
There died: Geraldine Nelson Hager, 66, of Auxier, Sunday, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington; Stella Justice, 96, of Martin, Tuesday, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home; Douglas 'Doug' Davidson Perry, 93, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Silas Jones Jr., 46, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at his residence; Edgar B. Newman, 41, of McDowell, Thursday, at The Sure Fire Coal Company, Robinson, from injuries suffered in a mining accident; Minnie Lee Sizemore DeRossett, 101, of East Point, a native of Bull Creek, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Lizzie M. Keathley Frasure, 75, of Harold, Friday, at her residence; Goldie Johnson Burke, 83, of Halo, Thursday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Claude Joseph Hunter, 79, of Auxier, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Oval Clark Martin, 72, of Harold, Thursday, at her residence; Doris Blair, 83, of West Van Lear, Tuesday, in Springfield, Ohio; Orville Hamilton, 83, of Virgie, Sunday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Jessie Mae McKenzie Case, 58, of Wittensville, Friday, at Tutor Key; Willard Ratliff, 77, of Lexington, formerly of Betsy Layne, Monday, at Humana Hospital, Lexington; Com Huff, 79, of Mousie, Thursday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Butler Owens, 96, of Blue River, Thursday, at Knott County Health Care Center, Hindman; Dellano O. Ritchie, 45, of Ligonier, Indiana, formerly of Knott County, Tuesday, at his home; Minnie Lee Sizemore DeRossett, 101, of East Point, a native of Bull Creek, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Minerva Owens Murphy, 67, of Granada Hill, California, May 19; Lonie McSurley, 66, of Warsaw, Indiana, native of Emma, Tuesday, at his residence; Florence Baldwin Vance, 90, of Langley, formerly of California, Tuesday, at The Buchanan Hospital, Grundy, Virginia.

July 29 and July 31, 199$1

The man suspected of committing the June 26 and July 8 robberies of the North Lake Drive, Prestonsburg branch of the Bank Josephine has been captured, and is reportedly in police custody at Cabell County, West Virginia. Jeffrey Mullins, 32, a native of Hi Hat, was captured early Saturday morning at the Route 17 Motel in Ceredo, West Virginia, where he had been staying with a female companion.
Two area fire departments responded to a blaze at Eastern, Friday afternoon. The Maytown Fire Department received a call at about 11:15 a.m., last Friday, according to Chief Darrell Bradley. They were joined by nine firefighters from the Garrett Fire Department. The fire was at the Eastern home of Geneva Joseph.
Many of the Democratic candidates for Congress talked during the primary about getting I-66, the new east-west interstate highway, to pass through our region. John Doug Hays, winner of the primary, has taken the highway issue in a new direction. North and south. Hays says that he supports the completion of two four-lane connector highways which would link U.S. 23 to I-73, a new north-south highway which will run from Detroit, Michigan, to Charleston, South Carolina. It will run along the western border of West Virginia just across the Big Sandy River from Pike, Martin and Lawrence counties.
A low blood sugar level apparently contributed to a three-car accident in Floyd County, Thursday morning, that injured two men and blocked traffic on Route 23 for nearly an hour. Deputy Sergeant Lloyd Powers of the Floyd County Sheriff's Department said Thursday, that Francis Phillip Lindberg, of Cary, North Carolina, suffered from a low blood sugar level which caused him to become disoriented.
The Floyd County Sheriff's Department announced, Tuesday, that a Floyd County man has been making unauthorized stops of motorists in the Mud Creek area and pretending to be a sheriff's deputy. Levi Hamilton, of Teaberry, is not a deputy and is not associated with the Floyd County Sheriff's Department in any way, Omery C. Hall of the department said Tuesday.
Three Magoffin County men were victims of a drive-by shooting this week at a nightclub near the Floyd County line. At approximately 3 a.m., Tuesday, an unidentified motorist fired shots into the Two Keys Lounge, located at Ivyton, four miles east of Salyersville on Route 114.
There died: Josie Breeding, 96, of Kite, Sunday, at her residence; Franklin D. Fults, 59, of Columbus, Ohio, formerly of Floyd County, Thursday, at Grant Hospital, Columbus; Edward Stumbo, 73, of Yorkville, July 17, at his home; Benjamin Franklin Hicks Sr., 73, of Morehead, Wednesday, at St. Claire Medical Center; James Ratliff, 69, of Martin, Thursday, at Good Samaritan Hospital, Lexington; Charlie Goodman, 89, of Stanville, Thursday, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home, Pikeville; Barbara Jean Akers Burchett, 33, of Dana, Thursday, at St. Joseph Hospital, Lexington; Ronald Dale Tackett, 37, of Virgie, Friday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; John C. Fairchild, Wednesday, at Rockville, Maryland; Gracie Lee Patton Justice, 78, of Allen, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; William Wade Moore Jr., 77, of West Prestonsburg, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Ray Collins, 81, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at Veterans Administration Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia; James Michael Hunter, 59, of Lexington, formerly of Man, West Virginia, Friday, at Paintsville; Clifford H. Brown, 69, of Hi Hat, Monday, at his residence; Lura Stafford Moore, 99, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at her residence; Mary Elizabeth Ellis Branham, 80, of Prestonsburg, July 21, at Highlands Regional Medical Center.

July 22-24, 199$1

A Floyd County woman was rescued from what may have been a watery grave, Thursday evening, by a man who learned his life-saving techniques from the CBS television program, Rescue 911. Tony Meade, of Meade Branch at Abbott Creek, pulled his neighbor, Gail Hieronymus, out of her own swimming pool, and immediately began administering cardio-pulminary resuscitation, although he had never been formally trained for the procedure.
A 46-year-old Floyd County woman was charged with drunk driving in connection with a car accident involving a pregnant woman, Tuesday, in Wheelwright. Lonnie S. Tackett of Wheelwright was charged with DUI, second offense within five years, after the car she was operating struck a vehicle driven by Mallie Haley, 26, of Wheelwright. Haley, who is eight and a-half months pregnant, was admitted to Our Lady of the Way Hospital in Martin after the accident, and she was reported in good condition, Thursday.
A Wheelwright City Commissioner was arrested for driving under the influence and disorderly conduct by city police, Thursday, approximately an hour and a half after a city commission meeting. Luther Johnson Jr., 38, was arrested by Wheelwright police officer Rodney Newsome for allegedly driving while intoxicated. The arrest came just hours after a heated discussion between Johnson and police chief Charles Harmon, at the commission meeting.
A joint venture between the Floyd County Fiscal Court and the City of Prestonsburg, to secure a location for a proposed harness racing track was announced at Friday's fiscal court meeting. County officials approved an inter-local agreement to create the Prestonsburg Corporation, which will be managed by a five-member board of incumbent members of the Eastern Kentucky Convention Commission.
There died: Martha Ward, 104, of St. Mary's, Ohio, formerly of Floyd County; Oma P. Elkins, 74, of Hi Hat, Friday, at Hazard Nursing Home; Day Crisp, 74, of Allen, Saturday, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington; Edward Slone, 73, of Yorkville, Illinois, formerly of McDowell, Friday, at his residence; Estill Click, 80, of Dema, Thursday, at McDowell Regional Medical Center; Ballard Jones, 76, of Melvin, Monday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Donald Botts, 70, of Banner, Friday, at his residence; Vernita Amburgey, 55, of Printer, Thursday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Carol Yvonne Tudor, 53, of Park Hill, Oklahoma, Thursday, at Tahlequah City Hospital; Philip Marshall Chaffins, 50, of McDowell, Thursday, at his residence; Mary Ellis Branham, 80, of Prestonsburg, July 21, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Kenneth Lewis, 43, of Attica, Ohio, Saturday, at Cleveland Metro Health Center; Charlie Bertie Hunter, 84, of Printer, Monday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Orville Lee Collins, 55, of Honaker, Friday, at UK Medical Center; Hasadore 'H.D.' Moore, 82, of Price, Wednesday, at his residence; Julia Blevins, 90, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Alton Leo Little, 55, of Price, Wednesday, at Central Baptist Hospital, Lexington; Danny Dale Davis, 43, of Paintsville, Sunday, at Central Baptist Hospital, Lexington; Oma Hamilton, 73, of Salyersville, formerly of Allen, Tuesday, at Salyersville Health Care Center.

July 15-17, 1992

Almost three hours of deliberations by a Floyd County jury, Monday, ended in a stalemate, when jurors were evenly split on a verdict in a first degree rape case. Floyd County Circuit Court Judge Harold Stumbo declared a mistrial in the case of the commonwealth versus Israel Tim Boyd. Boyd, who is from Coldwater at Betsy Layne, was indicted last year for first degree rape for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl in March 1991.
Fewer than half of the 579 registered voters in Allen-Dwale's No. 44 voting precinct turned out for Saturday's local option election, outlawing the continued sale of alcoholic beverages in the precinct, by a vote of 174-68. The precinct has been wet since the June 1982, election which legalized the sale of beer, wine and liquor in Floyd County.
A former Wayland police officer was found blameless by a U.S. District Court Jury, in Pikeville, Thursday, in a case alleging police brutality. Mack Stewart, now a Prestonsburg City police officer, was accused by Earl Ray Johnson, of using excessive force during Johnson's arrest in 1989. Stewart's brother, Jimmy, was also named in the civil suit in Pikeville. There died: Foster Newsome, 61, of Melvin, Thursday, July 9, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; James 'Booker' Wright, 76, of Little Robinson Creek, Sunday, at St. Joseph Hospital in Ann Arbbor, Michigan; Arzora Tackett, 66, of Ecorse, Michigan, Saturday, at Riverside Hospital in Trenton, Michigan; Woodrow Stewart, 75, of Minnie, Sunday, at his residence; Ruba Conley, 68, of Garrett, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Anna Mae Neeley, 90, of Roundhead, Ohio, Friday, at Lima Memorial Hospital; Zella Myrtle Lucas, 93, of McDowell, Monday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Unia Bolen, 84, of Garrett, Saturday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; George Milburn France, 69, of Pikeville, Sunday; Milton Prater, 84, of Hueysville, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Willie Hamilton Jr., 67, of Dana, Sunday, at his residence; Jarrell Dean Belcher, 63, of Wheelwright, formerly of Elkhorn City, Monday, at Irvine, following an extended illness; Hassie Evelyn Titchenell, 86, of Morgantown, W. Va., Tuesday, at Monongalia General Hospital, Morgantown; Lewis E. Alexander, 92, of Hillsboro, Ohio, at Highland District Hospital, Hillsboro.

June 24 and June 26, 1992

Bobbie Roberts, charged on March 14, with theft by unlawful taking, pleaded guilty, Tuesday, to assisting in an apparent shoplifting spree through Prestonsburg to obtain wedding apparel for his cousin, Jeannie Jacobs Fouts, Fouts, and her sister Betty Thomas, were also arrested and charged with theft. Prestonsburg police found approximately $1,500 worth of stolen merchandise in Roberts' vehicle, including a wedding dress and veil. The shoplifting spree has gained national attention, and members of the wedding party have appeared on the Phil Donahue show.
A recent study, conducted by researchers at the University of Louisville, shows that Floyd, Harlan and Pike counties are among 71 Kentucky counties that will experience a mild decline in population during the next decade. The 'How Many Kentuckians' study, based on information contained in the first state population baseline projections from the 1990 nationwide census, indicates that the state of Kentucky will lose .2 percent of its population this decade, .9 percent by the year 2010, and 1.6 percent by the year 2020. These figures are based on the assumption that demographic trends of the 1980s will continue.
A Floyd County man has pleaded guilty to lesser charges after being accused of sexually abusing a minor. Bryan Nelson, 23, of Middle Creek, pleaded guilty, last Thursday, in Floyd District Court to one count of first degree criminal abuse, and two counts of first degree unlawful imprisonment. The first degree criminal abuse charge was lessened to second degree criminal abuse, a class D felony.
The trials and tribulations faced by the Floyd County Landfill are at an end, solid waste program director Dave Cooley said Thursday. In compliance with the agreed order issued by the state Cabinet for Natural Resources Division of Solid Waste Management, Floyd County officials have already overseen construction, on the landfill site, that would bring it up to code in accordance with new tougher federal restrictions. This will allow the landfill to remain open untiul July, 1995.
The ink is expected to be black when all the figures are in at the close of the 1991-92 school year for the Floyd County School System. Finance officer Tommy Thompson told the board, Tuesday night, that the district should finish the year with approximately $150,000 if 'there are no emergencies out there that we don't know about.' That amount could be boosted to just over $300,000, because of a $175,000 reimbursement from East Kentucky Utilities for erroneous natural gas billings for Allen and Duff Grade Schools.
Floyd County's coal industry may not be seriously hampered by local CSX Transportation machinists' decision to join their union brethren in the nationwide railworker's strike on Wednesday, industry experts say that the already depressed coal market may suffer in Pike and Martin counties. Richard Watts, director for the Martin district of the Kentucky Department of Mines and Minerals, said, on Thursday, that the bulk of Floyd County's coal companies transported their product by truck to coal barges in Ashland and Catlettsburg.
There died: Ruby Harmon Gorrell Layne, 77, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at her residence; Arvil Lee Stephens, 52, of Dwale, Tuesday, at his residence; Mary Ellen Tackett, 69, of Hunter, Monday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center; Nora Alice Nunnery, 97, of Endicott, Thursday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Sybil Stratton Keeton, 79, of Winchester, formerly of Pikeville, Thursday, at the Fitzgerald Personal Care Home, Winchester; Dennis G. House, 83, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, formerly of Floyd County, Saturday, at Bronson, Hospital; Sadie Crager Shepherd Howard, 73, of Gunlock, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Nannie Conn Spradlin, 82, of Gibraltar, Michigan, formerly of Mare Creek, at Stanville, Sunday, at Mount Clements General Hospital; Ballard Gibson, 62 of Hi Hat, Thursday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital.

June 17 and June 19, 199$1

Two Georgia men were arrested in Prestonsburg, Monday morning, and charged with possession of marijuana and trafficking in marijuana, a class D felony. At approximately 8:30 a.m., on Monday, Prestonsburg city police officers Anthony Castle and Gerald Clark spotted Randy McKay, 33, and Kenneth Hastings, 28, both of Clayton Georgia, acting in a suspicious manner at the parking lot of the Super 8 motel at Prestonsburg Village.
An Auxier man narrowly escaped serious injury, Monday morning, when his automobile inexplicably caught fire near the entrance to Jenny Wiley State Park. The driver's seat of the car exploded from the intense heat. Robert Castle Jr., 20, had just left his Auxier home at approximately 10:50 a.m., on Monday, when, according to his mother, Prestonsburg High School teacher Janie Castle, his 1991 Toyota began missing and losing power.
Twelve days before his contract was scheduled to expire on June 30, Floyd County school superintendent Ronald Hager became the first Kentucky superintendent removed from office by the state board of education under the 1990 Kentucky Education Reform Act. On Thursday, in Frankfort, the State Board for Elementary and Secondary Education unanimously adopted the findings of a three-member board hearing panel which found Hager 'guilty' on three counts of willful neglect of duty and misconduct in office. The state board's decision could bring Hager's case back to Floyd County, where an appeal of the ruling falls into the jurisdiction of the Floyd Circuit Court.
Deputy Education Commissioner, Dr. Dave Thomas will go to Nebraska over the weekend to further review the background of the Floyd County Board of Education's choice for superintendent of schools. The board voted unanimously, Tuesday, to begin contract negotiations with William D. Zitterkopf of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, who emerged as the finalist for superitnendent of schools. Zitterkopf is currently employed as superintendent of the Minatare Public School District in Nebraska.
The state fire marshal's office has given officials at the Floyd County Landfill the approval to resume operations, after the discovery of a natural gas leak at the site. David Cooley, director of the Floyd County Solid Waste Department said, on Thursday, that Fire Marshal Robert Lewis ordered the landfill shut down at approximately 4 p.m., Wednesday, following Division of Solid Waste Management inspector Ed Harris' discovery of the leak.
There died: Sadie Crager Shepherd Howard, 73, of Gunlock, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Vernis Hicks, 73, of Concord, North Carolina, Monday, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center; Lee Tackett, 73, of McDowell, Saturday, at his residence; Mary Bentley Hamilton, 82, of Betsy Layne, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Dennis Carlton Mullett, 33, of Largo, Florida, formerly of Weeksbury, Sunday, at the Bay Front Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Florida; Clarence Edward Petry, 66, of Hermitage, Tennessee, formerly of Garrett, Saturday, at his residence; Myrtie Martin Turner, 90, of McDowell, Sunday, at her residence; Calvin Gayheart, 66, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at his residence; Alma R. Keenon, 81, of Pinellas Park, Florida, Monday, at Central Park Lodge Nursing Home; Jeffery Blair, 32, of Pikeville, formerly of Virgie, Friday, at his residence; Jimmie 'Jim Dock' Prater, 73, of Eastern, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Opal Hall, 67, of River Rouge, Michigan, formerly of Melvin, Tuesday, at Oakwood Hospital; Kathleen Osborne, 78, of Pikeville, formerly of Virgie, Tuesday, at Mountain View Health Care Center, Elkhorn City; Sister Annette Marie Byrne, 56, a former Floyd County health care worker, Sunday, in St. Mary Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Jeffery Blair, 32, of Pikeville, formerly of Virgie, Friday, at his residence.

June 10 and June 12, 1992

Federal and state officials joined Civil War enthusiasts on a tour of the Middle Creek Battlefield on Monday, as part of The Kentucky Heritage Council's Civil War Battlefield Conference. During the tour, Deputy Secretary of the Interior Frank A. Bracken, and David Morgan, state historic preservation officer, officially presented Frank Fitzpatrick a certificate proclaiming the site as a National Historic Site, and noting its listing to the National Register of Historic Places.
A vacancy on the Prestonsburg City Council was filled, Monday, with all the elements of a real election, including allegations that a council member tried to influence the vote. After two candidates for the post were nominated from the floor, David Hereford and Lida Margaret Howard'councilman George Archer told of the threats and harassment he and his family had received concerning which candidate to choose. The council chose Howard. Mud Creek Clinic founder Eula Hall, was named Floyd Countian of the Year by members of the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce during the Chamber's annual banquet on June 4. Hall, who has been recognized nationally for her work with the medically indigent, was one of several countians lauded by the Chamber for their contributions during the 1991-92 year.
The United States House of Representative's Appropriations Com-mittee has appropriated $29,995,000 for flood control and related projects in eastern Kentucky during the 1992-1993 fiscal year. Foremost among these is an appropriation of $7,890,000 to operate and maintain eight eastern Kentucky lakes. Dewey Lake, alone, will receive $1,789,000 this year, and $771,000 has been budgeted for Paintsville Lake.
.The Floyd County Sheriff's Department is warning residents to be on the lookout for three men posing as county workers who stole $194 from a residence in Corn Fork, Thursday. Chief Deputy Linzie Hunt said the men went to the residence of Charlie Harris, Thursday, and said that the county was offering a pest control spraying program for elderly residents in the county.
There died: Frankie Stephens Best, 75, of Prestonsburg, Monday, at Phelps Community Medical Center; Howard Nelson Prince, 55, of Richmond, formerly of Lackey, Wednesday, in Lexington; Frank Howell Sr., 73, of Roanoke, Virginia, formerly of Dana, Friday, at the Community Hospital, Roanoke; Hazel Spencer Music, 77, of East Point, Thursday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Beckham Combs, 88, of Hindman, Thursday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Carl Edward 'Banger' Robinson, 50, of Langley, Thursday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Theodore (Ted) Carroll, 45, of Lenoir, North Carolina, Wednesday, in Lenoir; John Jobie Calhoun Sr., 40, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, June 1, at St. Joseph Medical Center; Naomi Shepherd, 74, of Garrett, Thursday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Jack Wells, 76, of Paintsville, Monday, at Cabell-Huntington Hospital, Huntington, West Virginia; Cal King, 95, of Auxier, Friday, in Our Lady of the Way Hospital, at Martin; Bobby Gene Burchett, 51, of Allen, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center.

June 3 and June 5, 1992

A family reunion, Sunday, almost ended in tragedy, when a 14-foot boat was swamped and its five occupants, including a two-year-old child, suddenly found themselves in the waters of Dewey Lake. Charles Webb, who was making his third trip across the lake around 6 p.m., to ferry family members to shore after a picnic, brought the boat he was steering to a standstill near the old Terry Boat dock to allow a houseboat to pass. The nose of his boat dipped and it was swamped by waves created by the houseboat.
.The town of Wayland and its surrounding area may have a new solid waste system, soon, if the mayor and city council members' efforts are rewarded with public support. At Monday's Wayland City Council meeting, newly-elected Mayor, Gene Mullins, and councilmen, Curtis Tufts, Tommy Robinson and Larry Puckett, agreed to circulate a petition for Wayland residents to sign, requesting that the Big Sandy Area Development District donate $7,000 to help the city finance a new sewage system.
Floyd Countians will see the results of a state Revenue Cabinet property reassessment on their 1993 tax bills. State Revenue Cabinet workers should finish the first leg of an extensive reassessment of property values in Floyd County this month. A 'double checking' of the new assessments should be complete by January, Lovell Hall, Floyd County Property Valuation Administrator, said, Tuesday.
Floyd County officials are scrambling for a way around tighter state landfill regulations to prevent the Floyd County landfill from closing on July 1. Floyd County Judge-Executive John M. Stumbo and judge-executives from surrounding counties went to Hazard, Tuesday, to plead their case before the Cabinet for Natural Resources Commissioner Phillip Shepherd.
Lt. Governor Paul Patton is the keynote speaker for the annual banquet of the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce, set for this Thursday, June 4, at the Jenny Wiley Convention Center. The banquet begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner, an awards presentation, Patton's address and the installation of chamber officers for the 1992-93 year.
Floyd County Democrats will hold a county caucus Saturday, June 6, at the Allen Park Convention Center. The county caucus is being held to elect a permanent chairman and to elect a group of persons to represent the county at the Congressional District Convention.
It will be several days before Floyd County officials decide what action to take if the Floyd County landfill is closed. Judge-Executive John M. Stumbo said Thursday that he is waiting for a response to a letter he sent to Governor Brereton Jones, Tuesday, that hinted the governor needed to intervene to keep the landfill open. Stumbo's letter did not specify what action he was asking the governor to take.
There died: John E. 'Pete' Conley, 57, a popular local musician and president of the Lexington Musicians Association, Sunday, at Central Baptist Hospital; William Everette Wohlford, 19, of Martin, Sunday, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident; Joe Hale, 77, of Allen, Sunday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Nancy Davis Johnson, 88, of Pantsville, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Thomas W. 'Tom' Hill, 82, of Mt. Sterling, formerly of Prestonsburg, Monday, at Humana Hospital in Lexington; Bertha Bradley Allen, 79, of Risner, Saturday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Carl Edward Newsome, 27, of Beaver, Sunday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Kennard 'Stubby' Meadows, 81, of Tutor Key, Friday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Foster Jones, 70, of Grethel, Monday, at his residence; Dollie (Baisden) Marshall, 77, of Munith, Michigan, Saturday, at Foote Hospital in Jackson, Michigan; Elizabeth Mayo Bailey, 82, of Allen, Friday, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home, Pikeville; Joseph Bentley, 63, of Tram, Tuesday, at South Ohio Medical Center, Portsmouth, Ohio; Lora Hale, 75, of Greenwich, Ohio, Sunday, at Fisher-Titus Medical Center, Norwalk, Ohio; John J. Calhoun Sr., 40, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, at St. Joseph Medical Center, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

May 27 and May 29, 1992

Eastern Kentucky's economic development office, in Prestonsburg, will be headed by Robert L. Murphy of Menifee County, who was named to fill that post by Governor Brereton Jones, last week. Murphy, a former deputy director for the Kentucky Housing Authority, began his duties on Monday, and is currently looking for office space in Prestonsburg.
.Mountain Comprehensive Care Center's board of directors will investigate allegations made against its executive director, Thursday, of disregarding board member candidates for Martin County. John Burgess, a MCCC caseworker in Martin County, accused director Steve Schenck of ignoring applications from Martin County citizens who are seeking a seat on the board. Burgess also called for the board to ask for Schenck's resignation for violating the board's mission statement.
Adam Patton, 75, of Dody Creek, near McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital, was killed, Monday evening, when the home he was living in burned to the ground. Patton, an invalid, was living in the home of his sister, Jo Ann Patton, who was visiting neighbors at the time of the fire.
Voters stayed away from the polls in droves in Tuesday's primary election, as only 12,472 of Floyd County's 28,505 registered voters cast their ballots. Non-partisan candidate Danny Caudill, who Governor Brereton Jones appointed in February to complete Harold Stumbo's unexpired term as District Judge, was the standout winner in the 31st Judicial District race with 5,778 votes.
The Floyd County Housing Authority voted, last week, to approve the second-lowest construction bid for the low-income housing unit at Minnie. The action followed a recent housing authority vote to turn down Ashland-based Debcon Construction Company's bid of $2,819,300, nearly $60,000 less than the $2,877,796 bid that the board voted to accept. That bid was submitted by the Fidelity Construction Co., a Louisville-based firm.
A Floyd County mine owner has been accused of the imroper disposal of radioactive waste in July of 1988, while he was a resident of Pennsylvania. Travis E. Miller, 49, president of J & K Mining Inc., at Emma, has been accused of the illegal sale and burial of mine scales, laced with Cesium 137, a nuclear by-product material, during his tenure as president of the Stanford Mining Company in Indiana County, Pa.
.There died: Bradis 'Brad' Lafferty, 57, of Harold, Ohio, formerly of Eastern, Monday, at Lima Memorial Hospital; Newton 'Newt' May, 88, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Ouida Conley Campbell, 65, of Mousie, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Maude Osborne Smith, 88, of Martin, Saturday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Earl Baldridge, 76, of East Point, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Blaine Waddell, 78, of Larkslane, Wednesday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Candace Danee Hughes, infant daughter of Edgar and Paulena Kidd Hughes of Dana, Saturday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington; Billie Gene Williams, 62, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at his residence; Irene Boling, 73, of Oscola, Indiana, Thursday, in Countryside Place, Mishawaka, Indiana; Clifford H. Woody, 84, of Weeksbury, Tuesday, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home; Eulah Mae Butcher, 66, of Columbus, Ohio, formerly of Floyd County, Tuesday, at her residence; Adam Ernest 'Bal' Patton, 72, of McDowell, Monday, at his residence; Wayne Damron, 79, of Tram, Tuesday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Grace Preston Burke, 98, of East Point, Thursday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home.

April 29 and May 1, 1992

The man accused of trying to shoot Floyd County Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson in January, pleaded not guilty, Friday, and was ordered to undergo a state psychiatric examination. Greg Little, 35, of Water Gap will be examined at the Kentucky Corrections Psychiatric Center (KCPC) in La Grange. Little's attorney, David Williams, from the Pikeville Public Defender's office, asked for psychiatric testing 'based on information regarding (Little's) mental state.'.
Residents of Prestonsburg's Richmond No. 4 voting precinct will soon be able to buy alcoholic beverages in their own district, thanks to last week's special-option wet/dry election. Mother Nature displayed her poetic side as heavy rain descended intermittently on those who entered and exited the polls at L & H Used Cars on South Lake Drive, on Saturday, April 25. The formerly dry precinct was voted wet by a small but deciding margin. There were 82 'yes' votes, and 74 'no' votes, as only 156 of the precinct's 398 registered voters turned out for the wet/dry election. The polls were open from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.
The Floyd County Board of Education approved payments for a major renovation of the Betsy Layne High School gym, Tuesday, even though that project was rejected for funding by the state Department of Education. The payments approved to the project's architect, Paul Hoffman, however, have been put on hold until the project is approved by the state Department of Facilities Management.
April is National Math Month. To celebrate, students from Maytown, Osborne, Duff, and Martin elementary schools won prizes, played games, and competed against each other in written examinations and quick-recall events at Allen Central High School's 8th Math Day gala, yesterday. Joyce Watson, who has taught at Allen Central for the last 17 years, founded the event in 1985, before any other school in the region even had an academic team. Watson said yesterday that she began the program, both because she felt that it was important for schools to put more emphasis on mathematics, and because she felt that the students who excel at academics didn't receive nearly the amount of recognition that they deserved.
There died: Cindy Beth Blackburn, 33, of Waynesfield, Ohio, formerly of McDowell, Monday, at St. Rita's Medical Center; Addie Adkins Hunt, 98, of Hunter, Tuesday, at Parkview Manor Nursing Home; Fred Gessling Robinson, 83, of Martin, Thursday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; John M. Stamper, 84, of Brinkley, Monday, at his home; John Kelly Tolson, 59, of Fords Branch, Thursday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Bonnie Owens, 84, of Brinkley, Tuesday, at Kettering Memorial Hospital; Minnie Green Cantrell, 79, of Hellier, Wednesday, at her residence; Connie Howell Dale, 42, of Grethel, Sunday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Verda Amburgey Franklin, 73, of Mallie, Friday, at St. Joseph Hospital; Betty Amburgey, 51, of Mallie, Friday, at Redfox; Delora Dotson, 48, of Sassafras, Wednesday, at the Whitesburg Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Gypsey Johnson, 84, of Pikeville, Sunday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Quentin Jacobs, 72, of Dema, Wednesday, at his home; Ellen Rosaline Music, 65, of David, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Willie Moore, 71, of Bowling Fork, Tuesday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Sola Boyd Roberts, 80, of Harold, Monday, at her residence; Emily Jane 'Mudie' Salyers, 92, of Prestonsburg, Friday, in the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Carl Vernon Frasure, 46, of Hueysville, Sunday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Clinton 'Big Son' Collins, 66, of Ravenswood, West Virginia, formerly of McDowell, April 25, at Jackson County Memorial Hospital in Ripley, West Virginia; Maxine Rice, 60, of Banner, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Versa Turner, 70, of Cincinnati, Ohio, formerly of Eastern, Sunday, at her residence; Bessie A. Hale, 69, of Little Creek, Wednesday, at the home of her son in Ludowici, Georgia; Dewey May, 82, Floyd County native, and former Prestonsburg resident, Tuesday, in Melbourne, Florida; John Hall Jr., 64, of Topmost, Tuesday, at Veterans Hospital; Zelphia Grimm, 85, of Vero Beach, Florida, Monday, at Vero Beach.

April 15 and April 17, 1992

Prestonsburg may be willing to move a mountain to provide a home for harness racing in Floyd County. Mayor Ann Latta told city council, Monday evening, that she had met, Friday, with members of the state's new racing commission to discuss a proposal for locating a track in Prestonsburg, and she expected to meet, Tuesday, with the full commission. Latta's proposal calls for a dual-purpose development, which would provide a facility for the Kentucky Opry and a five-eighths mile track for harness racing.
A Jacks Creek couple was arrested and charged with the illegal sale of alcohol, Sunday, after a Floyd County deputy sheriff allegedly purchased a case of beer at Hilltop Carry Out. Pearl Hall, 43, and Henry Hall, 63, were charged with selling the beverage, when the time of delivery or sale or malt beverages is prohibited; possession of a police radio; and trafficking in a schedule IV controlled substance. Mr. Hall was also charged with carrying a concealed weapon. Mrs. Hall was charged with two counts of possessing prescription drugs not in proper container.
A retired Glasgow educator officially took over operation of the Floyd County School System, Monday, at a special board of educaiton meeting. Tuesday's regularly scheduled board meeting was postponed until April 21. Eldon J. Smith, 59, a retired superintendent of the Glasgow Independent School District, is the interim superintendent, appointed to replace Floyd superintendent Ron Hager, who was suspended without pay from that position, Friday, by the State Board for Elementary and Secondary Education.
Registered voters in Prestonsburg's Richmond precinct will decide, in an April 25 election, whether or not the sale of alcoholic beverages will be permitted. The precinct is currently 'dry.' Floyd County Court Clerk Carla Boyd received a petition with the required 55 signatures, February 21, asking that a wet/dry election be held in that precinct.
Prestonsburg's Main Street program received an economic boost last week from the Kentucky Heritage Council.
The Main Street program received $170,000 to fund revitalizaiton of Prestonsburg's downtown area. The money will be used to provide low interest rate loans which can be used for a general facelift of the area, said Henry Mayo, manager of the Main Street program.
A 63-year-old Oil Springs man pleaded innocent, Thursday, to a capital murder charge in the March 18 shooting death of Johnson County Sheriff Cecil Eugene Cyrus. Flem Burchett, formerly of Banner, entered the innocent plea in Pike County Circuit Court at his arraignment. The hearing was delayed for approximately 30 minutes after Burchett complained of chest pains. He was taken to Pikeville Methodist Hospital where he underwent tests and was returned to the courtroom.
Paintsville's City Council voted 4-2, Tuesday evening, to authorize a best-use study of the Paintsville-Prestonsburg airport to determine what the future may hold for the site. The council's vote, Tuesday, was a follow-up to a joint meeting last month of council members from Prestonsburg and Paintsville, and a reaction to a proposal made by the Big Sandy Area Development District.
.There died: Cordell H. Martin, 75, of Hindman, former Knott County Attorney and State Representative, Wednesday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center; Fess Hogg Roark, 80, of Garrett, Saturday, at Salyersville Health Care Center; Ruby Evelyn Newman, 68, of Melvin, Friday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Anna Mae Justice, 77, of North Manchester, Indiana, formerly of Prestonsburg, Monday, at her residence; Mallie Marie Hicks, 78, of Kenton, Ohio, Sunday, at Hardin Memorial Hospital; Robert Glenn Johnson, 33, of Printer, formerly of Knott County, Friday, at Prestonsburg, from injuries sustained from an automobile accident; Dorthy Johnson, 72, of Salyersville, formerly of Knott County, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Grace DeRossett George Ellis, 84, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Dollie Handshoe, 71, of Hueysville, Saturday, at U.K. Medical Center; Delphia Burke, 86, of Kite, Saturday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Henry Fisher Frazier, 73, of Lady Lake, Florida, formerly of Floyd County, Friday, at Leesburg; Pluma Kendrick, 79, of Melvin, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Charles Russell Roberts, 65, at St. Joseph Hospital, Lexington; Hobert Sublett, 74, of Sitka, Sunday, at Salyersville Health Care; Joby Martin, 81, of Huntington, West Virginia, formerly of Printer, Friday, at his residence; Delmer Robinson, 75, of West Prestonsburg, Thursday, April 16, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Hattie Thompson McCowan, 93, of McDowell, Thursday, at Salyersville Health Care Center; Edgar 'Edd' Castle, 83, of Thealka, Friday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Nora Whitaker Murray, 86, of Whitehouse, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Ida Marie Pelphrey, 76, of Tutor Key, Tuesday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Chandis McKinney, 53, of Cicero, Ilinois, formerly of Galveston, died Sunday, at his residence.

April 1 and April 3, 1992

A debate over the future of the Paintsville-Prestonsburg Airport came to a happy conclusion this week, when a joint venture was announced for the site. The cooperative project will involve NASA's relocation of its space puppet show and discovering the world of acting.
A candidates forum sponsored by the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for April 31, at the Stumbo, Stumbo and Stumbo convention center at Stumbo Lake State Park (formerly Jenny Wiley State Park). Candidates for Congress have been invited to attend, but only those who pass an entrance exam will be allowed to speak. The test will require congressional hopefuls to demonstrate their ability to balance their checkbooks or, alternatively, balance a spinning basketball on their noses. (APRIL FOOL!).
Though they had earlier signed a confession of guilt, Jeannie Jacobs Fouts, Betty Jacobs Thomas, and Bobby Ray Roberts, pleaded not guilty April 1, to shoplifting charges. Public defender Janice Porter entered the pleas on behalf of her clients at an arraignment held Wednesday, in Floyd District Court, before a production crew from the nationally televised show, 'A Current Affair.' Preliminary hearings for Fouts and Thomas, and a pretrial hearing for Roberts, were set for April 9.
State Representative Greg Stumbo said, Thursday, that he is cooperating with federal investigators who launched a probe Tuesday, of Kentucky lawmakers. FBI agents swarmed the state's capitol, Tuesday, serving subpoenas on 13 legislators, including Stumbo and Representaitve David LeMaster of Paintsville, asking for campaign finance records dating to 1988.
There died Marvin Lee Boswell, 65, of Prestonsburg, Monday, at his residence; Ricky Slone Jr., 26, of Lackey, Monday, at Knott County Nursing Home; Lula F. Coburn, of Garrett, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Charles Russell West, 42, of Cow Creek, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Mae Banks Hicks, 91, of Wayland, Friday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Patricia Hewlett Salisbury, 55, of Martin, Monday, at her residence; Jerry Sturgill, 52, of Martin, Thursday, at the U.K. Medical Center; Richard King, 72, of Butler, Indiana, native of Floyd County, Wednesday, at the Dekalb Memorial Hospital in Auburn, Indiana; William Glenn Scott, 80, of Somerset, Saturday, at Midtown Care Home; Robert Hamilton, 81, of Teaberry, Friday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; John H. Flanery, 86, of Martin, Friday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center; Patricia Ann Slone Himes, 48, of Bolviar, Ohio, Saturday; Monnie Clevenger Collins, 78, of Prestonsburg, Monday, at her residence; Frances McKinney, 80, of Paintsville, formerly of Betsy Layne, Tuesday, March 21, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Ollie Dyer Vanderpool, 80, of Garrett, Wednesday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital.

March 25-27, 1992

'How high?' was the cry, and $3.70 per thousand was the response at Thursday's Wheelwright City Commission meeting, when commissioners voted to increase water and sewer rates. The increase was necessary in order for the city to receive a Community Development Block Grant to upgrade its water and sewer system. The system's water production capacity would be increased by 50,000 gallons per day.
Trash, liquor and golf were the prevailing issues at Friday's Floyd County Fiscal Court meeting. Members of Floyd County's Litter Task Force approached the court, asking what more could be done to combat the county's trash problem. Kathy Tackett wanted to know how to get more people involved in cleaning up the county, and chided the court about county workers littering the highways themselves.
A two-year rift between Prestonsburg's police and fire departments was bridged, Monday, by city council, which adopted a new employee pay scale in an effort to bring a measure of equality to department salaries. The new salary schedule will cost the city approximately $44,000 per year.
Two juveniles escaped from the Big Sandy Area Detention Center, Sunday afternoon, and were recaptured by Prestonsburg Police that evening. Prestonsburg detective sergeant Jeff Stumbo said, Tuesday, that the two escaped around 4 p.m. when one of the turnkeys opened the door to let visitors out.
Wendell Ray Newman, 39, of Jacks Creek, was sentenced to 25 years in prison, Monday, by a federal judge in Pikeville. Federal Judge Joseph Hood pronounced the 25-year sentence without parole on Newman, and added a sentence of five years' supervised release.
The first signs of spring are bringing the first sign of jobs related to an intertrack racing facility in Floyd County. The Department of Employment Services announced, Monday, that applications are being accepted for pari-mutuel ticket sellers/cashiers for Kentucky Downs. Applicants should be ready to start work on April 4.
A Paintsville councilman called it a 'dog and pony show.' An attorney for a pilot's group labeled it 'an inquisition.' The most accurate description, though, of a non-meeting, Tuesday evening, of Prestonsburg and Paintsville city councils came from Paintsville councilman and Prestonsburg attorney Mitch Kinner, who called the two-hour session on issues concerning the Paintsville-Prestonsburg Airport 'a waste of time.'.
Official charges were served against Floyd County School Superintendent Ron Hager at the eleventh-hour, Thursday, when Hager made a rare appearance at the central office. Floyd County Sheriff's deputies have made repeated attempts to locate Hager at work and at home since the March 12 state school board meeting when Education Commissioner Thomas Boysen, charged Hager with willful neglect of duty and misconduct in office.
.A shoplifting spree by a bride-to-be, through Prestonsburg has captured the attention of national media, including the Phil Donahue Show, the FOX Network, and The Globe. The Floyd County Times, the Prestonsburg Police Department and the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce have been besieged with calls from writers with these programs and newspapers, since the story came across the wires of the Associated Press. The article made its debut in the Floyd County Times on March 18. The Associated Press ran its version of the story which was picked up by the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune.
.Beaver Elkhorn-Water District has recently completed its community meetings that were held at the local schools serving the Left and Right Beaver areas of Floyd County. As explained to all persons in attendance at these meetings, Beaver-Elkhorn Water District has developed a major project to expand its water treatment plant from the present 1.0 MGD to 1.5+ MGD, and extend its water distribution system approximately 76 miles, to serve an estimated 1,500 additional households.
There died: William Donald Music, 76, of Abbott Creek Road, Prestonsburg, Saturday, at his residence; Freddie Collins, 63, of Hindman, Wednesday, at Knott County Health Care Center; Gardes Prater, 78, of Marcy, Ohio, Monday, at Mt. Carmel East Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Paul Buckston Tucker, 58, of McDowell, Tuesday, at The Baptist Hospital East in Louisville; Lacy Bailey, 76, of Hueysville, Tuesday, at his residence; Mack Burke, 71, of Virgie, Friday, at his residence; Nedra Akers Davis, 58, of Joliett, Illinois, Monday, at St. Joseph Medical Center; Estell 'Butch' Reed, 70, of Betsy Layne, Sunday, at St. Joseph Hospital; James Dennis Riehm, 40, of Bowling Green, Monday, at Bowling Green from injuries received in a helicopter crash; Minnie Faye Simpson, 54, of Allen, Saturday, at her residence; Winson B. 'Mike' McCown, 78, of Wheelwright, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Clyde Johnson, 66, of Bevinsville, Friday, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington; Robert D. Francis, 77, of Sarasota, Florida, formerly of Prestonsburg, at a local hospital; David Arnold Wilson, 47, of Harold, Monday, at his residence; Can Little, 91, of Somerset, formerly of Robinson Creek, Thursday, at Midtown Care Home at Somerset; Verdie Mae Cole, 85, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, formerly of Teaberry, Saturday, at Beyer Hospital in Ypsilanti; Ruby Watts, 87, of Pinetop, Friday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Roxie Meade Burchett, 80, of Martin, formerly of Langley, Thursday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Guy Meade, 81, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Warden Burchett, 78, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Burnie Newsome, 73, of Virgie, Tuesday, at his residence.

March 18 and March 20, 1992

Riding on the coattails of an endorsement by Governor Brereton Jones, Wheelwright City Commissioners, forged ahead in an effort to locate a new prison in their community. Commissioners met for more than over an hour in closed session at a special called meeting, Monday, to proceed with land acquisition for the mountaintop site.
About 30 Bull Creek residents met, Saturday morning, to discuss the City of Prestonsburg's annexation of an area in their community, and whether or not to become their own municipality, Dickie Hall, the apparent leader of the Bull Creek group, told those attending the meeting that the city's move to annex the nightclub Center Stage was 'illegal,' according to the attorney general's office.
Classes resumed, Tuesday, at Wheelwright High School, when suspended principal Lewis 'Spike' Berkhimer met privately with students and urged them to return to the classroom. The media was not invited to sit in on Berkhimer's meeting with the students.
'Til theft do us part. The wedding of Jeannie Jacobs, 18, of Topmost, to Danny Wane Fouts of Dema, was delayed by seven hours, Saturday, because the bride was lodged in the Floyd County Jail after an apparent shoplifting spree through Prestonsburg. Prestonsburg police officers detained eight Knott County residents, around noon Saturday, after receiving a report of shoplifting at Food City. When police officers arrived at the scene, one of the suspects, Betty J. Thomas (sister of the bride) made a dash for freedom, heading for the construction site of new U.S. 23, near Food City. Officer Anthony Castle chased her for about one mile, over the rough terrain, before he captured the alleged shoplifter.
Johnson County Sheriff Gene Cyrus, who once joked that he would have to be 'blasted out of office,' was shot to death, Wednesday, while attempting to arrest a former Floyd County man who had skipped out on his rape trial. Flags flew at half mast, Thursday, at courthouses in Johnson and Floyd counties in honor of Cyrus, one of Johnson County's most durable and popular public officials.
Floyd County may make its way into the Guiness Book of World Records by way of a Florida man who hopes to visit every county courthouse in the United States. John Richard Frankenfield, a retired construction executive from Miami Beach, began his endeavor in 1990, and paid a visit to the Floyd County Sheriff's office Saturday afternoon.
On March 28 around 5 p.m., Floyd Countians should look skyward for a vivid reminder of the year's significance to the Commonwealth. The 'Clean Air for Kentucky' hot-air balloon will fly to Jenny Wiley State Park as part of a statewide campaign to commemorate Kentucky's 200th anniversary of Statehood, and to boost environmental awareness.
There died: Birdus Conley, 70, of Lackey, Sunday, at her home; Has Johnson, 73, of Bevinsville, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; William (Tate) Baisden, 74, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Nora Calhoun Blackburn, 90, of Prestonsburg, Monday, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home; John S. King, 82, of Beaver Dam, formerly of Knott County, Wednesday, at the Owensboro-Daviess County Hospital, Owensboro; Con Burchwell, 81, of Martin, Saturday, at Jenkins Hospital; Robert W. Evans, 37, of Chicago, Sunday; Rebecca Ashley, 93, of Redfox, Thursday, at the U.K. Medical Center in Lexington; Rudolph Massey, 76, of Sassafras, Tuesday, at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Donald Wayne Timm, 56, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at U.K. Medical Center; Kenneth 'Dock' Rudder Sr., 52, of Martin, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Laura Ann Dumeyer, 76, of Martin, Monday, at her residence; Charles Edward Jennings, 26, of Caledonia, Illinois, formerly of Drift, Sunday, in Popular Grove, Illinois; Elsie Hicks, 96, of Munith, Michigan, Thursday, at Albion Community Hospital; Glen Ward, 82, of Offutt, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Mary Jane Slone, 83, of Hollybush, Thursday, at the Hillside Acre Nursing Home in Willard, Ohio; Ollie Mae Dutton Fitzpatrick, 81, of Boons Camp, Wednesday; Harvey Reed Gunnell, 62, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Aivert Nursing Home, Ceredo, West Virginia; George W. Meade, 52, of Printer, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Thomas Kent Oliver, 33, of London, Ohio, Sunday, in London, Ohio; Lydia Smallwood, 52, of Bevinsville, Sunday, at her residence; Paul Buckston Tucker, 58, of McDowell, Tuesday, at The Baptist Hospital East in Louisville; William H. (Buster) Patton, 81, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at his residence.

Mar. 11 and Mar. 13, 1992

A Pike County man was found not guilty by a Floyd County Jury, Tuesday in the March 1991, shooting death of a Floyd County man. Jurors deliberated just an hour and twenty minutes before returning a not guilty verdict for Ralph Gerald Newsome, 27, of Virgie. Newsome was charged with first degree murder in the March 9, 1991, shooting of Greg Perry of Printer. The two-day trial began one year to the date, after the shooting.
With little fanfare and only limited opposition, Prestonsburg's City Council approved annexation measures, Monday, that set the stage for the start of parimutual wagering in Floyd County. Council adopted four ordinances, Monday, that incorporate a section of Route 3 and the proposed site of an intertrack wagering (ITW) facility into the city limits, also authorizing the sale of liquor by the drink at the ITW development.
A Prestonsburg police officer has denied the allegations made by his 18-year-old daughter in a civil suit filed February 28. In the suit, Virginia Slone alleged that she was brutally beaten by her father, Anthony Castle, three years ago while Prestonsburg police officers ignored her pleas for help.
The Floyd County Board of Education unanimously approved a recommendation from superintendent Ronald Hager, Tuesday, evening to proceed on developing one of four alternate sites proposed as the locaiton of a new Prestonsburg High School. Hager's site recommendation was part of a series of proposals to be made by the superintendent during Tuesday night's regular meeting of the board.
.Floyd County will play host to at least 92 Kentucky county treasurers and finance officers, this week, when the organization meets for its spring conference at Jenny Wiley State Park. Floyd County Treasurer Deloris Dingus said the local meeting is the first ever, east of Lexington, for the orgaization.
Kentucky Education Commissioner Thomas Boysen began ouster proceedings against Floyd County School Superintendent Ron Hager, Thursday, by accusing Hager of willful neglect of duty and misconduct in office. The written charges were presented to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Thursday morning, when they resumed their March meeting.
All but about a dozen of Wheelwright High School's 218 students walked out of their classrooms, Thursday, in a show of support for their principal, who has been charged with sexually abusing a female student. The students left school at 8:55 a.m., Thursday, setting up a picket line outside the school, and vowing not to return to classes until principal Lewis Berkhimer is reinstated to his position.
A Floyd County truck driver was injured, Tuesday, in a traffic accident on the Mountain Parkway that left one person dead. James B. Hays, 43, of Betsy Layne, was driving an oil tanker truck east of Campton in Wolfe County, when it collided head-on with a car driven by Betty Jo Sluss of Inez. Sluss was pronounced dead at the scene.
Prestonsburg Housing Authority members voted, Wednesday, to hire a consulting firm to oversee an $850,000 renovation project at Indian Hills. Sassie, a Paducah management consulting firm, was picked to oversee the project and the company scored a 92 on a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) evaluation form.
There died: Herman Joseph, 48, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at the V.A. Medical Center Hospital in Louisville; Tive Daniel, 84, of Paintsville, Saturday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; William Charlie Johnson, 71, of Wheelwright, Monday, at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington; Phillip Delmar 'Dude' Hagans, 63, of Langley, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Roger Lee Coleman, 48, of Louisa, Saturday, at the Humana Hospital in Louisa; Ronald David Blair, 47, of Staffordsville, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Wilmer Stapleton, 66, of Hager Hill, Sunday, at his home; Aney Hicks Bolen Martin, 76, of Wapakoneta Ohio, formerly of Mousie, Thursday, at her home; Melba O. Dyer, 88, of Abingdon, Virginia, formerly of Allen, Monday, at the Johnstown Memorial Hospital in Abington; Lloyd Cox, 70, of Louisville, Saturday, at Louisville; Dave Rowe, 72, of Belleville, Mich., formerly of Pike County, Tuesday, at Byer Hospital in Michigan; Rudy Parsons Jr., 35, of Martin, Wednesday, at his residence.

March 4-6, 1992

Kentucky's Civil Air Patrol has flown into the whirlwind controversy over the fate of the Paintsville-Prestonsburg airport, announcing Monday, that a volunteer squadron would be located at Combs Field. The announcement came from State Senator David LeMaster, D-Paintsville, in a press release, apparently issued from the office of Paintsville attorney C.K. Belhasen. Both Lemaster and Belhasen have been active opponents to a proposal to convert the Paintsville-Prestonsburg Airport into a site for industrial development.
A Friday night stabbing incident at Wayland sent one man to the hospital and another to the Floyd County jail.
Gary Hall, 35, of Wayland, was charged with first degree assault, after Jeffrey Murphy, 27, was stabbed twice in the upper right chest, authorities said.
A legislative committee's refusal, Monday, to endorse a proposal to double-bunk state prison inmates, could pave the way for construction of a new, privately-operated prison, and Floyd County may be in the running as the site.
Floyd County Circuit Judge Harold Stumbo issued an injunction, Tuesday, against the city of Pikeville, to prevent them from cutting off the water supply to the Mud Creek Water District. At Tuesday's hearing, Prestonsburg attorney Ned Pillersdorf, representing the water district, told Judge Stumbo the city had threatened to cut off the water supply because of an alleged $150,000 debt.
A Floyd County mother and daughter were tied up while armed thieves ransacked their home, Monday morning. The mother and her daughter, 22, were alone in their Lancer home when two males forced their way into the house through the back door, around 11 a.m.
An appeal by an Adams Middle School principal, convicted last year of abuse of a teacher, was dismissed Tuesday. Boyd County Judge Kelley Asbury, who was named as special judge in the case, ruled, Tuesday, that the appeal of Thomas Tackett be dismissed 'since no appeal was taken by filing a notice of appeal.' A hearing on the issue was held February 28, in Boyd County.
A May 6 preliminary hearing date has been set for a Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center counselor accused of soliciting an attack on a student at the center in January. Clarence Trammell Jr., 52, of Wheelwright, appeared before trial commissioner Jack Hyden, Wednesday, with his attorney, Keith Bartley. Trammell entered no formal plea during Wednesday's hearing, but Bartley said after the court appearance, his client would plead innocent.
Prestonsburg Attorney Danny Caudill was appointed by Governor Brereton Jones, Wednesday, to fill the unexpired term of former District Judge Harold Stumbo. Floyd County has been without a district judge since January, when Stumbo was sworn in as circuit judge. Two names were submitted to the committee in February.
Two men were arrested in Pike County, Thursday, and charged with robbing the home of Frank Adams in Prestonsburg, on Monday, March 2. Arrested were John A. Fletcher, 26, of Marshalville, in Magoffin County, and Parker M. Parker, 20, of Pikeville.
A mistrial was declared, Wednesday, and a change of venue was granted in a first degree rape case in Floyd Circuit Court, when a juror announced he could not render a fair verdict. Commonwealth Attorney Jerry Patton said, Wednesday, the juror informed the court Wednesday morning, of his decision after he witnessed the alleged victim talking with an investigator. It was not disclosed if the juror overheard the two talking.
There died: Lula Mae 'Vina' Prater, 63, of Langley, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Mary Webb Martin, 100, of Ocala, Florida, formerly of Wayland, Tuesday; Alice Mae Prater Puckett, 86, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; John Buford Martin, 69, of Garden City, Michigan, formerly of Garrett, Wednesday, at the University of Michigan Hospital; A. L. 'Bear' Davis, 50, of Langley, Saturday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Helen Hall Staples, 85, of Lowmansville, formerly of Honaker, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Maude Grigsby Haddix, 89, of Fisty, Tuesday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Ted Bates, 78, of Staffordsville, Sunday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Dingus Pigman, 76, of Raven, Monday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Josephine Brown, 42, of Allen, Friday, at U.K. Medical Center; Roman Tendziegloski, 78, of Battle Creek, Michigan, Saturday, at Battle Creek Health System Community Site; Juanita Ousley, 70, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, at the Methodist Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi; Julia Mullins, 89, of Somerset, formerly of Elkhorn City, Thursday, at Humana Hospital in Somerset; Mallie Terry Slone, 95, of Dema, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center; Estill Meek, 76, of Betsy Layne, Wednesday, at his residence; Bertha Cumbo Spears, 101, of West Van Lear, Tuesday, at Riverview Nursing Home; Ralph Mullett, 77, of Auxier, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Charlie B. Hall, 78, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital.

Feb. 26 & Feb. 28, 1992

Prestonsburg's City Council set the wheels in motion, Monday, for the development of an intertrack wagering facility near Water Gap, giving first reading to an ordinance annexing the proposed site. As proposed, the annexation would follow Route 3 from the current city boundary to property now occupied by the Center Stage nightclub.
.An early morning break-in at Allen Central High School, Monday, caused thousands of dollars worth of property damage and several pieces of electronic equipment were stolen. Classes were cancelled, Monday, as a result of damages to the school.
Floyd Circuit Judge Harold Stumbo ordered, Monday, that union dues may no longer be deducted from the paychecks of nine employees of the Floyd County Board of Education. Stumbo's ruling came as a result of a conflict between the Teamsters Local 783 and nine classifed employees of the school system, who asked the court to dissolve their association with the union.
The mother of a 16-year-old child with muscular dystrophy has filed a civil lawsuit against the Floyd County Board of Education, and transportation director Earl Ousley, claiming that a defective wheelchair lift on a school bus injured the girl and aggravated her daughter's condition. Doris Hunt, on behalf of her daughter Tammy Hunt, filed suit February 19, in circuit court alleging the board failed to repair the lift after it was reported that it had malfunctioned before.
.One area vacancy was filled, Tuesday, but there has been no word yet from Governor Brereton Jones on who will be named interim District Judge for Floyd County. The Governor's office announced, Tuesday, that Paintsville lawyer Susan Mullins Johnson had been appointed interim District Judge for the 24th Judicial District, which includes Johnson, Martin and Lawrence counties. Johnson will fill the seat vacated by the election of John Gardner as judge for Kentucky's Court of Appeals.
The remains of a Floyd County woman were exhumed, Friday, as part of an investigation of suspected murder in Michigan. The body of Bonnie Jo Kiser, 51, was discovered on her bed in her Michigan home on December 20, 1991, following a blaze which apparently destroyed the residence. Kiser, a native of Floyd County, was buried December 25, in the Hackworth family cemetery near the Floyd-Magoffin County line on Kane Branch. She was exhumed, Friday, apparently to determine whether she 'may have died as a result of a criminal act in the state of Michigan.
Three days after Job Corps personnel and community leaders denounced news coverage of alleged gang activity at the Prestonsburg facility, eight students were arrested and two others were hospitalized as the result of a reported gang-style assault at the local center on Monday. Six adults and two juvenile students at Carl D. Perkins Job Corps were arrested, Monday evening, and charged in connection with an attack on two female students, Monday, at the center. One female received a stab wound in the leg.
Dixie Campbell of Maytown, whose son was killed in Vietnam, was presented a specially inscribed Bible by the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 128 recently, following a three-year search for the families of eight soldiers who previously could not be located. The D.A.V. erected a plaque three years ago at Allen's Stumbo Park in memory of 21 Floyd County soldiers killed in combat in Vietnam, which included the name of Campbell's son, Andrew J. Campbell. All but eight of the soldiers' families listed were located and given the specially inscribed Bibles in honor of those who gave their lives for their country in Vietnam. Each Bible was personalized, with the name of the soldier inscribed on the cover.
The wife of a Floyd County magistrate was one of three commissioners appointed by the fiscal court, Friday, to draw new magisterial district boundaries in the county. Hattie Owens, wife of magistate Jackie Edford Owens, was named, along with Paul Gearheart and Tom Smith, to redistrict the voting boundaries, a statutory requirement that must begin in February.
For almost fifty years, Eugene Wells of Goble-Roberts Addition has carried a piece of World War II embedded in his hip. Now Wells will so carry a piece of that war near his heart. Last week, Wells was awarded the Navy's Purple Heart, one of the military's highest honors, for injuries he received in one of the major air-naval battles of war.
An attorney representing a Carl D. Perkins Job Corps counselor accused of soliciting an assault on a student said, Thursday, that his client's 1966 murder conviction has nothng to do with the misdemeanor charges pending against him. 'They're just draggin his name through the mud for nothing,' Prestonsburg attorney Keith Bartlett said. 'He has repaid his debt to society.'.
There died: Elmer 'Hoover' Vanover, 75, of Dorton, Monday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Irvin Sparkman, 81, of Leburn, Thursday, at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Stevie L. Milam, 28, of Harold, Sunday, at his residence; Green B. Johnson, 82, of Hi Hat, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Thelma Jones, 85, of Drift, Sunday, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home; Madgie Childers Johnson, 74, of Jenkins, Friday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Jones W. Martin, 91, of Eastern, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; William Henry McCoy, 64, of McCombs, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Golda Tackett, 91, of Virgie, Monday, at Mountain View Health Care Center; David R. 'Buddy' Sanders, 52, of Romulus, Michigan, Wednesday; Charles R. Moore, 18, of Chloe Creek, formerly of Harold, Friday, at his residence; Alec Spencer Bailey, Friday, at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington; Charles Edvon Slone, 57, of Banner, Monday, at his residence; Gladys Kendrick Coleman, 83, of Elkhorn City, Saturday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Josephine 'Penie' Davidson Fields, 88, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Dora Honaker Hawkins, 68, of Harold, Monday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital.

Feb. 19 and Feb. 21, 1992

A state Appellate Court Judge ruled, Tuesday, that an investigator for the state Office of Education Accountability does not have to testify before a Floyd County Grand Jury, Wednesday, about an investigation into the Floyd County School System. Appeals Judge John Gardner blocked a decision issued by Floyd County Circuit Judge Harold Stumbo, Tuesday morning, that ordered OEA investigator Phil Austin to obey a subpoena from Commonwealth Attorney Jerry Patton.
The other contenders in the race for eastern Kentucky's first harness racing track apparently threw a shoe down the home stretch, as Prestonsburg crossed the finish line alone in the race for the $3 million-plus facility. Friday, the Kentucky Harness Racing Commission unanimously approved the application by Eastern Kentucky Racing Inc. president, and Prestonsburg businessman Clyde Woods, to conduct live harness racing and intertrack wagering within the mountains.
A Carl D. Perkins Job Corps counselor was arrested, Thursday night, for allegedly soliciting an assault upon a 17-year-old student, January 10. Clarence Trammel Jr., 52, of Wheelwright, was arrested by Prestonsburg police sergeant Jeff Stumbo and charged with criminal solicitation and criminal facilitation in connection with an altercation at the center involving six students, who allegedly assaulted another student.
Students and instructors from Prestonsburg Community College (PCC) met in a peaceful rally, Monday afternoon, at the college to protest apparent state funding cuts for community colleges across Kentucky. Linda Smith, president of Phi Theta Kappa, an honorary scholastic society member, and sponsor of the rally, led the demonstration to discuss the effects of past cuts and apparent future cuts on community colleges and to ask others to contact their legislators about their concerns as to whether quality education will be allowed to continue within community college systems across Kentucky.
The Prestonsburg Tourism Commission needs tour guides for one-day trips with groups visiting the area. A clear speaking voice and good communication skills are important in presenting interesting information about our past and present.
Approximately 50 Allen city residents were at the Floyd County courthouse annex, Thursday, to protest an entertainment permit application that would allow, if approved, a beer by the drink roadhouse near a New Allen residential section. The application was submitted by Darrell Preston of Ivel, to sell beer by the drink and operate the Crossroads Lounge, 'three tenths of a mile from the intersection of U.S. 23 and Route 1428 at Allen,' according to the Floyd County Court entertainment application. The application also noted that the business would offer live music and dancing between the hours of 4 p.m. to midnight, and would be closed only on Sundays and major holidays.
No further information has been received by the state Division of Air Quality on an application by a North Carolina soil remediation company to locate a mobile soil incinerator in Floyd County. Roger Cook, with the Division of Air Quality, said earlier this week that his office has not received the additional information from Enviro-Spec that is needed to complete their application.
There died: Forrest Clinton Stephens, 60, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; David Allen Songer, 38, of Paintsville, Friday, at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington; John Pack Sr., 95, of Drift, Wednesday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Arizona (Arie) Caudill, 79, of Plumwood, Ohio, Sunday, at her residence; Eva Evans, 64, of Chicago, Illinois, formerly of Stephens Branch Road, Sunday; Paul Richard Wright, 40, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Mae Hunt, 68, of Ypsilanti, Mich., formerly of Cow Creek, Wednesday, at St. Joe's Hospital in Ypsilanti; Nedra Turner Slone, 44, of McDowell, Saturday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Maude Salyers Hannah, 88, of West Van Lear, Tuesday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Adrian Griffith, 31, a former Floyd County resident, in an automoble accident on Saturday, at Bean Station, Tennessee; Mary Mynhier Wolverton, 73, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, at her residence; Virgil Shepherd, 63, of Warsaw, Indiana, Thursday, at IU Medical Center; Verdia Sammons, 71, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Verlin 'Tuck' Kimbler, 80, of Sitka, Sunday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Lucille Conley Hackworth, 70, of Silver Lake, Indiana, formerly of Floyd County, Tuesday, at Miller's Manor Nursing Home in Warsaw, Indiana; Warner Roark Jr., 66, of Weeksbury, Tuesday, at his residence; Woodrow Bradley, 59, of Claypool, Indiana, Wednesday, at his residence; Raymond Astor Woods, 76, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at his residence; Bascom Clark May, 49, of Crestwood, formerly of Martin, Wednesday, at the Tri-County Community Hospital; Edith P. Terry, 70, of Wayland, Wednesday, at Fisher-Titus Hospital in Norwalk, Ohio.

Feb 12 and Feb 14, 1992

Governor Brereton Jones tossed out a few surprises during his budget address last Thursday, and one even caught veteran legislator Greg Stumbo off guard. Stumbo said he had scanned the Governor's budget speech prior to Jones' address' to the General Assembly, Thursday evening, adding that he was 'pleasantly' surprised' when Jones specifically mentioned a proposed 18-hole golf course for Jenny Wiley State park as a project targeted for funding.
Upset over what they perceive is a dead end in a state investigation of the Floyd County School System, members of the Floyd County Education Association said, Tuesday, they will seek legislative assistance in addressing what one FCEA member called 'an intolerable situation.' In a press conference, Tuesday evening, at Adams Middle School, FCEA member Bud Reynolds said his organization had met recently with Dr. Penney Sanders, head of the state's Office of Education Accountability, and members had come away from that meeting displeased with what they heard.
The Prestonsburg City Council apparently is closer to resolving a salary dispute between city employees that has been at issue for most of the last two years. In a business-as-usual meeting, Monday night, Mayor Ann Latta and the city council presented a proposal that could possibly settle the on-going salary dispute with the city's firefighters, who contend that their rate of pay and actual pay should be more equal to that of the city police.
The May primary non-partisan ballot for Floyd County District Judge is made up of three familiar Floyd County attorneys: Danny P. Caudill, Dan Rowland, and James R. Allen. The district judge presides over all criminal misdemeanor charges, preliminary felony hearings, small claims court, juvenile matters, civil cases, domestic violence and mental health disabilities claim.
Third time's a charm? Penelope (Penny) Pajel has represented McDowell Elementary School for the last three years in the Floyd County Spelling Bee competition, and again, as last year, is the Floyd County champion.
Preliminary findings of a financial audit of the Floyd County School System, released Tuesday, recommend the district change its ways concerning construction and banking procedures. Auditor Calvin Cranfill of the firm Helton Linton, Cranfill and Hall told the board, Tuesday. that the audit wouldn't be finished for two weeks, until information concerning a 1984 debt to the federal government could be obtained.
The Martin City Council met, Wednesday evening, and adopted an ordinance involving city employees' health care costs. The issue was addressed following questions and complaints from city employees who apparently have been hard-pressed to meet the rising costs of individual, self-supplied health insurance coverage.
Coach Rick Pitino will bring his senior Wildcats to Paintsville on Thursday, March 5, to hold a benefit dinner and auction for Our Lady of the Mountain School. John Pelphrey, Richie Farmer, Deron Feldhaus and Sean Woods will join the coach and guests for a prime rib dinner at 7 p.m., in the atrium of The Carriage House, in Paintsville.
Commonwealth Attorney Jerry Patton has subpoenaed a state education investigator to appear before a Floyd County Grand Jury, next week, to provide information about a bingo probe and an investigation into the Floyd County School System. Office of Education Accountability investigator, Phil Austin, was served with the subpoena before the start of Tuesday's board of education meeting to appear before the grand jury, Wednesday, February 19, at 1 p.m. Austin and Steve Yater, another OEA investigator, were in Floyd County, Tuesday, to continue gathering information concerning an investigation into management and administrative procedures in the school district.
There died: Chester Slone, 53, of Hi Hat, Tuesday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Homer Ray Rowland, 45, of Orlando, Florida, Monday, February 3; Paul Bryon Hayslett, 62, of Sitka, Tuesday, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington; Rhoda Ellen Hicks, 67, of Garrett, Friday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Glen Richard Ward, 56, of Xenia, Ohio, formerly of Prestonsburg, at Greene Memoral Hospital; Lois Rice Richardson, 76, of Little Paint, Saturday, at her residence; Grover Morris Gillum, 68, of Melvin, Sunday, at his residence; Andrew Charles Robinson, two-month-old infant son of Gregory and Lisa Moore Robinson of Laguna Niguel, California, Monday, from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome; Belvie Maynard Farmer, 62, of Rockford, Illinois, Thursday, at Rockford Memorial Hospital; Gladys P. White, 97, of Lexington, Thursday, at Lexington Country Place; Donald David Stepp, 37, of Newport, North Carolina, Friday, at Carteret General Hospital in Morehead City, North Carolina; Theo Blanton, 77, of Dwale, Wednesday, at Health Care Center at Campton; Willie Halstead Damron, 70, of Flatwoods, formerly of Collins, Thursday, at her home; Elwood Conley, 52, of Hueysville, Sunday, at The Parkview Manor Nursing Home in Pikeville; Virgil Shepherd, 63, of Warsaw, Indiana, Thursday, at IU Medical Center; Elder Millard Blanton, 83, of Langley, Saturday, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home; Haskell Hughes, 71, of Ashland, Saturday, at his home; John B. 'Slim' Ratcliff, 79, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Mary Alice Prater Shepherd, 89, of Hueysville, Wednesday, at Markey Cancer Center of the University of Kentucky Medical Center; Roxie Mae Pitts, 90, of Blue River, Monday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Granville Howell, 84, of McDowell, Wednesday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital.

Feb 5, 1992 & Feb 7, 1992

Floyd County School Board members enacted a hiring freeze last Friday night despite objections by superintendent Ron Hager who said that reports that the district will be in a deficit are false. Hager added at Friday's meeting that the auditing firm of Helton, Linton and Cranfill was hired illegally to perform the school district audit.
A North Carolina Company has a permit application pending with the state Division of Air Quality to locate a soil remediation incinerator at Warco in Floyd County. EnviroSpec Inc. of Matthews, North Carolina filed a permit application with the state in July 1991 to locate a soil incinerator on 10 acres at Warco between Maytown and Martin.
A 15-year-old female was arrested Monday evening for allegedly stabbing a 14-year-old female four times during an altercation near downtown Prestonsburg. A year-long dispute between the two juveniles apparently peaked when the 15-year-old allegedly pulled a knife on the victim, stabbing her twice in the back, once in the chest, and once in the arm, Dectective Sergeant Jeff Stumbo of the Prestonsburg City Police said Tuesday.
The future of Combs Airport is in local hands, a state official said Tuesday, but Kentucky is Office of Aeronautics will keep a watchful eye on the facility's operation and its compliance with aviation regulations. Non-compliance with state safety requirements has been one issue in the ongoing debate over the fate of the jointly-owned Paintsville-Prestonsburg airstrip and that non-compliance continues to concern state aeronautics officials. The Wayland City Council addressed many of the city's short-term problems Monday evening, but long-range plans for bridge repair and creek clean-up continue to be hampered by the city is in apparent bleak financial outlook. Mayor Hobert Webb told the council that Floyd County Judge-Executive John M. Stumbo had assured him that the Wayland Bottom road would be repaired as soon as weather permitted, but no new solutions were in sight regarding creek clean-up for Wayland.
Pikeville apparently has been scratched from the race for the proposed harness racing facility following Methodist church opposition to the project. Pikeville Mayor Walter E. May said Thursday in a prepared news release that it now appears that the hoped-for harness racing facilities will not be located in Pikeville, but will instead be going to Prestonsburg.
.Police are apparently still searching for a middle-aged, white male who at gunpoint robbed a convenience store in Stanville Sunday. The Kentucky State Police said a 140 to 150-pound man with curly, collar-length brown hair armed with a shotgun and pistol robbed the Cardinal Mart on U.S. 23 at approximately 10:30 p.m. and fled on foot after demanding money from the clerk.
Two Floyd County students advanced to Sweet 16 Academic Showcase state competition this week after placing in regional competition February 1 at Morehead. Jennifer Steffey and Michael Ousley, who placed third in the Journalism, Advertising/Promotion category, have earned a spot in the state competition which will be held at the Transylvania University in Lexington March 18-20. The duo won the honor with their media bicentennial presentation which included a mock advertising campaign for magazine, newspaper, radio and billboard displays.
A rare coroner's inquest was held Thursday in Floyd Circuit Court to determine the cause of death of a 38-year-old Floyd County coal miner who died in December 1990. Delmer Castle died the morning of December 7, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital after he became ill while working at the Floyd/Knott coal mine near Jones Fork in Knott County.
Two hours of spirited debate Wednesday night at a special Wheelwright City Commission meeting covered all departments overseen by the four commissioners and resulted in two new appointments for two departments. Commissioners appointed Randall Johnson to the utility commission after former appointee Jerry Tackett declined the nomination. Mayor Charles Johnson swore in Clark Thornsberry to the utility commission after a short debate on the oath. Thornsberry took his oath from a back row seat in the audience. Thornsberry was named to the commission at the January meeting.
A 15-year-old juvenile accused of stabbing another teenager Monday evening is back in school this week amid parent concern and questions. Floyd County Trial Commissioner Jack Hyden explained Thursday that because the accused juvenile attends a different school than that of the alleged victim and the accused is apparently a good student, a school release was issued during a hearing on the matter Tuesday.
There died: Grace Arnett Craft, 83, of Jackson, Friday, at University Hospital in Columbus, Ohio; Samuel Conn, 25, of Hunter, Saturday, at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Evelyn Elaine Sword, 53, of Pikeville, Saturday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Paul David Wells, 38, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Ballard Hunt, 88, of Harold, Saturday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Angel Brown, infant daughter of Edgar Brown Jr. and Kimberly Harvey Brown of Garrett, was stillborn Friday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital, Martin; Charlie Johnson, 77, of Wheelwright, Thursday, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington; Bartee Estep, of Hindman, Wednesday, at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Richard Harmon Hubbard, 79, of Kings Mountain, North Carolina, formerly of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at Kings Mountain Hospital; Cora M. Sturgell, 76, of New London, Ohio, native of Osborn, Saturday, at Fisher Titus Medical Center; Aaron D. Hall, 68, of Youngtown, Arizona, formerly of Kentucky, Tuesday; Chillie Thornsbury, 66, of David, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Hazel H. Hamilton, 78, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington; Charlotte Jean Hall Newman, 41, of Bevinsville, Tuesday, at Saint Joseph Hospital in Lexington; and Mella Damron, 78, of Pikeville, Wednesday.

Jan. 29-Jan. 31, 1992

Councilman Billy Ray Collins presided over the Monday evening meeting of the Prestonsburg City Council, in the absence of Mayor Ann Latta, as several items were debated, including a bid by several council-members to have Prestonsburg's Mayor-Council form of government changed in the November, 1994 election. Councilman Jerry Fannin, in a surprising move, motioned council to include on the November, 1994 general election ballot that Prestonsburg's city government be changed to a city commission plan of administration.
Comments made at a public hearing, Thursday by residents living near a medical waste incinerator will cause the state to take a closer look at a pending permit for that facility. Officials with the State Department of Air Quality listened intently as 14 speakers told of their concerns about the incinerators at Auxier, operated by Medisin Inc.
With enough Democratic candidates to field a football team, the race to replace departing U.S. Congressman Chris Perkins drew an unprecedented lineup of challengers, Tuesday, as the filing deadline passed. Eleven Democrat candidates will crowd the ballot for the Congressional seat that, for most of the past 45 years had been shared by just two men'both named Perkins. Rarely had the Perkins' hold on the 7th District'now the 5th District'seat been challenged in primary elections.
A 25-year-old Martin woman was charged with first degree wanton endangerment and first degree assault, after allegedly stabbing her husband, Saturday. Rebecca Collins of Martin, was charged with stabbing her husband, Larry Collins, twice with a knife after an altercation at their home Saturday afternoon.
A Floyd County woman unknowingly saved the life of Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson when she took to heart a threat allegedly made by her husband. The woman called the sheriff's department, Saturday, asking that a deputy be sent to her home and the situation turned out to be a domestic violence complaint.
Floyd County school officials would neither confirm nor deny reports, Thursday afternoon, that a special meeting of the county school board, Friday evening, would include a proposal to eliminate all administrative positions in the system's central office. Board Chairman Ray 'Shag' Campbell would neither confirm nor deny the rumored actions, and said, 'all I know is it's an open meeting about personnel. I don't know what all they're going to do.'.
The Prestonsburg City Council has been a hotbed of hot issues for many this week, and tongues are not likely to cool soon, because a question has been raised recently about whether long-time city councilman William R. Callihan is eligible to act as both a city councilman and be employed by the city. A letter from the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General, dated September 23, 1991, which is currently circulating about the area, and which the Times received anonymously, states that, although not a formal legal opinion, 'a councilman, a city officer, may not serve as an employee in the same city he is serving as a councilman.' The corresponence was signed by Thomas R. Emerson, assistant attorney general.
A 'do nothing attitude' and 'a lack of interest' for growth, forced Wayland City Councilman Robert Stewart to resign his seat at council's January meeting. 'They do as they please and no citizens will come to the meetings, because they know they won't do nothing,' Stewart said. 'In the past, I've talked with the Big Sandy Area Development District about getting grants to clean the ditches out. But, I couldn't get anyone (on the council) to help me. I can't do it by myself. It's pitiful.'.
Despite a 4-4 vote by council, Monday evening, there were obvious indications that a proposal to change Prestonsburg's form of city government is anything but dead. A swing vote on the issue was all but promised by newly elected councilman, George Archer, if the current system's checks and balances fail to meet Archer's expectations. Should the issue be revived and a proposal for change is passed by council, Prestonsburg voters will have the final say.
.Prestonsburg civil rights attorney Ned Pillersdorf agreed to a press conference Thursday, to offer details on a current lawsuit which might possibly attract national attention and notoriety. Pillersdorf is representing Weeksbury resident Mary Ann Johnson, who claims that her husband, Billy Virgil Johnson, committed suicide on February 15, 1991, as a direct result of taking the highly controversial drug, halcion.
.Ladies and gentlemen place your bets on Floyd County being chosen as the site for a new harness racing track. The state's Harness Racing Commission met Thursday in Prestonsburg, with city and local officials, to talk about the prospect and to tour three potential sites. After the tour, the commission's chairman and vice chairman said they felt, in their personal opinion, Floyd County is the best place for the track.
There died: Clinon Slone, 94, of Larkslane, Friday, at the Hazard Regional Medical Center; Alberta Ashley, 81, of Mallie, Thursday, at her home, following an extended illness; Kermit Stamper, 78, of Litt Carr, Saturday, at the Letcher Manor Nursing Home in Whitesburg; James Mullins, 77, of Leburn, Friday, at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Ervin Preston, 80, of River, Tuesday, at Humana Hospital in Louisa; Irene Clark, 70, of Sitka, Sunday, at her residence; Birtie Mae Risenberg, 51, of Springdale, Ohio, formerly of Pike County, Thursday, at Hospice of Cincinnati, Ohio; Hubert W. Pennington, 71, of Ligon, Saturday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Marilyn Hughes, Tuesday, at her residence; Tommy Kendrick, 62, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Vealie Louise Caudill, 75, of Hi Hat, Sunday, at her residence; Haleem Kawaja, 76, of Lexington, Thursday, at Veterans Administration Hospital in Lexington; Carroll Wade Moore, 52, of Columbus, Ohio, Thursday, at his residence; Connie Lee Thompson, 43, of Abbott Creek, Saturday, at his residence; Virginia Tackett Reynolds, 77, of Wheelwright, Monday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Dr. Clellen Herbert Boshears, 47, of Hickory, North Carolina, Thursday, at his residence; Lora 'Goody' Johnson, 73, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, Tuesday, at Lansing General Hospital; Fannie Mae Lafferty Hicks, 58, of Hudson, North Carolina, Sunday, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, North Carolina; Timmy M. Shaheen, 30, of Arlington, Ohio, Monday, at his residence; Glendia Sue Burke McCoy, 43, of Martin, Wednesday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Cassie Roseline Casebolt, 84, of Speight, Wednesday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Mary Wilson Roberts, 85, of Lexington, Tuesday, at Cape Coral Hospital, Cape Coral, Florida.

January 22 and January 24, 1992

A civil suit, filed January 17, alleges that a Pikeville bank used insider information to acquire a failed Floyd County savings bank. The suit, filed in Floyd Circuit Court by First Guaranty Corporation, claims that Pikeville National Bank and Trust Company used confidential information provided by First Guaranty Corporation to acquire ownership of United Federal Savings Bank in Prestonsburg.
Although four new Wheelwright Council members took office in January, at their first meeting, Thursday, council conducted business like old pros. In what appeared to be a move to clean house, council voted to replace three members of the utility commission, which brought a verbal resignation from a fourth member.
Kentucky Congressman Harold Rogers announced, Tuesday, that he is seeking re-election to a seventh term in the United States House of Representatives. Speaking at Hazard and Pikeville, which are among the communities that have been added to the Fifth Congressional District, the veteran Republican lawmaker promised to continue his efforts to create jobs, promote family values and help people in need.
.Customers of the B & H Gas Company, which services the Ivel, Mare Creek, Betsy Layne and Stanville areas, will see soon an increase in their utility bill. The Public Service Commission granted the gas company increased rates in the amount of $13,100 annually. Rates will increase for the average residential customer from $48.40 monthly to $62.83.
A 31-year-old Hazard man, arrested Monday morning, is the prime suspect in a month-long investigation to find a truck driver who has allegedly been exposing himself to passing female motorists. Floyd County Sheriff's deputy Homer Neeley arrested Edward Gayheart at approximately 9 a.m., on Route 114 traveling toward Magoffin County. Gayheart was stopped after Neeley noticed the truck driver was apparently trying to get an automobile to stop, said chief deputy Linzie Hunt.
A fire at Drift, Saturday morning, hospitalized one man and caused two children to be treated for minor burns. The home of Mose Meade was razed in the blaze which is still under investigation by the Left Beaver Volunteer Fire Department, fire chief Derek Thacker said Monday.
Unless an 11th-hour rush occurs early, next week, at the Secretary of State's office in Frankfort, the only dogfight in Floyd County for the May Primary election will be a race for district judge. Although no candidates had formally filed for the Seventh Judicial District race, Thursday, three candidates have announced their candidacy.
State education leaders ousted three members of the Harlan County School Board, Wednesday, after finding them guilty of official misconduct. It is the first time in Kentucky's history that local board members have been removed from office by state officials.
A political dynasty that spanned four and a half decades will come to a close at the end of this year, when the current term of U.S. Congressman Chris Perkins expires. Perkins announced Wednesday that he would not seek a fifth, two-year-term as Eastern Kentucky's representative in Congress, citing the adverse effects of politics on his personal life as the reason for his decision. Perkins was first elected in 1984, largely by acclamation, to succeed his father, Carl D. Perkins, who died after representing the now non-existent 7th Congressional District for 35 years. The younger Perkins faced no serious challenge to his family's hold on the congressional seat until 1988, when he won re-election by getting just 59 percent of the vote over GOP challenger Will T. Scott.
Local reaction to U.S. Representative Chris Perkins' decision to not seek re-election to Congress has been mixed, but many Floyd Countians agree that Eastern Kentucky will feel the loss, and that is certainly a sad end to a 44-year political dynasty. Chris Perkins' contributions to Eastern Kentucky cannot be denied by many area residents, officials, and business leaders who are well aware of the strides made by Perkins for improved black-lung benefits; healthcare and nutrition programs for the poor; money secured for roads, water and sewer projects for the 7th District; and his efforts to raise the minimum wage rates while in Congress. His decision, however, to not seek re-election drew reactions state-wide and locally.
Downtown Prestonsburg has been targeted for revitalizaiton by city planners and, by the end of 1992, area residents should be able to detect a marked difference visually, historically, and hopefully, economically in the downtown central business district. Last year the city received a $250,000 state grant for downtown revitalization, because Prestonburg was recertified as a Kentucky Main Street City in 1991, and also due to the efforts of State Representative Greg Stumbo and Senator Benny Ray Bailey.
There died: Rev. Rudolph Lewis, 77, of Banner, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Della Blankenship Jones, 81, of Teaberry, Monday, at the residence of her daughter, Ollie Hall; Rose Annie Hamilton, 89, of Stanville, Thursday, at The Albion Community Hospital, Albion, Michigan; Kevin Harris, 31, of Springboro, Ohio, formerly of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at his residence; James Thornsberry, 25, of Kite, Saturday, at Kite from injuries sustained in an automobile accident; Windell Tackett, 51, of Lucasville, Ohio, Saturday, at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital in Ashland; Edgar Bartley, 82, of Pikeville, Saturday, at Parkview Manor Nursing Home; Ben Sellards, 73, of Rush, formerly of Endicott, Friday, at Veterans Administration Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia; Minnie B. Conley, 98, of Garrett, Wednesday, at her residence; Shirley M. Caudill, 63, of McDowell, Thursday, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington; Hattie Little Vaverek, 62, of Chicago, Illinois, formerly of Weeksbury, Sunday, at her residence; Evelyn Castle Fraley, 71, of Drift, Monday, at her residence; Lovada Brown Damron, 88, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Lillie Hamilton, 91, of Fellsmere, Florida, formerly of Banner, Sunday, at The Humana Hospital in Sebastian, Florida; Tommy Kendrick, 62, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Henry Edgar Harmon, 94, of Pikeville, Tuesday, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home; Hazel Music Howell, 62, of Indianapolis, Indiana, formerly of Bonanza, Saturday, at the Community Hospital in Indianapolis; Elizabeth Martha Damron, 66, of Pikeville, Wednesday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital.

January 15 and January 17, 1992

State officials apparently have joined the dogfight over the future of Combs Airport, issuing an ultimatum that safety violations at the airstrip must be corrected by January 30, to prevent the possible revocation of Combs' landing designation. Revocation of the airstrip's landing designation would effectively force closure of the jointly owned Paintsville-Prestonsburg facility.
An arrest was made, Monday, in connection with the December 13, 1991, robbery of Jim's Stop & Shop on North Lake Drive in Prestonsburg. Prestonsburg Police Detective Jeff Stumbo, arrested James Slone, of Paintsville, after Slone was detained for questioning on a forgery warrant.
An early morning break-in, Friday, at Mert's Gun and Ammo in Allen resulted in the loss of thousands of dollars worth of guns and knives. Floyd County deputy Chuck Ousley, and Kentucky State Police are investigating the burglary which, was reported by the owner at 4:49 a.m.
Plans to use Allen Central High School's swimming and athletic facilities for underprivileged children from local housing projects may have hit a snag in the areas of insurance and transportation. Floyd County Housing Authority members pondered those issues at Thursday's meeting, but requirements by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) may nip the project in the bud.
Residents of Left and Right Beaver may within the year be drinking suitable water as the Beaver Elkhorn Water District enters yet another stage of expansion, and water line installation for approximately 1,700 potential new customers in that area. Representatives from the Beaver Elkhorn Water District and the Big Sandy Area Development District will be conducting numerous public meetings in February for Left and Right Beaver residents about the expansion of water service into those areas. Meeting locations and times will be announced later this month.
Prestonsburg Mayor Ann Latta gave her State of the City address during the local city council meeting, Monday night. Prestonsburg continues to show moderate economic growth, with slight increases forecast in all revenue categories for the current fiscal year. Caution should be the fiscal byword for the coming year, Latta pointed out, because of national business conditions. The current fiscal year city budget is $2.8 million.
A $2000 reward is being offered by South Central Bell for information about thefts of telephone cable in Floyd County. Telephone cable has been stolen at Abbott Mountain, Highway 114 on the Old Middle Creek Road, and in West Prestonsburg across from Archer Park. The reward will be paid for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the parties responsible for the thefts.
.A meeting of PTA and PTO presidents and vice-presidents took less than two hours last Thursday evening to select a parent reprsentative to participate on the superintendent screening committee to find a new top administrator for the Floyd County school system. The group decided on Debra Hayes of Betsy Layne to act on the committee required by KRS 160.352, which calls for a screening committee for superintendent applicants composed of two teachers, one board of education member, one principal, and one parent. Present board superintendent Ron Hager's contract expires in June 1992.
Allegations that improperly placed construction materials on the site of the Left Beaver High School caused an eight-month delay in progress was called 'comical' by representatives of the company that oversees construction on that project. Those allegations and claims that the site contractor and project architect James Ellis were punished for voicing complaints about the constructon manager of the project were raised at Tuesday's Floyd County Board of Education meeting.
Controversy concerning the Left Beaver High School project is not new, questions and concerns about the site were raised by the architect, construction manager and the public, as early as 1987. Once the site for the new school was announced in 1987, referred to as the Mitchell site, heated discussions took place between residents in the Wheelwright and McDowell areas; between residents and the architect, James Ellis; and between the architect and the local and state school board.
Morehead State University is establishing a local scholarship program that might well contribute to the lives of many Floyd Countians. President C. Nelson Grote announced Wednesday, at the Prestonsburg MSU extended campus that Morehead State University is developing the program for area 'part-time, nontraditional students' who would like to attend the college locally.
A 46-year-old Prestonsburg man was charged with first degree wanton endangerment after he allegedly fired two shots at a man at Jenny Wiley Village in Prestonsburg, Wednesday evening. Ernest 'Bucky' Collins turned himself into the Floyd County Sheriff's Department, Wednesday evening, for allegedly shooting at James 'Whig' Pennington, after the two men had argued in the village parking lot, said Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson.
Country music stars are shining bright on a Harold youth. Kimberly Carter, 17, recently signed a recording contract with American Records of Tokyo, Japan. Her single, 'Rocking at the Dance Hall,' will be released throughout the United States on February 17. The album's release date is March 23, in Japan. The album has been recorded with producer Mick Lloyd, who has produced recordings by Johnny Lee, Slim Whitman, and the late Lew DeWitt, of the Statler Brothers.
There died: Elmer Hackworth, 64, of Abbott Creek, Sunday, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Lexington; Shirley Daniels Sparks, 71, of Louisa, Saturday, at her residence; Basil McGuire, 70, of Taylor, Michigan, formerly of West Prestonsburg, Friday, at Heritage Hospital in Taylor; Alva Stambaugh, 77, of Sitka, Saturday, at the Paul B. Hall Medical Center; Lillie Jones, 88, of Robinson Creek, January 13, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Willard 'Baby' Moore, 69, of Minnie, Thursday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Boge Tackett, 68, of Myra, Thursday, at Jenkins Community Hospital; June Slone, 57, of Langley, Thursday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Velva DeRossett Compton, 65, of East Point, Wednesday, at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington; Okey Burkett, 73, of Warsaw, Indiana, formerly of Floyd County, Monday, at Kosciusko Community Hospital in Warsaw, Indiana; Fred Miller Sr., 97, of Pierceton, Indiana, Sunday, at Whitley County Memorial Hospital, Columbia City; Francis Marion Tackett, 91, of Virgie, January 15, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Juanita 'Nita' Puterbaugh, 51, Monday, at the Life Care Center of La Grange; John Melvin Barbe, 55, of Shelbiana, formerly of Betsy Layne, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Virginia Vinson, 87, January 15, at her residence; Edna Faye Adams, 69, of Hager Hill, Sunday, at the J.J. Jordan Nursing Home in Louisa; Ivory Mae Jarvis, 66, of Endicott, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Minnie B. Conley, 98, of Garrett, Wednesday, at her residence; Geraldine Bryant, 64, of West Prestonsburg, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center.

January 8 and January 10, 1992

A Floyd County man pleaded guility to charges of murder for hire and cocaine possession in U.S. District Court Monday. Three other Floyd County men entered guilty pleas in federal court on drug charges in December. Wendell Ray Newman, who also faces a murder charge for a 1978 shooting in Floyd County, pleaded guilty to trying to hire an undercover FBI agent to kill Dave Slone, who was at one-time his co-defendant in the Floyd murder case.
Prestonsburg's new postmaster, Edith Risner, was welcomed by city officials, business owners and area residents, Tuesday, in a standing room only swearing-in ceremony at the Prestonsburg post office. The official ceremony began in prayer with Bro. Clem Stambaugh followed by Boy Scout Troop #877 leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Two songs were performed by Kentucky Opry representatives Rebecca Recktenwald, Jonathan Estep, Angela Carr, and Nikki Queen. Introductions were made by postmaster, Leslie C. Nelson, of Paintsville.
Special Judge Stephen 'Nick' Frazier ruled Tuesday that members of a Paintsville-Prestonsburg Airport commission are city officers whose appointments to the joint board must be confirmed by the city councils of the respective cities. Frazier's ruling effectively voids the October 29, 1991 appointments of six new members to the airport board and resolves, for now, a civil lawsuit filed by a Combs' Field pilots' association.
An incumbent city councilman at Martin quit his post Monday prior to a ceremony that would formalize his election. James Robinson, in a one sentence letter to the council, resigned from his seat on the city council. Robinson had served the previous two years on the council and had again regained his seat during the November 5 election.
.A meeting is set for Thursday, January 9, to elect the parent screening committee representative to recommend a superintendent for the school system. John Rosenberg, who was asked by the board to coordinate the meeting, said Tuesday that anyone interested in being a candidate for the position should attend Thursday's meeting at Allen Central High School.
Voter turnout was 100 percent and election results were unchanged in the Prestonsburg City Council race following a special election held in Floyd Circuit Court Friday. Special Judge James Knight asked the 30 registered voters subpoenaed from the Cliff 2 precinct to cast their ballots to settle a lawsuit filed by former councilman Dr. Gary Brown.
Questions remain in the Sunday evening shooting of a Floyd County man where investigators are hampered because of the victim's reluctance to discuss the incident. Eugene Tackett, 40, of Branhams Creek was shot one time in his left shoulder at Tackett's Store, a small grocery store he operated at Branhams Creek. The Floyd County Sheriff's Department and Kentucky State Police are investigating the incident.
The Kentucky Division for Air Quality's public meeting regarding Medisin Inc., originally scheduled for January 9, has been rescheduled to Thursday, January 23, at 7 p.m., at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park. Medisin, which operates a medical waste incinerator at Highlands Regional Medical Center, has applied for an operating permit required under state regulations which went into effect in February 1991.
Some light could be shed on the problems and delays surrounding the new Left Beaver High School project at Tuesday's meeting of the Floyd County Board of Education. Project architect James Ellis has been directed to attend Tuesday's meeting adn bring a wide variety of records pertaining to the project.
Prestonsburg may be ahead of other contenders in the race for a proposed $3 million harness racing track and facility. Representative and attorney Greg Stumbo, who is representing an unnamed client interested in placing the harness racing track near Prestonsburg, has reached a 'tentative verbal agreement' with Chester Porter, owner of harness racing's Louisville Downs.
Investigators from the state's Office of Education Accountability were in Floyd County this week to review school records pertaining to certain operations in the district. Dr. Penney Sanders, director of OEA, said Thursday that investigators were in the district to review school administraive procedures. Sanders did not reveal what operations were being reviewed.
.No definite plan to fill a vacancy created by incumbent James Robinson's resignation from the Martin city council was made during the second special meeting held Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at Martin city hall. Robinson sent a letter of resignation to council members dated January 6'the day of the first special meeting and swearing in of the council.
Newly appointed Justice Secretary and Kentucky State Police Commissioner Billy Wellman announced key appointments in the force last week that includes a new commander for the Pikeville post. Captain Robert Forsythe was moved to command the KSP Pikeville post. Forsythe was post commander in Madisonville before being reassigned.
As the filing deadlines for the May Kentucky Primary election draws near a look at the state of open offices promises a spring season of heavy campaigning. Besides the Presidential primary on the national scene, many of Kentucky's federal legislators are at the end of their terms. U.S. senator Wendell Ford's term expires, leaving his seat up for grabs. All six of Kentucky's congressional districts have representatives up for election, including U.S. Representative Chris Perkins' seat in the newly created 5th Congressional District. No one has currently filed for the senatorial position, but Jerry Cecil of Hazel Green in Wolfe County has filed to challenge for Perkins' seat. Cecil ran unsuccessfully against Perkins in 1990.
There died: Bert Colvin, 78, of LaFollette, Tennessee, formerly of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at LaFollette Medical Center; Roy Mullins, 47, of Martin, formerly of Bevinsville, Sunday, at his residence; Josephine Wilhelm, 88, of Allen, formerly of Lewisburg, Ohio, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Preston Hicks, 71, of Sarasota, Florida, formerly of Floyd County, Sunday, at a nursing home in Florida; Curtis Elliott, 71, of Detroit, Michigan, formerly of Floyd County, Saturday, at The Oakwood Hospital; Beverly Conn, 84, of Dwale, Sunday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Charles Lee Watkins, 71, of Wayland, Tuesday, at the Cabell Huntington Hospital; Willie (Bill) Burke, 63, of Myra, January 6, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Bonnie Jo Prater Kiser, 51, of Warren, Michigan, formerly of Middle Creek, Friday, at her residence due to injuries received during a house fire; Kenneth Thacker, 64, of Greasy Creek, Wednesday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Betty Elswick Moore, 93, of Virgie, January 6, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; William Kenneth Fyffe, 60, of Independence, Monday, at Bradley Memorial Hospital; Josephine Brown, 86, of Garrett, Friday, at The University of Kentucky Medical Center; Daniel B. 'D.B.' Gibson, 66, of Columbus, Ohio, formerly of Minnie, Wednesday, at The Lancaster Hospial in Ohio; Eva D. Page, 67, of Arlington, Virginia, formerly of Floyd County, Tuesday, at The Northern Virginia Doctors Hospital; Thelma Hart Meade, 86, Friday, at the Medical Care Center in Lynchburg, Virginia; Charles Hansford, 77, of Garrett, Tuesday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Anna S. Gibson, 96, of Groveport, Ohio, formerly of Minnie, Tuesday, at the Mt. Carmel East Hospital in Columbus, Ohio; Lee Andrew Baker, 55, of Beaver, Tuesday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Jesse Perry Wright, 67, of Grethel, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Thelma Hart Meade, 86, Friday, at the Medical Care Center in Lynchburg, Virginia; Velva Derossett Compton, 65, of East Point, Wednesday, at Central Baptist Hospital, Lexington.

Dec. 18 and Dec. 20, 1991

A Floyd County Sheriff's Deputy was the target of a hit-and-run attempt early Tuesday morning in the driveway of his home, near Ligon. An individual who is believed to have knowlege about the incident was questioned by Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson and deputies, Tuesday evening. Deputy Sheriff Larry Newsome of Beaver said someone made two attempts to run him down with a car at 4 a.m., Tuesday morning, after someone pulled into his driveway and blew the car horn.
State education officials will be asked to appraise the old Prestonsburg Drive-in property as a site for a new Prestonsburg High School. Floyd County Board of Education members voted at their December 12 meeting to contact Mike Luscher, director of facilities management for the Department of Education, to commission the appraisal and to contact the property owner(s) of the drive-in site to determine if the site is available.
An elderly Floyd County man who was reported missing Sunday night was spotted, Tuesday morning, walking on KY 80 near Allen.
.Claude Patton, 78, of Eastern, was last seen by family members at 8 p.m. Monday evening, near the home of his sister, Martha Tuttle. Patton lived with Tuttle but occasionally spent the night in a one-room house adjacent to Tuttle's home.
Floyd County school students and teachers were caught by surprise, as well as the flu bug, Monday when schools closed early prior to the holiday break due to the rising rate of absenteeism. Average daily attendance (ADA) dropped to 81 percent, this week closing Floyd County schools until Monday, December 30, according to assistant superintendent Pete Grigsby.
Oral arguments will be heard December 30 in Johnson Circuit Court, in a civil suit concerning appointments to the Paintsville-Prestonsburg Airport board. The suit, filed last month by Paintsville attorney C.K. Belhasen, challenges the legality of six appointments to the board, made jointly by Mayors Ann Latta of Prestonsburg and John Preston of Paintsville.
Santa Claus is coming this Christmas, but his sleigh may be somewhat lighter than in previous years. With the increase of unemployment in local industries and the cost of living on the rise, Christmas shopping is proceeding steadily, but cautiously, this season.
A boil water advisory, which began last week for residents of Mud Creek, will probably remain in effect throughout the remainder of the week. Seven water samples were taken last week by employees of the Mud Creek Water District, and tested for contamination by McCoy and McCoy, Inc., of Pikeville.
A redistricting plan approved by the General Assembly, Wednesday will put U.S. Democratic Congressman Perkins in a district with Republican contender Congressman Hal Rogers. Reaction to the state's plan brought mixed reaction from the congressmen and a warning from the state's Democratic chairman. 'It makes possible for the Republicans to win the congressional district in the east,' said Grady Stumbo.
Payments to the construction manager on the Left Beaver High School project were resumed Wednesday by the Floyd County Board of Education after an attorney for the company threatened to take legal action against board members. Board members voted at the December 12 meeting to suspend payments to Martin Engineering and Construction Company on the advice of their attorney Cliff Latta. Latta told the board he had 'serious questions' if the monthly payments were a contractual obligation and asked them to stop payments until he reviewed the issue.
A midnight fire claimed the life of a Floyd County man at Cow Creek, Wednesday night. Donald Ray Goble, 35, of Slickrock, tentatively identified by Floyd County Coroner Roger Nelson, was dead at the scene following a blaze that leveled his hillside home. Goble's wife, Jane, and three children escaped without injury through a bedroom window, according to Nelson.
There died: Kenneth Eugene Ward, 37, of Van Lear, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Myrtle Kendrick Conway, 83, of La Grange, formerly of Floyd County, Friday, at Tri-County Community Hospital in La Grange; Raymond Hamilton, 72, of Marshall, Michigan, Friday, at Tendercare of Marshall; Nim Patrick, 90, of Hazard, Thursday, at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Charles V. 'Chuck' Ormerod, 57, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, at his residence; Lloyd 'Hop' Salisbury, 66, of Hunter, Saturday, at the Veterans Hospital in Lexington; Bill McCoy, 77, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Carl Caudill, 61, of Melvin, Friday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Lela Tackett Elkins, 83, of Myra, Saturday; Fred Amburgey, 78, of Mallie, Monday at the Hazard Appalachian Regonal Medical Center; Emmogene Turner, 60, of Vermillion, Ohio, Sunday, at Lorain Community Hospital, in Ohio; Paul Saunders, 87, of Delaware, Ohio, Monday, at his residence; Lucy Hackworth Shell, 81, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Edward B. Jarrell, 74, of Banner, Monday, at his residence; Maggie Marie Hall, 84, of Flat Gap, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Johnny Milton Osborne, 53, of Eastern, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Ruth 'Fox' Patrick, 75, of Martin, Tuesday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Theodore Warrix, 54, of Hager Hill, Saturday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Anna Lee Gambill, 81, of Thelma, Saturday, at her residence; Bradley Lewis, 54, of Daniels Creek, Banner, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Angie Douglas 'Doug' Harmon, 66, of East Point, Thursday, at Humana Hospital in Louisa; Sallie Ratliff, 92, of Langley, Saturday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Oscar 'Nig' Mosley, 82, of Minnie, Tuesday, at University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington.

Dec. 11 and Dec. 13, 1991

Floyd County Attorney Jim Hammond apparently will not question State Representative Greg Stumbo's account of an auto mishap early Sunday morning that resulted in Stumbo's arrest on a charge of driving under the influence of intoxicants. In a press conference Monday, Hammond said the DUI charge against Stumbo, Majority Leader for the Democratic Party in Kentucky's General Assembly, would be amended to public intoxication because an investigation could not prove Stumbo was driving at the time of the mishap.
Officials at Martin Engineering and Construction Company said Monday during a press conference that their records concerning school construction projects in Floyd County are open for public inspection. Company owner Sam Martin, whose firm is providing construction manager services for the new Left Beaver High School project, issued a challenge and a welcome to auditors, accountants, attorneys and taxpayers, to inspect their records concerning school construction projects.
Two men escaped from the Floyd County jail around 3:30 a.m., Monday, while on cleaning detail at the facility. Alvin 'Tiger' Branham, Jr., 20, of Auxier and Stevie Crum, 20, of Harold, escaped by jimmying the third floor door between the men and women's side of the jail, according to Jody Mullins, deputy jailer.
A Life Line Company ambulance, which was transporting a dialysis patient home to Minnie, Saturday afternoon, collided head-on with a van, killing two and injuring five others. The victims included the van's driver, Ivle Moore, 68, of McDowell; and a paramedic in the ambulance, Billy Dean Johnson, 40, of Weeksbury.
Pay scale inequities among Prestonsburg city employees continue to be a hot topic of discussion for the Prestonsburg City Council, and council is prepared to take matters into their own hands. Council reviewed a proposal they commissioned from Paul Combs and Associates, a consulting firm from northern Kentucky, that would equal out pay scales for the employees.
Certified and classified employees of the Floyd County School System delivered an apparent ultimatum to the board of education, Tuesday night'talk or we walk. Carol Stumbo, president of the Floyd County Education Association, told the board that the teachers group was disappointed that the board and Superintendent Ron Hager had not followed the terms of an agreement signed in September to head-off a repeat of last year's teacher strike.
Members of a search committee to select a new Floyd County superintendent will be named at the January meeting of the Floyd County Board of Education. Chairman Ray 'Shag' Campbell asked that the teachers, board, principals and parent-teacher organizations name their representative for the committee.
A Floyd County woman was listed in good condition Thursday, after a tractor trailer, transporting coal, struck the driver-side door of her compact car, Wednesday, at the intersection, of Route 122 and Ky. 80 in Martin. The truck reportedly ran the red light at the intersection as Helen Wicker, 50, of Mousie, proceeded onto Ky. 80.
A boil water advisory will remain in effect for residents of the Mud Creek area in Floyd County, probably throughout next week, until testing for contamination is complete, according to Eula Hall, chairperson of the Mud Creek Water District. Water service was restored, Wednesday, for most of Mud Creek, after last week's flooding and cold weather caused several breaks to occur in approximately 35 miles of the area's water lines. Service was interrupted from Harold to the top of Ligon hill, last week, as workers tried in vain to provide water to area residents.
Payments to Left Beaver High School construction manager Sam Martin were halted Tuesday night, by the Floyd County Board of Education until its legal counsel determines if there is a contractual obligation. Attorney Cliff Latta advised the board to withold the $13,608.40 December payment to Martin until he is furnished with a breakdown of payments made to date to determine if the payments are a legal obligation.
A 21-year-old Floyd County man was arrrested Wednesday night, and charged with attempted murder in connection with a stabbing incident. Ronald Dean Hall of Melvin, is accused of stabbing Richard Hill, 31, of Wheelwright three times in the abdomen after an argument at the home of Hill's brother, George Hill.
There died: Ivle Moore, 68, of McDowell, Saturday, at Minnie from injuries sustained in an automobile accident; Ralph Lewis, 46, of Banner, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Berlie Conn, 70, of Martin, Saturday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital, from injuries received in an automobile accident; Ed Marshall Marcum, 55, of Louisa, Tuesday, at Humana Hospital in Louisa; Thurmel 'Jack' Prater, 63, of Alanson, Michigan, formerly of Hueysville, Sunday, at the Northern Michigan Hospital; Noah D. Thacker Jr., of Florida, a native of Martin, November 26, in the Methodist Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida; William R. 'Bill' Davis, 77, of Paintsville, Sunday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Delmar Castle, 38, of Melvin, Saturday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Chester Arthur Patrick, 81, of Paintsville, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Donnie Bailey, 42, of Flat Gap, Saturday, at his residence; Flora Mae Walters, 73, of Delbarton, West Virginia, Wednesday, at her mother's residence in Columbus, Ohio; Rhoda Compton, 94, of Hi Hat, Thursday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Carrie Hall, 78, of Bevinsville, Friday, at her residence; Stella Bevins Johnson, 76, of Raccoon, Thursday, at Kentucky River Regional Medical Center in Jackson; Liddie McGuire Miller, 88, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Billie Dean Johnson, 40, of Weeksbury, Saturday at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Marcelino Castillo, 88, of Beaver, Wednesday, at his reisdence; Matt Hamilton, 69, of Galveston, Thursday, at his residence; Myrtle Keathley Hall, 74, of Galveston, Wednesday, at the Mountain Manor Nursing Home in Pikeville; Clyde Justice, 52, of Harold, Wednesday, at his residence; Worley O. Mace, 76, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, Thursday, at Mount Carmel East Hospital; Alvin 'Ousley' Elliott, 57, Thursday, at The Kosciusko Community Hospital in Warsaw, Indiana.

December 4 and 6, 1991

Three-and-a-half days of steady rain pushed Floyd County streams out of their banks, Monday, and swelled the Big Sandy River to within five feet of flood stage in Prestonsburg, Tuesday. The Big Sandy was expected to crest at 7 p.m. Tuesday, at 35.4 feet. Flood stage is 40 feet.
Johnson Circuit Judge James A. Knight will serve as special judge in a civil suit contesting the outcome of the November 5 election for seats on Prestonsburg's City Council. Knight had set no hearing date on the issue by presstime, Tuesday, but said it would be possible to conduct a preliminary hearing this month.
Wet weather and high water made a Floyd County Housing Authority meeting doubtful Monday, but a quorum of the board managed to make it to the office at Green Acres. The special meeting of the board was called to approve the authority's 1992 operating budget before the December 15 deadline.
.The first wave of a state Office of Education Accountability review of the Floyd County school system is expected to arrive in Prestonsburg this week. Dr. Penney Sanders, head of the Office of Education Accountability (OEA), said Monday that OEA investigators will be in Floyd County this week to talk with school officials about matters that 'are currently under review in Floyd County.' She declined to elaborate on specific issues, and she would neither confirm nor deny that the scope of the investigation would be broadened after the initial review was completed.
.A 30-year-old Johnson County woman was struck by a vehicle Saturday night on Route 23, after attempting to cross the highway at a local lounge. Tammy Hensley of Wittensville was hit by a car driven by Glenda Howard of David, at approximately 7:30 p.m., at the Mountaineer Lounge near Prestonsburg, said Floyd County deputy Lloyd Powers. Hensley suffered a head injury and was taken to Highlands Regional Medical Center.
The engraving on 72-year-old William Hurstle Gibson's congressional medal reads'Remember Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, 'A Day That Will Live In Infamy,' Act of Congress, 1990. This is the inscription found on the Congressional Medal for Veterans of the Attack of Pearl Harbor presented by Senator Wendell Ford to William H. Gibson on behalf of the Pearl Harbor Survivor's Association of Kentucky.
There died: Dick Burchett, 72, of Endicott, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Burt Gearheart, 79, of Hi Hat, Monday, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington; Edward 'Frog' Bentley, 67, of Wabash, Indiana, Sunday, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne; Hollie LeMaster, 77, of Wittensville, formerly of Martin, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Homer Gene Mullins, 27, of Mansville, Massachusetts, formerly of Floyd County, Friday, at his residence; Goldie Osborne, 89, of Lexington, formerly of Eastern, Wednesday, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington; Charles Eugene Hall, 45, of Beaver, Saturday, at the U.K. Medical Center; Kathleen 'Moore' Lee, 58, of Marion, Ohio, formerly of Wayland, Wednesday, in Marion; Michael D. Gilliam, seven-month-old infant, Monday, at Cabell-Huntington Hospital; Ernest Crisp Jr., 44, of Wayland, Saturday, at the Veterans Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia; Betty Jean Simpson Cooper, 64, of Drift, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Fred Bingham, 78, of Louisville, Sunday, at Baptist Hospital East in Louisville; Paul Edwin Compton, 33, of Weeksbury, December 2, at McDowell A.R.H.; George Parsons, 69, of Drift, Monday, at his residence; Estill Cox, 82, of Jenkins, Thursday, at the Wolfe County Nursing Home in Campton.

Nov. 27 and Nov. 29, 1991

Four alternate sites are being considered for the location of a new Prestonsburg High School, a project which has been delayed because of controversies surrounding the project. The Floyd County Board of Education voted at its November meeting to look at alternate sites for the school to get the project moving. A representative from the state Department of Education met with local officials, Monday, to look at the sites and to determine if they were suitable alternatives to the current proposed site at Middle Creek.
Pay inequities among Prestonsburg city employees, and concerns that no plan existed to close the gap, were raised, Monday night, by councilman Billy Ray Collins. But, the issue is expected to be resolved at the December council meeting, according to Paul Combs, owner of the firm hired to develop a plan to eliminate the inequities.
Prestonsburg's troubled United Federal Savings Bank reopened Monday with a new name, a new owner and a new lease on life. United Federal, taken over earlier this year by Resolution Trust Corporation amid financial difficulties, has been sold to Pikeville National Bank and Trust Company, one of Kentucky's leading banking institutions.
They gasped when Governor Wallace Wilkinson presented Floyd County Judge-Executive John M. Stumbo a check for $6 million to finance the extension of water lines in the county. They applauded as Hilda Legg, co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission, suggested that her organization must shift its focus from bricks and mortar, to address 'our human infrastructure.'.
A Floyd County Grand Jury has apparently declined to issue indictments in two cases of local concern'one relating to the operation of illegal bingo games at Prestonsburg High School, and the second concerning a traffic fatality involving a Kentucky State Police trooper. After hearing testimony from KSP special investigator Johnny Ray last Wednesday, the grand jury issued no true bill in connection with the Prestonsburg High bingo games operated by an organization known as the Prestonsburg Academic Athletic Association.
An unsuccessful candidate for reelection to Prestonsburg's City Council has filed suit in Floyd Circuit Court, seeking either a special election in one precinct or a ruling declaring the entire city election null and void. Dr. Gary Brown, who finished ninth in the November 5 balloting for eight city council seats, alleged in his suit, filed Wednesday, November 27, that 'a minimum of 30 voters' residing in Prestonsburg's Cliff No. 2 precinct were 'wrongfully and illegally' denied the opportunity to vote in the city council race.
The conviction last month of a Floyd County school principal has prompted the Kentucky Association of School Administrators to take unprecedented action. For the first time, the association will directly represent one of its members in court, executive director V. Wayne Young said Wednesday in an interview with the Associated Press.
Kentucky's new ungraded primary school program, which is to be in place and in full operation by the '95-'96 school year, is an innovative concept for kindergarten through the third grade. The Kentucky Education and Reform Act of 1990 (KERA) has developed and outlined a learning curriculum very different from the traditional method of teaching primary school students.
Complaints were few and actions were swift in an unusually short meeting of the Floyd County Fiscal Court, Friday. Three people addressed the court during the grievance session, asking for help with roads and water, and wanting to know the status of an ordinance dealing with political signs.
Greyhound Bus Lines is planning to discontinue coverage into Eastern Kentucky, but that doesn't necessarily mean the end of passenger bus service for the area. All Greyhound stops along Route 23 from Ashland to Pikeville are scheduled to cease, December 2, due to the excessive costs associated with covering the area and a steady decline in the number of passengers.
There died: Mike Staley, 94, of Mt. Sterling, formerly of Lackey, Friday, at the Mary Chiles Hospital in Mt. Sterling; John Denver Fannin, 71, of Wabash, Indiana, formerly of Floyd County, Sunday, at Veterans Medical Center in Marion, Indiana; Pearl Dicie Lambert Bradley, 80, of Estill, Tuesday, at her residence; James 'Shum' Monroe Mullins, 68, of Pikeville, Monday, at his residence; Fred (Dutch) Marshall, 77, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at his residence; Rebecca Lafferty Ford, 80, Friday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Norman L. Hicks, 85, of Wabash, Indiana, formerly of David, Sunday, at the home of his daughter; Era Ward Webb, 82, of Johnson County, Friday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Aline Crum, 44, of Lorain, Ohio, formerly of Dana, Thursday, at St. Joseph's Hospital; Bill Parsons, 75, of Pikeville, Sunday, at his residence; John F. 'P Jack' Daniels, 50, of Paintsville, Monday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Kathryn M. Carpenter, 64, of Arcanum, Ohio, Sunday, at Wayne Hospital; Winifred Archer Daniels, 75, of Frankfort, formerly of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at King's Daughters' Memorial Hospital in Frankfort.

Nov. 20 and Nov. 22, 1991

Floyd County school officials will set their third tier priorities for school construction projects in a public hearing slated for November 25, despite continuing problems on priority one projects and the possibility of a state investigation into building procedures. In the past year school construction projects in Floyd County have come under considerable scrutiny, raising questions concerning excessive costs, the quality of construction, construction management and fiscal control. Combined, the construction issues paint a picture of indifference on the part of the Floyd County Board of Education and indicate a total lack of oversight on the part of the state Department of Education.
Learning to read is a vital component in anyone's life; it is a skill they will need and use the rest of their lives. When the skill to read is not mastered early in life, it takes an admirable amount of courage and determination to begin that process later on. Then, a person's courage and determination is matched with someone who can provide the time and effort to teach them.
A Pikeville architect has asked the Floyd County Board of Education to rescind an October decision to employ another firm for a proposed Betsy Layne Elementary project, claiming he was given the job in 1988. In a letter dated November 11, James Ellis advised the board and superintendent Ronald Hager that the board's decision in October to employ architect Paul Hoffman and Martin Engineering for the Betsy Layne classroom addition project 'raises two concerns.'.
Floyd County Housing Authority members met Thursday to approve one item on their agenda, to renew voucher funding with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The contract provides for housing assistance payments for residents of public housing. The amount of the contract was for $111,300 and will, for the first time, require a separate budget and register. The contract is in effect for five years.
Projected shortfalls in state revenues are taking their toll on all areas of government, including higher education. Prestonsburg Community College president Dr. Deborah Floyd told advisory board members Tuesday evening that PCC will be affected by a cut of more than $3 million in the community college system budget.
An expansion of the new Veterans Outreach Clinic near Prestonsburg could be in the works since the number of patients expected to be seen at the clinic has doubled. A letter from Philip Elkins, director of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia, to Seventh District Congressman Chris Perkins shows the clinic is averaging 790 patients a month. The clinic was projected to serve 387 veterans monthly.
.Roy May of Maytown is a talented and quite interesting person. He is a wood carver. He makes bowls and scenes of people working. These figurines are very detailed and beautiful. May has been carving all his life. He is self-taught. When he was a little child, he used a hatchet to carve an Indian's head in his father's apple tree. May thinks that incident occurred when he was about six years old. He really enjoyed that experience, so he continued carving. Nowadays, he carves at night, while watching television. He said he usually carves every evening.
There died: Zina Pack Sexton, 83, of Drift, Sunday, at the Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington; Josephine Bingham Hall, 89, of Town Branch Road, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Ollie DeRossett, 86, of Ivel, Saturday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Harold Lee Blocker, 61, of Weeksbury, Friday, at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington; Maudie Hall, 94, of Raceland, Saturday, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Paul Stephenson, of Raceland; Carolyn Stanfill Black, 86, of Pikeville, Friday, at the Mountain Manor Nursing Home of Pikeville; Erie 'Darkes' Cotton, 87, of Grayson, Sunday, at King's Daughters' Medical Center in Ashland; Walter C. Zemo, 64, of Pataskla, Ohio, formerly of this area, Friday; Jeffrey Smith, 36, of Raccoon, Tuesday, in the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Greenville 'Wedge' Branham, 55, of Bypro, Wednesday, at his residence.

Nov. 13, 1991- Nov. 15, 1991

Verdicts in a robbery, and a drug case on appeal from Floyd County Circuit Court, have been upheld by the Kentucky Court of Apeals. Attorneys for Ronnie Hall, 32, of Galveston, filed an appeal in October on grounds that Judge Hollie Conley erred in not admonishing the jury to Hall's admission of a prior felony. The appeal said the jury should have been admonished that Hall's admission could only be considered as it might affect his credibility as a witness.
Dr. Penney Sanders, head of the state's Office of Education Accountability, will be the guest speaker at the dedication ceremonies for Floyd County's Head Start outdoor learning environment center, Friday, November 15.
Though insurance, Haz-mat equipment quotes, and conservation fund applications were the scheduled topics on the agenda, a 40-minute executive session headed Monday night's two-hour city council meeting, culminating in the hiring of Mark A. Wells as the new city administrator. Wells, currently serving as finance officer for the City of Prestonsburg, will now assume the duties of City Administrator, a position performed over the past few months by Mayor Ann Latta. The position of finance officer will be left vacant for now.
The Floyd County Grand Jury will meet November 18-20, and is expected to hear evidence concerning a bingo game at Prestonsburg High School, and a fatal traffic accident involving a Kentucky State Police trooper. Commonwealth Attorney Jerry Patton said in September that information concerning a bingo game operated by the Prestonsburg Academic Athletic Association is expected to be brought before the grand jury by a KSP special investigator.
Plans for a bicentennial train excursion through eastern Kentucky have been derailed, at least temporarily, members of a regional Chamber of Commerce learned Tuesday. Clyde Blevins, executive director for the Paintsville-Johnson County Chamber, told regional chamber members gathered in Prestonsburg, Tuesday, that the project had received a 'flat no' from CSX Transportation, the rail company which operates the tracks targeted for the tourism project.
Though the silvery voices of the Jenny Wiley Theatre cast are silent for the winter, symphony of whirs, bangs, and rattles is reverberating through the amphitheater while renovations are underway. Next summer's audience will be in for a pleasant surprise, said Tedi Vaughan, general manager of the theatre. The most noticable change, Vaughan said, will be the theatre's new 'sleek, contemporary look.' Wires will be buried underground; the new lighting and sound systems, temporarily installed this past summer, will be permanently installed. This will give the theatre a 'clean look,' said Vaughan.
A recanvass of votes, Wednesday morning, in the Prestonsburg City Council race produced no changes in the vote totals. Floyd County Court Clerk Carla Boyd said Thursday that vote totals for all candidates remained the same and she would present her findings to a Floyd County Grand Jury next week.
Good things may come in threes, but promoters of a mountaintop golf course in Floyd County think the magic number is fore, uh, four. That's as in nineteen ninety-four, the year targeted for the opening of a new, 18-hole golf course near Jenny Wiley State Park.
State school officials declined, Thursday, to discuss specifics of an apparent probe into school construction projects in Floyd County. School board member Eddie Billips said at Tuesday's board of education meeting he had been questioned by the Office of Education Accountablity (OEA) about the board's hiring practices concerning construction managers, architects and engineers for school construction projects. The issue came up when discussion at Tuesday's meeting turned to the new Prestonsburg High School project.
A shortfall in state education funds will put a budget crunch on the Floyd County School System. Superintendent Ron Hager told board members Tuesday night that he was informed by state education department finance offices that projected revenue cuts will force local budget cuts.
There died: Annie Bell 'Totsie' Scott, 80, of Wheelwright, Sunday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Thomas Conn, 76, of Martin, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Maggie Ethel Johnson, 57, of Hi Hat, Sunday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Thomas Ketty Ritchie, 75, of Mousie, Saturday, at his home; Elder John 'Johnnie' King, 98, of Harold, Monday, at the Mountain Manor Nursing Home, in Pikeville; Roger Lee Whitaker, 33, of David, Sunday, at the K.T.K. mining site in Martin County; John Combs, 87, of Fisty, Friday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Ursell McKinney, 80, of Harold, Monday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Nancy L. Amburgey, 65, of Larkslane, Tuesday, at the Flemingsburg Hospital; Lillie Mae Newsome, 64, of Beaver, Saturday, at her residence; Lewis 'Bob' Wright, 61, of Sidney, Indiana, Tuesday, at Wabash County Hospital; Mitchell Hitchcock, 76, of Meally, Tuesday, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington; Frank Childers, 79, of Wheelwright, Sunday, at St. Joseph Hospital, in Lexington; Johnnie Dyer, 61, of Hindman, Saturday, at his home after an apparent heart attack; Jean Carol Hale, 59, of Hindman, Wednesday, at the U.K. Medical Center in Lexington; Ellis B. Kidd, 57, a former New London, Ohio, resident, Monday, at the Hillside Acres Nursing Home in Willard, Ohio; Andrew 'Jack' Dotson, 57, of Claypool, In., Wednesday, at his residence; Sherd Caudill, 45, of Virgie, Wednesday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Bert Hunter, 71, of Garrett, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Frona Bayes, 69, of Staffordsville, Monday, at the Scioto Memorial Hospital.

November 6 and November 8, 1991

With Democrats holding a 13 to 1 edge in voter registration, Tuesday's general election balloting in Floyd County was a predictable one-party runaway, offering no surprises and few friendly fires for state GOP candidates who wandered into the stronghold. As expected, Floyd County's general election outcome was set with the finalization of the Democratic ticket in last May's primary, with only the final margins to be determined Tuesday. And, from the Governor's race down, Democratic candidates drew lopsided victories.
A Floyd County man was killed Saturday night after he was thrown from a vehicle that overturned on the road near Drift. Donnie Columbus Patton, 43, of Allen, was pronounced dead of a fractured neck by Floyd County Coroner Roger Nelson. Two other occupants, a 17-year-old male and a 17-year-old female, were taken to McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital, Nelson said.
Forest fires in eastern Kentucky appear to be under control, but extremely dry conditions still pose a threat to the brittle timberlands. Steve Brackett, spokesman for the state Forestry Department, said Tuesday that a 10-acre fire at Tram, in Floyd County, and an unconfirmed report of a fire at Frasures Creek were the only fires the department were concerned with at the time.
.Stay out of the woods or go to jail, was the message issued by Governor Wallace Wilkinson's office October 31. The emergency order, issued to avoid outbreaks of forest fires, bans entry or travel in wooded areas in 25 eastern Kentucky counties, including Floyd. Violators could face six months in jail, and a $100-$500 fine, said Pat Able, legal counsel for the governor's office. Able said he did not know how long the ban will last. 'It depends on the circumstances,' he said, referring to the numerous forest fires currently blazing in eastern Kentucky.
An elementary school principal filed a federal lawsuit last Wednesday against Floyd County superintendent Ron Hager and the board of education, alleging her first amendment rights of free speech and free association were violated.
Prestonsburg Police Chief Greg Hall was undoubtedly surprised Monday morning when one of his policemen kicked in his door. That unannounced visit was to alert the chief that his house was on fire. Policeman Anthony 'Harpo' Castle was on his way to work Monday when he drove past Hall's home at Lancer Addition and noticed smoke coming from the attic at approximately 7 a.m., said Prestonsburg fire chief Tom Blackburn. Castle burst through the door and woke up Hall and his family to warn them of the fire, Blackburn said.
The jackpot for Wednesday night's Lotto Kentucky drawing has grown to a record high $42 million, and ticket sales in the 17-county region served by the Prestonsburg office of the Kentucky Lottery Corporation are soaring. Regional lottery manager Jeff Riley said Tuesday that Lotto Kentucky ticket sales in the Prestonsburg region had increased by approximately 33 percent over the past two weeks, jumping from a total of $1 million during the week of October 20-26 to $1.33 million last week.
A Prestonsburg City Councilman who was not re-elected in Tuesday's election filed Thursday for a recanvass because of voting problems in the Cliff number two precinct. Dr. Gary Brown served notice to the Floyd County Board of Elections for a recanvass of votes in the seven precincts in the city limits.
The director of the Floyd County Head Start program was elected to the Kentucky Head Start executive committee last month. Janie Bailey Smith was elected to serve on the committee during the October meeting in Owensboro.
A third suspect in a four-county theft ring was taken into custody Thursday by the Floyd County Sheriff's Department. Harold Brown, 19, of Prestonsburg, was charged with burglary and theft by unlawful taking. Brown is a suspect in a theft ring being investigated by the sheriff's department and the Kentucky State Police.
A House-Senate conference report containing $596 million for education programs serving needy areas passed the House of Representatives Wednesday. Concentration grants, a formula created by Congressman Chris Perkins that funnels federal dollars to school districts with the highest concentration of low income families, received the funds.
There died: Dudley Jack Martin, 67, of Price, October 31, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington; Enoch James Mitchell, 44, of Grethel, Monday, at his residence; Myrtle M. Prater, 65, of Hippo, Tuesday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Lula Shepherd, 88, of Hueysville, Friday, in the McDowell Appalachian Hospital; Sara Caitlin Nicole Haley, seventeen months, of Eastern, Saturday, in the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Melissa Gwen Hall, 28, of Rittman, Oh., formerly of Hi Hat, Friday, at her residence from injuries suffered in a house fire; Archie Tucker, 73, of Newman, Georgia, October 12, at Humana Hospital in Georgia; Millie Jane Mullins, 78, October 3, at Morgan County A.R.H. in West Liberty; Leonard Ousley, 85, of Silver Lake, Ind., formerly of Floyd County, Saturday, in Dukes Memorial Hospital in Peru, Ind.; Wanda Bray Cobb, 64, of Emma, November 1, at her residence; Robert Ellis Samons, 88, of Martin, Friday, in the Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Don Columbus Patton, 43, of Allen, Saturday, at Hunter, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident; Ivory Mae Stratton, 86, of Stanville, Sunday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Luther Wicker, 66, of Lima, Oh., Tuesday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Sallie Conley, 96, of Ivel, Thursday, at her residence; Benjamin Fred Tackett, 79, of Bristol, Tenn., Thursday, at his home; Mary Nancy Daniels, 64, of Prestonsburg, Monday, at her residence; Ballard Whittaker, 76, Sunday, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington; Jerome Cade, 62, of North Highland, Ca., Friday, at his residence.

October 30, and November 1, 1991

Six new members were appointed, Tuesday, to the Paintsville-Prestonsburg Airport Board, and they immediately became the defendants in a lawsuit. The new members, three from Prestonsburg and three from Paintsville, were appointed Tuesday at Combs Field by Mayors Ann Latta and John David Preston. They include Ted Nairn, Sam Isbell, Dr. David White, Scott Perry, J.K. Wells and Mike Schmitt.
.The Christmas season in downtown Prestonsburg will take on a decidedly different look this year if plans for a Main Street Expo come together. Main Street program manager Henry Mayo told City Council members, Monday evening, that the Expo was 'the beginning of a whole new focus' for downtown and that the hoped-for results would be a 'revitalization' of the city's central business district.
An outbreak of hepatitis in two areas of Floyd County appears to be under control, said Floyd County Health Department director Earl Compton. The community of Dwale, near Allen, has had the most cases reported, approximately 20. Several cases have been reported in the Wheelwright area which prompted questions about the sanitary condition of the city's water supply, said Audrey Yates, business manager for the Wheelwright Utility Commission.
Two adults and one juvenile were arrested, Monday, in connection with a four-county theft ring, Floyd County Chief Deputy Linzie Hunt said Tuesday. Alvin 'Tiger' Branham, 20, of Auxier, was charged with theft by unlawful taking for allegedly taking a dirt bike belonging to Lorrie Slone of David. The motorcycle was recovered by the sheriff's department.
Governor Wallace Wilkinson is expected to declare an emergency in the eastern half of the state, today, due to an outbreak of forest fires. National Guardsmen are expected to be activated to the area once the order is signed, said a governor's spokesperson, Tuesday. Floyd County Judge-Executive John M. Stumbo and Prestonsburg Mayor Ann Latta declared a state of emergency Tuesday afternoon, and have banned any burning in the county or city.
.Auxier Fire Department and Allen Park were recipients of state grants last week totaling $81,703.97. A $71,703.97 grant from the state's Area Development Fund was awarded to Floyd County for improvements at the Allen park golf course and to pave the walking track. The Big Sandy Area Development District board of directors recommended the project to the department.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brereton Jones grabbed the lion's share of ballots cast in a six-day mock election held at A.J.'s Market at Allen, grabbing 72 percent of the votes cast in that race. In a battle of local interest, Paul Burchett breezed past Harold Stumbo in a non-partisan race of Floyd Circuit Judge. Burchett drew 54 percent of the ballots cast to Stumbo's 36 percent.
In the general election on November 5, 11 candidates are running for the eight seats on the Prestonsburg city council.
Two Floyd County men were injured in two separate shooting incidents Wednesday, at Drift and Teaberry. Anthony N. Allen II, 18, of Drift was shot one time in the face after he allegedly threw corn at a vehicle near Drift at approximately 9:30, Wednesday night, according to a state police report. The motorist stopped and fired several shots into the area with one shot striking Allen in the face. A sprinkling of local flavor is expected to spice up next Tuesday's general election ballot in Floyd County, where a race for circuit judge, and contests for seats on two city councils should pique voter interest.
Floyd Countians will be going to the polls Tuesday, November 5 to cast their votes for candidates seeking the state's highest offices and for candidates hoping for a place on local city councils. Floyd County schools will be in session Tuesday, said County Court Clerk Carla Boyd.
Prestonsburg was inducted Thursday into Kentucky's Certified Cities Hall of Fame, signifying recognition from the state Chamber of Commerce for the city's continuing effort toward development. The award was presented at a luncheon, Thursday, in Frankfort, and culminates a six-year project by city leaders to qualify for the state Chamber's certification program.
The windshield of a Floyd County school bus carrying about 50 students was broken, Tuesday afternoon, by someone throwing rocks from a passing vehicle. Floyd transportation director Earl Ousley, said Thursday, that a bus traveling near Lancer was hit by rocks thrown from a passing vehicle. The incident occurred near the site of a 1958 bus crash that claimed the lives of 27 students.
There died: Maegolda Ramey Johnson, 70, of Hueysville, Tuesday, at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Anne Katherine Stephens, 75, of Lawrenceburg, formerly of Floyd County, October 26, at King's Daughters' Memorial Hospital; Preston Tackett, 71, of Pike County, Monday, at his residence; Lula Harris, 88, of Prestonsburg, Monday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Maudie Gayheart Martin, 89, of Eastern, Sunday, at the Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Norman Ward, 77, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Rina Mae Wallen, 73, of Water Gap, Monday, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington; Ben Crum Jr., 73, Monday, in Wayne, W. Va.; Delmar 'Del' Lafferty, 49, of 80 Penry Road, Thursday, at his residence; Glima Hughes Allen, 77, of Mt. Dora, Fl., formerly of Pikeville, Friday, at The Flordia South Hospital in Orlando, Fla.; Henry P. Hall, 59, of Warsaw, In., formerly of Floyd County, Saturday, at the Kosciusko Community Hospital in Warsaw; David A. Wyatt, 52, of Ypsilanti, Mich., Thursday, at the Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington; John Douglas Hardwick, 45, of Thoreau, New Mexico, formerly of Betsy Layne, Saturday, at his residence; Phillip Jenkins, 77, of Myrtle Beach, N.C., Monday, at Bowman Gray Hospital in Winston Salem, N.C.; Alice Wright, 78, of Drift, Tuesday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Willard Adkins, 75, of Allen, Monday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center.

October 23 and October 25, 1991

Readin', 'ritin and 'rithmetic, education's legendary 'three Rs,' have a new sibling, thanks to Kentucky's General Assembly, Dr. Penney Sanders announced Monday at Prestonsburg Community College. What's it called? 'Revolution,' Sanders said. Speaking to a crowd of future teachers at PCC Monday, Sanders, head of the state's Office of Education Accountability, said 1990 legislation establishing the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) would be appropiratley titled the 'Kentucky Education Revolution.'.
Relocation of a county road and a continuing feud between a magistrate and a David Fire Department volunteer were the top issues discussed at Friday's Floyd County Fiscal Court meeting. Fiscal court members heard from Sammy Hall and Freddy Osborne of Osborne Branch at Hunter about road condtions and allegations of public officials doing work on private property.
There will be no tricks for trick or treaters at the Prestonsburg Rotary Club's safe Halloween, set for Sunday, October 27, at the Holiday Inn in Prestonsburg. Participating Floyd County businesses will gather at the Holiday Inn in a wing of rooms to give treats to thousands of youngsters who attend the annual event. Trick or treating begins at 6 p.m. The Holiday Inn co-sponsors the event.
Testimony will continue Wednesday (today) in the trial of Adams Middle School principal Thomas Tackett who is charged with abusing and harassing a teacher at the school in May. A charge of terroristic threatening was dismissed Tuesday aternoon by special Judge Miller Kent Carter of Pike County, who sustained a motion by the defense for a directed verdict on that charge.
A long-standing struggle between a local citizens' group and a medical waste incinerator received national attention Monday when an environmental magazine came to eastern Kentucky. Free-lance reporters for Audubon magazine, the national magazine, for the National Audubon Society, came to Floyd County Monday in conjunction with a feature story on Kentuckians For The Commonwealth (KFTC), a citizens' action group based in Prestonsburg. The Audubon reporters attended a protest rally at Medisin Inc.'s Highlands Regional Medical Center incinerator staged by Floyd Countians In Action (FCIA), a group which KFTC helped to organize.
Adams Middle School principal Thomas Tackett was found guilty of abuse of a teacher and acquitted of a harassment charge Wednesday by a Floyd County District Court jury. The jury deliberated for approximately an hour before returning its verdict. The jury recommended a $500 fine on the abuse charge, Special Judge Miller Kent Carter followed the jury's recommendation and levied the fine against Tackett.
Maytown Elementary will be holding site based Committee elections for parent members on Monday, November 4, beginning at 7 p.m. in the school's library. Any parent of a Maytown student, who meets the qualifications, may nominate themselves to run as site based members.
An attempted robbery of an Allen market was thwarted early Thursday morning by two newspaper deliverymen and a quick response by a Floyd County Deputy Sheriff. Two men waiting to pick up papers near the Allen Food Mart observed that the glass door of the market had been broken out and they saw a man in the store. A call was made to the Floyd County Sheriff's office at 2:45 a.m. that someone was robbing the store.
.A Prestonsburg woman was arrested Tuesday by Prestonsburg Police and charged with trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school. Brenda Pennington was arrested by Prestonsburg detective sergeant Jeff Stumbo and police chief Greg Hall after an investigation. Pennington allegedly forged prescriptions for schedule III and IV controlled substances, Stumbo said. She worked at a doctor's office in Prestonsburg.
Wheelwright High School's American history class will be participants in a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor in Lexington, December 7. The Pearl Harbor Commemorative Association will hold ceremonies at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center, and history students at Wheelwright High School will sing songs that were popular during World War II.
There died: Marie Stratton, 67, of Hi Hat, Saturday, at the Central Baptist Hospital, Lexington; Marie Martin, 76, of Dema, Monday, at her home; Crystal Gail Hall, 12, of Galveston, Monday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center at Lexington; Edna Milom, 76, of East Point, Sunday, at the Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Norman Ray Mulkey, 50, of Homer, Michigan, Wednesday, at his home in Michigan; Nora Castle Jones, 78, of Martin, Sunday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Marie Hurd, 69, of Warsaw, In., Monday, at Miller's Merry Manor; Dewey Gibson, 76, of Detroit, Mich., formerly of Melvin, Monday, at Quali-care Nursing Home in Detroit; Haig Gayheart, 73, of Van Lear, formerly of Hueysville, Wednesday, at Saint Joseph Hospital in Lexington; George Holdred McPeek, 74, of Virgie, Wednesday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; John Wilson Huff, 66, of French Lick, In., formerly of Langley, Thursday, at The Gentlecare of French Lick, French Lick, In.; John B. Evans, 86, of Craynor, Saturday, in the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital.

October 16 and October 18, 1991

Freedom will be flying this Saturday at Martin, during the 22nd annual celebration of Red, White and Blue Days. This year's event will be dedicated to our country's veterans.
Three Ohio juveniles, the oldest of which is 14, ended up in the Floyd County juvenile detention center in Prestonsburg, Monday, after taking police on a high speed chase in Floyd and Pike counties. The three, two boys and a girl, were identified as runaways from Columbus, Ohio, who apparently were en route to Florida. Three cars were reportedly stolen by the trio, the last of which was wrecked during the police chase, Monday. That car was stolen in Paintsville.
A member of the Prestonsburg City Council was reprimanded last week by U.S. District Judge Joseph Hood for failing to report for jury service in federal court. According to Hood, this was the councilman's second no-show for jury duty. William O. Goebel appeared before the judge in a show cause hearing to present evidence why he should not be held in contempt of the court. He gave a medical condition as his defense.
A Prestonsburg businessman, who pleaded guilty to cocaine trafficking, received a five-year probated sentence in Floyd County Circuit Court. James Dale Mosley, 38, of Prestonsburg, was indicted by a grand jury earlier this year and charged with trafficking in a schedule II narcotic; possessing a schedule II narcotic; and trafficking in marijuana. The trafficking in marijuana charge was dismissed. Mosley pleaded guilty in Circuit Court, May 9, and was sentenced September 27. The court order, issued October 8, said Mosley received a five-year probated sentence because of a pre-sentencing report by the Division of Probation and Parole and because of his history and character.
.Cupboards are bare in Floyd County's six food pantries and will have to depend on community resources to continue to provide food to needy families for the rest of the year. The Floyd County Ministerial Association reported that a 20 percent cut in federal funding this year has tightened even further their small budgets.
A special meeting of the Floyd County Board of Education has been called for Friday, October 18, at 11 a.m., at the administration building. The meeting has been called to open and award bids for the gymnasium floor at Allen Central High School.
A Martin County jury deliberated for three and a half hours Wednesday, before finding a Johnson County man guilty in the 1990 shooting death of a Prestonsburg teen-ager. The jury found Jim Jack Penix Jr., 31, of Van Lear, guilty of second degree manslaughter, recommending a 10-year sentence.
An hour and a half meeting produced only the election of new officers for the coming year and a commitment to pursue hiring an executive director for the Floyd County Development Authority. Harold businessman Paul Gearheart was named chairman of the board Wednesday, at the regular meeting of the authority and Julius Martin was named to fill the vice chairman slot. Burl Wells Spurlock retained his seat as secretary.
A special meeting of the Floyd County Housing Authority has been called for Monday, October 21, at 3:30 p.m., at Green Acres housing office in Prestonsburg. The purpose of the meeting is to select a maintenance man for the Warco Housing Project.
Red Ribbon Week, an annual campaign against drug and alcohol abuse, will be commemorated in Kentucky, from October 19 through October 26, including a 'gigantic' celebration, October 23 in Frankfort. The Red Ribbon campaign resulted from the murder of federal Drug Enforcement Agency agent Enrique Camerena by drug dealers in 1985.
Representatives from two national magazines will be in Prestonsburg, Monday, to report on issues surrounding a medical waste incinerator at Highlands Regional Medical Center. National Audubon and National Geographic will meet with members of Floyd Countians in Action (FCIA) Monday, to discuss their concerns about Medisin's incinerator located at the hospital, said Phyllis Walker, a leader of FCIA.
.In what commissioners said is a way to encourage future development at Paintsville Lake, the Johnson County Fiscal Court voted Friday, to pay for an appraisal of the lake's marina. The court said the action was not an indication that the county plans to purchase Paintsville Lake Marina, which is in jeopardy of closing.
A charge against a Floyd County principal for allegedly threatening to harm a teacher while at school will be tried Tuesday, October 22, in Floyd District Court. Special judge Miller Kent Carter of Pike County denied a motion Thursday, to dismiss the charges against Adams Middle School principal, Thomas Tackett, for allegedly threatening Gwendolyn Hammonds on May 14. An additional charge of harassment was placed against Tackett Thursday by Hammonds.
There died: Columbus Hall, 62, of Dana, Friday, at the Parkview Manor Nursing Home in Pikeville; Katherine 'Kitty' Lewis, 47, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Myrtle Wicker Triplett, 90, of Marion, Ohio, formerly of Knott County, Monday, at the Community Nursing Care in Marion, Ohio; Freda Whitaker Price, 56, of River, Thursday, at the Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center in Paintsville; Mary Little, 86, of Hager Hill, Saturday, at the Paul B. Hall Medical Center; Kenas Akers, 58, of Grethel, Friday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Nollie Sue Hicks, 64, of Huntsville, formerly of Floyd County, Saturday, at a hospital in Huntsville; Mary Jane Bates Hall, 78, of Melvin, Sunday, at her residence.

October 9, 1991 and October 11, 1991

A Floyd County coal miner filed a complaint last week with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, alleging that Leo A. Marcum, Commonwealth Attorney for Martin, Johnson, and Lawrence counties, threatened to have him committed to a mental institution if he persisted with safety complaints he had made against Martin County Coal Corporation. Randall G. Fitzpatrick of Prestonsburg, a former assistant foreman at the Black Bear No. 2 mine, filed the complaint of discrimination with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission in Washington, D.C. Marcum and Martin County Coal are named as defendants in the complaint.
.Floyd County Attorney Jim Hammond said Tuesday that the Kentucky Women Advocates' 'injustice' award given to him was itself an injustice and was based on erroneous and purely unfounded information. Hammond was named as one of the five recipients of the group's 'injustice' awards, given at their annual meeting October 5, in Louisville.
Five contestants are vying for the title of Miss Jenny Wiley during the pageant in association with the Jenny Wiley Festival. The pageant will be held Thursday, October 10, at 8 p.m., at the National Guard Armory on U.S. 23 in Prestonsburg. The contestants are: Elizabeth Ann Leslie, 17-year-old daughter of Steve and Lois leslie of Emma; Helen Louise Hammonds, 19-year-old daughter of Harold and Rebecca Hammonds of Prestonsburg; Tracy R. Hall, 20-year-old daughter of Larry Hall and Rosemary Arnett of Salyersville; Tricia 'Sinae' Risner, 18-year-old daughter of James and Daisy Risner of Prestonsburg; Tara Lee Branham, 16-year-old daughter of Gay and Sandy Branham of Wayland.
Radio station WMDJ and First Guaranty National Bank are gearing up for their ninth annual Day in the Park, October 20, at Stumbo Park in Allen. This year's event will feature many local entertainers and country music star Trisha Yearwood.
A Floyd County man has accused two Prestonsburg patrolman of police brutality in a federal suit filed October 7, in U.S. District Court at Pikeville. In his complaint, Gregory Johnson, alleges that on October 9, 1990, city police officer Jeff Stumbo 'maliciously rammed his vehicle' into a car driven by Johnson in the Corn Fork area of the county. Johnson contends he was permanently injured in the collision.
No injuries were reported after a shooting incident at McDowell school Wednesday, and the shots fired were determined to have come from a BB or pellet gun. Kentucky State Police detective Joel Newsome said Thursday that a window in the high school building was hit with two shots from the gun, and one projectile went through the window.
There will be no voice for the classified employees of the Floyd County School System until the workers merge the three separate employee organizations into one. The independent organizations came before the board of education Tuesday asking to be recognized as the 'designated spokespersons' for the 396 employees.
An Adams Middle School student was injured Thursday after he and approximately 15 other students decided to skip school. Ted Amburgey, no age available, was injured after he reportedly fell from a cliff near the school. Amburgey was taken to Highlands Regional Medical Center where he was admitted Thursday afternoon for observation.
In its first meeting in approximately six months, the Floyd County Housing Authority announced, Wednesday, that ground-breaking for a new public housing unit in Left Beaver should begin in November. Floyd County Housing Authority executive director Julia May said, Wednesday, that the final architectural plans are scheduled to be approved by the Department for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by mid-November, and construction is scheduled to begin shortly thereafter.
There died: Ward Lee Reed, 88, of Drift, Monday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; William Jessie, 70, of Greenup, formerly of Banner, Thursday, at his residence; Luther Messer, 68, of Garrett, Monday, at his residence; Josie Boyd Akers, 88, of Dana, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Nicholas Kent Johnson, infant son of Kent and Melissa Cornette Johnson of Hudson, North Carolina, formerly of Floyd County; Mary Ann Stumbo Clark, 75, of West Prestonsburg, Wednesday, October 9, at Highlands Regional Medical Center.

October 2 and October 4, 1991

Unity, politics and organization were the words of advice, Saturday to classified personnel of the Floyd County School System, as the birth of their own organizaiton unfolded. Prestonsburg attorney Ned Pillersdorf directed the group of about 40 classified workers who elected interim officers and took their first steps toward becoming an organization to voice grievances and concerns to the board of education.
A $10,000 grant has been awarded to the Mud Creek Water District from the Area Development Fund, for the purchase of a maintenance and operations vehicle. The Area Development fund is a capital projects program administered by the Department of Local Government in the Office of the Governor. The state's 15 area development districts make recommendations to the department on the basis of state law and policy for project funding. The Big Sandy Area Development District board of directors recommended this project.
A 41-year-old Floyd County man was charged with first degree assault after allegedly shooting his brother early Sunday morning. Billy Jay Scott of Hueysville, was charged, Monday, after his brother, Oney Scott, 55, was shot in the neck at 12:20 a.m., Sunday, with a .38 caliber revolver, said Floyd County deputy sheriff Ricky Thornsbury. Thornsbury said both men were extremely intoxicated at the time of the incident.
If last May's primary is a measuring stick, November's general election isn't likely to measure up to much in the area of voter turnout in Floyd County. Figures released this week by Floyd County Court Clerk Carla Robinson Boyd, indicate a paltry 33 percent of the county's registered voters turned out for the May primary, which included heated contests for a variety of statewide positions.
A Pike County judge last week dismissed State Auditor Bob Babbage as a defendant in a lawsuit concerning school construction projects. Pikeville architect James Ellis filed suit against the Pike County Board of Education and Babbage in August, claiming that Babbage's audit of school construction projects in Pike and Floyd counties prompted the board to withhold payments from him.
The U.S. Office of Surface Mining has awarded $8.4 million in grant money to Kentucky for the reclamation of abandoned coal mines. Five projects in Floyd County will be funded by the grant, including abandoned mines on Henry's Branch, the Orkney Slide, Powers Highwall, Tinker Fork and Campbell's Slide.
First impressions are ones that last, and Floyd County received high marks as hosts for a group of nationwide travelers. Campers from across the nation met last weekend at Jenny Wiley State Park for one of the four annual meetings of the Vintage Birds. About 50 campers from Alaska to California, driving Blue Bird motor homes, enjoyed the weekend, sightseeing in Floyd, Johnson and Pike counties.
A state legislative panel voted, Monday, to increase to 50 percent the share of coal severance taxes returned to coal-producing counties and to eliminate allocations to coal-impacted counties. Under a curent state formula, coal-producing counties and those affected by coal transportation, share 12 percent of the revenues raised by coal severance taxes.
It appears that two groups will represent the Floyd County school classified employees, and Ned Pillersdorf, an attorney willing to represent one, will not represent the Teamsters Union. Pillersdorf sent a letter dated September 30, to school board attorney Cliff Latta, that said he had been approached by several groups of classified workers and he would be willing to represent them under certain conditions.
Four persons which were apprehended by the Kentucky State Police, the Virginia State Police and the FBI, in connection to a May bank robbery in Pike County, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court, Monday. According to Tom Self, assistant United States attorney, Kenneth D. Warth, 36, and his wife, Daisy Helen Warth, 44, both of Endicott in Floyd County, along with William A. Burchett, 25, and Nelson Zepeda, 37, both of Fort Wayne, Indiana, entered the pleas to three of the four counts for which they were charged.
A report prepared for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has concluded that two parcels of land to be used for a connector road for Johnson County's section of new U.S. 23 were contaminated by diesel fuel spills and waste oil disposal. The properties are located on Route 1428 at Hager Hill and border a CSX Transportation railroad track, the report said. Transportation officials said in August that a connector road near the location would be modified because of the contamination.
There died: Misty Dawn Ritchie, 13, of Pikeville, September 28, at Pikeville; Ruby Hyden, 66, of Blue River, September 30, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Dixie May, 65, of Allen, Thursday, September 26, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Cecil Hall, 71, of Allen, Saturday, at the Veteran's Hospital, Lexington; Lillie Emma Fairchild Webb, 80, of Bonanza, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Doris J. Solderich, 59, of Jacksonville, Florida, Tuesday, in a Jacksonville University Hospital; Patricia Blair May, 53, of Allen, Friday, at her residence; Minnie Hall Spears, 89, of Virgie, Monday, at the Mountain Manor Nursing Home, Pikeville; Phyllis Faye Brown, 59, of Langley, Saturday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital, Martin; Hollie Hamilton, 51, of Stanville, Saturday, at his residence; Charlie Jones, 86, of McDowell, Tuesday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Hobert Mullett, 62, of Weeksbury, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Inez Scutchfield Hammonds, 71, of Water Gap, Wednesday, at Salyersville Health Care Center; Phillip Dale Kidd, 41, of Buffalo, West Virginia, formerly of Printer, Wednesday, at Buffalo, West Virginia; Edgar Ray, 72, of Beaver,

September 25 and September 27, 1991

The suspect in a 1978 murder, and a convicted rapist, are in federal custody this week following their arrests, Friday, on murder-for-hire and drug trafficking charges. A third man has been arrested on state charges relating to drug trafficking. All three suspects are Floyd Countians. At a hearing, Tuesday, in U.S. District Court at Pikeville, Wendell Ray Newman, 37, of Bevinsville was ordered held without bond by federal judge Joseph Hood pending action by a federal grand jury, next month.
Floyd Countians could see an arts and learning center and performance theater for the Kentucky Opry built in Prestonsburg in less than three years. The Prestonsburg City Council voted Monday night to hire the architectural firm of Sherman, Carter and Barnhart to design the arts center and theater, that will be located on two sites in the city.
Auxiliary police work schedules and Wheelwright night noises topped the agenda at the Wheelwright City Council meeting, September 19. City council members also discussed establishing a feasible work schedule for auxiliary police officers who will protect the city while Wheelwright police personnel unergo training at the police academy. Three auxiliary officers, Rodney Newsome, James Vanhoose and Bill Wagner will patrol the area during the regular officers' absence. Wheelwright Mayor Kenneth Johnson expressed concern about the work schedule, saying that according to the law, one man could only work so many hours.
.Two investigators with the state's Office of Education Accountability were in Prestonsburg this week, reportedly conducting follow-ups into ongoing probes of the Floyd County school system. A spokesman for the agency declined, Tuesday, to offer specifics of the follow-ups and would neither confirm nor deny reports that one area of investigation involved school finances at Prestonsburg High School.
Floyd County Fiscal Court members have until the end of the year to submit a plan for the construction of a new jail to the state Corrections Cabinet before any action is taken by the state to close the current facility. Floyd Jailer Lawrence Hale informed the court at Friday's fiscal court meeting that he had received a report from the Corrections Cabinet about the condition of the jail, and that action needed to be taken to the issue before October 10.
Classifed personnel and the Floyd County Board of Education reached an accord at Thursday's special meeting when the board voted unanimously to recognize an organization to represent the workers. 'Designated spokespersons' will be the mouthpiece for bus drivers, cooks, custodians, clerks and maintenance personnel, and the board 'will be open for discussions.
to all matters affecting their membership.'.
A Martin County man was arrested at his home near Tomahawk, Thursday, and charged with two counts of murder in connection with an early morning incident in Scioto County, Ohio. Paul Daniels Jr., 34, was taken into custody without incident at his Ooten Fork home by Kentucky State Police and members of the Martin County Sheriff's department.
.A head-on collision, Tuesday afternoon, on Town Branch Road, sent four people to Highlands Regional Medical Center in Prestonsburg. A Volkswagon Golf driven by James J. Spurlock, 19, of Prestonsburg, collided with a Honda LX driven by Auddie L. Cooley, 29, at Prestonsburg at approximately 5 p.m., Tuesday.
Johnson County Circuit Judge Stephen 'Nick' Frazier had not ruled, Thursday, if Floyd County Superintendent Ron Hager was properly replaced as secretary to the board of education. Hager filed suit in August after the board named Gary Frazier, assistant superintendent of instruction, to replace Hager as secretary to the board.
United Steel Workers International union will have a rally in Pikeville City Park, October 12, to consider a boycott of Pikeville businesses. The boycott is being asked for by the union, because Methodist Hospital non-professional workers in Pikeville were not given the opportunity to vote on union representation.
There died: Michael Boleyn, 72, of Garrett, Wednesday, at the Veterans Hospital in Lexington; Rebecca Boyd, 14, of Dayton, Ohio, Thursday, at her residence, apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot wound; Eliza Belle Bates, 90, a former resident of Dorton, at the Mt. View Health Care Center; Odis Ray, 54, of Teaberry, Sunday, at his residence; Noah Newsome, 90, of McDowell, Saturday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Mattie Hoover Scott, 84, of Hueysville, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Clarence Ray Crawford, 57, of Estill, Monday, at Saint Joseph Hospital in Lexington; Harry Ray Fain, 59, of Pickerington, Ohio, Wednesday, at Mt. Carmel East Hospital in Columbus, Ohio; Duran Reynolds, 80, of Wheelwright, Sunday, at the McDowell Hospital; Orville Boyd, 74, of Banner, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Vanita Kay (Horn) Cole, 42, of Martin, Wednesday, at the Parkview Manor Nursing Home; Beulah Williamson, 96, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at the Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Woodrow W. Goble, 76, formerly of Floyd County, Tuesday, at his home in Lehigh Acres, Florida; Argona McCown, 67, of Perryville, Maryland, formerly of Robinson Creek, Sunday, in Perryville; Maude Curnette, 79, of Auxier, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Kevin Christopher Slone, 14, of Auxier, Tuesday, at Auxier.

September 11 and September 13

An issue raised recently about the disparity in salary rates, compensation, and work schedules, for city employees, particularly fire department, police department and street department workers, could be solved within the next 60 days. Prestonsburg City Council members voted Monday night to hire Paul Combs and Associates Inc., a personnel consulting firm, to address the city's plan. The firm plans to begin by reviewing all job specifications with department directors and other employees. In order to ensure equal pay for equal work, the employee classification plan must also be reviewed and/or updated, as well.
A suspect in the Saturday night shooting death of a McDowell man at the American Legion Post 283 in Martin, apparently warned a patron he was going to return to the bar with a weapon. Floyd County sheriff's deputy Linzie Hunt said a witness told him that Frank DeRossett, 50, of Allen, made the statement he 'was going home to get (a) gun and clean this place out' about 45 minutes before Clive Case, 34, of McDowell, was shot five times with a .38 caliber handgun.
A hearing Monday in Floyd County Circuit Court, conducted by special Judge Stephen 'Nick' Frazier, produced a lot of testimony, but no ruling in a dispute between school superintendent Ronald Hager and the Floyd County Board of Education. Judge Frazier has asked for additional information on the suit, and is expected to issue a ruling after September 16.
A 66-year-old Floyd County man was killed, Tuesday morning, after the car he was driving was struck by a coal truck that jackknifed near Harold. Willie Tackett of Grethel, was pronounced dead at the scene by Floyd County deputy coroner Glen Frazier. Tackett was driving south on KY 979 in a Buick Regal when his car was struck by the coal truck driven by D.J. Hollins that jackknifed and crossed into the northbound lane, a spokesman for the Kentucky State Police said. Tackett's vehicle then struck a Chevy S-10 pickup truck driven by Hillard Newman of Grethel. Newman nor Hollins were injured.
Floyd county students and taxpayers are apparently the winners in a drawn out debate over school finances, employees salaries and instructional programs. Disputing parties reached a tentative agreement, Tuesday afternoon, that could head off a threatened teachers' strike and cooled off fears of new taxes.
Picket lines were expected at all Floyd County schools, Friday morning, after the system's classified employees called for a work stoppage. The strike was called after Floyd County Board of Education chairman Ray 'Shag' Campbell declined, Thursday evening, on a request that the board recognize the employees as members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
An agreement reached Tuesday, between teachers and school administrators was approved Thursday night by the Floyd County Board of Education, but not without some hesitation and alteration. Following an extended closed-door session Thursday, board members voted 5-0 to accept an eleven-point plan to resolve employee differences, adding a point of their own and deleting one supplementary recommendations. The unanimous approval came with a stipulation that funds be allocated to pay for the employment of three assistant principals' at three county high schools.
Two investigations being closely watched in Floyd County are expected to be brought before a Floyd County Grand Jury during its November session. Floyd Commonwealth Attorney Jerry Patton said Wednesday, that a traffic fatality at Lancer in July and an investigation into an alleged illegal bingo operation at Prestonsburg High School will be brought before the grand jury.
.Murder indictments were returned Wednesday by a Floyd County Grand Jury, against three persons, including an Allen man who is the suspect in the Saturday night shooting death of a McDowell man. Frank DeRossett, 50, of Allen, was charged with murder for Saturday's shooting death of Clive Case, 34, of McDowell at the American Legion club at Martin. DeRossett was also charged with first degree assault for shooting Larry Spears, 34, of McDowell, who was hit by a bullet during Saturday's incident.
.The curtain will go up soon on the first act of a local story about a small town which aspires to become the arts and entertainment center of the Kentucky hills. With some success, the story could unfold well-beyond those boundaries. After months of discussion and debate, phase one of a project to develop the Kentucky Opry in downtown Prestonsburg is shifting gears, moving into high speed.
There died: Southa Branham Breehne, 72, of Cincinnati, Ohio, formerly of Floyd County, Thursday, at the Anderson Mercy Hospital in Cincinnati; Russell Blackburn, 62, of Martin, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; James 'Tom' Slone, 62, of Bevinsville, September 8, at his residence; Aileen Bentley Collins, 68, of Wayland, Thursday, at her residence; Alva Saunders Collins Hamilton, 75, of Honaker, Thursday, at the Knott County Nursing Home, Hindman; Harold Roscoe Prater, 50, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, formerly of Floyd County, Saturday, at his home; Judy Carol LeDue, 48, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, formerly of Rock Fork, Friday, at the Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne; Lora Slone, 71, of Pippa Passes, Friday, at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Willie Tackett, 66, of Grethel, Tuesday, at Harold, from injuries received in an automobile accident; Verna Mae Shepherd Ratliff, 68, of Hager Hill, Sunday morning, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Clive Allen 'Bubby' Case, 34, of McDowell, Saturday, at the American Legion Club in Martin; Milton Dwane 'Magoo' Little, 47, of Minnie, Tuesday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Myrtle Thornsbury Wallen, 76, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, formerly of Floyd County, Wednesday, at the Heritage Hospital in Taylor, Michigan; Paul Tackett, 69, of Virgie, Wednesday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center, Prestonsburg; Viola Bates, 77, of Bevinsville, Wednesday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; James W. Evans, 68, of Auxier, Wednesday, at St. Josephs Hospital, Lexington; Hillard Jones, 72, of Virgie, Thursday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Stephanie Ann Morgan, 21, of Hardin County, Sunday, from injuries sustained in a car accident.

September 4 and September 6, 1991

Floyd County teachers will be manning their classrooms instead of picket lines, Wednesday, with strike plans put on hold, while State Department of Education officials try to resolve budgetary issues in the district. State finance administrator Ron Moubray and Dr. David Thomas, assistant commissioner in charge of communication and assessment, will meet Thursday, at 10 a.m., with Floyd superintendent Ron Hager and Floyd County Education Association (FCEA) representatives to discuss the district's financial condition. Board member Eddie Billips said, Tuesday, that he 'felt good' after a three-hour meeting with FCEA president Carol Stumbo and Dolores Smith, Saturday.
The Kentucky Highlands Folk Festival has a full schedule of activities planned for this coming weekend. With the addition of the civic center, all activities will be centralized in the area of the Jenny Wiley Amphitheatre parking lot. The arts and crafts fair, which will be held in the parking lot, will begin the event on Friday at noon. The craft fair will also be held in the parking lot, beginning at 10 a.m., Saturday, and continue throughout the day. The Appalfolks Writer's Workshop will also go on throughout the day, Saturday, in the convention center.
United Federal Savings Bank in Prestonsburg was open for business as usual Monday, but business was anything but usual. United Federal was placed in receivership Friday, August 30, opening Tuesday, September 3, as United Savings Bank, FSB, and under the management of Resolution Trust Corp., which oversees failed thrifts.
State lawmakers are expected to receive recommendations during the 1992 General Assembly from the state Department of Education to change laws pertaining to state school construction projects. State board member John Williams told the State Board for Elementary and Secondary Education, Wednesday, that proposed changes are being developed by the state based on recommendations from state Auditor Bob Babbage, who audited school construction projects in Floyd and Pike counties earlier this year.
GOP gubernatorial candidate Larry Hopkins presented Floyd Countians his income tax returns for the past 10 years at the Floyd County Court Clerk's office, Wednesday. Hopkins said it would be impossible to personally deliver a copy of his income tax returns in all 120 counties in Kentucky.
The State Board for Secondary and Elementary Education issued a costly reprimand, Wednesday, to the Johnson County School System during a segment of the state board's three-day meeting in Prestonsburg. The board voted unanimously, Wednesday, to retroactively approve the purchase of a school site by the Johnson County board, but denied a request for additional state funding for the purchase.
Candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor will be the featured speakers, September 19, at Jenny Wiley State Park during the annual meeting of the East Kentucky Corporation's board of directors. The meeting, which begins at 11 a.m., at the park convention center, will include comments from Brereton Jones, the Democratic nominee for Governor; Larry Hopkins, the GOP nominee for Governor; Paul Patton, the Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor; Gene Goss, the GOP nominee for Lt. Governor.
There died: Lawrence Amburgey, 79, of Bypro, Thursday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; William Arthur Salisbury, 90, of Hunter, Friday, in the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Claude P. Hagans, 82, of Ashland, formerly of Langley, Monday, at the King's Daughters' Medical Center in Ashland; Rev. T. A. (Thomas Alex) Patton, 82, of Auxier, Thursday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Bill Harvey, 85, of Honaker, Sunday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Lester Tackett, 63, of Robinson Creek, Saturday, at the Holzer Medical Center; Claude Mosley, 77, of Minnie, Friday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Andrew Case, 79, of Martin, Friday, in Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Mark Chaffins, 78, of Lackey, Thursday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Effie Slone, 82, of Hueysville, Wednesday, at her residence; Jean Cornett Hornsby, 60, of Plainview, Texas, formerly of Floyd County, at her home; Jimmy Everett Johnson, 58, of Melvin, was found dead Tuesday night at his home.

August 28 and August 30

An Ashland businessman has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of bank fraud in a case involving a Floyd County bank. Eric Charles, a car and coal dealer, pleaded guilty to 12 counts, including one charge that he defrauded more than $1 million from the Bank Josephine in Prestonsburg. The local issue involved Charles' alleged execution of a scheme to defraud a federally insured bank, and of submitting false documents in support of loans.
A quick response by the Prestonsburg Fire Department can be credited for saving the V&R Market at Goble-Roberts from more extensive fire damage than it received on August 26. According to assistant fire chief, Mike Wells, a call came into Station Two at 9:45 p.m., Monday. Firefighter Mike Moore was attending church down the street from the market and was the first on the scene, radioing to the other firefighters that smoke and flames were visible, Wells said.
Dewayne Bush takes pride in his work, and now he can take pride in knowing he's the best in Kentucky. Bush won the title of Kentucky's best bagger at the Kentucky Grocers' Association trade show at Heritage Hall Sunday, August 25. He received $200, a $500 scholarship, and will compete at a national contest in Orlando, Florida, in February.
Talks between Floyd County teachers and school administrators reached an impasse, Tuesday evening, leaving questions about school finances unresolved less than 48 hours before district teachers are scheduled to vote on a possible strike. Representatives of the Floyd County Education Association (FCEA) met three hours, Tuesday evening, with a district budget committee, school finance officer Russell Frazier, board chairman Ray 'Shag' Campbell and superintendent Ronald Hager, before reaching a statemate over budgeted expenditures.
A break-in last weekend at the Floyd County Board of Education's book depository at Wayland school resulted in a loss of school equipment and destruction of school property. The thieves stole approximately $1,000 worth of student calculators and caused more than $4,000 in damages, said assistant superintendent Gary Frazier, Monday when the break-in was discovered.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce sees child care as the fastest growing business in the next decade. The State Cabinet for Human Resources says it will be the favored benefit of the '90s. To help Floyd Countians become more informed about their options in this area, Carol Lewandowski, human services coordinator for Big Sandy Area Development District, coordinated a seminar, Tuesday, entitled 'All About Business and Child Care' and invited area businesspeople and child caregivers.
It appears that the 1991-92 school year could start as scheduled, even though a majority of Floyd County teachers voted Thursday ,to strike. The Floyd County Board of Education decided at a special meeting, Thursday, to ask the state Department of Education for assistance in solving a budget impasse between the district's budget committee and the school board's representatives.
Preliminary construction could begin this fall on the Prestonsburg connector from new Route 23, but full-scale development won't begin before the spring of 1992. Tentative approval was given last Friday, August 23, to a $15.4 million bid for the ambitious project, which calls for construction of an overpass near Glyn View Plaza. The construction bid, offered by Bizzack Bros. Construction, has not yet been awarded.
A keen eye by a Prestonsburg Police officer, Tuesday evening, led to the recovery of a vehicle stolen from Ohio and the arrest of a Floyd County man under indictment. Patrolman Mike Conn observed a suspicious vehicle at Greer Meat Company on South Lake Drive, at 10 p.m., Tuesday and his investigation resulted in the recovery of the vehicle reported stolen from Warren, Ohio, and two arrests.
Larry Hardin, 44, nephew of Prestonsburg resident Pat Mills, became the first Martin Countian to successfully undergo a heart transplant operation, having survived the critical first 48 hours in good shape in the University of Kentucky intensive care unit at Lexington. 'He's a miracle,' said Hardin's surgeon, Dr. Michael Sekela, who headed the seven-man operating team.
A cry for help was heard and heeded this week, as more than 175 people turned out at the Central Kentucky Blood Center in Prestonsburg to give for the 'Great American Blood Drive.' According to Billy Biddle, donor resources consultant, three records were broken during this week's drive, which was conducted on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The single day record is now set at 66 registering to donate; the blood-drive total record was passed with 178; and the Rotary vs. the Jaycees on-going battle surpassed the past three drives' total collection.
There died: John Lee Crum, 58, of Martin, Saturday, at his residence; Ruby Mae Hackworth Bradford, 66, of Blue River, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Richard Wyatt, 69, of Galion, Ohio, Tuesday, at Galion Community Hospital; Williba Hall, 74, of Virgie, August 22, at his residence; Doris Ann Spradlin Lafferty of Prestonsburg was incorrectly listed in last Wednesday's edition as 56 years old at her death. She was 53. Also: Sheldon Maggard, 83, of Hindman, Wednesday, at his home; Bonnie Tackett, 61, of Ecorse, Michigan, formerly of Virgie, August 26, at the Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan; Geraldine Allen, 59, of Prestonsburg, formerly of Langley, Thursday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Jeffery James Damron, 65, of Allen, Wednesday, in the emergency room at Our Lady of the Way Hospital at Martin.

August 21 and August 23, 1991

State Auditor Bob Babbage has been named as a defendant in a legal dispute between a Pikeville architect and the Pike County Board of Education. The suit, filed August 15, by architect James A. Ellis, involves a monetary dispute between the architect and the Pike County Board, which apparently arose soon after a state review of school construction projects in Floyd and Pike counties.
Problems continue for a former Wheelwright police chief, following the recent filing of a civil rights action against him in U.S. District Court. The case against Danny Milligan, filed by Prestonsburg attorney Ned Pillersdorf, stems from a September 1990, incident. Milligan allegedly 'violently assaulted' Dennis Buckley, the plaintiff, 'without justification or provocation,' by striking him with a blackjack, spraying mace in his eyes, and kicking him in the legs as Milligan was putting Buckley into the police cruiser.
A Martin County woman was killed Monday evening, August 19, when she lost control of her car on U.S. 23, crossed the center line and struck an oncoming vehicle, state police said. The victim, Carletta Crum, 20, of Inez, was northbound on U.S. 23 at Auxier at 6:05 p.m., when her '88 Chevrolet Cavalier apparently went out of control and hit a '90 Jeep Wagoneer driven by Clarence Sheffield, 54, of Prestonsburg, according to a report from the Pikeville state police post.
Thanks to a court ruling issued Monday, the Floyd County Board of Education apparently has an official board secretary, an unofficial board secretary and a secretary to the secretaries.
at least temporarily. After a brief hearing last week, Johnson Circuit Judge, Stephen 'Nick' Frazier ruled Monday that the appointment of assistant superintendent Gary Frazier to the post of board secretary would stand, until a challenge to Frazier's appointment was resolved in court. On the eve of the first anniversary of the last year's teachers' strike in Floyd County, fears of a repeat performance appeared to have been calmed at Monday's meeting of the Floyd County Board of Education. Although no salary increase was approved by the board, a joint report from the county's District Planning Committee and District Budget Committee, said funds were available to provide an across the board 13.5 percent pay hike to all employees of the Floyd County School System.
A Prestonsburg woman was killed Wednesday afternoon in a two-car auto accident at Banner. According to Kentucky State Police reports, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Dessie H. Setser, 71, of Prestonsburg, was killed when her 1981 Toyota Corolla was struck at the junction of U.S. 23 and Rt. 1426 by a 1986 Trans Am driven by Dennis Osborne, 43, of Ivel. Setser was attempting to cross U.S. 23 when her car was struck.
The Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center has received funding for the next three years through the U.S. Department of Labor, according to U.S. Senator Wendell Ford. Career Systems Development Corporation, the company which operates the center, has received $6,812,877 for the operation of the Job Corps Center in Prestonsburg. The period of funding is October 1, 1991, through September 30, 1993, with the possibility of three additional one-year option periods.
Two Little Mud Creek men got quite a scare Wednesday, after they lost their 86-year-old father while ginseng hunting on a hillside at Martin. Palmer and Darrell Yates called the Floyd County Emergency and Rescue Squad at 4:02 p.m., Wednesday, and reported their father, Preston Yates, as missing, said rescue squad member Chuck Hall.
Life in the fast lane, Tuesday evening, led to the arrest of three persons and opened a case of international intrigue for the Floyd County Sheiff's Department. The fast lane is where deputy sheriff Roy Compton stopped a black four-door Buick on U.S. 23 near Watergap at approximately 5 p.m., Tuesday, ater the driver failed to move into the right lane.
There died: Doris Ann Spradlin Lafferty, 56, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, at her home; Elmer 'Elmo' Prater, 85, of Westland, Michigan, June 19, at St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Walter Jackson 'Jake' Cochran, 51, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, at his home; Correne Tabor, 35, of Scottsville, Thursday, at the Bowling Green Medical Center; Gertrude Hancock, 47, of Garrett, Thursday, at her residence; Thomas Lewis Miller, 61, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at the Wabash County Hospital in Wabash, Indiana; Dollie M. Perry, 79, of Albion, Michigan, Tuesday, at her residence; Beulah Brown Martin, 55, of McDowell, Wednesday, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington; Laura Compton Crisp, 84, of Martin, Thursday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Alva Jean Hall, 40, of Betsy Layne, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Donald B. Tackett, 51, of Harold, Thursday, at the Veteran's Hospital in Lexington; Stacy Glenn Tackett, 15, of Virgie, Tuesday, in Huntington, West Virginia; Arthur Goble and Joel Goble, two Floyd County natives, within two months of each other. Both were former residents of Lancer. Arthur Goble, 79, died August 12, in Ypsilanti, Michigan; his brother, Joel 'Blackey' Goble, 70, June 21; Robert Kestner, 44, of Bays Branch, Tuesday, at his home; Dessie Hitchcock Setser, 71, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital from injuries sustained in a car accident at Banner; Willie Hamilton, 63, of McDowell, Saturday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Paul B. Conway, 64, of Louisville, Monday, in Norton Infirmary in Louisville; James 'Corbit' Bailey, 54, of Hueysville, Thursday, at his residence.

August 14 and August 16, 1991

A Floyd County man was killed in a two-car accident, Monday, near Highlands Regional Medical Center, while attempting to pass a tractor-trailer on U.S. 23. Earl D. Branham, 20, of Martin, was pronounced dead at 8:38 a.m., at Highlands, by Floyd County deputy coroner Glenn Frazier. Branham died of massive head trauma, Frazier said.
An upbeat session of the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce ended on a somber note, Monday, when a Prestonsburg businessman warned that immediate action was necessary to rejuvenate the county's dying economy. Prompted by sparse attendance at the Chamber session, called to plot the organization's course for the 1991-92 year, Prestonsburg auto dealer Estill Carter closed the meeting with dire predictions for the future.
A 30-year-old coal truck driver was injured Monday morning, when his brakes apparently failed and he was covered in coal, after he jumped from his runaway coal truck. John T. Martin, of Paintsville, was in stable condition, Tuesday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital in Martin, after fellow truckers apparently dug him out of the coal that buried him, said Dave Phillips, district supervisor for the Pike County branch of the state's Department of Mines and Minerals. The accident occurred at 9:45 a.m., Monday.
.If the crowd at Monday night's performance is any indication, the Kentucky Opry has truly made a hit here in eastern Kentucky. It was a sell-out show with a record number of 764 tickets being sold for the Opry, 200 of those being general admission. The Opry came on stage after the students from James D. Adams Middle School's performance of 'Clowns,' directed by Cathy Caudill, music teacher.
Prestonsburg City Council members will draw extra-duty pay for attending council committee meetings, and their expenses relating to those unofficial sessions will be reimbursed by the city. The council order, first introduced by councilman Bill R. Collins, authorizes 'the city to reimburse council members for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, including a $15 reimbursement for attendance at council committee meetings.'.
A Carl D. Perkins Job Corps student has been sentenced to one year in the Floyd County jail after pleading guilty, Tuesday, to a charge of possession of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia. Responding to a call from the Job Corps staff, Prestonsburg police officers, Roy Roberts and Anthony Castle, arrested Robert Mellor, formerly of Florida, at 11:30 a.m., Monday, August 12.
An encore of last year's teacher's strike in Floyd County is possible this year if terms of the strike-settling pact are not met. Teachers remained on picket lines for 10 days last year until an eight-point agreement was reached between the Floyd County Education Association (FCEA) and the Floyd County Board of Education.
A move by the Floyd County Board of Education to oust Superintendent Ron Hager as secretary to the board, has prompted Hager to seek an injunction barring the board's decision. Hager filed suit in Floyd Circuit Court, Thursday, asking that a temporary and permanent injunction be granted to prevent the board of education from adopting the minutes of the August 8 meeting, where Hager was replaced as board secretary by assistant superintendent Gary Frazier, and to keep the board from rescinding his contract as secretary.

The City of Prestonsburg is safe from any future Ku Klux Klan marches'unless the Klan can come up with the $100 permit fee. The Klan vowed to take legal action against the city after the city's November denial of a parade permit.
In an August 12 letter, however, David Friedman, General Counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky (ACLU), said 'In light of the Sixth's Circuit's decision in 'Stonewall Union v. City of Columbus' [May 6, 1991], we will no longer pursue Virgil Griffin's challenge to Prestonsburg's parade permit fee.'.
There died: Earl Dwayne Branham, 20, of Martin, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Raymond 'Cat' Shelton, 78, of Drift, Sunday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Curtis Tackett, 66, of Harold, Wednesday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Linda Lou Horn, 49, of Banner, Sunday, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington; Lola Bell Robinson, 87, August 8, at her home; Laura J. Glimpse, 91, of Speight, Friday, at her residence; Norma Jean Hopper, 61, of Melvin, Wednesday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Annie C. Mullins, 60, of Drift, Sunday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Louise Johnson Hall, 44, of New Dover, Ohio, Thursday, at her residence; Leonard Joseph Sr., 83, of Prestonsburg, August 12, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Ora Schroeder Warrens, 92, of Prestonsburg, Monday, at the home of her sister, Mrs. Hager White of Prestonsburg; William Rice Bolen, 75, of Garrett, Sunday, at the VA Hospital in Beckley; Sam Frazier Sr., 73, of Kensington, Ohio, formerly of Martin, Tuesday, at a Canton, Ohio, hospital; John Henry Sexton, 35, of Printer, Friday, at his residence; Magnolia Martin, 78, of McDowell, Monday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Betty Arlene Preston Dawson, 56, of Nippa, Monday, at Clark County Medical Center; Chester Hager Kelley, 70, of Keaton, Saturday, at his residence; Dekota Castle, 67, of Nippa, Thursday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Bennie Hall, 85, of Greenup, Tuesday, at his residence; Opal Blackburn, 80, of Robinson Creek, August 13, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital.

August 7, 1991 and August 9, 1991

The Floyd County Board of Education is reportedly considering a call for a special meeting Thursday to review a host of controversial issues confronting the board. Among topics proposed for discussion are issues concerning purported restrictions on booster clubs at Prestonsburg High School; school activity fund finances at Martin Elementary; and the position of board secretary.
A federal judge denied a motion August 1 on behalf of a Floyd County teachers' aide to set aside a settlement in a civil rights case against the Floyd County Board of Education. Judge Joseph Hood ruled Thursday that a settlement on behalf of Karon Robinson would stand as submited to the court by her attorney, John David Preston of Paintsville.
Water samples taken from the area where medical waste was discovered in Dewey Lake on Friday, July 21 have been tested and the results returned on Tuesday, according to David Chaffins, Area 9 Disaster and Emergency Services representative. The results, provided from the Floyd County Health Department, showed no type of contamination, according to Chaffins. The Kentucky State Police are still investigating the incident and further information about the contents of a medical dispenser bottle found on the scene were unavailable.
An investigation is underway into the cause of a train derailment Tuesday morning near Allen Elementary School. At approximately 9 a.m. on August 6, a CSX train rounded a curve and two of the cars tipped off the rails and landed on the side embankment. The derailed cars had been ripped from their axles and they spilled a portion of their cargo, which was plastic beads. An engine and two other cars were also derailed in the incident but remained upright.
Morgan County native, Jerry Cecil, has announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination for the 7th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Cecil, 48, finished a distant second to incumbent Congressman Chris Perkins in the 1990 primary.
A motorcycle accident on Friday, August 2, near Honaker, resulted in the death of a Floyd County man Tuesday. According to state police reports, Edessel Case Jr. of Honaker was driving his 1974 Honda motorcycle west on Route 2030 when he apparently lost control of the bike on a curve and crossed the center line, striking a 1991 Toyota Corolla driven by Clifton Hughes.
While presenting a drug awareness and prevention program to a group of Headstart teachers Wedneday at Adams Middle School, Floyd County Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson and D.A.R.E. officer Ricky Thornsbury were unaware of the real-life drama unfolding involving the eradication of marijuana in a remote area of the county.
The intersection on the east side of Prestonsburg at the entrance to the Jenny Wiley State Park was the site, on Wednesday, August 7, of yet another accident. It was the third accident at that intersection in less than one month. According to Ricky Conn, investigating officer for the Prestonsburg Police Department, David Pratt, driving an '81 Chevy Malibu, was leaving the park heading west on Route 3 and failed to stop at the intersection of Route 1428, striking a 1985 Dodge Aries driven by Darlene Campbell, 36, of Prestonsburg.
There died: Elma Nellie McKinney, 53, of Grethel, Sunday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Dicie Watson, 70, of Printer, Friday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Gladys Marie Schmidt, 65, of Sciotoville, Ohio, Friday, at her home; Lawrence Edward Conley, 28, of Lackey, August 2, in the Cabell Huntington Hospital; Finley Boshears, 79, of Halo, Thursday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Grover Watkins, 77, of Middletown, Ohio, Tuesday; Henry (Jim) Hamilton Jr. of McDowell, Sunday, at HRMC; Bersheba (Ber) Dingus Stumbo, 89, of Nicholasville, formerly of Prestonsburg, August 2, at her residence; Lon Irvin Slone, 32, of Blue River, Tuesday, at his residence; Vonda Humble Webb, 60, of Dwale, dead on arrival Saturday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Mandy McCoy Ray of Wheelwright, during a prayer session at Sunday services, at the Pentecostal Church of God; Neola Burke, 70, of Virgie, Monday, at the Williamson Memorial Hospital; Aggie J. Click, 63, of Martin, Wednesday, at her residence; David Lee Allen, 33, of Garrett, Tuesday, at Garrett, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident; Lizzie Newman Frasure, 87, of Harold, Sunday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; James Elzie Keathley, 57, of Galveston, July 31, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Edessel Case Jr., 26, of Honaker, Tuesday, at St. Mary's Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident, Friday; Willow Johnson Makarewicz, 55, of Ecorse, Michigan, Tuesday, at the Wyandotte General Hospital in Michigan; Otto (Bruiser) Endicott, 77, of Ypsilanti Township, Michigan, Saturday, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital; Curtis Tackett, 66, of Harold, Wednesday, in the Pikeville Methodist Hospital.

July 31 and August 2, 1991

Two Floyd Countians have been found dead this week due to unknown circumstances, according to Kentucky State Police reports. On Monday morning, Willimer Conn of Martin, was discovered by a nephew, dead in his car at the head of Arkansas Creek. The 56-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene by Floyd County Coroner Roger Nelson, and the body was sent to Louisville for an autopsy on Tuesday. Nelson said that Conn had been dead for several hours before the body was discovered. The second death occurred on Tuesday morning. Lon Irvine Slone, 33, of Blue River was found dead in his bed at 7:30 a.m., by his wife. Nelson pronounced Slone dead at the scene, and estimated that time of death between midnight and 1 a.m., Tuesday. The body was also sent to Louisville for an autopsy.
Floyd County could become one of just five counties in Kentucky to have two certified cities within its boundaries if the city of Martin is approved into the program. A state evaluation team was in Martin, Tuesday, reviewing the city's application package and making recommendations for improvements. The Certified City Program has been sponsored by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for eight years, and is a program coordinated to challenge cities to improve themselves. Kentucky is the only state where the chamber sponsors this program, usually it is done by a state economic development cabinet.
An investigation is being conducted at Dewey Lake following the discovery of discarded medical paraphernalia there, Friday. According to state police reports, visitors to the lake found a brown medical dispenser bottle containing an unknown substance floating in the water near the Goble Branch launch ramp. They notified the state park office who then notified David Chaffins, area coordinator for the Kentucky State Department of Disaster and Emergency Services (DES).
The face of justice in Floyd County is changing. After nearly 30 years on the bench, Circuit Court Judge Hollie Conley has decided to step down. On November 5, a successor for Conley will be chosen by Floyd County voters. The candidates for the position are Paul Burchett and Harold Stumbo.
The death of a 63-year-old Martin woman is under investigation by the Kentucky State Police after she reportedly climbed into a ground well and drowned. Aggie Click of Stephens Branch, was found in the well near her home by her grandson at approximately 10 a.m., Wednesday. Members of the Floyd County Emergency and Rescue Squad removed Click from the well and she was pronounced dead at the scene by Floyd County Coroner Roger Nelson.
A 33-year-old Floyd County man was killed in a one-car accident Tuesday night, and a passenger in the car is in critical condition. David L. Allen, 33, of Garrett, was pronounced dead on arrival at Our Lady of the Way Hospital after he lost control of the vehicle he was driving which struck a utility pole and overturned, said trooper Ghomer Prater with the Kentucky State Police.
An Indiana man is awaiting extradition to his home state after an observant state employee recognized his name from a warrant in the Floyd County Sheriff's Department. Frank McGuire Jr., 31, whose address was listed as Highland Heights in Prestonsburg, was arrested Wednesday, at 1:15 p.m., by deputy Mike Conn at the Floyd County courthouse while he was applying to get a Kentucky driver's license to replace his Indiana license.
There died: Mrs. Gipsy LeMaster, 82, of Hager Hill, Wednesday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Alonzo Patrick, 57, of Nappanee, Indiana, Monday, in the St. Joseph Hospital, Mishawaka, Indiana; Willimer Conn, 56, of Arkansas, at Martin, was found dead Monday, in a vehicle on Arkansas; Dr. John A. Patton, 76, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, formerly of Hueysville, Monday, at the Middle Tennessee Medical Center, Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Proctor (Prock) Blevins, 82, of Pekin, Indiana, formerly of Staffordsville, Friday, at Washington County Memorial Hospital in Salem, Indiana; Dona Tackett, 91, of Virgie, July 25, at the Mountain View Health Care Center; Alberta Virginia Caldwell Williamson, 64, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Mexico Spears, 70, of Banner, Saturday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Lester Green, 72, of Smithville, Tennessee, formerly of Hi Hat; John D. Lemaster Jr., 66, of Springfield, Ohio, formerly of Martin, Thursday, at the Community Hospital in Springfield, Ohio; Dinah Osborne Hall, 80, of Prestonsburg, Friday at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Harold Allen, 68, of Hueysville, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Erma Horne Wilcox, 85, of East Point, Monday, at her residence; Lon Irvin Slone, 32, of Blue River, Tuesday, at his residence; Thaniel Mosley, 47, of Frasure's Creek at McDowell, Tuesday, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington.

July 24 and July 26, 1991

A 34-year-old Martin County man was killed early Friday morning after reportedly trying to elude Prestonsburg City Police. John L. Webb of Warfield, died after the motorcycle he was operating collided with a car driven by Betty Carroll of Allen, on Rt. 3, near Lancer. The incident marked the second fatality within a week at the same location involving a police pursuit.
Prestonsburg is in deep water again, according to statistics compiled by the Huntington Army Corps of Engineers. Remapping the flood plain along the Levisa Fork, engineers listed parts of Prestonsburg as 10 feet below flood level'a level that would put flood waters just inches below the traffic light at the junction of Court Street and South Lake Drive. Flood waters have not reached that height in Prestonsburg since the 1957 flood.
Eastern Kentucky veterans had reason to celebrate Sunday, when officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a veterans' outreach clinic located near Prestonsburg. World War II, Korean and Vietnam veterans, gathered at the clinic, located in the Riverview Building on U.S. 23, near Highlands Regional Medical Center, to watch the ceremonies. Many veterans said the location of a clinic in eastern Kentucky was long overdue and that the clinic will attract veterans who either can't afford, or are too ill to travel to other clinics in central Kentucky and West Virginia.
A Hi Hat man has been charged with criminal attempt to commit murder after a stabbing incident at Left Beaver, early Friday morning. Kelly Slone, 31, of Hi Hat, was charged with attempted murder, first degree wanton endangerment and first degree assault, after James 'Blue' Hall, of Wheelwright, was stabbed several times with a large knife at a Hi Hat residence at approximately 3 a.m., Friday, said Floyd County Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson. Thompson said Hall and Slone apparently were arguing when the stabbing occurred.
The Floyd County Chamber of Commerce will host 'Business After Hours' Thursday, beginning at 6 p.m., at Jenny Wiley Theatre. Following the meeting, a presentation of 'Big River' will begin at 8 p.m.
.A small quantity of drugs stolen from a Prestonsburg pharmacy Tuesday night, were recovered Wednesday, near the scene of the crime. The Floyd County Sheriff's Department alerted the Prestonsburg Police Department of the discovery of a 1,000-count bottle of Tylenol 3 and other depressants near the Convention Center in the old Heck's building in Prestonsburg.
A federal funding package to complete reconstruction of Route 23 between Prestonsburg and Paintsville survived an assassination attempt, Wednesday, and moved closer to final approval. A surprise amendment to the $8 million funding measure, which attempted to kill federal financing of Route 23 and other 'demonstration' projects, was defeated Wednesday by a vote of 365 to 61 in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, sponsored by 7th District Congressman Chris Perkins, now goes to the Senate for deliberation.
A sergeant in the Prestonsburg Fire Department who was fired last week claims his dismissal was related to his active role in a firefighters' union, and he plans to file suit against the mayor. Kevin Hedrick was fired July 19 by Prestonsburg Mayor Ann Latta, for, in part, 'failure to perform assigned duties,' according to a memo Latta sent to Hedrick.
There died: Betty Turner Elliott, 61, of Martin, Friday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Pauline R. McCarty, 82, of Olympia, formerly of Martin, Thursday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center of an apparent heart attack; Herbert Cordial, 61, of Dana, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; John Wicker, 93, of Mousie, Sunday, after a long illness; Gypsie Compton Collins, 86, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, at the Jenkins Hospital; Ben Music, 83, of Auxier, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Media Combs, 72, of Decoy, Friday, at the Pine Meadows Health Care Center in Lexington; David Lee Grigsby Jr., 32, of Norton, Virginia, formerly of Martin, Thursday, in Mousie from a gunshot wound; Elijah Hamilton, 69, of Virgie, July 19, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Donald Ray Garrett, 49, of Betsy Layne, Monday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Reba Stratton Brewer, 69, of Ivel, Monday, at her residence; Vanie Thacker Owens, 72, of Pinsonfork, July 21; Virginia Mitchell, 79, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Claude 'Eskimo' Greer, 74, of Cleveland, Ohio, formerly of East Point, Wednesday, at Fairview Hospital in Cleveland; Vina Ellen Beverly, 78, of Plano, Illinois, formerly of Auxier, Tuesday, at Copley Memorial Hospital.

July 17 and July 19, 1991

Investigators are conducting a probe into a fatal car crash, Sunday, involving a Kentucky State Police trooper. The accident killed a 54-year-old Prestonsburg woman, and seriously injured her father. Ruby Baisden Lafferty was pronounced dead on arrival at Highlands Regional Medical Center after the car she was a passenger in was struck at the intersection of KY 3 and KY 1428 at Lancer, by a Kentucky State Police cruiser driven by trooper John Blanton, who was in pursuit of a red Chevy S-10 pickup, KSP officials said.
.A Tuesday morning fire destroyed the home of Mrs. Shirley Fay Slone of Buckeye at Blue River. The blaze, fed by oxygen from open windows in the house, consumed the home within 35 minutes, according to Larry Adams, training officer for the David Volunteer Fire Department, which responded to the scene. Mrs. Slone's neighbor and relative, Roger Slone, who is a member of the fire department, recognized the odor of a house fire around 10 a.m. that morning. The house was empty. Slone discovered the blaze and reported the fire over his radio which speeded the response, Adams said.
David School director Danny Greene was named as a member of the Prestonsburg Community College Advisory Board, Tuesday by Governor Wallace Wilkinson. Greene will serve in that position until June 30, 1995. He will replace Robert Conley of Paintsville, whose term expired.
The Eastern Kentucky Veteran's Outreach Clinic will open July 22, and will serve veterans from seven eastern Kentucky counties. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Sunday, July 21, at 2 p.m., at the clinic, located in the Riverview building on U.S. 23 in Prestonsburg, below Highlands Regional Medical Center.
A criminal investigation into the Bingo games at Prestonsburg High School is continuing, and any evidence of wrongdoing will be presented to a Floyd County Grand Jury. Kentucky State Police detective Johnnie Ray said Tuesday that the investigation is in its preliminary stages and a completion date could not be set.
State police are investigating the death of a 38-year-old Harold man who died Saturday at a construction site in Teaberry. Jay L. Tackett was killed at 12:10 p.m., Saturday, when the block walls of the bulding he was helping construct, collapsed, sending the roof trusses down on top of him, police officials said. Tackett was pronounced dead at the scene by Deputy Coroner Glenn Frazier.
Prestonsburg Police Chief Greg Hall, clarifying an earlier statement, said Thursday that police sergeant Gerald Clark had the intention of conducting a roadblock last Sunday before the crash between a Kentucky State Police trooper and a car driven by a Prestonsburg man and his daughter. Ruby Baisden Lafferty, 54, was killed in Sunday's collision, and her 84-year-old father, LeRoy Baisden, was critically injured. Their vehicle was struck by a KSP cruiser driven by John Blanton at the four-way intersection near Lancer.
A group of county judges, including Floyd County Judge-Executive John M. Stumbo, from coal-producing areas of the state, descended on Frankfort, Tuesday and Wednesday, to testify before the legislative Coal Revenue Allocation Task Force. The task force is considering a redistribution of monies collected from the coal severance tax. The coal severance is mineral tax money returned to counties which are impacted by coal mining.
Smoke escaping from the open windows of a building adjacent to Martin Elementary School, Tuesday, caused Martin firefighters to prepare for the possibility of a school fire. Around 1 p.m., school workers heard the fire alarm sound at the school and investigated the adjoining building, which school board members voted to tear down earlier this year. The building's fire alarm system is networked with the school's, and workers had previously discovered the alarm sounded if the building's occupant, Charles Salyers, created a lot of smoke during his cooking.
.There died: Ruby Baisden Lafferty, 54, of Highland Avenue, Prestonsburg, was pronounced dead on arrival Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center from injuries received in an automobile accident near Lancer; Ollie Music Gray, 72, of Greenup, formerly of Mays Branch, Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at Our Lady of Bellefonte in Russell; Nellie May Osborne, 92, of Myra, July 15, at the Mountain Manor Nursing Home in Pikeville; Pearl Hamilton Sr., 79, of Willard, Ohio, Thursday, in Hillside Acres Nursing Home, Willard; Raymond O'Brien, 65, of Indianapolis, Indiana, formerly of Hunter, Tuesday, in Indiana, following a long illness; Josie Ousley, 81, of Alger, Ohio, Saturday, at Hardin Memorial Hospital, Kenton; Mary Elizabeth Stephens Estepp, 69, of Langley, Saturday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital, Martin; Sadie Hall, 93, of Kite, Saturday, at her residence; Charles Hicks, 42, of Wheelwright, Thursday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Virda M. Martin, 88, of Prestonsburg, July 12, in the Riverview Manor Nursing Home at Prestonsburg; Ellis (E.L.) Moore, 88, of Harold, Friday, at Berea Hospital; Rev. Arthur Miller, 69, of Hi Hat, Sunday, at his residence; Mae Neeley, 63, of Lima, Ohio, Wednesday, in St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima; Candice Erin Hicks, infant daughter of Charles and Karen Marie Hicks of Martin, Tuesday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; W.B. Conn, 61, of Dana, Thursday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; James Manns Jr., 63, of Kendallville, Indiana, formerly of Wayland, Thursday, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

July 10 and July 12, 1991

Deep-rooted problems in the city's fire department are edging Prestonsburg to the brink of disaster, fire chief Tom Blackburn warned Monday, and city council involvement is necessary to quell the threat. A city firefighter said Tuesday, however, that problems can be resolved through 'civilized' discussion. Blackburn's plea for council input came after the chief advised the panel that paid duty men in the fire department were not 'turning out' for alarms after their shifts end. Blackburn said a 'pattern' of no-shows on fire calls was becoming 'really serious,' and could lead to disaster in the event of a major fire.
.An ambitious plan to rejuvenate downtown Prestonsburg got the stamp of approval, Monday, from city council, but a state commission will have the final word on the project. Anchoring the revitalization proposal will be a $250,000 grant awarded by the Kentucky Heritage Commission, and continuing development of a city civic center to house the young, but growing Kentucky Opry.
.Floyd County Circuit Judge Hollie Conley ruled last Wednesday that the Floyd County Board of Education acted correctly in declaring a candidate for cheerleader ineligible. The ruling dismissed a lawsuit filed by Judy Hall Flannery on behalf of her daughter, Krissy Hall, a former cheerleader at Prestonsburg High School. Flannery claimed her daughter had already been punished for an incident that school officials said prohibited her from being named to the squad.
.A change of venue has been approved, and a special judge has been appointed, in a 12-year-old Floyd County murder case after a round of legal battles since April by the suspect's attorney, Daniel Taylor III of Louisville. Chief Regional Judge Stephen 'Nick' Frazier ruled Friday, that 'pretrial publicity' has 'raised sufficient and substantial doubt' if Wendell Ray Newman, 37, of Jack's Creek can receive a fair trial in Floyd County.
The lack of a quorum forced the cancellation of the Floyd County Board of Education's regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday night. Chairman Ray 'Shag' Campbell and members Tommy Boyd and Eddie Billips did not attend last night's meeting.
A 16-year-old Prestonsburg youth, who police declined to identify, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with a car accident, Friday, in Virginia, that killed an 18-year-old Floyd County man.
The House appropriation's subcommittee on transportation, Tuesday, approved an additional $8 million to continue the four-laning of U.S. 23 between Prestonsburg and Paintsville, according to U.S. Congressman Chris Perkins' office. The funding will now move on to the full spending committee for consideration and a vote. Then it must be passed by the House and Senate before it becomes official.
Roadblocks throughout the county over the Fourth of July weekend provided a needed boost to the Floyd County Sheriff Department's D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program and the Kentucky Sheriff's Boys and Girls Ranch. Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson said the roadblocks collected almost $7,500 for the two programs. The donations will enable the department to pay off a large debt in the D.A.R.E. program, and provided a few extras for next year's program.
An automobile accident which occurred on April 19, between a Prestonsburg Police Officer and a Pike County man, is the subject of a civil suit filed in Floyd County Circuit Court last week. The civil suit, filed by John D. Preston of Paintsville, attorney for Ivan Neal Smith of Pikeville, claims that officer Darrell J. Conley was 'operating his city police cruiser in a careless and negligent manner.
without the use of the required siren and light apparatus.'.
Goble-Roberts residents got a scare, Thursday morning, when Prestonsburg Fire Department personnel suspected a natural gas leak after responding to a trash fire. Fire chief Tom Blackburn said Thursday that a fire had been smoldering for several days on a lot wned by Kenny Smith. The site had been used as a dumping ground for roof shingles and other remodeling materials before Smith purchased the land, Blackburn said.
A Magoffin County woman missing for 12 days had apparently been hiding from family members, and rescue workers, said Magoffin County Rescue Squad captain Carter Conley. Ruth Irene Baises, 41, of Puncheon Creek, was returned to family members Wednesday night, after going to the home of Ernest Howard of Swampton for food and water.
There died: Mary Francis Spradlin, 63, of Prestonsburg, July 9, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Laura Vanderpool Conley, 90, of Lackey, Thursday, at the Riverview Manor Nursing Home, Prestonsburg; Della Johnson Curry, 83, of Wheelwright, Tuesday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Flora S. Rife, 87, of Weeksbury, Tuesday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Fieldery Lawson, 65, Monday, at his residence at Garrett; Coosie Akers Hall Grant, 87, of Wayne, Michigan, formerly of Banner, Friday, at the Amnopolis Hospital in Wayne, Michigan; Keith Douglas Kidd, 18, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Richlands, Virginia, from injuries received in an automobile accident; Herbert (Meanness) Spurlock, 42, Tuesday, at his residence in Martin; Henry B. Fults, 72, of Ocala, Florida, formerly of Wayland, Sunday, at his home; Lawrence Newsome, 30, of Bevinsville, July 9, from injuries received in an automobile accident in Knott County; Lila McComas Chaffins, 79, of Long Beach, California, formerly of Garrett, Saturday, at the Oxnard Pleasant Valley Convalescent Hospital in Oxnard, California; Clifford Buster Tackett, 62, of Galveston, July 11, at his residence; Mary Francis Spradlin, 63, of Prestonsburg, July 9, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Wilma Agnes (Billie) Leslie Merritt, 75, of Emma, Wednesday, at her residence; Ella Keen, 83, of Wayland, Thursday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; James Bradley Pruitt, 18, of Ivel, Thursday, from injuries received in an automobile accident; Anthony Michael Tackett, 2-month-old son of Michael and Debra Tackett of Virgie, July 9, at his residence.

June 26 and June 28, 1991

A special meeting of the Prestonsburg City Council was called Thursday to officially adopt several written policies pertaning to the city fire department. According to the state Department of Work Place Standards Occupational Safety and Health Programs (OSHA) the fire depatment was in non-compliance with state regulations. The city has filed a formal letter of protest against the fines placed on them due to alledged violations, contending that standards were being followed or have been adopted since the state inspector visited from April 11 through May 14, 1991, and identified the alledged violations.
.Preliminary autopsy results indicate that an 86-year-old Floyd County man found dead in a creek last Wednesday drowned, Floyd County Coroner Roger Nelson said Tuesday. Cecil Boyd of Buffalo is believed to have suffered from a heart condition that may have caused him to fall into a creek near his home, Nelson said. Reports show that Boyd had two blocked vessels in his heart which could have caused him to pass out and fall into the creek, Nelson said.
.More than 250 people attended the 1991 Annual Floyd County Chamber of Commerce Banquet held last Thursday evening at the Jenny Wiley Convention Center, highlighted by a visit from Governor Wallace Wilkinson; 'Competitiveness, that's what it's all about,' was the message Governor Wilkinson carried to those attending the banquet. The Governor bragged about Kentucky's standing on the national level, stressing the state's 'sound financial footing' and announcing that Kentucky was one of 'two or three states east of the Mississippi not facing a budget crisis.'.
The mailbox of an Abbott resident was destroyed by an explosive device Monday, and police officials believe it could have been dynamite. Lanny and Linda Hunt of Jenny's Creek Hill reported to police Monday that their mailbox had been blown up by an unknown person(s). The box was found over an embankment behind the home of their neighbor, Lanny Hunt said Thursday. The blast hurled the metal mailbox approximately 300 feet. A rash of mailbox vandalisms have been reported in the last five months, but this incident is believed to have been different.
Members of Floyd Countians in Action (FCIA) are anxiously awaiting the reports from the state office of Air Quality Control to ascertain whether the two incinerators located behind Highlands Regional Medical Center are burning hazardous waste. Whatever the results of the tests, Medisin will be required to obtain a permit to operate a medical incinerator according to new state laws passed in February. Since the incinerator was in existence before the law was passed they have until Dec. 31, 1994, to comply wth the new regulations according to Eva Smith Carroll of the state Division for Air Quality.
.Certified and classified central office personnel were hired by Floyd County superintendent Ron Hager at Monday's special school board meeting. The meeting was referred to as an end of the school year 'clean up' meeting to close out the 1990-91 school term. It was announced at Monday's meeting that finance officer Russel Frazier would retire at the end of this school year, June 30. Superintendent Hager said he had not received official notification, but chairman Campbell said Frazier told him he would be retiring at the end of the year.
President George Bush has said 'this should be the greatest Fourth of July celebration ever.' With that in mind, WMDJ and the Floyd County Fiscal Court have planned a fitting celebration. Festivities begin at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, at the Stumbo Park in Allen with local bands 'Westwind' and 'Brotherhood' performing. The evening will also include several local politicians and dignitaries speaking on what America means to them.
There died: Manis Ousley, 75, of Buckeye, at Blue River, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Anna Bell Jones, 61, of Dorton, June 21, at the Jenkins Community Hospital; Ester Ree Tackett, 69, of Virgie, June 22, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Franklin Burke, 59, of Speight, June 21, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington; Edna Faye Burchett, 67, of Endicott, Monday, June 24, at Jenkins Community Hospital; Oscar (Bill) Francis, 65, of St. Petersburg, Florida, Thursday, at his home; Ruth P. Copenhefer, 70, of Medway, Ohio, formerly of Floyd County, Monday evening, at her residence; Joseph Burke, 67, of Virgie, June 17, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Timothy Ernest Alsop, 53, of Morehead City, North Carolina, Saturday, at his residence; Oliver Goble, 84, of Betsy Layne, Monday, at his residence; Sammie Robinson, 62, of Martin, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Clara (Ted) Slone, 81, of Martin, formerly of Garrett, Wednesday, at her residence.

June 19 and June 21, 1991

The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees named Deborah Lee Floyd, Tuesday, as president of Prestonsburg Community College. Floyd is currently vice president of student development at the Colleen County Community College District in Mckinney and Plano, Texas, a position she has held since 1985. At Prestonsburg, she will replace Henry A. Campbell as president of the 2,700 student community college. Campbell is retiring this month after serving 27 years as PCC's president.
Gas prices for customers of East Kentucky Utilities Inc., have decreased. The Public Service Commission has granted East Kentucky Utilities a purchased gas adjustment to reflect a $25,464 decrease in wholesale costs from its supplier. The average annual decrease per residential customer is $28.24, retroactive to May 1.
A would-be robbery was avoided, Saturday morning, when an employee of Sav-More startled the suspect into fleeing the scene. At approximately 9:30 a.m., on June 15, an unidentified female entered the Sav-More store in downtown Prestonsburg carrying a green duffel bag. According to Prestonsburg Detective Jeff Stumbo, the woman went to the office and handed the store comptroller, JoAnn Holbrook, a note stating she had a bomb and wanted all the money.
A special meeting of Prestonsburg's City Council has been set for Thursday, June 20, at the city municipal building. The meeting agenda includes proposed additions to fire department policies; designation of a fire department safety officer; and proposed purchase and installation of fire and street department equipment.
The suspect in a 12-year-old murder case has been released from custody on bond, ordered reduced by a Kentucky Court of Appeals judge, and he has filed suit against his trial judge on allegations of false imprisonment.
Educating children about the disposal of solid waste in Floyd County will reach a new level when programs begin in the Floyd County school system in September.
The mass site preparation contract for the controversial new Prestonsburg High School will go out for bids, beginning Friday. According to the invitation to bid, bids for the contract will be accepted until July 9, at 4 p.m., and opened 'as soon as practical thereafter.'.
The body of an 86-year-old Floyd County man was found in a creek at Endicott, by neighbors, Wednesday, after relatives reported the man missing. Cecil Boyd of Buffalo, was found approximately two and four-tenths miles from his residence by Rodney Blackburn and Gerald Maynard, Boyd's brother, Luther, reported him missing on Wednesday.
A special meeting of the Floyd County Board of Education has been called for Monday, June 24, at 6 p.m. at the administration building in Prestonsburg. Items on the agenda include: two due process hearings, cheerleading hearings, personnel actions; setting salary schedules for certified and non-certified personnel; and a proposal to amend the program of studies.
Because of contracts entered into in previous years to protect the company from fluctuating gas prices, Columbia Gas System Inc., is now paying prices much higher than those available to non-contracted buyers and threatening to seek bankruptcy court protection. The board of directors of the Columbia Gas System Inc., as a result of financial difficulities facing Columbia Gas Transmission Corp., its principal pipeline subsidiary, suspended the dividend on its common stock Wednesday.
.There died: Alen Turner, 61, of Garrett, Saturday, June 15, at his home in Garrett; Lawrence A. Maggard, 82, of Martin, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Marthell Hall, 58, of Teaberry, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Girvin Waddle, 74, of Prestonsburg, Monday, at his resisence; Otis Wright, 74, of Cow Creek, was pronounced dead on arrival at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Ella Keens, 80, of Melvin, Saturday, at her residence; Chiles H. Stanley, 74, of Somerset, Thursday, at the VA Medical Center; David Alexander Hengsebeck, 63, of Scottsboro, Alabama, Sunday, at Jackson County Hospital; Elizabeth Fraley, 45, of Stratton Branch, Prestonsburg, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Birtie Waddles Hall, 84, of Kite, Wednesday, at her home; Rosella Hall, 81, of Lexington, formerly of Hall, Thursday, at the Homestead Nursing Home in Lexington; Donna Ann Reatherford Ratliff, 35, of Langley, Monday, at Paintsville; Elmer Daniels, 68, of Canton, Ohio, June 9, at Doctor's Hospital in Canton, Ohio; Earl Wallace, 64, of Garrett, Monday, at his home from a gunshot wound; Charles V. Crum Jr., 47, of Arkansas Creek, Wednesday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Cecil Boyd, 86, of Endicott, was found dead Wednesday, at Endicott; Elizabeth Fraley, 45, of Stratton Branch, Prestonsburg, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center.

June 12, 1991

Prestonsburg High School will hold commencement exercises Friday, June 14, at 7 p.m., in the Prestonsburg Fieldhouse. Diplomas will be awarded to 133 graduates.
A Halo man was indicted for murder Monday by a Floyd County Grand Jury for the 1978 shooting death of a Letcher County man. A murder indictment against Wendell Ray Newman was returned with 64 criminal indictments Monday morning, by the grand jury. Twelve sealed true bills were also issued concerning juveniles and domestic violence cases.
Mayor Ann Latta's tie-breaking vote Monday, resolved a city council deadlock and ended a heated debate on Prestonsburg's city budget for the 1991-92 fiscal year. Councilman Billy Ray Collins questioned Latta's authority to vote on the budget issue after his motion to table the second reading of the budget ordinance drew a 3-3 vote from the council. City Attorney Larry Brown advised the mayor could vote to break the tie.
The first bank robbery to take place in Prestonsburg in several years happened before the bank was even built. Late last Wednesday night, copper tubing worth more than $100 was taken from the construction site of the First Guaranty Branch Bank in Prestonsburg. The alleged culprit was caught and jailed the following morning as a result of an investigation by Prestonsburg Police officers Ricky Conn and John Hunt, and detective Jeff Stumbo.
Wheelwright High School will confer diplomas to its graduating class of 42 students at commencement exercises to be held at the high school on Thursday, June 13, at 7 p.m.
.A decision by the Floyd County Board of Education, Tuesday night, to reject bids for four contract bus driver routes could result in a significant savings to the county schools. Bids for contract driver runs for Daniels Creek, Ivel, Prater Creek and Little Mud Creek cost the board $73,220 last year, finance officer Russell Frazier said Thursday.
.Floyd County District Judge Harold Stumbo is back at home recovering from an angioplasty procedure to unblock an artery. Judge Stumbo's wife, Pluma, said Thursday, that Judge Stumbo returned home Wednesday from Atlanta and is 'doing wonderful.' She said Judge Stumbo will be returning back to work after a short rest.
Scenes from the Roaring '20s and special guest, Cawood Ledford, will open Jenny Wiley Theatre as Arthur Laurent's Tony award winning musical, 'Gypsy,' premieres Friday, June 21.
One of the original members of the restructured Kentucky Court of Appeals, Judge Harris Stephens Howard, died Wednesday morning as the result of an apparent heart attack.
There died: Jakie Kent Horn, 19, of Prestonsburg, died Saturday, June 8, at the home of his grandparents, Jake and Lucille Cobb in Richmond; Earl Gayheart, 75, of Beaver, Friday, June 7 at his residence; Sara Martin Gibson, 64, died Wednesday, June 5, at her residence; Legotha (Shorty) Lewis, 50, of Banner, Tuesday, June 11, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Denzil F. Prater, 48, of Crestline, Ohio, formerly of Hueysville, Wednesday, at the Fulton County Health Center, Wauseon, Ohio, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident; Cora Thompson Smith, 98, of Churchill, Tennessee, formerly of Prestonsburg, Sunday, at Life Care Center of Churchill, Tennessee; Alice Bentley, 87, of Robinson Creek, Monday, at her residence; Elsie M. Burke, 73, of Windsor, Ohio, Monday, at her residence; Earl Garrett, 82, of Banner, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Jesse James Thacker, 53, of Stafford, Viginia, formerly of Pike County, Tuesday, at his residence; Birtie Waddles Hall, 84, of Kite, Wednesday, at her home; Harris Howard, 62, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at his residence; Carol Little Endicott, 42 of Columbus, Ohio, formerly of Weeksbury, Tuesday, at Columbus, Ohio.

June 5 and June 7, 1991

Allen Central High School will hold commencement Saturday, June 15, beginning at 7:30 p.m., in the school auditorium. One hundred fifteen students will graduate.
Shots were fired at two Floyd County deputies Sunday night at David, while officers were answering complaints of gunfire in that area. Deputy Lloyd Powers and auxiliary deputy Roger Slone were shot at approximately six times by Lanie Shepherd, an elderly resident of David, said Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson. The deputies were not injured. Thompson said officers were investigating a report of shots being fired in the area when approximately six shots were fired in their direction. The shots came from the area of two homes in the vicinity, and a neighbor that was questioned that night, claims sheriff's deputies harrassed him.
The prospect of having a Morehead State University Extended Campus in Prestonsburg is quickly becoming a reality. The lease has been signed and the interim director has been appointed. If all goes well, classes will begin August 19. Representatives from MSU have been looking into locating the higher education facility in the old Hecks building at Highlands Plaza for some time now.
A 30-year-old Floyd County man was sentenced Thursday, May 30, in Federal District Court in Pikeville by Judge Joseph M. Hood on a charge of mail theft. Franklin Delano Hagans received a sentence of six months incarceration, to be satisfied by serving three months in prison and three months in a halfway house, according to Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth R. Taylor, who prosecuted the case.
A preliminary autopsy Monday proved inconclusive in determining the cause of death of a 31-year-old Tram man found in his car Monday evening. Clay Webster Charles was found dead sitting in a 1987 Plymouth station wagon in the parking lot at Velocity Market at Betsy Layne, said Kentucky State Police.
The Floyd County Board of Elections will begin a recanvass of voting machine totals on Wednesday, June 5, beginning at 6 p.m., at the storage building on the West Mountain Parkway. Larry Forgy, Republican candidate for governor, and John Lackey, Democratic candidate for attorney general, filed a request to recanvass all voting machines and absentee ballots.
The Jenny Wiley Summer Music Theatre will be opening in two weeks, and once again promises an entertaining summer line for the residents and visitors of Floyd County. Opening night is scheduled for Friday, June 21, with 'Gypsy' being the first production of the summer.
A federal jury in Pikeville convicted a Knott County elementary school teacher, her husband and son, Tuesday, on eight charges relating to a drug conspiracy and growing 4,590 marijuana plants. Donna Gaye Brenner Hall, 57, of Kite was convicted on four charges and Claude Hall Sr., 64, and Claude David Hall Jr., 37, of Kite were convicted on eight charges.
Arson has been cited as the cause for a fire that destroyed a home at Stone Coal early Wednesday morning. Kentucky State Police arson investigator Barry McKenzie said Wednesday that a fire at the same home last week was an apparent arson and, since the structure burned Wednesday, it would be further investigated by the KSP.
Termination of security service contracts in the Floyd County schools will be discussed at Tuesday's board meeting at Prestonsburg High School.
There died: Ruth Hall Moore, 65, of Wayland, Saturday, June 1, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Sanford 'Kelly' Layne, 77, of Ivel, Saturday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Helen Williamson, 59, of Waukegan, Illinois, formerly of Estill, Sunday, at the St. Theresa Hospital in Waukegan, Illinois; Ethel Mae Lafferty Burchett Bootz, 76, of Allen Park, Michigan, formerly of Floyd County, May 29; Roger Dale Bentley, 44, of Wayland, Thursday, at his residence, after an apparent heart attack; James McKinley Frazier, 69, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, formerly of Maytown, Saturday, at Ypsilanti Hospital; James Darrell Slone, son of Bobby L. and Maggie C. Watkins Slone, was stillborn at Our Lady of the Way Hospital, Saturday; Johnny Lee Lewis, 60, of Stratton Branch, Prestonsburg, Monday, at his residence; Topsie Evans, 62, of Grethel, Tuesday, at her residence; Ralph Blankenship, 87, of Lakeland, Florida, formerly of Wayland Monday, at the Lakeland Health Care Center; Minnie Jordan, 71, of Beaver, Monday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington; Charles Johnson, 63, of Melvin, Tuesday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Roxie Moore Horton, 85, of Portsmouth, Virginia, formerly of Wayland, Wednesday, at Maryview Hospital there; Alma Robinson Baldridge, 85, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, formerly of Floyd County, Friday, at Bethel Park; Dester Hamilton, 61, of Beaver, Tuesday, at his home.

May 29 and May 31, 1991

Lexington Mayor Scotty Baesler, made a surprising, early exit from the Democratic race for Governor Tuesday, conceding the battle to Lt. Governor Brereton Jones before 9 p.m. With just a little more than 65 percent of the state's precincts counted. Baesler, who had run within a few percentage points of Jones in the early going Tuesday, acknowledged defeat ahead of Dr. Floyd Poore, who ran a distant third to Jones.
Preparation for a 911 emergency telephone service is moving into its second phase, bringing 911 closer to becoming a reality for Floyd County.
Though it carried no official weight, a judicial race for Kentucky's Court of Appeals appeared headed Tuesday for a surprise finish. With 16 of 21 counties reporting, Johnson County District Judge John A Gardner held a three percentage point lead over incumbent Judge Harris Howard, of Prestonsburg, in the 7th District, 2nd Division race for Appellate Judge.
A $300,000 flood control project for Right and Left Beaver passed a major hurdle in congress last week, when the Appropriations Committee approved a $14 million flood control package. In addition, the committee approved $7.5 million for the Army Corps of Engineers to maintain the Dewey Lake, Paintsville Lake, Yatesville Lake, Cave Run Lake, Carr Fork Lake, Grayson Lake, Buckhorn Lake, and dredging at the mouth of the Big Sandy River.
The annual Floyd County Chamber of Commerce banquet will offer a visit from a special guest to Prestonsburg. Governor Wallace Wilkinson will be the keynote speaker at the annual banquet, scheduled for Thursday, June 20.
Ex-conservation officer Jimmy Goble has vowed to continue legal action in connection with his dismissal from the state Fish and Wildlife Department in June 1989. Goble was dismissed from the department for a deer kill incident at the Dewey Lake Wildlife Management Area.
After winning the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, Paul Patton has announced that he already has his sights set on 'making Pike County the home of the next governor of the state.'.
A proposal to construct water lines in the Left Beaver area, and expand the Beaver Elkhorn Water District's capacity is underway, and the Floyd County Board of Education is being asked to contribute to the project. Big Sandy Area Development District director Roger Recktendwald asked the board Wednesday to contribute $50,000 to help complete the local funding required for the project.
There died: Ruben Lafferty, 77, Friday, at his residence in Garrett; Carl Greer, 61, of Printer, Saturday, in McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Butler Hall, 60, of Lavalette, West Virginia, formerly of Printer, Saturday, in St. Mary's Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia; Dolla Ramsey, 79, of Penny, Kentucky, May 25, at her residence; Martha Roberts, 66, of Yuba City, California, May 12, at Rideout Hospital; Goldie Salisbury Kay, 51, of Stratford, New Jersey, formerly of Printer, Sunday, at Stratford; Ethel Boyd Johnson, 80, of Lebanon, formerly of Allen, Thursday at the Springview Hospital, Lebanon, Kentucky; Myrtle Cable, 63, of Harold at her residence; Ada Marie Hale Moore, 53, of Pyramid, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Buford Lee (Ronnie) Sword, 59, of Long Beach, California, formerly of Pikeville, Saturday, at the VA Hospital in Long Beach; Richard M. Harmon, 61, of Zephyrhills, Florida, formerly of Floyd County, Sunday at his residence; Earnest Prater, 74, of David, Tuesday at the Highlands Regional Medical Center.

May 22 & May 24, 1991

An Adams Middle School teacher filed a criminal complaint Monday in Floyd County District Court against middle school principal Thomas Tackett for allegedly interfering with normal school activities. Gwendolyn Hammonds filed an abuse of a teacher charge against Tackett Monday, claiming that Tackett, on May 14, committed the offense of abuse of (a) teacher.
when he directed speech and or conduct toward the affiant, knowing that said conduct will disrupt or interefere with normal school activities or will nullify or undermine the good order and discipline of the school.'.
A 17-year-old juvenile charged in the March shooting death of a Goble-Roberts man could be tried as an adult in the case. A hearing held May 16 in Floyd County District Court transferred the case against Douglas Todd Keathley, 17, of Betsy Layne, to Floyd Circuit Court, said County Attorney Jim Hammond. Keathley was charged with murder in March 27 shooting death of Larry Douglas Calhoun, 35, of Goble-Roberts.
.Plans are underway to establish an historical landmark at the site of a Civil War battle on Middle Creek, which would bring Floyd County's past into its future. The property, which has been owned by the Fitzpatrick family for more than two centuries, is located near the junction of the Middle Creek and David roads, and is the site of the Battle of Middle Creek, which was fought on January 10, 1862.
The first drowning in the Paintsville Lake's five-year history occurred this weekend, taking the lives of two young people. April Pennington, 16, and Timothy H. Stambaugh, 24, were swimming near the picnic area, across from the boat dock, with friends late Saturday night, according to Trooper Ghomer Prater of the Kentucky State Police.
Two Floyd Countians and two Indiana residents were named in a four-count indictment last week for the May 7 armed robbery of a Pike County bank. Kenneth David Warth, 35, and Daisy Helen Warth, 44, of Endicott, were charged along with Nelson Zepeda, 37, and William Arthur Burchett, 25, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, by a federal grand jury in Lexington.
Acting on an anonymous tip, the Floyd County Sheriff's Department found and destroyed 203 marijuana plants Thursday afternoon behind Allen Central High School at Eastern. Deputies Ricky Thornsberry and William Howell found the marijuana growing in a wooded area behind the school. Thornsberry said it appeared that the plants were being bedded to be transplanted later. Deputies also found a garden hoe near the marijuana patch.
There died: Pearl Phillips, 90, of Sookey's Creek, Kentucky, May 16; Anna Howard Shepherd, 91, of Pyramid, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Fred Coleman, 80, of Robinson Creek, May 16, at his residence; Billy Junior Yates Sr., 46, of Delaware, Ohio, May 10, at the Grady Memorial Hospital; Hazel Rice, 80, of Prestonsburg, formerly of Garrett, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Robert L. (Beverly) Hall, 62, of North Las Vegas, Nevada, formerly of Banner, Tuesday, at The Osteopathic Hospital, Flint, Michigan; Emma Jane Conley Campbell, 73, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Joshua Drew Horn, infant son of Samuel and Ramona Conn Horn, of Winchester, Friday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington; Robert Reed Mitchell, 52, of Pikeville, May 20; Ashland (Hawk) Howard, 75, of David, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Viola Justice Akers, 67, of Harold, Wednesday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital.

May 15, and May 17, 1991

A second teachers' strike by Floyd County educators is unlikely, but the Floyd County Education Association (FCEA) has retained an attorney to fight the board of education's negation of part of an agreement to end last years' 10-day walkout. Prestonsburg attorney Ned Pillersdorf said in a May 13 letter to the board that FCEA intends to file a lawsuit in federal distrtict court if a 13.5 percent pay increase is not met.
The Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center will hold a dedication ceremony for the new female dormitory on Friday, May 17. The dormitory is being named after Verna Perkins, widow of Carl D. and mother of Representative Chris Perkins.
When you think of recreation in Floyd County, you probably think of Dewey Lake. The lake is the most popular attraction in the county for fishing, swimming, boating, skiing and much more. But if your definition of recreation includes the consumption of alcoholic beverages, beware, because that is illegal at Dewey Lake, and the Corps of Engineer Park Rangers will strictly enforce that prohibition this year.
Floyd County sheriff's deputies arrested a 29-year-old Cow Creek man Friday after officers allegedly watched the man conduct an illegal drug transaction at Allen. William H. Goble was arrested at the scene and deputies obtained a search warrant for his home. Officers found a wide variety of weapons, drug paraphernalia and a police scanner.
Prestonsburg's City council will let the courts decide the validity of a 20-year-old contract that forces the city to purchase natural gas from a local supplier, and which could lead to higher gas rates for city customers. At issue is a contract signed in 1971 between the city council and John Allen, trustee for the local gas producer, which requires the city utilities company to buy natural gas from the local company at a rate equal to the rates charged by Kentucky West Virginia Gas Company.
Denzil Allen of Prestonsburg was installed as Commander of the Kentucky Wing Civil Air Patrol during recent ceremonies in Lexington.
The state will provide funds for the addition of two road improvement projects to the newly approved 1991-92 Rural Secondary Program for Floyd County, according to Transportation Secretary and Commissioner of Highways, Milo D. Bryant. The first project entails the placement of blacktop repavement on 5.2 miles of various county roadways.
A Prestonsburg youth escaped serious injury Thursday after he tried to beat a train across a railroad crossing. His motorbike didn't fare as well. Jimmy Branham, 12, and Billy Quinn, 14, were apparently riding beside the trian as it traveled along the tracks next to the Job Corps Center in Prestonsburg. The engineer saw the boys coming, but didn't think they would attempt to cross the tracks, Assistant Police Chief Roy Roberts said.
Understanding and appreciation were the outcome of a meeting between teachers and their board representative. Board member Eddie Billips met with teachers from educational district one Wednesday afternoon to explain his decision about the teachers' strike agreement and to listen to the teachers' concerns.
To make sure everything is legal Pike County School Superintendent Larry Burke has ceased all Bingo games operated in schools and ordered the board's attorney to make sure the games meet state and federal guidelines.
There died: Clara Sturgill Arthur, 41, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at her home; Claude Hunt, 56, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, formerly of Allen, Sunday, at the St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital, Superior Township, Michigan; Mary Sue Ousley Varney, 35, of Prestonsburg, was found dead at her residence at Indian Hills in Prestonsburg, Wednesday; Josephine Tate, 70, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, May 13, at Ruby Memorial Hospital, in Morgantown, West Virginia; Betty Sue Hunter, 53, of Prestonsburg, was pronounced dead on arrival at Highlands Regional Medical Center Wednesday; Edna Keathley, 73, of Harold, Saturday, at the Mingo Manor Nursing Home, Wiliamson, West Virginia; Raymond Cecil Hall, 64, of Clyde, Ohio, formerly of Grethel, Saturday, at his residence; Maggie Ratliff Hill, 72, of Prestonsburg, was found dead Friday afternoon, at her residence; Bess C. Hayes, 81, of Chesapeake, Virginia, Saturday, at Knott County Nursing Home, in Hindman; Clifford Justice, 39, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Paintsville from a self-inflicted gunshot wound; Fonzo Conn, 46, of Arkansas Creek, Wednesday, at his residence in Martin; George W. Collins, 74, of Maysville, Ohio, Sunday, at Lima Memorial Hospital; Raymond L. Cook, 71, of Tucson, Ariz., formerly of Knott County, Monday; Robert L. Hall, 63, of North Las Vegas Nevada, formerly of Banner, Tuesday at Osteopathic Hospital in Flint, Michigan; Juanita Clark Adams, 72, of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, May 8, at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center; Harlan Ray Stumbo, 64, of Minnie, Tuesday, at Elmwood Village Convalescent Center in Ashland; Pearl Goble, 74, of Indian Hills, Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at South View Hospital in Dayton, Ohio; Wanda June Ousley, 37, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Paintsville, victim of a shooting incident.

May 8 and May 10, 1991

Kentucky apparently will not receive emergency federal assistance for damage wrought by a storm which swept thorugh eastern Kentucky, on April 9. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, Monday, denied a request from Governor Wallace Wilkinson to provide emergency funding to 24 Kentucky counties, including Floyd. Storm damage to the area was estimated at $20,805,399, said Mark McDaniel, a spokesperson for the Disaster and Emergency Services office in Frankfort.
A 16-year-old Pike County girl was killed Monday, after the car she was driving struck a vehicle driven by a Tennessee couple on U.S. 23 at Ivel. Wendy Hazelett, a sophomore at Pikeville High School, was pronounced dead at the scene by deputy coroner Glenn Frazier.
A man who stopped at the scene of an accident Monday that claimed the life of a 16-year-old Pike County girl received an unwelcome surprise when he was arrested. Garrell Compton, 38, of Harold was arrested by Kentucky State Police trooper Eddie Crum, after Floyd County sheriff's deputies alerted the trooper that Compton was wanted on a first degree sexual abuse warrant.
A Bristol, Virginia, jail official confirmed reports late Tuesday that a Floyd County man and women were being held in Bristol in connection with a Tuesday morning bank robbery in Pike County. The jail official, who asked not to be identified, said Kenneth B. Warth, 35, and Daisy Warth, 44, of Endicott, were being held in the Bristol jail at the request of the FBI, after the pair was arrested in Buchanan County, Virginia, Tuesday.
State and local reaction to a report released last week by State Auditor Bob Babbbage on school constructon projects is generally in agreement with the auditor's recommendations.
John M. Rosenberg, director of the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund Inc. of Prestonsburg, has been selected as the recipient of the national 1991 Kutak-Dodds Prize for outstanding public service through law. The $10,000 prize is awarded annually to a legal services lawyer or public defender who exhibits exemplary service to his community.
The Fine Arts Festival, a part of the Festival of FACES, will be held Thursday, May 16, at the Prestonsburg High School Gym beginning at 7 p.m. The evening features performances from the All-County Band and the All County Chorus; the art exhibit winners' display and the crowning of the Music Festival Queen.
.A hearing today (Friday) will decide whether a motion filed on Monday to have Judge Hollie Conley withdrawn from a trial is valid. Wendell Ray Newman, a defendant in a 12-year-old murder case, is claiming bias on the part of the Floyd County Circuit Court Judge, due to an alleged coal company dealing.
The last of four suspects, including another from Floyd County, have been arrested in connection with Tuesday's armed robbery of a Pike County bank. William Burchett, 24, of Endicott was arested at 7:33 p.m., Wednesday, at Draffin in Pike County. Burchett was located by the Kentucky State Police's canine unit.
There died: Betty Lois Miller, 55, of Drift, died Monday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Bertha E. Salyer, 92, of the Middle Creek Road, died Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Victoria Murrill Spradlin, 87, of Prestonsburg, died Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Hollie B. Osborne Hall, 86, of Sarasota, Florida, Wednesday, at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital; Lester Lee Coburn, 83, of Eastern, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Rhodes W. (Crawdad) Lynch, 80, of Betsy Layne, Sunday, at his residence; James Shelby Combs, 72, of Nicholasville, Monday, at Central Baptist Hospital; Feney Hamilton Story, 90, of Teaberry, Friday, at her residence; Bobby Dawson Bryant, 79, of Hi Hat, Monday, at her residence at Hi Hat; Robert H. Buster Sturgill, 73, of Hindman, Friday, at the Highhlands Regional Medical Center; Martha Sue Kinder, 53, of Portsmouth, Ohio, formerly of Ligon, Sunday, at her residence; William Riley Johnson, 27-day-old infant son of William Wiley Hall and Brenda Sue Johnson, of Weeksbury, Tuesday, at Cabel-Huntington Hospital, Huntington, West Virginia.

May 1 and May 3, 1991

A long-awaited report on a state review of school construction projects in Eastern Kentucky apparently will be released today, May 1, in Frankfort, to a legislative subcommittee. Officials in the office of State Auditor Bob Babbage declined, Tuesday, to discuss specific details of the report. Nine members of Babbage's Public Integrity department visited schools in Floyd and Pike counties in February and March after school construction projects in those counties were questioned. The auditing team reviewed construction procedures and policies concerning projects built, or under construction, using funding provided by the state School Facility Construction Commission.
With all the soldiers returning from Saudi Arabia, the word 'hero' has become commonplace in the American vocabulary. But, the word 'hero' does not only apply to those who fight wars. It can also say something about those everyday people who perform brave and rare acts. Prestonsburg, and more specifically, the Job Corps Center, has their own local hero in Alexander Smith. The 17-year-old Job Corps student said he knew at some time he would be required to use the life saving skills his mother had taught him a year ago, and on Sunday, April 28, he proved his knowledge with flying colors.
A Floyd County husband and wife were killed and two teenagers were injured in a head-on collision with another car on Ky 22, at Salisbury, on Thursday, April 25. According to Trooper Ghomer Prater, Pamela Webb, 17, of Martin, was traveling west on Ky 122 when she lost control of her 1981 Pontiac in a curve, crossing into the east bound lane and striking a 1983 Toyota Celica. Driving the Toyota was Harold Conn, 45, with his wife, Shelby Conn, 43, as a passenger. The Conns of Hunter, were pronounced dead at the scene by Floyd County Deputy Coroner Glenn Frazier.
A head on collision between a coal truck and a passenger vehicle resulted in a Floyd County woman's death on Thursday, April 25. Bonna Patrick, 27, of Hunter was pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner Jay Hinkle, after the vehicle in which she was a passenger crossed the center line and struck a coal truck, according to Trooper Gomer Prater of the Kentucky State Police.
A former Prestonsburg High School cheerleader has filed a lawsuit against the school's cheerleading sponsor, principal and the Floyd County Board of Education alleging negligence which resulted in physical injury. Alrita Shepherd filed suit April 17, in Floyd County Circuit Court, on behalf of her daughter, Karla Darice Phipps. The suit alleges Phipps was required to perform certain cheerleading routines which caused severe injuries to her knees.
Dr. Henry A. Campbell Jr., a mountain educator whose wit and wisdom have earned him the respect and love of his faculty and students at Prestonsburg Community College, will deliver his last Commencement Address as PCC president Sunday, May 5, at 2 p.m., at Jenny Wiley State Park's Amphitheatre. Campbell will retire from his presidential post on June 30, at the mandatory retirement age of 65.
A tour of several Floyd County schools by board of education members Thursday, proved enlightening, and gave members, a close-up look at problems in schools. The tour began at 10 a.m., at Betsy Layne Elementary gym, with board member Tommy Boyd voicing his concern about lack of maintenance at the gym and the schools. Boyd pointed out that the gym's ceiling was covered with dirt because filters in the filtering system had not been changed regularly. Boyd also pointed out weeds growing on the campus and the need for a fence behind the school, since it is so close to the Big Sandy River.
A week-long review of school construction projects in Floyd and Pike counties in February and March by a team of state auditors has resulted in a 36-page report and a list of 16 recommendations for changing the ways schools are built in Kentucky. State Auditor Bob Babbage presented the report, Wednesday, to members of the state's Special Legislative Subcommittee on Education Accountability. Babbage told the Times Wednesday, that the review uncovered 'no evidence of criminal wrongdoing,' but added that the state's Office of Education Accountability' will pursue other aspects of our reports and make recommendations to the Legislature.'.
Six Floyd County high school juniors have been selected to participate in the 1991 Governor's Scholars Program this summer. Named as Governor's Scholars were Stephenie Biliter, Steve Clark, Brian Jones, Anthony Little, Brian Newman, and David Pigman.
There died: Lacy Tackett Webb, 74, of Craynor, April 14, at her residence; James (Jimmy) Prater, 90, of Morehead, formerly of Hueysville, Sunday, at the St. Clair Medical Center, Morhead; Curtis Newman, 66, of Melvin, Saturday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital, McDowell; Goldie Newsome, 72, of Pikeville, April 26, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Enoch Combs, 67, of Garrett, Sunday, at the Good Samaritan Hospital, Lexington; Robert (Bob) Butler, 80, of Printer, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Effie Della Frazier Maggard, 86, of Martin, Monday, at the Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Thelma Allen Anderson, 76, of Allen, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Paul J. Snyder, 77, of Evansville, Indiana, Friday, at the Deaconess Hospital, Evansville; Isom Johnson, 80, of Myra, April 23, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington; Thelma Mae (Craft) Rudd, 50, of Ripley, West Virginia, formerly of Huntington, Thursday, at Eldercare Nursing Home, Ripley; Naomi Hughes German, 74, of Medaryville, Indiana; Woodrow Wilson Hurd, 78, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center; Gusta Branham Martin, 76, of Virgie, April 20, at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington; Harold Dean Conn, 45, and his wife, Shelby Jean Case Conn, 43, both of Hunter, Thursday, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident at Printer; Virginia Ann May Allen, 69, of Allen, Sunday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Robert (Bob) Butler, 80, of Printer, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center.

April 24 and April 26, 1991

The Agape House (Prestonsburg Adult Day Care Center) will officially open its doors to the public, Wednesday, April 24, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. in a grand opening celebration. Opening remarks by dignitaries will begin at 11 a.m. Among those speaking will be Mrs. Libby Jones, wife of gubernatorial candidate Brereton Jones; John M. Stumbo, Floyd County Judge Executive; Ann Latta, Prestonsburg Mayor; Linda Napier, representing the state Division of Aging; Roger Recktenwald, executive director, and Doug Lawson, Big Sandy Area Development District's Division of Aging. Rev. Mike Taylor will present the invocation and Rev. Ron Masters will close with the benediction.
Floyd County's turn at testifying before a state transportation committee was cut short Tuesday by checkout time at May Lodge, but the contingent did get in a few licks before the two-day session was adjourned. Members of the state's Legislative Task Force to Study Highway Needs convened the District 12 highway meeting, Monday but reserved Tuesday for public comment on the seven-county region's road needs.
The Floyd County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee will meet Thursday, April 25 at 10 a.m., at Prestonsburg City Hall. The meeting will be to discuss the Kentucky World Trade Center locating an office in the Prestonsburg area.
Floyd County Coroner Roger Nelson has been elected president of the Kentucky State Coroners' Association. Nelson is the first Eastern Kentucky coroner to hold the office. Nelson's election was announced at the association's 24th annual conference held recently in Louisville, where he was also recognized for his cooperation with the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome program.
Floyd County Attorney Jim Hammond advised Floyd County Fiscal Court members, Friday, not to pay for work performed at the county jail, because the company and the county jailer appeared to have violated state bidding laws. The dispute, between the fiscal court and Disponette Service Co., of Lexington, centers on the method used to obtain the air conditioning expansion job.
A roof fall in a Knott County mine on Tuesday, which killed two miners, including one from Floyd County, has sparked a state investigation questioning the length of the bolts which held the roof in place. Thirty-inch bolts were used at the Bullion Hollow Mining Co.'s No. 1 Mine at Big Branch several miles south of Hindman. Roger Reynolds, supervisor of the state Department of Mines and Minerals' Hazard office, said Wednesday that this length may have been inadequate to adhere the 30-inch-thick seam of slate to the above layer of even thicker sandstone.
Development of a 500-acre industrial park near Ivel took a giant step forward this week when state officials okayed construction of a bridge spanning the Big Sandy River near the site.
There died: Wesley Keith Evans, one-month-old son of Ronald Keith and Deborah Lynn Newsome Evans of Patterson, N.C., formerly of Floyd County, Sunday, at the Brenner Childrens Hospital, Winston Salem, N.C.; Gusta Branham Martin, 76, of Virgie, Saturday, at the Central Baptist Hospital, in Lexington; Wade Little, 70, of Melvin, Tuesday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Dorothy Marie Hensley, 65, of Melvin, Monday, at the Wheelwright Clinic; Oscar Collins, 83, of Harold, Friday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Claude Samons, 63, of Martin, Thursday, at Phelps Nursing Home; Betty Ray Conn, 55, of Lexington, formerly of Pikeville, Friday, at Saint Joseph Hospital, Lexington; Charles L. Taylor, 63, of Hueysville, Thursday, in a fire that destroyed his home; Willard Jeffery Bailey, 28, of Langley, April 23, at the Bullion Hollow Mining Company, Hindman, from injuries sustained in a mining accident; Nokomis Moore, 80, of Hi Hat, Thursday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital.

April 17-April 19, 1991

A Floyd County company which faces a threat of court-ordered dissolution has gained tentative state approval to expand its nursing care facility in Prestonsburg and to develop a new facility in Paintsville.
A 39-year-old Martin man was shot and killed Saturday night by a blind man after an altercation at a Mount Sterling stockyard. Burlin Conn, of Arkansas Creek, near Martin, was shot four tmes in the chest by Dale Staton, 33, of Owingsville in Bath County, after Conn allegedly attacked him at the Gateway Stockyard, said Trooper Lon Fields of the Morehead State Police Post. The incident happened at 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
A 19-year-old Floyd County woman was charged Friday with second degree manslaughter in connection with the death of a newborn baby found in a dumpster, Thursday, at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond. Pamela Michelle Harris, formerly of Melvin, was charged by the school's Division of Public Safety, after the body of a newborn baby girl was found by a custodian outside of Burnam Hall, a residential hall on campus.
Five Floyd County juveniles were arrested early Monday morning after leading police officials on a three-county chase through Floyd, Magoffin, and Johnson counties. A patrol by the new Middle Creek Neighborhood Watch group spotted a black Chevy pickup truck stop on the Abbott Road and saw the juveniles jump from the truck and begin beating on mailboxes with a baseball bat.
Separate house fires in the county, Thursday, claimed the life of a Hueysville man and destroyed a two-story home near Jenny Wiley State Park. Charles Taylor, 64, was found dead in the remains of his home on Reed Branch at Hueysville. Taylor, a paraplegic, is believed to have been smoking in bed.
A one-day strike by United States railway workers started and ended soon after it began, Wednesday, when Congress ordered the pickets back to work Wednesday night. Picket lines were set up Wednesday in Martin and Allen in Floyd County by members of the United Transportation Union (UTU), Brotherhood Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWE), and Locomotive Engineers.
The City of Wheelwright has hired Charles L. Harmon, 34, of East Point as police chief for the town. Harmon was officially hired by the city council, April 2, and has added a part-time police officer to the force.
There died: Berlin Conn, 39, of Martin, was dead on arrival, Saturday, at Mary Chiles Hospital in Mt. Sterling; Ray Howard, 62, of Hippo, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Grover Cleveland, 69, of Allen, Saturday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital, following an apparent heart attack; John C. Osborne, 72, of Brinegar, former Morehead State University security guard and woodworking hobbyist, January 14, at St. Claire Medical Center; Clydia Crabtree, 85, of Estill, Tuesday, at her residence; Colonel Robert Peters, 87, of Ashland, formerly of Martin, Sunday, at his residence; Terry Jewell, 34, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at the residence of his father-in-law, Don Bays of Goble-Roberts; Carl Crum, 67, of Columbus, Ohio, formerly of Prestonsburg, Monday in Mercy South Hospital in Fairfield, Ohio; Lorene 'Peachie' Williams Conn, 61, of Ivel, Friday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Floyd Cecil Tackett, 55, formerly of Johnson and Floyd county, April 7, victim of a drowning accident at his home in South Shore; J. B. Goble, 68, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at his residence in Prestonsburg; Grover Cleveland Rowe, 69, of Allen, Saturday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Glenn Sterling Anderson Sr., 83, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Susan Lorraine Lester, formerly of Prestonsburg, recently, in Lafayette, Indiana.

April 10 and 12, 1991

The beauty in the stillness was the first thing Danny Green noticed around 5:30, Tuesday evening, as he sat with his 3-year-old daughter nestled in his lap. Then the clouds started moving; the skies became dark; the wind became a vibrant roar. 'It was the loudest sound ever heard in the mountains,' said Green, as he described the storm that ripped down the hillside and buffeted his home at David. He saw the wind coming by the debris it flung along its path. He ran into the house with his daughter, Alanna, and took his wife and infant daughter into the basement. The wind rocked his home, causing ripped siding to smash against his windows.
The Kentucky Court of Appeals has affirmed the 1989 first-degree manslaughter conviction of a Prestonsburg woman in connection with the November 1988, shooting death of James Ronald Hudson, 39, of Prestonsburg. Karon Couch, 31, was tried and convicted on August 7, 1989, in Floyd Circuit Court.
Many Prestonsburg businesses face significant increases in their costs for having garbage removed, but the full effect of rate increases, adopted Monday by city council, won't be felt for at least a year.
After an extended debate, council voted Monday to adopt an amended ordinance establishing new rates for commercial garbage pickup, and setting new regulations for all residents who use city sanitation services. Residential fees of $8 per month were unchanged by the new ordinance.
Six members of the Prestonsburg Fire Department's diving team were in South Shore Monday and Tuesday, assisting police officials in the search for a possible drowning victim. Ashland Kentucky State Police dispatcher Dwight Clark said rescuers are looking for Floyd Tackett, 55, of South Shore in Greenup County, who they believe may have drowned after falling into the East Tigert Creek at approximately 1 p.m., Sunday.
Two military canisters found in an open dump near County Line Liquors, Tuesday, morning created a furor before the contents were determined to be harmless. Area 9 Disaster and Emergency Services Director David Chaffins said the DES could not respond to the incident, because it dealt with the military, and his office contacted the Division of Waste Management. The canisters contained Q-A (a solvent), which can only be sold to the federal government, Chaffins said.
Martin City Council membes learned last Wednesday night at their council meeting that the city had won its suit to condemn property owned by Josephine Crisp Hayes. The property is the site of a proposed sewage treatment plant. With the help of the Big Sandy ADD, Martin was awarded a grant to help construct the facility.
There died: Rebecca Stumbo Moore, 87, of McDowell, died Monday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Burnis Mullins, 77, of Grethel, Sunday, at his residence; Willie DeRossett Spears, 82, of Newport, Saturday, at Lakeside Place Nursing Home; Henderson Bays, 69, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Lucy Crum Robinson, 69, of Martin, Thursday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Lealie Poe, 68, of Cridersville, Ohio, formerly of Prestonsburg and McGuffey, Ohio, Sunday, in the Cridersville Nursing Home; Hulda Cook, 91, of Willard, Ohio, formerly of Dry Creek, Wednesday, at the Hillside Acres Nursing Home in Willard, Ohio; Glenn E. Woods, 59, of Emma, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; June G. Webb, 64, of Wayland, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Clyde Boling, 81, of Rock Fork at Garrett, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Polly Ann Blair Williams, 95, of Martin, Sunday, at the Hazard Nursing Home; Susan Virgie Darby, 91, of Cow Creek, April 12, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Nicy Conn Rice, 94, of Banner, Tuesday, at the Markey Cancer Center, Lexington; Harry Fain, 89, of Wheelwright, Wednesday at McDowell Appalchian Regional Hospital; Elizabeth Wells, 72, of Estill, Tuesday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington; Nola Marie Blevins Sword, 74, of Weeksbury, March 30, at Central Baptist Hospital, Lexington.

April 3 and April 5, 1991

Hard times in the coalfields struck home this week with reported layoffs at operations in Floyd and Martin counties. Officials with Branham and Baker Coal Company, headquartered in Prestonsburg, were unavailable, Tuesday, to confirm reports the company had shut down its Beverly Ann tipple at David, Monday, idling at least 100 workers.
Residents of Middle Creek are organizing a neighborhood watch program to combat the problem of 'ongoing' thefts in the area. About 25 citizens met Monday night with Floyd County Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson and Kentucky State Police trooper Ghomer Prater, to obtain information about a group watch to discourage crime in their area.
Two teenagers, including a Floyd County youth, were killed, Monday morning, after the car they were riding in crashed head-on into an embankment at Sitka in Johnson County.
A Middle Creek man has asked state Attorney General Fred Cowan to investigate 'possible violations' of Kentucky election laws which he alleges occurred during Eddie Billips' successful campaign for a seat on the Floyd County Board of Education.
Temperatures soared to 140 degrees during his stay in the Middle East, but when Lieutenant Colonel Gangadher Maddiwar returned home, the warmth he experienced was beyond compare. Members of Our Lady of the Way's staff, where Dr. Maddiwar serves as Chief of Staff, greeted him with cheers and with tears at a welcome home celebration Saturday, at Adams Middle School. Maddiwar who was one of three surgeons assigned to the 47th Field Hospital unit near Bahrain, erlated his experiences while he was in the Middle East.
Federal investigators have uncovered evidence of widespread fraud at 850 of the nation's underground coal mines, including more than 300 in Kentucky, in a probe which focused on the alleged tampering with coal dust samples used to assess miners' risk of black lung disease. According to reports, nearly 500 coal companies ae being fined $5 million for alleged violations in 16 states.
There died: Emily Conley, 85, of Lackey, died early Tuesday morning, at South Williamson Appalachian Regional Hospital; Terry Kevin Isaac, 18, of Bevinsville, Monday, at Cabell Huntington-Hospital from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Johnson County, Monday; Larry Douglas Calhoun, 35, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Denville Leake of Ortonville, Michigan, formerly of Little Paint, Thursday; Elder Curtis Frasure, 83, of Martin, Tuesday at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Howard Douglas Sample Sr., 64, of Milligan College, Tennessee, Wednesday, at his home; Thomas Ward, 72, of Staffordsville, Saturday, at the VA Hospital in Lexington; Maudie Ellen Boyd Porter, 56, of Dana, Thursday, at the residence of a son, Wade M. Boyd of Harold; Gloria June McKenzie Pitts, 58, of Columbus, Ohio, formerly of Auxier, Friday, at the Columbus Hospital; Alice Jean Shelton, 56, of McDowell, Thursday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Joe Kendall (Bud) Allen, 72, of Allen, Saturday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Susan Lorraine Lestor of Lafayette, Indiana, formerly of Prestonsburg, in Lafayette; Dolly Robinson Green, 88, of Wayland, formerly of Town Branch, Thursday, at the Knott County Nursing Home in Hindman; Clyde Boling, 81, of Rock Fork at Garrett, Wednesday at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Emily Shepherd Conley,84, of Lackey, Tuesday at Williamson Appalachian Regional Hospital; Joe Adkins, 69, of Jackson, Michigan, formerly of Dock, Tuesday, at the Veterans Hospital in Jackson, Michigan.

March 27 & March 29, 1991

A published account of an audit of the Floyd County Circuit Clerk's office brought protests from Circuit Court Clerk Frank DeRossett, and from the Administrative Office of the Courts. The audit, released by State Auditor Bob Babbage, cited problems with bank procedures, with cash closeout and with court cost assessments. Geoffrey S. Reed, Deputy Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), confirmed the accuracy of the Times' report, but said it needed to be clarified.
A Pike County woman will be a contestant for the title of Miss Kentucky following her selection in the Miss Sandy Valley Pageant, Saturday night, at the Jenny Wiley Convention Center. Conda Gail Meade, daughter of James Allen and Diana Meade, of Pikeville, performed a modern lyrical dance performance during the talent segment of the competition before judges chose her to represent the area in the Miss Kentucky Pageant.
Thomas Tackett, principal at the James D. Adams Middle School, is encouraging teachers to use school field trip funds to make up for a lack of teaching supplies at the school. Floyd County Assistant Superintendent Russell Frazier said Tuesday, he received a report that teachers are being asked to use field trip money to purchase toner for copier machines at the school.
Construction crews began work recently to link the new Rt. 23 with old Rt. 23 near East Point. The road will connect with a bridge near Highlands Regional Medical Cener on the Auxier Road section of Rt. 23. The bridge and road will cost approximately six million dollars upon completion.
There died: Manis Hackworth, Tuesday, at Hardin Memorial Hospital in Kenton, Ohio; Leo Sturgill, 83, of Pikeville, Thursday, at his residence; John Music, 75, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, at Phelps Community Medical Center; Nora (Donnie) Johnson, 84, of Meally, formerly of Hi Hat, Friday, at the Paul B. Hall Medical Center, Paintsville; Hallie Woods Allen, 83, of Sizemore, in Leslie County, Thursday, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington; Lawrence (Buddy) Brown, 68, of Martin, Tuesday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Larry Calhoun, 35, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital, victim of a gunshot wound; Forrest Stanley Curry, 63, of Banner, Tuesday, at the Veterans Hospital, Lexington; Burns Osborne, 81, of Prestonsburg, formerly of Martin, Wednesday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Addie Lewis Miller, 81, of St. Mary's Ohio, formerly of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at her residence.

20 & March 22, 1991

Former Floyd County Attorney James R. Allen has withdrawn from the race for judge on the State Court of Appeals for Division 2 in Kentucky's 7th District. Allen said he is withdrawing from the race for personal and financial reasons. Allen said Monday that he has two daughters, one in college and another entering in the fall, adding 'I just don't feel I can afford the money it requires to cover 21 counties.
The Department of Education will hold a regional meeting to gather public input, Tuesday, March 26, at 7 p.m., at the Adams Middle School in Prestonsburg. The meeting will be to gather opinions and suggestions for Kentucky's plan for early adolescents, and discuss national recommendations made in a report published by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
The World Market will be coming to Eastern Kentucky, if plans for a satellite office of the Kentucky World Trade Center come together. City officials and House Majority Leader Greg Stumbo, met Monday in Lexington with members of the Kentucky World Trade Center to discuss locating a branch office in Prestonsburg.
The City of Wheelwright is no longer without local police protection as Charles Harmon was hired to fill the position of Police Chief on a temporary basis. Harmon, a resident of East Point, is a former police officer for the City of Martin, and he served under Sheriffs Henry Hale and Paul Hunt Thompson. The City of Wheelwright will continue to accept applications for the position of Police Chief until March 25.
Prestonsburg City Patrolman Mike Conn has completed a 400- hour training program at the Police Academy at Eastern Kentucky University at Richmond.
The Floyd County Board of Education voted last week to authorize the Kentucky's Opry's Billie Jean Osborne to coordinate music and theater education in all of the county's schools.
A Pike County teacher was convicted, Wednesday, of reckless homicide in the 1988 traffic death of a 9-year-old Pike County boy. Phamon Tackett, 56, a teacher at Elkhorn City High School, was found guilty by a Pike County Circuit Court jury, and given a minimum one-year prison sentence.
A large crowd bearing American flags and banners of support, turned out for Patriot's Day celebration in Martin, Thursday afternoon.
There died: Frank Stambaugh, 73, of Meally, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Margaret Jane (Peg) Hill Hewlett, 84, of Prestonsburg, Thursday; Naulty Gayheart, 80, of Beaver, March 18, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; George Paul Chidester Jr., 67, of Jacksonville, Florida, formerly of Floyd County, Saturday, at Humana Hospital in Orange Park, Florida; Alka M. Scott, 65, of Garrett, Friday, at University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington; Dewey Lee Allen, 74, of Banner, Monday, at his residence; Lissie Slone Rose, 84, of Pierceton, Indiana, formerly of Blue River, Sunday, at Whitley County Hospital in Pierceton; Denise (Dee) Oliver, 25, of Jeffersontown, Tuesday, of injuries suffered in a fire; Ruby Moore Akers, 50, of Price, Tuesday, at her residence; Mary Thelma Ratliff, 61, of Albion, Michigan, Friday, at her home; Mitchell Johnson, 80, of Wheelwright, March 8, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Goldie Hal Meyers, 61, of Wheelwright, Tuesday, at the home of her son, Curtis Meyers of Columbus, Ohio.

March 13-15

Floyd County patriots unite. The Floyd County Chapter of the American Red Cross has planned a day for patriots. The Chapter will unfurl the flags on National Patriots: Flags Across America, on Thursday, March 21. The program, tentatively set to begin at 1 p.m., amidst ripples of Red, White, and Blue at Martin, will include speeches, singing of patriotic songs, and a salute to the military personnel and to their parents.
There was no shortage of input at Tuesday's board of Education meeting in Wheelwright, with 14 speakers signed up to talk to the board during the public comment session. Speakers ranged from teachers to parent groups to a high school student, with each expressing their concerns about problems in the school system.
A double shooting near Oil Springs, in Johnson County has been ruled a case of murder, suicide, according to Johnson County coroner J.R. Frisby. Kentucky State Police reports indicate that Rick O'Neil Balwin, 36, was found dead shortly after 2 a.m., Wednesday, on Little Pigeon Road near Rt. 580 at Oil Springs, apparently from single gunshot wounds to the head. A Pike County man has been lodged in the Floyd County jail following the weekend shooting of a Floyd County man at his home at Price. According to State Police reports, Ralph G. 'Jerry' Newsome, 26, of Virgie was charged with murder in connection with the Saturday morning shooting death of Gregory Dean Perry.
'All I want to do is go home, get some rest and enjoy some peace,' said Eddie Watkins of Middle Creek, one of Floyd County's first soldiers to return from active duty in the Persian Gulf War. 'The first thing I want to tell people is that I am not a .50 caliber machine gunner,' joked Watkins as he hugged his mother, 'I am a Dragon gunner.'.
There died: Junior O. Perry, 74, of Albion, Michigan, Thursday, at Marshall Manor Care Center; Maude Wallen Gibson, 92, former Prestonsburg resident, Tuesday, at the residence of her daughter, Mae Belle Crites in Camden, Tennessee; Mary Vaughan Webb, 86, of Princeton, West Virginia, formerly of Dwale, Thursday; Ethel Conley Wills Pulliam, 74, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday; Gregory Dean Perry, 28, of Hi Hat, Saturday; Joseph Hawley Stephens, 28, of Hi Hat, Sunday; Mary Elizabeth Wolverton, 71, of Allen, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Denise (Dee) Oliver, 25, of Jeffersontown, Ohio, Tuesday, of injuries suffered in a fire; William Bill Hall, 60, of Prestonsburg, Friday at VA Hospital in Lexington; Ellis Green Hall, 69, of Banner, Thursday, at Methodist Hospital at Pikeville; Walton Davis, 68, of Flint, Michigan, formerly of Wayland, Monday, at Hurley Medical Center; Byron (Rig) Thompson, 72, of Lucasville, Ohio, Wednesday, at Southern Ohio Medical Center; Lawrence Prater, of Amherst, Ohio, Tuesday, victim of a heart attack; Nannie Rhoton, 81, Sunday, at her residence at Martin.

March 6-8,1991

Billie Jean Osborne had a dream and the reality was the Kentucky Opry. Prestonsburg City Councilman Jerry Fannin had a dream, and the reality will be a permanent home for the Opry. Fannin's idea resulted from an ongoing effort to find a base of operations for the Kentucky Opry, a music education and tourism development project spearheaded by Osborne. Fannin's proposal, which he said came to him in a dream, is a reincarnation of a shelved revitalization project'a proposal to build a multi-level parking garage downtown'that, with a few alterations, will eventually become a Prestonsburg Civic Center and home to the Kentucky Opry.
A contractor on the Left Beaver High School project claims in a lawsuit filed Friday, that he has not been paid for work his company has performed, while alleging a second company has been paid for work it didn't do.
Operators of Prestonsburg's Riverview Manor Nursing Home won't know until May if their effort to add 60 beds at the local facility will be successful.
.Riverview Manor's request to expand was reviewed Tuesday in Frankfort at a hearing before the State Certificate of Need Authority. If approved, the expansion proposal will add 60 certified nursing facility beds to Riverview Manor's existing 121-bed facility.
Wheelwright Police Chief James Newsome has apparently left that post, according to Wheelwright City Councilman David 'Marlee' Samons, who said the officer turned in equipment, uniforms and his police cruiser this week.
Prestonsburg City officials will meet an architect and other interested parties today (Friday) at 2:00 p.m., to 'brainstorm' and discuss ideas for practical application to the proposed four-story building to house the Kentucky Opry in downtown Prestonsburg.
Plans are underway for a Floyd County Chapter of Mother's Against Drunk Driving, MADD.
A 25-member task force was named in Frankfort, Wednesday, to study the issue of returning more coal severance tax money to coal producing counties. House majority Leader Greg Stumbo and Harlan County Senator Charles Berger were named co-chairmen of the committee that will meet March 27 to discuss the best way to distribute more coal severance tax money to the coal counties.
The war is over and the event that all America has been waiting for has begun'the soldiers are returning home. Two Floyd Countians who were part of the fire and fury of Operation Desert Storm will be returning home in March for a respite from their battle operations.
There died: Reggie Watkins, 79, of Lackey, and Mt. Dora, Florida, Saturday, at his residence; Adaline Ramey Castle Lilly, 79, of East Point, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Oliver McKinney, 74, of Betsy Layne, Saturday, at his residence; Jenny Arrington, 89, of Martin, Thursday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Sadie Christine Shepherd Slone, 70, of Blue River, Sunday; Ralph Hall, 70, of Dana, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Virginia King Henry, 69, of Minnie, Thursday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Bobby J. Hicks, 56, of Howe, Indiana, Sunday, at LaGrange Hospital; Willard Johnson, 53, of Teaberry, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Dennis Patrick (Peanut) Reynolds, 19, was found dead at his home at Beaver, Tuesday; Walton Davis, 68, of Flint, Michigan, formerly of Floyd County, Monday, at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan from injuries received in an automobile accident; Ralph Hall, 70, of Dana, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center.

February 27-March 1

A coalition of economic development organizations in Floyd and Pike counties has been formed to secure, develop and promote a 500-acre industrial park located near Pikeville and Prestonsburg.
Due to the number of eleventh grade students in this area, Floyd County was allotted five positions to fill for Governor's Scholars, and competition was fierce among area high school scholars for this top academic position. To be considered for the honor, students had to be at the top of their class. To win the honor, students had to excel, and Anthony Lee Little, a 17-year-old junior at Wheelwright High School excelled. He was selected as a Governor's Scholar with four Betsy Layne High School students last week.
A Lexington engineering firm has been employed to perform a location and cost analysis for a new, 18-hole golf course at Jenny Wiley State Park.
For Lisa Meade of Abbott Creek, supporting American soldiers involved with Operation Desert Storm has become a personal mission. Meade has written letters to approximately 26 American soldiers from Floyd County, and plans to write to every Floyd County soldier possible. 'I just want to thank them for the job they are doing. To thank them for my children's future,' said Meade. 'I don't have any relatives over there, but I really want them to know that we support them and have them in our prayers.' Meade said she started writing to the soldiers January 26, with a letter to Marine Brian Caudill.
Representatives of local businesses recently participated in a shoplifting prevention program offered by the Prestonsburg Police Department in an effort to curb losses to thieves.
An inmate at the Floyd County jail was charged Tuesday, with 21 counts of first degree arson after allegedly setting a fire at the jail late Wednesday night. Eddie Dean Hall, 18, was charged after allegedly setting fire to mattresses and pillows at the jail.
There died: Nora Joseph Jones, 83, of Langley, formerly of Hueysville, Thursday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Viola Tackett Bailey, mother of Senator Benny Ray Bailey, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Regina Kathleen Staup, 66, of Fairborn, Ohio, Saturday, in Greene Memorial Hospital; Ada Hall Martin, 75, of Paxton, formerly of Floyd County, Friday, at Kettering Memorial Hospital; Magalene Lemaster Gilliland, 72, of Langley, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Edgar Childers, 73, of Topmost, Saturday, at his residence; Evelyne Tackett Bentley, 59, of Teaberry, Tuesday, at her residence; Lennie Samons Peters, 95, of Martin, Wednesday, at the Riverview Manor Nursing Home; William Virgil Combs, 83, of East Point, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center.

February 20-22

Circuit Judge Stephen Nick Frazier, Chief Circuit Judge for the 7th Judicial District, filed suit Tuesday in Floyd and Martin Circuit Courts, claiming that his opponent in the 24th Judicial Circuit is not eligible for the position.
Slippery roads Friday in Floyd County prevented two members of the fiscal court from attending their regularly scheduled meeting, but the court conducted business as usual and heard from several citizens who braved the weather.
Local air forces recruiter Staff Sergeant Jason Pavolko, of the United States Army, said this week that the Persian Gulf War has not had a profound effect on local recruting efforts.
The Floyd County Times will hold its second annual fashion show 'An Evening To Remember' Sunday, February 24, beginning at 6 p.m., at the Holiday Inn of Prestonsburg.
The Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance Companies have initiated a program which will waive one full six-month renewal premium for automobile insurance policyholders called to active military duty.
Floyd County Attorney Jim Hammond said Thursday that he believes the county's method of dealing with DUI cases is effective and appropriate, despite criticism in a recent story in a Lexington newspaper.
Civic and governmental leaders from Floyd and Martin counties are promoting a plan to relocate a connector road that will link new Route 23 to the existing Route 23. The officials are pressing the state to redesign the connector to tie the new, four-lane route to the recently four-laned Route 3 leading to Inez.
There died: Angeline Spears George, 80, of Betsy Layne, Saturday, in the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Gory Porter, 80, of Dwale, Monday, at the Livingston Regional Hospital, Livingston, Tennessee; Charlie Branham, 92, of Wheelwright, Friday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Billy Virgil Johnson, 60, of Weeksbury, Saturday, at McDowell Appalchian Regional Hospital; Isaac Lee Hurd, 75, of Martin, Monday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center; Perry Crider, 84, of Prestonsburg, Monday, at Knott County Nursing Home; Elizabeth Akers, 75, of River, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Fannie Vanderpool Newman, 90, of McDowell, Wednesday, at the McDowell Appalachian Hospital; Herbert (Hub) Wallen, 81, of Martin, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Sena Miller, 75, of Tucson, Arizona, Tuesday at North West Hospital in Tucson; Hurschel Hatcher Stratton, 76, of Prestonsburg, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; William Virgil Combs, 83, of East Point, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center.

February 13, 1991 and February 15, 1991

Part of an agreement which settled a 10-day teachers' strike last fall was called illegal Tuesday by an attorney representing Floyd County school administrators.
Two people were found unconscious in their home at David Tuesday morning, after they were overcome by carbon monoxide fumes from a faulty furnace.
Members of the David Volunteer Fire Department responded to the home of Joe and Nora Ousley near Open Fork Road on Rt. 850 at David, and removed Nora Ousley from the hallway of the mobile home. Joe Ousley was found in the living room and removed by a neighbor, Arnold Hicks, before firefighters arrived on the scene. David firefighters Chuck Bishop and Jeff Shepherd, both certified emergency medical technicians, administered aid to the victims before they were transported to a local hospital.
Circuit Judge candidate Barkley Sturgill has confirmed widespread rumors that he is withdrawing from that race, setting up a two-man contest in November.
Parents at Betsy Layne High School are becoming frantic over an increase in the number of in-school fights and the severe beating of one female student while at school.
There died: Codie Newsome, 68, of Betsy Layne, Monday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Lona Crawford Mullins, 82, of David, Saturday, at the Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington; Hilton Henderson Garrett, 96, of Wheelwright, Friday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Arnold Howell, 77, of Lettering, Ohio, formerly of Floyd County, Thursday at his residence; Mary E. Lowe, 67, of Endicott, Tuesday; Katie Ann Yates, 85, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Willard Collins, 75, of Auxier, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Carl Prichard Elkins, 82, of Harold, Wednesday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospita; Verdie Patton, 76, of McDowell, Wednesday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital.

February 6 & February 8, 1991

A day-long conference Saturday, sponsored by We Are Floyd County will be the first event held at the new Jenny Wiley Convention Center and will feature two keynote speakers. Thomas Boysen, Kentucky's Commissioner of Education, and Ben Ross, executive director of the Eastern Kentucky Jobs Creation Authority, will address the theme of the conference: Education, concerns about the environment and economic development will be discussed.
The cost of mailing a First-Class letter jumped roughly 16 percent Monday, February 4, when the price of a 25' stamp increased to 29'.
A conflict between the architect and construction manager of Left Beaver High School could be a topic of discussion at February's meeting of the Floyd County Board of Education.
The Big Sandy Area Development District has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, according to U.S. Congressman Chris Perkins.
A Floyd County woman was killed last Friday when the car she was riding was struck broadside by a truck on U.S. 23 at Harold.
A Middle Creek farm owned by Floyd County Judge-Executive John M. Stumbo was burglarized earlier this week.
Floyd County Board of Education members will honor Wheelwright teacher Carol Stumbo for being chosen as one of the nation's five Christa McAuliffe scholars. The meeting will be held at Betsy Layne High School at 6 p.m., Tuesday. The developer of the Glyn View Plaza in Prestonsburg has been ordered to pay more than $285,000 in overdue bank loans to Lexington banks by Fayette County Circuit Judge Rebecca Overstreet.
There died: Adron Herbert Ratliff Sr., 62, of Endicott, January 31, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington; Hattie Conn Kilburn, 66, of Hueysville, Sunday at McCray Memorial Hospital in Kendallville, Indiana; Martha Hall Newsome, 75, of Teaberry, February 1, at Harold, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident; Bennie Marshall, 67, of Honaker, Sunday at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Margaret Calhoun, 88, of Prestonsburg, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Green B. Kidd, 92, of Harold, Sunday, at his residence; Cecil Adams, 59, of Etna Green, Indiana, formerly of Floyd County, Sunday; Jack Z. Martin, 63, of Prestonsburg and Huntington, West Virginia, Monday, at St. Mary's Hospital; Edward Lee Ray, 77, of Martin, died Monday at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Bessie Terry Skiver, 67, of Wayland, Monday, at her residence.
Curtis Slone, 71, of Melvin, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Hattie Conn Kilburn, 66, of Hueysville, Sunday; Ermal Sturgill, 80, Sunday, at Sterling Heights, Michigan; Curtis Blair, 63, of Bypro, Sunday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Hobert Pack, 76, of Somerset, formerly of McDowell, Thursday, at his residence; Velma Hall Crum, 83, of South Webster, Ohio, formerly of McDowell, Tuesday at the Scioto Memorial Hospital, Portsmouth; Floyd Smith, 64, of Shivley, formerly of Martin, Sunday, at Louisville.

January 30 & February 1, 1991

Coal county legislators have all but conceded defeat in an effort to have coal severance taxes restructured during the current special session of Kentucky's General Assembly, but the proposal could draw priority attention during the legislature's 1992 regular session.
A million dollar site preparation contract for the Prestonsburg High School will have to be re-bid after the contract submitted to the State Department of Education was rejected.
Dr. Thomas Boysen, Kentucky's Commissioner of Education, will be the guest speaker at an event February 9 which will unite 71 community and county organizations in Floyd County.
Sam Campbell, Prestonsburg City Administrator, said Thursday that plans to install lighting on U.S. 23 from the Glyn View Plaza to the Bert T. Combs Bridge may soon be a reality.
F ormer County Magistrate Ed Caudill was granted shock probation Tuesday by Johnson County Circuit Judge Stephen N. Frazier.
A $10 million hospital bond issue was approved at a special meeting of the Floyd Fiscal Court Friday, despite opposition from County Attorney Jim Hammond and District 4 Magistrate Jackie Edford Owens.
There died: Raymond Gearheart, 81, of Hueysville, January 27; Loretta Smith James, 84, of Parkersburg, West Virginia, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Bill Johnson, 67, of Bypro, Saturday at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Arkansas Handshoe, 73, of Hueysville, Tuesday, at HRMC; Lena Sellars Brown, 92, of San Pedro, California, formerly of Prestonsburg; Marshall Davis of Albion, Michigan, Monday at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo; Marie F. Brank, 69, of Wheelwright, Monday at HRMC; Nebraska Martin, 83, of Prestonsburg, formerly of Dry Creek, Thursday, at the HRMC; Noah Howell, 65, of Wayland, Friday, at his residence; Effie Patrick Milby, 88, of Lexington, formerly of Prestonsburg, Sunday, at Central Baptist Hospital; Ira Spears, 85, of Auxier, Tuesday, at HRMC; Oscar Wallen, 74, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at HRMC; Asa Bush, 71, of Harold, Thursday, at his residence; Dr. Hershel Ray Stratton, 68, of Sarasota, Florida, Monday; Dr. Robert Gene Goebel of Anchorage, formerly of Prestonsburg, January 25, in Costa Rica, from injuries sustained in a bicycle accident; Elder Banner Manns, 84, of Hueysville, Thursday, at HRMC

January 23 & 25, 1991

While the world's attention focuses with anger at Iraq's reported treatment of allied prisoners of war, a Floyd County soldier stationed in Saudi Arabia reported Tuesday that Iraqi prisoners are finding a remarkably different approach to captivity on the U.S. side of the battle line.
The constitutionality of an ordinance aimed at regulating hazardous medical waste burned at a local incinerator has been challenged in federal court by Medisin Inc.
Testimony is expected to begin today, Wednesday, in Johnson Circuit Court in the trial of a Van Lear man charged with the May, 1990, murder of a Prestonsburg teen-ager.
A group of Floyd County residents, expressing concern that a new high school will not appear on the horizon of their children and grandchildren, will hold an organization meeting Thursday.
Betsy Layne Volunteer Fire Department has the highest insurance rating for a volunteer department in Kentucky. The fire department recently received a Class 4-rating; most fire departments strive for a Class 6 or 5.
'A homey atmosphere, a place to feel comfortable' will be the major attractions of Adult Day Care Center soon to be located at Archer Park, said Patsy Evans, director of the center.
Former Kentucky State Police trooper Jerome Martin has filed an appeal of his dismissal in Franklin Circuit Court. Martin was fired earlier this month on sexual misconduct charges.
A 20-year-old Floyd County man was charged with first degree robbery for an incident allegedly involving the theft of two pizzas.
A state legislative committee has recommended that Agriculture Commissioner Ward 'Butch' Burnette face impeachment.
A television crew from ABC's Good Morning America program was in Paintsville Thursday to tape a candlelight vigil supporting U.S. troops in the Middle East.
An early Friday morning fire resulted in major smoke and water damage to the home of Buford Slone of Wayland.
There died: Verlie Daniels Ward, 72, of McDowell, Monday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Rhoda Moore Napier, 80, of Garrett, died Saturday, January 19, at the Riverview Manor Nursing Home, Prestonsburg; Otellia Estepp, 67, of Columbus, Ohio, formerly of Drift, died Thursday, at Riverside Hospital in Columbus; Ethel Elliott, 53, of Bevinsville, died Sunday, at McDowell ARH; Elaine 'Bud' Stade Howard, 67, of Martin, died Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Edna Tackett Hall, 71, of Craynor, died Friday, at St. Joseph Hospital; Vannie Sexton, 76, of Martin, Monday, at HRMC; James Adam Click, 39, of Martin, Thursday, at his home; Garfield Castle, 88, of Harold, Sunday, at the Jenkins Hospital; Lora Layne, 77, of Dema, died Monday, at the Shelby Memorial Hospital; Blake Roger Meadows Jr., 47, of David, Thursday, at HRMC; Florence Salyers Woods Bussey, 74, of Allen, died Thursday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Thornie Steve Daniels, 91, of Ashland, formerly of Louisa, died Monday, Jan. 21, at his home; Woodrow Whitaker, 78, of State Road Fork, Prestonsburg, died Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Frank Bailey, 67, of San Antonio, Texas, died January 15 at his home; Kermit Dean Castle, 48, of Shelby, Ohio, formerly of Hueysville, died Wednesday, at Mansfield General Hospital; Eva Robinson, 67, of Langley, Wednesday, at HRMC.

January 16 & 18

Prestonsburg's Abigail Theater, closed since 1965, could regain some of its entertaining quality in the future if a proposal to develop a community center downtown progresses.
Property tax bills for 1990 are in the mail, and Floyd County property owners will be paying more this year, according to Floyd County Property Valuation Administrator Lovel Hall.
Classes at Betsy Layne High School were cancelled yesterday in order for students to attend the funeral of Cynthia Mullins, a Betsy Layne High School student killed in a car crash Saturday in Pike County.
As the war in the Persian Gulf escalates, the efforts of Floyd Countians to show support for American troops have also gotten underway.
With the war less than 24 hours old, Allied bombers in Iraq had reportedly begun dropping leaflets on Iraqui defense positions Thursday, urging soldiers to surrender. Meanwhile, Libyan dictator Moammar Khaddaffi, an ally of Iraq's Saddam Hussein, suggested that the start of hostilities in the Middle East could possibly lead to the beginning of a third world war.
The flames of patriotism will flare at a candlelight rally to support American soldiers stationed in the Middle East on Monday, Jan. 21. The rally will be held at 7 p.m., in the municipal parking lot, located in front of the courthouse in Prestonsburg.
Times reporter Lieutenant Tess Whitmer, who is part of Operation Desert Storm, called her grandparents, Jim and Anna Lamoreaux in Ohio, shortly after the attack on Iraq Wednesday.
Former Harold Merchant E.W. Conn, 93, of Mt. Sterling, died Sunday at the Mary Chiles Hospital. There died: Anthony J. Huber, 33, of Warsaw, Indiana, Thursday, January 10, at the Kosciusko Community Hospital; William Crawford, 56, of Taylor, Michigan, formerly of Hi Hat, Thursday, January 10, at the Oakwood Hospital, Dearborn, Michigan; Alpha Jean Caudill, 63, of Bevinsville, Saturday, January 12, at her residence; Arthur Franklin Hughes, Tuesday at the Central Baptist Hospital.

January 9 & 11, 1991

Former Betsy Layne High School assistant football coach Donnie Ray was arrested Monday evening in connection with a Monday afternoon bomb threat which forced emergency service workers to evacuate students at Betsy Layne High School.
Convention facilities in Floyd County will expand next month when the new Jenny Wiley Convention Center opens for business.
A 30-year-old Langley man was arrested December 26 and charged with three counts of first degree rape and two counts of first degree sodomy after an alleged incident involving two juveniles.
State Representative Greg Stumbo of Prestonsburg was reelected by Democratic legislators this week as House Majority. Leader for the Kentucky General Assembly.
Former Martin postmaster Leslie C. Nelson was sworn in Monday as the new postmaster for the Paintsville office of the U.S. Postal Service.
There died: Melda Lemasters, 70, of Prospect, Ohio, formerly of Floyd County, Tuesday, January 1, at her home; Lenora Hall Ravensburg, 73, of Lake Stevens, Washington, formerly of Topmost, Wednesday, January 2, at the Everett General Hospital; Imelene Craft, 58, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, January 5, at her residence; Rosie Gayheart, 84, of Eastern, Monday, January 7, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; John B. Tackett, 56, of Beaver, Sunday, January 6, at Jewish Hospital; Maggie Webb Allen, 94, of Lexington, formerly of Eastern, Thursday, January 3, at the Lexington Country Place Nursing Facility; James Gilliam, 72, of Wheelwright, Saturday, January 5, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Wanda Setser, 83, of Allen, Wednesday, January 2, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Audie Ellen Shepherd, 69, of Winona Lake, Indiana; Nancy Gibson Hall, 89, of McDowell, Monday, January 7, at her residence; Bruce Shepherd, 72, of East Point, Sunday, January 6, at Paul B. Hall Medical Center; H.B. Flack, 95, of Betsy Layne, died Wednesday, January 2, at the Veterans Hospital in Lexington; Ruth Marie Conn, 63, of Arkansas Creek of Martin; Tuesday, January 8, at HRMC; Johnny G. Mulkey, 62, of Banner, Tuesday, January 8, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Stella Stegall, 80, of Hi Hat, Tuesday, January 8, at McDowell ARH.