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Memory Days 2023

Non-partisan race filings released

person dropping paper on box
Photo by Element5 Digital on Pexels.com

By Jeremy D. Wells

Carter County Times

Candidates running with one of the two major political parties had to be registered prior to the primary elections in May. But those running as an independent, or in one of the non-partisan races – like city council or mayor – had a little longer to file. That window has closed now too, and the final list of candidates running in the general election has been released. 

“If they want to run now, it will have to be a write-in,” county clerk Mike Johnston said. 

Joining Republican Brandon Burton and Democrat Dustin Howard in the race for Judge Executive is Grayson city clerk Duane Suttles. In addition to serving as the current city clerk for Grayson, Suttles served for several years as a Grayson city councilman, and in various administrative capacities and leadership roles for the Grayson Volunteer Fire Department. 

City councilman Troy Combs has a challenger for the role of Grayson’s mayor too. Fred Miller has also registered to run for that office. 

Whoever wins the race will be working with a mix of new and veteran city councilpersons. Running for that office are incumbents Terry Stamper, Sudy Walker, and Bradley Cotten, as well as former councilperson Jennifer Scott McGlone. They’re joined on the ballot by Michael Harper and Dustin Burchett. 

Over in Olive Hill, city councilman Justin Dixon has filed to run against incumbent Jerry Callihan in the city’s mayoral race.

Even with Dixon hoping to move into the mayor’s seat, there is a real race for council in Olive Hill, with seven candidates filing to fill one of the six seats on council. Incumbents Wayne Russell, Eric Rayburn, Chris Bledsoe, Shannon Shutte, and Kirk Wilburn, who stepped in to fill an unexpired term last year, are joined on the ballot by Stevie Clay and Shane Tackett. 

In the soil conservation district, voters will choose between Mike Sexton, of Willard, Lois Barber, of Grayson, and Barry Shaffer, also of Grayson. 

In the school board races, Miranda Tussey is running unopposed in District 2 while Chris Perry is running unopposed in District 5. Both Tussey and Perry were appointed to fill unexpired terms, with Perry filling the seat vacated when Wilburn left the school board for the open city council seat. 

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

The Traveling Wall

Volunteers help erect the Wall war memorial at the American Legion Park in Olive Hill two weeks ago. The wall, and a broad range of associated events, drew a number of visitors to the park last week. (Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)

Pet of the Week: Meet Red

Red is a two-year-old male mixed breed. Red is very friendly, and walks on a leash. His $100 adoption fee includes rabies vaccination and being neutered. Stop by the Carter County Animal Shelter and meet him or call 475-9771 for more information.

Shelter hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday by appointment.

Final Friday: Gallery celebrates Appalachian art in September

Final Friday (Submitted photo)

The Grayson Gallery & Art Center, Inc. will present “Blue Moon of Kentucky – Arts in Appalachia” during this month’s F!nal Fr!days Art Walk in Grayson, KY.  Artists across the region were encouraged to submit original works, especially large format pieces, in a more traditional vein this month to go along with the theme for September.

“They really stepped up,” GGAC Executive Director Dan Click said.  “We’re making room for what looks like the most big-canvas and panel pieces we’ve ever had in the gallery in a single exhibit!”

Over 50 pieces will be on display, with most for sale, and some artists offer up commissioned works as well. The opening reception, free to artists and the public, will take place on Friday, September 29 from 6 – 9 pm. Awards & Announcements will be presented at approximately 7:30 pm, during which four cash and/or purchase awards of up to $50.00 each (along with a blue ribbon) will be given as follows People’s Choice (by popular vote), the GGAC Board Choice, the Brandon Click Memorial and the Pen Lady’s Choice, handed out by Gallery President Amanda Grigsby.

Art will be on display through mid-October for visits during open hours and by appointment. The GGAC is proud to be a Grayson Main Street District Arts & Entertainment venue.

Refreshments will be provided by Catering by Laura, along with water and soft drinks available throughout the evening. A special musical performance by Bluegrass great Don Rigsby, along with his son Andrew Rigsby and Friends will delight the crowd during the evening. Don Rigsby teaches personal music classes in various instruments on various dates and times at the GGAC; contact him at (606) 776-5894 or (606) 738-4778 for information on scheduling and prices.

Plans are in the works to expand the Doug Anglin Arts Education studio and classroom space at the rear of the main gallery in the coming months for open-studio use and workshops.  The GGAC is also considering a part-time “Artist in Residence” who, along with dedicated volunteers, will enable the gallery to have more regular hours of operations. In addition, gallery memberships and the extra benefits included for joining are ongoing and always available to donors. 

Coming up in October will be several seasonal-focused events: the annual Halloween Art Show and Costume Party is set for October 27 with plans to make it even bigger and better. The first Haunted Hustle 5K Run, a fundraiser for the GGAC organized and handled by O Such Race Planners, will take place on October 28 at 5 p.m. at the gallery. Registration and sponsorship forms are available via email or by private message on Facebook. Contact Dan Click: graysongallery@gmail.com and look for the Grayson Gallery & Art Center, Inc. on Facebook for more information.

Olive Hill hears dispute over water lines

A holding tank at the Olive Hill water treatment facility undergoes work. (Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)

By Jeremy D. Wells

Carter County Times

While it can be hard to be patient, and follow the process, that’s what the city of Olive Hill is asking two pairs of city residents to do in unrelated cases.

In one case a resident issued a complaint about an unkempt property, with code enforcement officer Allen Stapleton replying and explaining that notices have been issued in the case. Stapleton told council that the property owner has been given 90 days to bring their property into compliance. However, one of the residents complaining about the property said she doesn’t believe the property owner has any intention of complying and that waiting for 90 days just means three more months of looking at the mess before the city has to take action. But while the resident wasn’t happy with the answer, Mayor Jerry Callihan reminded her there is a process which the city is legally required to follow.

In a similar, but unrelated case, Callihan told another property owner that she needed to provide the resident of an adjoining property access to his water meter so he could make necessary repairs. Callihan also told the property owner that she could not prohibit city employees from accessing those water connections either.

The resident, however, said she hasn’t allowed the neighboring tenant access to fix the water leak problem – which she said was causing erosion and wood rot problems on her property – because she believes there is a problem with water pressure in the neighborhood that means any repairs will be “blown out” again in the future.

She said she blocked access to the meters because she felt the city and her neighbor weren’t hearing her concerns about what she believes to be the underlying issue.

Callihan, however, said that there is no way the pressure should be sufficient to blow out pipes. He said that water runs past the neighborhood to other locations. It isn’t the end of line of pipe where pressure could conceivably continue to build during the overnight hours, when usage drops, as the resident insists is happening.

In addition to Callihan’s explanation that water continues to flow through and past the neighborhood, the water doesn’t follow the pattern of higher morning pressure that steadily drops as the tap remains open which Callihan said he would expect if there was a pressure issue in the neighborhood.

He also told the resident that her problems with water pressure blowing out lines in her family’s hot water tank could be the result of a faulty flow regulator on her side of the meter. Those regulators, he explained, can no longer be made of lead. As a result, more and more are now made of plastic, which breaks and fails more quickly.

Callihan also told her the city could not disconnect the water, no matter how large the leak was, as long as the property owner was paying their bill.

If she wished to pursue legal action against the person with the leak for the purported damage to her property, she was free to do so Callihan said. But that was a civil matter, he explained, and not one for the city to become involved with.

He also reminded her that she was not legally allowed to block city employees from accessing meters, and that she could also be held liable for stopping her neighbor from accessing his water connection.

In other action council heard from Trane on the status of the energy savings project. The representative said once they get the filter in and installed, they are at a stage where they can begin testing the clarifier. He said the filter should be ready by the end of October, and that tanks were in place and additional piping would be installed over the next week.

Kirk Wilburn, a long critic of paying before the city sees progress, made the motion to make the payment – leaving only one more payment due. That motion was seconded by Eric Rayburn, who has also expressed concerns about the lack of progress but was reassured by work he saw when touring the facility.

But while Wilburn and Rayburn may have softened their stance, Wayne Russell remained unmoved. Russell was the lone “no” vote on council, with the motion passing on a four to one vote. Councilperson Shannon Shutte was not present.

Council also held the first reading of the 2023 property tax ordinance after moving to accept the compensating rate of .226 per $100 of valuation.

Council also accepted department reports, and heard from Tammy Moore about an upcoming breast cancer awareness event scheduled for October 30, set Trick-or-Treat for Halloween, October 31, from 6 – 8 p.m. and swore in Jeremy Rayburn for another term on the Code Enforcement Board.

Council also passed a resolution on the centerline project, which authorizes an official list of city streets as recognized by the FIVCO area development district. This list is required in order for the development district to help with funding for city street projects.

Council also entered into the first reading of a new net metering ordinance, which would ease the transition to solar or other alternative energy sources by allowing homes or buildings with renewable energy to feed power to the grid during non-peak hours for a credit on their energy bill.

While there may still be some changes before the final reading, city attorney Derrick Willis explained that he had prepared the summary resolution in conjunction with the Kentucky Municipal Utilities Association, to guarantee they were following all appropriate rules.


Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Student plans horse show

women looking at a horse in the paddock
Photo by Tom Fisk on Pexels.com

By Jeremy D. Wells

Carter County Times


By Jeremy D. Wells

Carter County Times

Class trips should be a fun experience for everyone, but that isn’t always the case. When funds are tight, some families have to make tough decisions – and those may include skipping extracurricular activities. Especially those with a cost.

One West Carter Middle School student though, concerned about classmates whose families might have to make that decision, decided to do something about it. Now she hopes to help fund her school’s end of year eighth grade trip with a fundraiser and donations, beginning with a Fun Show for horse enthusiasts next month in Olive Hill.

The student, who prefers to stay anonymous, telling her mother she, “doesn’t want it to be about her, but rather the whole eighth grade class,” is hopeful the community will come out in support of the event, scheduled for the third Saturday in October at the Carter County Shrine Club Horse Park, and bring along their horses.

In addition to up to 30 competition categories for equestrians, the Fun Show will include a costume contest, an all ages stick horse race, West Carter Middle School Faculty/House races, “unicorn” rides, and a variety of concessions.

It will also feature a guest appearance by Miss Rodeo Kentucky Colby Rice.

All registration will take place the day of the event, with a $5 entry fee for all “fun classes” and a $10 entry fee for championship classes.

There is no admission fee, so everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy the show. Donations for the trip, however, will be accepted.

Gates open at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 21, with the show set to begin at Noon.

The event is officially organized by “Parents of WCMS 8th Grade Students.”

Those interested in making donations may do so at the event, or by contacting the school directly.

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Raiders keep barrel in exciting contest

East Carter Senior Izack Messer holds the barrel as the team listens to coach Tim Champlin post-game.

By Jeremy D. Wells

Carter County Times

The East Carter Raiders started strong and finished strong during the Battle for the Barrel against cross-county rivals West Carter last Friday, but in between the Comets gave the Raiders a fight, with the teams tied 28 all as they entered the final minutes of the game.

But the West defense just wasn’t able to hold, with Landon Yoak, who opened the game with the Raiders’ first touchdown, closing out the game by delivering again with just a minute and 13 seconds left on the clock. West just wasn’t able to rally again after that, and an interception by East’s Jaxon Barker at the 52 second mark gave the Raiders control of the ball again as those final seconds ticked off the clock.

The game’s first quarter, though, ended with a tie – signaling the kind of game fans could expect. The Raiders, as noted, were able to get on the board first, with a Yoak touchdown just past the halfway mark with 5:26 left on the clock.
But the Comets’ Dwaylon Dean responded in kind, giving West Carter their first touchdown three minutes later, with Wyatt Martin bringing the score even on a good kick.

East responded strong in the second quarter, adding another touchdown just over two minutes in, to bring the score to 13-7, and Yoak scoring again at the 4:30 mark to bring the Raiders to a 19-7 lead over the Comets, with a successful two-point conversion bringing the score to 21-7.

It didn’t take West’s Dean long to respond again, with he and Wyatt taking the score to 21-14 two minutes later.

East responded even quicker though, with Ryland Pfau taking control on the return and bringing the score to 27-14 just 12 seconds of play later, and Ryan Carter delivering on the kick again to bring the score to 28-14. That’s where the score would stay as the first half drew to a close. The second half, however, would see the Comets come back and work hard to turn things around.

After a brutal, back and forth third quarter Comets’ quarterback Kale Back connected with Dean at the four minute mark, bringing the score to 21-28 on a good kick.

They nearly tied it up before the quarter ended, with Dean leaping over tacklers and giving the Comets a first down as the final thirty seconds rolled off the clock.

The Comets kept that slow steady momentum in the final quarter, making incremental process against the East defense, and tying the game 28-28 with seven minutes on the clock on a surprise, 26-yard pass from wide receiver Isaiah Bond to quarterback Kale Back.

The next six minutes saw the Raiders take their turn with the ball, bringing the score to 34-28 after their attempt at a second two-point conversion proved unsuccessful. At that point, though, they just needed to hold the Comets’ offense. Which they were able to do until Barker’s interception in the last minute allowed them to take a knee and run down the clock for their victory over West.

West Carter goes into their Friday home game against Russell with a four loss and one win record.

East Carter plays their next game on the road, against Bath County, also on Friday night. They now have three wins and two losses on the season.

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

AS WE SEE IT: What makes a lawsuit frivolous?

photo of coffee mug on top of book
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We’re about to be bombarded with frivolous lawsuit arguments again as a recent incident, involving an elderly woman burning herself on McDonald’s coffee, harkens back to the case which arguably propelled the term into the mainstream in the first place.

The most recent case claims negligence in securing the lid on the coffee, resulting in serious burns to the chest, groin, and thighs of the woman involved – similar to the injuries in the original case. They could have been just as severe as well. That’s because even though the original case wasn’t about the lid, but about the temperature, McDonald’s has reportedly done nothing in the intervening years to address the issue, with the company still reportedly holding their coffee between 176 and 194 degrees.

This is slightly hotter, but in line, with the standard for other establishments. So, this literally could have happened anywhere; and the original case, often referred to as simply The McDonald’s Coffee Case, has been held up by corporate lawyers as the quintessential frivolous lawsuit.

After all, as we’re all aware, coffee is served hot.

But despite the teeth gnashing and howling about “frivolous lawsuits” in the wake of Liebeck v McDonald’s, Stella Liebeck’s injuries were very real, and very serious.

She went into shock, and was taken to the hospital where she was treated for third degree burns over six percent of her body, and lesser burns over another 16 percent. This treatment included skin grafts and an eight day stay in the hospital, and around $20,000 in expected medical bills and lost wages for her daughter during her recovery.
Liebeck asked the corporation to cover those expenses, McDonald’s offered her $800, and the rest is history.

When Liebeck eventually won her suit, a jury awarded her $200,000 in compensatory damages, and $2.7 million in punitive damages meant to send a message to McDonald’s.

That number, while it seems high, wasn’t random.

It’s the amount that the corporation would have made for two days’ worth of coffee sales.

In that context, it’s hardly a huge financial burden on the corporation. And the injuries, as noted, were both real and severe. Yet, the myth remains that Liebeck’s lawsuit was frivolous, even after a judge reduced that amount to a total of $640,000 ($160,000 compensatory and $480,000 punitive) and the plaintiff’s lawyers reached an agreement for an undisclosed amount with the corporation.

One reason for this may have been Liebeck’s own openness and transparency about how the accident happened.

She spilled the coffee on herself, while trying to remove the lid to add cream and sugar. But her claim wasn’t that McDonald’s spilled coffee on her. Her claim was that McDonald’s was requiring franchisees to serve their coffee at an unsafe temperature.

Her injuries stand as testament to that fact.
Stella Liebeck wasn’t faking an injury for a payday. She was pointing out a problem with their procedures, asking them to address it, and to pay for her injuries resulting from this problem.

It’s not an unreasonable ask, and whether you agree with the final verdict or not, there was nothing frivolous about the injuries Liebeck suffered.

While I hope the burns in the recent case weren’t as severe – Liebeck’s sweatpants held hot liquid next to her skin longer, exacerbating her burns – I’m sure it wasn’t a pleasant experience either.

There are, of course, other perspectives than those of the customer.

Despite the old saying, the customer is not always right. Sometimes they’re not only wrong, but they go from simply being wrong and walking away to being indignantly wrong.

If you’ve never seen it yourself (lucky you) the internet is full of videos displaying exactly this type of entitled behavior.

Employees of these restaurants and the franchise holders are members of their communities, not some distant corporate entity. No one believes they want to hurt anyone, or deal with the headache’s that come with lawsuits like this.

But disputes like this are exactly why we have a legal system. So that a jury of our peers may hear

our cases, make a ruling, and a judge may temper that ruling, if necessary, while ensuring it adheres to the letter and the spirit of the law.

The new suit, claiming employee negligence, may even prove to be more harmful for the franchisee than for corporate.

We’ll just have to wait and see how it works out.

One thing is certain in the meantime, though; if McDonald’s had taken Stella Liebeck seriously and addressed the concerns related to temperature in her lawsuit 30 years ago, they likely wouldn’t be finding themselves in hot water today.
And no matter how you feel about assigning blame, there is nothing frivolous about third degree burns.

Getting ready for the fall color

brown leafed tree selective focus photography
Photo by Lina Kivaka on Pexels.com

By Jeremy D. Wells

Carter County Times

The fall colors aren’t here yet, but you can feel the forests getting ready for it. Some of the smaller trees are starting to add a little bit of yellow or red to their still mostly green color palate.
It’s kind of like those opening notes of the orchestra, before the symphony begins. The tuning and the rehearsing. Somewhere in the background a piccolo runs a scale with a trill at the end. Something big is getting ready to happen, but not just yet, and then…

That’s where I feel like we’re at with the autumn colors. I’m not really sure when the colors are going to hit, but I know it isn’t far off now.

I’ve been thinking about that as I drive back and forth across the county.

The autumn is my favorite time of the year, and one of the things I missed most when I lived outside Kentucky was the changing of the leaves.

In Texas the leaves usually stayed green through the winter. If you had leaves change color, it was during the dry, hot part of summer, when they’d wither and turn brown before returning with the rains. While I enjoyed picking fresh tomatoes and peppers from the backyard for salsa to go with Thanksgiving tamales, I missed the fall colors.

Any hopes I had of fall color magic in Colorado vanished as quickly as aspen leaves in the wind – the season short and my time restricted. There was a certain magic in the landscape; the hot air balloons colorful baubles against a background of perpetually snow-capped mountains and a long, flat foreground of farmland and fields.

But in my mind noting compares to the rugged beauty of eastern Kentucky – and she’s at her finest in the fall.

It’s when the leaves begin to change that the diversity of our forests really becomes apparent. Appalachian forests aren’t the solid yellow of an autumn aspen grove, or the evergreen of Texas live oak.

There are a lot of different types of trees here, living close together. Appalachia’s mix of maple, hickory, oak, beech, and poplar join with redbud, dogwood, pawpaw, apple, elder, and a wide diversity of species and varieties to put on a color show that is unrivaled anywhere in the world that I’ve had the pleasure to visit.

At its peak, it’s more than a pretty landscape – it’s an awe inspiring experience. For those who feel closest to their creator when appreciating His creation, like myself, it can be a nearly religious experience.

And all for the price of enough gas to drive a ridge line. I can’t wait.

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Bluegrass Bible Beat: Him that loved us

mountainous valley with evergreen forest against misty sky
Photo by Krivec Ales on Pexels.com
By: Scott Adkins, Sling ‘n Stone Ministry
Carter County Times

We continue our multi-part series, “Who Is Jesus Christ,” with Revelation 1:5’s identifying The Lord as “Him that loved us.” What does that identity mean, and why is that so significant?

“Him that loved us,” sums up the Gospel. We should not ignore the order or sequence of words. That is, the Gospel, our salvation, begins – and ends – with Him. Him who? Him, the Lord Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12:2 describes The Lord Jesus as “the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross.” That’s why the Lord sacrificed Himself to crucifixion’s agonies. Because He “loved us,” even when we were out reveling in sin and debauchery: “God commanded His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).

In Matthew chapter 9, the Lord sat eating with tax collectors; prostitutes; and others whom society despised. The religious folks of His day questioned why the Lord ate with sinners. And “when Jesus heard that, He said… I will have mercy[.]” (Matt. 9:13). As we sat on that bar stool drinking ourselves stupid; as we hated our neighbor; as we lusted after things forbidden to us, He loved us and declared: “I will have mercy.” Yes, the Gospel’s core truth and reason for existing is “Him that loved us.” (Rev. 1:5).

However, folks get so fixated on the Lord’s love for us they fall victim to “easy believism.” What is that? “Easy believism” describes the notion that all one need do is “believe” and maybe utter a little prayer or get baptized to avoid hell’s torments. Hebrews 5:9 debunks that notion, declaring: “He [the Lord Jesus] became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” Obey Him how? Jesus tells us in Mark 1:15: “[R]epent ye, and believe the Gospel.”

Absent repentance, no one avoids eternal damnation; about this fundamental truth, the Lord left no doubt, saying in Luke 13:3-5: “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

So, He loved us (Rev. 1:5); gave Himself for us (Ephesians 5:2), precisely so we could repent and believe His Gospel.

The Lord’s identity as “Him that loved us” says it all. His Gospel and its saving power begins and ends with the Lord Jesus Christ, as do all things. (Rev. 1:8) (“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord.”). For those who make it to heaven, their answer at heaven’s pearly gates cannot be, “because I.” Rather, their answer must be “because He . . . the man on the middle cross . . . He said we could come.” No one else loved us like that. Only He “loved us.”

And if that’s not more than reason enough to declare His Gospel; endure persecution; and, if called upon, suffer death for “Him that loved us,” nothing is.

Weekly arrests report: 9/26/23

The following individuals were arrested and booked into the Carter County Detention Center over the past week. This list includes local arrests only. It does not include federal inmates being housed at or transported through the detention center.

  • Justin Moore, 38, of Greenup, arrested by Greenup County Sheriff, for failure to appear, arrested and booked September 17.
  • Wesley Lawson, 38, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, and failure to wear seat belts, arrested and booked September 17.
  • Caleb McGlone, 32, of Grayson, self-surrender, weekender, arrested and booked September 18.
  • Daniel Cox, 57, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, for non-payment of court costs, fees, or fines, and two counts of failure to appear, arrested and booked September 19.
  • James Sagraves, 54, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky State Police, for failure to appear, and non-payment of court costs, fees, or fines, arrested and booked September 20.
  • Staci Porter, 24, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a charge of theft by unlawful taking – shoplifting, arrested and booked September 21.
  • Lewis Dean, 44, of Olive Hill, arrested by Olive Hill PD, for non-payment of court costs, fees, or fines, arrested and booked September 21.
  • Rachel Moore, 42, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on a probation violation for a misdemeanor offense, and a charge of theft by unlawful taking – automobile valued at more than $500 but less than $1,000, arrested and booked September 21.
  • Cody Hayes, 30, of Grayson, arrested by Bath County S.O., on charges of contempt of court – libel/slander – resistance to order, and failure to appear, arrested and booked September 21.
  • Christopher Webb, 34, of Morehead, arrested by Olive Hill PD, on charges of no registration receipt, no registration plates, first degree fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle), speeding 26 MPH or more over speed limit, failure to register transfer of a motor vehicle, reckless driving, failure to maintain required insurance, driving on a DUI suspended license (with aggravating circumstances), failure to comply with helmet law, and failure to appear, arrested and booked September 21.
  • Gary Stephens, 57, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of first degree fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle), first degree criminal mischief, operating a motor vehicle under the influence, second degree assault on a service animal, second degree fleeing or evading police (on foot), speeding 26 MPH or more over the speed limit, resisting arrest, reckless driving, and improper turning, arrested and booked September 21.
  • Travis Adkins, 27, of Olive Hill, arrested by Olive Hill PD, for failure to appear, arrested and booked September 22.
  • Chad Kees, 45, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and first degree wanton endangerment – police officer, arrested and booked September 22.
  • Jason Ruth, 47, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Circuit Court, for drug court, arrested and booked September 22.
  • Chase Burchett, 23, of Olive Hill, self-surrender, weekender, arrested and booked September 22.
  • David Justice, 53, of Garrison, arrested by Carter County Detention Center, on a charge of alcohol intoxication in a public place, arrested and booked September 22.
  • Shawna Rose, 44, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on two counts of failure to appear and a single count of failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked September 22.
  • Joseph Fultz, 58, of Sandy Hook, arrested by Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, for failure to appear, arrested and booked September 22.
  • Derrick Hale II, 18, of Denton, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of no tail lamps, failure to wear seat belts, no registration receipt, no registration plates, failure to produce an insurance card, failure to register the transfer of a motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, arrested and booked September 23.
  • Philip Porter, 39, of Olive Hill, arrested by Olive Hill PD, on four counts of failure to appear, and a single count of non-payment of court costs, fees, or fines, arrested and booked September 23.
  • Drew Rayburn, 29, of Olive Hill, self-surrender, weekender, arrested and booked September 23.
  • Caleb Campbell, 27, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, on two counts of failure to appear, arrested and booked September 23.
  • Rick Hargis, 56, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, on a charge of violating a Kentucky Emergency
  • Protection Order/Domestic Violence Order, arrested and booked September 24.
  • Dalton Tolliver, 18, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on a charge of alcohol intoxication in a public place, arrested and booked September 24.
  • William Sloas, 52, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, on charges of first degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), and failure to appear, arrested and booked September 24.
  • Wayne Weber, 44, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on charges of theft by unlawful taking or disposition of items valued at more than $10,000 but less than $1,000,000, first degree criminal mischief, and third degree criminal trespass, arrested and booked September 24.
  • Amanda Bailey, 35, of Grayson, arrested by Boyd County Jail, on three counts of non-payment of court costs, fees, or fines, arrested and booked September 24.
  • Santana Adkins, 19, of Sandy Hook, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on charges of probation violation (for a felony offense), and contempt of court – libel/slander – and resistance to order, arrested and booked September 24.
  • Joseph Cole, 42, of Morehead, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a probation violation, for a felony offense, arrested and booked September 24.
  • Cynthia Sargent, 38, of Sandy Hook, arrested by Grayson PD, for failure to appear, arrested and booked September 25.
  • Caleb McGlone, 32, of Grayson, self-surrender, weekender, arrested and booked September 25.
  • William Erwin, 31, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence, failure to or improper signal, first degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia, no registration receipt, no registration plates, improper registration plate, no motorcycle operator’s license, and failure to maintain required insurance, arrested and booked September 25.
  • Mark Newman, 29, of Irvine, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on charges of theft by unlawful taking or disposition automobile valued at more than $1,000 but less than $10,000, theft by unlawful taking or disposition- firearm, and theft by unlawful taking or disposition of other items valued at more than $1,000 but less than $10,000, arrested September 15, booked September 25.
  • Charles LeMaster, 62, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence, failure to wear seat belts, failure to produce insurance cards, inadequate silencer/muffler, and careless driving, arrested and booked September 25.
  • Johnny Puckett, 40, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, for failure to appear, arrested and booked September 25.
  • Rebecca Underwood, 49, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of first degree possession on a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of marijuana, improper prescription container substitution, and possession of drug paraphernalia, arrested and booked September 25.
  • Casey Moore, 24, of Ashland, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of careless driving, menacing, and resisting arrest, arrested and booked September 25.

All of the charges listed are arrest charges only, and do not indicate an indictment or a conviction for the charges in question. All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Information is compiled from publicly available sources, but may not be comprehensive.

We Americans cannot win this shooting war against ourselves

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By: Keith Kappes
Columnist
Carter County Times

There is an old joke about eight idiots who formed a firing squad in a circle and then shot and killed each other.

That analogy seems to fit our nation today as we see what amounts to a pandemic of gun violence, especially in large cities where thousands of shootings are reported each year and even in Lexington where four died last weekend. Innocent persons, including children, often are caught in the crossfire of those trying to kill each other. The growing death toll of law enforcement officers has become a barrier to the recruitment of new officers. Most of the murders or attempted murders of husbands and wives in domestic disputes involve firearms. Hiding behind the Second Amendment, state legislatures have relaxed gun laws to the point that you can easily purchase assault rifles that are designed specifically to kill other human beings. Police tactical squads frequently find they are outgunned by the criminals they must engage in gun battles. Police organizations with access to armored vehicles designed for military use are criticized for protecting themselves in such fashion. An incident in Texas a few years ago resulted in howls of protest when police used a remote control “killer robot” to get close to a man who had ambushed and killed five police officers. The shooter was killed when the robot’s explosive charge was detonated. For nearly 100 years, carrying a concealed deadly weapon was a crime in this nation but now virtually anyone can do so without any training, criminal background checks or other restrictions. Now it is easy to anonymously purchase a firearm online or at a gun show or at a festival. And lawmakers consistently refuse to force the mentally ill to give up their weapons. A popular tee shirt among guns rights supporters has this scary message: “Guns don’t kill people – I kill people!” Contact Keith at keithkappes@gmail.com.

Legislative Update: Lawmakers building budget as 2024 Session approaches

By: Patrick Flannery
Representative, State of Kentucky

The pace picked up quite a bit this month as the clock is running on our work to prepare for the 2024 Regular Session. Historically, the biggest task on the agenda during even-year sessions is passing a two-year spending plan for state programs and agencies. As you can imagine, this is a major effort and even more so if you are as committed as we are to getting it right. We only have one chance to invest a dollar and we owe it to taxpayers to make sure we do so in ways that benefit Kentuckians today and for generations to come.

 This philosophy makes the work of the Appropriations and Revenue Committee critical. As a member of the committee, I work with House leadership and the legislature’s budget officials to craft a spending plan that we will introduce in January. Please let me know if you would like additional information, or visit the legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov for a link to the committee documents and the recorded meetings. IJC on Appropriations and Revenue: Members met to discuss important issues with stakeholders across the commonwealth, featuring an update from the University of Kentucky on their academic, facility, cost, and debt conditions. Additionally, the University of Louisville and Murray State University presented on their cybersecurity programs and role in cybersecurity for the commonwealth. Representatives from the Teachers Retirement System and the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority provided updates on Kentucky’s pensions. Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Protections BR Sub: Members heard testimony regarding the implementation of SB 15 from the 2023 Legislative Session. This bill was an effort to protect and inform the people of the commonwealth about how data gathered from their consumer appliances, medical devices, government tools, and personal electronics are being collected and used. Based on a similar bill recently passed in Virginia, the bill also outlined six rights for consumers including the right to delete gathered data, the right to know where their data is being used, and the right to opt out of having their data sold. While this bill did not pass during session, I expect there to be similar legislation filed in 2024.  General Government, Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement BR Sub: Lawmakers met to discuss the tax implications of a new practice sweeping the nation: working from home. Local governments across the state utilize taxes collected from employees working from home differently, and as the interest in this practice grows, I fully expect the legislature to investigate the best practice in taxing labor. Health and Family Services BR Sub: Members heard an update on the current financial standings within Medicaid, including what has been expended and utilized through the current fiscal year. With drug prices on the rise as well as the overall cost of healthcare, there has been a significant increase in budget projections for the 2024 fiscal year. As we approach our budget session, I anticipate more conversations to be had revolving around the best way to cater to the Medicaid program.  Transportation BR Sub: Members heard from the Department of Aviation (KDA), Department of Vehicle Registration, and Dreamflights Charities. The department shared that the world of aviation is complex, ever developing, and capital intensive with major projects planned for the coming years. They are currently working on a two phased economic output study to determine the extent that investment in airports and aviation can benefit the Commonwealth. Next, the Department of Vehicle Registration presented that their annual revenue is $420 million, with the CDL programming making them eligible for an additional $700 million in federal funding. Finally, Director Drew Edwards of Dreamflights Charities shared their goal to be an opportunity for youth interested in aviation. Dreamflights offers discovery flights for youth in a place for the first time, helps with training youth up to their first solo flight, and awards scholarships to aspiring aviation students.  Education BR Sub: Lawmakers heard from various stakeholders in Kentucky’s education system. The first testimony was given by the Department of Education and it focused on SEEK funding to state school districts. Unfortunately, 58 school districts will see a decrease in SEEK funding due to decreased attendance numbers. Statewide, schools have seen a loss of 28,102 days of attendance. Since so much of education funding is based on attendance, we will continue looking at what is causing the decrease and how we can adjust for it. As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via e-mail at patrick.flannery@lrc.ky.gov. You can also keep track of committee meetings and potential legislation through the Kentucky legislature’s home page at legislature.ky.gov. 

Pathfinder partners with Planet Youth

Planet Youth Logo - official Partner logo from Planet Youth (Submitted photo)

Olive Hill is charting a new course to steer their children through the troubled waters of substance abuse. What can a team of dedicated volunteers from a small rural community in Appalachia learn from an isolated Island in the North Atlantic Ocean known as the land of fire and ice? An effective life-saving method that has been proven around the globe.

Led by the Galaxy Project, a well-established youth advocacy organization, and The Warriors’’ Path of Kentucky, this closely knit Kentucky Trail town has spent more than a year creating the Olive Hill Pathfinder Initiative Coalition (OHPIC). The Warriors’ Path of Kentucky offered the Olive Hill community the opportunity to be the pilot program for a project which seeks to implement the Icelandic Prevention Model (IPM) throughout Eastern Kentucky. Other communities were considered, but Olive Hill was chosen, not only because of the documented need, but because of the strength of their volunteers and nonprofit organizations.

With the Galaxy Project serving as fiscal agent and liaison with the school system; the Arts and Education Center, Olive Hill Trail Town, Chamber of Commerce, Olive Hill Council for Planning and Restoration, Churches and others created the Coalition. 

The Coalition has joined with Planet Youth of Iceland and has become the first in Eastern Kentucky to adopt what is known as the most effective substance abuse prevention program in the world. The IPM is evidence based, data-driven and used in more than 400 communities worldwide. Thanks to funding from the City of Olive Hill,The Pallottine foundation and Operation Unite and with support from Pathways, Eastern Kentucky University, Northeast Kentucky Substance Use Response Coalition, Operation Unite and many more, they have become the first to implement this game changing program east of the “Winchester Wall”.

Although the first in our region, the Coalition has been closely mentored by the first such program in the state; Franklin County’s “Just Say Yes ” program and guided by the Planet Youth team from Iceland, whose Chief Executive Officer; Pall Rikhardsson will visit Olive Hill this weekend. Mr. Rikhardson will be speaking Monday, the 25th of September in Frankfort at a statewide prevention conference co-sponsored by Just Say Yes and OHPIC.

According to Chelsa Hamilton, Executive Director of the Galaxy Project, key components of the program include the promotion of strong family connections, supporting the school system, enhancing extracurricular activities and collecting data to determine risk factors and the scope of the problem.

The model shifts teen substance use prevention efforts away from a traditional focus on individual behavior change and toward addressing the societal and environmental factors that have contributed to the crisis, while creating a path toward life-long health and wellness. The Coalition will strive to connect Olive Hill’s children to after-school and out-of-school programs that emphasize outdoor recreation, art, music, sports, horseback riding and other interests. The goal is not only to teach teens to say no, but create opportunities for them to say yes to the right choices. According to Max Hammond of the Warriors’ Path, the Pathfinder Initiative will strive to engage participants in activities outside school to build their sense of belonging, strengthen their social connections, establish pride in themselves and help them discover their best path forward.

Olive Hill Author To Attend “It’s Fall Y’all” Festival

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Author Willie Davis has written a two-volume historical fiction novel on Olive Hill, Kentucky. Davis will attend the 7th Annual “It’s Fall Y’all” Harvest and Craft Festival on Saturday, October 7th at the Olive Hill Welcome Center.

“Willie lives in Mansfield, Ohio,” say Welcome Center Director Lisa Conley. “He was excited to come and meet those who have previously purchased the books and autograph any newly purchased books from the Welcome Center.”

The theme behind the two-volume set is how one small Appalachian town of Olive Hill can lay claim to helping build the greatest country on earth.

Olive Hill follows the fictitious Reed family from May, 1800 to June, 1959. The two volumes integrate 339 fictional characters into 159 years of American history to tell how Olive Hill gave all that it had in a time it was most needed until a time it was needed no more.

“Olive Hill, Kentucky has a surprising creation story,” says author Willie Davis. “Hundreds of thousands of Kentucky’s sons and daughters migrated to the industrial north in the 1940’s and 50s without realizing how their past had helped build America. My family was among them. I became determined to tell Olive Hill’s storied past.”

Davis’ Olive Hill books will be available for purchase at a substantial Welcome Center discount.

“The “It’s Fall Y’all” Harvest and Craft Festival is held annually at the Welcome Center on Railroad Street in Olive Hill,” says Lisa. “There will be over 60 vendors of a wide variety (hot foods, hand-made crafts, woodworking, baked goods, jams & jellies, homemade pork rinds, clothing boutiques, flowers, handmade jewelry, art, crocheted items, and more).  Schools, civic organizations, non-profit organizations, churches, as well as different artisans will be set up.  One of our big attractions is Olive Hill Trail Town’s all cast iron cooking with soup beans, cornbread, and cobblers done over the fire.  We will have live music, games for kids, and events for teens and adults.  Ax throwing this also available this year as well.  

For further information contact Lisa Conley at friendsofthedeot@outlook.com or

606-315-5787

Members Choice Credit Union celebrates the grand opening of its Grayson Office

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Members Choice Credit Union will celebrate the grand opening of its new Grayson Office with a ribbon-cutting event on October 2nd and a week of festivities. The 14,000-square-foot building unites Carter and surrounding counties’ various members and community needs. This new branch welcomes community members to a first-of-its-kind shared space, combining financial services with a community room and dine-in eatery.

The new construction features a contemporary layout while showcasing the roots of the credit union’s foundation. The new office also boasts a new bakery for the community. Double Drizzle will be opening its second location in the retail space of the Members Choice CU Grayson. Double Drizzle will expand to drive-thru services and bring various eatery options from breakfast, lunch, dinner, and celebrations!

“We are committed to evolving with our members, anticipating and meeting their needs today and tomorrow,” said Tiffany Black with Members Choice CU. “Members expect the latest technology for security and convenience, along with the opportunity to get personalized advice – whether saving for college or planning for retirement.”

Members Choice CU will join the Grayson Chamber of Commerce to host a grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, October 2, at 148 Interstate Drive starting at 9 AM and lasting throughout the day. Attendees can enjoy free Kona Ice, tours of the space, Cash Money Machine, and more.

“This office was built for the community,” said Perry Blake, SVP and project manager for MCCU. “The Grayson community has been incredibly welcoming, and we are excited to be here!”

With a history dating back to 1932, Members Choice provides its members an expanded line of financial solutions. Today, Members Choice is a full-service financial institution that serves more than 22,000 members worldwide and has approximately $390 million in assets. For more information, please visit the Members Choice website at www.mccu.net or any local branch near you.

Extension Notes: Talking to your kids

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By: Whitney Morrow
Carter County Extension Agent

Tips for parents, grandparents and educators to communicate with youth 

Source: David Weisenhorn, Family and Consumer Sciences extension specialist  

Communicating effectively with youth is crucial for building strong relationships and ensuring their emotional well-being. It’s essential to tailor your approach based on their age and developmental stage.  

Preschoolers (Ages 3-5): 

  • Engage in play: Preschoolers learn through play. Join them in their imaginative games, ask questions related to their play and let their stories and ideas naturally flow. 
  • Use simple language: Use simple and age-appropriate language. Use concrete examples and visual aids to help them understand concepts. 
  • Ask open-ended questions: Instead of asking, “Did you have a good day?” try, “What was your favorite part of today?” This encourages them to share more details. 

Elementary-Aged Children (Ages 6-11): 

  • Show interest: Actively listen and show genuine interest in their activities, school experiences and hobbies. This builds trust and encourages them to open up. 
  • Share your day: Start the conversation by sharing your day, and they’ll be more likely to reciprocate. For instance, “today at work, I had a challenging problem to solve. How about you? Anything interesting happen at school?” 
  • Scalable questions: Use the scale approach. Say, “on a scale of 1-10, how was your day?” If they say “three,” follow up with, “what would make it a four tomorrow?” This helps them articulate their feelings and expectations. 

Middle Schoolers (Ages 12-14): 

  • Respect independence: Middle schoolers are exploring their independence. Respect their need for privacy while offering a listening ear when they choose to talk. 
  • Ask thought-provoking questions: Encourage critical thinking with questions such as, “what’s the most exciting thing you learned today?” Or “if you could change one thing about your day, what would it be?” 
  • Be patient: Understand that they might be going through emotional ups and downs. Offer support without pushing too hard. 

High Schoolers (Ages 15-18): 

  • Respect their opinions: High schoolers are forming their own opinions and values. Encourage open discussions without judgment, even if you disagree. 
  • Ask about future plans: Show interest in their future plans and dreams. Questions like, “what are your goals for this year?” can spark meaningful conversations. 
  • Be a role model: Demonstrate healthy communication by calmly resolving conflicts and showing empathy. 

Handling One-Word Answers: 

  • Don’t push too hard: If you receive one-word answers like “fine,” don’t push for more immediately. Give them space, and they may open up later. 
  • Use open-ended follow-ups: Follow up with open-ended questions like, “Tell me more about why it was ‘fine’?” or “What made it a ‘three’?” 

 Effective communication with children of all ages, from preschoolers to high schoolers, involves adapting your approach to their developmental stage. By engaging in their world, asking thoughtful questions and being patient and empathetic, parents and grandparents can nurture strong relationships and encourage meaningful conversations.  

For more information about effective communication with youth, contact the Carter County Cooperative Extension Service.

 The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. 

 

Extension Notes: How Can Extension Better Serve Kentucky?

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By: Rebecca Konopka
Carter County Extension Agent

Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service recently launched a statewide survey with hopes of reaching thousands across the Commonwealth. In fact, our last survey received more than 38,000 responses, and we want to see that number grow.

Knowing what matters to Kentucky means our services will matter to Kentucky. You might already know about our educational programs for agricultural production, youth development, nutrition, business development, and family finances… but our outreach has grown even more. Our last survey led to partnerships with nationally recognized experts and new services in areas such as:

· Addiction Intervention & Prevention

· Small-Town Tourism & Art Revitalization Programs

· Rural Mental Health & Suicide Prevention

· Natural Disaster Preparedness

And this is only the start for what’s ahead. With more direction from you and others in our community, we can continue real work that matters to real people. People like you.

We hope you’ll take our ten-minute survey found at www.go.uky.edu/serveKY and encourage others to do the same. We want to hear from all Kentucky citizens ages 18 and up. Every voice matters.

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.


Upcoming Events:

  • The Grayson Farmer’s Market is open on Saturdays from 9:00 AM until sell out. The market is located in the shed behind the Extension Office. The Olive Hill Farmer’s Market is located in the Save-a-Lot parking lot and is open on Saturdays and Wednesdays at 8:00 AM and Mondays at 3:00 PM until sell out each day.
  • Little Sandy Beekeepers Meeting – October 3rd @ 6:30 – Speaker: Jim Coss from The Honey & Bee Connection
  • Tree Farmer of the Year Field Day – October 5th @ 1:00 PM – Celebrate Lynn Johnson wining the prestigious Tree Farmer of the Year award with us. The tree farm tour will include sessions on woodland and wildlife management practices and financial assistance for conservation practices. Location is 720 Boathouse Hill Road in Olive Hill. Please call 474-6686 to register.
  • Extension District Board – October 10th @ 10:00 AM
  • Sheep & Goat Hoof Trimming Clinic – October 12th @ 5:30 PM – Elliott County Extension Office – Call 474-6686 to register.

Linda Lou Watson

Linda Lou Watson age 73 of Grayson, Kentucky passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Thursday evening September 21st, 2023, at King’s Daughter’s Medical Center in Boyd County, KY. She was born on March 13, 1950, in Franklin County, Ohio, a daughter of Franklin and Ina Ball Watson. She was preceded in death by both parents, two sisters, Betty Jean Watson and Sharon Kay Watson, her daughter and two granddaughters Jennifer Marie Ison, Shannah Marie Ison and Marissa Lauren Ison, one grandson, Lucas Gray Tolliver, along with her two former husbands, James Lee Hall, and Michael Wayne Tackett both of Grayson, KY.

Linda was a beloved sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. Her pride and joy were her family. She cared very deeply for all of them along with her friends. She enjoyed watching her soap operas and westerns with her daughter, Vickie every day, along with looking forward to her phone calls from her daughter, Jaime. She also enjoyed her great-grandchildren visiting her, she was their “Watson”.

In addition to her two daughter’s Vickie Tolliver (Roy Tolliver) of Grayson, KY and Jaime Hall (special friend, Dennis Bettinger) of Hilliard, OH, she is survived by her siblings, Harold Watson (Dorothy Watson) and Donna Holley of all of Hilliard, OH, four grandchildren, Megan Porter (Gavin Porter), Coty Tolliver (Misty Tolliver), and Todd Tolliver (Evelyn McDowell) all of Grayson, KY, and Miranda Eplin of Columbus, OH, six great grand-children, Jayden Day, Trinity McDowell, Leigha McDowell, Elijah Porter, Logan Tolliver, and Kendell Tolliver, all of Grayson, KY, and her beloved pet and companion, Bella, along with a host of family and friends who will greatly mourn her passing.

Her visitation will be held Wednesday September 27th at Jerry Spears Funeral Home in Hilliard, OH from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with funeral services to follow at 1:00 pm. Burial will immediately follow the service at Alton Darby Cemetery in Hilliard, OH. Jack Harrison Hall will be officiating.

Serving as pallbearers will be Coty Tolliver, Todd Tolliver, Jay Watson, Mike Russell, Jimmy Wolford, and Jerimiah Eplin. Honorary pallbearers are Gavin Porter, Jayden Day, Bobby Johnson, and Dennis Bettinger.

Israel Charles Binion

Israel Charles Binion, age 48, of Olive Hill, Kentucky, passed away Thursday, September 21, 2023, at his residence.

He was born October 11, 1974, in Rowan County, Kentucky, a son of Charles Binion and Regina Rose, both of Olive Hill, Kentucky.

Israel enjoyed playing video games, acting in the theater and taking care of his mother.

He was preceded in death by his brother, William Johnson; one sister, Teresa Bledsoe.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by one son, Steven Israel Binion of Olive Hill, Kentucky; one sister, Sara Richardson of Evansville, Indiana.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Monday, September 25, 2023, at Globe Funeral Chapel, 17277 West US Highway 60, Olive Hill, Kentucky with Brother David Rayburn officiating. Burial will follow in the Bledsoe – Johnson Cemetery in Grahn, Kentucky.

Friends may visit after 10 a.m. on Monday, September 25, 2023 until the service hour at Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive Hill, Kentucky.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

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