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Rowena Hilderbrand

Rowena Hilderbrand, age 62, of Olive Hill, Kentucky, went to be with the Lord, Friday, January 12, 2024, at St. Claire Healthcare in Morehead, Kentucky.

She was born Sunday, July 9, 1961, in Boyd County, Kentucky, to the late Sarah Knipp Blevins and Willard Blevins.

Rowena was a kind loving soul and loved spending time with her family. She loved cooking, reading, watching movies, listening to music, especially Elvis. In 1990, she began working a Carter Industries, where she worked until June 2022. She made so many life long friends, whom she loved.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, JR Blevins and James “Jay Boy” Williams; four sisters, Anita Howard, Kathy Blevins, Missy Logan and Sharon Earles.

Rowena is survived by her loving husband, Dale Hilderbrand of 44 years, whom she married March 21, 1980; two sons, Eric Allen (Heather) Hilderbrand and Clifton Dale Hilderbrand; one daughter, Angie Hilderbrand all of Olive Hill, Kentucky; one granddaughter, Rylee Hilderbrand; five sisters, Karlyn (Bill) Henderson, Vickie (Paul) Barker, Betty (Paul) Tussey, all of Olive Hill, Kentucky, Donna (Kenny) Allen of Flemingsburg, Kentucky, Vergie and (Terry) Tackett of Olive Hill, Kentucky; bonus grandchildren, Alexis Lewis, Ethan Lewis, Kaiden Lewis, Hunter Salyers, Preston Salyers; special niece, Amanda Leeth, along with many other family and friends who will sadly miss her.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Globe Funeral Chapel, 17277 West US Hwy 60, Olive Hill, Kentucky, with Brother David Rayburn and Brother Paul Tussey officiating. Burial will follow in the Rayburn Cemetery, Hwy 1662, Olive Hill, Kentucky.

Friends may visit from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Friday, January 19, 2024, and after 9 a.m., Saturday, January 20, 2024, until the service hour at Globe Funeral Chapel.

Derrick Tackett, Jeremy Tackett, Matthew Tackett, Parish Hamm, Lonnie Bailey and Josh Baker will serve as pallbearers.

Eric Hilderbrand, Clifton Hilderbrand, Glen Henderson, Bear McGlone and Phillip Enix will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Globe Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the family of Rowena Hilderbrand.

State Highway Crews Continue to Treat and Plow Roads in Northeast Kentucky

FLEMINGSBURG – A second shift of state highway crews in northeast Kentucky will treat and plow snowy roads across the region today as wintry weather continues to hover over the commonwealth.

As of 11:30 a.m., main Priority A routes are mostly clear while back roads are beginning to clear with some snowy or slushy travel lanes. Highways affected by additional snow showers or squalls – in Bath, Rowan, and surrounding counties at this hour – will be slower to clear, and could get re-covered throughout the day.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has advised a second round of snowfall is expected by late afternoon and into the early morning hours of Tuesday. Heaviest snow accumulations, estimated 5-8 inches, are expected in southern and eastern Kentucky. Motorists statewide may encounter slick roads tonight and during the Tuesday morning commute, even on treated surfaces, due to the re-freezing of moisture and arctic-cold temperatures.

Crews across Kentucky will continue to monitor weather and road conditions and perform response activities to suit the situation.

Avoiding non-essential travel is the best way to keep yourself and crews safe. If you do have to be on roads, please slow down, use caution, remember that if looks wet it could be icy, and plan ahead by checking GoKY.ky.gov or Waze for traffic conditions.

During winter storms, Kentucky Department of Highways District 9 crews operate around the clock using a four-tier priority system to keep people and commerce moving in the most effective way.

Follow District 9 on social media – @KYTCDistrict9 on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) – for updates.

Tips for driving during snow and icy conditions:

  • Alter travel plans to avoid driving during the peak of weather activity.
  • Drive with a full tank of gas and pack an emergency car kit that contains essential items like blankets, ice scrapers, jumper cables, a flashlight, a cell phone charger, non-perishable snacks and a first aid kit should you get stranded on the road.
  • Winterize your vehicle. Check your car battery, tire pressure and tread, and brakes. Ensure your heater, defroster, headlights and windshield wipers are working properly.
  • When snow and/or ice are on roadways, drive slowly no matter what type of vehicle you drive. It takes more time and distance to stop your vehicle in poor weather, so brake early and slowly.
  • Pay attention to weather advisories and allow more time to travel for routine commutes. Expect delays.
  • Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shaded areas. These are all candidates for developing “black ice” – a thin coating of clear ice that can form on the pavement surface that may be difficult to see.
  • Maintain a safe distance from snowplows and other heavy highway equipment, and do not pass snowplows on the shoulder.
  • Eliminate distractions while driving, such as using a phone and or eating, and always buckle up.

What to do if you see a downed power line:

  • Report it to your local utility company
  • Do not try to clear it yourself
  • Steer clear and avoid anything touching downed lines, including vehicles or tree branches.

Visit SnowKY.ky.gov for snow and ice resources, like priority route maps, tips and highway district news from across Kentucky.

Annie Smith

white petaled flowers
Photo by Longxiang Qian on Pexels.com

Annie Smith, age 72, of Olive Hill, Kentucky, passed away Monday, January 8, 2024, at St. Claire Healthcare in Morehead, Kentucky.

She was born February 10, 1951, in Carter County, Kentucky, to the late Joe and Minnie Belle Clay Smith.

She enjoyed spending time with her family.

She is survived by one daughter, Deanna (Ernest) Ginter of Morehead, Kentucky; one brother, Charles (Christine) Smith of Olive Hill, Kentucky; one sister, Betty (Johnny) Moore of Elliott County, Kentucky, along with many other family and friends who will sadly miss her.

At the request of Annie’s family there will be no services at this time.

Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive Hill, Kentucky is caring for all arrangements for Annie Smith.

Patrick Robert Yarber

Patrick Robert Yarber,66, of Olive Hill Kentucky went to his heavenly home Thursday Jan 4th 2024 at SOMC in Portsmouth Ohio following an extended Illness of Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

Patrick was born in Cincinnati OH on Feb 11 1957 to Loucian Fred and Pearl Donathan Yarber.

The family moved to Carter City Kentucky in 1972, later moving to Grahn and setting up home. He was a Mechanic for a number of years, being able to work on anything with an engine, He drove a dump truck for a numerous amount of employers over 30 years until getting injured in 1996 while working for The Carter Co Road Dept. He was an avid woodworker and enjoyed fast cars. He was an active member of the Grahn Fire Dept, even going on calls after his retirement from the road department.

Patrick was preceded in death by both his parents and one brother Freddy Yarber.

He leaves behind Debbie Kay Lawson Yarber, whom he married June 18, 1976, one daughter Patricia Kay Yarber(Kevin McHugh), and a granddaughter that he adored Madison Rose Yarber. Three sisters Elizabeth and Kenny McCoy of Olive Hill, KY, Violet and Marie Yarber both of Ashland, KY. And very special people in his life, nephew Aaron McCoy, and special friends Jerry and Donna Lyons and The Pooler Family.

Funeral services will be held 12 noon, Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at Globe Funeral Chapel, 17277 West US Hwy 60, Olive Hill, Kentucky, with Brother Gary Sparks officiating. Burial will follow in the Olive Hill Memorial Park in Olive Hill, Kentucky.

Friends may visit from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Monday, January 8, 2024, and after 9 a.m., Tuesday, January 8, 2024, until the service hour at Globe Funeral Chapel.

Kevin McHugh, Mark Pooler, Nathan Carroll, Jason Littleton, Aaron McCoy, Patricia Yarber will serve as pallbearers.

Kenny Mc Coy and Jerry Lyons will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive Hill, Kentucky is caring for all arrangements for Patrick Robert Yarber.

Dolores Louise Kretzer Justice

Dolores Louise Kretzer Justice, 83, of Grayson, went to be with her Lord, Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at the Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland. Louise was born May 14, 1940 in Hitchins, KY a daughter of the late, Ernest A., Sr. and Gladys Irene Roache Kretzer. In addition to her parents, Louise was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 43 years, Orville Gene “Doc” Justice; a granddaughter, Taloma Hilton; a great-grandson, Brandon Faulkner; five brothers, Ernest Kretzer, Jr., Harold Lloyd Kretzer, Thomas Kretzer, Frank Kretzer and Clefford Kretzer; and seven sisters, Florence Kretzer, Vivian Ross, Rose Mary Norton, Dora Darden, Barbara Hendley, Kathleen Bellomy and Doris Friar. Louise was a member of the Grayson Church of God. Louise retired from G.E. and was a fulltime homemaker. Louise enjoyed listening to gospel music, crocheting, caring for her animals; and most importantly spending time with her precious family.

Louise is survived by her daughter, Cyndi (Darrell) Justice Hilton of Grayson; three grandchildren, Tamerra Cunningham, Tanelica Hilton and Tashana Tava; nine great-grandchildren, Tawneric Cunningham, Tara Cunningham, Tina Cunningham, Trace Cunningham, Zachary Hilton, Ashley Hilton, Christian Tava, Trey Tava and Jasmine Tava; a great-great-grandson, Indiana Robert Hilton; a sister, Gladys (Earl) Bloodworth of Grayson; and a host of friends and extended family who all mourn her passing.

Funeral services will be 2 pm Saturday January 13, 2024 at the Grayson Church of God with Bro Delmar Rogers officiating. Burial will follow in the East Carter County Memory Gardens. Visitation will be 6-9 pm Friday and Saturday after 10 am until the service hour all at the church. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.malonefuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 731123-1718

Finding joy

woman surrounded by sunflowers
Photo by Andre Furtado on Pexels.com
By: Tommy Druen
Guest Columnist

I’m not a person that wears emotions on my sleeve. It’s not that I don’t feel them, but the outwardly appearance is admittedly low. My family makes fun of this fact, often accompanied by robot noises. In my defense, I claim it to be stoicism, but it’s more likely that I simply relate with Elsa from Frozen when she sings “Conceal, don’t feel.”

Despite this fact, over all I do feel happiness. My life is very comfortable and, despite always wanting to better myself, I do have a feeling of contentment. Maybe I don’t show it enough, but those emotions do exist. What I find difficulty with though are feelings of joy, excitement and ebullience.

For a long time, I thought that was just a personal issue. While I tried to rationalize that the lack of elation was balanced out with a lack of melancholy as well, I was still privately bothered by the fact that I didn’t get truly excited over much.

I recently read an article in The Washington Post entitled “Fun is Dead” that made me feel a bit differently though. The focus was that we live in a world where we have forgotten how to have fun. While fun and excitement are similar, they aren’t exactly the same. However, it made me think I might not be alone.

People are increasingly looking for ways to better find happiness. Podcasts like Happier and Ten Percent Happier are incredibly popular. Books such as Joyful and You, Happier are best sellers. Newspapers, magazines and the internet are full of articles and advice columns on how to find joy.

I can’t help but wonder why. Were people decades earlier happier? Or were they looking as well? Maybe we simply aren’t as content with being content as we once were. Or perhaps we are lacking a happiness once more commonplace.

While happiness is difficult to quantify, that is exactly what the United Nations has been attempting to do since 2012. The World Happiness Report examines every nation and surveys citizens, using criteria such as GPD per capita, social support, life expectancy, generosity, perceptions of government corruption and freedom to make life choices.

This year, the United States scored as the 15th highest nation on the happiness scale. That sounds good considering there are 195 nations in the world. However, when you consider we are a nation that was founded upon the principles of individual liberty and are today the most industrialized nation in the world, you have to wonder why there are fourteen others ahead of us.

Clearly this ranking was not an anomaly either. Since the first report was issued in 2013, the United States highest ranking has been 14th, with the lowest being 19th. While we may not be happy, we are at least consistent.The more local we get, unfortunately the worse it gets too. Kentucky ranks 47th out of the 50 states on the happiness index. Considering our job market is strong and our real GDP growth is in the top 15 states, clearly the economy is not the issue. So what is it that makes Kentucky so unhappy?

I think there probably are a lot of factors. It’s no secret that we’re not a healthy state. As a friend of mine was known to say, when it comes to health statistics, “Kentucky is always near the top of the bad lists and always near the bottom of the good ones.” Another factor, which often goes hand in hand with the health issue, is we are still an impoverished state. Our per capita income is only 65% of what the national figure is. Nearly 17% of Kentuckians live below the poverty line, which is worse than it was at the beginning of this century.

The biggest contributing factor, in my opinion, though is what I often talk about . . . the decline of community. Every year, we seem to grow more isolated. What has been handed us in convenience can also be a detriment. We shop Amazon rather than going to the stores. We have a wide selection of sports to stream on ESPN in high definition, keeping us from going to ballgames. We even increasingly worship “together” in our pajamas watching our own churches on YouTube or Facebook rather than attending in person. These conveniences can be great for many, but on the whole I think we are feeling the detrimental effects.

I’m typically not one for new years’ resolutions. I’m not a fan of feeling like a failure before February. However, this year I’m going to try something new. I’m going to find more joy. I’m going to make a concerted effort for happiness. And I’m going to shock my family by showing it more.

As Abraham Lincoln said, “Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” And my mind is made up to be very happy

Tourism plans for 2024

wedding table
Photo by René Roa on Pexels.com
Staff Report
Carter County Times

Last year’s farm-to-table breakfast fundraiser was so successful, Carter County Tourism isn’t just looking to bring it back this year, they’re looking to expand it to include a farm-to-table dinner as well. The tourism board discussed these plans, including possible beneficiaries for the 2024 event during their regular monthly meeting on Monday night. While many organizations were discussed, the consensus seemed to be that they would like to focus on meeting the needs of the county’s children this year – and that one of the best ways to do that was to work with the Youth Service Center’s in each of the schools.

The group also discussed partnering with the Grayson Chamber to take advantage of the free web hosting their new provider is offering for the next year to folks who take advantage of the Chamber’s network.

The board also moved to sponsor $3,600 of the costs for entertainers associated with the “old time dinner theater” event at Carter Caves State Resort Park in February.

The also discussed other upcoming events at the park such as the Winter Adventure Weekend, which takes place the last weekend of this month, and the installation of a new professional level, 18 net, disc golf range on the park grounds.

That course has the potential to draw disc golf tourists, and tournaments, as well as potentially benefiting any future school teams participating in the sport.

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Pet of the Week: Meet Cookie and Coco

Cookie and Coco are a pair of Great Dane mix females, believed to be about seven months old. These sisters each have an adoption fee of $100 each, which includes rabies vaccination and being spayed. Stop by the Carter County Animal Shelter and meet them or call 475-9771 for more information.

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

Fiscal Court begins process of removing Sallee Road

The road department recently placed 157 tons of pothole mix across the county (Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Timesl)

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

Carter County Fiscal Court heard from the only property owner along Sallee Road at their regular January meeting, who was there to request the road be formally removed from the county road system. He said traffic along the road continues to be a problem, but as long as it remains on state maps there is little he can do to police traffic along the road, which has not been maintained by the county for some time.

Road department head Jason Carroll said the road was not listed among roads the county maintains, and he wasn’t sure why it was still appearing on state maps – but the county has dealt with other roads in the past that were removed from the system by previous courts, but the proper paperwork was never filed with the state to remove it from state maps. County attorney Brian Bayes advised the court that, since it still appears on state maps, the process should be repeated and documented so that the proper steps can be taken to have it removed from those maps.

Magistrate Chris Huddle made a motion to begin the process of removing the road, with the court voting unanimously in favor and appointing magistrates Millard Cordle and Derek McKinney to inspect the road and report back to the court.

In other road vacation news, the court accepted the report on Davey Hill Road and, finding no reason not to proceed with removing the road from the county system, voted to set a public hearing on the issue for the next regular meeting of fiscal court on February 12. Magistrates who inspected the road noted that there was one resident along the road, and that removing it from the county system would not hinder any transportation or any access to cemeteries or other public areas.

In other action the court discussed the plans to solicit a free-standing emergency room and Kentucky Christian University’s assistance in bringing the idea to fruition. Bayes and Judge executive Brandon Burton noted the benefits for emergency ambulance staff as well as for law enforcement, with jailer R.W. Boggs noting the benefit for emergency or accident care needs at the county jail as well.

In department reports county clerk Mike Johnston presented a contract for Burton to sign that would allow the county to accept reimbursement for e-poll books, in the amount of $56,000. The court moved to approve Burton as signatory on those documents.

Carter County sheriff Jeff May discussed his department’s vehicle lease program with the court, and Boggs gave an update on the benefits his department has reaped from an increased rate paid on housing and transporting federal inmates.

Finally, in road department reports, Carroll noted that his department had placed more than 36 tons of rock and gravel on roads, in addition to the more than 100 tons used in tile replacement projects. They also placed 157 tons of pothole mix, and replaced 38 old, missing, or damaged signs, among other roadway maintenance.

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Is climate change a concern at the ballot box?

woman in blue jacket holding white and black i am happy to be happy print paper
Photo by Markus Spiske on Pexels.com

When you step into the voting booth, is climate policy on your mind? Or do other issues take precedence?

While Americans continue to deal with the shrinking spending value of their dollar, and companies that – if they follow past trends – will look for ways to keep their prices at their inflated rates even after interest rates and costs begin to decline, along with a myriad other domestic issues from housing costs to border concerns, it may seem climate change is a distant worry. That is, if it’s a worry at all.
But, according to the activists and journalists at Covering Climate Now, surveys show it’s a growing concern for voters.

According to a recent op-ed from the organization:

A clear majority of the American public — 56% — is now either “concerned” or outright “alarmed” about climate change. That’s according to a new study by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, the gold standard in US climate polling. Yale’s findings are essential reading for US journalists in particular in an election year when voters will decide who governs the country that, more than any other, influences climate policy and outcomes around the world.
The percentage of Americans who want more coverage of climate change is “actually much higher than [56%],” Anthony Leiserowitz, the director of the Yale program, told Covering Climate Now. Only the 11% of the public that still denies climate change doesn’t want more information. The overwhelming majority of Americans do “want to learn more about the causes, consequences and solutions to climate change,” Leiserowitz added. (Separate surveys show that many Americans don’t recognize that burning oil, gas, and coal is the main cause of climate change, underscoring the importance of making that connection in news coverage.)
What makes Yale’s findings especially authoritative is that Leiserowitz and his colleagues have been surveying Americans’ opinions about climate change for 15 years. Their landmark 2009 “Six Americas” study identified six categories of thinking among the public: “alarmed,” “concerned,” “cautious,” “disengaged,” “doubtful,” and “dismissive.” Since 2013, the percentage of “alarmed” Americans has more than doubled, while the percentage who are either “alarmed” or “concerned” jumped from 40% to today’s 56%. The percentage of deniers has remained stable, at 11%.
Yale’s work measures how Americans’ views about climate change have shifted over time and thus implicitly cautions against how the media covers polls in general. Polls are snapshots of public opinion at a given moment in time, which should make reporters and pundits much more careful about drawing conclusions about what today’s polls mean about elections that are, in the US, still 10 months away.
The Yale findings do, however, have this lesson for 2024 campaign coverage: A clear majority of Americans would welcome more reporting on climate change as an election issue. “The Alarmed are the group who most prioritize climate change as a voting issue and thus are most interested in information on the positions of different candidates (and that’s not just at the presidential level, but for all federal, state, and local races),” Leiserowitz said. “The Concerned are also interested… although climate change is less likely to be one of their top voting issues.”

While it might not be a top issue for all of us, it might be one we should start considering. Temperatures are continuing to increase. We’re seeing more extreme weather events across Kentucky – from more powerful tornadoes to larger, more devastating floods. If they aren’t all directly caused by climate change, the evidence does seem to suggest some are.

It might not be as immediate and pressing as concerns about how we’ll pay the rent, the utilities, and the grocery bill, but the Covering Climate Now folks have one thing right; it’s worth staying informed about.

Cross county rivals support a common cause

Members of the East and West Carter cheerleading squads sport shirts with messages of support for families and individuals who are battling childhood cancers. (Submitted photo, courtesy Casey Steele, Steele Photography)

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

The rivalry between East and West Carter is as old as the two schools. Some might say as old as the cities of Grayson and Olive Hill, or of Carter and Beckham Counties. But as much as rivalries might divide us, the competition can also bring us together. It can show us what we have in common with, and what we admire in, our rivals. And last Thursday, it reminded us that despite our rivalries, we’re all one community.

Though the Comets and the Raiders were competitors that evening, both teams wore variations on the same shirt during warm-up and on the bench – either Raider blue or Comet maroon with the shared phrase, “Together, We Fight.”

The message was one of support for families who have battled or are battling the foe of childhood cancer.

At halftime two members of the East Carter cheerleading squad, Addison Tiller and Tessa Goble, explained to the crowd the significance of the event that evening.

“Tonight, we pause to recognize and honor families in Carter County (who) have been affected by childhood cancer,” Tiller said.

“Each year, the number of children diagnosed with cancer increases slightly,” Goble added. “In 2024 it is estimated that over 10,000 children in the U.S. under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer.”

“Unfortunately,” Goble continued, “there have been very (few) improvements in treatment and care for children with cancer over the last 20 years, and government funding remains at only four percent,” or, she explained, less than $3 per child fighting cancer.

The pair, both of whom are participating in the University of Kentucky’s and Markey Cancer Center’s Appalachian Career Training in Oncology program, went on to note the low survival rate for many types of cancer and that – even for more common and treatable types of cancer – one in five children won’t survive past their five year diagnosis without at least dealing with some major side effects associated with their treatment.

The solution, they said, was research and funding for that research.

“By raising awareness, and fundraising for research, we can change the future for kids with cancer and their families,” Tiller said.

The students took time to thank community members and businesses who supported their awareness and fundraising efforts, including Womack Household Services, The Eastern KY Hemp Company, All American Graphics, and the boosters for providing the shirts for the teams and cheer squads, and the basketball fans who supported their fundraising efforts with donations or t-shirt purchases.

The girls then asked the crowd to join them in a moment of silence to honor those families.

Family members present included Noah and Haley Womack and family; Jordan, Easton, and Erica Parsons; Jerrika Hall with Cameron, Clay, and Lydia; Ann, Juliette, and Emma Russell; and Stephen Amburgey.

The students also wished Tyra Hamilton a “happy heavenly birthday” on what would have been her 18th, and said they were honored her family was able to join them in her honor.

Halftime also honored members of the East Carter Unified Basketball team, where kids of different ability levels – including students with physical and/or cognitive disabilities – play together on the same team. East Carter’s Unified Club is one of only three in the state of Kentucky, and a few

hundred across the nation.

East Carter took the win at home, with a 65-53 victory over the Comets.

Blake Hall and Evan Goodman led the Raiders with 17 points each – with Hall delivering eight field goals on 18 attempts and one free throw, and Goodman hitting three of his eight two-point attempts and two of six three-pointers, along with five free throws on seven attempts. Gavin Sexton added another nine points on a pair of threes, a two-point field goal, and a free throw. Quention Johnson added eight points on a pair of threes and a pair of free throws. Ty Scott added eight as well, on a single two-pointer and a pair of three-pointers. Scott Tate added six points to the total with three two-point baskets.

On the Comets’ side, Nathan Webb led the West team with 14 points on two field goals, two three-pointers, and four free throws. Brett Dailey and Jacob Waddell each added another 12 points to the total with Waddell going to the basket six times for two-points each, and Dailey adding a pair of two-pointers, a pair of three-pointers, and a pair of free throws to match his teammate’s numbers. Brody Boggs added another six points on a couple of three-pointers, while Nick Parker and Braydon DeHard each scored a single three-pointer, and Wade Lawson added a pair of free throws to the mix.

The East Carter team currently sits in eighth place in the region, with a 7 – 7 win-loss record, while West Carter is currently in twelfth place with a 5 – 9 record.

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Bluegrass Bible Beat: Cash Registers & Waterpots

crop barista with pour over coffee maker and carafes
Photo by Maria Orlova on Pexels.com
By: Scott Adkins, Sling ‘n Stone Ministry
Carter County Times

Cash Registers & Waterpots

What have cash registers and waterpots to do with following Jesus? Answer: Everything. Matthew 9 and Luke 5 describe how the tax collector Levi responded when Jesus invited Levi: “Follow Me.” (Matt. 9:9) (Luke 9:27) Scripture calls the tax collector Levi “a publican.” (Luke 5:27) Jews despised publicans as the lowest of low – thieves and traitors. But Levi’s low standing meant nothing to Jesus. Why? Because, like us, Levi was a sinner, whom Jesus came to call to repentance. (Luke 5:13) But how did Levi respond when Jesus called?

Levi “sat a receipt of custom,” (Matt. 9:9), in Capernaum’s tax office. Jesus said to Levi, “Follow Me.” (Matt. 9:9) (Luke 9:27) Levi immediately abandoned his cash register and, unlike Lot’s wife, Levi never looked back. Scripture nowhere indicates Levi delayed. Instead, Levi “forsook all he had,” (Luke 14:33), and followed Jesus to the end. And in the end, Levi became Matthew, one of Jesus’s twelve Apostles; wrote the Gospel bearing his new name; and got that new name forever inscribed into heaven’s very foundations. (Revelation 21:14)

What about waterpots? John 4 recounts Jesus’s meeting a woman at Jacob’s well in Sychar, a Samaritan city Jews avoided because Jews hated Samaritans. (John 4:9) As with Levi, the Jews hating Samaritans did not slow Jesus down. Nope. He stepped on the gas, telling the Samaritan woman, “all she ever did;” and then, Jesus revealed Who He is. (John 4:26) (“I that speak unto thee am He.”) Realizing Who spoke to her, the woman hurried back to Sychar to testify that the Messiah had come. (John 4:29)

Like Levi, the Samaritan woman did not delay. She “left her waterpot, and went her way into the city.” (John 4:28) Likely that waterpot was all she had. But she left that waterpot and obeyed Jesus without delay, and without looking back. Now, John’s Gospel forever remembers her.

Both Levi and the Samaritan woman gladly did what we too must do if we will “inherit eternal life.” (Matt. 19:16) Both unhesitatingly left everything to follow Jesus, (Luke 14:33); in so doing, they answered Jesus’s universal call to repentance. (Matt. 9:13) Now, both forever abide with Him in that city “where the Lamb is the light.” (Rev. 21:23) If we would join them, we must likewise unhesitatingly forsake our cash registers and waterpots to follow Him. To do so, we must hate our own lives; deny ourselves; and carry our cross. (Luke 14:26-33)

If we delay or hold back anything, we fool ourselves, being hearers of His Word, and not doers. (James 1:22) Lest we fool ourselves, we must remember that Jesus asks: “(W)hat shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:37) Jesus asks this not of rich fools who forsake Him, but of us who say we follow Him. Is eternity worth our cash registers and waterpots? Let’s not fool ourselves; let us now forsake all to follow Jesus without looking back – just like a publican and Samaritan woman so wisely did.

Weekly arrests report: 1/10/24

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.


  • David Kouns, 39, address unknown, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, arrested and booked January 1.
  • Caleb McGlone, 33, of Grayson, self-surrender, weekender, arrested and booked January 1.
  • Bryan Sparks, 38, of Soldier, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, charges unavailable, arrested and booked January 1.
  • Kayla Cundiff, 36, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a hold for court, arrested and booked January 1.
  • George Bridges, 32, of Olive Hill, arrested by Olive Hill PD, for non-payment of court costs, fees, or fines, arrested and booked January 2.
  • Christina Holt, 46, of Olive Hill, arrested by Olive Hill PD, on a charge of driving on a DUI suspended license, arrested and booked January 2.
  • Johnny Salyers, 37, address unknown, arrested by Olive Hill PD, for non-payment of court costs, fees, or fines, arrested and booked January 2.
  • Kyle Carr, 21, address unknown, arrested by Grayson PD, charges unavailable, arrested and booked January 2.
  • Charles Jackson, 50, address unknown, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on two counts of non-payment of court costs, fees, or fines, arrested and booked January 2.
  • Michael Psimer, 48, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Detention Center, on a parole violation (for a technical violation), arrested and booked January 2.
  • Eric Hannah, 33, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, on a charge of public intoxication on a controlled substance (excludes alcohol), arrested and booked January 2.
  • George Johnson, 42, address unknown, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, for non-payment of court costs, fees, or fines, arrested and booked January 3.
  • Windy Reaper, 48, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, for drug court, arrested and booked January 3.
  • William Williams, 45, address unknown, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, for drug court, arrested and booked January 3.
  • Chad Shock, 49, of Pilot Mound, IN, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of intimidating a participant in the legal process, and alcohol intoxication in a public place, arrested and booked January 3.
  • Lethia Arthurs, address unknown, arrested by Kentucky State Police, for failure to appear, arrested and booked January 4.
  • Phillip Jenkins, 32, address unknown, arrested by Kentucky State Police, for non-payment of court costs, fees, or fines, arrested and booked January 4.
  • Timothy Bradley, 31, of Olive Hill, arrested by Olive Hill PD, for failure to appear, arrested and booked January 4.
  • Joshua Hill, 37, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, on charges of failure to appear, theft by unlawful taking or shoplifting, public intoxication on a controlled substance (excludes alcohol), second degree disorderly conduct, first degree possession of a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives), and third degree possession of a controlled substance (drug unspecified), arrested and booked January 5.
  • Lauren Parker, 31, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a probation violation (for a felony offense), arrested and booked January 5.
  • Aaron Kilgore, 49, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Circuit Court, on a probation violation (for a felony offense), arrested and booked January 5.
  • Joseph Parsons, 23, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Circuit Court, weekender, arrested and booked January 5.
  • Machenzie Wilburn, 22, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, first degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), and two counts of non-payment of court costs, fees, or fines, arrested and booked January 6.
  • Jeremy Stewart, 48, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, on two counts of failure to appear, arrested and booked January 7.
  • Caleb McGlone, 33, of Grayson, self-surrender, weekender, arrested and booked January 8.

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.

Celebrating Freedom: MLK Jr. Ceremony on Jan. 15

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ASHLAND – Ashland Community and Technical College is proud to support the Boyd and Greenup County branch’s NAACP’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. event. Join us in commemorating the legacy and impact of Martin Luther King Jr. on this special day of reflection, celebration, and inspiration.

The event will be held Monday, January 15, 2024, at 10:30 A.M at the Ashland Transportation Center.

Ashland City Mayor, Matt Perkins, will be welcoming the community to the event. The morning will feature presentations from United Way CEO-NAACP Member, Marshall Tyson, and Vice-President/NAACP Member, Bernice Henry, and others.

A “Freedom March” will take place from the Transportation Building to the First Presbyterian Church.

Sponsors include Ashland Community and Technical College, Boyd and Greenup Counties Branch of the NAACP, Walmart, City of Ashland, Ashland Independent Schools, Ohio University Southern, First Presbyterian Church, Fields Flowers and United Way.

For more information, contact Al Baker by emailing alvin.baker@kctcs.edu.

Attorney General Coleman Joins 26 AGs Asking Supreme Court to Protect Kentucky Voters and Keep Former President Trump on the Ballot

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FRANKFORT – Attorney General Russell Coleman joined 26 attorneys general to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to hear former President Donald Trump’s petition to overturn the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to block him from its presidential ballot.

“In this country, the people elect our leaders. That’s what it means to live in a democracy. One state’s judges have no right to decide a presidential election for all 330 million Americans,” said Attorney General Coleman. “This isn’t a question of Republican or Democrat; it’s a question of letting the voters decide. All Americans, regardless of political affiliation, should want a vigorous election and oppose this undemocratic effort.”

Presidential elections are national contests, and throwing a candidate off Colorado’s ballot could dilute Kentuckians’ votes at the ballot box. With the Iowa caucuses just days away, General Coleman and the coalition stress how the Colorado court’s decision to bar a leading candidate from its ballot threatens to throw the 2024 presidential election into chaos.

“We are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene right away and deliver a clear answer before voters are denied the chance to vote for the candidate of their choosing,” continued Coleman.

The attorneys general also voice concerns that the Colorado court upset the respective roles of Congress, the states and the courts. The Constitution gives Congress, not courts, exclusive authority to decide who is eligible to run for the Presidency under Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment.

The amicus brief was led by West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita. Attorney General Coleman was joined by attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.

To read the brief, click here.  

Eastern Light Unveils Official Brand as Co-Founders Commit Full Focus to New Craft Bourbon Distillery in Eastern Kentucky 

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MOREHEAD – As a new day dawns on Kentucky bourbon, Eastern Light Distilling officially unveils its new brand as co-founders Caleb Kilburn and Cordell Lawrence commit their full focus to the creation of a new craft bourbon distillery in Eastern Kentucky.  

In December, Kilburn and Lawrence departed from Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company where they had honed their craft for nearly the past decade. Both are eternally grateful for the friendship and mentorship of Corky and Carson Taylor and the entire Peerless family, as well as for the incredible knowledge and expertise they established over the past decade at the award-winning distillery. 

Now they are looking east and focusing on a new mission—creating a community of craft bourbon makers and delivering Eastern Kentucky a tangible piece of the state’s signature bourbon industry.  

First announced last summer, Eastern Light will be a locally owned and operated distillery located in the foothills of Eastern Kentucky. Far more than another distillery producing a single bourbon brand, Eastern Light will help bring innovation to the spirits industry while supporting craft distillers unlike anything before it, making Kentucky’s bourbon heritage accessible to more makers.  

The name Eastern Light is inspired by the rising sun which illuminates a region of Kentucky full of culture, ingenuity, and talented artisans. It is a region marked by natural beauty and abundant resources. The distillery’s brand evokes newness, innovation, directionality, and hope—all of which are reflected in Eastern Light’s mission to provide craft makers with something new in the bourbon industry, a tailored brand experience and their own distillery homeplace.

Caleb and Cordell’s shared goal is to continually push themselves and the industry to expand the legacy of what’s possible in the world of whiskey and Kentucky bourbon. But this is not something they can accomplish alone. Both are immensely grateful to their family, friends, colleagues, investors, craft partners and the many others who share their strong faith that Eastern Light Distilling will create a new legacy while honoring an age-old tradition.  

Join us in looking east as a new day dawns on Kentucky bourbon. Stay tuned to EasternLight.com and our social media channels for more exciting news and updates in the coming months. 

The ‘biggest alligator’ lost his chance at greatness and is leaving the ‘swamp’

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By: Keith Kappes
Columnist
Carter County Times

It was exactly one year ago this week that I wrote about how one of the extreme right-wing members of the 118th Congress had described Rep. Kevin McCarthy during the four-day fight over picking a new Republican speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives.

We surely recall the name calling and deal making that resulted in the California congressman finally outlasting his critics and making enough concessions to extremist views to be elected on the 15th ballot.

That colleague who called McCarthy the “biggest alligator” no doubt changed his mind when McCarthy was voted out of his nine-month-old speakership in September due to his failure to enact the agenda of the so-called Freedom Caucus.

McCarthy has since announced that he will not seek reelection to Congress and will go home to California, no doubt to ponder how quickly he went from political history’s penthouse to the outhouse.

Ironically, the congressman who replaced him is Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana, a state which has an abundance of real alligators.

And that new Republican speaker has quietly made agreements on limiting certain federal spending and improving security on the southern border that many in Washington believe will avoid a budget stalemate and a lockdown of most of the national government.

McCarthy actually enabled his own demise when he strangely agreed to support a rule change that would allow any member of the House to sponsor a motion to oust the speaker on a simple majority vote. That was the weapon the right-wing faction of the House GOP handed to McCarthy to commit political suicide.

Critics of big government nicknamed Washington, D.C., as the ”swamp” during the 2016 presidential election. Historians say most of the District of Columbia was a marsh when the federal government arrived in July of 1790.

With the 2024 presidential election approaching, we should all be hoping and praying that American democracy will remain afloat in that swamp after the votes are counted.

(Contact Keith at keithkappes@gmail.com)

ACTC to host fifth annual Women, Wine, Jewels, and More scholarship fundraiser January 22

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ASHLAND, Ky. – Ashland Community and Technical College’s Director of Resource Development Brooke Seasor, retiree of education and director of multiple non-profit organizations Norma Meek, and 26 local sponsoring hostesses invite you to attend the fifth annual Women, Wine, Jewels and More fundraiser to support ACTC scholarships for women.

The women-only event will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Monday, January 22, 2024, at The Mill on Winchester Avenue in Ashland. The cost is $50 per person and includes hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction for jewelry, purses and more.

The ACTC Foundation has established a $55,445 “Community Women’s Endowment” with the proceeds since the inaugural Women, Wine, Jewels, and More event in 2019.

Six scholarships have been awarded to date. 

“Norma Meek and I are looking forward to celebrating our 5th annual Women, Wine, Jewels & More event,” Seasor noted. “This event is a fundraiser for scholarships for female college students at ACTC. This is a great networking event established for women in our community to attend and have a fun evening with friends!”

This year’s hostesses include Mayola Boykin, Holly Canfield, Amanda Clark, Brandy Clark, Terri Branham-Clark, Lori Cooksey, Cheri Daniel, Missy Fannin, Sheila Fraley, Donna Jones, Julie Klein, Ashley Layman, Jane Layman, Alice Martin, Kim McCann, Willie McCullough, Leslee Mcleod, Ann Perkins, April Perry, Samantha Prince, Brooke Elswick-Robinson, Louise Shytle, Kerry Tague, Mae Deana Torgrimson, Heather Vanderen, and Robin Webb.

“Men can become a “Jewel of a Guy” by sponsoring the event with $100, and businesses can become a “Gem of a Business” by sponsoring the event with $250,” Seasor concluded.

Those wanting to help support the event can contact one of the sponsoring hostesses for information on how to become a “Jewel of a Guy” or a “Gem of a Business” sponsor.

Reservations are required and limited by January 19. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP online at https://alumni.kctcs.edu/e/women-wine-jewels-more.

Legislative Update from Representative Flannery

By: Patrick Flannery
Representative, State of Kentucky

Keep track as lawmakers convene 2024 Regular Session

The 2024 Regular Session began as the Speaker of the House gaveled in members from the state’s one hundred House districts. As legislation is filed, committees meet, and bills and resolutions make their way through the process, Kentuckians can visit the historic State Capitol Building or Capitol Annex as all meetings are open to the public.

We recognize that not everyone can travel to Frankfort, so the legislature offers a number of free and easily accessible ways to follow along and track our progress, including:

Website: The legislature’s administrative body, the Legislative Research Commission (LRC), maintains legislature.ky.gov, a website with links to legislation, schedules, current statutes, and individual legislators. The website also includes information from previous sessions and legislative interims.

Livestreaming: The Kentucky General Assembly offers livestreaming of all legislative committee meetings at the Legislative Research Commission’s YouTube site, @KYLRCCommitteeMeetings. Kentucky Educational Television (KET) also offers livestream coverage of House Floor proceedings and most legislative committee meetings on their website, which can be found at ket.org/legislature. Both sites maintain archives of past meetings. House Majority Caucus press conferences and media availabilities are also livestreamed on the Caucus Facebook page, @KYHouseGOP and made available on YouTube @KYHouseGOP.

Email Updates: I share regular updates throughout session, including information from state agencies and programs. If you would like to be added, please email me atpatrick.flannery@lrc.ky.gov.

Legislative Record: If you are interested in following the legislature’s work, one of the most valuable resources is the Legislative Record. This document was historically offered in print and print versions are still available. However, the online version, found at apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/24rs/record.html, is incredibly easy to use. On this site, you will find every piece of legislation filed for consideration, download the full text of the bill, see where it is in the process, and find out if changes have been made by a committee, the House, or the Senate.

Session Schedule: The Kentucky House convened at Noon on Tuesday, January 2 and adjourn sine die by midnight on Monday, April 15, 2024. The official session calendar is available at legislature.ky.gov/Documents/RS_Calendar.pdf. Please note, this schedule is subject to change but an updated version will be made available on the website.

Committee Schedule: House Standing Committees will begin meeting once session convenes and continue throughout the session. The regular schedule can be found at legislature.ky.govor by clicking here. Please note, this schedule is subject to change but an updated version will be made available on the website.

As we continue the session, 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 and keep track of committee meetings through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.

Extension Notes: Berry Good Deal: Snag Sweet Savings during the Extension Office’s Plant Sale!

strawberries and blueberries on glass bowl
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By: Rebecca Konopka
Carter County Extension Agent

Packed with antioxidants and brimming with vitamins, berry plants are a delicious investment in your well-being. Whether you have a spacious backyard or a sunny balcony, there’s a berry out there waiting to befriend you.

Raspberries and blackberries, commonly called brambles, grow well in Kentucky. With favorable growing conditions and proper care, a raspberry planting may produce for 8-12 years. Blackberry plants usually live longer than raspberries because they are better adapted to Kentucky’s climate. They both have biennial canes and perennial roots. The roots and crowns live for several years and produce a new crop of canes each spring, while the fruit matures on last season’s canes.

Deep, fertile soil that is well drained, high in humus and free from hard pans is best for brambles. However, almost any well-drained soil can be modified to grow brambles. Planting brambles on raised beds may help reduce root rot and prolong the life of the planting. Trickle irrigation and mulching will help ensure good plant growth and high yield. When possible, plant brambles on a northern slope or where there is afternoon shade. Such soils are cooler and hold moisture better.

Remember to purchase certified, virus-free stock when possible.

Strawberries will also grow well in Kentucky and for the best results, select a site with deep, sandy loam soil well supplied with organic matter. Clay soils can produce a good crop if the site has been prepared to drain well and has added organic matter. Fields with heavy perennial weed pressure should not be planted to strawberries. Avoid fields that have been in potatoes, tobacco, peppers, eggplants, or tomatoes due to potential problems with Verticillium wilt. Strawberries need to be located on ground higher than the surrounding area to reduce the chance of spring frost damage. A protective straw mulch should be applied when plants become dormant in late fall and removed the following spring.

Strawberries are commonly grouped as either June-bearing, everbearing, or day-neutral. June-bearing varieties have been grown in Kentucky for many years. They are typically planted in early spring and blossoms are removed during the first season to encourage runner establishment. A full crop is harvested during the second and subsequent seasons. June-bearing varieties produce flowers under short-day conditions. Early varieties may be more subject to frost injury because of their bloom time, and the opened blossom is at the stage of fruit development most susceptible for frost injury. Strawberry varieties all ripen about 30 days after bloom. June-bearing strawberries normally produce the largest yield per season, in a short period of time. If you want enough berries for freezing and processing choose June Bearers.

Everbearing and day-neutral strawberries are very similar under Kentucky conditions. Both produce few runners and flower buds develop regardless of the day length. They typically yield three crops during a season: a moderate spring crop, a summer crop of small berries, and a heavier fall crop. Total season-long yields, however, are similar to those of June-bearing strawberries. The fall crop depends on having a cooler summer for obtaining good fruit size and yields. During the first year of establishment, blossoms are removed so that

only a fall crop is produced.

Spotted wing drosophila is a newer pest in Kentucky that is of particular concern to any soft fruit that matures after July 1. Populations tend to be low enough prior to that time that they are not a serious concern for June-bearing varieties.

The Carter County Extension Service is currently taking orders for Kentucky recommended varieties of blackberry, raspberry, and strawberry plants. Order forms can be picked up at the Extension Office or accessed online at https://carter.ca.uky.edu/berry. All orders are due by February 13th.


Upcoming Events:

  • Small Ruminant Quality Assurance – Thursday, January 18th @ 6:00 PM – Call 474-6686 to register.
  • Northeast Area Livestock Association – Tuesday, January 23rd @ 6:00 PM – Speaker: Dr. Jimmy Henning, UK Forage Specialist; Topic: A Deeper Dive into Hay Samples
  • No-Till Drill Clinic – Tuesday, January 30th @ 6:00 PM @ Boyd County Fairgrounds Expo Building
  • Master Cattleman – Six-part series begins on February 8th at the Boyd County Fairgrounds Expo Building. Call 474-6686 to register by January 25th.
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