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Carolyn Evone Brown

Carolyn Evone Brown, age 73, of Soldier, Kentucky, went home to be with the Lord, Sunday, January 18, 2026 at U.K.Claire Medical Center in Morehead, Kentucky, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on January 31, 1952, in Carter County, Kentucky to the late Milzia and Geneva Sturgill Black. She lived a life devoted to her family, marked by love, strength, and quiet dedication. She loved the Lord and was a 50 year member of the Soldier Church of God.

Carolyn was the beloved wife of 49 years, to the late Roger Lee Brown and together, they built a home rooted in love, commitment, and family values. Roger preceded her in death on April 20, 2016, and Carolyn carried his memory with her always.

She is lovingly remembered by her children: two sons, Kevin (Sandra) Brown of Soldier, Kentucky, Brian (Becky) Brown, of Grayson, Kentucky; one daughter, Teena (John) Liles, of Olive Hill, Kentucky. Carolyn was a proud and devoted grandmother to Victoria (Daniel) Jones, Braden (Kristen) Brown, Ethan (Alexandra) Brown, Peyton Brown, Bryson Liles, and John Quentin Liles. She also loved watching her sons become grandparents. She was the great grandmother to Ella Jones and Tyson Brown.

Carolyn is also survived by her siblings: one brother, Charles Black of Olive Hill, Kentucky; three sisters, Kitty Cross of Niles, Ohio, Teresa Conn of Olive Hill, Kentucky, and Debbie Cundiff of Morehead, Kentucky. She cherished her family ties and remained closely connected to those she loved throughout her life.

She leaves behind many nieces and nephews whom she loved.

Carolyn will be remembered for her unwavering love of the Lord. Being a Christian was the greatest journey of her life. She had a great love of flowers and gardening. Her memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Funeral Service will be conducted Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 1 p.m. at Globe Funeral Chapel, 17277 W US 60, Olive Hill, Kentucky, Brother Byron Hargett, Brother Steve Madden, and Brother Clifford “Tippy” Price II officiating. Burial will follow in Bradley Cemetery, Olive Hill, Kentucky.

Visitation will be after 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 21, 2026 , until the service hour at Globe Funeral Chapel.

Her sons and grandsons will be her Pallbearers as she is laid to rest.

Kevin Brown, Brian Brown, John Liles, Braden Brown , Ethan Brown, Peyton Brown, Daniel Jones, Bryson Liles, and John Quentin Liles.

Globe Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the family of Carolyn Black Brown.

Richard Craig “Dick” Williams

Richard Craig “Dick” Williams, 87, of Olive Hill, passed away peacefully Sunday, January 18, 2026, at UK-St. Claire Medical Center in Morehead, Kentucky, with family at his side.

He was born March 20, 1938, in Kendallville, Indiana, to the late Richard and Elaine Bly Williams. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Carole Jean “Jeanie” Williams; a brother, Ralph Williams; a sister, Judy Williams Wright; and his beloved mother-in-law, Louise Henderson Cundiff.

Dick was a proud Army Veteran of the 82nd Airborne and of the Navy Reserve. He was an adventurer who made the most of life. An avid reader from childhood, he dreamed of traveling the world and seeing exotic places. In the late 1970’s, he got his chance. He worked in Saudi Arabia on construction of what was then the world’s largest airport. During breaks from work, he traveled extensively throughout Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Always a sharp dresser, he and Jeanie made quite an elegant couple on many a dance floor. They shared great love and laughter together.

In the 1990’s, Dick decided to become a police officer, and that’s where he truly made his mark. He went on to serve as both patrolman and chief of police of Olive Hill. He retired at age 81, after more than 25 years of service to the city. He continued to work part time as a bailiff in the Carter County Courthouse up to last year.

Dick possessed a sharp sense of humor and delighted in making people laugh. He seldom showed his more serious side. Instead, he helped many people in the community in quiet ways, creating a legacy that will live on in the hearts of many. A Christian, he vowed to serve his God, his family, his country and his community, and served all four with honor and dignity.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Heatherann Cundiff of Ocala, Florida; two nephews and their wives, David and Diana Cundiff and Jonathan and Kim Cundiff, both of Olive Hill; a niece, Maria Pearson of Lima, Ohio; four great-nephews, Travis, Kyle, B.J. and Dalton Cundiff; special friend, Alma Sturgill of Olive Hill, with whom he shared many special times and adventures for 15 years.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Friday, January 23, 2026, at Globe Funeral Chapel, 17277 West US Hwy 60, Olive Hill, Kentucky, with Brother Steve Madden, Brother Marcus McCleese and Brother Jason Lewis officiating. Burial will follow in Garvin Ridge Cemetery in Olive Hill, Kentucky.

Friends may visit from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Thursday, January 22, 2026, and after 9 a.m., Friday, January 23, 2026, until the service hour at Globe Funeral Chapel.

Bruce Palmer, Sam Richmond, Travis Cundiff, B.J. Cundiff, Kyle Cundiff and Dalton Cundiff will serve as pallbearers.

Olive Hill Police Department will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Globe Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the family of Richard Craig “Dick” Williams.

Mary Evelyn Keaton Bradley

Mary Evelyn Keaton Bradley, age 82, of Olive Hill, Kentucky, passed away Thursday, January 15, 2026, at Georgetown Community Hospital in Georgetown, Kentucky, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born February 25, 1943, in Carter County, Kentucky, a daughter of the late John D. and Frances Porter Keaton.

Mary cherished her family time, especially with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who brought her so much joy. She also enjoyed visiting auctions and dining out. Plus, she was always up for a good prank and could out shop anyone. She will be missed by her family and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Bradley; three brothers, Homer Keaton, James Keaton and Roy Keaton; four sisters, Jerldene Keaton, Anna Mae Pennington, Senia Erwin and Maxine Royse.

Mary is survived by one son, Randy (Shannon) Bradley of Olive Hill, Kentucky; one daughter, Dianna (Rockey) Kouns of Georgetown, Kentucky; 4 grandchildren, BJ Cundiff, Megan Brown, Drew Bradley, Zack Bradley; 3 great-grandchildren, Bryson Cundiff, Sylas Brown, Madison Kouns; long time companion, Lewis Wright; one brother, Harlen Keaton of Summittville, Indiana,  along with many other family and friends who will sadly miss her.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, January 19, 2026, at Globe Funeral Chapel, 17277 West US Hwy 60, Olive Hill, Kentucky, with Brother Rob Stanley officiating. Burial will follow in Bradley Cemetery on Dry Branch in Olive Hill, Kentucky.

Friends may visit after 11:30 a.m., Monday, January 19, 2026, until the service hour at Globe Funeral Chapel.

Globe Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the family of Mary Evelyn Keaton Bradley.

Garnette Marie Jude

Garnette Marie Jude, age 79, of Lexington, Kentucky, went home to be with the Lord, Monday, January 12, 2026, at Three Rivers Healthcare in Cincinnati, Ohio.

She was born November 15, 1946, in Welch, West Virginia, and grew up in the coal-mining town of Number #2 Yukon, West Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Theodore and Nina Jude of Olive Hill, Kentucky. She is survived by her sister, Barbara Liguori, Prospect Heights, IL, and three brothers, TR Jude, and his late wife, Hazel, of Paris, Kentucky; Edsel (Monica) Jude; and Lowell (Sandy) Jude, Winchester, Kentucky.

Garnette was a proud aunt and lavished attention generously to her seven nephews, Lou, Vincent, Bob, John, David, Roy Kenneth, and Joshua.

A graduate of Big Creek High School in War, West Virginia, Garnette went on to be a transcriptionist and administrative assistant in Chicago, Illinois and worked in several capacities, including a career at The Chicago Tribune. She worked in various administrative roles and professional capacities across Chicago and in Lexington, including Central Baptist Hospital. She later graduated from Midway College and was a substitute teacher in the Fayette County School District for eleven years.

Garnette was an avid reader a writer, and a participant in various choirs. She loved spending time with her friends.

Garnette was a Christian and a member that attended the St. Luke’s Methodist Church where she previously worked as a tutor for the after-school program.

A private graveside service will be observed.

Shriners contribute more than quarter million to hospitals

Members of the El Hasa Shrine participate in a Memory Days parade. (File photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)

By Jeremy D. Wells

Carter County Times

The El Hasa Shriners have issued their year-end report for hospital fundraising in 2025, showing that the fraternal organization raised more than a quarter million dollars – a total of $268,240.06 – for the two Shriners Children’s Hospitals in our region. This included significant contributions from Shriner affiliated groups, like the Hillbilly Clan and Order of the Quetzalcoatl, and from Shriner sponsored events.

The Carter County Shrine Club contributed $15,000 to that total from their horse show and other events, with $10,000 going to Shriners Children’s Lexington, and $5,000 to Shriners Children’s Lexington. But that isn’t all the local club raised. Their paper sale raised an additional $5,700 for the hospitals, for a total contribution of $20,700 from Carter County, according to club treasurer Gary Justice.

Outgoing president of the Carter County Shrine Club, Harry Justice, noted how much these contributions meant to the families who benefit from the Shriners Hospitals, and how rewarding it is for the Shriners who work these fundraising events.

“I know to the kids that the Shrines help, it means a place they can go that they don’t need to be afraid, or worry about a burden to their family,” Justice explained. “They know that this is a place of people who want the best for them. And who love and care about them. The Shrines organization, it’s all about the children. And, from the parents’ side, I’ve talked to so many from where I work that come in here and mention their children have been helped by the Shriners. And it didn’t cost them a dime. They always mention how thankful they are.”

He said the community echoes that support when they contribute at fundraising events.

“I know when you collect money, like on paper sales, people say they love the Shriners. And they’re happy to donate to the Shriners, because of all the good work they do.”

Incoming 2026 President Donny Owens, Jr. noted that visiting the hospital, and seeing firsthand the work being done to help the children, is one of the more humbling things he’s experienced.

“It’s amazing, to see the things they do, and the difference they can make in these families’ lives,” Owens said.

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Extension Notes: Upcoming Agriculture Extension Programs & Workshops

a woman holding an apple and a book in front of the kids
Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com

The Carter County Extension Office is excited to announce a full slate of educational programs and hands-on workshops for the winter season. These events are designed to support local farmers, producers, and community members with practical knowledge and resources.  All meetings will take place at the Carter County Extension unless otherwise noted.  If preregistration is required call 474-6686. 

Predator Control Workshop – Thursday, January 22 | 6:00 PM @ Boyd County Franks Building at the Boyd County Fairgrounds.  Learn effective strategies for managing predators on your farm. The first 40 participants that register will create their own black vulture effigy to hang at their farm.

Northeast Area Livestock Association Meeting – Tuesday, January 27 | 6:00 PM – Future meetings will be held on the fourth Tuesday in February & March. 
Topic: Farm Management Strategies for Improved Decision-Making
Speaker: Dr. Jordan Shockley, UK Ag Economics Extension Professor

Small Ruminant Quality Assurance – Friday, January 30 | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM & Tuesday, March 3 | 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Cost: $5
Improve your herd health and product quality through this certification program which is required for reimbursement through the CAIP small animal investment area.   Preregistration required. 

Little Sandy Beekeepers Association – Join fellow beekeeping enthusiasts on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM to share tips, discuss hive health, and learn best practices for the upcoming season.

Beef Quality & Care Assurance Training (BQCA) – Tuesday, February 3 | 6:00 – 7:30 PM & Friday, February 27 | 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Cost: $5
The BQCA program’s mission is to maximize consumer confidence in and acceptance of beef by focusing the producer’s attention to daily production practices that influence the safety, wholesomeness, and quality of beef products through the use of science, research, and education initiatives. BQCA is required for cattle reimbursement in the large animal CAIP investment area.  Preregistration required.  

Pesticide Safety: Private Applicator Training – Friday, February 6 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM  & Monday, February 9 | 5:30 – 8:30 PM
Required training for farmers that wish to apply restricted use pesticides.   Preregistration required.  

Farmer’s Market Vendor Training & Meeting – Tuesday, March 17
5:30 PM – Executive Committee Meeting for Officers, Board of Directors & Market Managers 

6:20 PM – Dinner Provided

6:30 – Business Meeting

7:00 – Senior & WIC Required Training 

For more information or to register for any event, contact the Carter County Extension Office.  Stay connected and take advantage of these opportunities to learn, network, and grow!

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of 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 expressions, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.

How did Plato know personal computers were coming?

person holding digital table
Photo by VAZHNIK on Pexels.com
By: Keith Kappes
Columnist
Carter County Times

Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher, was a student of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle. That means he was one smart dude.

So, when he said necessity is the mother of invention, history tells us he was right as rain.

            I experienced that truism a few years ago after returning from a business trip to Alabama. My tablet computer was on the blink and I felt sure that the airport security folks had handled it too roughly.

As a confessed low-tech redneck, I turned to tech-savvy family members, co-workers and others for advice on how to fix the handy little device…but all to no avail.

I turned it off and on and reset it twice but the blue screen, squiggly lines and blinking lights persisted. It looked like a couple of the cell phones I had clumsily submerged in Cave Run Lake.

Totally frustrated and faced with doing without the tablet, I suddenly recalled the advice of a friend who works in information technology. He says that when all else fails, the IT professionals humble themselves and go to Google for answers. But he also says to be careful about who knows that secret.

But I am so excited that I am forced to out myself today with this admission that I went to Google, the incredible Internet search engine launched in 1998.

            At first I was overwhelmed by the number of responses from IT technicians, technical writers, computer self-help sites and others who posted suggestions for eliminating the blue screen.

            I scanned the list carefully before selecting a YouTube entry that asked if I had ever “spanked” my tablet.

            Worried at first that I might have hit one of those naughty Internet sites, I carefully opened the link to find a fully-clothed young woman holding up a tablet computer with a blue screen.

            She literally spanked the machine twice on the back, turned it over and the normal screen images immediately returned.

            I did the same trick with my tablet and got the same joyful result. Yes, I am available for autographs…and high consulting fees.

            Contact Keith at keithkappes@gmail.com.

Opening up Olive Hill

Olive Hill’s Firebrick Lake. (File photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)
By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times

The nonprofit organization Trail Town is working to open up the natural beauty of Olive Hill and promote tourism. Trail Town President Jesse Oney said Trail Town was started in 2012 after major flooding in the area.

“We started looking at Olive Hill as a place we could have a major trail system,” Oney said. “We got a task force together and mapped the Red Trail out really well.”

And after that first step to establish non-motorized trails, the project grew.

Oney said the next to be mapped was the Blue Trail that follows waterways from Olive Hill to Carter Caves.

“It begins at the Depot in Olive Hill,” he said of the Blue Trail.

The Red Trail, he said, goes to what was the old city lake but is now called Firebrick Lake.

“We changed the name of it to Firebrick Family Recreational Park,” Oney said. “And we are making it into a park for everyone to use whether it be horseback riding, walking, or bicycle riding. If you want to bring a kayak to the lake, you can do that.”

“We have plans for a shelter house up there too,” he said of upcoming improvements. “We will be putting in restrooms there, and will be making the park bigger and easier for people to get into and out of.”

“Right now, there are three access points to the lake we can use,” Oney said. “One is on Perry Branch, there is the Ranch Road access, and the Garvin Ridge entrance.”

“We use Garvin Ridge as more of a maintenance entrance right now,” he said. “But anyone that wants to access it can use all three entrances.”

Everything the group does is to state specifications, Oney said. Even the prohibition of motorized vehicles is designed to prevent any kind of contamination to the land, and to ensure that the water system is not polluted.

“Any trail that crosses a stream, we have to treat that stream as a crucial natural resource because it is. Everything we do is EPA compliant.”

The group’s goal is to protect the lake while utilizing the land around it. The walking trails, bike trails, and horse trails will allow both local residents and tourists alike to enjoy the land while protecting it, Oney said.

“Right now, we have a minimal amount completed,” Max Hammond, who is affiliated with both Trail Town and the Warrior’s Path said of the project’s progress. “We are working through a volunteer effort, and we are going up there and building the trails properly in compliance with the Kentucky Office of Nature Preserves. And we are building them to the International Mountain Bike Association standards.”

The trails that Trail Town are building will be all earth trails, both Oney and Hammond said.

“There will be no necessity of bringing in any material that doesn’t already exist at the city lake,” Hammond said. “The only exception would be some gravel for expanded parking.”

“And that’s one thing that makes the project unique,” Hammond said. “According to the International Mountain Bike Association, this has the potential to be the finest mountain bike park east of the Mississippi.”

“The reason for that is our soil,” he explained. “It is primarily clay; the same clay that was used at our brick yard. That soil is moldable into almost any shape you could imagine.”

“Anything we build is going to stay the way we build it,” Oney said of the clay’s inherent value.

Currently Trail Town is working on building a bridge so that they will be able to open another trail. One bridge has been built already, but another is still needed. This trail, he said, will be designated the Purple Trail, and will be dedicated to one of the group’s volunteers who has gone above and beyond during the process. He predicts that trail opening will be near the end of February, Oney said.

The design of this Trail Town project was the result of a grant written to the International Mountain Bike Association.

“We were one of ten communities picked nationwide who received a grant to design the park,” Hammond said. “Once we had the design of the park, we went to the Department of Local Government and wrote a Recreational Trails Program grant. We were awarded $159,000 in funding for that.”

Both Oney and Hammond said that there had been a lot of work done on the trails in 2025, and they hope to make an equal amount of progress in the coming year. Anyone interested in learning more about the project and how they can volunteer should visit the Trail Town Facebook page. Oney said they are grateful for the community support they have received, and said the project would not be able to be completed without the residents of Olive Hill and beyond.

Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com

Pet of the Week: Meet Scout

Scout is a male mixed breed, believed to be between one and two years old. He’s very playful, and loves attention. Scout is already neutered and up to date on all vaccines, and has a free adoption to an approved home. Stop by the Carter County Animal Shelter to 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.

Olive Hill Tourism discusses playground and improvements

The Olive Hill Tourism Commission discuss issues in their first meeting of the new year. (Photo by Charles Romans, Carter County Times)
By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times

The Olive Hill Tourism Commission met last week for their first meeting of 2026. In the public comment portion of the meeting, the commission heard about Earthscape playground equipment for the city playground, but will wait until different options and the price of the equipment could be determined before committing to a vote. It was suggested that the new equipment would be compatible with the current improvements being made by the Trail Town organization in the Olive Hill area and enhance tourism.

Tourism President Jeremy Rayburn said that updating the playground would be desirable for the city, and cited recent upgrades at Carter Caves Park as enhancing the overall experience for visitors there. “We do need an overall blueprint for what we hope to accomplish,” Rayburn said. “And we need to determine what stages we are going to follow with the projects.”

The tourism commission has several projects that are currently pending, and commission member Brittany Rayburn pointed out that several local contractors have already committed to donating labor for the projects. The commission will be responsible for the cost of materials, or in the case of Earthscape they would be responsible for the entire cost of the project should they vote to move forward on that, but the donation of man hours in the form of labor from professional contractors will allow the commission to do more.

The commission has an annual budget, but they hope to augment that budget through grants. There are multiple grants for which they are able to apply on both the state and federal level, many of which are more closely tailored to tourism.

The commission also discussed old business, specifically the signage travelers would see as they come into Olive Hill. The signage is currently in the design phase by Signs Plus in Nicholasville, Kentucky, but a completed representation is expected to be presented to the commission for approval in January and could be voted on at the regularly scheduled February meeting. The dimension of the new sign is four feet by eight feet, with an option to increase the size. The company has agreed to install additional signs if needed or desired.

The commission was made aware that they have paid Trail Town $17,895.25 of their agreed upon funds match on the Depot improvement, with the remaining balance of the funds match expected to be around $5,000.

Potted spring flowers were also discussed by the commission. The last quote received was for installing baskets and flowers, watering three times per week, then removing them in the fall and installing fall flowers, and was submitted at $27,375. There was discussion about whether flowers should be addressed before certain repairs and cleanup were completed in the downtown area, as well as discussion of whether hanging baskets would be preferrable to ground standing planters. Pending further investigation, no vote was taken to approve the bid.

The commission also heard information about the Google site for the City of Olive Hill. Changes and updates were discussed with the commission intending to make their forms available on that site and make it easier to apply to the tourism commission for funding. The cost of subscription for that site for the 2026 year is $15.98, and the commission voted to approve the subscription.

Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com

Tomorrow is the last day to sign up for health insurance through Kynect

woman using silver laptop
Photo by Marek Levak on Pexels.com

Tomorrow is the last day to sign up for health insurance through Kynect

By Melissa Patrick

Kentucky Health News

The deadline to sign up for federally subsidized health insurance through Kynect, the state’s online portal, is Thursday,  Jan. 15, for coverage that starts on Feb. 1.

With the expiration of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits on Dec. 31, health insurance premiums are much higher for Kentuckians during this year’s open enrollment. Even so, Gov. Andy Beshear stressed the importance of having insurance.

“Open Enrollment ends January 15, and I encourage everybody, you need coverage,” he said at a Jan. 8 press conference. “You can’t roll the dice. Don’t be one injury away, one sickness away from losing it all.”

Priscilla Easterling with Kentucky Voices for Health told WKYT-TV that some Kentuckians could see a $1,000 monthly premium increase.

Easterling advised Kentuckians to seek out a Kynector, who are available in every county and are trained to help Kentuckians enroll in coverage through Kynect; not let their plan auto-renew without shopping the marketplace to ensure they are getting the best option; and to call their lawmakers to let them know the impact of Congress not renewing the enhanced tax credits.

Beshear said even with the “sticker shock” of the plans, as of Jan. 6, 88,000 Kentuckians had enrolled in a Qualified Health Plan for 2026. Last year, he said, this number was about 100,000.

“So you can see a direct impact of Congress’s refusal to extend those tax credits,” he said.

Beshear said that of the 88,000 people who have selected and enrolled in a plan, 12,045 are new enrollees and 10,558 have canceled coverage for 2026. Further, he said, Kynect is seeing people downgrade their plans.

An article by Dr. Eric Lullove titled “Healthcare is About to get a Lot More Expensive,”  republished with permission by Blue Amp Media, offers a comprehensive explainer of what the “enhanced tax credit” provided and the fallout from its loss.

Lullove writes that the bottom line is: “2026 marks a pivot point where ‘having insurance’ no longer equates to ‘having healthcare.’” Between the loss of subsidies and the rise of massive deductibles, millions of Americans are becoming “under-insured‘—holding a card in their wallet they are too afraid to use because of the out-of-pocket costs.”

Gov. Andy Beshear added that Congress’s decision to end the enhanced tax credits is “going to cause a significant burden on our people.”

To counter this financial burden, Beshear said he proposed $100 million in his budget to support Kentuckians on Kynect facing health care price spikes due to the federal expiration of the subsidies.

“It’s my hope that the General Assembly will not only act on that, but we could go ahead, if we so choose, and add it to this current budget and make it available as soon as the General Assembly would be willing to move it through,” he said.

It is uncertain as to whether this proposal will be included in the final budget since Beshear, a Democrat, faces a  Republican super-majority in each chamber of the General Assembly.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Jan. 8, the U.S. House passed a three-year extension of the enhanced subsidies that expired Dec. 31 by a vote of 230-196, with 17 Republicans voting with Democrats. This allows the enhanced premiums to restart and remain in place through the end of 2028 with no adjustment to the formula. The legislation now heads to the Senate, where it faces an uphill battle as a similar measure failed in December.

Joyful Noise: Identity

photo of woman looking at the mirror
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

By Pastor Naomi Mitchell

For Carter County Times

If any person is born again through faith in Jesus Christ, they have become a new creation, a heavenly species, a forgiven child of God. When God looks on the redeemed, He filters them through the precious blood of Jesus and all He sees is His Son.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

Your identity is not something to be lost or trampled on. It is unique, special, and individualized to you and you alone! Know who you are and that you were created to be a success. You are here to make a difference in this world. Choose the things that will be beneficial in bringing you to your ultimate destination. You are a gift from God.

Speak these proclamations over your life, by faith, choosing to agree with God:

Today, I choose to agree with God! Jesus takes great delight in me. He sings, rejoices and dances over me.

Today, I choose to agree with God! I have the mind of Christ, and I am thinking more and more like Him.

Today, I choose to agree with God! This day I will be everything God created me to be. I will be awesome, amazing, spectacular, delightful, happy, and free.

Today, I choose to agree with God! I have a relationship with Truth Himself, and I am forever becoming more and more free.

Today, I choose to agree with God! I have been made free in Christ. I am no longer a slave to sin. I am walking in my new identity as a child of the Most High God.

Today, I choose to agree with God! I have been forgiven and set free. God’s mercy covers me every morning. This is a new day, and I have new mercies today in my life.

Today, I choose to agree with God! I have power, love, and a sound mind. I have erased fear from my life. I walk in truth always. I know who I am in God. Amen! So be it! (Excerpt from Re-Script Your Life Dr. Clarice Fluitt)

JOYFUL House of Prayer, 2519 Quicksand Road, (P.O. Box 856), Jackson, Kentucky 41339. Send Comments/Prayer Requests: Pastornaomi4god@gmail.com. FB: JoyfulHoprayer. Services: 10am Sunday and Joyful Kids Class at 10:30am, 6:30pm Thursdays. Radio Broadcast: WJSN 97.3 FM & WEKG 81.0 AM Sundays 1-2pm.

Guest Editorial: Why Troy’s Law Matters to Kentucky’s Working Class

a car on a tow truck
Photo by Jonathan Reynaga on Pexels.com

By Bubba Johnson

Bubba’s Towing

Some days in Frankfort carry more weight than others. Not because of ceremony or politics, but because of what’s at stake for the people of Kentucky.

One of those days came recently when Representative Richard White and Representative Patrick Flannery, joined by dedicated co-sponsors, filed House Bill 282, known as Troy’s Law. The filing marked an important step forward, not just for the towing industry, but for every working family in the Commonwealth who depends on safe roads and responsible leadership.

Frankfort is the foundation of Kentucky’s lawmaking. It is where real-life struggles are meant to be heard and turned into real-world solutions. When lawmakers gather here, they are entrusted with more than votes and bills. They carry the responsibility of representing the people who keep this state moving—the blue-collar men and women who clock in early, clock out late, and hope nothing goes wrong before they make it home.

That includes the towing industry.

Tow operators are often invisible until the worst moment of someone’s day. When a car breaks down on the shoulder. When an accident shuts down a lane. When a family is stranded, scared, cold, and unsure of what to do next. That’s when we show up.

We are the ones who stand just feet from moving traffic so others can get home safely. We work in the dark. In the rain. In the snow. On highways where one distracted driver can end a life in seconds. Every call we respond to is someone else’s emergency. Every shift we work carries risk. Every time we step out of our trucks, our families pray we come back.

Troy’s Law exists because that risk has grown too high to ignore.

At its core, Troy’s Law is about fairness, safety, and respect. It recognizes the essential role tow operators play in keeping Kentucky’s roads clear and its people safe. It also acknowledges a simple truth: visibility saves lives.

House Bill 282 would allow tow operators to run blue lights alongside their amber lights while working active traffic scenes. That is the full request. There are no budget demands. No grants. No funding attached. No special treatment.

Just one more layer of protection.

Across the state of Kentucky, construction zones operate with blue lights present whenever workers are on the side of the road. Those lights slow traffic, grab attention, and give drivers extra reaction time. Their safety matters—and it should. But Troy’s Law asks a fair question: why should the men and women working active traffic scenes every day be treated differently?

This is not about convenience.

This is not about appearance.

This is about visibility.

This is about reaction time.

This is about lives.

Blue lights change driver behavior. They force attention. They slow speeds. They buy seconds. And on the side of a highway, seconds are often the difference between going home safe and not going home at all.

For the towing industry, Troy’s Law is deeply personal. It represents coworkers lost, close calls survived, and families permanently changed. It represents the reality that too many tow operators have been injured or killed while simply doing their jobs. It represents a promise that those losses mattered enough to demand change.

But Troy’s Law is also about the work happening right now inside the Capitol. Advocacy does not happen overnight. It takes showing up, having difficult conversations, and standing in rooms where decisions are made and saying, clearly and respectfully, “This matters.” It takes lawmakers who are willing to listen. The filing of House Bill 282 shows what happens when leadership listens and acts.

This moment in Frankfort is a meaningful step forward—not just for Troy’s Law, but for every working family who depends on strong representation and common-sense laws that protect those who serve the public every day.

Tow operators help Kentucky get home. Now we are asking Kentucky to help protect us.

It is time for courage.

It is time for unity.

It is time for lawmakers to stand with the people who keep this state moving.

Support Troy’s Law.

Stand with the towing industry.

And help ensure that the men and women working the side of our roads get home to their families the same way they help others get home to theirs.

Updating the hotel tax

The Carter County Fiscal Court listens intently to a speaker. (Photo by Charles Romans, Carter County Times)
By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times

The Carter County Fiscal Court began their new year with the second reading of an ordinance (865) concerning the transient tax. The updated ordinance now covers all rentals that are rented on a nightly basis, including campgrounds and Air BnB’s in the county. The tax does not apply to rental properties that rent on a monthly basis, such as homes or apartments. The ordinance passed by unanimous vote, excepting magistrate Danny Holbrook who was absent from the meeting. The transient tax is a three percent tax typically paid by hotels and other transient lodging.

Carter County Tourism President Carl Burton addressed the court during the public comment section of the meeting, and discussed a vacant seat on the tourism board. The vacancy was created by a member stepping down, and Burton made a suggestion to the fiscal court for a replacement. Burton said the tourism board approved Joe Suttles, and requested the court agree to that appointment. Judge Executive Brandon Burton officially nominated Suttles for that position, and the court voted to approve Suttles as the new tourism board member. Suttles will serve a one year term.

 Burton told the court that the new opioid advisory board had met, and that all applications for funding through the opioid abatement fund had been given to that board.

“All the members were present,” Burton told the court. “They accepted all thirty applications that were given to them for review. They discussed budget and funding, possible surveys, school staff, and they are asking questions about what we are already funding.”

Burton said the board had asked about interviewing applicants before approval.

“Once they narrow the applications down to three to five applications, they will bring them in and do interviews.”

Burton said the next meeting of the board had been scheduled for January 15, but it will likely be moved to January 22 at 1 pm. Burton said the board will be focusing on those grant applications that are more time sensitive.

“We marked those for them to look at a little quicker,” Burton said. “So maybe they can be resolved in a month or so.”

“We chose a great group,” Burton told the court. “And I believe they will do a great job with our opioid funding.”

In other business, Burton said that he would like to nominate Gordon Womack for another four years as a board member on the Big Sandy Water District. The court voted to approve Womack, who will represent Carter County on that board. The court also heard reports from all county departments.

Additionally, the fiscal court voted to increase the county attorney’s pay to $40,000 per year. The court also voted to approve the magistrates pay to $600 salary and $600 expenses per month, which will take effect in 2027.

Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com

East Carter Takes Control

The East Carter Raiders basketball team (submitted photo)

By Brayleigh Boggs

Carter County Times

East Carter and West Carter delivered exactly what a county rivalry should be on Friday night; a bruising, emotional, momentum-swinging battle that didn’t loosen its grip until the final horn. Behind relentless defense, transition offense, and timely shot-making, East Carter pulled away late for a 55-40 win that felt far closer than the final score indicated.

The intensity was evident from the opening tip when Colton McGuire (12) controlled the jump ball to Caden Tussey (15). Just moments later, McGuire set the tone defensively with a steal that led to the game’s first basket. West Carter answered immediately, as Brody Boggs (14) knocked down a three, and the back-and-forth rhythm was established early.

Thomas Burton (1) showcased his physicality and finesse with a tough one-handed runner, while West Carter’s Jamison Wagoner (31) and Boggs connected from deep to keep the Comets within striking distance. East Carter countered with hustle plays, McGuire fighting through multiple rebounds to earn a free throw, Tussey extending possessions on the offensive glass, and Grant Menix (10) finding Max Karle (11) for a layup to push East back in front.

Defense defined the first quarter. Burton swatted away a layup attempt, Menix secured the rebound, and McGuire finished a tough look in transition. McGuire added two free throws after drawing contact, helping East Carter take an 11-6 lead into the end of the first.

The second quarter belonged to East Carter’s defensive pressure. McGuire blocked multiple shots, including one that ignited a fast break finished by Menix. That run forced West Carter to call a timeout, trailing 16-6. Still, Boggs refused to let the game slip away, scoring inside and converting at the line while Nate Webb (33) added a three. Tussey answered with a three of his own and later drew a foul from Boggs, stretching East’s lead to 20-10.

West Carter made a late push before halftime. Boggs attacked the rim, Webb fired a long outlet to Boggs for another layup, and suddenly the deficit was down to five. But Menix answered again, driving through contact for a contested layup, sending East Carter into halftime ahead 24-17.

The third quarter was when East Carter really seized control. McGuire continued to dominate both ends, blocking shots, grabbing rebounds, and spinning through defenders for scores. Tussey calmly knocked down free throws, and McGuire buried a long three as the lead stretched. Menix added an “and-one,” while William Burton (5) also finished through contact. By the end of the quarter, East Carter had stretched its advantage to 41-28.

West Carter, however, continued to show fight in the fourth. Wade Lawson (32) scored in transition and later hit a long three. Nate Hale (24) added a reverse layup, and Webb chipped in from midrange. But every surge was met with an answer. East’s Thomas Burton drove strongly to the basket, Tussey found Menix cutting for easy finishes, and Karle drilled a corner three off a McGuire assist. When Boggs knocked down two more free throws and Webb connected from deep, East Carter calmly responded, closing the door at the line and in transition.

Menix finished the game with 18 points, using his speed and strength to finish in traffic and run the floor. McGuire was everywhere, posting 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds while anchoring the defense with multiple blocks. Tussey added eight points and eight rebounds, while Karle, William Burton, and Thomas Burton each chipped in five points.

For West Carter, Boggs led the way with 15 points, Webb followed with 11, and Lawson added nine. Wagoner,  Hale, Peyton Nichols (5), and Tabor Tackett (53) contributed on the glass, but East Carter’s depth, discipline, and defensive intensity proved too much down the stretch.

In a rivalry game fueled by effort and emotion, East Carter made the final statement, turning defense into offense and walking away with a hard-earned 55-40 victory.

Contact the writer at news@cartercountytimes.com

Ask Daryl – Your Professional Organizer: Let’s get started

white drawer in the wardrobe
Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva on Pexels.com

By Daryl Ashley

Confusion Solution

How about taking a few minutes, really a few hours, to tackle your clothes closet? I know, I know, this isn’t exactly what you wanted to do, but it will take less time than you think, and the rewards will be amazing.

Now, you’ll want to have on hand, trash bags, dust rags, a box or two for donating (you can use bags, but for giving items away it’s nicer to have them boxed up), water to hydrate, and comfy clothes.

If you have shelves, remove items and set them aside. As you pull things down or off shelves think about it you really need to keep them, or if there is a better place to store them, or if there is no need for them at all. If you can’t decide right away, then hang on to them until you can think about them at a later time. Put items you want to donate into boxes or bags as you go. Pick up trash, as well.

Don’t put anything back just yet. Decide how you want shoes, clothes or other items stored on the shelves displayed in your closet. Then you can start dusting off the shelves and putting things back in an orderly fashion.

Hanging clothing can remain where it is because you will take each piece and make the same decisions as before. Then decide if you want them hung by type and color, put them on good hangers (they don’t have to be expensive), and rearrange.

It’s a wonderful way to refresh your closet and finding things when you need them will be much easier.

It’s as simple as that!

Send your questions and comments to me at info@confusionsolution.com

Weekly Arrests: 1/14/26

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.

  • Jason Canterbury, 36, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, on a charge of fourth degree assault (no visible injury), arrested and booked January 5.
  • Estill Stamper, 54, of Olive Hill, arrested by Olive Hill PD, on a probation violation (for a felony offense), arrested and booked January 5.
  • William Berry, 52, of Emmalena, arrested by Grayson PD, serving a warrant for a parole violation, arrested and booked January 6.
  • Ashley Salinas, 39, of London, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on charges of first degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, and theft by unlawful taking or disposition of more than $1,000 but less than $10,000, arrested and booked January 6.
  • Ricky Oliver, 57, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of operating a motor vehicle on a suspended or revoked operator’s license, failure to produce an insurance card, and non-payment of court costs, fees, or fines, arrested and booked January 6.
  • Bretton McKinney, 30, of Vanceburg, arrested by Carter County Jail, for failure to appear, arrested and booked January 7.
  • Shane Kramer, 32, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of first degree strangulation (domestic violence related), second degree assault – domestic violence, second degree fleeing or evading police (on foot), menacing, and second degree criminal mischief requiring restitution or repair, arrested and booked January 7.
  • Bryson Crider, 18, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on charge of fourth degree assault – domestic violence (no visible injury), and failure to appear, arrested and booked January 7.
  • Jimmy Conn, 46, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, for failure to appear, arrested and booked January 8.
  • James Gilllespie, 40, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a charge of failure to pay support, arrested and booked January 9.
  • James Conn, 50, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, charges unavailable, arrested and booked January 9.
  • Seth Wilson, 36, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, for failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked January 9.
  • William Church, 54, of Webbville, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a parole violation, arrested and booked January 9.
  • Dianna Martin, 25, of Olive Hill, arrested by Olive Hill PD, for non-payment of court costs, fees, or fines, arrested and booked January 9.
  • Joshua Marshall, 50, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a charge of fourth degree assault – domestic violence with minor injury, arrested and booked January 9.
  • Kathleen Young, 54, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky State Police, for failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked January 9.
  • William Yeager, 65, of Olive Hill, self-surrender, weekender, arrested and booked January 9.
  • Brittany Baier, 31, of Olive Hill, arrested by Grayson PD, on a charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance, arrested and booked January 10.
  • John Hall, 38, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on charges of second degree disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, second degree criminal mischief, and third degree terroristic threatening, arrested and booked January 11.
  • Wayne Puckett, 50, of Olive Hill, arrested by Olive Hill PD, for non-payment of court costs, fees, or fines, arrested and booked January 11.
  • Johnathan Owens, 23, of Morehead, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on a charge of failure to pay support, arrested and booked January 11.

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.

Don’t tread on me?

close up shot of wound on a person s hand
Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels.com

By Robert Dean

Carter County Times

For years, the rallying cry from many Republicans was loud and straightforward: “We’re prepared to fight tyranny. We’re ready to saddle up and get into the streets. The government overreach is too much.”

You heard it everywhere. At gun shows. In Facebook comments. On yard signs and pickup truck bumpers. Grab military boots. Buy more. Train for the moment when evil arrives.

But when evil showed up, it wasn’t the evil they envisioned. Instead of fighting for healthcare, for affordable housing, for federal jobs fixing our crumbling infrastructure, people took jobs working as Trump’s high school flunky patrol: ICE.

The people who call themselves lovers of America are watching cities get raided as perverse entertainment because they don’t believe immigrants should be here. They see some people as nothing more than obstacles between them and the wealth they’re sure they deserve – you know, “They’re taking our jobs.” But you don’t see many folks standing in front of Home Depot ready to work in their absence. And cruelty, once justified, becomes a feature instead of a flaw.

JD Vance has now stated that ICE agents should be allowed to go door-to-door looking for people without the correct documentation. History has seen what happens when armed agents of the state are empowered to demand papers from civilians in their own homes. That path has never ended well, and it has never aligned with freedom.

When armed federal agents arrived in face masks with guns drawn, suddenly the so-called patriots went quiet. The same folks waving yellow “Don’t Tread on Me” flags welcomed the boot.

An ICE agent called Renee Nicole Good “a f—ing b—-h” and shot her in the face. Her car was turning away. He was masked. He was in her neighborhood. She was living her life. By any moral standard, this is indistinguishable from murder.

This should not be framed as a personal defense story. Have you ever been in a crisis situation? A car accident? People move erratically. Good’s car was clearly turning away. She wanted to exercise her First Amendment right to speak out against injustice. A masked agent of the state shot her in the face instead.

The debate about whether it qualifies as murder is exactly how tyranny normalizes itself. It’s a flash point in basic decency.

This isn’t a pro-Democrat piece either. Obama built the cages, and Biden put them inside. Trump is just the endgame. All politicians are complicit in a culture of pushing the idea that if you could be illegal, you’re a menace to God-fearing white people. Most of the folks getting rounded up are hard-working people who wanted a better life. As I’ve said in columns past, I would rather have a neighbor who walked through hell to live next door to me than someone who thinks slapping a flag on their truck is the same thing as loving their country.

How do you justify tyranny in plain sight?

Are we supposed to accept Kristi Noem in her gigantic hat, standing behind a camo podium, as leadership? Is this the seriousness we were promised? Is this what “law and order” looks like now — federal agents with itchy trigger fingers and politicians selling it like merch?

For all the talk of unity – of a stronger, better America – what did it buy us?

There are no DOGE checks. No tariff windfalls. No sudden flood of better-paying jobs. The economy still sucks. Groceries cost more. Rent keeps climbing. The only thing delivered on time was more force and less accountability.

The cruelty isn’t hidden anymore. It’s broadcast. Shared. Liked. Defended.

Raids aren’t policy to some — they’re popcorn-munching entertainment. Deportations are tallies. Fear is the show. And the people who swore they’d stand up when the government crossed the line are comfortable sitting down. They never wanted to be against the government; they wanted it to align with their values of “stay in your place.”

Patriotism isn’t cosplay.

It isn’t tactical gear bought on credit or slogans slapped on flags. It isn’t silence when the Constitution becomes inconvenient. It’s not a culture of red hats made in China, promoting that you enjoy suffering – a brand ideology.

Patriotism is believing the rights you demand for yourself apply to everyone — even those you don’t like. Especially then.

And if this hell is freedom, who exactly is it for?

Send your submissions to us at news@cartercountytimes.com

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1.14.26 e2Download

Robert “Bob” Elwood Leadingham

Robert “Bob” Elwood Leadingham, age 75, of Grayson, Kentucky, passed away Saturday, January 10, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born Saturday, January 6, 1951, in Carter County, Kentucky, a son of the late Clell and Gladys Barker Leadingham.

Bob was a member of Lower Stinson Community Church and loved serving the Lord. He retired from CSX Railroad with 38 years of service and enjoyed farming, and spending time with his family and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Roger Leadingham and Joe Leadingham.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Linda Newland Leadingham; one son, John (Tammy) Leadingham of Grayson, Kentucky; one daughter, Roberta (Josh) Lucas of Grayson, Kentucky; 6 grandchildren, Joshua (Bethany) Leadingham, Jacob Leadingham, Isaiah Lucas, Elijah Lucas, Dzsawn Beason; 3 great-grandchilden, Ethan Leadingham, Austin Leadingham, Tilly Leadingham; one brother, Jack (Christine) Leadingham along with many other family and friends who will sadly miss him.

Funeral services will be held 12:30 p.m., Thursday, January 15, 2026, at Grayson Funeral Home, 49 McCoy Road, Grayson, Kentucky, with Brother Billy Sammons and Brother David Collier officiating. Burial will follow in Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Northeast in Grayson, Kentucky.

Friends may visit form 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Wednesday, January 14, 2026, and after 9 a.m., Thursday, January 15, 2026, until the service hour at Grayson Funeral Home.

Grayson Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of Robert “Bob” Elwood Leadingham.

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