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Extension Notes: Helping Sickly Plants Get Well

photo of potted plants on wooden table
Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com
By: Rebecca Konopka
Carter County Extension Agent

If the houseplants you just brought inside appear grim, the cause may be an unfavorable environment in your home or disease problems.

              The unfriendly plant environment could be the result of lower light, humidity or temperatures, drafts or improper watering or fertilization.  These adverse growing conditions often lead to various diseases indicated by leaf drop, yellow leaves, death of leaf edge and tip and spindly growth. 

              To keep plants looking good, become familiar with each one’s optimum growing conditions including light, moisture and fertility requirements.

              If plants require high light intensity, clean the windows where these plants will be put to ensure that they receive the brightest light possible. The highest intensities generally are found in south-facing windows that are not blocked by outdoor vegetation or awnings. Plants likely will need less water and fertilizer when grown indoors so reduce these accordingly.

              Another cause of the sickly appearance could be that while outdoors the plants were infested with insect pests or infected with disease organisms.  This initial problem may become severe when you bring the plants indoors because the disease or insect’s natural enemies are not in your home. Diseases that spread from one plant to another usually are caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses and nematodes that come into contact with plants outdoors.

              Black, brown or yellow spots may indicate a bacterial or fungal leaf spot disease. To combat foliar diseases, pick off and destroy affected leaves, leave plenty of space between plants, move them to a less humid area and do not wet foliage.

              Viruses are moved to healthy plants by insects and on human hands. To eliminate a viral problem, discard diseased plants.

              Soil borne organisms cause root and stem-rot diseases, which usually occur under very wet soil conditions. Preventive measures are to avoid overwatering plants and provide good drainage.

              Common houseplant insect pests are aphids, mealybugs, white flies, scale spider mites and thrips.

              Insecticides usually are not necessary on small infestations limited to a few plants.  Dip a swap in rubbing alcohol to remove light aphid and mealybug infestations, or use tweezers or your fingernails to control them.  Wash off mites by spraying plants with water.  

              Use a solution of two tablespoons of mild soap per gallon of water and a soft brush or cloth to eliminate heavy insect infestations. If you decide to use a conventional insecticide, always read and follow the manufacturer’s label instructions.

For more information on plant care tips, contact your local Carter County Extension Office. 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.      

Upcoming Events:

  • Emergency Calf Care – November 18th @ 6:00 PM – Morehead State University Farm Classroom

Governor should sign death warrant for double cop killer after 30 years

By: Keith Kappes
Columnist
Carter County Times

I’ve made no secret of my admiration for Gov. Andy Beshear and his inspired leadership of our state through tough times. However, I feel this man of faith and compassion is wrong in his refusal to sign a death warrant for a man who killed two law enforcement officers three decades ago.

            Conversely, I’m not a fan of State Attorney General Russell Coleman but he is right to keep insisting that the governor sign a death warrant for Ralph Baze, who shot and killed two Powell County law enforcement officers from ambush in 1992.

            Coleman filed a motion in Franklin Circuit Court last week with the argument that a 15-year-old court order blocking the signing of death warrants doesn’t apply to Baze’s situation, and that Beshear’s interpretation of the law continues to deny justice to the families of Powell County Sheriff Steve Bennett and Deputy Sheriff Arthur Briscoe.

            Beshear’s refusal to sign the warrant is based on that 2015 court order. Coleman insists that the governor is obligated under Section 81 of the Kentucky Constitution to proceed with Baze’s execution immediately.

In my view, the application of the death penalty for a convicted murderer who killed two police officers is fundamentally justified by the principle of retributive justice.

The primary purpose of capital punishment in such a case is to ensure the punishment is justly proportionate to the severity of the crime, validating the concept of “lex talionis,” a life for a life.

I feel strongly that the taking of two lives intentionally, especially those of public servants sworn to protect society, represents a crime of ultimate contempt for the rule of law.

Since the reinstatement of capital punishment in the United States in 1976, only three people have been executed in Kentucky. Two of the three were voluntary, including Marco Allen Chapman, the last person to be put to death, in November 2008, exactly 17 years ago.

Plainly and simply, the death sentence serves a crucial symbolic function that life imprisonment cannot fulfill. It affirms that certain crimes are so heinous they forfeit the perpetrator’s right to remain among the living.

Contact Keith at keithkappes@gmail.com.

The working class is done being the audience

man and woman in yellow hard hats working using industrial tools
Photo by Mikael Blomkvist on Pexels.com

By Robert Dean

For the Carter County Times

On Friday night, October 31, President Trump threw a “Great Gatsby”-themed Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago. Burlesque dancers. Champagne fountains. Guests in flapper costumes celebrating Gilded Age excess. The slogan? “A little party never killed nobody.”

Hours later, 42 million Americans lost their SNAP benefits.

This is the America working people are living in right now. And this week, in three major elections, they voted like it.

Virginia elected Abigail Spanberger as its first female governor — a milestone that should feel historic. She’s also a former CIA agent, so the “finally, not another old white guy” celebration comes with an asterisk. Meanwhile, in New York City, 34-year-old Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani pulled off a stunning upset, defeating Andrew Cuomo and the entire Democratic establishment machine. And across the river in New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill handily defeated her GOP opponent for governor.

These weren’t protest votes. They were a coordinated middle finger to a system that’s stopped working for anyone who actually works.

Neither party owns the blue collar anymore, because neither one listens. Corporate Democrats discuss working people in the past tense, like artifacts in an industrial museum. Republicans romanticize them in campaign ads while voting against their interests every time. Both parties have built machines that run on the labor, taxes, and patience of working folks — then treat them like props once the cameras turn off.

You know the scene: a politician in a spotless Carhartt jacket, pretending to know the price of unleaded, shaking hands outside a diner he’ll never eat in again. They call it “connecting with working people.” I call it performance art.

But working people are done being the audience. They’re holding the bag while everyone else argues about whose “values” they represent. And increasingly, they’re realizing they’re closer to needing SNAP benefits themselves than to understanding why a president would throw a Roaring Twenties party while the working poor wonder how they’ll feed their kids.

That’s why Mamdani resonated. He didn’t just run as anti-establishment — every opportunist does that. He ran on rent freezes, free buses, and cheaper groceries. His tax plan said it plainly: you pay less if you’re a worker, you pay more if you’re a corporation or millionaire. It’s not radical. It’s honest about who’s getting screwed.

After I took my kids trick-or-treating on Halloween, we stopped at Burger King. Two Whopper meals came to $29. That’s not inflation — that’s extortion. Millions of people across this country live that reality daily while being told the economy is A-OK.

Will all of Mamdani’s promises come true? That remains to be seen. What’s clear is that party heads on both sides don’t like a socialist who wants to strip power from the elite.

Being mayor of any big city is a Sisyphean task; you’re never going to be loved in today’s political landscape. But what’s real is that people are tired of choosing between Pepsi and Coke when neither quenches their thirst. New Yorkers took a sledgehammer to the vending machine. Mamdani’s win proves they want something different — even if the establishment pretends not to understand why.

The people of New York are gambling against the machine because they must. They’re setting a precedent for the rest of the country. When the alternative is watching the powerful toast the bubbly while grocery bills double and benefits vanish, even a gamble starts looking like the safe bet.

Got opinions? Contact us at news@cartercountytimes.com 

Pet of the Week: Meet Brody

Brody is a male boxer mix, around three-years-old. He’s very friendly, good with other dogs, and loves attention. Brody has a $100 adoption fee that includes rabies vaccination and being neutered. Stop by the Carter County Animal Shelter and meet him or call 475-9771 for more information.

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

Combs files for reelection

Grayson Mayor Troy Combs signs paperwork signaling his intent to run for reelection. (Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)
By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times

Troy Combs has filed for reelection as mayor of Grayson. Combs has served approximately two-thirds of his current term, and filed as soon as he was able to do so. Before running and being elected to the office of mayor Combs served on the city council and said he enjoyed taking part in the process of local government.

“In those two years (as part of the council) I enjoyed being part of the process, and I became aware that someone needed to do more to address the concerns the city faced,” Combs said.

Because, he explained, the city was getting ready to face changes.

“We were going to have an exchange of leadership,” Combs clarified. “Because Mayor George Steele had made it clear that he was not going to run for reelection.”

Combs said at that time he had neither planned nor expected to run for the office of mayor.

“I would have been comfortable staying on city council,” he said. “But there was no indication that anyone was going to run for the office.”

This would of course leave something of an administrative vacuum and ultimately be bad for the city.

“It wasn’t so much political ambition as moral obligation,” Combs said of both his write in campaign for city council (to fill a void) and his filing to run for mayor.

During his time on the council, he said that he worked hard to understand the entire process, so he determined that when the city needed someone to step into a larger leadership role, he would do what the city needed done.

“I just knew someone needed to do it, and none of the other current council members had indicated a desire to run.”

Combs said that there were no ‘shock’ moments taking over as mayor of Grayson, but there was a learning curve that he, being a student of law, found fascinating.

“And the City of Grayson has been fortunate that there was no controversy in city government,” Combs said. “So, instead of being shocked in a bad way, I was more shocked in a good way because my council has been very easy to work with.”

One thing in his role as mayor that differed from being a council member was the responsibility to provide useful information to council, he said.

“The council has an obligation to learn about things that impact the city,” Combs said. “But the mayor has an obligation to inform them of those things to help them make good decisions.”

Combs said that he was aware of what his general duties would be going into the office of the mayor.

“But there are extra mayoral duties that aren’t listed,” he said. “There are things you don’t see in the statutes that govern the office of mayor. For example, I have to appoint people to these boards and commissions.”

For instance, the tourism commission was challenging, he said, due to the fact there were so many factors to address.

“They are a separate entity, but the city has a certain degree of oversight over the commission. We (the city) have to approve their budget, and I have to appoint people to be on the commission,” he said. “So, these extra mayoral duties kind of took me by surprise.”

The need to stay informed of current and changing state statutes by default also requires the mayor to be both researcher and teacher because that information needs to be gathered and applied to city government. Combs has a law degree and has been trained to understand and interpret statutes, but that does not always make his job easier when communicating that interpretation.

“It is surprising sometimes how resistant people can be to the information they need. And also, how resistant people are to even necessary change.”

Sometimes, Combs said, change is the best and most logical option. But change has to be implemented with respect for what precedes it.

Combs said that he has spent his first term dedicated to making Grayson better; and that is something that is always his first goal. He believes that his second term should continue along the same vein, with goals such as improving the city’s infrastructure, managing city projects while minimizing costs and keeping expenses at a reasonable level, and attracting businesses and individuals to the city.

“We want to bring all of our community partners together to improve the economy as well,” Combs said.

The future of Grayson is bright, Combs said, and he is determined to keep working to make the city a place where people want to work, live, and visit.

Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com

Joyful Noise: Perilous times

a bearded man praying
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

By Pastor Naomi Mitchell

For Carter County Times

Making ready for Christ’s return should be on the hearts and minds of every believer. Prayer is the means that Christ has appointed so that our hearts will not be overcome with indulgences, drunkenness, and the cares of this life; so that the day of Christ’s return will not come upon us suddenly as a snare. (See Luke 21:34-35.) We are warned in scripture, “Watch you therefore, and pray always, that (we) may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (verse 36). According to this passage, there is only one way that we can be prepared for the coming of the Lord when He appears; through much prayer.

The second coming of Jesus Christ is a subject that is awakening much interest and discussion in our day. It is one thing to be interested in the Lord’s return and to talk about it, but it is another thing to be prepared for it. We live in an atmosphere that has a constant tendency to make us unsuitable for Christ’s coming. The world tends to draw us down by self-indulgence and care. There is one way by which we can triumphantly rise above these things – by constant watching in prayer, that is, by sleeplessness in prayer. “Watch” in this passage is the same strong word used in Ephesians 6:18, and “always” means to pray at all times. (R.A. Torrey)

Luke 21:26 states, “Men’s hearts fail them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken”. This verse is part of a larger passage, Luke 21:26-28, which discusses signs of the end times. The phrase “failing them” means to faint or be overcome, indicating that fear will be so great that people’s hearts will almost stop from terror.

In 2 Timothy 3:1-5: “But understand this: In the last days perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!”  But understand this: In the last days there will come times of difficulty. – 2 Timothy 3:1

Perilous times can be challenging, but we can find comfort in the Bible’s teachings during these moments. When Paul mentions perilous times in 2 Timothy, he is drawing our attention to the trials and difficulties we face in the world. These times can bring fear and uncertainty, but as Christians, we find hope through our faith in God. We know that even in our struggles, He is with us, guiding us and offering strength. In the face of perilous times, we are called to stand firm and support one another, fostering unity and spreading love. Together, we can navigate these challenges with the understanding that God is in control. His promises remind us that we can have peace amidst turmoil.

While the Bible warns of perilous times, it also offers hope and assurance of God’s sovereignty and ultimate victory. Believers are reminded that despite the challenges, they are called to be salt and light in the world, reflecting the love and truth of Christ until his return.

The person who spends little time in prayer, who is not steadfast and constant in prayer, will not be ready for the Lord when he comes. But we can be ready. How? Watch and pray! Watch and pray!

Amen! So be it!

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.

Carter County football wraps up season

(Photo by Brayleigh Boggs, Carter County Times)

By Brayleigh Boggs

Carter County Times

It was a tough night for Carter County football as both East and West Carter closed out their seasons in the first round of the KHSAA playoffs. While the final scores didn’t fall in our favor, both teams showed heart, hustle, and the kind of grit that defines small-town football.

West Carter’s matchup against Bracken County started with a spark; a recovered fumble that had Comet fans hopeful. But that momentum was short-lived. A fumbled punt snap turned into a Bracken touchdown, and from there, the Bears took control.

Bracken’s defense was relentless, forcing multiple turnovers, including a pick-six that widened the gap early. West Carter struggled to find an offensive rhythm, and despite some defensive stops and a missed Bracken field goal, the Comets couldn’t capitalize. Bracken added two more touchdowns and a field goal in the second half, closing the game at 37-0.

It wasn’t the ending West Carter had hoped for, but the team’s effort and resilience didn’t go unnoticed. They fought until the final whistle, and that fight is what Carter County football is all about.

Back in Carter County, East Carter’s playoff game was a battle from start to finish. The Wildcats struck first, marching down the field for an early touchdown. But East answered back with a powerful run from Caleb Hall (21), tying things up and setting the tone for a back-and-forth showdown.

Henry County added another score before halftime, but East Carter came out of the break determined. Dzsawn Beason (23) bulldozed his way to the one-yard line, and Landon Yoak (20) punched it in to bring the Raiders within one. The rest of the game was a defensive grind, with both teams trading possessions but no more points. Final score: 13-12, Henry County.

It was a heartbreaking loss, but East Carter showed poise and passion. They played with heart, and they played for each other – something that goes far beyond the scoreboard.

While both teams fell short of advancing, Carter County football has plenty to be proud of. These young men suited up week after week, representing their schools, their communities, and their families with pride. From Friday night lights to playoff fights, they gave us moments to cheer for, stories to tell, and memories that will last long after the season ends.

Here’s to the seniors who played their final snaps, the underclassmen who will carry the torch, and the coaches, families, and fans who make Carter County football what it is: tough, loyal, and full of heart.

Contact the writer at news@cartercountytimes.com

AS WE SEE IT: This is your newspaper

selective focus photography of business newspaper
Photo by Ensiha Digital on Pexels.com

Sometimes I think growing up in a society that values rugged individualism so strongly as a virtue can have some negative effects. Now, I’m not knocking individualism. If anybody has ever marched to the beat of their own drum, it’s me. But this focus on individualism, on being able to do it all on your own, all by yourself, can be toxic. It can lead people to feeling like they’re failures if they can’t do every single thing on their own.

And the truth is, sometimes you need a team. Maybe I’m saying something that is apparent to folks who grew up playing sports (and it’s something you’d have thought I’d picked up playing in band), but I have often felt like I was a coattail rider if I was working with someone else on a project and we were playing to their strengths instead of mine. In school. In business. It didn’t matter. I needed to be able to do it all.

Sometimes that worked out for me. I got my first newspaper job because I could also develop photos. But I wasn’t the best photographer on staff, even if I could do it. I knew that, and I was glad to work with better photographers when I could, and learn from them.

In various paper jobs I had to take on different duties as staffing ebbed and flowed. But I was completely unprepared for all the things we were going to have to do when we started this paper. Still, that sense of “I can do it all” kicked in, and we made it work.

In those early days it was just me and my wife. I was doing the reporting. I was doing the photography. I was covering arrests. I was covering city and county government. I was running the editorial page, and writing all the editorials myself. I was also handling distribution and trying to sell ads with limited success. Meanwhile my wife was completely handling – and continues to handle – the layout, billing, subscriptions, the labeling for mailings, and every aspect of the business end. It was exhausting. More than any two people should do. But we did it.

As I have begun to delegate these things to other contributors, though,  I have sometimes felt like an imposter. But the truth is, I’m being the editor. I’m leading a team.

And I have a wonderful and talented team. They don’t always do things the way that I would do them, but that’s okay. They do their jobs well and that’s why they’re here.

Charles does not share my writing style, but he does a fantastic job covering city council, fiscal court and other local government. He has been able to dive deeper than I ever could have into local government by going to meetings that I often missed and extending his coverage to utilities and other important infrastructure issues that weren’t getting enough attention whenever I was trying to do everything on my own. We couldn’t do this paper without Charles at this point, and I’m lucky to have him on board.

Brayleigh Boggs I fully expect to win us some photography awards, if not this year then next. We had limited content to work with for this year, because of her start date. But 2027 better watch out because I’m already cataloging the photos that she’s sending me, and we’ve got some fantastic shots. Her sports writing is better than anything I’ve ever done too, and displays an understanding of the game that I’ll never achieve.

Speaking of sports, our former sports writer Miranda Lewis has done a wonderful job maintaining our website and earned the silver cup that’s been sitting on my shelf waiting to get into her hands for nearly a year now.

While we couldn’t really do the paper the same way at this point without all of these folks, we couldn’t do the paper at all – and we never would’ve done the paper at all – without my wonderful and amazing wife, Nicole. This amazing firebrand of a woman, this absolute force of nature, took a throwaway comment and a pipe dream and made them a reality.

This newspaper has always been a team effort. It was a team effort from the beginning. That team’s just grown from me and her to all the rest of these folks and to you, the community that supports us. We couldn’t do any of this if you weren’t picking us up. We do our best to cover all of our local government. We do our best to cover courts and crime. We do our best to provide a platform for every voice in this community who cares to share their concerns, their views, and their opinions with us. This isn’t my newspaper, it never was. It’s ours. And I thank you for the privilege of allowing us to start it, and to keep it going.

Sheriff seizes kilo of fentanyl

Submitted photo

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

A pair of men arrested last week on what appeared to be unrelated charges turned out to have been picked up as a result of a joint operation between the Carter County Sheriff’s Department, the Grayson Police Department, and an unnamed “federal partner,” according to a release from the office of Carter County Sheriff Jeff May, for their role in attempting to distribute more than 10,000 individual doses of fentanyl.

The Carter County Times reported last week that 35 year old Anton Glynn-Miles, of Detroit, was arrested by the Carter County Sheriff’s Department on November 2 as a fugitive, with no warrant required. We also reported that 43 year old Craig Horton, of Grayson, was arrested by the sheriff’s department on the same evening, on two counts of contempt of court – libel/slander – resistance to order.

According to the release from the sheriff, the duo also has pending charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and aggravated trafficking in narcotics – more than 28 grams of fentanyl.

According to the release the “two men were arrested in Carter County as the result of an ongoing narcotic’s investigation,” by the three law enforcement agencies. Information the sheriff’s department received led to the search and recovery of the narcotics; thanks in large part, May explained, to the aid of the department’s K9 unit.

The 10,000 dosage units seized amounted to 1,080.5 grams, or more than a kilo, of drugs intercepted before they could be distributed to local communities, Sheriff Jeff May noted in the release from his office.

May said he wished to thank the citizens of Carter County for their help in combatting the scourge of drugs in our community. He encouraged anyone wishing to report illegal drug activity to reach out to his office at 606-474-5616, or to email them at: tip.line@cartercokysheriff.us.

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

(Submitted photos)
(Submitted photos)

Ask Daryl – Your Professional Organizer: Fall, falling, fallen

yellow dry maple
Photo by Kadri Võsumäe on Pexels.com

By Daryl Ashley

Confusion Solution

Yes, it is fall. The leaves are falling, we have fallen back in time, and even a bit of snow has fallen on the ground. There is one fall we need to avoid, however, and that is the fall we take when we put things in our path. We don’t even realize that a small toy can bring us to our knees or the cord from the vacuum is wrapped around our feet until it’s too late.

It’s easy to lose our balance when we are moving things only to find we are in a potentially hazardous situation. We may even rearrange our furniture and forget that the coffee table is in a different place, causing us to bump a toe or end up with a bruised leg.

Be careful in your home to look before you take a step. Watch for things on stairs, toys on the floor, even clothes can trip you up. Stop, look, pick it up, and don’t fall.

It’s as simple as that!

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

Weekly Arrests: 11/12/25

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.

  • Michael McDavid, 44, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Detention Center, on a hold for court, arrested and booked November 3.
  • Louis Marshall, 57, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, for non-payment of court costs, fees, or fines, arrested and booked November 3.
  • Courtney Evans, 35, of Webbville, arrested by Kentucky State Police, for non-payment of court costs, fees, or fines, arrested and booked November 3.
  • George Johnson, 44, of Webbville, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance, first degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), rear license not illuminated, inadequate silencer (muffler), operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license, and failure to wear seat belts, arrested and booked November 3.
  • Alisha Kelley, 31, of Olive Hill, arrested by Grayson PD, serving a warrant for a parole violation, arrested and booked November 3.
  • Whitney Robinson, 25, of Louisa, arrested by Grayson PD, on charges of no registration receipt, driving without a license/negligence in accident, failure to maintain required insurance, and no registration receipt, arrested and booked November 4.
  • Casey Clevenger, 55, of Sandy Hook, arrested by Carter County District Court, charges unavailable, arrested and booked November 4.
  • Gary Lewis, 42, of Olive Hill, arrested by Grayson PD, on charges of first degree sexual abuse, and first degree indecent exposure, arrested and booked November 5.
  • Anthony Light, 54, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Circuit Court, on a hold for Drug Court, arrested and booked November 5.
  • Randy Fultz, 58, of Vanceburg, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, for failure to appear, arrested and booked November 5.
  • Garrick Pennington, 36, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of second degree stalking, third degree terroristic threatening, menacing, and second degree disorderly conduct, arrested and booked November 5.
  • Amanda Burgess, 34, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky State Police, for failure to appear, arrested and booked November 6.
  • Danny Suttles, 44, of Frankfort, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of no registration plates, no registration receipt, failure to produce an insurance card, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, no motorcycle operator’s license, arrested and booked November 6.
  • Patrick Garris, 47, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on charges of obstructed vision and/or windshield, speeding 20 MPH over limit, and driving on a DUI suspended license, arrested and booked November 6.
  • Clyde James, 53, of Olive Hill, arrested by Grayson PD, on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence on a substance, menacing, rear license not illuminated, failure to wear seat belts, and no registration receipt, arrested and booked November 7.
  • Elijah Littleton, 34, of Vanceburg, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, following sentencing on theft charges, arrested and booked November 7.
  • William Yeager, 65, of Olive Hill, self-surrender, weekender, arrested and booked November 7.
  • Maynard Howard, 55, of Isonville, self-surrender, weekender, arrested and booked November 7.
  • Mason Huff, 39, address unavailable, arrested by Kentucky State Police, for failure to appear, arrested and booked November 8.
  • Gary Rogers, 40, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a charge of fourth degree assault (domestic violence) with minor injury, arrested and booked November 8.
  • Tiara Mosier, 23, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, for failure to appear, arrested and booked November 8.
  • Rick Hargis, 58, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Circuit Court, on two counts of failure to appear, arrested and booked November 8.
  • John Rodgers, 64, of Olive Hill, arresting agency unavailable, on two counts of failure to appear, arrested and booked November 8.
  • Eric Hannah, 27, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, on a charge of public intoxication under the influence of a controlled substance (excludes alcohol), arrested and booked November 8.
  • Tina Hensley, 54, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, on a charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a substance, arrested and booked November 8.
  • Derrick Hale, 38, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a charge of  public intoxication on a controlled substance (excluding alcohol), arrested and booked November 9.
  • Cyndi Clark, 38, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on charges of violating conditions of release (bond), and contempt of court – libel/slander – resistance to order, arrested and booked November 9.
  • Heath Griggs, 50, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on a charge of first degree strangulation (domestic violence related), arrested and booked November 9.

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.

UK King’s Daughters welcomes plastic and reconstructive surgeon Ariel Toomey, D.O.

photo of medical professionals wearing personal protective equipment
Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

ASHLAND, Ky.— UK King’s Daughters is pleased to welcome plastic and reconstructive surgeon Ariel Toomey, D.O., to its medical staff.

Dr. Toomey joins KDMS Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, the practice of Peter D. Ray, M.D., and physician assistant Hannah Thacker, PA-C.

Dr. Toomey earned her medical degree from Touro University Nevada, Henderson. She completed her general surgery residency at McLaren Greater Lansing in Michigan and plastic and reconstructive surgery residencies at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Penn., and Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Royal Oak, Mich. She completed her aesthetic surgery fellowship at Aristocrat Plastic Surgery, New York, N.Y.

Plastic surgeons specialize in breast reconstruction, augmentation and reduction; tummy tucks; facial plastic surgery; body contouring surgeries after dramatic weight loss; liposuction; and surgical removal of skin cancers. Cosmetic services include Botox, fillers, and laser treatments.

KDMS Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery is located at Suite 105, Medical Plaza A, 617 23rd St., Ashland, Ky. Dr. Toomey will also see patients in Portsmouth. To schedule an appointment, call (606) 408-7500. New patients welcome—no referral needed.

Peer Support training courses to be offered online

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ASHLAND, Ky. – Workforce Solutions at Ashland Community & Technical College is excited to offer a 30-hour Adult Peer Support Specialist course to meet an ever-growing need in our region. 

The course is entirely online and is offered over two weekends: Nov. 15-16 and Nov. 22-23. 

These programs prepare individuals for entry-level positions in agencies and institutions that provide social, community, educational, and mental health services. 

Upon completion of the program, the graduate is prepared to seek employment in various areas, which may include childcare facilities, mental health settings, chemical dependency settings, hospitals, and other social service agencies.

“Our Adult Peer Support Specialist training program empowers individuals in recovery to use their experiences to support others on their journey,” said Robin Harris, Director of Workforce Solutions. “This training fosters personal growth and resilience, which in turn will build a stronger, empathetic recovery community to address the addiction and mental health challenges our region faces.”

To become qualified, a Kentucky Peer Specialist completes 30 hours of training and passes both a written and oral test. 

The cost is $200 per participant, but tuition assistance may be available to those who qualify.

For more information or to register, email as_workforce@kctcs.edu or call (606) 326-2072.

KCTCS and Morehead State University Expand Transfer Pathways for Kentucky Students

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Versailles, KY -An expanded transfer agreement between Morehead State University (MSU) and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) will make it easier for students to begin their college journey at a Kentucky community college and seamlessly transfer to MSU to complete a four-year degree.

Officials announced Tuesday that MSU will expand its transfer pathways to students at all 16 KCTCS colleges. The partnership maximizes credit transfer, reduces time to degree, and provides access to transfer scholarships and guaranteed support from both institutions to remove barriers and make degree completion more attainable.

“KCTCS students consistently demonstrate they are prepared to thrive at the university level,” said KCTCS President Dr. Ryan Quarles. “I’m grateful to President Morgan and Morehead State for continuing to put students first and expanding opportunities that keep higher education accessible and affordable across our commonwealth.”

“Morehead State University is proud to reaffirm our strong partnership with the Kentucky Community & Technical College System. Each year, hundreds of KCTCS students choose MSU to complete their four-year degrees, and we remain committed to providing them with a seamless, supportive transfer experience that helps them achieve their academic and career goals,” said Dr. Jay Morgan, President, Morehead State University.

The agreement provides specific benefits to KCTCS students, including transfer scholarships and a dedicated Transfer/Adult Admissions team made up of staff from both institutions. The agreement also includes free admission application, enrollment fee waivers for those with financial need, Eagle Express Joint Admission Program, free transcript evaluation, transfer ambassadors, as well as customized transfer visits.

“Morehead State is excited to deepen and strengthen our existing partnership with KCTCS, which has been so effective in opening educational opportunities for our students. With this agreement, we are reaffirming the importance of higher education in Kentucky and putting the needs of our students first,” said Morehead State Provost and Executive Vice President Dr. Chris Schroeder. “We look forward to many years of working together to equip our students to make a positive impact on the community, the Commonwealth, and beyond.”

“KCTCS and Morehead State have a long and successful history of collaboration, and this expanded partnership underscores our shared mission to serve Kentucky students where they are,” said KCTCS Provost Dr. Phil Neal. “Together, we’re creating clearer, more affordable pathways that keep students moving forward toward their educational and career goals.”

Annually, more than 14,000 KCTCS students transfer to a four-year college or university, building on the system’s role as Kentucky’s top provider of transfer-ready graduates.

Recent KCTCS graduate, Delaney Bradford, earned her associate degree from Maysville Community and Technical College before transferring to Morehead State to pursue her bachelor’s degree.

“My time at KCTCS gave me the foundation I needed to succeed at Morehead State,” said Bradford. “Both schools worked together to make sure every credit counted, and that support made all the difference in helping me reach my goals.”

Legislative Update By Sen. Robin Webb

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends, and co-workers affected by the tragic UPS plane crash in Louisville. Many Kentuckians work in aviation and logistics, and when a tragedy like this occurs, it touches communities across our commonwealth. We are grateful for the first responders and support personnel who acted quickly, and we hold all those affected in our prayers during this difficult time.

It’s been a full and meaningful week here in eastern Kentucky and in Frankfort, and I’d like to share a few updates from the week.

On Monday evening, I had the pleasure of joining friends and neighbors at the Greenup County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. It’s always good to be among the people who work the land and keep this region rooted: farm families, young producers, and those carrying on multi-generation legacies. I value hearing from those who know agriculture not just as policy, but as a calling and a way of life.

Back in Frankfort, the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue met mid-week. We reviewed updates on state employee health insurance and salary schedules. These are matters that affect workforce stability and service delivery across Kentucky, and I will continue working to ensure decisions are made responsibly and with transparency.

On Thursday, the Agriculture Committee discussed priorities for the upcoming legislative session, with updates from the Department of Agriculture on programs that support both producers and consumers. These conversations reinforce that the well-being of rural Kentucky is directly tied to the strength of our farms and the families who care for them.

We also convened the Natural Resources and Energy Committee, where we reviewed ongoing wildlife and conservation management regulations and heard an update on chronic wasting disease monitoring in our deer population. Modern gun season begins this Saturday, November 8. For everyone heading into the woods, please be safe and enjoy the season.

I am honored to represent you. If I can be of help with a state issue or if you have thoughts on any of these discussions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

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Jailer announces new program

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GRAYSON – Carter County Jailer R.W. Boggs announced that the jail has been approved to provide Moral Reconation Therapy. This expands the treatment services the jail is able to provide “in house” to its inmates suffering from addiction.

“I sent two deputies to become certified as MRT instructors in hopes of expanding opportunities to fight addiction and help those individuals lessen their chances of relapse and return to jail,” said Boggs.

Boggs, who has a Masters in Psychology, understands the cognitive damage that addiction does to an individual. MRT is a form of cognitive therapy that expands on ones moral reasoning, self-reliance, and changing negative thought patterns. Boggs said the jail’s approval allows them to start offering the classes November of this year to eligible inmates. As an incentive to participate in the classes, Ky Department of Corrections reduces sentences up to 90 days for eligible non-violent inmates. The programs also creates some revenue for the jail which ultimately makes it no cost to the county.

“In the long and short run, it saves taxpayers money, generates the county some money, and gives people additional opportunities to change their lives,” Boggs noted. “This is a win-win for the county.”

James “JR” Sammons

James “JR” Sammons, a beloved husband, father, papaw, brother, and friend, passed

away at UK St Claire on November 4, 2025, at the age of 70. He was born on August 24,

1955, in Mansfield, Ohio to the late James Lloyd Sammons and Avanell Nolan

Sammons.

JR loved horses and could often be found riding his horse Blackie. He also loved old westerns and sports -he was an avid fan of UK basketball, the Reds and the Bengals, and never missed a game if he could help it. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In addition to his parents, JR was preceded in death by one brother, Dennis William Sammons.

JR is survived by his wife of 31 years, Virginia; three sisters: Brenda Oney of Grayson, Kentucky, Patricia Hanshaw (Philip), and Rosalie Holbrook (Raymond), all of Olive Hill, Kentucky; three sons: Mick Sammons (Tami) and Clifford Landsaw (Krystal) both of Morehead, Kentucky, and Chris Gabbard (Chenelle) of Marion, Indiana; 7

grandchildren; and one great-grandchild, along with many more family members and friends.

A visitation will be held from 6:oo PM -8:oo PM Friday, November 7, 2025, in the

chapel of the Michael R. Gray Funeral Home in Owingsville. Funeral services will

follow at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 8, 2025, with Bro. Mick Sammons

officiating. Burial will take place at Shrout Cemetery at Owingsville, Kentucky

immediately following the funeral service. Pallbearers are Clifford Landsaw, Terry

Wills, Earl Sexton, Bobby Purvis, Randy Halbert, Philip Hanshaw, Raymond Holbrook. Honorary Pallbearers are Pud Rodgers, Caden Gabbard, Jacob Gabbard, James Gabbard, Edward Penick.

The Michael R. Gray Funeral Home is caring for all the arrangements for James Lloyd Sammons Jr.

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Verna Tackett

Verna Tackett, age 80, of Olive Hill, Kentucky, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 15, 2025 having passed away at her residence, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on July 6, 1945, in Lewis County, Kentucky, to the late Russell and Mary Fannin.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Olive Hill. She enjoyed spending time outdoors tending to her flowers and meeting new people. She could often be found caring for others around her, always willing to help in any way she could.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Arthur “Mike” Tackett; granddaughter, Kodi Michelle Tackett; five sisters, Helen Fannin, Julie Bell “Ora” Dyer, Opal (Willis) Toller, Becky (Clifford) Carroll, and Sandy 

(Gary ) Noblit; three brothers, Leotis (Barb) Fannin, Reynold “Toot” Fannin, and Carl (Bertie) Fannin.

Verna is survived by her daughter, Mary Katherine Tackett (Darrell) of Olive Hill; her son, Michael Anthony “Tony” (Christie) Tackett of Olive Hill; two granddaughters, Hannah Ashley Tackett of Dover, Kentucky, and Abigail Grace Tackett of Olive Hill; one great-grandchild, Zoey Reese Garvin of Dover, Kentucky; three sisters, Goldie Wallace of Grayson, Kentucky, Gladys Hayes of Crestline, Ohio, Ann Gregory of Bucyrus, Ohio, and numerous nieces and nephews. Finally, three special friends Helen Stevens, Joy Edison Johnson, and Renee Alexander.

Verna will be remembered for her generous heart, gentle spirit, her green thumb, and the love she shared with everyone she met. Her family and friends take comfort in knowing she is at peace having been reunited with those she loved who have gone before her. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished in the hearts of all who knew her.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, October 17, 2025, at Olive Hill Memorial Park with Brother Eddie Barker officiating.

Friends may visit after 11 a.m., Friday, October 17, 2025, until the service hour at Globe Funeral Chapel, 17277 West US Hwy 60, Olive Hill, Kentucky.

David Carroll, Jeff Wells, Jack Lowe, Herbie Jones, Tucker Pumpelly and Trevor Callahan will serve as pallbearers.

Roger Patton, Darrell Seagraves, Marty Church and Chris Tackett will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Globe Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the family of Verna Fannin Tackett.

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