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Maxine B. Booth Lawson

1936-2021

Mrs. Maxine B. Booth Lawson, age 84, of Olive Hill, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, February 3, 2021.

She was born July 10, 1936, in Cabin Creek, West Virginia, a daughter of the late Clarence and Lucinda Scott Booth.

Maxine was of the Freewill Baptist faith and she was a life long homemaker. She enjoyed going to church, singing, cooking and spending time with her family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Charles Lawson; two children, Lloyd David Lawson and Terry Lawson; three brothers; and four sisters.

Maxine is survived by two sons, Wayne Lawson (Carolyn) of Olive Hill, Kentucky, and Danny Lawson (Kristy) of Bellville, Ohio; 13 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren; 24 great-great grandchildren; and one brother, Richard Lee Booth of Mansfield, Ohio. She also leaves many other family members and friends who will sadly miss her.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, February 7, 2021, at Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive Hill, Kentucky, with Brother Roger Greenhill officiating. Burial will follow in the Parker Cemetery in Olive Hill, Kentucky.

Friends may visit from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, February 6, 2021, and after 9 a.m. on Sunday at Globe Funeral Chapel, 17277 West Highway US 60, Olive Hill, Kentucky 41164.

Brian Lawson, Tyler Lawson, Bryson Lawson, Quentin Rayburn, Alex Rose and Damon Stevens will serve as pallbearers.

Due to COVID-19 regulations, we ask that everyone wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Condolences can be sent to the family at www.globefc.com.

Frank (“Mike”) Michalovich

1933-2021

Frank (“Mike”) Michalovich passed away on the morning of January 10, 2021 in West Hills, California due to complications from Covid 19.

Frank was born in Warren, Ohio on August 27, 1933, the son of Michael and Anastasia (Steblecki) Michalovich. He was a graduate of Warren G. Harding High School and served in the U.S. Army.

In the early 60’s Frank moved to Hollywood, California where he began a career as a prop master in the TV/motion picture industry that lasted for 37 years. He worked in TV on The Mary Tyler Moore show, Rhoda, and the Angie series. He also went on movie sets having done the prop master work for The Gathering which was filmed in 1977 on location in Hudson and Chagrin Falls, Ohio. 

Frank loved socializing with his family and friends, a lively debate (in his words a “discussion”), telling jokes, and his motorcycle. He was always “up” for a new adventure.

Frank is survived by two brothers-in-law–Thomas Pardue of Warren, Ohio and John Henry Carter of Olive Hill, Kentucky; 17 nieces and nephews on the Michalovich side; 17 nieces and nephews on the Carter side; two step daughters; five grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.

Along with his parents, Frank was preceded in death by the love of his life, Mary Sabra Carter Michalovich to whom he was married for 37 years, three brothers (John Mayner, William Michalovich, and Michael Mayner) and four sisters (Ann Tomazin, Helen Hrusovsky, Stella Pappada, and Mary Jo Pardue).

Funeral service will be held at 12 noon Saturday, February 6, 2021, at Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive Hill, Kentucky, with Brother Jim Short officiating. Burial will follow in the Watson Cemetery in Olive Hill, Kentucky. 

Friends may visit from 11 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday, February 6, 2021, at Globe Funeral Chapel, 17277 West Highway US 60, Olive Hill, Kentucky 41164.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.globefc.com.

Legislative Update

By: Senator Robin L. Webb
for Carter County Times

FRANKFORT – On Tuesday, February 2, lawmakers will return to Frankfort and begin Part II of the 2021 Regular Session. In odd-numbered, non-budget years, sessions may not last more than 30 legislative days. However, like most things, a global pandemic has modified how we handle business as usual. Throughout February and March, members will pass a 1-year budget and discuss a wide range of policies and issues in the remaining 22 days. 

After concluding Part I in early January, we are now eight days through the 2021 Session. The legislature passed seven bills in the first two weeks, with Governor Andy Beshear vetoing six of them. Many aimed directly at limiting the emergency powers of the executive. The Republican supermajorities in the Senate and House only need a majority vote in each chamber to override the vetoes once we return. If the legislature decides to override these vetoes, the bills immediately go into effect, pending legal challenges. For a full review of the legislation that will be sent back to the legislature, visit https:// apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/21rs/record.html. 

As we proceed through the latter portion of the session, my hope is we can work across the aisle, in a bipartisan effort, on a budget that benefits all Kentuckians, both rural and urban. It is imperative we assist those who struggle, helping them navigate through the last leg of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also must prepare ourselves for a post-COVID-19 economy. Additionally, I plan to raise the matter of maintaining appropriations and continuing our commitment to broadband for our region and throughout east Kentucky. I will further address these issues with my colleagues when we are back in Frankfort. 

I have some good news for the region. Gov. Beshear announced the Northeast Kentucky Regional Industrial Authority in Grayson was awarded Appalachian Regional Commission funds for a $2 million project. The plans are to construct a 65,000-square-foot metal building on a build-ready site. The location is at the EastPark Industrial Center, an industrial site created through an interlocal agreement between Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Greenup, and Lawrence counties on a former strip mine. 

The incoming company will use the site for warehousing and distribution. The project will create 150 jobs and encourage new investment and economic development in our region. In addition to the ARC funding, the Industrial Authority will also use $2.32 million in local funds for a total of $4.32 million for this phase of the project. The Northeast Kentucky Regional Industrial Authority also received $1.5 million from the Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Pilot program for another portion of the project. I am extremely excited to welcome this company and these jobs. Our highly skilled and highly trained workforce stands ready to hit the ground running. 

Over the remaining 22 days, I will do my best to keep you updated and informed about what is happening in Frankfort throughout the 2021 Regular Session. For more information on the 2021 Session, including bills, committee calendars, or legislative news, visit http://www.legislature.ky.gov. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, I remain accessible by email atRobin.Webb@LRC. KY.GOV. You can also leave a message for me on the Legislative Message Line at (800) 372-7181. Citizens with hearing impairments can use the Kentucky Relay Service at 711. 

The blessing of friends

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

The other day I heard a program about how hard it is for adult men to make and keep friends after the age of 30. The assertion was that it is easier for women to make and keep friends because they are more likely to make time to get together for no other reason than to spend time together. This benefits them in allowing them a place to vent, to find support, and to escape the stresses of work and family life. 

Men, on the other hand, don’t get together just to see one another. They need an activity as an excuse to get together. Whether that is playing music (my personal go-to activity for most of my adult years), playing or watching sports, hunting, fishing, hiking, kayaking, working out, or having a beer; men don’t just drop in at a friend’s house for no reason other than to visit. 

Or, at least, that is what the author of the book on cultivating adult friendships claimed. 

It struck m as odd because, while part of it seemed true, I’ve been blessed with some very dear friends for much of my adult life. Granted, the limits of those friendships have been tested over the years. My best friend for most of my 20s – a man I lost contact with when I moved to Austin for work – passed away shortly after I moved home at age 40, and before we could rekindle our friendship. My two best friends from high school are scattered across the country and we don’t really do a good job of keeping in touch, though we do make a show of trying. 

I left behind one of the dearest men I’ve ever known when I left Austin for Denver, and though we quickly and easily rekindled our friendship when I returned to Austin briefly before coming back home to Kentucky, we’ve had a tough time staying in contact. He doesn’t really do social media, and neither of us like talking on the phone, so most of our contact has been through text messages over the last couple years. I noticed when I went to message him happy birthday a few weeks back, though, that I hadn’t messaged him since his birthday a year before. We’ve both promised to make more of an effort, but whether we will I can’t say. 

Another dear friend – and fellow musician – now lives in Chile where he teaches English classes. We’ve stayed in contact a bit better, because he does use social media even if it’s sporadic. We message each other every month or so, and have recently taken to recording voice messages to send through the messenger app, something that helps him stay connected to spoken English outside the classroom setting and is a real blessing to me every time I get to hear his voice. 

Our friendship was very close, and I miss him probably more than any other friend I’ve lost contact with through moves, but it’s a real blessing to speak even if it’s just over the internet. 

Despite all this, I’ve never really had a problem making friends, so I’ve not had the problems that other men – or at least the author of the book about adult friendships – seem to have. That said, the pandemic and social isolation have taken a real toll on me. I am a social being, and I miss visiting and hanging out with friends both new and old. I’ll be looking forward to the end of all this. 

Who knows, maybe I’ll even board a plane for Chile at some point on the other side of this, for no other reason than to share a beer with a friend. Maybe we can play some music too. You know, just as an excuse to hang. 

Jeremy D Wells can be reached at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Yes, virtue is its own reward…but it also can bring sweet surprises

By: Keith Kappes
Columnist
Carter County Times

Painfully shy, the old man had been a loner most of his life. Reared by his widowed mother from the age of 13, he had made few friends in high school, in college, in the Army or during his career in government. 

He didn’t marry until his early 50’s and then again in his 60’s but neither marriage produced children. The first wife divorced him after he paid for costly dental surgery for a stepson. The second wife was a co-worker who likely shared his indifference to socializing. 

He lived 460 miles from his closest sibling and had not visited or hosted a family member for many years. But, as a federal retiree, he lived comfortably in the suburbs.

Infrequent phone calls were his only contacts with his sister and two brothers and their children, a total of 13 nieces and nephews. 

Eventually, his three siblings passed away. By then, his health problems and reclusiveness kept him from attending any of their funerals, an obvious source of hurt.

As old age further reduced his quality of life, his second wife developed dementia and was admitted to a senior care facility. His visits with her ended when the pandemic struck last year.

By then, he had become a stranger to almost all of his nieces and nephews. But two of them had not forgotten their eccentric uncle who had been a welcome visitor in their earlier lives.

A niece in Kentucky and a nephew in Texas felt sorry for their sick and lonely uncle with no family or close friends to look after him.

They reached out with love and compassion to discover that he, too, had become an invalid, now sharing the nursing home room where his wife lay speechless and motionless.

The niece made regular phone calls to cheer him up. The nephew sorted out his uncle’s legal affairs. Shortly thereafter, the wife died and the uncle said that he, too, was ready to die because, sick and alone at 87, he had nothing to live for.

His passing came two months later. His cremains and those of his wife were sent to the nephew for interment.

Two months later, the 11 surviving nieces and nephews received notice that their uncle’s estate would be probated in March. The caring nephew was named primary beneficiary and the loving niece is the secondary beneficiary. The estate is estimated at several hundred thousand dollars. 

The moral of this story is that doing the right thing is always reason enough but sometimes there can be other benefits.

Keith Kappes can be reached at keithkappes@gmail.com

AS WE SEE IT: Equitable internet access needs addressing now!

It’s no secret that access to education hasn’t been historically equitable in the United States. Suburban school districts with a larger tax base have more resources, and send more kids to college. Meanwhile poorer urban and rural districts, with smaller tax bases, often struggle to meet basic educational needs. This is something that districts have always struggled with, and that state officials and local school districts have sought to overcome. Those attempts to overcome have been a mixed bag, though. 

With the pandemic, and a switch to online schooling, these inequities have been brought into even more stark relief. While our local school district has done a fantastic job of providing quality educational opportunities for all students, there is only so much they can do. They can and do provide free breakfasts and lunches so students can have full bellies and be prepared to learn. And the school resource centers do their best to meet other needs outside of school to make sure students can come to school without being distracted by worries from home. But now that students are meeting outside of school the district is even more limited in what it can do to meet those needs. 

It doesn’t mean they aren’t trying. School buses deliver meals to students at home so they can eat even though they aren’t coming into the school building. The district has provided notebook computers to students who need them so they can participate in online classes if they have home internet. If they do not have home internet they’ve set up wi-fi hotspots at each school, so parents can bring their children to download the week’s lessons. It isn’t ideal, but it’s better than not going to school at all. 

But even with the provided computers and wi-fi hot spots, students from poor homes are missing out. If they don’t have reliable home internet, they don’t get the same interaction as students who can join classes in real-time. There is also an extra burden placed on them to make the time, and spend the fuel money, to download lessons. 

It’s not the school district’s fault, and they are doing everything in their power to make sure they reach every child. They’ve even discussed options like picking up notebooks when they deliver meals, and taking them back to rural students already loaded with the week’s lessons as one solution. But this need highlights a burden that hits poor families harder than more affluent or middle class families. 

It’s also one that impacts rural families more, regardless of their economic status. Not only do they have further to go to reach schools to download content, even if they could afford internet access it isn’t always available where they live. 

The internet issue highlights another area where the poor are being impacted, and that is with quality educational programming. PBS, funded through the support of viewers, corporate and charitable underwriters, and some government funding, has long been a window on the world for poor and rural families. But in recent years PBS has lost some of their most beloved programming to for pay services. Sesame Street, for example, a beloved institution which has served as an introduction to the alphabet, shapes, colors, and numbers for generations of children, is no longer available to all on PBS. The show broadcasts on HBO now, with some older episodes eventually getting moved to PBS. 

Not only are Big Bird and Elmo behind the premium channel paywall now, but much of the content that is available through PBS is only available through – you guessed it – the network’s online streaming platforms. If you can’t afford HBO, can’t get decent internet service, and have a hard time picking up the PBS signal where you live, there is no Sesame Street at all for you. Not even the very limited content that is available through PBS streaming services. 

There is no easy answer to how to address this problem, but one of the areas that absolutely needs to be a focus is on improving rural internet access. Students need good internet access to stay caught up with their peers in online schoolwork. They need good internet access to watch the streaming PBS programs available to them – limited though they are. They need good internet access to research and apply for college programs and scholarships. 

It isn’t just a matter of playing online games with friends and browsing social media. The internet is a necessary part of 21st century life. It’s the window on the world that television used to be. And any plan to improve education opportunities for poor and rural youth needs to include plans for access to quality internet infrastructure. 

It isn’t something we can afford to ignore anymore. Our kids needs good internet today. 

Uncle Jack Fultz’s Memories of Carter County: Improving the city a never-ending job

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

It seems you can hardly go to a city council or fiscal court meeting without seeing someone asking for improvements to their neighborhood or community. Fiscal court gets requests for paving or gravel on roads. Grayson and Olive Hill get requests for streetlights or speed bumps or road signs. It should come as no surprise that none of this is new. 

Back in 1905 the original Olive Hill Times reported that folks in town were asking for a streetlight on East Main Street. The article complained that the town’s “leading business men (sic) who pay into the town treasury probably as large amount of taxes as any,” were “forced to plod along… through the mud, without the aid of a light.” 

Others were benefiting from streetlights already, according to the article, but those working on East Main were feeling left out. 

Eight years on down the road, in 1913, the streetlight issue had ostensibly been resolved. But roads – those perennial sources of complaint – were still an issue. We’ve talked before about the Midland Trail and plans for its construction through 1919 and 1920. But in 1913 it was muddy roads that folks had issues with. In the 1905 story one of the things that local businessmen had to deal with, in addition to walking home in the dark, was the mud. It was no different in 1913. The Progressive speaks of several issues with muddy roads and slides on the roads between Olive Hill and Grayson throughout that year. But their tongue was firmly planted in cheek in March of that year when they teased about there being no truth to the story of a “drummer,” or traveling salesman, “emerging from the warmth of an afternoon train,” to find himself vanishing in the mud as he attempted to cross the same muddy Main Street referenced in the 1905 article. 

Carter County may still have more than there share of dirt and gravel roads in the county, and may still have to deal with slides in the rainy season. But, with roads through town now paved, no one thankfully has to worry about disappearing completely in the mud while crossing the street. Or even of being “merely submerged to the arm-pits.” 

We may always want more and better, but at least we’ve had some progress down over the last 100 years. 

Editor’s Note: This is the 29th in a series of articles drawn from historical newspaper clippings. 

Camil Adventures, Carter County outdoor recreation group, presents check

By: Camila Haney
for Carter County Times

Hi, I’m Camila Haney from CAMIL ADVENTURES recently retired from First National Bank, Grayson, after 48 years of service. 

CAMIL ADVENTURES is an acronym for Connecting Avid Meanderers in Lightsome Adventures. In April 2019 we attended the Carter Caves Wildflower weekend, and from there we were off to hikes in different areas of the country. 

As we did these different hikes we figured we needed a name for our group. It was on a trip to Shaker Village in Pleasant Hill, KY down by the mill stream that we came up with our group name. 

Then after seeing groups in look-alike shirts in Hocking Hills State Park, Logan, Ohio, we decided that we must get shirts printed up with our group name. 

Sometimes we have folks join us for a day just to get to wear one of our shirts, but that’s all right. We love to share our passion for nature. 

An introduction of the group reveals that some are cousins, close friends, co-workers or neighbors. We have come to respect each other’s differences and opinions. However, when we come together we find that we are connected through kinship with nature. 

To celebrate my retirement, CAMIL ADVENTURES accompanied me to Laurel Gorge for an afternoon of hiking on Tuesday, January 26. The gorge is located near Sandy Hook, Elliott County, KY and approximately 20 miles southwest of Grayson, off KY Route 7. We believe in being safe, so we wore our masks and maintained social distancing. 

The first thing we did when we got there was to present a $250 check to Laurel Gorge Cultural Heritage Center that was a retirement gift from employees of First National Bank to reestablish the Kentucky Native Flora Garden and signage for the contribution . The check was accepted by Christy Lewis, director of the center.

The tone for the afternoon was set with a special presentation hosted by Angela Barker Thomas with the others joining in offering their congratulations with promises to accompany me on various adventures and to help with the Kentucky Native Flora Garden at Laurel Gorge. In addition to Thomas, other presenters included Lad Barker, Sheri Woods, Ed Woods, Will Matthews, Sandy Brown Litteral, and Layla Boone Litteral. 

Then we hiked the Cliff Line trail so named with huge sandstone boulders all along the right side. The sun played hide and seek with the water fall. As we stood on the lookout platform watching the falls, we were fortunate to see a rainbow. This was my second time to see a rainbow at the falls. 

For others in the group it was their first experience. I was so caught up in the “aha” moment that I didn’t bother to take a picture. 

We came back from the Cliff Line trail and took the Primitive Trail that follows the creek. We crossed a branch and hiked through the woods to another breathtaking waterfall. There had been a downpour of rain the day before, and Dog Falls was running at high speed. The sound and sight was refreshing. 

Now that I’m retired, don’t look for me on Facebook. I’m not there. But do look for me out there on a trail.

I am, Camila from CAMIL ADVENTURES

Pet of the Week: 2/3/21

Hensley is a one-year-old male shepherd mix. He’s a sweet, lovable boy and would love a home to call his own. His $75 adoption fee to an approved family includes rabies vaccination and being spayed. Stop by the Carter County Animal Shelter and meet him or call 475-9771 for more information. 

Shelter hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday by appointment.

Indictments: 1/8/21

The following indictments were returned by the Grand Jury of the Carter Circuit Court on January 8, 2021. An indictment is not a determination of guilt or innocence. It is simply a charge that an offense has been committed and indicates that a case is pending on the charges listed. All defendants have the presumption of innocence until found guilty in a court of law. 

Though it is a part of the public record, the Carter County Times does not make a habit of printing the names of minor children or the victims of alleged crimes, except under exceptional circumstances. 

  • Lois Blanton, 39, of Rush, on or about September 1, 2016 through November 30, 2020, the defendant committed the offense of flagrant non-support by failing to support her minor child, and accumulating an arrearage of $10,531.50, a Class D Felony. 
  • Jesse F. Brown, 31, of Vanceburg, on or about November 4, 2020, the defendant committed the offense of burglary in the first degree by knowingly and unlawfully entering a dwelling with the intent to commit a crime and while in the building or in the immediate flight therefrom, he or an other participant in the crime was armed with explosives or a deadly weapon, a Class B Felony.
  • Richard Carpenter Jr., 34, of Morehead, on or about July 1, 2011 through November 30, 2020, the defendant committed the offense of flagrant non-support by failing to support his minor child, and accumulating an arrearage of $21,687.65, a Class D Felony. 
  • Michael Cochran, 45, of Hitchins, on or about August 1, 2019 through November 30, 2020, the defendant committed the offense of flagrant non-support by failing to support his minor children, and accumulating an arrearage of $3,993.68, a Class D Felony. 
  • Larry Duncan Jr., 20, of Olive Hill, on or about October 1, 2020, the defendant committed the offense of assault in the first degree, by intentionally assaulting the victim with a deadly weapon casing them to suffer serious physical injury, a Class B Felony. 
  • Brittany Hamm, 29, of Olive Hill, on or about June 29, 2020, the defendant committed the offenses of receiving stolen property over $500 by being in possession of property belonging to another, knowing it to have been stolen, a Class D Felony; three counts of destruction of a VIN Number, by intentionally removing, defacing, covering, destroying, altering, or obscuring a VIN number without written authorization from the Department of Kentucky State Police, Class D Felonies; trafficking in stolen vehicles or vehicle parts by being in possession or control of two or more motor vehicles or trailers or their major component parts or assemblies that are stolen, or have their identity obscured, removed, or altered, except as an immediate result of final destruction, or having stolen parts on them, or are comprised of any combination of the above, a Class D Felony. 
  • Phillip Hampton, 28, of Olive Hill, on or about November 10, 2020, the defendant committed the offense of receiving stolen property over $500 by being in possession of property belonging to another, knowing it to have been stolen, a Class D felony; destruction of a VIN Number, by intentionally removing, defacing, covering, destroying, altering, or obscuring a VIN number without written authorization from the Department of Kentucky State Police, a Class D Felony. 
  • Gary Matthew Howerton, 34, of Olive Hill, , on or about June 29, 2020, the defendant committed the offenses of receiving stolen property over $500 by being in possession of property belonging to another, knowing it to have been stolen, a Class D Felony; three counts of destruction of a VIN Number, by intentionally removing, defacing, covering, destroying, altering, or obscuring a VIN number without written authorization from the Department of Kentucky State Police, Class D Felonies; trafficking in stolen vehicles or vehicle parts by being in possession or control of two or more motor vehicles or trailers or their major component parts or assemblies that are stolen, or have their identity obscured, removed, or altered, except as an immediate result of final destruction, or having stolen parts on them, or are comprised of any combination of the above, a Class D Felony. 
  • William Workman, 24, of Grayson, on or about 2016 through 2017, the defendant committed the offenses of rape, first degree, by having sexual intercourse with a child less than 12 years of age, a Class A Felony; sodomy, first degree, by having deviant sexual intercourse with a child less than 12 years of age, a Class A Felony; three counts of sexual abuse, first degree, by having sexual contact with a child less than 12 years of age, Class C Felonies; incest-victim under 12 years of age by having sexual intercourse and/or deviant sexual intercourse with (a relative) a child less than 12 years of age, a Class A Felony. 
  • Phillip Johnson, 43, of Grayson, on or about February 12, 2020, the defendant committed the offense of trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree, first offense, by knowingly and unlawfully trafficking in a schedule one narcotic, heroin, a Class C Felony. 
  • Christopher Shawn Mabry, 42, of Olive Hill, on or about July 9, 2020, the defendant committed the offenses of possession of a controlled substance, first degree, second offense, when he possessed methamphetamine, a schedule one narcotic, with a prior conviction for the same, a Class D Felony; buying or possession of drug paraphernalia, when he unlawfully possessed drug paraphernalia with the intent to use it for the purpose of introducing into the human body an illegal or controlled substance, a Class A Misdemeanor. 
  • Christopher Shawn Mabry, 42, of Olive Hill, on or about October 3, 2020, the defendant committed the offense of receiving stolen property, over $10,000 by being in possession of property belonging to another valued at over $10,000 knowing it to have been stolen, a Class C Felony. 
  • James A Salyers, 29, of Sandy Hook, on or about January 2, 2021, the defendant committed the offenses of burglary in the third degree by unlawfully entering a building belonging to an individual with intent to commit a crime, a Class D Felony; criminal attempt of burglary third degree, by attempting to unlawfully enter a building belonging to National City Bank with intent to commit a crime, a Class A Misdemeanor; criminal attempt of burglary third degree, by attempting to unlawfully enter a building belonging to Family Dollar with intent to commit a crime, a Class A Misdemeanor; possession of a controlled substance, first degree, first offense, when he possessed methamphetamine, a schedule one narcotic, a Class D Felony; buying or possession of drug paraphernalia, when he unlawfully possessed drug paraphernalia with the intent to use it for the purpose of introducing into the human body an illegal or controlled substance, a Class A Misdemeanor.
  • Robert Sheran, 39, of Pikeville, on or about September 1, 2017 through November 30, 2020, the defendant committed the offense of flagrant non-support by failing to support his minor child, and accumulating an arrearage of $5,410, a Class D Felony. 

Livestock and Grain Market Report: 1/30/21

Extension Notes: Ways to improve hay quality

By: Rebecca Konopka
Carter County Extension Agent

If you raise livestock, you know it is very important to feed your animals nutritious hay to keep them healthy. You can take many practical steps to improve your hay quality.

You must first get and maintain a good forage stand. Making sure your soil has adequate nutrients is key to getting good stands. A soil test is important, because it will let you know the nutrient levels in the soil, so you only apply what is needed. 

Your extension agent can help you learn how to effectively test your soil and can submit your samples to one of UK’s soil testing laboratories. Agents can also help you understand the results.

Soil tests with adequate levels of phosphorus and nitrogen but low levels of potassium are becoming common across Kentucky hay fields. Inadequate potassium can increase the amount of broomsedge, a very undesirable forage. There may be a couple of reasons for low potassium levels. When you cut hay, potash is removed at nearly three times the amount that phosphorus is, and the soil is not able to replenish this nutrient to sufficient levels on its own. Repeatedly using only ‘balanced’ fertilizers like triple-19 (19-19-19) will deplete potassium in hayfields. In tight financial times, producers may skip potash applications to save money. 

Controlling weeds at the right time and using the right herbicide will help you improve hay quality. With many weeds, like buttercup, by the time you see the blooms, they are much harder to control. University of Kentucky has an extension publication, AGR-207: Broadleaf Weeds of Kentucky, that contains common pasture weeds, when to treat each and which herbicide you can use for effective control. This publication is available online at http://www2.ca.uky. edu/agcomm/pubs/AGR/ AGR207/AGR207.pdf. You can also get a paper copy at the Carter County Extension office. 

The stage of maturity when you cut your hay is the most important factor affecting quality. You must harvest at the right time, when the plant is switching from a vegetative to a reproductive (flowering) stage. Many times, this means cutting the hay earlier than normal. Of course, the challenge of cutting hay in the spring in Kentucky is our wet weather. However, we often get a string of days with good sun and dry weather in late April and early May. Being ready to cut early when the weather allows is extremely helpful. 

Using legumes, especially the tall ones like red clover and alfalfa, provide high yields and will add nitrogen to the soil over time. They are higher in protein and energy than grasses and continue to yield well in the summer when many of our cool-season grasses are suffering from the heat. Research shows that red clover, in particular, is good at minimizing the adverse effects animals get from consuming too much toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue. 

Tedding and raking hay are integral parts of harvesting. But if you ted or rake the hay when it is too dry, it can lead to leaf shatter. This hurts hay quality, because the high-quality nutrients are concentrated in the leaf. 

Making good hay means baling at the right moisture content and protecting hay from the weather. Proper moisture at baling will prevent heating and molding of stored hay. Covered storage structures are best for hay storage. If you don’t have covered storage space, breaking the contact between the bale and the ground is important, since most moisture enters the hay from soil contact. You can prevent moisture absorption by using materials, such as old tires and/or crushed rock, to elevate the hay off the ground. 

You can also wrap your hay in plastic, which will provide some protection from the rain. Hay should be as dry as possible before covering in plastic and should be fed out in the year it was made. 

After you have done a good job harvesting hay, remember to feed it efficiently to minimize losses. There are many methods of feeding hay, but the best ensure that there is minimal waste. Livestock tend to eat high quality hay quickly, which also lowers waste. 

More information on producing quality forages is available by contacting the Carter County office of the UK Cooperative Extension Service. Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate based on protected status. 

Late to the Game(s): Nintendo’s twisting road

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

Nintendo fans are a unique breed. That’s a good thing, I suppose, because Nintendo is a unique company. They’ve always done just fine following their own path. 

Up through the GameCube this included supporting and hosting the same sort of AAA titles from other publishers that could be found on their competitor’s consoles, as well as their own intellectual properties like the Mario and Zelda franchises. After the GameCube, though, Nintendo’s focus shifted. While you could still find some titles from other publishers on the Wii and WiiU, those console’s focus on motion controls, as well as slower processors than those found in the Xbox and PlayStation consoles, meant that a lot of the big third-party titles found on those consoles never came to Nintendo. Sometimes they came up with alternate games exclusively for the console, or went with scaled down versions, but mostly big publishers began to ignore the console. This left Nintendo and a few partners to fill out the library, which they did with no problem. 

Nintendo bet on the fact that their fans were more interested in their established franchises and gameplay styles than in online play and high resolution graphics. And, their core fans agreed. They also bet on gameplay being more important than chasing trophies or achievements that could be compared against a friend’s progress and – at least for their core fans – they were again correct. 

While Nintendo is drifting back closer to the mainstream with their Switch console, which is getting publishers to release Nintendo versions of some of their biggest hits from the last couple of console generations, they are still marching to the beat of their own drum. They still haven’t initiated any sort of achievement or trophy system, something that appeals to a lot of “hardcore” gamers. They also haven’t made it an especially easy process to connect with your friends online. It’s easier to connect with friends on Switch than it was on the Wii and WiiU, which required generating a complicated user code that you then had to share with friends, but it still isn’t as intuitive as just sharing your gamertag on Xbox. Despite all this, Nintendo fans love the console manufacturer and their original IPs like Mario and Link. 

This isn’t to say that Nintendo hasn’t made fans angry. There have been some serious issues with controller drift on the Switch. This drift, which causes the controller to register movement when the player isn’t touching it, has led to class action lawsuits and a program from Nintendo to replace or repair the Joy-Con controllers – though some of them continue to experience the problem even after repairs. 

They also upset a lot of classic game aficionados by suing those who provided backup copies of their game ROMs for the NES, SNES and older handheld consoles like Gameboy. Though it’s legal to make backups, or to download backups, of games that you already own, these ROM distribution sites were utilized for piracy by those who played the games through emulators. For Nintendo, with a vested interest in selling new versions of games some of their fans already owned, it made perfect sense to take these sites down. For fans who couldn’t find copies of rare games from third-party publishers it was a serious blow, and one that they felt wasn’t fan friendly.

Nintendo is notoriously touchy about their IPs in other areas too, going after those who share patterns for using their character’s likenesses on homemade items or who sell unauthorized fan made items like t-shirts and cases for game systems and cartridges.

They sell their own licensed toys and figurines, but unless you wanted to pay the Nintendo price, it’s been hard to get Nintendo collectibles. 

Despite all of this, fans are still eager to snatch up Nintendo gear (obviously, otherwise folks wouldn’t make unauthorized items). All of this is just to say, fans of Nintendo now have a new option for getting their hands on some toys and figures based on the company’s games. 

Nintendo, for the first time in years, has made a deal with a fast food place to put Nintendo toys into kids’ meals. Burger King will be featuring one of six different Nintendo toys in their kids’ meals through March. The Mario, Luigi, Splatoon, Animal Crossing and Legend of Zelda toys will be available at restaurants across the U.S. and Canada. Nintendo is also offering a sweepstakes for those who purchase a Mario Meal online or through the BK app. Sweepstakes winners can get games, or a Switch console, and all purchasers earn “platinum points” that can be redeemed for online gear. 

Maybe not worth going out of your way for unless you’re a super Nintendo fan. But if you play games on the Switch anyway, and like a Whopper every now and then (the Mario Meal consists of a Whopper with a small fries and drink), it might be worth checking out. 

The sweepstakes runs from February 8 through February 22, while the figures are available through mid-March, or while supplies last. 

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes. com 

Keeping the utilities on: Fiscal court approves participation in grant program

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

 Carter County Fiscal Court met in special session on Monday to approve participation in a CDBG utility grant that will help local people struggling to pay their utility bills during the pandemic and take pressure off local utility departments that aren’t being paid regularly for the services they provide. 

Malone explained to fiscal court that, under the program, each of the municipal water and sewage systems and the Rattlesnake Ridge water system in the county are eligible to request up to $200,000 each in grant assistance. That means up to $600,000 in utility relief for Carter County residents. Malone said FIVCO was urging all municipalities and county entities to work together to ensure all citizens receive needed utility relief. 

“Basically, what it boils down to, is eligible people who are behind… are eligible to receive grants to avoid cut-offs and pay up to six months (of water bills),” Malone said. 

To qualify homes must demonstrate an inability to pay, Malone explained. The money is then paid directly to the utility provider on their behalf. While Rattlesnake Ridge Water District provides service in the county, the municipal water systems in Olive Hill and Grayson provide water not only to city residents, but to county residents in the area surrounding the cities as well. Malone said the cities will have to file for the funds for their in-city municipal customers themselves, but that the county would file on behalf of Rattlesnake Ridge and those municipal customers who were located outside of city limits in the county. 

Malone said FIVCO was encouraging municipal and county systems to work together on the grant funds, and told the court he had spoken with FIVCO and assured them the “county will be glad to help the cities” on the utility relief. 

In other action the court moved to table a measure related to compensation for county employees quarantining due to COVID-19. Malone told court that the county had received a letter from FIVCO about county COVID quarantine pay policies, and noted that roughly half of the county’s road crew is currently quarantined due to virus exposure. Malone said while some counties are continuing to pay employees who are at home quarantining, in order to encourage folks to take quarantine seriously, others are not. He said Carter County needed to decide on a policy for their county employees who might have been exposed to the virus. 

Malone said the option he was leaning toward was to give everyone the opportunity to get vaccinated, when the vaccine was available to them, then to give them a set number of days to use for paid quarantine until they could be vaccinated. Under his suggested policy if they choose to forego the vaccine, he said, and were exposed they would then have to use their sick days to quarantine rather than being paid without loss of sick days. 

No matter what the court decides on, he said, he felt employees should be allowed to use their sick days to quarantine if necessary. 

“We need to think about what to do about it,” Malone said. 

He said that, until the court decides on a policy, he recommended continuing to pay those at home on quarantine in order to discourage the spread of the virus among healthy, unexposed employees. 

County Attorney Brian Bayes said he would look into what the state was recommending and what other counties were doing. Until then the court moved to table the issue, and to take it back up at their next regular February meeting. 

The court moved to accept Malone’s recommendation to continue paying employees currently quarantining until a policy is decided upon. 

The court also moved to table the County Clerk’s report until the regular meeting and approve the budget amendment on second reading. 

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

State road crews on alert as winter storms blanket area

Ice coats rock formations and trees following snow and severe winter storms across the area. (Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

 When winter weather hits, it’s probably best to stay home and avoid the roads. Especially rural and secondary roads where hills can shade icy patches and prevent melt and state road crews don’t spread salt. 

But if you absolutely have to get out, and you can reach a state route, you can rest assured that state road crews have been vigilant in keeping those roads clear, even with the repeated snowfalls and freezing temperatures. 

Crews with District 9 of the Transportation Cabinet have been on alert for the last three weeks, starting with the snowstorms over the weekend of January 15, which resulted in several inches of accumulation over the weekend. 

Snow and ice removal crews were back on alert beginning last Wednesday when the National Weather Service expected another one to three inches of accumulation across the region. Crews work 12-hour shifts during snowstorm conditions, working to plow and salt state routes to keep them clear for motorists and emergency vehicles. 

They stayed on alert through this weekend, when another several inches of snow were expected, and high temperatures were still not expected to reach above freezing. 

Even with the crews on alert, however, the Transportation Cabinet advises that roads may not be clear until after the snow has passed. They advise any motorists who may have to be on the road, either during snow conditions or even following snow – when crews have been able to treat roads – to leave a “space cushion” between vehicles in case of the need to brake during icy conditions. They also remind motorists that bridges and overpasses can freeze before roadways do, and to be extra careful when driving across those roadway features during cold weather. 

They also advise drivers that “priority routes” such as interstates and roadways leading to hospitals will receive treatments first. Those roads will be followed by “priority B and C routes” which “include important but lesser-traveled state routes.” 

Over 75 snow plows, salt trucks, and other pieces of equipment are utilized by state crews in the district to keep over 2,000 miles of state highways passable. 

Road crews were expected to remain on duty through Monday evening and Tuesday morning as air and pavement temperatures remained below freezing and dropping temperatures – falling into the 20s – along with continued snow accumulation were expected to result in slushy and freezing conditions. 

You can find more information about snow removal efforts, including snow removal priority routes, online at http://SnowKY.ky.gov. You can also follow District 9 online on Twitter and Facebook at http://twitter.com/KYTCDistrict9 and http://facebook.com/KYTCDistrict9 for the latest updates and information on snow removal efforts. 

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Olive Hill man arrested in murder for hire plot: Reynolds accused of plotting to have mother murdered

Billy G. Reynolds (Photo courtesy of KSP)

 An Olive Hill man was arrested by Kentucky State Police (KSP) last week on charges that he conspired to pay another person to have his mother murdered. 

The Kentucky State Police Post 14, in Ashland, issued a release on January 28 announcing the arrest of Billy G. Reynolds, 41, of Olive Hill, in the plot. The KSP were notified on January 15 on a complaint that Reynolds “had contacted an individual in regards to a murder for hire plot against his mother.” 

The state police announced that, after a “thorough investigation” KSP detectives with the Ashland Post, Ashland Police Department, and the FBI “were able to implicate and arrest” Reynolds for the offense of Solicitation of Murder. Solicitation of Murder is a Class B Felony. 

Reynolds is currently lodged in the Carter County Detention Center and the incident remains under investigation by Detective Kelley with the KSP. 

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Grayson man arrested on sexual abuse charges: Workman charged with multiple counts of abuse against minor

William Workman (Photo courtesy of KSP)

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

 The Kentucky State Police (KSP) announced last week that a Grayson man was arrested on multiple counts of sexual abuse and other sexual offenses in charges stretching back to 2016. 

The Kentucky State Police Post 14, in Ashland, announced on January 28 that William R. Workman, 24, of Grayson, had been arrested on multiple charges. These charges include rape, first degree, a Class A Felony; sodomy, first degree, a Class A Felony; incest – victim under 12 years of age, a Class A Felony; and three counts of sexual abuse, first degree, all Class C Felonies. 

The victim, a close relative of Workman’s, was under the age of 12 when the incidents occurred. The offenses occurred between 2016 and 2017 according to an indictment handed down by the Grand Jury of Carter County Circuit Court on January 8, 2021.

According to the Kentucky State Police the abuse was brought to the attention of KSP detectives by the victim. She indicated to detectives that the abuse “started when she was less than twelve years old,” according to a statement by the KSP. 

Evidence was collected and Workman was indicted by the Grand Jury after the case was presented to them last month. 

According to the release Workman “fled on foot” when officers with the KSP and the Carter County Sheriff’s Department approached him to make the arrest. However, he was apprehended a short time later and placed into custody. He is currently lodged in the Carter County Detention Center pending trial. The case remains under the investigation of Detective Boarman with the KSP. 

While the relationship of Workman to the victim is noted in the indictment, under the Class A Felony charge of incest – victim under 12 years of age, the Carter County Times has chosen not to divulge that relationship for the protection of the victim’s privacy. The Carter County Times does not release the names of victims, except under exceptional circumstances. This includes the initials of victims in cases involving minors, where the names are regularly withheld by the court, or other potentially identifying information. 

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Omer M. Masters

1921-2021

Omer M. Masters, 99 years of Bainbridge, OH., passed away Friday January 29, 2021 at the VA Medical Center in Chillicothe.

Omer was born November 5, 1921 in Carter County, KY., the son of the late Earl Vincent and Sara Kathaline (Reeder) Masters, Sr.. Beside his parents, Omer was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis (Ingles) Masters on March 9, 2011; nephew, Danny Masters who Omer and Phyllis raised; three brothers, Joe, Ernest and Earl Masters, Jr.; one sister, Mavis Kegley.

Omer served his Country during W.W. II in the U.S. Air Force. Omer was a member of Local Union #83 in Portsmouth. He worked Construction for 20 years and 10 years at Rocky Fork State Park. Omer was a lifelong Farmer and Trader. After retiring, Omer was at the local Stockyards buying and selling livestock. If you had something to trade, Omer would trade with you, of course he would have to have boot.

Omer is survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 P.M. Thursday, February 4, 2021 at the Thompson Funeral Home in Hillsboro with Mike Whitley officiating.

Social distancing and masks will be required.

Burial will follow in the Roads Cemetery with Military Graveside Rites conducted by the Highland County Honor Guard.

Friends may call Thursday from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. at the Thompson Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Sherman Terrace, c/o Chillicothe VA Medical Center, 17273 OH-104, Chillicothe, OH 45601

To sign our online quest book, please visit us at www.thompsonfuneralhomes.com

Jón Gwendolen Brown

1934-2021

Jón Gwendolen Brown went to be with her loving Lord, Jesus Christ on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at the Carter County Nursing Home.

Jón was born July 15, 1934, in Fultz, Kentucky and the oldest daughter of 14 children. She was the daughter of the late Isaac C. and Gwendolen E. Littleton. 

Jón was a homemaker and worked at Baker’s Department Store in Grayson until it closed in 1993. Jón belonged and attended church as much as she could. She loved to play the piano, sing, pray and read her Bible as she served the Lord with her whole heart. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Douglas Brown, her brothers Don Douglas Littleton, Wade Lincoln Littleton, Samuel William Littleton, Phillip Paul Littleton and Benjamin Copen Littleton and her very best friend, Betty Glancy whom she loved dearly. 

Jón is survived by her son, Carlos Douglas Brown and his wife Debbie of Grayson; two granddaughters, Stacy Brown and Amanda Baier of Grayson. Four great grandchildren, Savannah, Jacquelyn, Preston and Addison. Two great-great grandchildren, Kamdyn and Reese. Jón is also survived by five of her sisters, Mary Laura Hicks and Patricia Pauline Griffin of Grayson; Jerusha Marie “Sharie” Dean of Farmington, New York; Donna Jean Moore of Richmond, Virginia, and Deborah Ann Leonhart of Greenup, Kentucky; three of her brothers, Clifford Everett “Kip” Littleton and Steve Douglas Littleton of Grayson and Roy Jacob Littleton of Baltimore, Ohio. Jón had two wonderful friends she worked with at Baker’s that she loved very much, Bena “Beannie” McGlone and Emily Gilbert, with a host of other family and friends who celebrate her life with us here on earth and her birth into the loving arms of Jesus Christ. 

Funeral service will be held at 12 noon Saturday, January 30, 2021, at Grayson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Grayson, Kentucky, with Brother Rob Baier officiating. Burial will follow in the the Gregoryville Everman Cemetery, Gregoryville, Kentucky.

Friends may visit from 11 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday, January 30, 2021, at Grayson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 49 McCoy Road, Grayson, Kentucky 41143.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.graysonfh.com.

Wanda L. James

1941-2021

Ms. Wanda L. James, age 79, of Glen St. Mary, Florida, formerly of Olive Hill, Kentucky, departed this lifeJanuary 20, 2021 at her residence. 

She was born March 9, 1941, in the Fultz region of Carter County, Kentucky, a daughter of the late Charlie Wayne and Noraine Hall Fultz.

She was a former member of the Olive Hill Church of the Nazarene, and held strong to her belief as a child of our Lord. She was retired from Ashland Oil, Inc. in Lexington, Kentucky, as a service manager. 

She was always ‘moovin’ and a groovin’ and kept a smile on her face. Bubbly and infectiously happy, she never met a stranger. Optimistic, outgoing, talkative, fiercely independent, inquisitive, selfless, spunky and strong are a few words to describe her and above all, loving, supportive and protective of those she loved. She was an avid sports fan. She loved cheering on her children in anything they did as well as watching the UK Wildcats or rooting for the ‘underdog’. Nothing ‘tickled’ her more than to have music playing and ‘dancing up a storm’, or popcorn and a Elvis movie, reading or a good conversation. She loved life, her family, and her friends, and you’d often hear her say ‘keep on smiling’.

Wanda is survived by three sons, Michael James (Robin) of Jacksonville, Florida, Scott James (Joan) of St. Augustine, Florida and Barry James of Westminster, Colorado; one daughter, Kelli McIntosh of Saint Augustine, Florida; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren; one brother, Jim Fultz (Judy) of Flatwoods, Kentucky; two sisters, Carolyn Sue Burton (Bill) of Lexington, Kentucky and Bonnie Hall (Allen) of Nicholasville, Kentucky. She also leaves many other family members and friends who will sadly miss her. 

Funeral services will be held 12 noon Thursday, January 28, 2021, at Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive Hill, Kentucky, with Brother Joe Foltz officiating. Interment will follow in the Olive Hill Memorial Park. 

Friends may visit from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. Thursday, January 28, 2021 Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive Hill, Kentucky.

Pallbearers are Micky James, Scott James, Eric James, Chris James, Jim Fultz and Todd Liddick.

COVID -19 restrictions will be observed. Everyone is required to wear a mask.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.globbefc.com.

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