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Comets blaze past Blackcats: West Carter football continues winning streak

Eli Estepp (18) runs the ball for West Carter's seventh touchdown of the evening.

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

The West Carter Comets continued their winning streak last Friday, triumphing over the Prestonsburg Blackcats with a 58-7 win. 

The Comets came out strong, scoring their first touchdown less than a minute into the game when Leetavius Cline made the first touchdown for West Carter on a 39 yard run with 11:46 on the clock. With Garrett Wolfe’s successful kick for an extra point, the Comets were up 7-0 almost as quick as the game began. The team scored another two points on a team safety about a minute and a half later, bringing the score to 9-0. 

Blake McGlone scored the Comets’ second touchdown of the quarter, on a 21 yard pass from quarterback Orry Perry with 8:56 on the clock, bringing the score to 16-0 with another successful kick from Wolfe. 

Jackson Bond scored TD number three, running 55 yards on a punt return. That brought the score to 22-0, with another Wolfe kick bringing the score to 23-0 halfway through the first quarter. 

Cline had another impressive advance before the quarter ended, moving the ball forward 21 yards after being forced to reverse direction momentarily and using his speed to advance across the field, from the Comet to the Prestonsburg sideline, to avoid an attempted tackle. That sat the stage for touchdown number four, again from Bond, on a 22 yard pass from Perry. Wolfe’s kick here brought the score to 30-0 as the first quarter ended. 

West scored two more touchdowns before halftime. The first came just nine seconds into the second quarter, when Cline ran the ball for 54 yards to score for the Comets. The second touchdown of the quarter came courtesy of Logan Berry with just over five minutes left in the quarter, on a ten yard pass from Perry. Wolfe’s good kicks on both those brought the score to 44-0 going into halftime. 

West Carter scored once in the third quarter, when Eli Estepp earned a touchdown on a 22 yard run. That brought the score to 50-0, with Wolfe taking it to 51-0 on his extra point kick. 

Prestonsburg finally broke the shutout attempt in the fourth quarter, when Brayden Slone scored on a 52 yard run and Jackson Shannon made good on his kick, bringing the score to 51-7. But there were still eight minutes left in the quarter, and it only took about four and a half for Cole Crampton to close the gap opened by Prestonsburg’s score, scoring a touchdown on a 32 yard run that, with Wolfe’s kick, brought the final score to 58-7. 

West Carter had 16 first downs in the game to Prestonsburg’s four, and one penalty for 15 yards to Prestonsburg’s three for 25yards. The Comets rushed for 276 yards on 18 plays, and passed for 68 yards, completing six of 10 pass attempts. Prestonsburg rushed for 104 yards, on 27 plays, and had no passing yardage. West finished the game with 344 yards on 28 plays while Prestonsburg advanced 104 yards on 31 plays. Neither team had any turnovers. 

Cline had a total of seven carries for 140 yards, Crampton six carries for 91 yards, Bond had three catches for 21 yards plus a 55 yard punt return, McGlone one catch for 21 yards, and Berry two catches for 26 yards. Perry connected on six of his 10 passes, passing for a total of 68 yards with three touchdown passes. 

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

  • Dylan Roe (13) blocks for ball runner Eli Estepp (18).
  • Jackson Bond (22) outpaces the Prestonsburg defense.
  • Leetavious Cline (21) evades the Prestonsburg defense.
  • Leetavious Cline (21) evades the Prestonsburg defense.

Livestock and Grain Market Report 10/9/20

Pet of the Week 10/14/20

Douglas is a two-year-old male lab mix. Douglas has a FREE adoption fee to an approved home. 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.

Uncle Jack Fultz’s Memories of Carter County: Standing the test of time

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

One of the fixtures of my youth was Wrigley’s chewing gum. My mom always kept a pack in her purse. Her go-to flavors were Spearmint or Double Mint, and there were many Sunday mornings when she would rip two sticks in half, distributing a half each to me, my two younger sisters, and herself as we listened to the preacher before Sunday school. 

Of course what we asked for when we went to the store with her was Juicy Fruit. Don’t ask me why we liked Juicy Fruit as kids. We just did, and getting a pack to share – or better yet, all to ourselves – was a special treat. Not only was it sweet and (I guess) fruity, but when she got us a pack of Juicy Fruit we could have a whole stick to ourselves. The flavor also lasted a lot longer than the inferior, but honestly fruitier, Fruit Stripes gum. 

When I got older, and started high school, my gum of choice was the cinnamon Big Red. I kept a pack of the gum in my car at all times, so I could have fresh cinnamon breath before school or after eating onion rings or garlic bread at lunch. The gum was 25 cents a pack for most of my memory. I’m not sure what a five stick pack of gum costs today, or if you can even still get those five stick packets. I haven’t seen one in ages, though I do still get one of the larger packs of Wrigley’s gum on occasion. But I thought the gum must have always been, and would always be, 25 cents a pack. 

Looking at some of the old ads in Uncle Jack’s scrapbook, I was struck by the fact that this consistent price was also a selling point 100 years ago. Of course, the gum was cheaper then. Instead of the near constant quarter a pack I remember, in 1919 the cost for a five stick pack of Wrigley’s gum was a nickel; one penny per stick. That makes sense. Inflation touches everything over the course of a century. It’s no wonder that the gum of my youth – the 1980s and 1990s – was cheaper in the late 1910s and early 1920s. But what struck me about the price was an ad touting the consistent pricing. Wrigley’s gum, it noted, was 5 cents before the war, 5 cents during the war, and still 5 cents after the war. 

Another ad that caught my eye was one touting how Wrigley’s packs were “electrically sealed.” I’m still not sure what this means, but I thought it was interesting as a selling point, equating cutting edge sealing technology with the preservation of freshness. 

Whatever they were doing, Wrigley’s must have been doing something right to stand the test of time and last as a brand for more than a century. While ads from the era are full of brands we wouldn’t recognize today, there are also a lot of brand names that would be familiar to most of us. Camel and Lucky Strikes cigarettes, for instance. Prince Albert tobacco in a can is also still available today, though it’s popularity has waned considerably over the last century. But 100 years ago the tobacco that would inspire generations of prank calls was still fairly popular among smokers. Ford automobiles are another brand that has held on, and whose ads you could find in newspapers of the era, as were drugs from Rexall, now a value brand but one with an obviously long legacy. 

The ads for brands that didn’t last are just as intriguing, but mainly because of their mystery. I’m still not sure what Bone Dry is, for example. Is it a soft drink? Is it a low alcohol percentage beer? While I have no idea what it exactly was, I know that the Carter County Herald had more than one ad for the drink, so it must have been popular. Not popular enough to last the test of time that Wrigley’s, Ford, Camels, and Rexall weathered, but popular enough. 

Who knows, maybe in another 100 years someone putting together a flashback story about 2020 will find this article and, unwrapping a $1 a stick piece of Juicy Fruit or Big Red, they’ll marvel at the longevity of the gum brand they are chewing, and enjoy the even older ads we’re sharing here. 

Editor’s Note: This is the 14th in a series of articles drawn from the historical newspaper clippings in the scrapbooks of Jack Fultz. We thank Sally James of Sally’s Flowers in Olive Hill for sharing her uncle’s collected clippings with us and the community. – Jeremy D. Wells, editor, Carter County Times

What’s so funny ‘bout peace, love and understanding?

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

There’s an Elvis Costello song that’s been on my mind recently. It’s the piece that shares it’s title with this column this week. 

In 1979, when Costello released the song, “(What’s so funny ‘bout) peace, love and understanding?” America, Great Britain, and the rest of world were on the brink of a new decade and a new era. The disco party of the 1970s was coming to an end. Punk rock was an already established response to the over produced and overly commercialized songs of the disco age. Yuppies, conspicuous consumption, and the Reagan (and, across the pond, Thatcher) years were upon us. There was plenty for punk to rail against. But the peace and love speech of the 1960s were considered old. Cliche. Hokey even. There wasn’t any real nostalgia for the hippie era yet. 

But Costello and his band, the Attractions, while clearly a part of the New Wave that would sweep the 1980s, weren’t necessarily ready to throw the hippie baby out with the bathwater yet. So, they wrote the song, and the lyrics have resonated with me since I “rediscovered” it as a young man. 

As I walk through this wicked world

Searchin’ for light in the darkness of insanity

I ask myself, “Is all hope lost?

Is there only pain and hatred and misery?”

And each time I feel like this inside

There’s one thing I wanna know

What’s so funny ‘bout peace, love and understanding?

And as I walk on through troubled times

My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes

So where are the strong and who are the trusted?

And where is the harmony, sweet harmony?

‘Cause each time I feel it slippin’ away

Just makes me wanna cry

What’s so funny ‘bout peace, love and understanding? 

It’s simple. Catchy. And, as we navigate a world dominated by social media political fights and television attack ads and question the future in an America that seems more sharply divided than it has been in generations, the words may be worth considering. Before we laugh at and share a mean-spirited meme, and contribute to the ongoing hostility – as most of us, myself included, have been guilty of – maybe we should stop. Take a breath. Ask ourselves what we can do to be better, and to be a better example, and ask ourselves, what can we do to add more of “the harmony, sweet harmony” in a world that sorely needs it. Let’s all ask ourselves, and our friends, what we can do to contribute to a little more “peace, love and understanding?” 

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

Our family and friends will be there at the end

By: Keith Kappes
Columnist
Carter County Times

I had the somewhat unusual task of trying to help a funeral home gather personal information on a person who died but apparently had no close friends or relatives nearby. 

The information was needed for the deceased person’s obituary. Someone who lived hundreds of miles away had contacted the funeral home about funeral arrangements. 

It would be another day before enough information was gathered for an appropriate obituary. 

The person had lived in this area for nearly 30 years, retired a dozen years ago and then opted to stay here in their adopted hometown. The decision to make this area their permanent home did not surprise me because many of us have done that over the years. 

However, I was saddened by the notion that someone could live and work in a small community for so long and then be left alone at death with no one close to make their funeral arrangements. 

Unmarried and without living parents, this person obviously chose a life of solitude in these beautiful hills. 

I’ve often confused solitude with loneliness but they have very different meanings. 

Someone much wiser than me wrote that loneliness expresses the pain of being alone while solitude expresses the glory of being alone. 

Another explanation is that loneliness is the poverty of self but solitude is the richness of self. I realize that some individuals choose to lead lives of solitude and there is no reason to feel sorry for them, even at death. 

This experience caused me to count my own blessings and to commit to being more appreciative of those good souls, namely family and friends, who will be there for me when the end comes. 

As a young boy, I recall a conversation between my grandfather and another elderly man during a neighborhood cookout. 

Grand-Dad looked around at all of the people at the event and told his longtime friend that they were two lucky old men because their wives would not have to hire pallbearers for them. 

They both laughed heartily but it took me a long time to really understand the wisdom in their humor.

Keith Kappes can be reached at keithkappes@gmail.com

As we see it: Adopt don’t shop

One of our favorite things each week is looking at the photos of the new pet of the week. Seeing those adorable faces, and knowing that we might play a small role in helping those good boys and girls find their forever homes, makes us happy. Most of those pups find a home pretty quickly, it seems. Every once in a while we’ll see a dog put up for pet of the week a second time, but never more than that. Never, that is, until now. 

We understand that for some families the $75 adoption fee might seem steep. It’s nothing compared to what you’ll pay if you purchase a purebred breed, and it covers important medical costs like spaying or neutering and immunizations. But it is a cost. Despite these costs we support adoption over purchasing a pet, even if you go through an animal rescue for the breed you prefer rather than through the local animal shelter. 

But, if what you want is a companion and you aren’t hung up on breed, we urge you to visit our local shelter. You can interact with different animals there, and see which one seems to click with you and fits your lifestyle. Staff can likely tell you which ones need a lot of exercise, if you’re an active person, or which ones are going to be more content lounging with you on the couch. 

If your child has been wanting a pet you can teach them a lot about social responsibility, and taking responsibility for animals under your care, through adoption as well. 

And never let yourself be scared away by the adoption fee. 

Sometimes a pet gets sponsored by someone who covers a portion of the costs, leading to reduced adoption fees of $25. And sometimes we have a pet like Douglas, who gets his adoption fee waived altogether. 

This is Douglas’s third time as our pet of the week 

We don’t know why Douglas is having a hard time finding a home. Maybe it’s because he isn’t a puppy anymore. At two-years-old he looks full grown, nowhere near the tiny, cute puppies that everyone wants to take home. But Douglas still has years of play, fun, love and companionship to share with a family. 

Maybe it’s because Douglas isn’t a purebred. The shelter says he is probably a lab mix. All we know for sure is that he’s a sweet dog, and he wants to be loved, just like a pit or a beagle or a German shepherd. 

We also know that, even though he hasn’t been adopted yet, Douglas is one of the luckier dogs. Hundreds of unwanted puppies are born every year, and many of them end up abandoned. Some of them end up hit by cars. Some of the luckier ones end up in no-kill shelters like Carter County’s shelter. The luckiest of them all find families that want to give them a home. 

According to the ASPCA, around 3.3 million dogs are surrendered to shelters every year. This is down by a couple hundred thousand over the last ten years, but it’s still a staggering number. Around 670,000 of those are euthanized and another 1.6 million are adopted. Another 620,000 are reunited with thankful owners. But that still leaves a number in no-kill shelters or dog rescues with no hope of adoption. Dogs like Douglas. 

Now, don’t think we’re trying to guilt you into taking Douglas. You shouldn’t take a dog you aren’t prepared for. If you are ready to share your home with a dog you should make sure it’s a dog that suits you, and Douglas may not be the dog that best suits you and your family. 

What we are trying to do is use Douglas as an example to get you thinking about positive pet ownership. While we talked about the number of animals in shelters that need homes, we haven’t talked about the terrible conditions in many puppy mills that source purebred dogs for the pet trade. 

We haven’t talked about responsibly spaying or neutering your pet, be it dog or cat, to help cut down on the number of unwanted ferals and strays. 

We haven’t talked about how pet ownership is a lifetime commitment; one that can last a decade or more if you’re lucky. 

But these are all things we want you to think about before you decide on a pet – be it mongrel or purebred, puppy or senior dog. Make sure you’re ready to take on the responsibilities that come with your pet before you take them home. Because if you don’t, they – or their puppies – might end up like poor Douglas; waiting and waiting for a forever home that may never come.

Grayson’s Genesis Recovery Center among facilities eligible for grant funding

Funds help support safe, stable housing for those recovering 

FRANKFORT – On Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced $2.8 million for 14 Recovery Kentucky centers across the commonwealth to help ensure safe, stable housing for those recovering from substance use disorder. 

Through Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV) funding, each center will be eligible for approximately $200,000 to offset costs incurred due to the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Funds also help ensure centers can continue services while protecting residents and staff from COVID-19. 

“Everyone should have access to safe, stable housing,” said Gov. Beshear. “As Kentuckians recover from substance use disorders, we must ensure their safety and well-being, especially during this pandemic. This funding will provide much-needed assistance to keep residents and staffers safe from COVID-19.” 

This funding was made available to the Department for Local Government (DLG) by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to prevent, prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We’re grateful HUD made this funding available,” said DLG Commissioner Dennis Keene. “Ensuring residents and staff in recovery centers have access to PPE and sanitizing supplies is critically important as we work to keep everyone safe during these unprecedented times.” 

Due to the pandemic, Recovery Kentucky centers have made many changes to protocol to protect residents including limiting new admissions to promote social distancing. Because of lower group sizes, many recovery centers have lost income as costs have increased to provide PPE, sanitizing supplies and the addition of plexiglass. 

The Recovery Kentucky program was created in 2005 by the DLG, the Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) and the Department of Corrections (DOC) to help Kentuckians recover from substance use disorders in stable, safe housing. Recovery Kentucky centers house 1,500 to 2,000 Kentuckians. 

“We are thrilled the Department for Local Government is using CARES funding to support Recovery Kentucky centers,” said Wendy K. Smith, Kentucky Housing Corporation deputy executive director of housing programs. “The 14 Recovery Kentucky centers across the state are instrumental in helping Kentuckians struggling with addiction achieve long-term recovery, secure stable housing and participate in the workforce. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unique challenges to the centers, with an average loss in funding of 30% so far this year. DLG’s CARES investment will ensure the ongoing sustainability of the centers.” 

“The Recovery Kentucky Centers have always been a great partner to the Department of Corrections in providing high-quality, evidence-based treatment for substance use disorder and recovery housing for individuals upon reentry,” said DOC Commissioner Cookie Crews. “DOC is happy to see financial assistance being provided to these programs that have faced many challenges related to COVID-19.” 

Kentucky River Foothills Development Council Inc. Executive Director Brian Mullins expressed gratitude for the funding and the impact it will have for residents in the Liberty Place Recovery Center for Women and other Recovery Kentucky centers. 

“We are so happy to learn that the Department for Local Government is using CARES money to support Recovery Kentucky centers, including Liberty Place Recovery Center for Women,” said Mullins. “Since 2008, Liberty Place has supported women in their efforts to rebuild lives that have been upended by substance use, homelessness, unemployment, victimization and other related issues. Thanks to the services of Liberty Place and other Recovery Kentucky programs, Kentuckians have been provided the opportunity to achieve sobriety, obtain jobs and develop the stability needed to maintain stable homes for themselves and their families.”

Late to the Game(s): Celebrating Sega’s 60th anniversary with free Sonic the Hedgehog

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

Some of our favorite video game companies of today have very interesting roots. Nintendo, for instance, started out as a manufacturer of playing cards. Sega, beloved by thousands of Gen X gamers for their Genesis, Saturn, and DreamCast consoles – consoles that some considered ahead of their time, especially the DreamCast – started out as a manufacturer of slot machines and other mechanical diversions aimed at entertaining soldiers on military bases. The Hawaii based company, originally Service Games, shortened that to Sega and provided slot machines on U.S. military bases until they were outlawed. After that they switched their focus to providing the slot machines on U.S. bases in Japan and in importing other games, like pinball machines, eventually manufacturing their own replacement parts for the imported games. 

The company that we know as Sega today was founded in 1960 from the earlier Service Games and mergers with other Japanese amusement companies. Sega made their first original game in the 1960s when they began distributing the electromechanical submarine arcade shooter, Periscope. By the early 1980s they were producing arcade machines and their first home video game systems, releasing the SG-1000 in 1983 and Sega Master System in Japan in 1985 and North American in 1986. But they wouldn’t become the company we know today until the release of the Sega Genesis (or the Sega Mega Drive in Japan) in 1989. 

That system would introduce the world to a certain blue-haired hedgehog in 1991 who would go on to become an icon for the company, in the same way Mario was for rival Nintendo. 

Today, Sega focuses on software rather than hardware, which is a bit of a shame. As noted the Sega Saturn was a groundbreaking system, one of the first consoles to distribute games on compact discs rather than cartridges. (Nintendo didn’t move to CD until the GameCube launched.) 

It’s successor, the DreamCast, still has a cult following to this day. 

But because Sega today is focusing on games, instead of the hardware you play them on, we can not only play new Sonic games on multiple platforms, from PlayStation to PC to Nintendo, we can also access Sega’s huge back catalog of games on these platforms as well. 

Right now, to celebrate the company’s 60th anniversary, Sega is holding huge sales of their back catalog titles, including all their Sonic games, so you can scratch that nostalgia itch while zipping through the Green Hills Zone in multiple games. 

You can even scratch it for free, if you play games on PC, because Steam is offering Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for free if you claim it in their game store right now. The follow up to the original Sega Genesis title brings you the same high-speed platforming fun you already know and love, and is a nice title to play with your kids if you want to show them what hardcore meant when mom and dad were young. 

You can claim your copy now for free, and it will remain associated with your Steam account after the anniversary celebration has passed, by visiting Steam and looking for the game, or by navigating directly to https://store.steampowered.com/app/71163/Sonic_The_Hedgehog_2/. 

So what are you waiting for? Run! Now! Like Sonic! And claim your copy before this deal zips away faster than you can say “Robotnik.” 

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Extension Notes: Mums make the fall garden pop with color

By: Rebecca Konopka
Carter County Extension Agent

This is the time of year when farm stores and garden centers tempt us with big and little pots of fall mums, drawing our eyes to their bright yellow, gold and burgundy flowers. Mums are an easy way to bring new life to the fall garden or spruce up your front porch. 

Mums are a common fall decorative plant, because fewer daylight hours and longer nights triggers flowering. Nurseries often do this artificially by pulling dark cloth over the plants in late summer and early fall, which stimulates blooming. If you have mums growing in the landscape, the natural decrease in daylength as fall approaches will do the trick as well. 

There are dozens of varieties, but generally mums can be identified in one of two groups, the garden or hardy mums, and the cutting variety. These latter are usually referred to as florist mums. Florist mums are generally tender and will not survive a winter in the garden. 

If you want to enjoy blooms for the longest period of time, buy mums that are covered in buds, with only a few that have opened. It’s always good to buy a plant that has one or two blooms open, so you’re sure of the color you’re purchasing. You should be able to enjoy flowers for two to three weeks or more. Water the base of the plant, not the foliage and flowers. Water on flowers may promote floral diseases that will shorten the flower display. 

Mums perform well in containers and will flourish inside or out. Many hardy varieties can also be planted after they bloom, so you may be able to enjoy their color the following year. 

If you’re planning to enjoy your garden mum inside, find a good location near a south-facing window, out of direct sunlight and away from drafts caused by heating or air conditioning vents that tend to dry the flowers. A bright spot, with indirect light is the best. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. 

Mums prefer moderate temperatures at night, about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If frost is expected, protect outdoor mums by moving them under cover overnight. 

Once the plants have finished blooming, they will stop growing. You can either contribute them to your compost pile or plant them in your garden. Be aware, however, even the best gardeners often find that mums planted in the fall fail to establish in our Kentucky climate. Some may, but most do not. Mums as landscape plants tend to do much better when planted in the spring. However, you may need to visit your local garden center or shop from a mail-order source for early mum plants since they are not generally sold in the mass market in spring. 

If you choose to plant them in the fall after they finish blooming, choose a spot that will get about six hours of direct sunlight a day during the growing season. Mums that don’t receive enough sunlight will grow leggy and have more stems than blooms. Cut back all the stems to about 8 inches. Mix some compost into the soil, and dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the pot the mum is growing in. Keep the top level of the garden soil at the same point on the plant as the container soil was. Mums should be spaced 18 to 24 inches apart, since mature plants can become a good size in the garden. Water them in, then cover the ground around the plant with a thick layer of mulch, keeping the mulch from piling up against the stem. 

For more information, contact the Carter County office of the UK Cooperative Extension Service. Educational programs of the Kentucky 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 expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. 

Slowing down: Fiscal court has first reading of speed limit ordinance

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

 If you’re used to driving 55 miles per hour on county roads, you might want to start slowing down. Fiscal court had their first reading of a new ordinance on Monday evening that will set speed limits on all county roads at 35 mph, unless otherwise marked. The ordinance also lists roads where the speed limit will be set at 25 mph based on requests from residents living along those roads. 

Roads that weren’t otherwise marked were previously assumed to have a speed limit of 55 mph according to Carter county sheriff Jeff May and county attorney Brian Bayes. This new ordinance, if passed on the next reading, will change that. In addition to setting the new speed limit on county maintained roads at 35 mph, there will be signs placed indicating there is a 25 mph speed limit on EK Mines Road, Damron Branch Road, Stan Branch Road, Dawson Branch Road, Douglas Hollow Road, and Damron Mayo Road. 

If residents of other roads want the speed limit on their roads reduced to 25 mph, they can petition the court to make the change and their roads can be added to the list in the future through an amendment to the ordinance. 

In other road news magistrates chose to abandon the process of taking Easterling Branch Road out of the county road system. A property owner on the road, who does not live on the property, had petitioned the court to begin the process of removing the road from the county road system. If the court had taken action to do so the road, and responsibility for maintaining it, would have been returned to property owners. This would allow landowners to do things like place gates across the road. However, after beginning the process property owners who actually live along the road, as well as those who use the road as a throughway to get to homes along an intersecting road, registered their displeasure with the plan. 

Judge Executive Mike Malone told Easterling Branch residents who joined the fiscal court meeting via Zoom that the court had no interest in closing the road if the residents who live on and make use of the road don’t want it closed. Malone said since only one property owner wanted the road to be closed to the public, and so many others wanted it to remain a county road, he recommended abandoning the process. 

“I don’t see any reason to go forward,” Malone said. “I suggest we abandon the process.” 

Bayes noted that there was an, “overwhelming amount of evidence” suggesting residents who use the road don’t want it closed. Rather than simply taking no further action, though, the county attorney recommended the court make a motion to terminate the process, which passed unanimously. 

In other action the court moved to accept financial statements and to approve claims and transfers, with add ons. The court also accepted the sheriff’s quarterly report, approve the sheriff’s budget amendment, and approved an amendment to the sheriff’s annual order setting maximum salaries. 

Court also heard from May on the county revenue bond. While auditors recommended the county increase their revenue bond from $300,000 to $2 million, May noted that would raise county payments on the bond from $1,500 a month to $10,000 a month. He recommended the court leave the bond as it is, which is the step magistrates took. 

In his department report May said his office has “been busy.” He said they had recently been involved in serving a warrant in conjunction with the city of Grayson. Serving that warrant resulted in the seizure of methamphetamine and a large amount of cash money, the sheriff reported. 

May said he is currently in the process of developing and setting up a program in partnership with the cities of Grayson and Olive Hill to increase drug enforcement. 

In other road news, Malone gave the court some good news from the transportation cabinet. Instead of the $115,000 the county requested in supplemental flex funding, they will be receiving $251,779 in flex funds. Malone explained the transportation cabinet told him Carter County had not been taking all the money they were entitled to. Malone told the magistrates this meant they could use additional funds to expand hot paving on roads that were already set for paving, or add new road projects within their districts. The increase results in more than $20,000 in extra road money in each district. 

If the districts want to expand their current paving project they will need to submit an amendment to the state on those projects. If they want to explore new paving opportunities on other roads they will have to submit a new proposal. 

Fiscal court also approved a request from Malone to add two tenths of a mile to cold paving on Town Branch Road, and to add a cold paving patching project on Clark Hill and another road. Court also approved the hiring of a replacement for a clerk in the county attorney’s office who has taken another job. The court also began the process of removing a portion of Church Branch Road from the county road system, and discussed a low water bridge on White Road. 

In last week’s coverage of a special session we inadvertently said magistrates would be paving around 300,000 feet of road in each district. The actual number should have been 3,000 feet, or just over half a mile per district. While we noted that each district would be paving about a half mile, that number should have been 3,000 feet. One mile is equal to 5,280 feet. 

Contact the writer at editor@ cartercountytimes.com 

Combating COVID: EMS implements decontamination programs

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

 Carter County EMS are performing decontamination steps between each run; doing wipe-downs with disinfectants to combat the possible spread of COVID-19 between patients, just in case they’ve transported someone who didn’t know they had the virus. In cases where they are contacted by the hospital and alerted that the patient they transported has tested positive for COVID-19 they do a further decontamination step. In addition to wiping down with disinfectant, any vehicle that has knowingly transported a COVID patient is taken out of service while it undergoes a sort of fumigation with a disinfectant mist, director Rick Loperfido told the board on Monday. 

EMS’s new UV sanitizing light that can be used to disinfect trucks between runs. (Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times) 

However, these disinfecting practices, in addition to longer wait times at hospitals as they take more time to disinfect between accepting new patients, have had an impact on turn-around time between runs for the service, Loperfido told the board. While these are necessary steps as the service transports more COVID positive cases, Loperfido said he is looking at ways to decrease that time. One of the things he’s talked with King’s Daughters Medical Center about is increasing the capacity of the KDMC Urgent Care Facility in Grayson. He has another meeting scheduled with the hospitals CEO about the possibility of increasing capacity at the facility and working toward the creation of a “free standing ER in the Grayson area,” he said. This could help not only calls out of Grayson being routed to KDMC, but also calls out of Olive Hill. While those calls are typically routed to Morehead, some could be sent to a Grayson ER instead. 

This standalone ER would be beneficial because wait time has increased at all emergency rooms, Loperfido explained to the board, not just as KDMC. Runs to St. Claire are also taking longer, he said. The result is “wait time at various emergency rooms increas(ing),” he said, and, “increased (time) in getting our patients off our cots and transferred to their facility.” 

As a result, he said, sometimes crews don’t even make it back to the station before they get another call. This is why it’s important for crews to wipe their truck surfaces down with disinfectants immediately after dropping off a patient. The issue is exacerbated when it turns out the patient was COVID positive and crews – who are still wearing protective masks and shields – and the vehicle needs to be taken out of service for the fumigation disinfection. 

Loperfido updated the board on the oxygen system as well, noting it looks less likely the service will receive FEMA funds for the purchase of a new oxygen refill system and that there is still no update on the current oxygen refill system, which is in the hands of the manufacturer for repair. 

Helipad lights on the county helicopter landing pad in Grayson are now installed and functioning as needed, Loperfido told the board, with he next step striping the pad. The service is also still looking for areas in the western half of the county that can be used as a helipad site for emergencies there. 

Loperfido circled back to vehicle disinfection to discuss a UV lamp the ambulance service recently received from the regional healthcare coalition. He said each member service in the region had been awarded one of the lamps, which can disinfect a truck by being placed in the vehicle and turned on for five minutes. The light produced by the lamp kills bacteria and viruses on surfaces that are exposed to the light, he said. While the lamp will not serve as a replacement for wiping vehicles down with disinfectants or for the mist disinfection, it will be used as an extra disinfection step. He said they are also looking at options for getting a second lamp for the EMS Station in Olive Hill as well. 

In other action Loperfido reported on an ambulance that suffered an accident involving a deer in the road that caused damage to the door and front grill. He said the body shop working on the ambulance, LeMaster’s Body, believed they could use parts from out of service vehicles to repair the damage. Loperfido also reported on recent computer upgrades in the office which have resulted in better networking and productivity and other vehicle maintenance. 

He said the service had also received a recent email related to another round of available COVID funding and were looking at applying for reimbursements under that program. 

After accepting Loperfido’s report the board also moved to accept run reports and financial reports as presented. The run report showed that calls were up slightly over September in 2019, at 454 total calls for 2020 to 448 for September 2019. 

September income, as reflected in the financial report, was $142,216.50 and expenses totaled $176,428.85. Payroll accounted for 97.27% of expenses, at $158,362.04. 

In old business the board discussed the director’s vehicle replacement and took a look at advertising for bids on unused 400 watt sodium lamps, with the board approving a request from Loperfido to advertise for bids on the lamps. 

In new business the board went into executive session to discuss employee issues with no action taken. 

Contact the writer at editor@ cartercountytimes.com 

Paying their due: Tourism board sees potential for resolving hotel tax issue

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

The Grayson Tourism Board has had ongoing issues with collecting on taxes they are owed by local hotels. These taxes, which are charged on every hotel room rented in the city of Grayson, are being collected by the hotels. But the hotels haven’t been passing the money they collect on to the Tourism Board in a timely manner as they are required to by law. The board has noted in the past that this isn’t a problem with the local management of the hotels – which are all owned by a single business that isn’t located in Grayson – who are collecting the tax. Rather, it’s a problem with the way the business accounts have been handled by the owner. 

These issues may all be a thing of the past, however, now that the owner of the hotels has entered into a contract with a third-party management company to handle these business aspects of the franchises while local managers focus on the day-to-day running of the hotels. Tourism treasurer Don Combs reported that he had spoken with a representative of the new management company, Ohio-based Nivea Hospitality, and come to an agreement on the payment of past due amounts and future taxes collected by the hotels. Combs reported that while the board hadn’t received any of the hotel taxes due so far this year, they have now received one deposit payment and that the new management company plans to get caught up on payments as quickly as possible. The deal reached for the payment of unpaid taxes includes an agreement to waive some of the late fees assessed to the hotels. But, Combs told the board, after his conversations with Nivea he feels confident there is now a plan in place to get the hotel taxes caught up and paid regularly moving forward. 

The board does still have a freeze on grants awarded out of the hotel tax account, which will remain in place until the tax fund is replenished. Those grants are typically awarded to various events that draw visitors into the city and surrounding area. With many events postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19, however, it hasn’t impacted the board significantly. 

In other action park manager Grant Harper reported that he is continuing to have issues with growing grass that may require one of the park contractors, Allard Excavation, to do some additional work on the fields. Harper said the contract with Allard called for four inches of top soil to be left on all fields after work on the sports park was complete. However, he said, not only was the surface left on some fields only clay and sand, with no top soil, he’s also had to continuously remove rocks from some field surfaces. He said he has tried different fertilizers with no luck so far. He feels this may be because there is no surface suited to grass seed taking root. 

“It’s not (the surface) it should have been,” Harper told the board. 

The board also approved a budget to be presented to city council at their next meeting, reappointed Don Combs as a representative from the board on the Chamber of Commerce and Charles Barker as a representative from the board for the hotel association. 

They also announced they are preemptively canceling the annual Hometown Holidays celebration this year, due to risks associated with COVID-19 being spread among crowds. 

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Being best: Carter City Elementary recognized as Blue Ribbon school

Carter City Elementary staff. (Submitted photo)

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

 Carter City Elementary has been recognized as a Blue Ribbon School – one of only five in the entire state of Kentucky to earn the distinction this year. 

Carter City principal Jo Ashworth explained that the school earned the distinction in two separate categories. The school was recognized for “closing the gap” and as an “exemplary high performing” school, she said. 

“We’re a small school. Enrollment is 130,” Ashworth explained. She said this allowed the staff to teach in a holistic manner that engaged “the whole child.” 

“One of the things that is key for us is relationships,” she said. “Everybody knows your name.” 

This, she explained, was “important to identifying (the students’) needs.” 

Those relationships, between students and staff, as well as amongst teachers and between staff and administration, are also important to building on what students learn from year to year, she said. 

“It’s a team approach. On the achievement part, we build from pre-K up through grade 5,” she said. 

Though the rating is based on the test scores of older students, she said the skills they start on in the early grades are important, because students build upon those skills as they move through their education. 

“Those foundational skills are important,” she said. 

“One skill builds on another,” she continued. “You have to learn as you go. If you skip those steps (it makes picking up later skills more difficult).” 

That’s why the communication and teamwork throughout the elementary school, and the district as a whole as students move on to higher grades, is important to student success she added. 

“The support through the district has been critical,” she said. 

While she’s honored to have her school recognized, she said she is a little disappointed that they won’t get to participate in an in-person awards ceremony due to COVID-19 concerns. 

“Normally you go to Washington D.C., but this year the awards ceremony is virtual,” she said. 

Despite that, though, she said she’s still honored to have her school, and the hard work of the staff and student body, recognized. 

“I’m absolutely elated and honored with the award,” she said. “This is something that comes along once in a career.” 

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Charles S. Gillstrap

2020

Charles S. Gillstrap, 88, of Grayson, Kentucky formerly from Plant City Florida, passed away on October 7, 2020, at North Florida South Georgia Veterans Health System in Gainesville, Florida. 

He is survived by four sisters, Joan (Jimmy) Marques, Jean Clonts, June Bragg, and Annionette Cardinalli; his son, Charles S. Gillstrap, Jr.; two daughters, Agnes L (Ralph Joseph) Allen and Jacqueline D. Bustos; five grandchildren, Jessica D. (Jonathan) Cole, Tiffany Priest, Mark Leighton Warren, Jr., Alexandria R. (Blake) Porter, and Charles Lynn Gillstrap; and nine great-grandchildren, Nolen Vega, Aubrey Cole, Alison Cole, Jonathan Cole, Jr., Jaya Ann Pelaez, Gavin Stuthard, Kaiden Stuthard, Ryker Wildman and Oliver Porter. 

Because of COVID-19 protocol, there will be a small service at the First Church of Christ on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 2 p.m. Burial at a later date at a veteran cemetery. 

Clyde J. “C.J.” Barker

1949-2020

Clyde J. (C.J.) Barker, age 71, of Olive Hill, KY, was carried to heaven Sunday evening, October 11, 2020 at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, KY.

C.J. was born April 14, 1949 in Olive Hill, KY, a son of the late Clyde and Lucille Stephenson Barker.  He attended Grahn Hill Freewill Baptist Church.  He was a 1967 graduate of Olive Hill High School and attended Morehead State University.  C.J. was a retired plant manager from Ashland Sales and Service, where he was employed for 43 years.  He enjoyed watching sports, especially UK basketball and football, and Cincinnati Reds baseball.  He loved gardening and following the weather.  The Kentucky Weather Center with Chris Bailey was his online favorite. Known as Skywatcher, he enjoyed sharing the weather here in Olive Hill with weather fans in other parts of Kentucky.

In addition to his parents, C.J. was preceded in death by a half-brother, Wendell Rose; his grandmother, Bertha Stephenson; and Uncle Alva Stephenson who helped raise him.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Treva Sturgill Barker; one daughter and son-in-law, Misty and Roger Holbrook; one granddaughter, Claire Elizabeth; and a special aunt, Lucille Barker.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who loved their Uncle C.J.

Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, October 16, 2020 at the Duvall and Moore Funeral Home & Cremation Service with Bro. Jimmy Barker and Clifford “Tippy” Price officiating. Following CDC guidelines, seating will be limited. Burial will follow at the Biggs Hill Cemetery.

Friends may visit from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, October 15, 2020 and 9:00 A.M. until the time of service on Friday, October 16, 2020 at the Duvall and Moore Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 149 Whitt Street, Olive Hill, KY.

Serving as Pallbearers: Landon Price, Roger Holbrook, Isaac Donahue, Chris Vanlandingham, Jason James, and Brent Vanlandingham.

Honorary Pallbearers: Donnie Parker and Claude Vanlandingham

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

Louise W. Blevins

1930-2020

Louise W. Blevins, age 90, of Olive Hill, KY, entered into rest Thursday morning, October 8, 2020 at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, KY.  

Louise was born February 27, 1930 in Grahn, KY, a daughter to the late Arnold and Elva Bowling Wilburn. She was a member of Three Pine Freewill Baptist Church.  Louise was a retired Plant Manager from Ashland Sales and Service, where she was employed for 44 years. She enjoyed taking care of her grandkids, spending time with her family and gardening.  

In addition to her parents, Louise was preceded in death by first husband of 42 years, Earl Lowe, whom she married in 1947 and her second husband of 26 years, Rollie Blevins, whom she married in 1992. She was also preceded by three sisters, Lorraine Stapleton, Juanita Knipp, and an infant sister; and five brothers, Gene Wilburn, Kenton Wilburn, Tad Wilburn, Terry Wilburn, and an infant brother.

She is survived by two daughters, Cheri (P.R.) James and Jenny Fankell, both of Olive Hill; one step-daughter, Toni (Larry) Newsome,  of Ashland, KY; four grandchildren, Jarrod (Kristin) James, of Asheville, NC, Jenise (Jacob) Blanton, of Morehead, KY; Devin (Kayla) Bailey and Daniel (Ruby Jo) Bailey, both of Olive Hill; three great-grandchildren, Gracie Bailey, Pierce Bailey and Gideon Bailey; three step-grandchildren, Nick (Denise) Newsome of Murray, KY, Jason (Rene’) Newsome of Louisville, KY and Larisa (Tony) Smith of Ashland, KY; and eight step-great-grandchildren.

Friends visited from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at the Duvall and Moore Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 149 Whitt Street, Olive Hill, KY.

A private service and interment was conducted on Sunday, October 11, 2020 at the Duvall and Moore Funeral Home & Cremation Service.

Friends and Family served as Pallbearers. Covid-19 restrictions were followed.

Online Condolences may be sent to www.duvallandmoore.com

Patrick Andrew Newland

1983-2020

Mr. Patrick Andrew Newland, age 37, of Grayson, Kentucky, passed away, Friday, October 9, 2020, in Grayson, Kentucky. 

He was born July 9, 1983, in Boyd County, Kentucky, a son of Russell and Debbie Riffe Newland.

Patrick was for the Baptist faith and enjoyed going on vacation, UK Basketball and spending time with his family, especially his children and grandchild.

In addition to his parents, Patrick is survived by his wife, Amy Newland of Grayson, Kentucky; one son, Brayden Newland of Grayson, Kentucky; two daughters, Kiley Brammer and Haley Hewlett (AJ) all of Grayson, Kentucky; one grandchild, Kade Hewlett; one brother, James Newland (Penny) of Grayson, Kentucky; and one sister, Kristy Clendenin (Terry Felty) of Grayson, Kentucky. He also leaves many other family members and friends who will sadly mourn his passing.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Monday, October 12, 2020, at Grayson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Grayson, Kentucky, with Brother Kenny Riffe Jr. and Brother David Price officiating. Burial will follow in the Smith-Claxon Cemetery, in Greenup County, Kentucky.

Friends may visit from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, October 12, 2020 at Grayson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 49 McCoy Road, Grayson, Kentucky 41143.

Donald Miller, Donnie Miller, Blake Elam, Randy Davis, Tyler Clendenin and Kenny Riffe Jr. will serve as pallbearers.

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

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

One-Day Closure of KY 773 Monday at New Bridge Project in Carter County

Closed at Bucksaw Junction, 7-7

FLEMINGSBURG, Ky. (Oct. 9, 2020) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will temporarily close KY 773 near Grayson on Monday, Oct. 12, for road work at the Little Sandy River bridges.

Beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, and continuing until about 7 p.m., crews will close KY 773 at Bucksaw Junction south of the bridges while contractors work to connect the new road on the bridge replacement project.

From the KY 7 intersection, KY 773 will be open to local traffic access up to Bucksaw Junction. Motorists traveling to or from locations on KY 773 south of Bucksaw should detour using KY 1.

Following the one-day closure, KY 773 will reopen with one-lane traffic controlled by temporary signal lights south of the bridges. Work in that area will continue over the next couple of weeks to complete the south tie in and the intersection with Bucksaw Junction. Traffic should expect delays and watch for changing traffic patterns.

Road work schedules are subject to change depending on weather conditions. Motorists are asked to heed all warning signs, slow down in work zones and remain aware of workers and construction equipment when traveling.

Paul Edgar Porter

1933-2020

Mr. Paul Edgar Porter, age 87, of Olive Hill, Kentucky, entered into rest Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at St. Claire Healthcare in Morehead, Kentucky.

He was born May 28, 1933, in Carter County, Kentucky, a son of the late Boone and Bessie Bradley Porter.

Paul attended the Haldeman Church of God and he enjoyed going to church, going to Walker’s and spending time with his family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn Joyce Love Porter; one daughter, Tammy Sue Porter Miller; one grandson, Michael Miller; and four brothers, Darwin Porter, Chester Porter, John Porter and Lowell Porter.

Paul is survived by one son, James Paul Porter of Olive Hill, Kentucky; two daughters, Rita Jaranowski (Jacques) of Mansfield, Ohio, and Rebecca Thompson (Timothy) Matthews, Indiana; seven grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and one brother, Ora Porter of Cicero, Indiana. He also leaves many other family members and friends who will sadly miss him.

A graveside service will be held at 5 p.m. Friday, October 9, 2020, at the Bradley Cemetery in Olive Hill, Kentucky, with Brother Devin Miller and Brother Bobby Day officiating.

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

Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive Hill, Kentucky will be caring for all arrangements for Mr. Paul Edgar Porter.

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

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