Sunny is a one-year-old female hound mix. She’s one of the quietest, sweetest dogs you’ll ever meet! Sunny is fully sponsored and has a FREE adoption to an approved home. Stop by the Carter County Animal Shelter and meet her or call 475-9771 for more information.
Shelter hours are Monday through Friday 9am – 4pm and Saturday by appointment.
By: Keith Kappes
Columnist
Carter County Times
Folks are cussing and fussing about the possibility of the U. S. Army changing the names of 10 of its installations within the United States because they were named for Confederate generals.
Listening to those discussions helped me remember a visit I made many years ago to Fort Riley, Kansas, which is not among those disputed names of Army posts.
I was working at Morehead State University when President Adron Doran assigned me and another staff member, Charlie Myers, to represent him and MSU on an official visit to Fort Riley.
The purpose of the visit was to check the morale and living conditions of about 50 MSU students training there that summer as Army ROTC cadets, along with hundreds of other cadets from colleges across the U. S.
Other than flying from Kansas City to Manhattan, Kansas, in a single engine plane with 10 other nervous passengers and a pilot who drank at least six cans of beer during a one-hour flight, the trip proved to be interesting, if not entertaining.
Our escort officer was an Army major, a member of MSU’s ROTC faculty, who was assigned there for the entire summer. He had been stationed earlier at Fort Riley, our nation’s oldest Army post, and loved to give tours to visitors.
As we made the rounds of facilities and training areas, including a herd of buffalo, our host told us lots of stories about the old cavalry post and its historic past.
I mentioned to him a few times that I was surprised that Fort Riley, home of the 1st Infantry Division (The Big Red One), perhaps the Army’s most famous combat unit, was located at such an old, rundown facility.
On our last day, having lunch with him at the Officers’ Club, he said he wanted to tell us the secret of why Fort Riley had become such a shabby place.
It seems that Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, a former general, rode out of there in 1876 as commander of the 7th Cavalry Regiment on his way to fight the Plains Indians at the Little Bighorn River in Montana Territory.
As the brave troopers rode their horses out through the main gate, legend has it that Custer yelled to an officer in charge of the gate and told them not to do anything until he returned.
And they still haven’t.
Keith Kappes can be reached at keithkappes@gmail.com
Personal Note – As a proud son of Carter County, I’m pleased to be reconnected with home folks and with individuals committed to community journalism at its best. Please encourage your family and friends to support the Carter County Times.
New Carter County librarian Christy Boggs came on at an unusual time. Shortly after she accepted the position, the library board voted to close Carter County’s two library branches to the public in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Since March the library has been closed to the public, although they have still provided home book deliveries on request. They have also moved forward with plans for their summer reading program, switching from an on-site program to an online “virtual summer reading program,” Boggs said in her report to the library board last week.
She explained the library’s phase plan for reopening begins with curbside pickup and continued home delivery. The curbside pickup began yesterday, June 16. This portion of the plan, “involves answering phones for book requests, checking the materials out to the patron, putting them in a bag, stapling the patron’s name to the bag, and putting the materials outside according to the time arranged (between the) staff member and the patron,” she explained. Patrons arranging this style of pickup will be asked to provide their first and last name, phone number, the books or other materials requested, and their preferred pickup time and date. Patrons will not be allowed into the building at this time, even to use the bathroom.
“They must call (or) message ahead to get materials, and their materials will be outside according to the time they stated,” Boggs said. If they have not picked their materials up at the end of the day the items will be brought back inside the library and the patron will be contacted at the telephone number they have provided.
Books returned through the book drop will be brought back inside and quarantined for at least two days before being returned to circulation. Items may also be misted with non-bleach disinfectants if they are available and will not harm the materials.
Curbside pick-up will continue through July 20.
While Boggs acknowledged that internet and computer access is “vital to many of our patrons” they will not allow access to those services or to printing until after July 20. If a patron has a laptop or other device that can connect to the internet from outside the library they are still welcome to connect to the library wi-fi systems. In exceptional cases, she said, staff may be able to print documents for patrons and place them outside in the same manner as books and other material, if those documents are sent to the library through email or other online access.
The summer reading program will continue online through August 15. The program can be accessed at https://caboggs2.wixsite.com/ccpl, and is open to all age groups. Prizes will be awared at the end of the program and are expected to be available for pickup by August 20.
The library will also continue to accept book donations, for summer reading program prizes and the annual book sale. Patrons wishing to donate books are asked to leave those donations outside, after arranging for their pickup. Those books will also be quarantined and if possible disinfected before being distributed.
The library will open their doors to the public, with some restrictions, beginning July 20. Only three individuals at a time will be allowed inside during this early reopening phase. All toys, games and puzzles usually available to small children will be put away during this second phase. Patrons will be allowed to use restrooms and computers during this phase of reopening, but staff will be required to clean the restrooms after anyone uses them. Computers will also be sanitized after each and every use. Patrons will be strongly encouraged to wear masks when utilizing the library during this reopening phase.
“Ultimately, Phase Two will be a cautious reopening,” Boggs said in her report. “We will allow patrons inside, but restrict how many can enter at once. Computers and patrons touching materials will be the biggest issues.” She added that there needs to be further discussion about whether patrons should be allowed to retrieve their own materials, or if they should request them at the desk and have staff retrieve them.
If all works to plan, she said, the library will return to “normal business hours and proceedings” by August 24. Depending on recommendations from the governor, she said, “masks may or may not be required” and it will be left up to employees if they wish to continue wearing masks and gloves during this phase. Until then, though, all library employees will be required to wear masks while working.
“By wearing a mak always while on duty, you are protecting yourself and your community members,” Boggs told employees in the report.
All of this, of course, is subject to change depending on state recommendations, she added.
“These are strange times,” she said. “The phase plan is a simple outline, and can easily change depending on what is released by the Board of Directors or the KY Governor. Ultimately (we will) use this as a template for upcoming dates and wishful planning, but be ready for sudden changes.”
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com
Olive Hill Police got more than just another suspected drug dealer when they picked up Daniel L. Swanner for trafficking in a controlled substance last night. They also got a murder suspect.
Swanner, 41, of Morton, Mississippi was arrested by Olive Hill Police officer R.D. Porter on Wednesday evening, June 10, on five counts that included receiving stolen property; fleeing or evading police; resisting arrest; theft by unlawful taking or disposition of an automobile; and trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree, first offense. On top of those five counts, though, was a warrant for his arrest in his home state of Mississippi that made Swanner a fugitive from another state, for a sixth offense.
Swanner has been a fugitive since earlier this month, when police identified him as a suspect in the May 28 shooting death of 37-year-old Jason Lee Dennis, at the Twin Oaks Campground and Mobile Home Park in Jackson, Mississippi. According to local ABC affiliate WAPT neighbors were shocked by the shooting death, remembering Dennis as a “sweet little guy” and mild-mannered neighbor who “never messed with anybody.”
Swanner is facing murder charges in the Dennis case. Mississippi is one of 32 U.S. states that has the death penalty as a possible punishment in murder cases.
We will update this story with more information as it becomes available.
Arrested alongside Swanner was Gena Freeman, 50, of Peral, Mississippi. Freeman was arrested by Kentucky State Police Trooper Tyler Daniels, on a warrant for murder in the same incident.
Also responding and assisting in the arrests were Sgt. Eric Ross, of the Carter County Sheriff’s Office, Sgt. Eric Kouns, Kentucky State Police (KSP), Trooper Rufus Shearer, KSP, and Detective Daniel Cook, KSP.
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com
Carter County Judge Executive Mike Malone told the fiscal court on Monday evening that, at least when it comes to the money available from the state, he wishes every year was an election year. Malone told the court that while the county claimed a windfall $800,000 for paving projects from the state last year, this year they are back to a more standard funding rate. Malone said he expected to see $150,000 to $160,000 awarded to paving projects in the county this year. These numbers are more in line with what the county typically receives, Malone said, noting that the only time in recent memory the county has received more than $240,000 was last year, which was an election year.
“I wish it was that way every year,” he told the court. “We’d get a whole lot done.”
The court also discussed removing roads from, and taking roads into, the county system. Because the county must hold a public hearing before completing the process of removing or adding a road to the county system, no action has been taken on roads since COVID-19-related social isolation measures led to the closure of the courthouse. However, as public places begin planning to reopen, the county is again discussing road vacations and taking roads into the system, with the first public hearing scheduled for June 29, when the state will allow public meetings of 50 people or fewer to begin again.
At 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 29, the court will hold public hearings on the vacation of sections of Bailey Cemetery Road and Campbell Road, which were in discussion prior to the closure of public meetings by Governor Andy Beshear. County attorney Brian Bayes reminded magistrates that, before a road can be taken into or removed from the county system, the magistrates responsible for examining the road must present a written report of their observations. In addition to the observations of two disinterested magistrates – or magistrates who do not represent the district the road is in – the report must include comments from the head of the road department on what steps, if any, are necessary to bring the road into compliance with the county road ordinance and measurements from the head of the E911 department for purposes of public safety.
In other road news District 3 magistrate Jack Steele asked the court to consider a request to vacate a portion of Vincent Road, past the intersection with Jackson Road, that dead ends on private property. Steele also asked the county to consider a request from his constituents to take a section of Mandolin Drive that is currently private into the county road system. The court moved to begin the process of removing the section of Vincent Road from, and taking the section of Mandolin Drive into, the county road system.
Magistrate Morris Shearer brought up an issue with Cash Express leaving unrequested materials in the yards of his constituents. Shearer said he was contacted about the business leaving bags with note pads, cups, and ink pens in yards and at the end of driveways where they were sometimes run over, leading to litter up and down the roadway. Fiscal court approved a motion to have the county attorney draft a cease-and-desist letter asking the business to stop leaving these and other unrequested promotional items in private yards.
In other action the court accepted department reports and approved claims, transfers and financial statements from the treasurer’s office. The court also opened bids from American, Mountain Enterprises, and Paving Solutions on asphalt, both for delivery to the county garage and laid by the provider, and accepted bids from other providers for propane (Arrick’s) and bids for pipe, gravel, and equipment rental. No action was taken on approving bids at the time of the meeting, with Malone encouraging magistrates to examine all bids and to consider accepting all bids on gravel delivery and equipment rental. Malone explained that, while rates between providers may vary, there may be times the county needs a piece of equipment that is already rented out from the cheapest bidder. In addition, while some companies may charge more per mile for delivery of gravel or equipment, the location of the quarry or garage in relation to a project may sometimes make an otherwise more expensive provider the cheaper option based purely on miles traveled.
In his report, Carter County Jailer R.W. Boggs noted that they have begun service under a new medical contract. This has so far been beneficial, Boggs explained, because his deputies no longer have to administer medicine, but that he would have a clearer picture of the financial impact next month. Otherwise, Boggs said, the jail has been, “pretty quiet.”
EMS director Rick Loperfido told the court that his service had 472 runs in the previous month, explaining that runs in general had been down since social isolation resulted in more people staying closer to home. Loperfido also reported on improvements to the ambulance service’s budget and other cost cutting measures, and expressed his “appreciation to Daniel from the county garage” for help with efforts at maintaining vehicles, which Loperfido expects to cut vehicle costs in the long term as well.
The court also approved extending a $500,000 line of credit with the Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo) to get over their budget shortfall until August, when they expect more money to be released. Malone noted that the county is still waiting for reimbursement on over $200,000 from projects that were covered by FEMA and that unanticipated repair costs for the courthouse, including repairs from termite damage and plans to improve insulation to cut down on heating and cooling costs, had cut into the county’s budget. Without the line of credit, he explained, the county might lose its window of time to complete necessary road work.
Sheriff Jeff May also released numbers from his department’s 2019 property tax settlement, which came to $7,286,403.90 across various tax sources. May also released numbers for the county’s unmined coal property tax settlement, with the county’s share of that settlement amounting to $42, less $1.79 in commissions, resulting in a payment to the county of $40.21.
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com
“No bullying black people,” admonished Elizabeth, age 6. “We have to be nice to other people.”
This simple wisdom from the lips of a tiny wisp of a girl couldn’t have been more appropriate to the setting and intent of Grayson’s Black Lives Matter demonstration. The event – like others across the nation in recent days – was organized to protest the deaths of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, and Breonna Taylor, in Louisville, at the hands of police and to remember Ahmaud Arbery. But organizer Dee Garrett, a football player at Kentucky Christian University, wanted to follow lessons learned from his Christian faith and emphasize the power of love to change hearts.
He said he understands how some protesters’ anger might boil over. He hasn’t always turned the other cheek either, he explained.
“It took me a while to get like that,” explained Garrett, who grew up in the Cincinnati area. “I didn’t used to think like that, but it took God’s grace to change the way I used to think. That’s what mattered. Love cast out all fear.”
Garrett’s football coach at KCU, Corey Fipps, was one of the many KCU staff members to address the demonstrators, emphasizing how Christian love should lead followers of Christ to stand up for racial justice.
“I’m thinking about how God is using this moment to change hearts,” Fipps said. “Some of us needed a change of heart.”
Rose, a Haitian-born teacher from Florida who was visiting her siblings at KCU along with her two daughters – six-year-old Elizabeth and three-year-old Harper – said she was on her way home when she saw the demonstration and felt compelled to pull over and join the event.
“I was on my way back to Florida and had to stop and say ‘Thank you, Grayson,'” Rose said when she addressed the crowd.
“This is unbelieveable, I can’t believe this is happening here,” she said. “Because they (her siblings) have experienced racism here.”
She told them that growing up in Haiti, where the majority of the population has black skin, she never thought about racial animus. But, she said, it expressed itself in America in multiple, and sometimes subtle, ways. For instance, she said, she often gets comments like, “You sound so educated.” At first, she said, it didn’t hit her. She was educated, after all. But, she said, “little by little these comments add up.”
She also noted that, as a mother, she didn’t want to have “the race talk” with her two daughters, but, she explained, that talk “is unavoidable.”
Even though her daughters, who have a white father, have more privilege because of their lighter skin they are still “black” to the people who want to harm them simply because of their heritage.
“My children are black,” she told the Times. “They’re half white, but they’re still considered black, and I want them to see that, although we have passed the whole civil rights (era) and we’re not being lynched like we used to be, there are still different ways we are being lynched. We’re being killed in traffic stops and doing things that are minimal.”
Ahmaud Arbery was chased down and killed by three white men while walking through a south Georgia neighborhood, at least one of whom uttered racial epithets over his dead body while his friend recorded it. George Floyd died after being pinned to the ground by officer Derek Chauvin, who held his knee in the handcuffed Floyd’s throat for nearly nine minutes while the 46-year-old father told him he couldn’t breathe and cried for his mother. Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old EMT, was shot eight times in her bed after police served a no-knock warrant on the address 10 miles from the residence of their suspect. Later investigation revealed that the person they were looking for was already in custody.
These are three of the most recent and high profile deaths of black men and women at the hands of police and white men who racially profiled their victims. But, as demonstrators noted, they are only the most recent in a long history of racial violence.
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com
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