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Grayson Council discusses ordinances and tax reduction

(Photo by Charles Romans, Carter County Times)
By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times

Grayson City Council welcomed Mike Nelson to their regularly scheduled meeting in March. Nelson, who is very active in the community in roles such as Director of the Grayson Chamber of Commerce, was present at the meeting in his media capacity through local radio station WUGO.

“We are recording tonight’s meeting, and actually streaming it on our YouTube page,” Nelson told the council. “We started streaming East Carter athletics earlier this year as a test to see how it would go. We had numerous games where we have had a couple of thousand people watching it at the same time. And we are basically running this test tonight just to see how it goes.”

“We will be able to stream council meetings live on our Go Radio local YouTube page each and every month,” Nelson told the council. “If the council would like that, we have the capability of doing that.”

Nelson said that the March meeting was a test to make sure everything went well.

Mayor Troy Combs told council that Nelson had brought the proposal to him, and he subsequently invited Nelson to the meeting so he could address the council and answer any questions the members of council might have.

“I invited him to do a test run,” Combs said. “But this is the council’s chambers, and I would like to have your approval going forward.”

The council members will be able to view the finished product and then discuss it at the next regular meeting.

The council next heard from visitors who were listed on their agenda, beginning with Andrew Smith from the Department of Corrections Inmate Services. Smith addressed the council concerning the possibility of the city using inmates to perform work in the city.

“If the council approves, you will get four inmates per day for a minimum of six hours,” Smith said. “They will be training with the street department, the mayor, and Joe Hammer.”

Smith said the cost for all three inmate workers would be $350 per month.

“The City of Olive Hill does it,” Smith told the council.

Smith said Elliott County also uses the inmate workers, and both of those government entities are very pleased with the results.

Smith explained the mechanics of making use of the inmate workers to the council, stating that the inmates would need to be picked up to perform whatever work was required, and be supervised constantly from the time of pickup until the time of return. There would also need to be several of these supervisors added to an approved pickup list, and Smith said that as long as the supervisor was on the list, there could be different individuals doing pickup and return. The council made a plan to discuss the possibility of using inmate services, but no vote was taken at the meeting.

In other business, local businessman Larry Doucett addressed the council about amending an alcohol ordinance in the city.

“As you may have heard, I am putting a cigar lounge on 112 East Main Street,” Doucett told the council. “What I want to do is have the license amended so I can sell bourbon. I don’t want to sell beer or anything but top shelf bourbon.”

Doucett stressed to the council that he had no interest in starting a bar but rather intended to sell only drinks that would heighten the enjoyment of his customers while they smoked premium cigars. The cigar lounge would be selling premium cigars, humidors, and other items geared toward the cigar culture, Doucett said. The business would also sell fine pipe tobacco as well as the pipes themselves.

“You will be able to sit inside and smoke a good cigar,” Doucett told the council.

He also informed the council that the projected hours of operation were not before 11 am and closing during the week not later than 9 pm, and weekend closing hours of no later than 10pm. The council discussed possible ways to accommodate Doucett’s request, but no action was taken at the March meeting.

The council took a brief break from city business to remember Councilman Willis Johnson who recently passed away. Council members shared stories of the man who had been a friend to all of them and had served the city for decades. But after this break of remembrance, there was the need to fill the former councilman’s seat so that the business of the city could continue. Ultimately, another former council member, Terry Stamper (an 18-year veteran of the council), was sworn in to fill the balance of Johnson’s term.

There was discussion during the meeting concerning a reduction to the municipal tax, but no action was taken. In a special meeting, however, the council conducted a first reading of the amended Municipal Insurance Premium Tax Ordinance. The amended ordinance effectively reduces the tax from 10.5 percent to 10 percent, lowering it by a half of a percent.

Mayor Troy Combs said that the loss of revenue from reducing the tax would be between $30 thousand to $50 thousand each year, but the benefit to Grayson residents would far outweigh that budgetary loss. In practical terms, the savings each Grayson taxpayer can expect will be around ten dollars per month, Combs said. But especially considering unilaterally rising costs and the recent increase to electric bills, Combs said the .5 percent reduction is one thing the city is able to do to help its residents with their own monthly expenses.

The amended ordinance was scheduled for a second reading Tuesday, March 17, and was expected to pass.

Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com

Jury acquits Estepp on sexual abuse charges

Harlee Estepp, center, is flanked by his attorneys as the verdict is read in this still image from court provided video. (Submitted image)

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

A Carter County jury heard six days of evidence from law enforcement, school administrators and personnel, and the alleged victim and her family before returning a verdict on Tuesday, March 3 finding former West Carter and Paul Blazer special education teacher Harlee Estepp not guilty on all three charges against him, including two counts of first degree sexual abuse and one count of unlawful use of electronic means to induce a minor to engage in sexual activities.

The verdict marks the end of a tumultuous five years for both the accused and the alleged victim since the allegations first surfaced in the summer between the alleged victim’s freshman and sophomore years of high school.

According to the story presented by the alleged victim and her mother, the family was set up at the Haldeman Volunteer Fire Department when Estepp allegedly sent a text message to the minor. The mother saw the message pop up on the unattended phone, displaying the name Harlee according to the mother’s testimony. The alleged victim said it should have come up as “H” but that when the mother – who had her daughter’s passcode – opened the phone she would have been able to see the full first name. That name was the tipoff for the mother, who didn’t believe her daughter’s claim that it was someone else messaging her because of the unique spelling of Estepp’s first name. After discussing the content of the text with her husband, which they read as a request for nude images from the minor without explicitly stating such, the alleged victim’s stepfather suggested calling the police.

During the course of those initial police interviews and the subsequent investigation, the alleged victim denied any wrongdoing by Estepp. The mother of the alleged victim claimed that her child expressed concern about the teacher getting in trouble, a sentiment that the alleged victim echoed during her testimony. The alleged victim, now a freshman at UK, said that over the time that has elapsed since the initial investigation, she’d come to understand how damaging Estepp’s alleged actions had been, and no longer felt the need to protect him. After discussing the incident with someone at a later date the incident was reported as required by law, prompting the second investigation, arrest, and trial.

Over the course of the trial the jury heard from Kentucky State Police detectives involved in the original investigation, as well as the second investigation about the evidence collected. While a number of photos and videos showed Estepp spending time with students, including the alleged victim, during weekly school field trips for special education students, known as CBI or community based instruction days, none of those videos or photos showed any of the allegations of inappropriate touching.

Likewise, the suggestive text message seen by the alleged victim’s mother was not preserved by the mother or the state police. The mother testified that after the initial investigation faltered, she deleted her screen shot or photo of the text message because it distressed her having it on her phone.

School administrators, including the principal at West Carter at the time of the alleged incident, testified about the CBI trips, including the need to document which students participated as student peer mentors or in related capacities. While the alleged victim could not be a peer mentor yet as a freshman, she was involved with the club that peer mentors are drawn from.

The director of transportation and maintenance for the school district also testified about the capabilities and limitations of the cameras employed on all buses used for such field trips, and reviewed footage from some of those trips with the court.

Clothing that the alleged victim said Estepp gave her to wear for him, Estepp’s lawyers argued, was actually old clothing that Estepp had brought into his classroom for instances when students had accidents and needed a change of clothing. Photos taken by the alleged victim in those items of clothing were shared by the alleged victim, but investigators did not find any evidence of those photos being shared to Estepp’s phone or any apps on his device that could have saved such evidence. Likewise, images from Snapchat that clearly showed communication between the alleged victim and Estepp were from a trivia game that Estepp played with individuals or the entire peer mentor group.

Estepp’s attorney, Sebastian Joy, admitted that his client did engage in a non-professional manner by chatting via social media, but that this did not amount to a crime – particularly as the law banning such communications had not been enacted yet at the time of the alleged incidents, while the prosecution alleged that Estepp engaged in a pattern of grooming, including those unprofessional communications, and according to the alleged victim expressed concerns about what could happen to him if people found out about his inappropriate relationship with a student.  

Ultimately, the jury agreed that there was not sufficient evidence to convict Estepp, finding him not guilty on all three counts. The verdict elicited audible sobs from those in the courtroom, drawing an admonition from the judge to remember where they were.

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

AS WE SEE IT: Please don’t flush your wipes

modern minimalist bathroom with vanity and toilet
Photo by Peter Vang on Pexels.com

Bathroom products have come a long way since Mr. Whipple asked us to please not squeeze the Charmin, and that’s a good thing. But as wonderful as it is to leave the bathroom feeling fresh and clean, you can’t believe all the marketing hype – especially when it comes to “flushable” wipes. Because while these so-called “flushable” wipes may go down the drain with fewer clogs than old fashioned baby wipes, they can still cause significant issues for wastewater treatment centers.

It’s an issue that the Grayson Utilities Commission is unfortunately very familiar with, to the point that the utility recently sent out notices to customers asking them to please refrain from flushing these types of sanitary wipes – encouraging them instead to place these items their bathroom garbage.

The notice asks them to “help in preventing clogged sewers and overflows,” noting that “increased flushing of wipes (and) paper towels cause issues in sewer systems and lift station(s).”

“In recent weeks,” the letter to customers read, “the Wastewater Lift Station on River Road has experienced frequent pump outages caused by a large volume of ‘flushable’ wipes and paper towels.”

It then goes on to explain that even items marked as “flushable” can create issues when they don’t break down exactly like toilet paper.

“Even wipes labeled flushable don’t break down like toilet paper,” the letter continued. “Once flushed, they often tangle together, blocking pumps, and cause costly backups in homes and throughout the wastewater system. When pumps stations are clogged, they stop working and require cleaning and repair – or even replacement – in order to get the sewage moving again. These expenses can be very costly and could eventually lead to increases in sewage rates for all customers.”

You read that right. If folks continue to flush items that shouldn’t be flushed, we could all see our utility bills increase.

But why can’t you flush these items, even though they are labeled by the manufacturer as flush safe? Well, the utilities commission explained that too.

“Wipes are made from strong fibers, designed to hold together when wet – a feature that makes them useful for cleaning, but disastrous for plumbing,” the utility noted. “When flushed, they collect on other debris inside sewer lines and create larger blockages.”

So, even though you can still poke a finger through them with relative ease, they don’t break down the same way tissue does. And because they can create these “larger blockages,” they can also lead to other issues inside the home. Some of these, according to the utilities commission, include “backed up drains and toilets inside homes, and damage to household plumbing systems,” as well as “expensive repairs to wastewater pumps and treatment equipment.”

No one wants any of that – particularly the first two that are more likely to hit tenants or homeowners than the utility.

So, what can be flushed? According to the utilities commission, “only toilet paper and human waste should be flushed. Everything else belongs in the trash – even items that say flushable.”

In addition to avoiding placing flushable wipes in the toilet, the utility says the trash bin is also the best place for baby wipes, cleaning wipes, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs, dental floss, coffee grounds, food waste (including fats, oils, or grease, which the utility says should “never” be poured down drains), cat litter and other pet wastes, or needles and sharps. Flushing any of those items can cause problems both inside the customers’ home as well as for the utility. But “taking a few simple steps at home,” they note, “can prevent costly repairs and keep the wastewater system running smoothly.”
Sure, it’s convenient for us to flush them and forget them. Out of sight, out of mind, as they say. Particularly when we aren’t the ones who have to clear a clogged pump station. But increased utility rates – or the cost of a plumber to fix problems on your side of the meter – those won’t stay out of sight or out of mind very long at all.

Perhaps it’s best to just heed the commission’s warning, and put those “flushable” wipes in the trash.

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Chamber promotes job fair

KCU students interact with local businesses during the Grayson Chamber’s Job Fair & Career Expo last Wednesday. (Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)
By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times

Grayson Chamber of Commerce Director Mike Nelson reported during last week’s meeting that chamber membership was currently at 230 members. Nelson also alluded to an upcoming new restaurant and new chamber members that he will release more information about soon. In the meantime, Nelson told the chamber that rumors concerning a hibachi restaurant coming to Grayson were true, and the new restaurant will be going in at the location of the old Giovanni’s in Grayson. Nelson told the chamber that the owners of the new restaurant are also the owners of the Hibachi Express food truck that is regularly set up during Memory Days.

In other news, Nelson told chamber members that the chamber was grateful to partner with Kentucky Christian University twice a year for their job fair. The next job fair is scheduled for March 25, Nelson said.

“I still have spots available,” Nelson said. “So, if you would like to take that day from 10 am until 1 pm the table is provided for you for free. The venue can also accommodate electrical needs for those wishing to participate in the job fair.”

“Come and find new employees for your business,” Nelson said. “And if you are not hiring right now, it is still a good opportunity for public relations. You can tell people a little about your business and what you do,” he added.

Students from the business school will be at the fair, Nelson told the members present, as well as students from East and West Carter High Schools.

Nelson also announced that Kentucky Christian University will be partnering with the chamber for the chamber’s annual Chamber Banquet, where the chamber looks at the year in retrospect and also passes out yearly awards. The banquet had been held for the last several years at Carter Caves State Resort Park, Nelson said, and the experience has consistently been amazing.

“We love having the banquet at Carter Caves, and the staff is always amazing,” he said.

The only problem, he said, was that the banquet had grown so much that it had “run out of space.” Nelson said that the event had grown so large that the chamber had been forced to limit the number of interested parties that might want to attend.

“So, we are happy to announce that we will be moving our Chamber Banquet to Kentucky Christian University inside their gymnasium,” he told the members in attendance.

“To do this, we have had to change the day,” Nelson said. “We have always had the banquet in December, but this year we will be moving it up to November. This year’s banquet will be on November 10, and you will be able to purchase your tickets well in advance.”

Nelson said he wanted to thank both Kentucky Christian University and KCU Director of Development Danny Stamper for all their help with the transition of venue.

The chamber also discussed plans for the upcoming Memory Days event. The 2026 Memory Days will celebrate 55 years of the popular event, and Nelson said there was a desire to “do it up right.” Nelson told chamber members that Memory Days planner Michelle Boggs has been hard at work to ensure that this year’s Memory Days will be the best one to date.

“We are expecting thousands of people this year,” Boggs told the chamber. “And we have a lot going on in those four days.”

Boggs said that there will be new things for people to enjoy as well as the return of wonderful live music, headlined by the group Sunday Best. The event will be held May 21 through 24, and the roster continues to grow, Boggs said. For updated information Boggs encourages everyone to visit the event’s Facebook page.

Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com

Ask Daryl – Your Professional Organizer: You and your fur babies

side view of giving treats to a dog
Photo by Cup of Couple on Pexels.com

By Daryl Ashley

Confusion Solution

Most of us know how to make our pets comfy and happy. However, we don’t think of organizing solutions to truly give them the extra special care they deserve. We give them a place to sleep, food, water, toys, and, for cats, a place for them to enjoy some privacy. But there are so many options for organizing supplies, as well as toys and food.

Here are some tips to make things easier for you to care for your pet.

  • Set up a special place in your home for storing your pet supplies.
  • Transfer dry food and treats from bags into clear plastic sealable containers just like the ones you would use for storing cereal or pasta. This will keep food fresh longer and make it easier to see when your supplies are running low.
  • Use clear plastic trays for small items, like wet food in cans, grooming tools, and dental care.
  • Keep shampoos, flea collars, litter, and sprays on shelves in the same area but not adjacent to food. 
  • Use decorative baskets for toys that compliment your decor and cycle them out to give your pets some variety.
  • Mount hooks near the back or front door for leashes, collars, and rain gear.

Even if you have other pets like, birds, reptiles, or fish, storing their supplies in a manageable location – just for them – makes them safer and easier to access when needed. A few small adjustments can make a big difference in how you care for your pets.

It’s as simple as that!

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

Weekly Arrests: 3/18/26

The following individuals were arrested and booked into the Carter County Detention Center over the past week. This list includes local arrests only. It does not include federal inmates being housed at or transported through the detention center.

  • Gary Conley, 59, of Rush, arrested by Kentucky State Police, for failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked March 9.
  • Terry Carter, 51, of Louisville, arrested by Grayson PD, for failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked March 9.
  • David Whitt, 64, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, for failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked March 10.
  • Charles Dunn, 47, of Carlisle, arrested by Nicholas County Sheriff, for failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked March 10.
  • Rex Parsons, 48, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of reckless driving, no or expired registration receipt, no or expired registration plates, improper display of registration plates, failure to maintain required insurance, operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, failure to surrender revoked operator’s license, and two counts of failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked March 10.
  • David Barnes, 48, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on two counts of failure to appear on a citation for misdemeanor, arrested and booked March 10.
  • Nichlos Collins, 31, of Wheelersburg, OH, arresting agency unavailable, for failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked March 11.
  • Dianna Martin, 25, of Soldier, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of first degree trafficking in narcotics (two or more grams of methamphetamine), trafficking in a controlled substance (heroin), possession of drug paraphernalia, and tampering with physical evidence, arrested and booked March 11.
  • Charles Dunn, 47, of Carlisle, arrested by Nicholas County Sheriff, for failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked March 12.
  • Woodrow Mays, 51, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on two counts of violation of a Kentucky emergency protection order/domestic violence order, arrested and booked March 12.
  • Lynuel Conn, 59, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, first degree possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl), convicted felon in possession of a handgun, and first degree possession of a controlled substance (drug unspecified), arrested and booked March 12.
  • Jacob Steagall, 31, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on charges of third degree burglary, receiving stolen property valued at more than $1,000 but less than $10,000, theft by unlawful taking or disposition of items valued at more than $1,000 but less than $10,000, and two counts of contempt of court, arrested and booked March 13.
  • William Perry, 23, of Olive Hill, arrested by Grayson PD, on charges of speeding 5 MPH over limit, possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, arrested and booked March 14.
  • Aaron Dickerson Jr., 33, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of third degree terroristic threatening, and fourth degree assault (domestic violence) with minor injury, arrested and booked March 14.
  • Corey Parker, 38, of South Webster, OH, arrested by Kentucky State Police, for failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked March 15.

All of the charges listed are arrest charges only, and do not indicate an indictment or a conviction for the charges in question. All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Information is compiled from publicly available sources, but may not be comprehensive.

Center for Rural Development accepting grant applications for Flex-E Grant program

person using a calculator
Photo by Marina Agrelo on Pexels.com

The Center for Rural Development is accepting grant applications for the 2026 Kentucky Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) mini-grant program.

The mini-grant program (sometimes referred to as the Flex-E-Grant program) is open to qualified local units of government and non-profit entities in Carter County for capacity building planning and implementation projects.

The mini-grant program provides strategic investments in projects that build community capacity to mobilize local resources, gain leadership experience, and strengthen community institutions and networks.

Grants are subject to approval for up to $10,000, require a 20 percent match of total project costs, and are to be completed within a six-month timeframe. Mini-grant funds are available on a reimbursement basis only.

For more information or to download a request for proposal, visit https://centertech.com/arc-mini-grant-flex-e-grant/.

All grant applications and supporting documents must be submitted to The Center for Rural Development by 5 PM (EDT) on April 10, 2026. Digital files are preferred and may be emailed to arc@centertech.com.

Counties within The Center for Rural Development’s primary service area designated as economically distressed by ARC are eligible to apply for the mini-grant program. Eligible counties include Bath, Bell, Breathitt, Carter, Casey, Clay, Clinton, Elliott, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Metcalfe, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell, Wayne, Whitley, and Wolfe.

For questions about the application process or program guidelines, please call 606-677-6000 or email jvanthournout@centertech.com.

The Center for Rural Development administers programs funds in partnership with the Kentucky Department for Local Government and the ARC.

Legislative Update from Senator Webb

Before I provide this week’s legislative update, I want to take a moment to recognize the loss of one of our own — Staff Sgt. Benjamin Pennington of Glendale, Kentucky.

At just 26 years old, Pennington made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. He was stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Epic Fury when the installation came under attack by Iranian drones and missiles on March 1. He was gravely injured during that attack and passed away on March 8. Kentuckians across the commonwealth join our nation in mourning his loss and remembering the sacrifice he made in defense of our freedoms.
Pennington enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2017 and served as a unit supply specialist with the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade at Fort Carson, Colorado. In that role, he supported critical systems that help protect our troops, including missile warning capabilities, GPS positioning and satellite communications. Those who served alongside him described him as a dedicated soldier and a dependable leader who took pride in serving something bigger than himself.
This week, the Kentucky Senate honored Staff Sgt. Pennington’s life and service with the adoption of a Senate resolution. I join many across Kentucky in offering prayers and condolences to his family, friends and fellow soldiers during this difficult time.
Legislative update: Late-session processes to expect
As the General Assembly moves through Week 10 of the 2026 Legislative Session, activity in Frankfort has picked up considerably. With the closing days of the 60-day session now in sight, committee meetings are becoming more frequent and the list of bills being considered on the Senate and House floors continues to grow.
This is also the time of year when many bills begin arriving at the governor’s desk for review. The governor has the authority to veto legislation, but the General Assembly can vote to override those vetoes during the final days of the session. One bill has already been enacted over a veto this year, and it is possible we will see more in the weeks ahead.
The most important work still ahead of us involves finalizing the state’s two-year budget and the two-year road plan. The budget serves as the commonwealth’s roadmap for how taxpayer dollars are invested in priorities like education, infrastructure and public safety.
As a member of the Senate budget committee, I’ve spent many long hours reviewing the details of this proposal alongside my colleagues. That work includes combing through agency requests, evaluating spending priorities and ensuring the plan reflects responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Crafting a state budget is one of the most complex and time-consuming responsibilities the General Assembly undertakes, and it requires careful attention to every line item.
The Senate is currently reviewing the House version of the budget, House Bill 500, and considering potential changes before sending our version back to the House. Once both chambers weigh in, the bill will likely move to a conference committee where members of the House and Senate work together to iron out the final details before sending the completed plan to the governor.
As always, I appreciate the opportunity to serve and represent our communities. I will continue working to ensure the voices of folks back home are heard as these final decisions are made.
Bills approved in the Senate
With the close of Senate and House proceedings on Friday, just 14 legislative days remain in the 2026 session. The following is an update on legislation approved by the Senate this week.
Additional bills passing this week include the following.
Senate Bill 6: Appropriates $150 million in fiscal year 2027 to the Endowed Research Fund created by Senate Bill 1 in 2024. The fund supports five research consortium accounts administered by the Council on Postsecondary Education to advance collaborative research initiatives across Kentucky.
Senate Bill 19: Designates the indigo milk cap, a mushroom native to Kentucky forests, as the official state mushroom. The proposal was brought forward by students from Letcher County Central High School and is intended to recognize Kentucky’s natural heritage and promote environmental education.
Senate Bill 34: Allows Kentuckians to transfer a home or vehicle directly to a named beneficiary at death without going through probate. Owners retain full control during their lifetime and may change or revoke the designation, with the transfer taking effect only upon death if properly recorded.
Senate Bill 41: Requires most local tax increases that exceed four percent above the compensating rate to be submitted to voters for approval. Local governments may avoid a recall election by lowering the proposed rate within the four-percent threshold.
Senate Bill 53: Clarifies that local planning units, commissions and boards may hold public hearings and accept public comment when reviewing subdivision plats and development plans. The bill reinforces transparency and public participation in local land-use decisions.
Senate Bill 65: Nullifies several administrative regulations deemed deficient by the Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee. The measure reinforces legislative oversight of agency rulemaking by invalidating rules that lawmakers determined did not properly implement statutory intent.
Senate Bill 66: Updates Kentucky’s impaired driving laws to clarify the consequences of refusing a blood test and to improve enforcement procedures. The bill also expands the list of substances subject to per se DUI prosecutions and aligns record-retention requirements for moving violations.
Senate Bill 77: Creates a framework to support research into ibogaine as a potential treatment for opioid use disorder and other neurological conditions. The bill establishes the Ibogaine Research and Intellectual Property Development Fund and authorizes public-private partnerships to conduct clinical research.
Senate Bill 97: Requires health benefit plans to cover medically necessary prosthetic and orthotic devices and establishes minimum coverage standards. The bill also sets patient notification requirements, network adequacy standards and reporting requirements for insurers.
Senate Bill 100: Strengthens the authority of the Energy Planning and Inventory Commission in evaluating Kentucky’s energy supply and utility decisions. The bill expands the executive director’s access to information and allows the commission to participate more directly in Public Service Commission proceedings.
Senate Bill 116: Updates statutes governing physician assistants to support more efficient collaboration within physician-led care teams. The bill modernizes practice and administrative requirements to help improve health care access, particularly in rural areas.
Senate Bill 133: Updates fiscal reporting and audit requirements for certain local entities. The bill raises reporting thresholds, allows qualified entities to move to longer audit cycles and aligns audit procedures for several local government offices.
Senate Bill 147: Modernizes Kentucky’s vital records laws governing birth and death certificates. The bill clarifies the legal status of certified copies, updates fee structures and strengthens coordination between death records and voter registration maintenance.
Senate Bill 149: Updates statutes governing the office of county treasurer. The bill aligns treasurer appointments with county election cycles and allows fiscal courts to appoint acting or deputy treasurers when necessary.
Senate Bill 198: Updates statutes governing the authority and responsibilities of the Office of the Attorney General. The bill adds federal tax information security requirements, clarifies agency record custody and establishes a 10-year statute of limitations for certain legal actions.
Senate Bill 219: Requires the commissioner of the Department of Financial Institutions to impose a $3 fee on deferred deposit transactions. The fee supports the collection and reporting of required data from licensed deferred deposit service businesses.
Senate Bill 221: Strengthens Kentucky’s abuse of a corpse statute by making it a Class D felony to knowingly buy or sell a corpse or parts of a corpse after final disposition has been authorized. The bill addresses gaps in law exposed by cases involving the illegal sale of human remains.
Senate Bill 222: Updates Kentucky law governing environmental covenants used in environmental remediation projects. The bill clarifies procedures for creating and enforcing land-use restrictions on contaminated properties to support redevelopment.
Senate Bill 224: Establishes statutory protections for vested property rights in development approvals. Planning authorities must evaluate permit applications using the development standards in effect when the application was submitted.
Senate Bill 225: Requires the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction to evaluate the impact of proposed building code changes on residential construction. The department must conduct cost-benefit analyses and report findings to the General Assembly.
Senate Bill 226: Allows agents guaranteeing prices under preneed burial contracts to charge a one-time administrative fee of up to 15 percent once the contract is fully paid. The fee is exempt from certain refund requirements and applies to contracts entered into after the law takes effect.
Senate Bill 261: Allows fiscal courts and cities to fund the maintenance of pedestrian swinging bridges used for recreation. The bill also provides liability protections for landowners who lease property to local governments for these purposes.
Senate Bill 262: Proposes a constitutional amendment allowing constitutional amendments to appear on ballots as a clear summary or question rather than the full text. The change is intended to make ballot language easier for voters to understand.
Senate Bill 291: Creates a statewide licensing system for secondary metal recyclers to help deter the resale of stolen metal. The bill requires reporting through the LeadsOnline database and strengthens coordination with law enforcement to combat copper theft.
Senate Bill 312: Expands the authority of certified court security officers to transport individuals in custody beyond courthouse grounds. The bill also allows these officers to assist with certain involuntary mental health commitment transports.
Senate Bill 323: Requires subpoenas for medical records to be served at least 14 days before records must be produced. The change provides health care providers adequate time to locate and provide records while supporting orderly court proceedings.
Senate Bill 333: Requires proceeds from the sale of confiscated firearms to be transferred to the Office of the Attorney General. The funds will be used to provide grants to police departments for the purchase of body armor.
Senate Bill 343: Reorganizes the Department of Workers’ Claims by moving it under the Office of the Governor. The bill establishes leadership qualifications and transfers all related staff and resources as part of the restructuring.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 66: Encourages the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville to explore participation in federal nuclear energy programs. The resolution also urges expansion of academic programs in nuclear science and engineering.
Senate Joint Resolution 62: Directs the Division of Water to prepare a report outlining the permitting process for debris removal from waterways following flooding. The report will also include recommendations for improving cleanup coordination and efficiency.
Senate Joint Resolution 75: Directs the Public Service Commission to study ways to improve the affordability of utility services, particularly for low-income households. The commission must report findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by Sept. 1, 2027.
Senate Joint Resolution 116: Directs Kentucky’s public universities to collaborate on solutions to address the state’s physician shortage. The effort will produce recommendations for expanding health care access in underserved areas.
Senate Joint Resolution 134: Directs the Public Service Commission to review how utilities calculate fuel adjustment charges on customer bills. The commission must gather public input, evaluate ways to reduce volatility and report recommendations to the General Assembly.
House Bill 314: Modernizes oversight of the KentuckyWired broadband network by placing management under the Commonwealth Office of Technology. The bill expands board representation and took effect immediately after the legislature overrode the governor’s veto.
It’s an honor to represent you in Frankfort.  I look forward to continuing my dedication to Boyd, Carter, Greenup, and Lewis counties while representing my fellow communities in District 18.  If you have any questions, comments or concerns, you can always contact me at 502-564-8100 or by email at Robin.Webb@kylegislature.gov.
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Sen. Robin Webb, R-Grayson, represents the 18th Senate District, which includes Boyd, Carter, Greenup, and Lewis Counties. She served as co-chair of the Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force in 2025. Webb is a member of the Senate Committees on Agriculture; Appropriations and Revenue; Natural Resources and Energy; and Families and Children. She also serves as a liaison member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary.
For a high-resolution JPEG file of Webb, please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate118.jpg 

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Linda Wilson Harper

Linda Wilson Harper, age 82, of Grayson, Kentucky, passed away Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Kentucky.

She was born Monday, June 28, 1943, in Carter County, Kentucky, a daughter of the late Herbert Lee and Velva Phillips Wilson.

Linda enjoyed gardening, flowers, mowing grass, canning, cooking for her family and caring for Gary and her family.

Linda is survived by her loving husband of nearly 35 years, Earnest Gary Harper; two daughters, Deadrea (Chuck) Oney, Tammy (David) Skinner, all of Olive Hill, Kentucky; one son, Garry Allen (Karen) Harper of West Liberty, Kentucky; five grandchildren, Justin (Allison) Oney, Ryan (Madison) Buckler, Ashley Jones, Cody (Morgan) Harper, Cory (Sadie) Harper; four great-grandchildren, Callie Roth, Addison Oney, Cadence Straka, Myleigh Buckler, John Henry Harper; one brother, Bill (Barb) Wilson of Olive Hill, Kentucky; one sister, Phyllis Ann Berry of Grayson, Kentucky, along with many other family and friends who will sadly miss her.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Barker Cemetery, on Mauk Ridge in Elliott County, Kentucky, with Brother Elijah Wagoner officiating.

Justin Oney, Chuck Oney, Garry Allen Harper, David Skinner, Ryan Buckler and Callie Roth will serve as pallbearers.

Globe Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the family of Linda Wilson Harper.

Deborah G. Kennedy

Deborah G. Kennedy, 73 of Ashland passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in her home following a brief illness.

She was born on May 1, 1952, in Olive Hill, Kentucky the daughter of the late Augustine and Elizabeth (nee Fields) Carroll.

Debbie graduated from Olive Hill High School, Class of 1970 as class valedictorian. She furthered her education and attended technical college after graduating.

She retired after more than 30 years from Rite-Aid Pharmacy where she worked in management and became union steward.

Debbie was a hard worker and always put the needs of others before her own. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and helping to transport them to their events. Debbie enjoyed playing Uno and Phase 10 when her family came to visit.

She is survived by two sons, Bill Kennedy and Robert (Angela) Kennedy; 10 grandchildren, Alexis (Jacob) Hileman, Karson, Parker, Connor, Teagan, Kaiden, Treytn, and Carter Kennedy, Makayla (Naythan) Golden, and Robert Laing; two great grandchildren, Amelia Kennedy and Hudson Hileman; and her siblings, Glenna Porter, Danny Carroll, James Carroll and Gregory Carroll.

In addition to her parents, Debbie is preceded in death by one brother, Gary Carroll and a sister-in-law, Pamela Carroll.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Globe Funeral Chapel, 17277 W. US-60, Olive Hill, Kentucky. Burial will follow in Carroll-Sammons Cemetery.

Friends and family may visit after 1 p.m., Thursday, March 19, 2026, until the service hour at Globe Funeral Chapel.

Globe Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the family of Deborah G. Kennedy.

Shandra Dell Brown

Shandra Dell Brown, age 48, of Olive Hill, Kentucky, beloved mother, nana, daughter, sister, and friend passed away Monday, March 9, 2026, at her residence in Morehead, Kentucky. She was a woman whose presence touched everyone. If you knew her, you loved her. Her smile was constant and genuine, even during the moments when life gave her nothing but pain.

Above all else, her girls were her life. She loved them with every ounce of her soul, and her grand kids were the center of her world. Everything she did was for them, and her love for them was fierce, unconditional and endless. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Though our hearts are heavy, the memories we share of her laughter, strength and beautiful spirit will be cherished forever. Her love and light will live on in the lives she touched and in the hearts of those who loved her most.

She was born Thursday, September 29, 1977, in Xenia, Ohio, a daughter of the late Lenvil and Judy Pyles Brown.

She is survived by two daughters, Breanna Loschiavo (Kaylib) and Abigail Loschiavo, both of Cincinnati, Ohio; one brother, Devin Brown of Troy, Ohio; two sisters, Buffy Boothe and Dianne Dipasqualc, both of Mansfield, Ohio, along with many other family and friends who will sadly miss her.

At Shandra’s request there will be no service at this time.

Globe Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the family of Shandra Dell Brown.

UPDATE: Body confirmed as that of missing Carter County woman

Submitted photo

GRAYSON – The Kentucky State Police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating a Carter County woman who has been reported missing.

On February 23, 2026, Kentucky State Police Post 14 received a complaint regarding a missing person. Troopers were advised that Tessa Reeves, age 50, had not been seen since February 14, 2026, in Grayson, Kentucky.

According to information gathered during the investigation, Reeves was last observed at Bayso’s bar located at 111 South Hord Street in Grayson. Witnesses reported Reeves had been wearing a pink shirt at the time she was last seen. Reeves did not have a cell phone or any personal belongings with her at the time.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Tessa Reeves is asked to contact Kentucky State Police Post 14 at (606) 928-6421. The investigation remains ongoing.

UPDATE – March 29

Kentucky State Police released a statement today confirming that a body found on Tuesday in Grayson was that of Tessa Reeves.

According to the KSP release the state police received a call around 9:58 a.m. reporting a body located under the bridge along KY 7, between the Dollar General Store and Gibb’s Hardware.

The KSP determined the body to be that of the 50-year-old Reeves, who had last been seen on February 14 and reported missing on February 23, according to the original police report. Her disappearance remains under investigation by the KSP, and cause of death has not yet been determined.

Extension Notes: Managing home vegetable garden pests

close up of green plants on the soil
Photo by Ricardo Abreu on Pexels.com
By: Rebecca Konopka
Carter County Extension Agent

Sources: Richard Durham, UK horticulture specialist

It is a good time to think about pest control for your home vegetable garden.

You can control pest problems, and perhaps prevent future difficulties, in your garden by doing some advance planning and following a few simple Integrated Pest Management practices. IPM promotes minimal pesticide use and emphasizes the use of all available pest control methods including cultural, mechanical and biological practices to prevent pest problems.

Examples of the IPM approach include using plants with natural disease tolerance or resistance, using mulch to control weeds or row covers to prevent insect damage and using naturally occurring organisms such as lady beetles or praying mantises.

Sanitation is another good IPM practice. Keep your garden well-groomed during active growth. Once you spot diseased plant material, remove it immediately to keep diseases from spreading. Also, promptly remove vegetable plants when they cease to be productive. Although you should clear out unproductive vegetable plants from the garden area, you can add this plant material to a compost pile.

Before you buy seeds, plants or fertilizer, start your garden off right by doing a soil test to determine if soil fertility and acidity/alkalinity will meet plants’ nutrient requirements. Your (COUNTY NAME) extension staff can tell you more about the process, if you’ve never done it before.

Soil test results will let you know how much fertilizer your plants need to have adequate nutrients, while preventing excessive use that contributes to groundwater, stream and lake pollution. Plants that are stressed or weak from insufficient nutrients or a pH that’s too low or too high are more susceptible to disease and can’t readily tolerate insect damage. To give your plants a healthy start, soil test and apply the fertilizer and other amendments according to the recommendations.

Do you plant your garden crops in the same spot year after year? If so, think about rotating things this year. Crop rotation can help prevent insect and disease build-ups. For example, potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes and peppers are subject to the same insect and disease problems. So, you shouldn’t plant these crops in the same location more than every three consecutive years. After three years, switch to a different crop like beans or corn. If you have limited garden space, plant some vegetable plants in containers such as large pots or half whisky barrels as a form of crop rotation.

To help you remember, you can make a diagram of your garden each year to avoid planting the same, or closely related crops, too frequently in the same spot.

Whether you are planting corn or tomatoes, check to see that the variety you are planting has some disease resistance or tolerance. For example, select tomato varieties labeled “VFN,” as they’re resistant to Verticillium Wilt, Fusarium and root-knot nematodes. Whereas, a tomato variety leveled “V” is only resistant to Verticillium Wilt.

Don’t buy the cheapest transplants. When it comes to transplants, the best buys are the healthy ones. A healthy transplant was seeded at the right time, grown at the proper temperature and received adequate light and moisture. It will have a compact growth structure with very small distances between leaves. The leaves will be dark green, large and upright with no tendency to droop. Stems will be pencil thick and rigid.

Avoid transplants that are beginning to produce flowers or fruit. It might seem that buying a plant with blooms or fruit will give you a head start in the garden. However, plants trying to produce fruit or flowers are slow to develop the good root systems needed to support later fruit production. Never buy plants that have insects present or are showing disease symptoms.

Plan on using mulch to prevent weeds that will decrease your garden’s production by competing with the vegetable plants for water, nutrients and sunlight. In addition, some weeds harbor diseases and insects that attack vegetable plants. Mulch also helps conserve soil moisture.

Several types of commercial mulch are available, or you can use newspapers for the mulch. Start with five to eight layers, adding more layers as the newspapers decompose to prevent weed growth throughout the growing season. Most newspapers use soy-ink, but you still need avoid using the glossy inserts. If you have other gardening questions contact the (COUNTY NAME) Cooperative Extension Service. 

For more in-depth information, request our publication, “Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky” (ID-128). It is available from your local Extension Service office, or from the UK Web site at http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/id/id128/id128.pdf.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.             -30

Kentucky soldier’s death in undeclared war again brings conflict home

waving flag of united states of america
Photo by www.kaboompics.com on Pexels.com
By: Keith Kappes
Columnist
Carter County Times

            America’s newest armed conflict, started without a congressional declaration of war as required by the Constitution, came home to Kentucky again this week with the news that Sgt. Benjamin Pennington of Glendale in Hardin County had been killed. 

            His death came a week after he was wounded when an Iranian missile struck Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudia Arabia where his Space Force unit from Fort Carson, Colo., was providing air defense.

            Earlier, six Army Reservists from Iowa but stationed at Fort Knox died in an Iranian missile strike at a civilian port in Kuwait one day after the war began.

            Those facilities are among about a dozen in the Middle East where substantial numbers of American service members are permanently stationed. From the first attack by U.S. and Israeli aircraft on Feb. 28, the Iranians vowed to take revenge on Americans and Israelis whenever and wherever they could be found.

            The 26-year-old Kentuckian was the seventh U.S. soldier killed since the conflict began, according to the Department of War, formerly the Department of Defense. A soldier since 2017, Pennington was promoted to staff sergeant posthumously. He held several awards for good performance and conduct in uniform.

            “Department of War” has been used since last September as a secondary title by virtue of an executive order signed by President Trump. A permanent name change also requires congressional approval.

            Sadly, the name change of the largest department in our federal government depicted its future mission in the Trump Administration as illustrated by U.S. military incursions twice into Iran, a presidential kidnapping in Venezuela, sinking of alleged drug smuggling fishing boats in the Caribbean Ocean, a shipping blockade of Cuba to enforce a crippling oil embargo and multiple threats against Greenland.

            The commander-in-chief who described himself as a peacemaker during the 2024 campaign also pledged to avoid involving us in another “forever war” in the Middle East. At this rate, his dream of receiving the Nobel Peace Prize remains a fantasy.

            And I wonder how many times we’ll hear Pete Hegseth use the phrase “warrior ethos” as those U.S. body bags start arriving by the planeload at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

            Contact Keith at keithkappes@gmail.com.

When the world feels broken, sit down and eat

loving family during dinner
Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

By Robert Dean

Carter County Times

Rising gas prices. The Epstein files. War no one wants. A mass shooting last weekend. Unemployment numbers up. New job numbers down. Scrolling the phone is not for the weak-hearted.

It’s enough to make your chest tighten before your coffee is finished.

Lately, my anxiety has been bad. I’m thankfully medicated for daily life with Lexapro, but the emergency stuff my doctor has prescribed me has been getting more attention. Every time I try to relax, it feels like my body is shaking from some undercurrent of stress.

If you feel the same way, know you’re not alone. A lot of people in your life might act big and bad, but when the lights are out and they’re lying in the dark at night, they shed their shells. We’re all dealing. Everyone is doing their best.

I have learned that through chaos, we can find comfort in the most obvious place: food.

Whenever it’s easy to lose faith in humanity, go to a mom-and-pop restaurant where the owner is slinging hash and the daughter is making sure you enjoyed her grandma’s fritters. Those kinds of places remind us of our shared experience, or the humility of doing what we’ve gotta do during times no one asked for.

If you want to challenge yourself, go try a food you’ve never considered. Hit that Indian spot. Get butter chicken and garlic naan. Get some pho on a rainy day from the Vietnamese joint. You’ll see that just because someone doesn’t go to your church, they’ve got stories to tell and want to take your taste buds home through yakisoba, lentil soup, or pierogi.

Sometimes expanding how we engage with the world starts with something simple.

You can see it if you sit quietly in a small restaurant long enough. Someone is picking up dinner after a long shift. A family is splitting one plate because money’s tight. A couple is on a first date, both pretending they’re not nervous.

I remember once I was drunk eating at a kebab stand when two Middle Eastern guys asked if they could sit down. We ended up talking, and they told me that truck was the only one in town that served real Iraqi food off the menu. This little truck brought a taste of home. These guys, including the truck owner, were translators during the war and now live here, far away from home.

They asked if I was willing to try traditional Iraqi food: flat-top seared kidneys and rice.

I obliged.

I think if someone wants you to try the food from their home, to see them as people, it’s a sign of respect. I did, and they were impressed. Because I was drunk, I went in for seconds.

Small moments like this aren’t special to the greater world, but if we all took the time to think about dropping bombs or blowing up schools, we might remember these are people, not shouting characters in a dramatic movie.

Everyone has a story to tell, and you should take the time to listen.

Sometimes the easiest way to hear it is to sit down and eat.

Contact us at news@cartercountytimes.com

Pet of the Week: Meet Sunny

Sunny is a one-year-old, 32 pound, female mixed breed. This playful girl is very friendly, good with other dogs, and full of energy. Sunny’s $100 adoption fee includes rabies vaccination and being spayed. Stop by the Carter County Animal Shelter and meet her or call 475-9771 for more information.

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

Building a better future

chemical engineers working in laboratory
Photo by ThisIsEngineering on Pexels.com
By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times

Carter County native Donald P. Malone spent most of his professional career as a chemical engineer, and worked on, among other things, carbon fiber technology. Malone’s son, Donald M. Malone said his father began working on that process nearly twenty years ago while working as a research and development process chemical engineer at Ashland Oil.

When he retired, Malone still had an interest in improving the process, his son said.

“He continued to develop the carbon technologies with his own company with his partners. He continued to develop some ideas he had,” the younger Malone said. “And the various carbon technologies were some of those ideas. He saw a great use for this technology.”

“He didn’t invent the product because it was already being used,” he continued, explaining that “one use was in the tiles of the space shuttle.”

Malone pointed out that one drawback to carbon fiber technology was that it was incredibly expensive, as well as complicated and difficult. His father, he said, was working to refine a process that was much more cost effective.

“Where my father’s mind went was, ‘how do we do this better, faster, and cheaper’,” Malone said.

One of Donald P. Malone’s partners, Andy Tomaselli, went into greater detail on the processes that Malone and his partners were developing.

“The applications of this technology are really only limited by our imagination,” Tomaselli said. “There are thousands of applications for the finished product.”

Recently, the company which Tomaselli is a managing partner for, and of which Malone was a founding member, ACP Technologies, held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new plant that will be built at the Paul Coffey Industrial Park in Boyd County. ACP currently has a pilot plant location in Hitchins that produced four tons of material. The new site will be the first to use a continuous process for making the material Malone was instrumental in developing.

“It’s kind of the material that makes other material,” Tomaselli said. “The technology is catching up to what this product can actually do. It can be used as an insulator. It can be used as a conductor. And that alone is pretty significant.”

Typically, he said, material can be used as either an insulator or a conductor, but not both.

“It (the material) can be spun into carbon fibers and then woven into mats or other structural pieces. It can be made into a carbon foam, and the foam can then be used as an insulator or a conductor. There are all kinds of applications,” Tomaselli said. “Currently some of the applications are nosecones and the skirts for thrusters. Ultimately what it achieves is a very straight flight path because the materials do not warp due to heat. So, it’s a very high temperature application.”

The material, he said, can be used in all sorts of applications in space technology.

“Orbiting devices of all kinds use these products,” he said.

Another application, Tomaselli said, is in battery technology. One of the products the carbon material can be turned into is artificial graphite for batteries.

“But that is only one use of the material,” he said. “There is a global demand for artificial graphite.”

“The beautiful thing about the artificial graphite is that once someone who uses graphite makes the move to artificial graphite, they no longer have to process and treat the graphite,”  Tomaselli continued. “So, it’s a cleaner product on their end and there are less steps involved, so ultimately it saves money.”

The process which yields this extremely versatile product with a wide range of potential applications was a team effort of which Donald P. Malone was a pivotal member. Though his son, Donald M. Malone, acknowledges his father’s achievements and refers to his father as nothing short of brilliant, there was much more to the man than the chemical engineer. The younger Malone respects his father’s achievements, but also respects the man his father was as well.

“He had a very fine sense of humor,” Malone said of his father. “He was unusual for an engineer in that he was an absolutely brilliant scientist, but he could relate to the common person. He could tell jokes, he could tell stories, he could speak at conventions, and he could speak at church. He could talk to a group of kids or talk to a group of scientists, and be just as entertaining to all involved.”

Malone said his father taught Sunday School class to high school students, and was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. His father could do anything such as cook, Malone said, and although it was far from his favorite pursuit, he was also able to work on any automobile. One of Malone’s earliest memories, in fact, was of his father being underneath his 1972 Chevy Impala changing the Bendix on the car’s starter.

Donald P. Malone was a lot of things, a wearer of many hats, and this taught his son a healthy respect for doing the work and figuring things out.

“He insisted on practical as well as theoretical engineering,” Malone said.

That insistence on both gaining and being able to apply knowledge is something that the younger Malone embraced as his father’s legacy. That legacy lives on in both the process he helped refine, and the lives he touched along the way.

Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com

Joyful Noise: Faith in God, one step at a time

brown wooden cross
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

By Pastor Naomi Mitchell

For Carter County Times

Faith doesn’t always take you out of the problem; faith takes you through the problem. Faith doesn’t always take away the pain; faith gives you the ability to handle the pain. Faith doesn’t always take you out of the storm; faith calms you in the midst of the storm.

We all can relate that our faith has been tested. We say things like, “I wish I had more faith,” or “If I had stronger faith,” or “I guess some people have it and some don’t.” We have had moments that will test us to the deepest parts of our souls. The key to handling life’s storms is how strongly rooted we are in our faith in God.

Dorothy Bernard said, “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” When we take for granted the unlimited power we have in prayer by dismissing it, we are missing the key ingredients to successful growth. There is no formula or set pattern to prayer other than the Lord’s Prayer. It is an acknowledgement of our weakness and our need for help.

During the raging storm, Jesus was found walking on the water. We are never alone even when every possible thing we can touch and feel makes it seem that way. Even if you don’t believe, reach out for His hand. He promises to grasp it.

There’s not a single circumstance that can happen to us that does not have a similar reference located somewhere in those stories as an example of which way to go. They say life doesn’t come with a manual. That’s false. It’s all in that wonderful book called the Bible.

We must understand that all things we experience have a purpose for them. That we ourselves have a purpose and that everything is interconnected. To believe in a random existence is to wander helplessly among chaos. Keep faith tucked away tight that you are as important to God as even Moses or Noah, and that eventually the purpose will come clear.

In God, we have eternal hope for justice and truth to prevail. If you are someone that wants to understand but just can’t, seek out family, a friend, or a pastor and talk to them. Never give up hope that God is waiting on the other side of the storm. Just keep walking boldly through the storm. Our faith will grow as we read the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

God is never blind to your tears, never deaf to your prayers, and never silent to your pain. He sees, He hears, and He will deliver you.

Dare to put belief into action. Have the courage to put one foot in front of the other and live a life of faith like we mean it. Keep walking by faith one step at a time.

Amen! So be it!

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

GOP rhetoric comes home to roost as KY to be short 3,000 physicians by 2030

crop doctor in medical uniform with stethoscope standing in clinic corridor
Photo by Gustavo Fring on Pexels.com

By Teri Carter

The Kentucky Lantern

On Feb. 24, I was heading north on Highway 127 to Frankfort when I saw three black SUVs with gold ICE insignias speeding south towards Lawrenceburg. For the rest of the week, Anderson County Facebook feeds were lit up with photographs and warnings: ICE is here.

Some of the photos looked like AI and were from unrecognizable accounts, but it did not matter. Panic set in, and panic stayed.

I thought about this on March 5 as I watched state Sen. Stephen Meredith on the Senate floor, encouraging his colleagues to vote yes on Senate Bill 137, allowing physicians who are licensed in another country to obtain a provisional license to practice medicine in the commonwealth. “We have a physician shortage crisis,” Meredith said, in the United States and more particularly in rural Kentucky. “It is projected that by 2030 we will have a shortage of 3,000 physicians in Kentucky.”

You can read more about SB 137 and the senate floor debate at the Kentucky Lantern.

Meredith said one obvious solution is to recruit more foreign medical school graduates without requiring them to repeat their residency, while also voicing his concerns about the pervasive anti-immigrant rhetoric these days and how “it’s become almost fever pitch in some communities.”

Well gosh golly, Senator. I wonder how that happened?

While I applaud Meredith for bringing this bill, he curiously fails to acknowledge his Republican Party’s decade-long drumbeat to demonize immigrants — starting with President Donald Trump’s Muslim ban within days of his first taking office a decade ago — and his own chamber’s years-long anti-DEI focus that has created the anti-immigrant and anti-other “fever pitch” he now describes as destructive.

And it’s not like Meredith has been on the sidelines when it comes to the fever pitch of rhetoric regarding medical care.

He has been right in the thick of it.

Just last year, Meredith repeatedly interrupted and shouted down Fairness Campaign Executive Director Chris Hartman during Hartman’s committee testimony on House Bill 495, prohibiting the expenditure of Medicaid funds on cross-sex hormones. Hartman calmly advised committee Chair Meredith, “You will cost lives. This was not the original intent of this bill at all,” and as he left the table saying he was disappointed in the chair’s decision not to allow testimony and debate, Meredith snapped, tight-mouthed, “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

Rest assured, U.S. citizens and educated professionals get the message: Don’t start a family in Kentucky. And if you DO settle in Kentucky, pray that you and your family can get proper, unimpeded, cost effective medical care should you have a pregnancy complication or an LGBTQ child.

This year, a handful of senators in Meredith’s own party voted against his bill to stem Kentucky’s physician shortage, including Sen. Donald Douglas (a doctor) and Sen. Lindsey Tichenor (the face of the Senate chamber’s pervasive anti-LGBTQ and anti-DEI efforts).  

It boggles the mind.

So I asked AI for the definition of chickens coming home to roost: Often used to describe the consequences of long-term bad behavior, such as lying, injustice, or political actions. 

Normally I would not ask AI for such a thing, but since Sen. Gex Williams announced on the Senate floor that he was voting no on SB 137 after asking Grok AI about Sudanese doctors, adding, “I don’t tend to trust the World Health Organization” or the United Nations, I figured, why not.

Williams closed his argument against the bill by saying that people in our rural communities have other options … without indicating what any of those options are.

Kentucky’s Republican politicians love to brag about our state’s overwhelming allegiance to President Donald Trump, a man who regularly bleats out sentences like this on his social media platform: “I want our brave ICE officers to know that REAL Americans are cheering you on everyday” and “You don’t hear about Sanctuary Cities in our Heartland!”

Is this supposed to make immigrants want to come to the U.S. or work in a Trump-dominated state like Kentucky?

On Feb. 24, for instance, it did not matter if ICE was or was not targeting Anderson County. Maybe they were just driving through. No matter. The flurry of fear that pervaded the county, where I live, simply on the assumption that ICE was in town, was overwhelming. One Hispanic friend (a U.S. citizen) told me how family and friends spent days monitoring social media while calling and texting each other to warn against driving on main roads, going to the grocery store or gas stations, and with pleas to stay out of sight.

If our own citizens are afraid of ICE, what makes GOP lawmakers think immigrant doctors would even want to come to Kentucky? Would those doctors feel safe here? Would their children? 

Instead of asking AI, how about we go old school and consider these wise words from Trappist monk Thomas Merton, who lived at the Abbey of Gethsemani near Bardstown from 1941 until his death in 1968. “Each individual in the mass is insulated by thick layers of insensibility. He does not care, he does not hear, he does not think. He does not act, he is pushed. He does not talk, he produces conventional sounds when stimulated by the appropriate noises. He does not think, he secretes cliches.”

Our GOP lawmakers are huddled in the mass. Anti-immigration rhetoric has become so loud, so cliched, so entrenched in the halls of Frankfort — our lawmakers so insulated by thick layers of insensibility — it is like they have lost the power to think rationally.  

Year after year of cruel, ignorant bills filed by Republicans in our state legislature, aimed at dehumanizing everyone from the LGBTQ community to women seeking private health care to Black and brown Kentuckians to immigrants, was bound to have dire consequences.

Today — and for at least the next decade, according to Sen. Meredith — those consequences will be manifest in a critical physician shortage, which affects all of us.

Those darn chickens. 

They always come home to roost.

Reprinted with permission, under a Creative Commons license.

Contact us at news@cartercountytimes.com

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