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With most immigrants banned, why not sell the Statue of Liberty?

statue of liberty during daytime
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

By: Keith Kappes
Columnist
Carter County Times

“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

            These immortal lines of verse are inscribed inside the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor which has welcomed millions of immigrants to these United States since 1886.

            In fact, most native-born American citizens can trace their ancestry back to someone who passed through Ellis Island. For example, my immigrant ancestors came from Germany and England and settled in Michigan and Kentucky.

            Let’s pause at this point and get our definitions straight. Emigration is moving out of a country, while immigration is moving into a country.  Persons in either category frequently are identified by the news media simply as migrants, usually as illegal or undocumented migrants.

            The U.S. Supreme Court last week voted 7-2 to allow the Trump Administration to cancel the “temporary protected status” of more than 500,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela and to deport them from this country. 

            Added to the 350,000 Venezuelans stripped of protection in an earlier case means nearly one million men, women and children can be expelled with no recourse.

Many of these individuals and families have been here for up to two years. They paid their way to America because of political or religious persecution, fear of violence, economic hardships and other scary conditions.

Wasn’t this the same scenario faced by the Puritans fleeing England and the Irish evading starvation in the potato famine and Jews from all over Europe trying to escape the Nazi death camps?

Those groups and many others found refuge in our land of the free and home of the brave and helped build a great nation. But our country’s current federal leadership is preoccupied with trying to fulfill phony campaign promises based on grossly inflated numbers of suspected illegal immigrants.

At this point, the only potential immigrants welcomed by the new folks in Washington are affluent white “refugees” from South Africa.

Doesn’t that mean we have become a nation led by white supremists?  Our president has proposed selling some of our national parks. We might as well throw in Lady Liberty since she really doesn’t mean anything now.

Contact Keith at keithkappes@gmail.com.

Switching Sides

(Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

State Senator Robin Webb shocked Carter County, and eastern Kentucky, last Friday with the release of a statement from the Republican Party of Kentucky (RPK) announcing that she had left the Democratic Party to join the Republican supermajority in Frankfort. In the RPK release Webb said that her priorities and values hadn’t changed, but rather that the Democratic Party no longer aligned as closely with those values.

“While it’s cliché, it’s true: I didn’t leave the party – the party left me,” she said in the RPK release, adding that the Kentucky Democratic Party (KDP), “has increasingly alienated lifelong rural Democrats like myself by failing to support the issues that matter most to rural Kentuckians.”

Webb elaborated on her move on Saturday afternoon, in a telephone conversation, but couldn’t point to any one particular incident that led her to leave the party. Rather, she said, it was an incremental change.

When asked for an example of something Democratic leadership was doing that alienated her, she replied, “On what level? I mean, this is a progressive shift, in my opinion. I mean, for somebody who is a rural legislator, who has an A+ rating from the NRA, and hunts, fishes, farms, ranches, and the positions that I take historically, that I’ve always taken, and those kinds of things. You look at – and both parties have things I don’t agree with, don’t get me wrong – but (you look at) the national leadership, I mean, they had a gun control advocate there. I’m a constitutionalist. I’m not changed. I’m an attorney. I’m a senator. I swear two oaths, two oaths, to the constitution. I’m very constitutionally oriented, and my voting history reflects that. And I believe in legislative autonomy and separation of powers, and my form of government.”

While Webb discussed issues with both the state and national level party leadership, her main complaint was that the Democratic Party is out of synch with the needs of rural voters.

Vice-chair of the Carter County Democratic Party McClain Dyer agreed with Webb that the party needed to do a better job of both listening to the needs of rural voters, and communicating how their policies benefit rural voters. Despite that, and his appreciation for her years of service to the community, he said it was “disheartening to see one of the longest serving Democratic senators in eastern Kentucky switch to the Republicans.”

“It should send a large message to the Kentucky Democratic Party about how they’re forgetting about rural voters and rural issues,” Dyer said.

He also said he felt the statement from state leadership was needlessly confrontation and dismissive.

“It was very dismissive,” Dyer said. “I know Senator Webb, on a personal level, and I know that she will continue to do the work for our community. I just hope that she doesn’t fall victim to the games of the Kentucky GOP, and allow her vote to be whipped to further their agenda to make the ultra-rich in Kentucky even richer.”

The response in question, from KDP chair Colmon Eldridge, read, “Senator Webb has chosen to join a political party that is currently working around the clock to take health care away from over a million Kentuckians, wipe out our rural hospitals, take food off the table of Kentucky families, and take resources away from our public schools. If those are her priorities, then we agree: she isn’t a Democrat.”

Webb herself didn’t initially respond to the statement from Eldridge, but when pressed she said, “It was petulant and childish to me.” As for healthcare and support for rural hospitals, Webb said her record on that issue spoke for itself. 

She also sought to allay fears that her colleagues in the Republican party would have any more influence on her votes now than they did previously. She said she hasn’t, in fact, always been a Democrat. She said she was originally registered as a Republican – noting that this was the party of her father, while her mother was a Democrat – and changed her registration when working in the coal industry, because that party better aligned with her interests and concerns at that time. But, she said, the parties have changed their priorities since then, as they have several times since being established.

“There’s just issues in play that I felt, as the only rural legislator in the caucus for the past few years – and I love my colleagues individually – I can’t support the things that they support. The urban/rural divide is very real. It’s real on a national level, and it’s real and it’s here now. And I respect their views and I respect the demographic that they represent, and I’ll continue to work with them. But it’s been kind of lonely for me as a rural legislator for the last couple years. And this isn’t a decision that happened overnight, and it’s one I prayed about. I didn’t take it lightly, and I knew there’d be some people disappointed, but at some point you have to reflect the values of your district as well as being true to yourself. And I’m not changing. I’m really not changing. Everyone knows that I will still support working men and women. I will vote in the best interest of the Union. I will support public schools like I’ve always done, and the employees thereof, and worker safety, and a rational approach to the environment. Those are thing that are not – nothing’s going to really change about me as far as my votes.”

Among those who expressed disappointment was Nicholas Hazelett, Chair of the Johnson County Democrats, President of the Appalachian Regional Young Democrats, and State Central Executive Committee member for Congressional District 5.

Hazelett, voicing his disappointment on social media, said that Webb had assured him and other young Eastern Kentucky Democrats of her commitment to, “one final run for Senate District 18 (Boyd, Carter, Greenup, and Lewis) next year as a Democratic candidate.”

However, he characterized that promise – which he said she reiterated during Grayson’s Memory Days (Hazelett was a participant in the parade) as, “all smoke and mirrors.”

Webb, however, said she never made any such commitment, and only spoke to Hazelett briefly during Memory Days because she was ill with bronchitis.

“I saw Nick – who I love dearly, I appreciate Nick – at the Memory Days Parade. We didn’t talk. I waved at him. I said, ‘Oh! I didn’t know you were here.’ And I turned around and left. I mean, I didn’t talk to anybody about that at the Memory Days Parade. I had bronchitis. I was driving a truck. That’s why Patrick (Flannery, House District 96) was riding with me. He couldn’t get anybody to help him. I was sick. I said, ‘I’m not walking, jump in the back.’ We’re cousins. I didn’t feel good for many days. I went home and slept after the parade for 16 hours. So, I didn’t talk to anybody there. And, he might have said something about coming down the last time I talked to him. I don’t even know when that was. He mentioned something about coming down to Johnson County, and I might’ve said I might try, or something. I don’t know. But, I never said that.”

Hazelett, however, said he had spoken to Webb, “numerous times about coordinated efforts to re-focus our party post-2024 to rural Democratic values and efforts, but clearly that wasn’t enough to trust her ardent supporters, and that leads to our reality now.”

Hazelett also said he felt fears about losing her seat if the Republicans ran someone against her was a motivating factor. While Webb has long survived as a Democrat in a Republican district based on voters who valued her voice more than her party, Hazelett said that voters who pull a straight party ticket when they enter the voting booth could present a challenge to the Senator who ran unopposed in her last election. He said several names, including Flannery’s, had been floated as a challenger for her Senate seat. Webb, however, flatly dismissed such conjecture.

“There is no truth to that whatsoever,” she said. “I’m sure there were Republicans (who would like to see a challenger.) But it was indicated to me that they were not going to select a candidate to really attack me. That it could have been a few self-starters or somebody that wanted to, or was trying to get them to. There’s a couple of people in the district that were kind of trying to recruit somebody, and I get it. I get it, with the numbers. I get it, with the president’s approval rating in the district and the numbers, registration and all that. I get that. That’s politics. You want your ticket to be as full as possible from an analytical standpoint, to help your other people that are running and their party.”

She said when the party doesn’t run someone, they can get pressure from Washington for “a recruiting fail.”
“But,” she continued, “I mean… it had nothing to do with this upcoming election.”

Webb may be the most high profile local Democrat to leave the party, but she isn’t the only elected official to change her affiliation since the last election. PVA Leslie Kiser-Roseberry confirmed rumors that she had joined the Republican party last year. Dyer confirmed that county attorney Brian Bayes also switched his party affiliation, though Bayes had not replied to requests for comment before press time.

Kiser-Roseberry said that she changed her party in February 2024, “after much thought,” and “so nobody would say I was switching because of my job or because of an upcoming election.”

“My stand on every issue is still the same as it was when I was a Democrat,” she said. “I had always been a conservative Democrat, but the party has changed so much that I no longer recognize it. I feel like I didn’t change at all, they did.”

She said she stayed with the party for as long as she did out of tradition, but she didn’t feel at home in the party any longer, in part because of issues being debated on the national stage.

“I absolutely did not make this decision lightly, because on a local level, I love our Democrats. I just can’t get behind much of what the Democratic Party has become on a federal level. I disagree with them on many things, but honestly the straw that broke the camel’s back was I believe men cannot be women and should not be allowed to compete against women in women’s sports.”

Transgender athletes were also referenced by Webb in our conversation. But Dyer said he doesn’t believe debating these culture war issues benefits the party or the voters. Instead, he said, it distracts from the real boilerplate issues that would improve the lives of voters, and divides people into competing and antagonistic tribes before they can even discuss issues that would benefit everyone.

“To Senator Webb, as I did say, it’s disheartening to see her move,” Dyer said. “But I think that it’s more a reflection of how the national parties have led us to believe that social issues and cultural issues are more important than the issues facing everyday Kentuckians at their dinner table. People want to know how they are going to put food on the table. How are they going to keep a roof above their heads? And how are they going to pay their electric and water bills? And I hope that Senator Webb continues to focus on that as member of the GOP delegation.”

He said he also believes, despite what Webb and others have said, that the fear of losing elections because of straight party voters is on the mind of politicians, even if it’s only in the back of their mind and not their main motivating factor.  

“I think that is something that they’re worried about, but I think that’s something to be worried about,” he said. “Especially whenever there’s a major national elections, like a presidential election. That was our biggest issue in the last election. That’s why Democrats (including those who have won in the district in the past) did so poorly in Carter County. We had so many straight ticket votes as the Republican Party. That is why I believe some of our county’s (candidates in the last election) switched to being Republicans, because they were afraid of that. And I hate to say it, but they were right. But this upcoming election, next fall, is not an election in which the straight party voting can make a big difference. If you get out and campaign as a Democrat, and you campaign on issues that voters truly care about, and you make sure they know your name and they know to go to the polls to vote for you, they will. They’re going to vote for who they think is the best for the job, if you get out and tell them.”

He said Webb’s past success as a Democrat in a largely Republican district is evidence of that. But what the future holds still remains to be seen.

But while Dyer and his colleagues in the Carter County Democratic Party, along with other Appalachian Democrats, ponder what Webb’s changing alliances mean for them and their continued efforts to focus attention on rural issues that they say neither the GOP nor urban and western Kentucky Democrats care to focus on, local Republicans are less pensive and more celebratory.

“I am excited to welcome Senator Webb into the Carter County GOP,” party chair Justin Criswell said in a statement to the Times. “This is a reflection of the continuing shift of the Democratic Party from the citizens of Carter County and Eastern Kentucky.”

He also echoed Webb’s declaration that this wouldn’t change the way she voted or represented her district.

“Senator Webb will continue to be a champion for her constituency and in step with the super majority in the Kentucky State Senate,” he said.

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Back home in the hills

Submitted photo
By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times

Bluegrass fans have a lot to look forward to this summer. In addition to our regularly scheduled bluegrass festivals and events, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder will be kicking off the Kentucky Christian University Summer Concert series on June 20. The series will be held at the Nash Chapel on the KCU Campus starting at 7 pm. Skaggs is a Kentucky native, growing up in Cordell in Lawrence County, whose career has spanned over half a century in Bluegrass and Gospel Music.

Skaggs has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1982, been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Musicians Hall of Fame, the National Fiddler Hall of Fame, the IBMA Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, and the Country Music Hall of Fame. And in 2020, Ricky Skaggs was awarded the National Medal of Arts for his contributions to the American Music Industry.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Skaggs said of his upcoming performance at KCU. “We’ve played there before, but it has been a while. And I’m looking forward to coming back to Eastern Kentucky. We always have a good turnout, and it’s a good place to come back to with the bluegrass music we play.”

Skaggs said that he intends to perform some of the older songs people have loved for years and of course his hits (of which there is an extensive list), but also newer songs that audiences might not have had a chance to hear live.

“A lot of the younger kids that are going to the university there might be more familiar with the bluegrass we have been playing the last ten years or so,” Skaggs said. “They may not remember ‘Highway 40 Blues’ and ‘Uncle Pen’, and things like that as much but I may be fooled,” he admitted.

And the veteran performer could be surprised, because one thing that is consistent throughout generations is that if an audience likes what they hear then they want to hear everything that performer has ever done. In Skaggs case, especially, there is a lot of material to draw from because he has not only become a legend but has also played music with legends.

“I guess the first Grand Ole Opry star I got to play with when I was six years old was Bill Monroe in Martha, Kentucky in Lawrence County,” Skaggs said. “I just kind of went there to see him,” Skaggs continued, admitting that he didn’t even know what Monroe looked like because he had only heard the bluegrass legend on the radio.

A year later, Skaggs’ father moved the family to a small town not far from Nashville, Tennessee, and he met Earl Scruggs backstage one night at the Grand Ole Opry, Scruggs was taken by Skaggs’ mandolin playing, and invited him to try out for his television show. Skaggs said he went to the audition with his father, and was invited to be on the show. Skaggs said he wasn’t able to watch that episode for quite some time after it was aired, and when he did see it he was ‘taken with it’ as his young mind tried to process it all.

Sometime later, the family moved back to Eastern Kentucky and Skaggs met another local musician, Keith Whitley, in a little town called Ezel, Kentucky. The town was having a fall carnival, and Skaggs and his father had gone there to play music.

“I was there playing fiddle and mandolin, and Keith was there with his brother, and we just started talking and visiting. He was my age,” Skaggs said. “And we had a lot in common. We started talking about the music we loved, and both of us loved the Stanley Brothers.”

Skaggs said that that Whitley and his brother Dwight came over the next weekend, and they and Skaggs’ father started playing music.

“Almost every weekend after that we would all be together somewhere playing music,” he said.

“One night we went to see Ralph Stanley,” Skaggs remembered. But Stanley’s bus broke down with a flat tire, delaying the headliner and forcing the owner of the venue to deal with an impatient crowd.

“My dad always stuffed our instruments in the car in case someone asked us to play,” Skaggs said.

“The owner, it was in Fort Gay, West Virginia across from Louisa, knew we could play somehow,” he said, remembering being surprised when he walked up to the table. Skaggs said he and his father jumped at the opportunity, and as luck would have it they were playing a Ralph Stanley song when Stanley himself finally arrived.

The rest, of course, is a matter of bluegrass history, but those are just a few of the stories of his career that Skaggs shares with his fans wherever he goes. The concert on June 20 promises to not only be a night of wonderful music from a master entertainer who has quite literally grown up in bluegrass, but also a night that gives fans the opportunity to hear firsthand how Skaggs went from walking with musical legends to becoming one in his own right.

Tickets to the summer concert at KCU are available now at http://www.kcu.edu/concerts

Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com

Olive Hill swears in board members

Olive Hill City Council. (Photo by Charles Romans, Carter County Times)
By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times

The Olive Hill City Council had to reschedule their regularly monthly meeting for May, ultimately meeting on May 27. One of the first orders of business in the meeting was the swearing in of the members who will serve on the newly established Olive Hill Tourism Board. Those members are Jeremy Rayburn, Brittany Rayburn, Lisa Burton, Carolyn Callihan, Sue Wilburn, Robyn Adkins, and Kristen Bledsoe. After being sworn in, the city council wasted no time proposing ideas for the tourism board to consider.

Tourism boards are established to make use of the tourism tax the state allows cities to collect on restaurant purchases and hotel bills. The boards are required to use those funds to attract visitors to the cities or counties they represent. They also become part of the overall goal of a city or county to encourage businesses to relocate to their area and generally promote the growth of their region. Two of the ideas presented to the newly established board included hanging flowers on Olive Hill streets, and possible replacement of the poles supporting the Veterans Flags displayed in the city.

Olive Hill Mayor Jerry Callihan suggested that new light poles should take precedence considering that the poles could then also be used to support the flowers and flags. Bids for the flowers were $27,000 and $12,000, Callihan said at the meeting. The bid included the placement of flowers on 19 street light poles, and the difference in pricing represented whether watering and maintaining the flowers was done by the company providing them or by city employees.

There has been no regularly scheduled meeting time set for the new tourism board at this time, though it was discussed that the board would meet one hour prior to the council on the same day as the regularly scheduled city council meetings. Once the new board has time to establish times and dates, those meetings will be open to the public (with the exception of when and if executive sessions are required) and be advertised 24 hours in advance.

The city council also held the first reading of their annual budget. In the budget, municipal road aid carried forward was recorded at $70,195, and the license and permits general fund was $1,020,860. License and permits made up $13,000, interest on the general fund was $160, and Rental and Lease was $45,000. Other revenue listed was from the General Fund $33,400, with total revenue for the General Fund $1,112,620. Appropriations through administration and finance was $215,000, Fire $240,000, Police $550,000, Street $60,000, Recreation $15,620, and Public Library  $27,000. Utility Fund Fines and Forfeitures were $2,500, and services were $4,270,760 with interest of $15,000. Total revenue in the budget is $4,288,264. The effective date for the official budget was set at July 1, 2025.

Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com

Joyful Noise: A Jesus Follower

shepherd and flock of sheep on pasture
Photo by Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz on Pexels.com

Joyful Noise: A Jesus Follower

By Pastor Naomi Mitchell

For Carter County Times

“Will you be remembered as a Jesus Follower? Your legacy is not something to be thought about towards the end of your life, because whether you know it or not, it’s already begun. The good news is that you can start now right where you are to be a Jesus Follower. You can model a faith that will influence the generations that follow you.” – Ann Graham Lotz

If ever there was a generation that needs to know that God desires to have them in a covenant relationship with Himself, to give them peace, joy, hope for the future, it’s this generation, and the next generation, and the next generation. It’s time for the Jesus Followers to stand up and no longer remain silent.

Take Up Your Cross Daily

Luke 9:23-26 says, “And He said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gains the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.“

These verses promise that when you suffer in your flesh, when you take up your cross and deny the sinful thoughts and temptations, etc., that come up in you during the day, you will cease from sinning! And it is not just a promise that will be fulfilled some unknown day far in the future – you see progress as you go. So, you must take up the cross daily.

Bearing Your Cross 

“Bearing your cross” means that you are willing to put to death your own will, and to surrender yourself to His will, according to His Word. It means that how you act is important. It means that what you say, and how you say it matters. It’s a challenge to treat the “least” of us as you would Him (Matt. 25:31-46).

Deny Yourself

Used within the context of the imagery of taking up the cross and following Jesus, “denying oneself” conveys the sense of a person disassociating himself from his self-interest to serve a higher purpose. Self-denial is not to deny one’s personality or to withdraw from the world.

To “deny” yourself means to say “no” to yourself and “yes” to God. Paul is not talking about asceticism — forgoing earthly possessions, not eating certain foods, ignoring the world, etc. To say it differently, the process of denial is “to humbly submit my will to God.”

After Jesus commanded cross-bearing, He said, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:25–26). Although the call to take up our cross is tough, the reward is matchless. Nothing in this world is worth passing up eternal life.

Are you ready to take up your cross and follow Jesus? Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your closest friends? Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means alienation from your family? Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your reputation? Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your job? Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your life? Are you willing to take up your cross? If faced with a choice, Jesus, or the comforts of this life, which will you choose?

Commitment to Christ means taking up your cross daily, giving up your hopes, dreams, possessions, and even your very life, if need be, for the cause of Christ. Only if you willingly take up your cross may you be called His disciple (Luke 14:27). The reward is worth the price. Remember that, as Jesus called His disciples to “take up your cross and follow Me,” He, too, bore a cross. Our Lord led the way.

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.

Olive Hill Riddle Quest launches this week

photo of cryptic character codes and magnifying glass on table top
Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

We live in an amazing and beautiful place. Sometimes, I think, we can forget that. For instance, as a kid I don’t think I realized or appreciated just how many different shades of green crop up during the spring season in Eastern Kentucky. It wasn’t until I moved away – to the sparse, brown landscapes of the southwest – and then moved back home that I realized just how wonderful and diverse our forested hills can be. From wildlife to wildflowers to geology and more; there’s a lot of beauty to experience in our county, and in our towns.

We want to remind you, if you’ve forgotten, just how much history, culture, and natural beauty our county has to offer. Or, if you haven’t forgotten, give you another chance to experience it again. (And maybe even see something new.)

In the coming weeks, we’ll be featuring riddles on our editorial page from the Olive Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Business Cultivation Foundation. These riddles aren’t just a way to get you to visit spots in and around Olive Hill though. The partners are giving away cold, hard cash to the winner of the contest.
Read on below for the announcement from the BCF, and happy riddle solving! – Editor

The Olive Hill Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Business Cultivation Foundation,

is thrilled to launch the first-ever Olive Hill Riddle Quest—a month-long adventure designed to

get families, friends, and neighbors exploring the hidden gems of our town. Whether you’re

young or young at heart, this quest is open to everyone, and it starts now.

Each week in June, a new riddle will be published in the Carter County Times. The riddle will

lead you to a location in Olive Hill where a posted clue and a QR code await. Scanning the QR

code is essential—it logs your progress. The physical clue at that location will point you to the

next stop. Follow the trail, gather all the clues, and you might be the first to solve the final

mystery.

The grand prize? $500 in cash—awarded to the first person who presents the correct final answer

to the Business Cultivation Foundation booth during the Olive Hill Homecoming Parade on June

28th.There is no age requirement and no purchase necessary to play. Just bring your curiosity,

your phone (to scan QR codes), and your sense of local adventure.

Here’s how it works:

Each riddle leads to a location with a clue and a QR code.

You must scan the QR code at each stop to be eligible for the $500 prize.

The clue at each location will direct you to the next stop

The final answer is a phrase, location, or concept revealed only by collecting every clue.

The winner must present their answer in person at the parade.

Please remember:

Be respectful of local businesses and public property.

Do not remove or damage any clue signs.

Use caution while traveling between locations—walk, don’t run, and obey traffic rules.

Only one entry per person is allowed.

Have fun, and help others enjoy the game by keeping the clues in place and the challenge fair!

So—are you ready to begin?

 Riddle Clue #1 – Where the Past Still Performs

“If walls could speak, they’d sing and play,

Of dramas told and bygone days.

Where art and memory intertwine,

A center stands with roots in time.

Find the stage, both still and grand—

Your journey starts where artists stand.”

Think you’ve solved it? Head to the location, scan the QR code, and find the next clue. One

riddle down—many to go. Your summer quest has officially begun.

For more updates and questions, follow the Olive Hill Chamber on Facebook and Business

Cultivation Foundation at bcfcenter.org.

Weekly Arrests: 6/4/25

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

  • Debbie Davis, 67, of Jetersville, VA, arrested by Grayson PD, on a charge of public intoxication on a controlled substance (excludes alcohol), arrested and booked May 26.
  • Crystal Williams, 46, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky State Police, for failure to appear, arrested and booked May 26.
  • Russell White, 56, of Denton, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on charges of alcohol intoxication in a public place, resisting arrest, second degree disorderly conduct, and second degree criminal mischief requiring restitution/repair, arrested and booked May 26.
  • Sandra Stoll-Tuel, 46, of Bowling Green, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a probation violation (for a technical violation), and for contempt of court – libel/slander – resistance to order, arrested and booked May 27.
  • Steven Litteral, 45, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, on charges of first degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), and operating a motor vehicle on a suspended or revoked operator’s license, arrested and booked May 27.
  • Jesse Smith Jr., 28, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Detention Center, for flagrant non-support, arrested and booked May 28.
  • Shawn Ison, 31, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on a probation violation for a felony offense, arrested and booked May 28.
  • Stacy Goodman, 42, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on three counts of failure to appear, arrested and booked May 28.
  • Richard Livernois, 41, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on a probation violation for a misdemeanor offense, arrested and booked May 28.
  • Brandon Greene, 34, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky Department of Corrections, serving a warrant for a parole violation, arrested and booked May 29.
  • Dakota Ogden, 28, of Hillsboro, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on a charge of fourth degree assault (domestic violence) with minor injury, arrested and booked May 30
  • David Withrow, 34, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of fourth degree assault with no visible injury, and third degree fleeing or evading police, arrested and booked May 30.
  • William Parker, 35, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, rear license not illuminated, inadequate silencer/muffler, driving on a DUI suspended license – second offense, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana, arrested and booked May 30.
  • Tracy Smith, 28, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on a charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol with aggravating circumstances, arrested and booked May 30.
  • April Smith, 45, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on a charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance, arrested and booked May 30.
  • Brandon Fosson, 39, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, on charges of operating a motor vehicle on a suspended or revoked operator’s license, disregarding a traffic control device – traffic light, license not in possession, failure to produce an insurance card, no registration, and failure to appear, arrested and booked May 31.
  • Anthony Potter, 43, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, on two counts of flagrant non-support, arrested and booked May 31.
  • Seth Adkins, 24, of Barboursville, WV, arrested by Kentucky State Police, for failure to appear, arrested and booked May 31.
  • Jeffrey Kiser, 39, of Rush, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of fourth degree assault (domestic violence) with minor injury, third degree terroristic threatening, and second degree criminal mischief, arrested and booked June 1.
  • Branden Starostka, 37, address unavailable, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of no registration receipt, failure to produce an insurance card, improper display of registration plates, possession of drug paraphernalia, license not in possession, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance, and no registration plates, arrested and booked June 1.

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.

Ask Daryl – Your Professional Organizer: Getting motivated

closed gray and white wooden cabinet
Photo by ATBO on Pexels.com

By Daryl Ashley

Confusion Solution

Today, I’d like to address questions I often receive regarding how to get motivated to start organizing your home.

Having to think about adding another chore to your already busy schedule can actually prevent you from taking the time to organize at all. Most of us actually do organizing projects without much thought like picking up things and putting them where they belong, or arranging food, utensils, and towels while you are going about your usual housekeeping chores. But considering what to do to make your entire home more efficient can be overwhelming.

I think of it this way. If I have to clean the kitchen, I move everything off the counter or stove top and before I put anything back, I look at what used to be on those surfaces and decide if they could be more useful in a different location. Maybe a container, of some sort, would help keep things together by eliminating clutter. Even if I can’t go out and make a purchase right then, I write down what I think would work better and when I’m out shopping, I look for those items. This also avoids adding a separate trip to the store. By evaluating while I’m cleaning, I’m not creating more demands on my time.

Now, that doesn’t mean you usually clean your closets, desks, under sinks, or bookshelves on a regular basis. So, the easiest way to organize these areas is to take on one area a month and schedule a time to make a serious effort to downsize or relocate. Clean shelves, drawers, or floors as you go because once you are done, these are areas you most likely won’t have to touch again for a long time. Well, maybe a light dusting. Schedule times when you can work for an hour or two and have time after you are done to relax. Try not to take on a project if you have other plans. You need to take it slow and uninterrupted in order to make good choices. Trying to take on too much will definitely be counterproductive. You want an organized home, but not at the expense of your joy for living.

It’s as simple as that!

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

6/4/25 e23

6.4.25 e23Download

Philip Martin Green

corn fields under white clouds with blue sky during daytime
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Philip Martin Green, age 84, passed away on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Born on November 3, 1940, in Carter County, Kentucky, to Roy and Delphia (Bond) Green, Philip was a man defined by faith, service, and love for his family and community.

On May 6, 1961, he married the love of his life, Sherry (Clay) Green, with whom he shared decades of devoted partnership until her passing. Together, they built a life rooted in faith, kindness, and generosity.

Philip dedicated his life to serving others. He was a respected Chaplain for the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Madison Township, and numerous fire departments throughout Richland County, offering comfort and guidance in times of need. His compassion also reached many through his ministry as Associate Pastor at Lincoln Heights Church of Christ in Christian Union/ Real Life Community Church. A man of deep faith, Philip officiated countless marriages and touched innumerable lives with his words, prayers, and presence.

He worked faithfully for 33 years at A K Steel, retiring from the steel mill with the same integrity and diligence that marked every part of his life.

A passionate NASCAR fan, Philip especially loved cheering on Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. He also found great joy in camping and spending quality time with his family, which was the cornerstone of his life. Whether gathered around a campfire or at the dinner table, his love for those closest to him was evident in every conversation, every prayer, and every embrace.

Philip is survived by his children: Steve Green, Robert (Kristi) Green, Joel (Heather) Green, and Wesley Green; grandchildren: Tyler (AJ), Alison (Robby), Jordanne, Lucas (Rachel), Levi, Nathan (Lynde), Nakisha, Destinee, Brian (Jayne), Breanna, and Becca; and seven great-grandchildren who brought joy to his later years. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Sherry, his parents, and his daughter-in-law Shelbea Green.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Philip’s life during visitation at Walker Lake Baptist Church, 1602 Walker Lake Rd, Mansfield, Ohio on Friday, May 30, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and again on Saturday, May 31, 2025, beginning at 10:00 AM. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM, officiated by Pastor Jack Williams. Philip will be laid to rest at Franklin Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Walker Lake Baptist Church in Philip’s memory.

Wappner Funeral Directors-Mansfield is honored to serve the Green family.

Words of condolence may be expressed at http://www.wappner.com

Norma Ellen (Fannin) Hoptry

Norma Ellen (Fannin) Hoptry, 86, passed away peacefully on May 29, 2025, surrounded by family in Greensburg, Indiana.  She was born on September 26,1938 near Olive Hill, Kentucky, the youngest daughter of Esner and Dessie Florence Fannin. She grew up in a house with no electricity or running water until she started high school.

Her early schooling was in a one room school house, and she graduated high school   at age 16 after skipping both the second and eighth grades.  She attended Morehead State College briefly before moving to Columbus, Ohio in 1956 to be near her sister.

Norma met Robert E. (Bob) Hoptry in 1957.  They quickly fell in love and married on April 5, 1958.  They were both 19 years old and were devoted to each other for over 68 years.

Norma was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and caring friend.  She willingly moved several times as Bob pursued career opportunities, allowing her to make many new friends. Their last career move was to Greensburg in 1983.  They moved full time to Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club in Fort Myers, Florida following Bob’s retirement.  Norma’s health concerns brought them back to Greensburg in 2021 to be near family.

Norma enjoyed everything involving her children, including school events, volunteering as a room mother and leading a girl scout troop.  She and Bob enjoyed taking them on family motor home adventures across the country and on world cruises, making wonderful memories discovering new places and cultures together.

Norma was proceeded in death by her sisters, Dorothy Maynard and Inez Cooley and is survived by her husband, Bob, her daughter, Kimberly (Ken) Inscho of Greensburg, sons Brent (Diane) in Normal, IL and Scott (Jadira) of Indianapolis; five grandchildren: Kelly (Inscho) Braun, Kacey Inscho, Megan (Hoptry) Bland; Kyle Inscho and Lindsey (Hoptry) Mowcomber; eight great grandchildren and several nieces.

Funeral services will be at Gilliland Howe Funeral Home on Saturday, June 7. Visiting hours will be from 11:00 am until 1:00pm, followed by the service officiated by Pastor Lloyd Bloomfield at 1:00 pm.

Donations may be made to Margaret Mary Hospice, Batesville, IN in lieu of flowers. Online condolences to the family may be shared at www.gilliland-howe.com.

Penny Diane Lester

Penny Diane Lester, age 66, of Grayson, Kentucky, went home to be with the Lord, Thursday, May 22, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born September 15, 1958 in Cabell, Huntington, to the late Christine Farra.

Penny was an active member of Wolf Creek Baptist Church and a resident of Huntington or Hurricane, West Virginia for most of her life. In 2015, she found a cabin in Grayson, Kentucky, that she fell in love with and decided to make Kentucky her “forever” home. She enjoyed many summers boating and camping on Grayson Lake.

In addition to her Mother, she was preceded in death by one brother, Glen Farra and one sister, Charlotte McClure.

Penny is survived by one son, Charles Lester and his wife, Amber; 4 grandchildren, Joseph, Jesse, Seara and Andrew; 3 great-grandchildren; two brothers, John Farra, Scott Farra; one sister, Ruby Thompson along with many other family and friends who will sadly miss her.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Grayson Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of Penny Diane Lester.

Marilyn H. Harr

Marilyn H. Harr, age 85 of Olive Hill, KY, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, KY, after a brief illness.

She was born August 20, 1939, in Morehead, KY, a daughter of the late Allie Russell Hargett and Effie Marie Evans Hargett.

For over 45 years, Marilyn served the Carter County School System, where she taught 5th grade for ten years and served as a central office administrator for more than 35 years, retiring as Director of Federal Programs. Her ability to make learning fun and meaningful left a lasting impact—several of her former students followed in her footsteps, becoming teachers because of the joy she brought to their school experience.

Marilyn loved to frequent thrift stores and antique stores, collecting meaningful pieces over the years that she proudly displayed in her home. She was a member of Soldier Church of God and found joy in both her church family and singing in the choir.

In addition to her parents, Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Arnie Jean “A.J.” Harr. She was also preceded in death by her two brothers and two sisters-in-law, Allie Russell Hargett Jr. and his wife Barbara, Earnie Lee Hargett and his wife Janie, and one brother-in-law, Herman Butts.

Marilyn is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Drs. Shannon Harr and Dalia Smith-Harr of Olive Hill. She is also survived by two sisters and a brother-in-law, Fern Butts of Olive Hill, and Lyda Russell and her husband Dan of Lexington. She leaves behind special friends Dayton Porter, Delores Thomas, and Barbara King, as well as a special neighbor, Jeff Brown. In addition, Marilyn is remembered by many extended family members and friends who will deeply miss her.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 31st at 1:00 PM at Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive Hill, KY, with Rev. Dan Russell, Rev. Tippy Price, and Brother Byron Hargett officiating. Burial will follow in the Hargett Cemetery in Olive Hill, KY.

Friends and family may visit Saturday, May 31st from 11:00 until the time of funeral service at Globe Funeral Chapel, 17277 West Highway US 60, Olive Hill, KY.

Pallbearers are Keith Hargett, Dennis Hargett, Anthony Hargett, Scott Fultz, Ryan Russell, and Alex Russell. Honorary pallbearers are the Soldier Church of God ladies as well as Joann Smith, Barbara King, Sherry Stamper, Aline Petitt, Roxanne Wagoner, Rosalee Thomas, and Deanna Hargett.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Marilyn’s memory to Community Hospice Care Facility, 2330 Pollard Road, Ashland, KY 41101.

Globe Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the family of Marilyn H. Harr.

Weekly Arrests: 5/28/25

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

  • Taylor Tabor, 25, of Thibodaux, LA, arrested by Grayson PD, on a charge of endangering the welfare of a minor, arrested and booked May 19.
  • Charles Burnett, 27, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, on a charge of fourth degree assault (domestic violence) with no visible injury, arrested and booked May 19.
  • Toni Kiser, 46, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance, operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license, and failure to produce an insurance card, arrested and booked May 19.
  • Lorey Lowe, 60, of Olive Hill, arrested by Olive Hill PD, on a charge of fourth degree assault with minor injury, and violation of a Kentucky emergency protection order/domestic violence order, arrested and booked May 20.
  • Thomas Leslie, 68, of Olive Hill, arrested by Olive Hill PD, on a probation violation for a felony offense, and a probation violation for a misdemeanor offense, arrested and booked May 20.
  • Paul Marcum, 45, of Olive Hill, arrested by Grayson PD, on a charge of second degree criminal abuse of a child 12 or under, arrested and booked May 21.
  • Shawn Perry, 50, address unavailable, arrested by Grayson PD, on charges of public intoxication on a controlled substance (excludes alcohol), and third degree criminal trespass, arrested and booked May 21.
  • Scotty Skaggs, 57, of Limestone, arrested by Olive Hill PD, on charges of theft by unlawful taking or disposition of items valued between $1,000 and $10,000, and being a persistent felony offender, arrested and booked May 22.
  • Jordan Pennington, 26, of Prestonsburg, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of second degree manslaughter, and first degree promoting contraband, arrested and booked May 22.
  • Michael Salyers, 39, of Ashland, arrested by Boyd County Jail, on two counts of failure to appear, arrested and booked May 23.
  • William Fomby, 28, of Louisville, arrested by Kentucky Department of Corrections, controlled intake, charges unavailable, arrested and booked May 23.
  • Darrel Anthonty, 20, of Louisville, arrested by Kentucky Department of Corrections, controlled intake, charges unavailable, arrested April 3, booked May 23.
  • Libryant Knox, 24, of Cincinnati, OH, arrested by Jefferson County Detention Center, controlled intake, charges unavailable, arrested and booked May 23.
  • Joshua Pugh, 34, of Campbellsville, arrested by Kentucky Department of Corrections, controlled intake, on charges of third degree terroristic threatening, arrested July 12, 2024, booked May 23.
  • Thomas Dawes, 25, of Richmond, arrested by Kentucky Department of Corrections, controlled intake, charges unavailable, arrested and booked May 23.
  • Thomas Blackburn, 42, of Russel Springs, arrested by Kentucky Department of Corrections, controlled intake, charges unavailable, arrested May 1, booked May 23.
  • Bobby Barker, 65, address unavailable, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on four counts of failure to appear, arrested and booked May 25.
  • Gerald Porter, 42, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on a probation violation (for a felony offense), arrested and booked May 25
  • Kenneth Lambert, 39, of Argillite, arrested by Carter County Jail, weekender, arrested and booked May 25.

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.

Memory Days 2025

Submitted photo

Legislative Update from Senator Webb

FRANKFORT— With spring in full bloom across Eastern Kentucky and the landscape shifting toward warmer and longer days, and the people are preparing for the work ahead. This time of year reminds us that while one season ends, another begins. Although the 2025 Regular Session concluded in March, back in Frankfort, the work on behalf of Kentuckians does not pause. The way the legislature proceeds will look quite different.

Since adjourning the session, it has been a particularly busy time in the district—from graduations, to agriculture events, to groundbreakings, from finalizing long-awaited projects to celebrating new investments in our district. Several notable events occurred across the district over the past month, including two exciting ribbon cuttings, spotlighting the value of local partnerships and public investment in our schools.

At Cannonsburg Elementary, students, educators, families, and local leaders gathered to celebrate the reopening of the school following a two-year, $11.8 million renovation. With expanded classrooms, a new cafeteria and library, upgraded safety infrastructure, and long-overdue facility improvements, this project marks a significant step forward for education in the region. The majority of the funding—over $7 million—was awarded through state investment, reinforcing the importance of our shared commitment to public education. When students took the stage to thank us, it was a powerful reminder of why this work matters.

That same day, I joined community leaders at Boyd County High School for the ribbon cutting of the new Career and Technical Center, which is another critical investment in our region’s future. This facility will offer students hands-on training and career preparation in a range of fields, equipping them with the tools they need to pursue opportunities right here at home. I was proud to support this project alongside Boyd County Schools and local government partners. Together, these efforts reflect our determination to invest in infrastructure that uplifts students, strengthens families, and builds the foundation for long-term economic growth throughout the district.

Looking toward June, legislators will soon return to Frankfort as we enter what is known as the Interim Joint Session. This phase of the legislative calendar is not a break from duty. It is a period of deeper focus before the next session commences. This is when lawmakers review past legislation, examine pressing issues, and study the policy decisions that shape everyday life across the Commonwealth.

For me, this interim is a time to listen, ask better questions, and prepare. With a 60-day budget session on the horizon in 2026, the work we do over the next several months will influence how we invest in education, health care, public safety, and rural economic opportunity. This is where the foundation is built. I plan to take an active role in that process.

During the regular session, the General Assembly debates and votes on bills. The pace is fast and decisions move quickly. The interim slows that pace down. It gives us time to look closely at the effects of laws already passed and to gather information about the challenges ahead.

Interim committees meet jointly with members of both the House and Senate. They hear from experts, review data, and consider testimony from Kentuckians affected by state policy. This is when ideas are refined. This is when better policy begins to take shape.

I serve on five Interim Joint Committees. These are not ceremonial roles. Each committee meets regularly to consider real issues that affect families, workers, and communities across the Commonwealth. Below is a summary of the work ahead.

Interim Joint Committee on Agriculture

In our part of the state, agriculture is more than a job. It is a way of life. This committee focuses on farm safety, conservation programs, food systems, and rural economic development. We also review policies involving crop insurance, disease control, and livestock health. I will be watching closely how recent changes in funding affect access to grants and loans that support small and family-owned farms. This includes attention to the administration of the Tobacco Master Settlement funds and the role of the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy. Rural prosperity begins with smart investment in agriculture, and I will continue to advocate for that.

Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue

This committee reviews how Kentucky raises and spends public dollars. We examine budget forecasts, tax structures, and state investments in infrastructure, education, and health services. Every policy depends on how the budget is constructed. This interim will be critical in shaping the next biennial budget. I will continue pushing for equitable funding across regions and fairness in state resource distribution. The needs of rural communities deserve full consideration.

Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary

The justice system involves real people and serious decisions. This subcommittee reviews funding for the courts, public defenders, corrections, and law enforcement. I will focus on access to justice in rural areas. That includes ensuring our courthouses are funded, our victims are supported, and our mental health services for justice-involved individuals are not overlooked. Budgeting for justice requires more than numbers. It requires a commitment to fairness and dignity.

Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children

This committee focuses on services that help Kentuckians meet their basic needs. That includes support for children and adults in crisis, nutrition programs, foster care, and child protection. These services are essential in rural areas where access can be limited by geography, staffing shortages, or weak infrastructure. I will work to ensure federal dollars are used effectively and that state policies meet the real-world needs of families in my district.

Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

Kentucky’s future depends on responsible management of our natural resources. This committee reviews issues tied to water systems, utilities, environmental protections, and energy development. I continue to support a balanced approach. We must protect our land and water while also recognizing the role of energy and natural resource jobs. Flood mitigation and water infrastructure investment will be key issues in this interim. I will be a strong voice for smarter, forward-looking policy in these areas.

In addition to interim joint committees, I serve on several statutory committees established under Kentucky law or authorized as permanent subcommittees of the Legislative Research Commission. These committees meet regularly to review complex financial, infrastructure, and agricultural matters. Their proceedings are open to the public and the press.

Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee

This committee is tasked with reviewing how state dollars are spent on capital construction and public infrastructure. That includes oversight of emergency repair accounts, the leasing or purchase of state-owned properties, and bond issuances for both state government and local school districts. I will continue to monitor how capital investments are allocated and whether they are serving the long-term needs of our communities.

2026–2028 Budget Preparation and Submission Committee

As Kentucky prepares for the biennial budget, this committee plays an important role in setting the framework for how agencies draft and submit their spending plans. The committee provides guidance on budget instructions, formats, and requirements, ensuring consistency and accountability across government. This work will help shape the foundation of the 2026 budget session, and I intend to approach it with the seriousness it deserves.

Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee

This committee reviews the use of Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement funds, with a focus on agricultural development, public health, and early childhood investments. We evaluate grants and loans issued by the Agricultural Development Board and examine how those resources are being used to diversify farm income, support rural communities, and advance long-term planning for Kentucky agriculture. I remain committed to preserving the original intent of these funds and ensuring they reach the people and programs they were designed to help.

The legislative process works best when people are involved. Interim Joint Committee meetings are open to the public. They are also streamed online and archived for review. Anyone can watch, read, or participate.

You can visit http://www.legislature.ky.gov to find the full 2025 Interim Calendar. The site includes meeting schedules, live stream links, and documents from past discussions. You can also contact my office to share your views, ask questions, or get help with a specific issue.

Over the next few months, these issues will be a focus, and listening to constituents to hear what is working and what is not, is vital to how we move forward on them. That feedback shapes how I serve. Being a public servant means showing up, following through, and carrying local voices into every conversation in Frankfort. Whether we are talking about roads, rivers, classrooms, or courtrooms, the goal is good policies that serve the people where they live.

The interim session may not make the headlines, but it is where thoughtful work begins. I look forward to continuing that work with care and with the same commitment I brought to the regular session.

You can visit legislature.ky.gov to find the full 2025 Interim Calendar. The site includes meeting schedules, livestream links, and documents from past discussions. You can also contact my office directly to share your views, ask questions, or get help with a specific issue. I can be contacted by email at SD18@cm.kylegislature.govor through the General Assembly Message Line at 1-800-372-7181. Kentuckians with hearing loss can use Kentucky Relay by dialing 711.

Being a state senator means showing up. It means following through. It means carrying local voices into every conversation in Frankfort. Whether we are talking about roads, rivers, classrooms, or courtrooms, the goal is the same: good policy that serves people where they live.

The interim session may not make the headlines, but it is where thoughtful work begins. I look forward to continuing that work with care and with the same commitment I brought to the regular session.

Where do we find such men and women that we honor this week?

the american flag on a pole
Photo by Bryce Carithers on Pexels.com
By: Keith Kappes
Columnist
Carter County Times

Tiny American flags fluttered in the breeze at public and private cemeteries, covering the ground like spring flowers. We should be humbled by the sight of so many red, white and blue symbols of personal courage and patriotism.

Not all of them mark the grave of someone killed in combat but each one does mark the final resting place of someone willing to die for their country…our country. Special thanks go to those who plant the little flags in memory of departed comrades and loved ones.

Many of us attended Memorial Day events this week and no doubt noticed with sadness that the number of World War II veterans grows smaller each year. We are losing hundreds of them each day. Most have reached their 90s.

Men who shouldered a rifle now carry a cane. Men who drove trucks, landing craft and tanks now steer a two-wheeled walker. Men who flew in airplanes and sailed in ships now ride in wheelchairs.

Men who stood ramrod straight now struggle to stand fully upright. Men who could see like an eagle now are lucky to see at all.

Women who nursed the wounds of war now receive nursing care. Women who fed the warriors now struggle to feed themselves.

The World War II vets are not much older than those who fought in Korea. They are followed by those who went to Vietnam…to the Gulf War…to Iraq and Afghanistan…many for multiple tours of duty as the fight against terrorism drags on and on.

One might wonder where we find these gallant men and women who wear our nation’s military uniforms. We find them right here at home in what President Ronald Reagan so aptly described as “the freest society man has ever known”.

They don’t serve for money or medals. They serve to defend the birthright of freedom we all share as Americans. To each, we gratefully say thank you for keeping us free.

            Contact Keith at keithkappes@gmail.com.

                                                                                                (Reprinted from 2016)

Black Cherry Trees Around Livestock

farmer and cattle on pasture
Photo by Yana Kangal on Pexels.com
By: Rebecca Konopka
Carter County Extension Agent

Black cherry trees grow in abundance across Kentucky’s landscape. These trees are an important timber and wildlife species, yet can cause cyanide poisoning in livestock.  The leaves of the trees, especially wilted ones, are high in cyanic acid, which can kill livestock by depriving them of oxygen.

You can reduce the likelihood of livestock losses from wild black cherry trees by cutting them out of fencerows. Make removing cherry trees that pose a risk, such as those that could potentially lose branches or are in poor condition, a high priority. Leaving healthy, well-pruned trees to become a potential timber source may be an option to consider.  Remember to check fencerows periodically for new trees that are inevitable from seed carried by birds.

If you are going to take out a tree, it is important to do it properly to reduce sprouting and recurrence because black cherry trees have a propensity to sprout from the cut stump and roots.

The quickest way to reduce or eliminate sprouting is to properly use herbicides that are labeled for controlling black cherry in pasture or fencerows. These herbicides are systemic, meaning they will travel throughout the plant and have the potential to kill all or a portion of the root system so that sprouting is reduced or eliminated.

You can apply herbicides in one of two methods – foliar spray or “cut stump” applications.

Many herbicides are labeled for foliage application of brush and trees if the trees are small enough to allow spray coverage of all or a large majority of the leaves. This technique involves spraying a diluted concentration of herbicide to cover the foliage. 

Foliar applications work best after trees have fully leafed out until one or two weeks prior to leaf fall. The treated tree should remain in place until all the foliage has browned, ensuring that the herbicide has entered the root system.  Check product labels for restrictions on pasturing and entry into treated areas. Generally, livestock should not be allowed access to areas where trees have been sprayed until the trees have been removed or wilting foliage is no longer present.

For larger trees, “cut stump” treatment is an effective method for preventing regrowth. Several herbicides, including some with glyphosate, triclopyr, and dicamba, are labeled for stump applications. After cutting the tree, immediately apply a concentrated herbicide solution to the fresh stump, following label directions.  Timing is crucial—apply the herbicide within an hour to maximize effectiveness. If the stump has been cut for several weeks, recutting at least two inches down to expose fresh, live wood can improve absorption.

This method generally presents less environmental risk than foliar spraying, as it targets only the intended plant with minimal overspray or unintended exposure. However, caution is necessary in cases where root grafting could transfer herbicide to nearby cherry or ornamental trees.  It is possible that the treated cherry trees may be root grafted to an adjacent black cherry or ornamental/cherry tree. Instances have been documented where a herbicide has moved from a treated tree to another of the same species or genera through a root graft. While this is not a high probability, in areas where other cherry trees are present, you should consider mechanical removal of the tree.

If you do not want to use herbicides, you can expect sprouting, and you’ll probably have to cut several times to exhaust the food supply to the roots which could take several years.

For more information contact your Carter County Cooperative Extension Service.  Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.           

Upcoming Events:

  • Senior Farmer’s Market Vouchers – Call 474-6686 on May 28th to schedule an appointment to pick up your card.  To register for a card you’ll need to provide name, address, birthday, and income information. 
  • Ag Advancement Council – June 2nd @ 6:00 PM
  • Ag Development Board – June 2nd @ 7:00 PM
  • Little Sandy Beekeepers Association – June 3rd @ 6:30 PM; Topic – Making Chapstick from Beeswax; Speaker: Morgan Murphy
  • Hike & Learn – June 6th in Rowan County. Visit carter.ca.uky.edu/events/hike-learn-13 for more information.  

Olive Hill Elementary authors receive books

Luka Black showcasing his new book. (Photo by Katie Barker, Carter County Times)

By Katie Barker

Carter County Times

First graders at Olive Hill Elementary School (OHES) had their book reveal last Thursday, where they got to showcase their newly published books to friends and families. Each class wrote their own book, with each student having a page in it. The book tells what each student wants to be when they grow up and why they want to have that career. Some students said they wanted to be cops, veterinarians, teachers, football players, and for one student president.

“I want to be president when I grow up. We had to draw a picture and write about what we wanted to be. So, I drew me as president,” Luka Black said.

Each student’s writing was accompanied by a picture that showcased what they wanted to be. Chelsea Carter is one of the first grade teachers at OHES and she explained how proud she and the other teachers were of all the students.

 “Our students have worked so hard on writing and illustrating their aspirations of what they want to become one day,” Carter said. “I am so proud of all of these amazing authors and illustrators.”

Families and friends were able to go around to each student to see what they wrote and ask them to read it to them. They were able to see and hear the goals these first graders have when they get older, as well as the talents they have now.

Each student was presented with a certificate saying that they are now a published author along with a copy of their newly published book. Contact us at news@cartercountytimes.com

  • Willa Flannery wants to be an Empower Athletic Coach when she grows up. (Photo by Katie Barker, Carter County Times)
  • Each child received a copy of the Caldecott Medal winning book, “I Can Be Anything! Don’t tell me I can’t,” a copy of their own published book, and a published author certificate. (Photo by Katie Barker, Carter County Times)
  • Luka Black showcasing his new book. (Photo by Katie Barker, Carter County Times)

From Carter County, With Love

Local business owners work together to load vans with donated supplies as part of a community-wide relief effort for tornado survivors in Laurel County. (Photo by Miranda H. Lewis, Carter County Times)
Miranda H. Lewis

Carter County Times

Last Friday marked one week since a deadly tornado ripped through several communities in Kentucky, leaving devastation in its wake. Seventeen people lost their lives in Laurel County alone. As the sun rose on May 17, the people of Carter County were already rallying—not only with words, but with action.

What began as a heartfelt effort by MaKaylen Genung of The Olive Branch Market in Olive Hill quickly grew into a county-wide mission of compassion. Genung, moved by the news of the tragedy, organized a donation drive that would go on to impact hundreds of families in Laurel County. She was joined by small business owners, farmers, and residents alike, all contributing whatever they could to help people they had never met.

“From the time I started the market, I knew that I wanted our mission to be around serving our community,” Genung said. “The night of the tornado, I had been up all night, watching the live feeds and weather alerts… Not only because it was in our home state, but one could tell from the reaction of several meteorologists that this would be catastrophic come daylight. I didn’t know exactly how at the time, but immediately knew we had to step in and help in some way.”

Among the first to answer the call was Emily Baier, owner of BaierHaus in Grayson.

“Emily had reached out to me, letting me know she was eager to help in any way she could,” Genung recalled. “She’s a fellow businesswoman with a similar faith-based mission, and I knew her location would be a perfect way to join efforts and get both ends of the county hand in hand with gathering goods… She went above and beyond, extending hours for donation drops, and even going on her own run to load her truck bed up the morning of our journey.”

BaierHaus quickly became a hub for donations, alongside other generous small businesses including Lewis Land and Cattle Farm, Events by Beck Balloons & Gift, Whimzi Works, Silver Spur Ink, Rudy Fest, and A & K Pools. These businesses not only collected and organized physical donations but also helped pack and prepare items for delivery.

In addition to the local efforts, individuals from both nearby and out of state contributed monetary donations and essential relief supplies—totes, tarps, contractor bags, baby formula, hygiene items, protein snacks, and more. After consulting contacts in London, Genung learned what was most needed:

“The top needs were non-perishable foods, totes, and tarps for property cleanup and distribution,” she explained. “I also knew that along with itemized donations, I wanted to be serving food on-ground—letting these survivors know they weren’t in this alone, while being able to assist with any direct needs.”

By Thursday night, the team had received nearly $4,000 in monetary donations, 70 cases of water, 25 totes of supplies, and enough food to prepare over 600 lunches.

“Olive Hill always exceeds my expectations any time there is a need, no matter how big or small,” Genung said. “The initial response on social media was overwhelming and far exceeded outside of our surrounding counties due to the sharing of our town’s people. Just in four days, we raised close to $4,000 in donations alone—and nearly doubled that when counting all items donated. People from neighboring counties told me they’ve never seen a community step up like Olive Hill does.”

On the morning of delivery, Genung posted:

“We have three vans that have been filled to the brim, prayed over, & heading to London, Kentucky to spread the love of Carter County to our fellow holler folk.

“Along with donations and our people, these vans are also filled with a ton of emotion, as we head to grounds that are full of complete devastation that we’ve never witnessed firsthand. Please continue to pray for our journey, & that God will land us where He needs us most today.”

Upon arrival in Laurel County, Genung was directed to Sunshine Hills—an area described as one of the hardest hit.

“There was no preparing,” she said. “I stood in the middle of this exact neighborhood, by myself, with my sleeping one-year-old in our van. Seeing single shoes, toys, and pages of books in the rubble—knowing these were homes of families just like mine, just five days prior.”

Despite the destruction, the compassion of survivors left a lasting mark.

“I grieve every night for these people, and all that’s left to still mend in their lives,” she said. “Survivors, who had just lost everything they’d worked their entire lives for, were asking if it were too much to take a lunch and a tote. Nothing will truly open your eyes more than the complete gratitude of a survivor of a tragedy.”

The team fed over 600 meals to displaced families, first responders, and weary individuals sheltering in emergency centers or sleeping in vehicles. The response reaffirmed Genung’s belief in the importance of showing up.

“When interviewed by WSAZ,” she said, “they asked me why we were joining such efforts, being two hours away from the worst hit areas. I told them, ‘Kentucky is Kentucky, and I know they’d do the same for us.’”

“Moments like these are reminders that small town support comes from within, and that’s why we’ll continue to support ours in all that we do,” she continued. “My people were the definition of olive branches this past week—spreading hope to God’s people; to our neighbors.”

Gabe Lewis of Lewis Land and Cattle echoed that sentiment:

“In the midst of devastation, we witnessed overwhelming compassion. The strength of our small towns was on full display,” he said. “This is the spirit of Appalachia—quiet, kind, and full of love in action.”

For Baier, the experience became deeply personal. She remembered the prayer over donations before departure and a heartfelt moment with a former Laurel County resident now living in Grayson:

“She said, ‘My new town is helping my hometown,’” Baier said. “We hugged, cried, and just stood there in that gratitude. It was beautiful.”

What started as a grassroots effort in two small towns turned into something much larger—a living testimony of what it means to be Kentucky Strong. The residents of Olive Hill, Grayson, and beyond didn’t just send supplies. They sent love, dignity, and the assurance that Laurel County is not alone.

As Genung wrote:

“Kentucky proud, until we are Heaven bound. Keep praying for our people.”

And as Carter County proved—when hearts are full and hands are willing, even the smallest towns can move mountains.

Contact the writer at miranda@cartercountytimes.com

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