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Tackling trash and fostering possibilities

Left to right, Mary Ann Johnson, Pam Lewis, Judge Executive Brandon Burton (Photo by Charles Romans, Carter County Times)
By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times

The Carter County Fiscal Court began its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday night with comments from the public. Local resident Kenny Smith brought to the court’s attention that he had seen numerous instances in different areas where trash had been thrown out on the roadside. Smith specifically mentioned Route 986 near Airport Road, as an area where trash was prevalent.

Smith said the conditions at the sides of all the roadways were ’horrible,’ and asked if something could be done, maybe using inmate work crews from the detention center. Jailer RW Boggs said that there were certain restrictions for inmates to qualify for road crews, and currently only two such crews were available. The fiscal court decided to look into a resolution, possibly enlisting volunteers.

In other public comments, Pam Lewis, President of Fostering Possibilities and Mary Ann Johnson from the same organization addressed the court about the needs of foster children and how their organization was working to remedy those needs.

“We serve foster kids in seven counties,” Lewis told the court.

Boyd, Carter, Elliot, Greenup, Lewis, Lawrence, and  Morgan are served by the organization, Lewis said.

Lewis said that when a child is taken by a caseworker, that caseworker reaches out to Fostering Possibilities. Many children only have what is on their person at the time, Lewis said, and Fostering Possibilities can help with clothing needs. Their immediate needs are met first, then children can shop for five outfits of new clothes, she told the court.

“We have had 714 shopping appointments since September of 2022,” Mary Ann Johnson told the court. “We serve from newborns to age 18.”

The Grayson based nonprofit organization’s clothing budget last year alone was close to $30,000, and the majority of those funds come from grants, fundraising, churches, and independent donations.

Carter County Judge Executive Brandon Burton thanked Lewis and Johnson for speaking to the court about how they serve an at-risk population in the county. Burton also told them that the Kentucky Judges Association had set aside funding for nonprofits.

“As Carter County Fiscal Court, we submitted you for $1,000,” Burton said. “We were drawn, and we would like to present you with a check for $1,000 to help with your organization.”

In other public comments, Emergency Director Jason Gillum addressed the court, not in that capacity, but in the capacity of Assistant Fire Chief of Norton Branch Fire Department.

“Over the last year we have been updating and buying equipment for water rescue,” Gillum told the court. “But there is one more piece of equipment we would like to get.”

The equipment in question is a 155 rescue boat, which Gillum said is referred to as a banana boat.

“It’s a raft with no engines,” Gillum said.

The craft is open ended and designed for shallow water rescues but has multiple uses such as ice rescue emergencies. Gillum told the court that the cost of the craft was $3,097 dollars, and Norton Branch Fire Department requested a portion of that expense from the court if possible. The new boat would be available county wide, not just for Norton Branch Fire Department.

In other business, the court voted to continue support of the Carter County Conservation District in the amount of $60,000. The court also voted to appoint Kelly Cordle to the Carter County Health Department Board.

A public hearing was set for McGuire Lane for April 13, 2026, at 5:30 pm.

A motion made to approve the purchase of three transport vans for the detention center at the court’s February 2026 meeting was rescinded due to an error in pricing. The Court voted to approve the purchase of the three transport vans in question at the updated price of $44,400 per vehicle from Mark Porter Dealership in Ashland.

Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com

East Carter falls to Ashland Blazer in regional matchup

(Photo by Brayleigh Boggs, Carter County Times)

By Brayleigh Boggs

Carter County Times

Ashland Blazer’s relentless rebounding and physical defense proved too much for the East Carter Lady Raiders Monday night, as the Lady Kittens pulled away for a 66-37 victory in regional tournament play.

The loss ends East Carter’s season but caps off another strong year for the program under head coach Matthew Clark, whose team finished with its second consecutive 21-win season and continued the turnaround that has made the Lady Raiders competitive across the region.

East Carter’s Brynlee Walker (24) controlled the opening tip to begin the matchup. Ashland struck first as Brookelyn Duckwyler (10) and Gabby Karle (11) opened the scoring for the Lady Kittens. Jocie Rudd (10) pushed through a tight Ashland defense to record the Lady Raiders’ first basket of the night.

Aryanna Gulley (25) extended Ashland’s early momentum with an and-one play in the paint to give the Lady Kittens an 8-2 advantage. Abby Boggs (5) responded with a three-pointer to bring East Carter within three before Gulley answered again with a strong post move for two.

Sophomore Bristol Boggs (0) and Walker (24) combined for four points to keep the Lady Raiders within striking distance, but Ashland continued matching each East Carter push.

The Lady Kittens tightened their defense in the second quarter, forcing three East Carter turnovers and gradually widening the gap. Walker (24) connected with Rudd (10) inside to keep the Lady Raiders battling, but Ashland’s defensive pressure, led by Duckwyler (10), helped extend the lead to 25-12.

With 2:14 remaining in the half, East Carter searched for offense at the rim. Brooke Campbell (4) drained a three-pointer for Ashland before Boggs (0) answered with a tough basket in the paint. The Lady Raiders entered halftime trailing 30-15.

Following the game, head coach Matthew Clark said the Lady Raiders initially hoped to slow the game down with a zone defense.

“We originally were trying to play 2-3 zone and just see if we could get them to shoot poorly,” Clark said. “They didn’t shoot great from three early, but they kept getting offensive rebound after offensive rebound. The backside rebound was really killing us and they just got a ton of second-chance opportunities.”

At halftime, Clark said East Carter adjusted its defensive approach.

“At halftime, we went man-to-man and tried to put a little more pressure on them,” Clark said. “But they’re so physical, and they crash the boards so hard. You can look around and see we’re pretty outsized at almost every position.”

East Carter opened the second half with renewed energy. Senior Tori Bishop (21) drove to the basket to start the scoring, while Rudd (10) attempted a shot from the top of the key.

Ashland quickly answered as Duckwyler (10) recorded a steal that led to a fast-break layup by Gulley (25). Jenna Delaney (23) added another possession for the Lady Kittens after forcing a turnover.

The fourth quarter followed a similar pattern as Ashland capitalized on nearly every possession. Despite continued effort from the Lady Raiders, the Lady Kittens’ offense proved difficult to contain as they extended their lead down the stretch.

Even in defeat, Clark praised the effort and resilience of his team.

“Our girls battled. They gave it everything,” Clark said. “They played their guts out all year.”

Clark also reflected on the senior class, which helped lead the program’s recent resurgence.

“My first year was their first year in high school,” Clark said. “They came off a three-win season, and they’ve been through the worst times and some really good times.”

Clark noted the group’s accomplishments during their careers.

“They’re leaving with back-to-back 21-win seasons, a district championship, and an EKC regular-season championship,” Clark said. “They’ve really helped get this program back to where we want it to be.”

Looking ahead, Clark said the next generation of Lady Raiders will need to build on that foundation.

“We’re respectable throughout the region now,” Clark said. “But these younger girls have to take the next step. It’s going to take a lot of work, and we’ll still have to play with that underdog mentality.”

Contact the writer at news@cartercountytimes.com

Ask Daryl – Your Professional Organizer: Winter woes

a view of snow covered trees from a glass window
Photo by Nikita Nikitin on Pexels.com

By Daryl Ashley

Confusion Solution

It just keeps being winter, bringing with it low motivation and readjustments. The upside is that we have time to regroup. We have time to spend with our kids when they are out of school and time to do our taxes.

Yes, it’s that time of year when we rummage through our paperwork to find the necessary information to do our taxes ourselves or take them to someone more qualified.

When it comes to paperwork, we have varying methods for staying organized. Some of us use folders with tabs while some of us use online services to manage our documents. No matter what you use, you will still have paper for certain things. It’s always best to deal with important records regularly to avoid trying to gather everything at the last minute. Once you have everything in order it will be much easier to begin the filing process.

According to the IRS, you only need to maintain your taxes for three years, however, there are circumstances that would require long-term storage. For instance; your home, your car, loans, and investments are some of the things that need to be kept. When in doubt contact your CPA or the IRS for information.

Use this time to get ahead of the deadline. Revel in the fact that once you file, you won’t have to do it again for another year. Just remember to keep your documents in order before tax time comes around again.

It’s as simple as that!

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

Weekly Arrests: 3/11/26

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.

  • Terry Roark, 39, of Symbol, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a probation violation for a felony offense, arrested and booked March 2.
  • Anthony Jordan, 48, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on a probation violation for a felony offense, and for failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked March 2.
  • Stephen Middleton, 51, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of theft by unlawful taking, failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, non-payment of court costs, fees, or fines, failure to comply with sex offender registration, being a persistent felony offender in the first degree, and on a probation violation for a felony offense, arrested and booked March 3.
  • Paul Horne, 42, of Manchester, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, for failure to pay support, arrested and booked March 3.
  • William McCormick, 47, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a charge of receiving stolen property valued at more than $1,000 but less than $10,000, arrested and booked March 3.
  • Jeffery Sutherland, 58, of Ripley, WV, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of obstructed vision and/or windshield, license not in possession, inadequate silencer (muffler), possession of marijuana, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving a nuisance vehicle (noisy, etc.), arrested and booked March 4.
  • Jeremy Plummer, 29, of Olive Hill, arrested by Olive Hill PD, on charges of contempt of court, non-payment of court costs, fees,  or fines, and failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked March 4.
  • Richard Claxon, 57, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on a charge of failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked March 4.
  • Kristin Moore-Crothers, 42, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of first degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, controlled substance prescription not held in original container, and third degree possession of a controlled substance (drug unspecified), arrested and booked March 4.
  • Estill Stamper, 55, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Circuit Court, charges unavailable, arrested and booked March 4.
  • Joseph Bailey, 41, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Circuit Court, on a hold for drug court, arrested and booked March 4.
  • Shane Baier, 39, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, charges unavailable, arrested and booked March 4.
  • John Parsons, 31, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, charges unavailable, arrested and booked March 4.
  • Derek Lowe, 32, of Morehead, arrested by Kentucky Department of Corrections, charges unavailable, arrested and booked
  • Samantha Napier, 58, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on two counts of failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked March 6.
  • Jamie Evans, 60, of Webbville, arrested by Boyd County Jail, on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, and third degree assault on a police or probation officer, arrested and booked March 6.
  • Eric Barker, 49, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance, no or expired registration plates, improper registration plate, no or expired registration receipt, improper display of registration plates, failure to maintain required insurance, failure to wear seat belts, operating a motor vehicle on a suspended or revoked operator’s license, improper equipment, and two counts of failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked March 6.
  • Wesley Mayhew, 57, of Punta Gorda, FL, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on charges of third degree terroristic threatening, operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license, failure to produce an insurance card, no or expired registration receipt, no or expired registration plates, arrested and booked March 6.
  • Mavis Howard, 60, of Morehead, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on a charge of failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked March 7.
  • Kaula Stamper, 38, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a charge of failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, and three counts of non-payment of court costs, fees, or fines, arrested and booked March 7.
  • Sandra Neace, 33, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, obstructed vision and/or windshield, failure to produce an insurance card, failure to wear seat belts, and failure to register transfer of motor vehicle, arrested and booked March 7.
  • Gregory Carroll, 64, address unavailable, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on a charge of failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked March 8.

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.

Updating payments

a shocked man spitting a drink beside a woman showing a paper
Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com
By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times

A new bill introduced to the Kentucky State House and Senate is aimed at modernizing the reimbursement rates for emergency ambulance services. House Bill 447 addresses the fact that reimbursement rates have not kept pace with operating costs, a fact that proponents of the bill say is a contributing factor for over 91 percent of Kentucky counties operating in ‘ambulance deserts’. An ‘ambulance desert’ describes a situation where county residents are 25 minutes away from a timely EMS response.

Carter County EMS Director Tim Woods said he endorsed the bill, but said he did have initial concerns that it would raise insurance premiums. Woods said that he was told by the Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association (KAPA) that a similar bill had passed in 27 other states, and premiums had only increased by around a dollar over the course of a year. Once that concern was addressed, Woods said he signed on to endorse the bill.

Woods said that if the bill passes, Carter County EMS could see an increase in revenue of nearly $200,000 based upon the number of calls made the previous year.

“If it passes, it’s supposed to increase the reimbursement from the insurance,” Woods said.

This increased reimbursement will help to offset the expenses ground based ambulances incur during operation, he said. This would be in tandem, he said, with another bill that is seeking to increase Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements.

“The biggest thing we need to do in Kentucky is to make EMS an essential service,” Woods said. “But it’s not. You aren’t required by law to have an ambulance service in the county.”

This becomes a problem when a private ambulance service ceases operations and pulls out of the county, as recently happened in Lewis County. After that withdrawal, the county was forced to establish an ambulance service.

“It’s beyond me that no one really considered us an essential service,” Woods said.

Reimbursement is an ongoing issue, Woods said, that can be further complicated by things such as government shutdowns. And while waiting for reimbursement, of course, ambulance services have to foot the bill for expenses. This can be a serious budgetary inconvenience or outright devastating to the provider. This becomes even more challenging when a provider pays into their funding, and the government is slow in paying their part.

Woods said that ideally if bills such as House Bill 447 are passed it will improve the reimbursement process. Not all services are covered by insurance, and of those covered the full amount might not be paid. The Kentucky Emergency Response Alliance stated that Insurance companies reimburse less than half of what ambulance services bill, and in some counties they reimburse as little as ten percent of what is billed.

“We are managing,” Woods said. “But I feel sorry for some of these counties that only have one, maybe two ambulances to cover the entire county. Everyone needs more money. But those counties really need it.”

Currently House Bill 447 is in the Banking and Insurance Committee, and when it leaves that committee the bill will progress to the State Senate to be voted on.

Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com

Committee approves measure aimed at lowering electricity costs for Eastern Kentucky consumers

electric voltage transformers in the post
Photo by Connor Scott McManus on Pexels.com

Frankfort, Kentucky (March 9, 2026) – The Eastern Kentucky Energy Savings Act, legislation focused on lowering costs for consumers while also strengthening the reliability of the power grid cleared the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee on Thursday, March 5. The bill, HB 535, passed on a strong bipartisan vote and is sponsored by Representative Patrick Flannery of Olive Hill, and State Representative Derek Lewis of London.

Simply put, the measure would authorize electric utilities to securitize certain costs through bond financing, subject to regulatory approval, to reduce customer impacts and support infrastructure investment. HB 535 also includes a provision that requires a two-year freeze on rate increases for any power company that applies for securitization. Before approval, the Public Service Commission would have to find it a cost savings for the ratepayer.

“I’m honored to see the support this measure has garnered from advocates, industry, and labor, as well as our colleagues in the House,” Flannery said. “I think it speaks volumes about how many Kentuckians are struggling under the brunt of high electric bills. This measure takes aim at those costs.

“This legislation is a meaningful step forward. Across the country, securitization has been used to lower costs and make energy more affordable, and we’re bringing that tool to eastern Kentucky. The average household could see savings around $144 per year. That’s real relief for families budgeting every dollar,” Lewis added.

In a letter of endorsement, Appalachia Reach Out Executive Director Dwayne Mills shared, “From our perspective, these efforts reflect a sincere attempt to balance reliability, affordability, and economic development for eastern Kentucky. Increased generation capacity will help shield our region from energy market volatility.”

Specifically, supporters include the Marathon; the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers; Kentucky State Building and Construction Trades Council; Plumbers, Pipefitters, and HVACR Local 248; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 317; Tri-State Building Trades Unions; Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; Northeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; Floyd County Chamber of Commerce; One East; Appalachia Service Project; Kentucky Association of Economic Development; Appalachia Reach Out; VIP Fuels; Hillcrest Bruce Mission; Sandy Valley Habitat for Humanity; Hazard-Perry County Industrial Development Alliance; Pine Mountain Partnership, Hazard Perry County Chamber of Commerce; Facing Hunger Foodbank; and Consumer Energy Alliance.

Both Flannery and Lewis underscored that the Eastern Kentucky Energy Savings Act would also generate a significant economic boost for the region, including a nine-figure construction project at the Big Sandy Plant. That investment would translate into meaningful, long-term work for local residents, many of whom are union members, while strengthening Eastern Kentucky’s skilled workforce. In addition, the measure could pave the way for the construction of at least one new fossil-fuel generation facility, with the potential for a second, further reinforcing energy reliability and job creation in the region.

Shane Wolfe, Business Manager for the IBEW Local Union 317, shared in an endorsement, “Directing capital toward in-state infrastructure not only strengthens energy independence and reliability but also supports high-quality construction and maintenance jobs for skilled workers.”

HB 535 now goes to the full House for consideration. If passed into law, the measure will take effect immediately. For more information, visit the legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov. 

Kentucky Christian University to Host Mission Minded Leadership Conference on April 15

Submitted photo

Grayson, KY — Kentucky Christian University will host the Mission Minded Leadership Conference on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the KCU Chapel. The one-day conference will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and is designed to encourage, equip, and challenge leaders from across the region.

The conference will bring together leaders from business, education, athletics, ministry, and community organizations who share a desire to grow in their ability to lead with purpose and make a meaningful impact in their communities.

“Leadership is not just about a title,” said conference organizers. “It is about influence and the difference we make where we are planted. The Mission Minded Leadership Conference is designed to help leaders step away from their daily responsibilities, refocus on what truly matters, and return to their organizations energized and better equipped to lead.”

Rooted in a Christ-centered worldview, the conference reflects Kentucky Christian University’s commitment to developing leaders of character, integrity, and purpose. While grounded in Christian values, the conference is open to anyone seeking practical leadership insights that can be applied immediately in real-world settings.

Attendees will hear from an outstanding lineup of nationally recognized speakers and leadership experts who bring extensive real-world experience.

Featured speakers include:

  • Todd Maynard, Dean of the School of Business & Leadership at Kentucky Christian University
  • Amy P. Kelly, best-selling author, speaker, and Vice President of Consulting for Jon Gordon’s Positive Training Company – “Difficult Conversations Don’t Have to be Difficult”
  • John Eades, CEO of LearnLoft and host of The Optimistic Outlook Podcast – “The Leadership Lens: How People Like You Choose Leadership”
  • Julie Ward Nee, speaker, author, and Vice President of Training for Jon Gordon’s Positive Training Company – “The Energy Bus: The Ten Rules to Fuel Your Work Life and Team with Positive Energy”
  • Rennie Curran, former NFL linebacker, leadership speaker, and author – “Lead To Win: From High Performer to High-Performing Leader”
  • Tami Matheny, mental toughness coach, author, and Jon Gordon Certified Trainer – “This is Good: The Power of Perspective in Mission-Minded Leadership”
  • Thomas R. Williams, speaker, author, and leadership consultant – “The Relentless Pursuit of Excellence”

The conference will include morning and afternoon speaker sessions, networking opportunities, and a midday break for lunch. Organizers emphasize that the shared conversations and connections often prove just as valuable as the presentations themselves.

“Leadership matters,” organizers noted. “When leaders grow, organizations grow. When organizations grow, communities become stronger. Kentucky Christian University is honored to invest in leaders who want to make a positive difference.”

The event will take place in the KCU Chapel, which seats up to 600 attendees. Registration is $35 per person.

Those interested in attending can learn more and register online at:
www.kcu.edu/mission-minded-leadership-conference

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Extension Notes: Farmland Sales and Taxes

young cow in a field in uruguay
Photo by Sergio Arteaga on Pexels.com
By: Rebecca Konopka
Carter County Extension Agent

Generally, the sale of farmland triggers taxes in the year of the sale. Disregarding any depreciable items that are part of the sale, the tax treatment is long-term capital gains. That is assuming the property has been held at least one year. The capital gain is calculated based on the sale price minus the adjusted basis of the property. The adjusted basis is the amount paid for the land (or the value when inherited) minus any depreciation taken on improvements. Federal capital gains rates are currently 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on taxable income level. State and local taxes will also be owed on the gain depending on location.

One strategy to defer the capital gain tax is use of a 1031 like-kind exchange. A 1031 like-kind exchange allows landowners selling their property to reinvest in replacement property that is similar in nature. There are specific rules associated with a like-kind exchange. First, there is a 45-day window to identify the replacement property after the sale of the old property. Second, the new property must be acquired within 180 days of the sale. Third, a qualified intermediary must hold all the funds of the transaction. In other words, the landowner selling the old property cannot take possession of the money. Lastly, if the exchange of property includes related parties, then both parties must hold their respective properties at least two years to avoid triggering tax consequences.

As part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) of 2025, there is an option to spread out the taxes owed as part of selling farmland. The new option is referred to as IRC Section 1062. It applies to any farmland sales after July 4, 2025. The election allows a landowner to pay the federal taxes owed in four equal annual installments instead of one year. The land must be in the United States. It must have been in farm use 10 years prior to the sale. In addition, the buyer must be actively engaged in farming. There will need to be a restrictive covenant that legally enforces the use of the land for farming purposes for 10 years. The covenant would need to be attached to the tax return in the year of sale when the election is made. The first installment is due at the original due date of the tax return for the year of sales. The remainder is due with the following three tax returns. If any payments are missed the remaining tax becomes due immediately. 

Lastly, there is a Kentucky tax credit available called the Kentucky Selling Farmer Tax Credit. It allows for an income tax credit of up to 5% of the sale price of qualifying agricultural assets, subject to annual and lifetime tax credit caps. The sale must be to eligible buyers who will continue using the land for farming purposes. Sales involving immediate family members do not qualify for the credit. There are applications that must be filed from both the seller and the buyer to qualify for the credit. These can be found at the Kentucky Selling Farmer Tax Credit (KSFTC) Program website at https://newkentuckyhome.ky.gov/entrepreneurship/KSFTC. 

If a landowner is considering selling their farm property, it is recommended they contact their tax advisor and/or attorney before the sale takes place.

This article was written by Suzy Martin, KFBM Area Extension Specialist, for the University of Kentucky Department of Agricultural Economics newsletter published on January 28, 2026.  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:

  • Extension Council & District Board Meeting –March 10th @ 10:00 AM
  • Honey Bee Education Day – March 12th from 9:00-2:00; Call 474-6686 to register. 
  • Farmer’s Market Vendor Training & Annual Business Meeting – March 17th; Executive committee meets at 5:30 and vendor training starts at 6:30. 

Is the GOP trying another end run on public funds for private schools?

desks and chairs in classroom
Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com
By: Keith Kappes
Columnist
Carter County Times

            Like it or not, the ghosts of white supremacy are alive and well in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

            Two times the Republican supermajority in the Kentucky General Assembly passed laws to allow public funds to be used to help fund private schools and both times our courts threw the laws out as unconstitutional because our state constitution says public funds can only go to the “common” schools of the Commonwealth.

            Then it was proposed as a constitutional amendment and Kentucky voters rejected it soundly in all 120 counties.

            Perhaps acting on the advice and encouragement of the White House, the GOP leadership in the General Assembly embraced House Bill 1 to take advantage of a new federal tax-credit scholarship program. The legislation literally flew through both houses of the legislature and has been sent to the governor’s desk.

            If Gov. Andy Beshear vetoes HB 1, the six Democrats left in the Senate and the 20 survivors in the House will look on helplessly as their GOP colleagues quickly override the veto.

            HB 1 would make Kentucky eligible to participate in the qualified elementary and secondary education scholarship federal tax credit program established in House Resolution 1, which passed the U.S. Congress last year.

            The legislation grants Kentucky’s Secretary of State, pointedly not our Democratic governor, the authority to opt into the program on behalf of the state. Participants would receive a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for donations made to Kentucky scholarship granting organizations (SGOs).

            The bill sponsor described the legislation as a dollar-for-dollar credit. In essence, a tax dollar owed to the feds would give taxpayers the choice of sending that dollar to Washington or to a “scholarship granting organization” here in Kentucky. It was claimed that no state funds would be involved in the programs.

            Sen. Robin L. Webb, R-Grayson, explained her “yes” vote by saying she would monitor how any increased funding is used in the state to ensure the bill achieves its intended effect in improving education.

            We hope she is successful, but we won’t be surprised if and when the authorized-but-yet-to-be-funded charter schools siphon off good students and state monies from our existing, underfunded public schools.

            Contact Keith at keithkappes@gmail.com.

Martin to the Mountains

(Photo by Brayleigh Boggs, Carter County Times)

By Brayleigh Boggs

Carter County Times

Wyatt Martin’s path to becoming one of the most decorated specialists in West Carter football history started in his front yard at age seven.

“My dad,” Martin said when asked what first made him want to become a kicker. “He started me at age seven.”

Martin, a senior at West Carter High School, signed to continue his football career at the University of Pikeville. He leaves West Carter holding the school records for most career points by a kicker and the longest field goal in a career.

Kicking runs in the family. Martin’s father was a college kicker at West Virginia State University and later pursued a career in law enforcement. Martin plans to follow a similar path. He will major in criminal justice at Pikeville and hopes to join the Kentucky State Police.

“I want to go down the state police path, like my dad did,” Martin said.

But that’s the future. When looking back at his time on the field, Martin said, one moment stands above the rest. On senior night, Martin drilled a 32-yard game-winning field goal against Rowan County.

“That was definitely my most memorable moment,” he mentioned.

West Carter coach Daniel Barker said Martin’s work ethic set him apart from the beginning.

“From the time we got Wyatt, he’s always been so hardworking,” Barker said. “He’s always been very serious about kicking. Wyatt’s the kind of kid you have to slow down, or he will kick all day, and I’ve always appreciated that about him.”

Martin said his father has been the most influential person in his football journey.

“Definitely my dad,” Martin said. “He started working with me at age seven in our front yard, just kicking footballs over top of a soccer net. Mainly my dad, but also Coach Barker, for always motivating me, stopping me when I was over-kicking.”

His recruitment process began before his junior season. After a strong sophomore year, Martin posted his highlights on social media and quickly gained attention.

“Going into my junior year, I had a good sophomore season,” he said. “I posted my highlights on Twitter, and had a coach reach out inviting me to a camp. After that, I was never off Twitter. I am so thankful for all the opportunities I had during high school. A lot of high schools don’t use kickers to their full potential, but I’m very grateful to be used the way I was.”

When Pikeville extended an opportunity, Martin said the decision felt right.

“I was so excited,” he said. “I love their facilities. It was everything I wanted that wasn’t super far from home.”

Barker said finding the right fit was important.

“When he started looking for places to play in college, we wanted to find a place that was not only a good school, but a good team fit,” Barker said. “We think he can earn a spot at Upike and become a kicker, and we expect really great things out of him.”

“Not many people in the last few years have gotten the opportunity to play,” Martin said. “Not only that, but I am also the only kicker from West Carter ever to go play college football.”

Coming from a small town, Martin said the recruiting process required persistence.

“It’s hard to get recruited,” he said.

But you can’t let how hard something is deter you from pursuing it. That’s the advice Martin would give other young athletes.

“Don’t give up,” he said. “When I moved here my eighth-grade year, I went to practice for a few weeks and kicked some, and I wanted to quit within three weeks. Now I realize if I did that, I wouldn’t be where I am now.”

(Contact the writer at news@cartercountytimes.com)

Lions hold off Comets’ comeback effort

(Photo by Brayleigh Boggs, Carter County Times)

By Brayleigh Boggs

Carter County Times

West Carter fought for every point in the first round of the 62nd District Tournament. But despite their efforts, the Elliott County Lions held on to their double-digit lead to secure their place in the championship game, defeating the Comets 63-46

Even with multiple comeback chances and three players in double digits, the offensive power of Elliott’s Tyson Crabtree (00), Elijah Faulkner (5), Lake Adkins (21), and Ian Griffith (23) proved to be too much for the Comets to handle.

Senior Nate Hale (24) opened the game with a tone-setting layup under pressure. Elliott wasted no time responding with a pair of their own from Ethan Copley (24). Hale (24) fired back, making it 4-2 Comets early into the first. The Lions clawed back with an and one from Ian Griffith (23). The comets kept the offensive pressure heavy with free throws from Nate Webb (33). Elijah Faulkner (5) made his mark on the stat sheet with a long three and a layup, sending Elliott into a scoring frenzy. Coach Webb called a timeout to settle the Comets, who trailed 12-6.

Elliott’s Faulkner (5) and Copley (24) added six to the scoreboard before the Comets fired back in the paint and on the line. As the buzzer sounded, Elliott took the first quarter 18-9. Crabtree (00) worked the post and the board to steadily raise the Lions’ lead. The senior brought home six points and three rebounds within 90 seconds of the second quarter. Cannan Arrowood (3) followed with his own basket, separating them by 15 points.

Wade Lawson (32) snagged a steal, and Nate Webb (33) finally saw some potential for the Comets. Hale (24) pulled up for a long three, and the West team finally got the kick start they needed. With one minute remaining in the half, Elliott regained their spark with a triple by Arrowood (3) and a steal that locked in the halftime score at 32-18 Lions.

Hale (24) opened the second half strong, powering through pressure to get the Comets going early. Webb (33) kept the fire going with a three of his own. Adkins (21) and Griffith (23) responded for the Lions, keeping their lead strong. West Carter refused to give up, Brody Boggs (14) and Hale (24) fought for every opportunity at the basket, and Tabor Tackett (53) was relentless on defense. Crabtree (00) added an and one but was countered by a contested shot from Webb (33). Hale (24) forced a turnover from the Lions, but their momentum was short-lived. Caden Sloas (11) sank a three-pointer for Elliott, and Copley (24) locked down the Comets’ offense. Sending them to their bench with a 47-32 lead.

Christian Clarke (0) and Boggs (24) hit the ground running to begin the final quarter, bringing in eight within a matter of minutes. Jamison Wagoner (31) pulled down an offensive rebound for the Comets, and Boggs (14) cut the deficit to ten at the line. Arrowood (3) stepped up to the line, where he finished two. Tackett (53) checked back in for the Comets and made his presence known, causing chaos defensively. Hale (24) powered through the lane for a hard-fought basket, but Elliott responded with one of their own. Griffith (23) and Copley (24) were unshakable at the line, stretching their lead to 13. A technical foul and four free throws by Griffith (23) sealed the Lions’ victory. As time expired, the clock read 63-46, locking in Elliott’s seat in the 62nd District Tournament Championship last Friday (February 27) at East Carter High School.

Contact the writer at news@cartercountytimes.com

Improving creative endeavors

By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times

Amanda Lewis has a vision of bringing together creative people from across the region while preserving our regional folk traditions. Lewis started the non-profit Trillium Project with the express purpose of making it easier for these creative individuals to create. Lewis is building what she calls a “Creative Campus,” or a Maker and Workforce Hub for the tri-state area. The goal is to bring together artists, craftsmen, and the keepers of Appalachian traditions and help them do what they do best.

The Trillium Project is designed to help, among others, creators who want paid opportunities to teach their crafts to those who wish to learn them. Lewis wants to give creators access to makers markets and exhibitions, provide a shared fabrication infrastructure, and encourage apprenticeship partnerships and opportunities. And in the process Trillium hopes to foster expanded tourism visibility and small business growth support for creative businesses.

“We’re specifically calling for makers in Boyd, Carter, and Greenup Counties, so we can map a regional maker ecosystem and better understand what support local makers actually need to make a living on their craft,” Lewis said of her goals and how she hopes to impact the region.

“I founded an arts and culture nonprofit in Southern Ohio in 2020,” Lewis continued. “And our primary focus has been creative place making projects that give local artists paid opportunities to do their crafts and stay here and make a living doing it. We have been doing that for the last six years, and now we are moving into the next phase of development.”

That next phase is a capital project, Lewis said. And as part of that project, she is trying to connect with all of the makers and creators in the area, not just in southern Ohio. Currently Lewis is located in Portsmouth, Ohio, but she said Trillium operates remotely rather than having a brick-and-mortar facility. The capital project will be headquartered in Portsmouth, she said, but her focus will be the entire region.

The campus Lewis is working on building is intended to be what she calls multi-disciplinary.

“It will have space for artists in the traditional sense like painters and print makers,” Lewis said. “But we are also looking at building out spaces for things like blacksmithing, stained glass making, and basket weaving. We want to codesign a campus that’s not just for the traditional workshops but also where we can train people locally in creative enterprise so they can, if they are so inclined, open creative businesses.”

One creative business Lewis used for an example was a business making and frames such as those for paintings and prints.

“We don’t really have a business like that locally,” Lewis said. “If you want a picture framed then you have to go to a big store such as Hobby Lobby. But we want to be able to create pathways for individuals who might be interested in doing something like that and build small businesses around that.”

Lewis said the campus is going to serve as a regional revitalization model and will impact the entire region.

“We have partnerships in multiple states,” she said.

West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky are all represented, Lewis said, and the hope is that by codeveloping workforce pathways with regional makers she will be able to begin supporting smaller rural communities.

Currently Trillium has half a dozen local partnerships, including FIVCO.

“They (FIVCO) are working with us and have agreed to guide us with the workforce pathways for individuals in Kentucky,” Lewis said.

Lewis also has partners in Portsmouth and the Scioto Visitors Bureau.

“We have also spoken with Shawnee State University about developing some micro credentialing programs,” Lewis said.

On the horizon for the Trillium Project is an event called A Gathering of Appalachian Makers that will be held on March 24, 2026, at the Shawnee State University Kricker Innovation Hub, located at 221 Chillicothe Street in Portsmouth, Ohio, from 5 to 8 pm. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to RSVP by March 18.

“This is the first of several gatherings we are planning,” Lewis said.

She said the plan over the next nine months is to have numerous events in West Virginia and Kentucky. Creatives and makers are encouraged to visit their website, email the Trillium project, or even call 740-352-4498 to discover the possibilities available to makers and craftsmen.

More information on The Trillium Project can be found at http://www.trillium-project.org/thehollow.

Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com

Joyful Noise: When to shut up!

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By Pastor Naomi Mitchell

For Carter County Times

Growing up we heard the old saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Well, we all know that is a lie. Words are powerful and can hurt longer than a broken bone.

Have you ever wished you hadn’t said certain things? Have you said something that made you feel like you had put your foot in your mouth? Something you said really hurt someone’s feelings? Maybe you told something about someone that destroyed a good friendship? You assumed something when you didn’t know all the facts? We wished we could eat our words when this happens, but once they are out there, they can’t be taken back. Proverbs 21:23 says, “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from trouble.”

Scripture tells us a lot about our “mouth” that life and death are in the power of the tongue. We make the choice to say things we know we shouldn’t and wouldn’t want someone to say about us. Gossip is cheap and not becoming on a mature Christian or anyone for that matter.

Here are some scriptures to look up in the Bible that basically tells us what we need to pay attention to when it comes to keeping our mouth shut.

Keeping your mouth shut: In the heat of anger – Proverbs14:17. When you don’t have all the facts – Proverbs 18:13. When you haven’t verified the story – Deuteronomy 17:6. If your words will offend a weaker brother – 1 Corinthians 8:12. If your words will be a poor reflection of the Lord to your family or friends, neighbors and co-workers – 1 Peter 2:21-23. When you are tempted to make light of holy things – Ecclesiastes 9:2. When you are tempted to joke about sin – Proverbs 14:9. If you would be ashamed of your words later – Proverbs 8:8. If your words would convey a wrong impression – Proverbs 17:27. If the issue is none of your business – Proverbs 14:10. When you are tempted to tell an outright lie – Proverbs 4:24. If your words will damage someone’s reputation – Proverbs 16:27. If your words would destroy a friendship – Proverbs 16:28. When you are feeling critical – James 3:9. If you can’t speak without yelling – Proverbs 25:28. When it is time to listen – Proverbs 13:1. If you may have to eat your words later – Proverbs 18:21. If you have already said it more than one time then it becomes nagging – Proverbs 19:13. When you are tempted to flatter a wicked person – Proverbs 24:24. When you are supposed to be working instead of talking – Proverbs 14:23.

Practice and pray Psalms 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” Think before you speak! Will the words you speak be acceptable to the Lord?

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.

AS WE SEE IT: Quiet complicity

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Last week the Kentucky Association of School Administrators released a statement noting that they are “taking a clear and unequivocal stand: grooming and sexual abuse of students will not be tolerated in Kentucky’s public schools.”

Despite bold statements like this, however, as we look around at both local and national news it’s obvious that our society is not doing enough to protect this most vulnerable segment of our population. Or to hold those who take advantage of that vulnerability accountable for their actions.

It’s there in the Epstein Files.

It’s there in the coverage of the Greenup County special education aide who was released on bond only to victimize another minor in Carter County.

And though some of those folks eventually go to jail – at least for a while – and have their day in court, too many more slip through the cracks with nothing more than a lost job and a gap in their resume. They’re quietly let go and allowed to go about their lives. No accountability. No therapy or intervention. No justice.

And the media is often complicit.

We live in a litigious society. One where you can be sued for anything – even if you did nothing wrong. Even if you have the documentation to back up and verify the claims you make. It happened to the Carter County Times last year, when we were alerted that a plaintiff was attempting to serve us for coverage of allegations of sexual impropriety involving patients at a regional hospital. Everything we reported was backed up by documentation from the hospital and the medical board and, ultimately, our attorneys were able to get them to drop the suit against us because our coverage was accurate, and protected by state law.

But even the potential of such lawsuits can make editors and publishers, especially those at corporate owned papers, nervous. As an example, several years ago, when covering one of the most egregious and, frankly, insane cases of sexual grooming and assault I’ve ever read about, I received a quote from the Commonwealth’s attorney who agreed to accept an Alford plea from the defendant in the case. (An Alford plea allows a defendant to plead guilty while maintaining their innocence, but acknowledging that the preponderance of evidence would likely lead to a conviction in a jury trial.) The quote from the attorney – which to this day I contend should have been the front page pull quote – was, “There are some things that are evil, and immoral, but aren’t technically illegal.” But instead of being placed in a box on the front page to tease the story, the quote was cut entirely by my editor, who was worried about any potential litigation.

It didn’t change the objective facts in the story. But it sure changed the tone. And though that story was released, because there was a court case and a verdict, there are other stories we hear about as news media that never see publication. Usually because of built in bureaucracy that – like the policies my editor was following – are designed to protect the institutions involved from a lawsuit. Policies that keep us from accessing documentation that would verify the stories we’ve heard.

As a hypothetical, imagine that someone who works with children in Carter County had an inappropriate relationship with a student. In this hypothetical situation the student in question is 18. Because of their age, no criminal charges are filed against the perpetrator. But because they have engaged in a serious breach of professional ethics they are let go by their employer. The newspaper hears about this story from a concerned parent, who wishes to remain anonymous, and we follow up. A contact within the school district confirms the story, also under anonymity, but is unable to verify the name of the individuals involved. The newspaper, though, now has the name of the alleged perpetrator, and confirmation that they were let go for the reasons indicated. We now go to the employer with the name, and questions about their dismissal. But, because dismissals are a personnel issue, the employer isn’t legally allowed to discuss them. The employee records are considered privileged information, and thus are protected from public scrutiny.

In this situation, the story dies. We can’t run a story based on nothing but rumor and hearsay. Even if we believe it, even if we’ve had it confirmed “off record” and anonymously, we need documentation to verify. That’s part of our ethical duty as responsible journalists. If we can’t back it up with documentation, we aren’t a news source, we’re a gossip rag.

But we’re also complicit. The newspaper. The employer. The society that allows these forms of legal obfuscation. Whenever we don’t allow coverage of a story, or leave out pertinent information, out of fear of litigation, we’re complicit.

And we all need to do better. 

Cougars come out on top

(Photo by Brayleigh Boggs, Carter County Times)

By Brayleigh Boggs

Carter County Times

The East Carter Lady Raiders and the Morgan County Lady Cougars faced off in a highly anticipated rematch of the 2025 62nd District Championship at the Harold L. Holbrook Athletic Complex. In a tightly contested battle, Morgan County came out on top, defeating East Carter 53–50 to bring home the hardware.

One year after falling just short on the same stage, Morgan County proved why experience and composure matter in championship moments. In a game that featured multiple lead changes, clutch three-pointers, and defensive stops down the stretch, the Lady Cougars leaned on timely shooting and poise in the final minute to secure victory over East Carter and claim the 2026 62nd District title.

Morgan’s Lily Litteral (33) got the Cougars on the board early. The Lady Raiders responded quickly with a three from Bristol Boggs (1), who followed up with a steal moments later. Jocie Rudd (10) added her own triple to the mix, but Sara Jenkins (3) wasted no time adding her own to the score sheet. Rudd (10) went 2-2 outside the arch and added another basket from inside, giving East a steady lead early in the first quarter. Brynlee Walker (24) muscled through pressure for her first points of the night. Litteral (33) cut the deficit to three just before Coach Derrik Young called his team to the sideline to regroup.

Sophomore Jenna Goble (20) and Boggs (1) held the Cougars scoreless, picking up multiple rebounds. Abby Boggs (5) bought home a triple just as time expired to end the first quarter, 19-12 in the Lady Raiders favor. Boggs (5) seemed unbeatable defensively, with multiple steals and a possession-ending block from Walker (24). Tori Bishop (21) drove into the lane to give the Raiders a double-digit lead. Litteral (33) revived the Cougars, posting up under pressure. Jenkins’ (3) and-one jumper put Morgan back in the game. Emma Clinger (11) had the last shot of the half, keeping the ball game within five.

Litteral (33) opened the second half for the Cougars. Boggs (1) added with two free throws, and Walker (24) followed in the paint. Clinger (11) stayed consistent for Morgan, but Hall (4) never made it easy with strong defensive pressure. Bishop sent the ball downcourt to Rudd, who grabbed two in transition. Soon, Clinger (11) fired back with one of her own. Bishop (21) scooped up an and-one, just before Boggs (5) snagged a steal. KK Halsey (1) and Litteral (33) combined to give the Cougars a one-point lead going into the final eight minutes of the match.

Bishop (21) knocked down a floater but was matched by Bella Smith’s (13) long three-pointer. Boggs (1) hit Hall (4) backdoor to put East back on top. Rudd (10) hit a clutch three, but Morgan quickly evened the playing field. The Raiders trailed by two with under a minute remaining. Walker (24) tied it up once again. Jenkins (3) added three for the Cougars. With 29 seconds remaining, the Raiders regained possession. Even with multiple last-second attempts, the Lady Raiders could not connect and fell short. Morgan County finished 53-50 over East Carter, officially naming them the 2026 62nd District Champions.

Contact the writer at news@cartercountytimes.com

Raiders fall short

(Photo by Brayleigh Boggs, Carter County Times)

(Photo by Brayleigh Boggs, Carter County Times)

By Brayleigh Boggs

Carter County Times

It was a back-and-forth battle between East Carter and Morgan County for a spot in the 62nd District Championship game. The Cougars came out on top in a 74-70 win that kept every fan on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.

A senior-led East Carter team fell short, but not without a fight. The loss ends the Raiders’ season and sent Morgan County on to the 62nd District Championship Game on February 27, where they played Elliott County to defend their title.

East Carter’s Thomas Burton (1) opened the scoring for the Raiders, but was quickly countered by a sneaky backdoor pass to Morgan’s Asher Gamble (11). Eli Bradley (4) knocked down two free throws to get the Cougars a steady 4-2 lead. Colton McGuire (12) wasted no time, hitting back-to-back three’s and firing up the Raiders for their first lead of the night. Grant Menix (10) followed with a steal and an offensive foul, keeping the game in their control.

Morgan County’s Aiden Barker (1) and Parker Trusty (2) combined for 4 points to cut their deficit to 2. Freshman Max Karle (11) responded with a contested three, but Morgan followed with their own set of points. McGuire (12) hit another three for the Raiders, and Menix (10) added his own as the buzzer sounded to end the first quarter, with the score 21-16 Raiders.

The Cougars started the second quarter with a contested layup. Caden Tussey (15) seemed unstoppable, driving into the lane, scooping up back-to-back shots for East Carter. Trusty (2) brought life back to the Cougar sideline with a long three-pointer. Grayson Hampton (3) and Barker (1) tied the game at 25. After a timeout to settle both teams, McGuire (12) came in hot with multiple three-pointers in pressure situations, followed by Burton (5) and Tussey (15), but Morgan responded with their own shots. The score was 35-33, Morgan with 34.9 seconds remaining in the half. Hampton (3) cut backdoor to close out the half, with the clock reading 37-33 in favor of the Cougars.

Tussey (15) started the second half with a tough drive to the lane for two points. Trusty (2) made a statement with a three-pointer, surrounded by a host of Raiders. William Burton (5) and McGuire (12) responded with triples of their own. Gamble (11) created multiple scoring chances for the Cougars, including a three-pointer that brought Morgan’s lead to six. Menix (10) came through with three clutch free throws, but Morgan wasn’t ready to relinquish their lead. Morgan’s Gamble (11) and Bradley (3) led a 9-0 run for the Cougars, which included Bradley’s half-court shot as the buzzer sounded to end the third quarter. Morgan maintained a 60-48 lead heading into the final quarter.

McGuire (12) battled in the paint for a putback jumper. Barker (1) responded with four points of his own. Thomas Burton (1) fought for an and-one, and then some, at the free throw line. Morgan kept a ten-point lead with 2:31 remaining.

With 57.1 seconds remaining, Coach Cole Brammer called a timeout, trying to close the ten-point gap Morgan had built. The Burton brothers left it all on the court in the last 15 seconds, causing chaos on both ends. Tussey’s (15) last-second efforts kept them within six, but it was not enough. Morgan County sealed their spot in the 62nd District Championship Game on February 27th with a final score of 74-70.

Contact the writer at news@cartercountytimes.com

Years of Farming Bluegrass Show welcomes Don Rigsby & the Fly By Knights

Submitted photo

FLEMINGSBURG – Years of Farming is excited to welcome Don Rigsby & Fly By Knights to Years of Farming on Sunday, March 8, at 2 pm at Double S Entertainment, 150 Foster Street, Flemingsburg. The Mountain Music Ambassadors will open. This will be our 118th show! Tickets are $20, available in advance or at the door. Children 12 and under accompanied by an adult are admitted free. Attendees will have the chance to win door-prizes provided by our sponsors including two tickets to the March 29 show featuring Danny Paisley and Southern Grass.

Don Rigsby has been involved in bluegrass most of his life, learning to sing Ralph Stanley songs at the age of five. The very epitome of a bluegrass sideman, he has been a member of the Bluegrass Cardinals, Lonesome River Band, Longview, J.D. Crowe & The New South and is currently a member of Balsam Range and Southern Legacy besides his own band the Fly By Knights. As a solo artist and bandleader, he has seven albums to his credit and has appeared on countless projects as a session player and singer. Rigsby was director at Kentucky Center for Traditional Music at MSU for several years. He has lived a musical life most only dream about with too many accolades to share so be sure to check out his bio online. Rigsby still lives in Isonville and more important to him than his career are his children Sarah and Andrew. The Fly By Knights also includes Caleb Daugherty on guitar and vocals, Caleb Smith on banjo and vocals and Tim Corbett on upright bass.

The Mountain Music Ambassadors is the flagship touring ensemble for the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music at Morehead State University, featuring students majoring in traditional music. The ensemble has entertained audiences across the United States and internationally, as far away as the People’s Republic of China and Ireland. Other notable performances include the historic Carter Family Fold, Industrial Strength Bluegrass Festival, IBMA’s Wide Open Bluegrass Festival, the internationally syndicated Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour and Song of the Mountains on PBS. Daxson Lewis and Ruth McLain Smith direct the group.

We hope you will join us at Years of Farming for an afternoon of awesome bluegrass music. It is a terrific opportunity to see this caliber of artists in our area. If you are not familiar with any of our bands, whether a feature band or an opening band, check their websites and/or YouTube for some of their music and history and you will want to attend! Keep checking our website www.yearsoffarming.com for updates on our schedule. Tickets are available on our website or at the door. For more information contact Paula Hinton at (606) 748-0798 or paulahinton2000@yahoo.com.

The sin of waste and the right to repair

a hand fixing an electronic device using screwdriver
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

By Robert Dean
Guest Columnist

It’s been a long few days in a long year that’s only three months in. The mass shooting in Austin, the bombing of Iran, the endless argument about whose AI is going to save or destroy us. I want to tap dance on all of it with jokes about how Trump is an infected elephant stomach in a miraculous human body, but I’m not here for that this week.

I’m here to talk about waste.

My Irish grandmother used to say wasting is a sin. She grew up with nothing, so she meant it the way people mean things when they’ve had to. I think about that a lot. I think about it every time I finish a bottle of bodywash and pitch it in the trash, knowing that bottle will be in a landfill long after everyone I love is dead.

My girlfriend’s Converse are falling apart. She was about to throw them away when a tube of superglue would do the trick. Why is it always our first instinct to discard instead of repair? Maybe because that instinct has been engineered into us.

In 1932, real estate broker Bernard London wrote, “We must induce people to buy more and more.” Nearly a century later, the logic hasn’t changed. It’s just been lawyered up. When pressed on right-to-repair legislation, Apple has said that repairs are best left to trained technicians using genuine Apple parts. Safety. Reliability. Innovation. All very clean words that somehow always end with you buying another sealed box instead of fixing the one you already own.

I have a guy named Dave who works on old analog equipment, record players, cigarette machines, jukeboxes. I own a 1954 Rockola I inherited and when it needs a tune-up, I have to haul the thing across town because Dave is in his seventies and doesn’t make house calls. He is, as far as I can tell, one of the last people in town who knows how to do what he does. When Dave’s gone, that knowledge goes with him. What happened to the culture of the working class repairman? We traded it for the culture of the upgrade.

This MacBook Pro I’m writing on costs $3,500. It’s a 2019. Guess who’s getting a new battery instead of a new computer? I’m not replacing this machine until it’s as dead as John Dillinger.

Recycling at scale is largely a myth. We rarely turn old stuff into new stuff in any meaningful way. A significant portion of what Americans dutifully sort into blue bins ends up shipped to India, Africa, or China, because that’s how the economics of guilt work. Out of sight, out of conscience.

The food waste numbers are staggering. The USDA estimates 30 to 40 percent of the American food supply gets thrown away. Meanwhile fast food joints, grocery chains, and big box stores pitch perfectly edible food because liability lawyers said so, or because the date on the package turned, or because the season changed and nobody wants last fall’s lipstick shade. My grandmother would have called that a sin. She would have been correct.

We’ve constructed this villainous economy that depends on disposal. The product isn’t the thing you buy. The product is the need to keep buying, to keep consuming, to devour and line the pockets of those who make at scale. And we’ve accepted it so completely that repair feels like eccentricity, like something only stubborn old men and broke college kids do.

Maybe we should all be a little more stubborn. Maybe we should pick up the superglue.

Contact us at news@cartercountytimes.

Ask Daryl – Your Professional Organizer: It’s about time

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By Daryl Ashley

Confusion Solution

We intend on clearing out a closet or organizing our kitchen and then we put it off. Why? Simply because we have too many other things that need to be taken care of and an absence of time.

It isn’t laziness or lack of desire, it’s that it isn’t a part of our priorities. So, how do we accomplish those tasks while juggling our other responsibilities? Here are some tips that will help give you permission to adjust your routine.

  1. Make a list of what you have to do on a daily basis and a separate list of the things you would like to do to bring order to your living space and to your routine.
  2. Really delve deep to determine the time you spend on each of your daily activities, and then determine the time you can spend on new tasks. Make sure you include time for yourself. This is extremely important to avoid burn-out.
  3. Then place the list of things you would like to organize in order by project. Estimate the time it might take to work on those projects.
  4. Compare the time you spend on your daily activities with the time it would take you to accomplish one other goal.
  5. Incorporate one new task into your normal routine. Keep in mind that things may change, which is to be expected. So, don’t put too much into your schedule, just in case. Then when things do change, you can pick up where you left off on another day.

Being organized starts with planning which, in turn, becomes part of your routine and once accomplished will eventually fall off your schedule. Getting started is the hardest part and making a list will bring to light how you are really investing your time. Allow a few minutes to make a list.

It’s as simple as that!

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