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Deborah G. Kennedy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shandra Dell Brown

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

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

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

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

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

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

UPDATE: Body confirmed as that of missing Carter County woman

Submitted photo

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

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

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

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

UPDATE – March 29

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

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

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

Extension Notes: Managing home vegetable garden pests

close up of green plants on the soil
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By: Rebecca Konopka
Carter County Extension Agent

Sources: Richard Durham, UK horticulture specialist

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

waving flag of united states of america
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By: Keith Kappes
Columnist
Carter County Times

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

            Contact Keith at keithkappes@gmail.com.

When the world feels broken, sit down and eat

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

By Robert Dean

Carter County Times

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I obliged.

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

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

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

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

Contact us at news@cartercountytimes.com

Pet of the Week: Meet Sunny

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

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

Building a better future

chemical engineers working in laboratory
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By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com

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

brown wooden cross
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By Pastor Naomi Mitchell

For Carter County Times

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amen! So be it!

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

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

crop doctor in medical uniform with stethoscope standing in clinic corridor
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By Teri Carter

The Kentucky Lantern

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He has been right in the thick of it.

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

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

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

It boggles the mind.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Those darn chickens. 

They always come home to roost.

Reprinted with permission, under a Creative Commons license.

Contact us at news@cartercountytimes.com

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

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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

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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

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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

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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?

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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.

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