Ten Years Ago 

(Sept. 21 and 23, 1994)

 Floyd County's solid waste woes could be just beginning, despite what appeared to be the county's saving grace in July, when an Ohio Company took over waste disposal for the county. The Floyd County Solid Waste Commission entered into a five-year agreement with Rumpke of Kentucky, in June, which was touted as a pact to keep residential garbage rates at an affordable $10 per month for the term on the contract. Baretta R. Casey feels she has been penalized for opening a primary care practice in her hometown, Pikeville. Dr. Casey opened a family practice about two months ago, and the investment cost her $200,000. She paid $40,000 down with money she had earned doing extra work during her last two years of residency. She borrowed the rest. Casey wonders how she will keep her office open, if the proposed cuts in Medicaid reimbursement become effective. The Wheelwright City Commission held a meeting on Monday night with an air of mystery. The meeting came to order at 7 p.m., and at ten minutes after seven, the members of the commission went into closed session to talk on the telephone with a representative from Landrum and Shouse Law Offices for approximately 25 minutes. Mayor Marley Sammons later announced that no information about the telephone call would be given out until a later date. An incinerator used to burn medical waste became a hot topic at a meeting of the Floyd County Solid Waste Commission, Monday evening. Attorney Kevin Costetto, representing the company, Medisin, which owns the incinerator, asked the solid waste board to amend its solid waste plan to allow Medisin to take in 561 tons of waste per year. Costetto called the solid waste plans, 100 ton per ten year limit, a "clerical error" because an assistant for Floyd County Judge Executive John M. Stumbo told him "someone had called a facility and was given an amount for ash leaving that facility, not the amount coming in.". Floyd County's Fiscal Court were surprised and appeared upset, Friday, when the architect for the jail project submitted approximately $150,000 in change orders for site work. A trailer fire Saturday evening, at McDowell, killed a 27-year-old Floyd County man. Preliminary autopsy reports indicated that Larry Wayne Collins, of Ned's Fork, died of smoke inhalation. An ongoing undercover investigation by Kentucky State Police culminated in 15 arrests, early Tuesday morning, in three counties, which snagged seven Floyd Countians. State police began rounding up suspected drug dealers on Tuesday morning, and more arrests were expected throughout the week. Floyd County School Board members held firm on their decision that teachers be evaluated each year, but agreed to a proposal that would elimnate a second semester review if teachers make passing grades in the first. The largest Sears Authorized Retail Dealer Store in the eastern district of the United States will open in Prestonsburg, as soon as renovations are completed on the former Sundry Store building. State education officials have rejected the purchase of a site for a Betsy Layne middle school, because the cost and development of the property is projected to exceed 10 percent of the total project cost. State Police have determined that a Floyd County man and two Magoffin County brothers, who were killed in a marijuana field in Breathitt County, September 1, were trying to disarm booby traps, that at least two of the men had placed in the pot patch. In just four days, close to $30,000 in delinquent taxes have been collected by the Floyd County Sheriff's Office, and taxpayers have until today (Friday), to settle up or face stern action. Collection efforts began Monday and most offenders have been cooperative and paid their bills. A Prestonsburg woman was killed Tuesday afternoon, in a two-car accident at the intersection of KY 1428 and U.S. 23, near Prestonsburg. Jean Wallen Dotson, 60, was pronounced dead at the accident scene by Floyd County Coroner Roger Nelson. For the last 28 years Constance Lackey, 93, of Tram, has devoted her time, attention and compassion, to the workings of the Big Sandy Area Community Action Program Inc. (BSACAP). Now, in the same year that community action programs commemorate 30 years of helping people, Constance has received two major awards for her volunteer service with the Big Sandy Area CAP program. The Jenny Wiley Festival will celebrate its 13th year, beginning October 3, with competition, gospel singing, and a concert by the Gibson/Miller Band. There died: Palmer Shepherd, 51, of Columbia City, Indiana, Saturday, September 17, at Whitley County Hospital; Olga Wright Martin, 63, of Lexington, formerly of Eastern, Wednesday, September 14, at St. Joseph Hospital, Lexington; William Harold Litton, 64, of Martin, Friday, September 16, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital, Martin; Larry Wayne Collins, 27, of McDowell, Saturday, September 17, in a house fire at his residence; Joe Branham, 89, of Melvin, Monday, September 19, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Rhoda Francis "Tody" Blankenship, 71, of Stanville, Saturday, September 17, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Mary Margaret Rose, 68, of Knox, Indiana, Sunday, September 18, in her home; Inez Spears Shaefer Hall, 71, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, September 15, at U.K. Medical Center, Lexington; Rhoda Francis "Tody" Blankenship, 71, of Stanville, Saturday, September 17, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Mary Margaret Rose, 68, of Knox, Indiana, Sunday, September 18, in her home; Inez Spears Shaefer Hall, 71, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, September 15, at U.K. Medical Center, Lexington; Frank Mullins, 69, of Bevinsville, Friday, September 16, at his residence; Verdie Newsome, 50, of Craynor, Saturday, September 17, at her residence; Belvia Newsome Slone, 86, of Versailles, formerly of Garrett and Prestonsburg, Wednesday, September 14, at St. Joseph Hospital, Lexington; William Hatcher, 90, of Salyersville, formerly of Stanville, Thursday, September 15, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Walter Marshall Hall, 72, of Tennessee Ridge, Tennessee, Monday, September 12, at his residence; Alabama "Allie" Fugate, 85, of Hesperia, California, formerly of Dwarf, Thursday, September 8, at Barstow Community Hospital, Barstow, California; Burns Jarrell, 78, of Martin, Thursday, September 15, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Ruby S. Martin, 74, of Garden City, Michigan, formerly of Ivel, Wednesday, September 21, at Pine Meadows Health Care Center in Lexington; John Sanford Rodebaugh, 73, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, September 20, at his residence; Bill May Derossett, 79, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, September 20, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Lizzie Shelton, 88, of Lagro, Indiana, formerly of Floyd County, Wednesday, September 21, at Wabash County Hospital; Sammie Hackworth, 67, of Blue River, Tuesday, September 20, at his residence.

(August 24 and August 26, 1994)

 A civil suit arising from the May 1993, Democrataic primary election in Floyd County took two unusual turns last week. The first twist came, Thursday, August 18, when the suit's accuser, radio station owner Dale McKinney indicated that he would ask that his complaint against Floyd County Judge-Executive John M. Stumbo be dismissed. Floyd County School Board members are asking for a full report on a hazing incident that happened at Prestonsburg High School's football camp earlier this month, which resulted in three players being suspended for two games and one player being kicked off the team. .A motorcycle-car collision,, at Harold, on Saturday night, claimed the life of a Pikeville woman and serously injured her husband. According to a state police report, Ronnita Adams, 41, of North Mayo Trail, was killed, when the 1993 Harley Davidson motorcycle she was riding was struck by a 1983 Ford Fairmount driven by Delmar E. Hamilton, 24, of Teaberry. The victim's husband, Robert, 40, who was operating the motorcycle, suffered neck injuries and a broken leg. Floyd County School Board members voted, Monday, to pay $409,400, for a site for a Betsy Layne Middle School, which includes other undisclosed expenses. Robert Tackett, 44, of Burdine, is facing nine felony charges in connection with an assault of ambulance personnel and the theft of an ambulance, responding to the scene of a car accident. Allen Taylor, Wheelwright City Commissioner, who has been accused by fellow board members of allegedly selling a city lawnmower, apparently turned over the proceeds of that sale to the city in February. A Floyd County Grand Jury returned a murder indictment Monday, against Jackie Ray, 45, for allegedly shooting his brother, Allan Tommy Ray, 41, of Lexington, during an argument at Jackie Ray's home last month. Paul Joseph, who operates ambulance services in Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Wolfe and Knott counties, has been named in a 299-count federal indictment alleging a scheme to defraud Medicaid of thousands of dollars, and mail fraud. Floyd County students went back to school, Monday. School officials reported that the opening day of classes was relatively calm and no major problems were reported. John Calhoun Wells, formerly of Auxier, has been appointed by President Bill Clinton as Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and as such, will sit at the head of a bargaining table and help major league baseball players and owners try to reach an agreement that would put the players back on the field and fans back in the stands. Jurors are expected to render a verdict today, (Friday), in the murder trial of Larry Robinson, who is accused of killing William Bucky Rose on Memorial Day, 1993. Police say a Daniels Creek man said he thought he was shooting at a dog, Saturday evening, when he fired two blasts from a shotgun, hitting a man riding a four-wheeler past his home. Kentucky State Police forced their way into the home of Malcolm Lewis, 74, Saturday night, and arrested him, after he allegedly shot Charles Jervis, also of Daniels Creek. A family reunion at Archer Park, Saturday, turned into an adventure that one Lexington family won't soon forget after their three-year-old toddler tumbled into a creek. The toddler fell into the creek when he attempted to climb into the back of his grandfather's truck, which was parked close to a creek bank at the park..Fifth District Congressman Hal Rogers will dig in during groundbreaking ceremonies in Prestonsburg for the Mountain Arts Center on Monday, August 29. Rogers will join local officials Jerry Fannin, Prestonsburg mayor; John M. Stumbo, Floyd County judge-executive; and Paul Hughes, chairman of the Kentucky Opry Board for the ceremony. Jenny Wiley Summer Music Theatre and the Prestonsburg Tourism Commission has received funds disbursed by the state Depatment of Travel Development to the Eastern Highlands-North Tourism Region through a matching grant program. The doors to the D.W. Howard Fieldhouse were locked, Wednesday, pending an inspection by state officials for asbestos in broken wall panels. There died: Ova Johnson, 73, of Bevinsville, Thursday, August 18, at his residence; Liza Hall, 88, of Bevinsville, formerly of Dana, Saturday, August 20, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Alice Mosley Kendrick, 92, of Huntington, West Virginia, Saturday, August 20, at St. Mary's Hospital; Terry Mullins, 44, of Norwalk, Ohio, Saturday, August 20, at his home; James A. Cole, 80, of Parkersburg, West Virginia, formerly of Printer, Thursday, August 18; Girdell Dingus Salyers Breeding, 90, of Martin, Tuesday, August 23, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Nancy Moore, 81, of Lackey, Sunday, August 21, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Bradie Shepherd, 83, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, August 21, at Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, Tennessee; George Edison Rickman, 66, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, August 24, at his residence; Albert Hubbard, 78, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, August 23, at his residence; Wilford B. Boyd, 65, of Dana, Tuesday, August 23, at his residence; Bert Hall, 86, of Hunter, Monday, August 22, at Highlands Regional Medical Center.

(August 17 and August 19, 1994) 

Kevin Wade Parsons, 21-year-old native of Harold, died August 15, ending a six-year battle with Laforda Body Disease, an affliction so rare, that fewer than a dozen cases have been diagnosed worldwide. Three Wheelwright City Commissioners want to oust a fellow board member for selling a piece of city property, allegedly without the approval of the board. At Monday's commission meeting, Commissioner Allen Taylor was accused by Commissioners Luther Johnson Jr., Charles Harmon and David Hall, of selling a city lawnmower to an individual for $35. While the Pike County Fiscal Court was authorizing its county attorney, Monday night, to take any action necessary to collect a $216,000 delinquent account owed by the Floyd County Solid Waste system, Floyd County Solid Waste Commissioners at their meeting were disputing the bill. A ruling earlier this year by the state Supreme Court resulted in an order from the state Public Service Commission which will require municipal utility companies that provide services, mainly water, to seek commission approval for proposed rate increases. The commission's order includes the Prestonsburg City Utilities, but it will have no immediate impact on the utility company. The state Supreme Court will be asked to decide if a hearing to determine if accused murderer, Clawvern Jacobs, is competent to aide in his defense should exclude the prosecution and the public. A Pike County man was arrested in Floyd County, August 11, during an investigation into an alleged truck tire theft operation. Christopher Hodges, 22, was lodged in the Floyd County Jail and charged with third-degree burglary and theft by unlawful taking. Next Monday, August 22, they'll ring in the start of a new school yer for nearly 8,300 Floyd County students, and they'll signal the final countdown on a critical phase of education reform in Kentucky. One of the final pieces of the funding puzzle for the development, in Prestonsburg, of a Mountain Arts Center was put in place, Thursday, by Congressman Hal Rogers. Rogers said, Thursday, that a second $1 million grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has been approved by the House of Representatives, with concurrence expected soon from the Senate. McDowell senior cittizens will host dedication and open house ceremonies at their new senior citizens center, located in the Viola Bailey Memorial Community Building, Sunday, August 21, from 2-6 p.m. U.S. Senator Wendell Ford announced, Thursday, that the Appalachian Regional Commission has approved $98,000 in Section 207 funds to assist in the construction of 15 multi-family housing units for low-income families in Floyd County. A leading education enrichment organization has targeted Floyd County as a place to establish one of its affiliates. Forward in the Fifth Inc., was awarded a $50,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant to organize three local affiliates, and the agency hopes that one of those offices can be established in this county. The search is underway for a new executive director for the Floyd County Development Authority, and for a candidate to fill a vacancy on the board. A missing persons report was filed this week with the KSP for George Dee Howell, 61, more than two months after Howell told his sister Nancy Slone, that he was "going to Paintsville." Family members offered no explanation for the long delay in reporting Howell's disappearance, but indicated he may have been seen as recently as three weeks ago in the Pikeville area. The situation has been likened to martial law, but security guards hired to keep an eye on things at Left Beaver Townhouses are a temporary measure designed to thwart suspected drug activity in the housing project. State police are investigating the cause of a fire at Wheelwright, Wednesday evening, that claimed the life of Glen Randall Johnson. Johnson's home on the Left Fork of Otter Creek caught fire at approximately 7:30 p.m. and members of the Southeast Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene. A survey will be conducted during the next several months that will assess the literacy level of Kentucky's adults. There died: Shirlene Branham Slone, 73, of Pinellas Park, Florida, formerly of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, August 10, at the Sunshine Village Nursing Home, in Pinellas Park; Margarett Slone, 92, of Dema, Thursday, August 11, at the home of her daughter, Clotine Hicks in Payne, Ohio; Judy Hall, 73, of Lackey, Friday, August 12, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Marcus D. Slone, 66, of Garner, Monday, August 15, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Mars Robinson, 69, of Canal Winchester, Ohio, formerly of Martin, Sunday, August 14, at Mount Carmel East Hospital in Columbus, Ohio; Martha Harvey, 71, of Dema, Thursday, August 11, at Kentucky River Medical Center in Jackson; Romain Shepherd, 76, of Blue River, Sunday, August 14, at his residence; Shelby Slone, 60, of Lackey, Saturday, August 13, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital in Martin; Kevin Wade Parsons, 21, of Harold, Monday, August 15, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington; Adrian Lee Shepherd, 56, of West Prestonsburg, Monday, August 15, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Mary L. Blankenship Nelson, 62, of Auxier, Thursday, August 11, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Randall Johnson, 48, of Melvin, Wednesday, August 17, at his residence; Brozie Whitaker, 100, of Warsaw, Indiana, a native of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, August 17, at Miller's Merry Manor in Warsaw; Daniel Goldberg, 41, of Columbia, Monday, August 15, at his home; Imogene Smith Hall, 70, of North Carolina, a native of Ivel, Saturday, July 23, in Franklin, North Carolina.

(August 10 and August 12, 1994) 

A special judge has given the attorney for a Floyd County man until Friday to complete the taking of evidence in a civil suit that accuses Judge-Executive John M. Stumbo of election fraud during the May 1993 primary election campaign. But attorney C.K. Belhasen, who represents radio station owner Dale McKinney in the suit against Stumbo, said he had not been officially served with the judge's order on Monday. A former Adams Middle School principal's suit against the Floyd County Board of Education will go to trial Thursday, more than two years after the orginal complaint was filed. About 25 craftspeople from Floyd County, and other counties in the region, gathered at the lodge at Jenny Wiley State Park, last Wednesday, to learn the ends and outs of marketing their crafts. The day-long workshop was sponsored by the Kentucky Arts and Crafts Foundation in Louisville. Allen City Hall became a verbal battleground Monday night, during the city's council meeting, but that didn't stop the council from giving themselves raises, or naming a city manager. Discussion became heated about halfway through the meeting when city councilwoman Anne Bentley began casting aspersions on the ability of police chief Virgil Conn, to carry out his duties. The Prestonsburg City Council's personnel committee will be going back to the drawing board to find the best way to comparing "apples to apples." The council is trying to finalize the pay rates, work schedules and raises for city employees for the current fiscal year, with dispatch, fire and police departments still to be worked out. Several coal trucks lined up at Garth, last week, as Rumpke of Kentucky cleaned out the temporary land fill. The waste was transported to Cooksey Brothers Land Fill in Greenup County. Martin City Council is continuing its efforts to clear up the city's water problems, and is considering assistance from the Water Resources Assistance Corporation (WRAC), a division of the Big Sandy Area Development District. It is also considering raising the city's water rates. Prestonsburg Mayor Jerry Fannin handed acting Police Chief Darrell Conley the keys, Wednesday, to one of the six new police cars the city purchased for the police department. A countywide crusade to raise donations for Terri LaShae Jarvis, of Allen, a Floyd County infant, in need of two life-saving transplants will get underway today. Crusade volunteers were manning roadblocks at strategic locations in Prestonsburg, Martin, Allen, Mud Creek and Garrett, and asking for donations for expenses needed for transporting the infant and mother to a Pittsburgh hospital for a donor match and to cover other expenses. Members of the Jenny Wiley Festival Committee, the Prestonsburg tourism director, and the press, waited for almost an hour wednesday morning, for a meeting of the Prestonsburg Tourism Commission to get underway. Preliminary hearings were held in Floyd District Court, Wednesday afternoon, and included a hearing for a Floyd man who escaped from custody earlier this month. Rodney Blackburn had been brought downstairs from the Floyd County jail to District Court for arraignment on August 2, along with 12 other prisoners and fled when the group was filing into the courtroom. Testimony concluded Thursday afternoon in a day-long civil trial involving a dispute between a former Adams Middle School principal and the Floyd County Board of Education. It could take a month, though, before a verdict is issued in the case. At issue is a complaint filed by former AMS principal Thomas Tackett, who was demoted in 1992 by interim, state-appointed superintendent Eldon Smith to the job of housebound instructor. The Army Corps of Engineers will soon be looking at the ups and downs of flood control along the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River. Funding for a study of the Levisa Fork Basin in Floyd, Pike and Johnson counties was included in the 1995 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, passed by the House of Representatives this week. There died: Tina Lafferty Crum, 84, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, August 4, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Oma Whittaker, 84, of Prestonsburg, Monday, August 8, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Opal Spears May, 84, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, April 6, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Frank Patton, 65, of Ashtabula, Ohio, Wednesday, July 27, at his home; Nora Belle Martin, 87, of Martin, Friday, August 5, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Emogene Moore, 56, of Bainbridge, Indiana, formerly of McDowell, Sunday, August 7, at Putnam County Hospital in Greencastle, Indiana; Lucille Greene Bingham, 87, of Hurricane, West Virginia, formerly of Prestonsburg, Thursday, August 4, at Chateau Grove Nursing Home, Hurricane, West Virginia; Bobby D. Wallen, 37, of Martin, Friday, August 5, at his residence; Everett Slone, 75, of Martin, Saturday, August 6, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Alice Gearheart, 75, of Hi Hat, Monday, August 8, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Alexander Boone Fletcher, 84, of Knoxville, Tennessee, Monday, August 1, at St. Marys Hospital in Knoxville; and Rebecca Hall, 20, of Delaware, Ohio, Monday, August 8, at the Grady Memorial Hospital, following injuries suffered in an automobile accident.

(July 27 and July 29, 1994) 

Timothy R. Prater, 32, of Middle Creek, died at about 5:20 p.m., Monday, when the mine car he was riding collided with another car at Pontiki Coal Corporation No. 1-A mine at Lovely. With less than a week to go, no one has filed with the county court clerk's office for three seats on Floyd County's school board, which will be on the ballot in November. The state budget, recently passed by a special session of the legislature, included new funding for the Rural Secondary Road program, and that means blacktop patching for eight Floyd county roadways. The Prestonsburg City Council took a step toward future annexation, Monday night, with the first reading of an ordinance that could allow the city to incorporate areas without any objection. The results of a four-month evaluation of Floyd County Superintendent Steve Towler are expected to be made public at the August 1 school board meeting. School board members met Monday night at May Lodge for more than two hours in closed session, to complete their assessment of Towler's job performance. An on-again, off-again debate has been renewed concerning leased property adjacent to the old Floyd County landfill site at Garth, where county officials aren't sure if an extended lease agreement is valid. The Prestonsburg City Council voted, Monday, to allow Mayor Jerry Fannin to appoint a board to look at building an 18-hole golf course and athletic complex at Mayo Hollow. Fannin said that having a board would allow Prestonsburg to work with the state in efforts to build the "world class" course. U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers announced, Tuesday, that the Appalachian Region Commission (ARC) has approved a $50,000 grant for Forward in the Fifth, the education improvement project started by Rogers and community leaders seven years ago. Forward in the Fifth serves more than 40 counties in southern and eastern Kentucky. For the second time in eight years, the Floyd County Clerk's office has received a local records grant to help with the restoration of records. Floyd County Clerk Carla R. Boyd was awarded the grant recently from the Department for Libraries and Archives, an agency of the Education, Arts and Humanities Cabinet. A joint effort is underway between the Floyd County Development Authority and Kentucky Power Company to construct a 21,000 square foot building at Cliff. The building will be used to entice new business into the county. The site is owned by the Prestonsburg Industrial Development Corporation. Jimmy Branham raced in the Open Wheel Modified, last Saturday night, at Thunder Ridge. He is the youngest driver to take part in a race at Thunder Ridge at the age of 14 years. Martin City Council has been trying for the past several months to figure on a way to get a handle on the finances of the city water department and, also, to hire a city attorney. U.S. Representative Hal Rogers has recently urged federal transportation officials to support the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's $975,000 request for preliminary work for the Kentucky segment of I-66. The case of a Toler Creek man charged with murder in the July 17 shooting death of his brother has been waived to the Floyd County Grand Jury. At a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Floyd District Court, Judge Danny Caudill ruled that enough evidence was presented to establish probable cause that Jackie M. Ray, 45, was responsible for the death of his brother, Allan Tommy Ray, 41, of Lexington. .With four days to go until the filing deadline, two current school board members and a Wayland City Councilman have filed to retain their seats in November. A special meeting of the Prestonsburg-Floyd County Public Properties Corporation has been called for Tuesday, August 2, at 3 p.m. On the agenda for the meeting is an update on design of the Mountain Arts Center with discussion on the design of the facility..The folks at Riverview Manor Nursing Home know Tommy Franklin is a hero. On August 13, the folks living in the tri-state area of Kentucky, West Virginia and Ohio will also know that Franklin is a hero when WSAZ airs its Hometown Hero segment. Franklin's volunteer work at the nursing home was filmed by WSAZ's Randy Yohe, and he was awarded a certificate proclaiming him a "Hometown Hero.". There died: Timothy Randle Prater, 32, of Middle Creek Road, Prestonsburg, July 25, in Martin County, from injuries sustained in a mining accident; Lillia Mae Price, 82, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, July 23, at the residence of her daughter; Stella Catherine Hall Akers, 88, of Grethel, Thursday, July 21, at her residence; William "Bill" Allen, 82, of Dwale, Sunday, July 24, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia; Garnette Stanley Crisp, 46, of Pikeville, July 24, at Central Baptist Hospital, Lexington; Darcus W. Lafferty, 89, of Martin, Monday, July 25, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital, Martin; Foster Mitchell, 56, of Sandusky, Ohio, Wednesday, July 20, at Providence Hospital; Rhoda Shepherd, 94, of Mansfield, Ohio, formerly of Floyd County, Thursday, at Mansfield General Hospital; Effie Blanche Strunk, 80, of Prestonsburg, Monday, July 25, at Mountain View Health Care Center, Elkhorn City; Marvel Johns Perkins, 76, of Indianapolis, Indiana, Sunday, June 10, in Bloomington, Indiana; Archa B. Hix Jr., 63, of Harold, Friday, July 22, at his residence; Ivelee Hamilton, 102, of Bellevue, Ohio, Tuesday, July 26, at Bellevue Care Center; Amos A. Flannery, 85, of Jackson, June 11; Sylvia Hall Newman, 81, of Hi Hat, Friday, July 22, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Lillia Mae Price, 82, of Prestonsburg, July 23; Nelva Boyd Cochran, 75, of Danville, Virginia, Thursday, July 21, at Danville Regional Medical Center; Helen Dials, 60, of Prestonsburg, Monday, July 25, at her residence; Allie Combs Miller, 91, of Ary, Thursday, July 21, at Hazard Appalachia Regional Medical Center; Darrell Wayne Little, 27, of Bypro, Thursday, July 21, at Wheelwright; Harold Crum, 50, at Wheelwright; Harold Crum, 50, at Martin, Sunday, July 24, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Michelle Michalski Martin, 46, of Crestline, Ohio, formerly of Dema, Wednesday, July 20, at her residence; Martha Osborne Nelson, 89, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, July 27, at Highlands Regional Medical Center.

(June 8 and June 10, 1994)

(April 20 and April 22, 1994)

(Feb. 23 and Feb. 25, 1994)

(Feb. 16 and Feb. 18, 1994)

(Jan. 12 and Jan.14, 1994)

(Oct. 27 and Oct. 29, 1993)

(Sept.29, and Oct. 1, 1993)

(Aug. 4, 1993 and Aug. 6, 1993)

(July 21 and July 23, 1993)

(June 9, and June 11, 1993)

(May 26 and May 28, 1993)

(May 19 and May 21, 1993)

(May 12 and May 14, 1993)

(May 5 and May 7, 1993)

(April 28 and April 30, 1993)

(April 14 and April 16, 1992)

(April 7 and April 9, 1993)

(March 10 and March 12, 1993)

(Feb. 24 and Feb. 26, 1993)

(Feb. 17 and Feb. 19, 1993)

(Feb. 3, and Feb. 5, 1993)

(Jan. 27 and Jan. 29, 1993)

(Jan. 20 and Jan. 22, 1993)

(Jan. 13, and Jan. 15, 1993)

(Dec. 16, and Dec. 18, 1992)

(Dec. 9 and Dec. 11, 1992)

(Nov. 11, 1992, and Nov. 13, 1992)

(Oct. 28 and Oct. 30, 1992)

(Oct. 21, 1992, and Oct. 23, 1992)

(Oct. 14, 1992 and Oct. 16, 1992)

(September 30-October 2, 1992)

(Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, 1992)

(Sept. 2 and Sept. 4, 1992)

(August 12 and August 14, 1992)

(Aug. 5 and Aug. 7, 1992)

(July 29 and July 31, 1992)

(July 22-24, 1992)

(July 15-17, 1992)

(June 24 and June 26, 1992)

(June 17 and June 19, 1992)

(June 10 and June 12, 1992)

Federal and state officials joined Civil War enthusiasts on a tour of the Middle Creek Battlefield on Monday, as part of The Kentucky Heritage Council’s Civil War Battlefield Conference. During the tour, Deputy Secretary of the Interior Frank A. Bracken, and David Morgan, state historic preservation officer, officially presented Frank Fitzpatrick a certificate proclaiming the site as a National Historic Site, and noting its listing to the National Register of Historic Places...A vacancy on the Prestonsburg City Council was filled, Monday, with all the elements of a real election, including allegations that a council member tried to influence the vote. After two candidates for the post were nominated from the floor, David Hereford and Lida Margaret Howard—councilman George Archer told of the threats and harassment he and his family had received concerning which candidate to choose. The council chose Howard. Mud Creek Clinic founder Eula Hall, was named Floyd Countian of the Year by members of the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce during the Chamber’s annual banquet on June 4. Hall, who has been recognized nationally for her work with the medically indigent, was one of several countians lauded by the Chamber for their contributions during the 1991-92 year...The United States House of Representative’s Appropriations Com-mittee has appropriated $29,995,000 for flood control and related projects in eastern Kentucky during the 1992-1993 fiscal year. Foremost among these is an appropriation of $7,890,000 to operate and maintain eight eastern Kentucky lakes. Dewey Lake, alone, will receive $1,789,000 this year, and $771,000 has been budgeted for Paintsville Lake....The Floyd County Sheriff’s Department is warning residents to be on the lookout for three men posing as county workers who stole $194 from a residence in Corn Fork, Thursday. Chief Deputy Linzie Hunt said the men went to the residence of Charlie Harris, Thursday, and said that the county was offering a pest control spraying program for elderly residents in the county...There died: Frankie Stephens Best, 75, of Prestonsburg, Monday, at Phelps Community Medical Center; Howard Nelson Prince, 55, of Richmond, formerly of Lackey, Wednesday, in Lexington; Frank Howell Sr., 73, of Roanoke, Virginia, formerly of Dana, Friday, at the Community Hospital, Roanoke; Hazel Spencer Music, 77, of East Point, Thursday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Beckham Combs, 88, of Hindman, Thursday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Carl Edward “Banger” Robinson, 50, of Langley, Thursday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Theodore (Ted) Carroll, 45, of Lenoir, North Carolina, Wednesday, in Lenoir; John Jobie Calhoun Sr., 40, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, June 1, at St. Joseph Medical Center; Naomi Shepherd, 74, of Garrett, Thursday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Jack Wells, 76, of Paintsville, Monday, at Cabell-Huntington Hospital, Huntington, West Virginia; Cal King, 95, of Auxier, Friday, in Our Lady of the Way Hospital, at Martin; Bobby Gene Burchett, 51, of Allen, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center. 

(June 3 and June 5, 1992)

A family reunion, Sunday, almost ended in tragedy, when a 14-foot boat was swamped and its five occupants, including a two-year-old child, suddenly found themselves in the waters of Dewey Lake. Charles Webb, who was making his third trip across the lake around 6 p.m., to ferry family members to shore after a picnic, brought the boat he was steering to a standstill near the old Terry Boat dock to allow a houseboat to pass. The nose of his boat dipped and it was swamped by waves created by the houseboat....The town of Wayland and its surrounding area may have a new solid waste system, soon, if the mayor and city council members’ efforts are rewarded with public support. At Monday’s Wayland City Council meeting, newly-elected Mayor, Gene Mullins, and councilmen, Curtis Tufts, Tommy Robinson and Larry Puckett, agreed to circulate a petition for Wayland residents to sign, requesting that the Big Sandy Area Development District donate $7,000 to help the city finance a new sewage system...Floyd Countians will see the results of a state Revenue Cabinet property reassessment on their 1993 tax bills. State Revenue Cabinet workers should finish the first leg of an extensive reassessment of property values in Floyd County this month. A “double checking” of the new assessments should be complete by January, Lovell Hall, Floyd County Property Valuation Administrator, said, Tuesday...Floyd County officials are scrambling for a way around tighter state landfill regulations to prevent the Floyd County landfill from closing on July 1. Floyd County Judge-Executive John M. Stumbo and judge-executives from surrounding counties went to Hazard, Tuesday, to plead their case before the Cabinet for Natural Resources Commissioner Phillip Shepherd...Lt. Governor Paul Patton is the keynote speaker for the annual banquet of the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce, set for this Thursday, June 4, at the Jenny Wiley Convention Center. The banquet begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner, an awards presentation, Patton’s address and the installation of chamber officers for the 1992-93 year...Floyd County Democrats will hold a county caucus Saturday, June 6, at the Allen Park Convention Center. The county caucus is being held to elect a permanent chairman and to elect a group of persons to represent the county at the Congressional District Convention...It will be several days before Floyd County officials decide what action to take if the Floyd County landfill is closed. Judge-Executive John M. Stumbo said Thursday that he is waiting for a response to a letter he sent to Governor Brereton Jones, Tuesday, that hinted the governor needed to intervene to keep the landfill open. Stumbo’s letter did not specify what action he was asking the governor to take...There died: John E. ‘Pete’ Conley, 57, a popular local musician and president of the Lexington Musicians Association, Sunday, at Central Baptist Hospital; William Everette Wohlford, 19, of Martin, Sunday, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident; Joe Hale, 77, of Allen, Sunday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Nancy Davis Johnson, 88, of Pantsville, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Thomas W. “Tom” Hill, 82, of Mt. Sterling, formerly of Prestonsburg, Monday, at Humana Hospital in Lexington; Bertha Bradley Allen, 79, of Risner, Saturday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Carl Edward Newsome, 27, of Beaver, Sunday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Kennard “Stubby” Meadows, 81, of Tutor Key, Friday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Foster Jones, 70, of Grethel, Monday, at his residence; Dollie (Baisden) Marshall, 77, of Munith, Michigan, Saturday, at Foote Hospital in Jackson, Michigan; Elizabeth Mayo Bailey, 82, of Allen, Friday, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home, Pikeville; Joseph Bentley, 63, of Tram, Tuesday, at South Ohio Medical Center, Portsmouth, Ohio; Lora Hale, 75, of Greenwich, Ohio, Sunday, at Fisher-Titus Medical Center, Norwalk, Ohio; John J. Calhoun Sr., 40, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, at St. Joseph Medical Center, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

(May 27 and May 29, 1992)

Eastern Kentucky’s economic development office, in Prestonsburg, will be headed by Robert L. Murphy of Menifee County, who was named to fill that post by Governor Brereton Jones, last week. Murphy, a former deputy director for the Kentucky Housing Authority, began his duties on Monday, and is currently looking for office space in Prestonsburg....Mountain Comprehensive Care Center’s board of directors will investigate allegations made against its executive director, Thursday, of disregarding board member candidates for Martin County. John Burgess, a MCCC caseworker in Martin County, accused director Steve Schenck of ignoring applications from Martin County citizens who are seeking a seat on the board. Burgess also called for the board to ask for Schenck’s resignation for violating the board’s mission statement...Adam Patton, 75, of Dody Creek, near McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital, was killed, Monday evening, when the home he was living in burned to the ground. Patton, an invalid, was living in the home of his sister, Jo Ann Patton, who was visiting neighbors at the time of the fire...Voters stayed away from the polls in droves in Tuesday’s primary election, as only 12,472 of Floyd County’s 28,505 registered voters cast their ballots. Non-partisan candidate Danny Caudill, who Governor Brereton Jones appointed in February to complete Harold Stumbo’s unexpired term as District Judge, was the standout winner in the 31st Judicial District race with 5,778 votes...The Floyd County Housing Authority voted, last week, to approve the second-lowest construction bid for the low-income housing unit at Minnie. The action followed a recent housing authority vote to turn down Ashland-based Debcon Construction Company’s bid of $2,819,300, nearly $60,000 less than the $2,877,796 bid that the board voted to accept. That bid was submitted by the Fidelity Construction Co., a Louisville-based firm...A Floyd County mine owner has been accused of the imroper disposal of radioactive waste in July of 1988, while he was a resident of Pennsylvania. Travis E. Miller, 49, president of J & K Mining Inc., at Emma, has been accused of the illegal sale and burial of mine scales, laced with Cesium 137, a nuclear by-product material, during his tenure as president of the Stanford Mining Company in Indiana County, Pa....There died: Bradis “Brad” Lafferty, 57, of Harold, Ohio, formerly of Eastern, Monday, at Lima Memorial Hospital; Newton “Newt” May, 88, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Ouida Conley Campbell, 65, of Mousie, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Maude Osborne Smith, 88, of Martin, Saturday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Earl Baldridge, 76, of East Point, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Blaine Waddell, 78, of Larkslane, Wednesday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Candace Danee Hughes, infant daughter of Edgar and Paulena Kidd Hughes of Dana, Saturday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington; Billie Gene Williams, 62, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at his residence; Irene Boling, 73, of Oscola, Indiana, Thursday, in Countryside Place, Mishawaka, Indiana; Clifford H. Woody, 84, of Weeksbury, Tuesday, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home; Eulah Mae Butcher, 66, of Columbus, Ohio, formerly of Floyd County, Tuesday, at her residence; Adam Ernest “Bal” Patton, 72, of McDowell, Monday, at his residence; Wayne Damron, 79, of Tram, Tuesday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Grace Preston Burke, 98, of East Point, Thursday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home.

(April 29 and May 1, 1992)

The man accused of trying to shoot Floyd County Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson in January, pleaded not guilty, Friday, and was ordered to undergo a state psychiatric examination. Greg Little, 35, of Water Gap will be examined at the Kentucky Corrections Psychiatric Center (KCPC) in La Grange. Little’s attorney, David Williams, from the Pikeville Public Defender’s office, asked for psychiatric testing “based on information regarding (Little’s) mental state.”...Residents of Prestonsburg’s Richmond No. 4 voting precinct will soon be able to buy alcoholic beverages in their own district, thanks to last week’s special-option wet/dry election. Mother Nature displayed her poetic side as heavy rain descended intermittently on those who entered and exited the polls at L & H Used Cars on South Lake Drive, on Saturday, April 25. The formerly dry precinct was voted wet by a small but deciding margin. There were 82 “yes” votes, and 74 “no” votes, as only 156 of the precinct’s 398 registered voters turned out for the wet/dry election. The polls were open from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m...The Floyd County Board of Education approved payments for a major renovation of the Betsy Layne High School gym, Tuesday, even though that project was rejected for funding by the state Department of Education. The payments approved to the project’s architect, Paul Hoffman, however, have been put on hold until the project is approved by the state Department of Facilities Management...April is National Math Month. To celebrate, students from Maytown, Osborne, Duff, and Martin elementary schools won prizes, played games, and competed against each other in written examinations and quick-recall events at Allen Central High School’s 8th Math Day gala, yesterday. Joyce Watson, who has taught at Allen Central for the last 17 years, founded the event in 1985, before any other school in the region even had an academic team. Watson said yesterday that she began the program, both because she felt that it was important for schools to put more emphasis on mathematics, and because she felt that the students who excel at academics didn’t receive nearly the amount of recognition that they deserved...There died: Cindy Beth Blackburn, 33, of Waynesfield, Ohio, formerly of McDowell, Monday, at St. Rita’s Medical Center; Addie Adkins Hunt, 98, of Hunter, Tuesday, at Parkview Manor Nursing Home; Fred Gessling Robinson, 83, of Martin, Thursday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; John M. Stamper, 84, of Brinkley, Monday, at his home; John Kelly Tolson, 59, of Fords Branch, Thursday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Bonnie Owens, 84, of Brinkley, Tuesday, at Kettering Memorial Hospital; Minnie Green Cantrell, 79, of Hellier, Wednesday, at her residence; Connie Howell Dale, 42, of Grethel, Sunday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Verda Amburgey Franklin, 73, of Mallie, Friday, at St. Joseph Hospital; Betty Amburgey, 51, of Mallie, Friday, at Redfox; Delora Dotson, 48, of Sassafras, Wednesday, at the Whitesburg Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Gypsey Johnson, 84, of Pikeville, Sunday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Quentin Jacobs, 72, of Dema, Wednesday, at his home; Ellen Rosaline Music, 65, of David, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Willie Moore, 71, of Bowling Fork, Tuesday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Sola Boyd Roberts, 80, of Harold, Monday, at her residence; Emily Jane “Mudie” Salyers, 92, of Prestonsburg, Friday, in the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Carl Vernon Frasure, 46, of Hueysville, Sunday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Clinton “Big Son” Collins, 66, of Ravenswood, West Virginia, formerly of McDowell, April 25, at Jackson County Memorial Hospital in Ripley, West Virginia; Maxine Rice, 60, of Banner, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Versa Turner, 70, of Cincinnati, Ohio, formerly of Eastern, Sunday, at her residence; Bessie A. Hale, 69, of Little Creek, Wednesday, at the home of her son in Ludowici, Georgia; Dewey May, 82, Floyd County native, and former Prestonsburg resident, Tuesday, in Melbourne, Florida; John Hall Jr., 64, of Topmost, Tuesday, at Veterans Hospital; Zelphia Grimm, 85, of Vero Beach, Florida, Monday, at Vero Beach.

(April 15 and April 17, 1992)

Prestonsburg may be willing to move a mountain to provide a home for harness racing in Floyd County. Mayor Ann Latta told city council, Monday evening, that she had met, Friday, with members of the state’s new racing commission to discuss a proposal for locating a track in Prestonsburg, and she expected to meet, Tuesday, with the full commission. Latta’s proposal calls for a dual-purpose development, which would provide a facility for the Kentucky Opry and a five-eighths mile track for harness racing...A Jacks Creek couple was arrested and charged with the illegal sale of alcohol, Sunday, after a Floyd County deputy sheriff allegedly purchased a case of beer at Hilltop Carry Out. Pearl Hall, 43, and Henry Hall, 63, were charged with selling the beverage, when the time of delivery or sale or malt beverages is prohibited; possession of a police radio; and trafficking in a schedule IV controlled substance. Mr. Hall was also charged with carrying a concealed weapon. Mrs. Hall was charged with two counts of possessing prescription drugs not in proper container...A retired Glasgow educator officially took over operation of the Floyd County School System, Monday, at a special board of educaiton meeting. Tuesday’s regularly scheduled board meeting was postponed until April 21. Eldon J. Smith, 59, a retired superintendent of the Glasgow Independent School District, is the interim superintendent, appointed to replace Floyd superintendent Ron Hager, who was suspended without pay from that position, Friday, by the State Board for Elementary and Secondary Education...Registered voters in Prestonsburg’s Richmond precinct will decide, in an April 25 election, whether or not the sale of alcoholic beverages will be permitted. The precinct is currently “dry.” Floyd County Court Clerk Carla Boyd received a petition with the required 55 signatures, February 21, asking that a wet/dry election be held in that precinct...Prestonsburg’s Main Street program received an economic boost last week from the Kentucky Heritage Council...The Main Street program received $170,000 to fund revitalizaiton of Prestonsburg’s downtown area. The money will be used to provide low interest rate loans which can be used for a general facelift of the area, said Henry Mayo, manager of the Main Street program...A 63-year-old Oil Springs man pleaded innocent, Thursday, to a capital murder charge in the March 18 shooting death of Johnson County Sheriff Cecil Eugene Cyrus. Flem Burchett, formerly of Banner, entered the innocent plea in Pike County Circuit Court at his arraignment. The hearing was delayed for approximately 30 minutes after Burchett complained of chest pains. He was taken to Pikeville Methodist Hospital where he underwent tests and was returned to the courtroom...Paintsville’s City Council voted 4-2, Tuesday evening, to authorize a best-use study of the Paintsville-Prestonsburg airport to determine what the future may hold for the site. The council’s vote, Tuesday, was a follow-up to a joint meeting last month of council members from Prestonsburg and Paintsville, and a reaction to a proposal made by the Big Sandy Area Development District....There died: Cordell H. Martin, 75, of Hindman, former Knott County Attorney and State Representative, Wednesday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center; Fess Hogg Roark, 80, of Garrett, Saturday, at Salyersville Health Care Center; Ruby Evelyn Newman, 68, of Melvin, Friday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Anna Mae Justice, 77, of North Manchester, Indiana, formerly of Prestonsburg, Monday, at her residence; Mallie Marie Hicks, 78, of Kenton, Ohio, Sunday, at Hardin Memorial Hospital; Robert Glenn Johnson, 33, of Printer, formerly of Knott County, Friday, at Prestonsburg, from injuries sustained from an automobile accident; Dorthy Johnson, 72, of Salyersville, formerly of Knott County, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Grace DeRossett George Ellis, 84, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Dollie Handshoe, 71, of Hueysville, Saturday, at U.K. Medical Center; Delphia Burke, 86, of Kite, Saturday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Henry Fisher Frazier, 73, of Lady Lake, Florida, formerly of Floyd County, Friday, at Leesburg; Pluma Kendrick, 79, of Melvin, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Charles Russell Roberts, 65, at St. Joseph Hospital, Lexington; Hobert Sublett, 74, of Sitka, Sunday, at Salyersville Health Care; Joby Martin, 81, of Huntington, West Virginia, formerly of Printer, Friday, at his residence; Delmer Robinson, 75, of West Prestonsburg, Thursday, April 16, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Hattie Thompson McCowan, 93, of McDowell, Thursday, at Salyersville Health Care Center; Edgar “Edd” Castle, 83, of Thealka, Friday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Nora Whitaker Murray, 86, of Whitehouse, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Ida Marie Pelphrey, 76, of Tutor Key, Tuesday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Chandis McKinney, 53, of Cicero, Ilinois, formerly of Galveston, died Sunday, at his residence.

(April 1 and April 3, 1992)

A debate over the future of the Paintsville-Prestonsburg Airport came to a happy conclusion this week, when a joint venture was announced for the site. The cooperative project will involve NASA’s relocation of its space puppet show and discovering the world of acting...A candidates forum sponsored by the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for April 31, at the Stumbo, Stumbo and Stumbo convention center at Stumbo Lake State Park (formerly Jenny Wiley State Park). Candidates for Congress have been invited to attend, but only those who pass an entrance exam will be allowed to speak. The test will require congressional hopefuls to demonstrate their ability to balance their checkbooks or, alternatively, balance a spinning basketball on their noses. (APRIL FOOL!)...Though they had earlier signed a confession of guilt, Jeannie Jacobs Fouts, Betty Jacobs Thomas, and Bobby Ray Roberts, pleaded not guilty April 1, to shoplifting charges. Public defender Janice Porter entered the pleas on behalf of her clients at an arraignment held Wednesday, in Floyd District Court, before a production crew from the nationally televised show, “A Current Affair.” Preliminary hearings for Fouts and Thomas, and a pretrial hearing for Roberts, were set for April 9...State Representative Greg Stumbo said, Thursday, that he is cooperating with federal investigators who launched a probe Tuesday, of Kentucky lawmakers. FBI agents swarmed the state’s capitol, Tuesday, serving subpoenas on 13 legislators, including Stumbo and Representaitve David LeMaster of Paintsville, asking for campaign finance records dating to 1988...There died Marvin Lee Boswell, 65, of Prestonsburg, Monday, at his residence; Ricky Slone Jr., 26, of Lackey, Monday, at Knott County Nursing Home; Lula F. Coburn, of Garrett, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Charles Russell West, 42, of Cow Creek, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Mae Banks Hicks, 91, of Wayland, Friday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Patricia Hewlett Salisbury, 55, of Martin, Monday, at her residence; Jerry Sturgill, 52, of Martin, Thursday, at the U.K. Medical Center; Richard King, 72, of Butler, Indiana, native of Floyd County, Wednesday, at the Dekalb Memorial Hospital in Auburn, Indiana; William Glenn Scott, 80, of Somerset, Saturday, at Midtown Care Home; Robert Hamilton, 81, of Teaberry, Friday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; John H. Flanery, 86, of Martin, Friday, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center; Patricia Ann Slone Himes, 48, of Bolviar, Ohio, Saturday; Monnie Clevenger Collins, 78, of Prestonsburg, Monday, at her residence; Frances McKinney, 80, of Paintsville, formerly of Betsy Layne, Tuesday, March 21, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Ollie Dyer Vanderpool, 80, of Garrett, Wednesday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital.

March 25-27, 1992)

“How high?” was the cry, and $3.70 per thousand was the response at Thursday’s Wheelwright City Commission meeting, when commissioners voted to increase water and sewer rates. The increase was necessary in order for the city to receive a Community Development Block Grant to upgrade its water and sewer system. The system’s water production capacity would be increased by 50,000 gallons per day...Trash, liquor and golf were the prevailing issues at Friday’s Floyd County Fiscal Court meeting. Members of Floyd County’s Litter Task Force approached the court, asking what more could be done to combat the county’s trash problem. Kathy Tackett wanted to know how to get more people involved in cleaning up the county, and chided the court about county workers littering the highways themselves...A two-year rift between Prestonsburg’s police and fire departments was bridged, Monday, by city council, which adopted a new employee pay scale in an effort to bring a measure of equality to department salaries. The new salary schedule will cost the city approximately $44,000 per year...Two juveniles escaped from the Big Sandy Area Detention Center, Sunday afternoon, and were recaptured by Prestonsburg Police that evening. Prestonsburg detective sergeant Jeff Stumbo said, Tuesday, that the two escaped around 4 p.m. when one of the turnkeys opened the door to let visitors out...Wendell Ray Newman, 39, of Jacks Creek, was sentenced to 25 years in prison, Monday, by a federal judge in Pikeville. Federal Judge Joseph Hood pronounced the 25-year sentence without parole on Newman, and added a sentence of five years’ supervised release...The first signs of spring are bringing the first sign of jobs related to an intertrack racing facility in Floyd County. The Department of Employment Services announced, Monday, that applications are being accepted for pari-mutuel ticket sellers/cashiers for Kentucky Downs. Applicants should be ready to start work on April 4...A Paintsville councilman called it a “dog and pony show.” An attorney for a pilot’s group labeled it “an inquisition.” The most accurate description, though, of a non-meeting, Tuesday evening, of Prestonsburg and Paintsville city councils came from Paintsville councilman and Prestonsburg attorney Mitch Kinner, who called the two-hour session on issues concerning the Paintsville-Prestonsburg Airport “a waste of time.”...Official charges were served against Floyd County School Superintendent Ron Hager at the eleventh-hour, Thursday, when Hager made a rare appearance at the central office. Floyd County Sheriff’s deputies have made repeated attempts to locate Hager at work and at home since the March 12 state school board meeting when Education Commissioner Thomas Boysen, charged Hager with willful neglect of duty and misconduct in office....A shoplifting spree by a bride-to-be, through Prestonsburg has captured the attention of national media, including the Phil Donahue Show, the FOX Network, and The Globe. The Floyd County Times, the Prestonsburg Police Department and the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce have been besieged with calls from writers with these programs and newspapers, since the story came across the wires of the Associated Press. The article made its debut in the Floyd County Times on March 18. The Associated Press ran its version of the story which was picked up by the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune....Beaver Elkhorn-Water District has recently completed its community meetings that were held at the local schools serving the Left and Right Beaver areas of Floyd County. As explained to all persons in attendance at these meetings, Beaver-Elkhorn Water District has developed a major project to expand its water treatment plant from the present 1.0 MGD to 1.5+ MGD, and extend its water distribution system approximately 76 miles, to serve an estimated 1,500 additional households...There died: William Donald Music, 76, of Abbott Creek Road, Prestonsburg, Saturday, at his residence; Freddie Collins, 63, of Hindman, Wednesday, at Knott County Health Care Center; Gardes Prater, 78, of Marcy, Ohio, Monday, at Mt. Carmel East Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Paul Buckston Tucker, 58, of McDowell, Tuesday, at The Baptist Hospital East in Louisville; Lacy Bailey, 76, of Hueysville, Tuesday, at his residence; Mack Burke, 71, of Virgie, Friday, at his residence; Nedra Akers Davis, 58, of Joliett, Illinois, Monday, at St. Joseph Medical Center; Estell “Butch” Reed, 70, of Betsy Layne, Sunday, at St. Joseph Hospital; James Dennis Riehm, 40, of Bowling Green, Monday, at Bowling Green from injuries received in a helicopter crash; Minnie Faye Simpson, 54, of Allen, Saturday, at her residence; Winson B. “Mike” McCown, 78, of Wheelwright, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Clyde Johnson, 66, of Bevinsville, Friday, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington; Robert D. Francis, 77, of Sarasota, Florida, formerly of Prestonsburg, at a local hospital; David Arnold Wilson, 47, of Harold, Monday, at his residence; Can Little, 91, of Somerset, formerly of Robinson Creek, Thursday, at Midtown Care Home at Somerset; Verdie Mae Cole, 85, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, formerly of Teaberry, Saturday, at Beyer Hospital in Ypsilanti; Ruby Watts, 87, of Pinetop, Friday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Roxie Meade Burchett, 80, of Martin, formerly of Langley, Thursday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Guy Meade, 81, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Warden Burchett, 78, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Burnie Newsome, 73, of Virgie, Tuesday, at his residence.

(March 18 and March 20, 1992)

Riding on the coattails of an endorsement by Governor Brereton Jones, Wheelwright City Commissioners, forged ahead in an effort to locate a new prison in their community. Commissioners met for more than over an hour in closed session at a special called meeting, Monday, to proceed with land acquisition for the mountaintop site...About 30 Bull Creek residents met, Saturday morning, to discuss the City of Prestonsburg’s annexation of an area in their community, and whether or not to become their own municipality, Dickie Hall, the apparent leader of the Bull Creek group, told those attending the meeting that the city’s move to annex the nightclub Center Stage was “illegal,” according to the attorney general’s office...Classes resumed, Tuesday, at Wheelwright High School, when suspended principal Lewis “Spike” Berkhimer met privately with students and urged them to return to the classroom. The media was not invited to sit in on Berkhimer’s meeting with the students...’Til theft do us part. The wedding of Jeannie Jacobs, 18, of Topmost, to Danny Wane Fouts of Dema, was delayed by seven hours, Saturday, because the bride was lodged in the Floyd County Jail after an apparent shoplifting spree through Prestonsburg. Prestonsburg police officers detained eight Knott County residents, around noon Saturday, after receiving a report of shoplifting at Food City. When police officers arrived at the scene, one of the suspects, Betty J. Thomas (sister of the bride) made a dash for freedom, heading for the construction site of new U.S. 23, near Food City. Officer Anthony Castle chased her for about one mile, over the rough terrain, before he captured the alleged shoplifter...Johnson County Sheriff Gene Cyrus, who once joked that he would have to be “blasted out of office,” was shot to death, Wednesday, while attempting to arrest a former Floyd County man who had skipped out on his rape trial. Flags flew at half mast, Thursday, at courthouses in Johnson and Floyd counties in honor of Cyrus, one of Johnson County’s most durable and popular public officials...Floyd County may make its way into the Guiness Book of World Records by way of a Florida man who hopes to visit every county courthouse in the United States. John Richard Frankenfield, a retired construction executive from Miami Beach, began his endeavor in 1990, and paid a visit to the Floyd County Sheriff’s office Saturday afternoon...On March 28 around 5 p.m., Floyd Countians should look skyward for a vivid reminder of the year’s significance to the Commonwealth. The “Clean Air for Kentucky” hot-air balloon will fly to Jenny Wiley State Park as part of a statewide campaign to commemorate Kentucky’s 200th anniversary of Statehood, and to boost environmental awareness...There died: Birdus Conley, 70, of Lackey, Sunday, at her home; Has Johnson, 73, of Bevinsville, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; William (Tate) Baisden, 74, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Nora Calhoun Blackburn, 90, of Prestonsburg, Monday, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home; John S. King, 82, of Beaver Dam, formerly of Knott County, Wednesday, at the Owensboro-Daviess County Hospital, Owensboro; Con Burchwell, 81, of Martin, Saturday, at Jenkins Hospital; Robert W. Evans, 37, of Chicago, Sunday; Rebecca Ashley, 93, of Redfox, Thursday, at the U.K. Medical Center in Lexington; Rudolph Massey, 76, of Sassafras, Tuesday, at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Donald Wayne Timm, 56, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at U.K. Medical Center; Kenneth “Dock” Rudder Sr., 52, of Martin, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Laura Ann Dumeyer, 76, of Martin, Monday, at her residence; Charles Edward Jennings, 26, of Caledonia, Illinois, formerly of Drift, Sunday, in Popular Grove, Illinois; Elsie Hicks, 96, of Munith, Michigan, Thursday, at Albion Community Hospital; Glen Ward, 82, of Offutt, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Mary Jane Slone, 83, of Hollybush, Thursday, at the Hillside Acre Nursing Home in Willard, Ohio; Ollie Mae Dutton Fitzpatrick, 81, of Boons Camp, Wednesday; Harvey Reed Gunnell, 62, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Aivert Nursing Home, Ceredo, West Virginia; George W. Meade, 52, of Printer, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Thomas Kent Oliver, 33, of London, Ohio, Sunday, in London, Ohio; Lydia Smallwood, 52, of Bevinsville, Sunday, at her residence; Paul Buckston Tucker, 58, of McDowell, Tuesday, at The Baptist Hospital East in Louisville; William H. (Buster) Patton, 81, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at his residence. 

(Mar. 11 and Mar. 13, 1992)

A Pike County man was found not guilty by a Floyd County Jury, Tuesday in the March 1991, shooting death of a Floyd County man. Jurors deliberated just an hour and twenty minutes before returning a not guilty verdict for Ralph Gerald Newsome, 27, of Virgie. Newsome was charged with first degree murder in the March 9, 1991, shooting of Greg Perry of Printer. The two-day trial began one year to the date, after the shooting...With little fanfare and only limited opposition, Prestonsburg’s City Council approved annexation measures, Monday, that set the stage for the start of parimutual wagering in Floyd County. Council adopted four ordinances, Monday, that incorporate a section of Route 3 and the proposed site of an intertrack wagering (ITW) facility into the city limits, also authorizing the sale of liquor by the drink at the ITW development...A Prestonsburg police officer has denied the allegations made by his 18-year-old daughter in a civil suit filed February 28. In the suit, Virginia Slone alleged that she was brutally beaten by her father, Anthony Castle, three years ago while Prestonsburg police officers ignored her pleas for help...The Floyd County Board of Education unanimously approved a recommendation from superintendent Ronald Hager, Tuesday, evening to proceed on developing one of four alternate sites proposed as the locaiton of a new Prestonsburg High School. Hager’s site recommendation was part of a series of proposals to be made by the superintendent during Tuesday night’s regular meeting of the board....Floyd County will play host to at least 92 Kentucky county treasurers and finance officers, this week, when the organization meets for its spring conference at Jenny Wiley State Park. Floyd County Treasurer Deloris Dingus said the local meeting is the first ever, east of Lexington, for the orgaization...Kentucky Education Commissioner Thomas Boysen began ouster proceedings against Floyd County School Superintendent Ron Hager, Thursday, by accusing Hager of willful neglect of duty and misconduct in office. The written charges were presented to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Thursday morning, when they resumed their March meeting...All but about a dozen of Wheelwright High School’s 218 students walked out of their classrooms, Thursday, in a show of support for their principal, who has been charged with sexually abusing a female student. The students left school at 8:55 a.m., Thursday, setting up a picket line outside the school, and vowing not to return to classes until principal Lewis Berkhimer is reinstated to his position...A Floyd County truck driver was injured, Tuesday, in a traffic accident on the Mountain Parkway that left one person dead. James B. Hays, 43, of Betsy Layne, was driving an oil tanker truck east of Campton in Wolfe County, when it collided head-on with a car driven by Betty Jo Sluss of Inez. Sluss was pronounced dead at the scene...Prestonsburg Housing Authority members voted, Wednesday, to hire a consulting firm to oversee an $850,000 renovation project at Indian Hills. Sassie, a Paducah management consulting firm, was picked to oversee the project and the company scored a 92 on a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) evaluation form...There died: Herman Joseph, 48, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at the V.A. Medical Center Hospital in Louisville; Tive Daniel, 84, of Paintsville, Saturday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; William Charlie Johnson, 71, of Wheelwright, Monday, at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington; Phillip Delmar “Dude” Hagans, 63, of Langley, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Roger Lee Coleman, 48, of Louisa, Saturday, at the Humana Hospital in Louisa; Ronald David Blair, 47, of Staffordsville, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Wilmer Stapleton, 66, of Hager Hill, Sunday, at his home; Aney Hicks Bolen Martin, 76, of Wapakoneta Ohio, formerly of Mousie, Thursday, at her home; Melba O. Dyer, 88, of Abingdon, Virginia, formerly of Allen, Monday, at the Johnstown Memorial Hospital in Abington; Lloyd Cox, 70, of Louisville, Saturday, at Louisville; Dave Rowe, 72, of Belleville, Mich., formerly of Pike County, Tuesday, at Byer Hospital in Michigan; Rudy Parsons Jr., 35, of Martin, Wednesday, at his residence.

(March 4-6, 1992)

Kentucky’s Civil Air Patrol has flown into the whirlwind controversy over the fate of the Paintsville-Prestonsburg airport, announcing Monday, that a volunteer squadron would be located at Combs Field. The announcement came from State Senator David LeMaster, D-Paintsville, in a press release, apparently issued from the office of Paintsville attorney C.K. Belhasen. Both Lemaster and Belhasen have been active opponents to a proposal to convert the Paintsville-Prestonsburg Airport into a site for industrial development...A Friday night stabbing incident at Wayland sent one man to the hospital and another to the Floyd County jail...Gary Hall, 35, of Wayland, was charged with first degree assault, after Jeffrey Murphy, 27, was stabbed twice in the upper right chest, authorities said...A legislative committee’s refusal, Monday, to endorse a proposal to double-bunk state prison inmates, could pave the way for construction of a new, privately-operated prison, and Floyd County may be in the running as the site...Floyd County Circuit Judge Harold Stumbo issued an injunction, Tuesday, against the city of Pikeville, to prevent them from cutting off the water supply to the Mud Creek Water District. At Tuesday’s hearing, Prestonsburg attorney Ned Pillersdorf, representing the water district, told Judge Stumbo the city had threatened to cut off the water supply because of an alleged $150,000 debt...A Floyd County mother and daughter were tied up while armed thieves ransacked their home, Monday morning. The mother and her daughter, 22, were alone in their Lancer home when two males forced their way into the house through the back door, around 11 a.m...An appeal by an Adams Middle School principal, convicted last year of abuse of a teacher, was dismissed Tuesday. Boyd County Judge Kelley Asbury, who was named as special judge in the case, ruled, Tuesday, that the appeal of Thomas Tackett be dismissed “since no appeal was taken by filing a notice of appeal.” A hearing on the issue was held February 28, in Boyd County...A May 6 preliminary hearing date has been set for a Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center counselor accused of soliciting an attack on a student at the center in January. Clarence Trammell Jr., 52, of Wheelwright, appeared before trial commissioner Jack Hyden, Wednesday, with his attorney, Keith Bartley. Trammell entered no formal plea during Wednesday’s hearing, but Bartley said after the court appearance, his client would plead innocent...Prestonsburg Attorney Danny Caudill was appointed by Governor Brereton Jones, Wednesday, to fill the unexpired term of former District Judge Harold Stumbo. Floyd County has been without a district judge since January, when Stumbo was sworn in as circuit judge. Two names were submitted to the committee in February...Two men were arrested in Pike County, Thursday, and charged with robbing the home of Frank Adams in Prestonsburg, on Monday, March 2. Arrested were John A. Fletcher, 26, of Marshalville, in Magoffin County, and Parker M. Parker, 20, of Pikeville...A mistrial was declared, Wednesday, and a change of venue was granted in a first degree rape case in Floyd Circuit Court, when a juror announced he could not render a fair verdict. Commonwealth Attorney Jerry Patton said, Wednesday, the juror informed the court Wednesday morning, of his decision after he witnessed the alleged victim talking with an investigator. It was not disclosed if the juror overheard the two talking...There died: Lula Mae “Vina” Prater, 63, of Langley, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Mary Webb Martin, 100, of Ocala, Florida, formerly of Wayland, Tuesday; Alice Mae Prater Puckett, 86, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; John Buford Martin, 69, of Garden City, Michigan, formerly of Garrett, Wednesday, at the University of Michigan Hospital; A. L. “Bear” Davis, 50, of Langley, Saturday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Helen Hall Staples, 85, of Lowmansville, formerly of Honaker, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Maude Grigsby Haddix, 89, of Fisty, Tuesday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Ted Bates, 78, of Staffordsville, Sunday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Dingus Pigman, 76, of Raven, Monday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Josephine Brown, 42, of Allen, Friday, at U.K. Medical Center; Roman Tendziegloski, 78, of Battle Creek, Michigan, Saturday, at Battle Creek Health System Community Site; Juanita Ousley, 70, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, at the Methodist Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi; Julia Mullins, 89, of Somerset, formerly of Elkhorn City, Thursday, at Humana Hospital in Somerset; Mallie Terry Slone, 95, of Dema, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center; Estill Meek, 76, of Betsy Layne, Wednesday, at his residence; Bertha Cumbo Spears, 101, of West Van Lear, Tuesday, at Riverview Nursing Home; Ralph Mullett, 77, of Auxier, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Charlie B. Hall, 78, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital.

(Feb. 26 & Feb. 28, 1992)

Prestonsburg’s City Council set the wheels in motion, Monday, for the development of an intertrack wagering facility near Water Gap, giving first reading to an ordinance annexing the proposed site. As proposed, the annexation would follow Route 3 from the current city boundary to property now occupied by the Center Stage nightclub....An early morning break-in at Allen Central High School, Monday, caused thousands of dollars worth of property damage and several pieces of electronic equipment were stolen. Classes were cancelled, Monday, as a result of damages to the school...Floyd Circuit Judge Harold Stumbo ordered, Monday, that union dues may no longer be deducted from the paychecks of nine employees of the Floyd County Board of Education. Stumbo’s ruling came as a result of a conflict between the Teamsters Local 783 and nine classifed employees of the school system, who asked the court to dissolve their association with the union...The mother of a 16-year-old child with muscular dystrophy has filed a civil lawsuit against the Floyd County Board of Education, and transportation director Earl Ousley, claiming that a defective wheelchair lift on a school bus injured the girl and aggravated her daughter’s condition. Doris Hunt, on behalf of her daughter Tammy Hunt, filed suit February 19, in circuit court alleging the board failed to repair the lift after it was reported that it had malfunctioned before....One area vacancy was filled, Tuesday, but there has been no word yet from Governor Brereton Jones on who will be named interim District Judge for Floyd County. The Governor’s office announced, Tuesday, that Paintsville lawyer Susan Mullins Johnson had been appointed interim District Judge for the 24th Judicial District, which includes Johnson, Martin and Lawrence counties. Johnson will fill the seat vacated by the election of John Gardner as judge for Kentucky’s Court of Appeals...The remains of a Floyd County woman were exhumed, Friday, as part of an investigation of suspected murder in Michigan. The body of Bonnie Jo Kiser, 51, was discovered on her bed in her Michigan home on December 20, 1991, following a blaze which apparently destroyed the residence. Kiser, a native of Floyd County, was buried December 25, in the Hackworth family cemetery near the Floyd-Magoffin County line on Kane Branch. She was exhumed, Friday, apparently to determine whether she “may have died as a result of a criminal act in the state of Michigan...Three days after Job Corps personnel and community leaders denounced news coverage of alleged gang activity at the Prestonsburg facility, eight students were arrested and two others were hospitalized as the result of a reported gang-style assault at the local center on Monday. Six adults and two juvenile students at Carl D. Perkins Job Corps were arrested, Monday evening, and charged in connection with an attack on two female students, Monday, at the center. One female received a stab wound in the leg...Dixie Campbell of Maytown, whose son was killed in Vietnam, was presented a specially inscribed Bible by the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 128 recently, following a three-year search for the families of eight soldiers who previously could not be located. The D.A.V. erected a plaque three years ago at Allen’s Stumbo Park in memory of 21 Floyd County soldiers killed in combat in Vietnam, which included the name of Campbell’s son, Andrew J. Campbell. All but eight of the soldiers’ families listed were located and given the specially inscribed Bibles in honor of those who gave their lives for their country in Vietnam. Each Bible was personalized, with the name of the soldier inscribed on the cover...The wife of a Floyd County magistrate was one of three commissioners appointed by the fiscal court, Friday, to draw new magisterial district boundaries in the county. Hattie Owens, wife of magistate Jackie Edford Owens, was named, along with Paul Gearheart and Tom Smith, to redistrict the voting boundaries, a statutory requirement that must begin in February...For almost fifty years, Eugene Wells of Goble-Roberts Addition has carried a piece of World War II embedded in his hip. Now Wells will so carry a piece of that war near his heart. Last week, Wells was awarded the Navy’s Purple Heart, one of the military’s highest honors, for injuries he received in one of the major air-naval battles of war...An attorney representing a Carl D. Perkins Job Corps counselor accused of soliciting an assault on a student said, Thursday, that his client’s 1966 murder conviction has nothng to do with the misdemeanor charges pending against him. “They’re just draggin his name through the mud for nothing,” Prestonsburg attorney Keith Bartlett said. “He has repaid his debt to society.”...There died: Elmer “Hoover” Vanover, 75, of Dorton, Monday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Irvin Sparkman, 81, of Leburn, Thursday, at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Stevie L. Milam, 28, of Harold, Sunday, at his residence; Green B. Johnson, 82, of Hi Hat, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Thelma Jones, 85, of Drift, Sunday, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home; Madgie Childers Johnson, 74, of Jenkins, Friday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Jones W. Martin, 91, of Eastern, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; William Henry McCoy, 64, of McCombs, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Golda Tackett, 91, of Virgie, Monday, at Mountain View Health Care Center; David R. “Buddy” Sanders, 52, of Romulus, Michigan, Wednesday; Charles R. Moore, 18, of Chloe Creek, formerly of Harold, Friday, at his residence; Alec Spencer Bailey, Friday, at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington; Charles Edvon Slone, 57, of Banner, Monday, at his residence; Gladys Kendrick Coleman, 83, of Elkhorn City, Saturday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Josephine “Penie” Davidson Fields, 88, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Dora Honaker Hawkins, 68, of Harold, Monday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital.

(Feb. 19 and Feb. 21, 1992)

A state Appellate Court Judge ruled, Tuesday, that an investigator for the state Office of Education Accountability does not have to testify before a Floyd County Grand Jury, Wednesday, about an investigation into the Floyd County School System. Appeals Judge John Gardner blocked a decision issued by Floyd County Circuit Judge Harold Stumbo, Tuesday morning, that ordered OEA investigator Phil Austin to obey a subpoena from Commonwealth Attorney Jerry Patton...The other contenders in the race for eastern Kentucky’s first harness racing track apparently threw a shoe down the home stretch, as Prestonsburg crossed the finish line alone in the race for the $3 million-plus facility. Friday, the Kentucky Harness Racing Commission unanimously approved the application by Eastern Kentucky Racing Inc. president, and Prestonsburg businessman Clyde Woods, to conduct live harness racing and intertrack wagering within the mountains...A Carl D. Perkins Job Corps counselor was arrested, Thursday night, for allegedly soliciting an assault upon a 17-year-old student, January 10. Clarence Trammel Jr., 52, of Wheelwright, was arrested by Prestonsburg police sergeant Jeff Stumbo and charged with criminal solicitation and criminal facilitation in connection with an altercation at the center involving six students, who allegedly assaulted another student...Students and instructors from Prestonsburg Community College (PCC) met in a peaceful rally, Monday afternoon, at the college to protest apparent state funding cuts for community colleges across Kentucky. Linda Smith, president of Phi Theta Kappa, an honorary scholastic society member, and sponsor of the rally, led the demonstration to discuss the effects of past cuts and apparent future cuts on community colleges and to ask others to contact their legislators about their concerns as to whether quality education will be allowed to continue within community college systems across Kentucky...The Prestonsburg Tourism Commission needs tour guides for one-day trips with groups visiting the area. A clear speaking voice and good communication skills are important in presenting interesting information about our past and present...Approximately 50 Allen city residents were at the Floyd County courthouse annex, Thursday, to protest an entertainment permit application that would allow, if approved, a beer by the drink roadhouse near a New Allen residential section. The application was submitted by Darrell Preston of Ivel, to sell beer by the drink and operate the Crossroads Lounge, “three tenths of a mile from the intersection of U.S. 23 and Route 1428 at Allen,” according to the Floyd County Court entertainment application. The application also noted that the business would offer live music and dancing between the hours of 4 p.m. to midnight, and would be closed only on Sundays and major holidays...No further information has been received by the state Division of Air Quality on an application by a North Carolina soil remediation company to locate a mobile soil incinerator in Floyd County. Roger Cook, with the Division of Air Quality, said earlier this week that his office has not received the additional information from Enviro-Spec that is needed to complete their application...There died: Forrest Clinton Stephens, 60, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; David Allen Songer, 38, of Paintsville, Friday, at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington; John Pack Sr., 95, of Drift, Wednesday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Arizona (Arie) Caudill, 79, of Plumwood, Ohio, Sunday, at her residence; Eva Evans, 64, of Chicago, Illinois, formerly of Stephens Branch Road, Sunday; Paul Richard Wright, 40, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Mae Hunt, 68, of Ypsilanti, Mich., formerly of Cow Creek, Wednesday, at St. Joe’s Hospital in Ypsilanti; Nedra Turner Slone, 44, of McDowell, Saturday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Maude Salyers Hannah, 88, of West Van Lear, Tuesday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Adrian Griffith, 31, a former Floyd County resident, in an automoble accident on Saturday, at Bean Station, Tennessee; Mary Mynhier Wolverton, 73, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, at her residence; Virgil Shepherd, 63, of Warsaw, Indiana, Thursday, at IU Medical Center; Verdia Sammons, 71, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Verlin “Tuck” Kimbler, 80, of Sitka, Sunday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Lucille Conley Hackworth, 70, of Silver Lake, Indiana, formerly of Floyd County, Tuesday, at Miller’s Manor Nursing Home in Warsaw, Indiana; Warner Roark Jr., 66, of Weeksbury, Tuesday, at his residence; Woodrow Bradley, 59, of Claypool, Indiana, Wednesday, at his residence; Raymond Astor Woods, 76, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at his residence; Bascom Clark May, 49, of Crestwood, formerly of Martin, Wednesday, at the Tri-County Community Hospital; Edith P. Terry, 70, of Wayland, Wednesday, at Fisher-Titus Hospital in Norwalk, Ohio.

(Feb 12 and Feb 14, 1992)

Governor Brereton Jones tossed out a few surprises during his budget address last Thursday, and one even caught veteran legislator Greg Stumbo off guard. Stumbo said he had scanned the Governor’s budget speech prior to Jones’ address’ to the General Assembly, Thursday evening, adding that he was “pleasantly” surprised” when Jones specifically mentioned a proposed 18-hole golf course for Jenny Wiley State park as a project targeted for funding...Upset over what they perceive is a dead end in a state investigation of the Floyd County School System, members of the Floyd County Education Association said, Tuesday, they will seek legislative assistance in addressing what one FCEA member called “an intolerable situation.” In a press conference, Tuesday evening, at Adams Middle School, FCEA member Bud Reynolds said his organization had met recently with Dr. Penney Sanders, head of the state’s Office of Education Accountability, and members had come away from that meeting displeased with what they heard...The Prestonsburg City Council apparently is closer to resolving a salary dispute between city employees that has been at issue for most of the last two years. In a business-as-usual meeting, Monday night, Mayor Ann Latta and the city council presented a proposal that could possibly settle the on-going salary dispute with the city’s firefighters, who contend that their rate of pay and actual pay should be more equal to that of the city police...The May primary non-partisan ballot for Floyd County District Judge is made up of three familiar Floyd County attorneys: Danny P. Caudill, Dan Rowland, and James R. Allen. The district judge presides over all criminal misdemeanor charges, preliminary felony hearings, small claims court, juvenile matters, civil cases, domestic violence and mental health disabilities claim...Third time’s a charm? Penelope (Penny) Pajel has represented McDowell Elementary School for the last three years in the Floyd County Spelling Bee competition, and again, as last year, is the Floyd County champion...Preliminary findings of a financial audit of the Floyd County School System, released Tuesday, recommend the district change its ways concerning construction and banking procedures. Auditor Calvin Cranfill of the firm Helton Linton, Cranfill and Hall told the board, Tuesday. that the audit wouldn’t be finished for two weeks, until information concerning a 1984 debt to the federal government could be obtained...The Martin City Council met, Wednesday evening, and adopted an ordinance involving city employees’ health care costs. The issue was addressed following questions and complaints from city employees who apparently have been hard-pressed to meet the rising costs of individual, self-supplied health insurance coverage...Coach Rick Pitino will bring his senior Wildcats to Paintsville on Thursday, March 5, to hold a benefit dinner and auction for Our Lady of the Mountain School. John Pelphrey, Richie Farmer, Deron Feldhaus and Sean Woods will join the coach and guests for a prime rib dinner at 7 p.m., in the atrium of The Carriage House, in Paintsville...Commonwealth Attorney Jerry Patton has subpoenaed a state education investigator to appear before a Floyd County Grand Jury, next week, to provide information about a bingo probe and an investigation into the Floyd County School System. Office of Education Accountability investigator, Phil Austin, was served with the subpoena before the start of Tuesday’s board of education meeting to appear before the grand jury, Wednesday, February 19, at 1 p.m. Austin and Steve Yater, another OEA investigator, were in Floyd County, Tuesday, to continue gathering information concerning an investigation into management and administrative procedures in the school district...There died: Chester Slone, 53, of Hi Hat, Tuesday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Homer Ray Rowland, 45, of Orlando, Florida, Monday, February 3; Paul Bryon Hayslett, 62, of Sitka, Tuesday, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington; Rhoda Ellen Hicks, 67, of Garrett, Friday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Glen Richard Ward, 56, of Xenia, Ohio, formerly of Prestonsburg, at Greene Memoral Hospital; Lois Rice Richardson, 76, of Little Paint, Saturday, at her residence; Grover Morris Gillum, 68, of Melvin, Sunday, at his residence; Andrew Charles Robinson, two-month-old infant son of Gregory and Lisa Moore Robinson of Laguna Niguel, California, Monday, from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome; Belvie Maynard Farmer, 62, of Rockford, Illinois, Thursday, at Rockford Memorial Hospital; Gladys P. White, 97, of Lexington, Thursday, at Lexington Country Place; Donald David Stepp, 37, of Newport, North Carolina, Friday, at Carteret General Hospital in Morehead City, North Carolina; Theo Blanton, 77, of Dwale, Wednesday, at Health Care Center at Campton; Willie Halstead Damron, 70, of Flatwoods, formerly of Collins, Thursday, at her home; Elwood Conley, 52, of Hueysville, Sunday, at The Parkview Manor Nursing Home in Pikeville; Virgil Shepherd, 63, of Warsaw, Indiana, Thursday, at IU Medical Center; Elder Millard Blanton, 83, of Langley, Saturday, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home; Haskell Hughes, 71, of Ashland, Saturday, at his home; John B. “Slim” Ratcliff, 79, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Mary Alice Prater Shepherd, 89, of Hueysville, Wednesday, at Markey Cancer Center of the University of Kentucky Medical Center; Roxie Mae Pitts, 90, of Blue River, Monday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Granville Howell, 84, of McDowell, Wednesday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital.

(Feb 5, 1992 & Feb 7, 1992)

Floyd County School Board members enacted a hiring freeze last Friday night despite objections by superintendent Ron Hager who said that reports that the district will be in a deficit are false. Hager added at Friday's meeting that the auditing firm of Helton, Linton and Cranfill was hired illegally to perform the school district audit...A North Carolina Company has a permit application pending with the state Division of Air Quality to locate a soil remediation incinerator at Warco in Floyd County. EnviroSpec Inc. of Matthews, North Carolina filed a permit application with the state in July 1991 to locate a soil incinerator on 10 acres at Warco between Maytown and Martin...A 15-year-old female was arrested Monday evening for allegedly stabbing a 14-year-old female four times during an altercation near downtown Prestonsburg. A year-long dispute between the two juveniles apparently peaked when the 15-year-old allegedly pulled a knife on the victim, stabbing her twice in the back, once in the chest, and once in the arm, Dectective Sergeant Jeff Stumbo of the Prestonsburg City Police said Tuesday...The future of Combs Airport is in local hands, a state official said Tuesday, but Kentucky is Office of Aeronautics will keep a watchful eye on the facilityís operation and its compliance with aviation regulations. Non-compliance with state safety requirements has been one issue in the ongoing debate over the fate of the jointly-owned Paintsville-Prestonsburg airstrip and that non-compliance continues to concern state aeronautics officials. The Wayland City Council addressed many of the cityís short-term problems Monday evening, but long-range plans for bridge repair and creek clean-up continue to be hampered by the city is in apparent bleak financial outlook. Mayor Hobert Webb told the council that Floyd County Judge-Executive John M. Stumbo had assured him that the Wayland Bottom road would be repaired as soon as weather permitted, but no new solutions were in sight regarding creek clean-up for Wayland...Pikeville apparently has been scratched from the race for the proposed harness racing facility following Methodist church opposition to the project. Pikeville Mayor Walter E. May said Thursday in a prepared news release that it now appears that the hoped-for harness racing facilities will not be located in Pikeville, but will instead be going to Prestonsburg....Police are apparently still searching for a middle-aged, white male who at gunpoint robbed a convenience store in Stanville Sunday. The Kentucky State Police said a 140 to 150-pound man with curly, collar-length brown hair armed with a shotgun and pistol robbed the Cardinal Mart on U.S. 23 at approximately 10:30 p.m. and fled on foot after demanding money from the clerk...Two Floyd County students advanced to Sweet 16 Academic Showcase state competition this week after placing in regional competition February 1 at Morehead. Jennifer Steffey and Michael Ousley, who placed third in the Journalism, Advertising/Promotion category, have earned a spot in the state competition which will be held at the Transylvania University in Lexington March 18-20. The duo won the honor with their media bicentennial presentation which included a mock advertising campaign for magazine, newspaper, radio and billboard displays...A rare coronerís inquest was held Thursday in Floyd Circuit Court to determine the cause of death of a 38-year-old Floyd County coal miner who died in December 1990. Delmer Castle died the morning of December 7, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital after he became ill while working at the Floyd/Knott coal mine near Jones Fork in Knott County...Two hours of spirited debate Wednesday night at a special Wheelwright City Commission meeting covered all departments overseen by the four commissioners and resulted in two new appointments for two departments. Commissioners appointed Randall Johnson to the utility commission after former appointee Jerry Tackett declined the nomination. Mayor Charles Johnson swore in Clark Thornsberry to the utility commission after a short debate on the oath. Thornsberry took his oath from a back row seat in the audience. Thornsberry was named to the commission at the January meeting...A 15-year-old juvenile accused of stabbing another teenager Monday evening is back in school this week amid parent concern and questions. Floyd County Trial Commissioner Jack Hyden explained Thursday that because the accused juvenile attends a different school than that of the alleged victim and the accused is apparently a good student, a school release was issued during a hearing on the matter Tuesday...There died: Grace Arnett Craft, 83, of Jackson, Friday, at University Hospital in Columbus, Ohio; Samuel Conn, 25, of Hunter, Saturday, at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital; Evelyn Elaine Sword, 53, of Pikeville, Saturday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Paul David Wells, 38, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Ballard Hunt, 88, of Harold, Saturday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Angel Brown, infant daughter of Edgar Brown Jr. and Kimberly Harvey Brown of Garrett, was stillborn Friday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital, Martin; Charlie Johnson, 77, of Wheelwright, Thursday, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington; Bartee Estep, of Hindman, Wednesday, at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Richard Harmon Hubbard, 79, of Kings Mountain, North Carolina, formerly of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at Kings Mountain Hospital; Cora M. Sturgell, 76, of New London, Ohio, native of Osborn, Saturday, at Fisher Titus Medical Center; Aaron D. Hall, 68, of Youngtown, Arizona, formerly of Kentucky, Tuesday; Chillie Thornsbury, 66, of David, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Hazel H. Hamilton, 78, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington; Charlotte Jean Hall Newman, 41, of Bevinsville, Tuesday, at Saint Joseph Hospital in Lexington; and Mella Damron, 78, of Pikeville, Wednesday.

(Jan. 29-Jan. 31, 1992)

Councilman Billy Ray Collins presided over the Monday evening meeting of the Prestonsburg City Council, in the absence of Mayor Ann Latta, as several items were debated, including a bid by several council-members to have Prestonsburg’s Mayor-Council form of government changed in the November, 1994 election. Councilman Jerry Fannin, in a surprising move, motioned council to include on the November, 1994 general election ballot that Prestonsburg’s city government be changed to a city commission plan of administration...Comments made at a public hearing, Thursday by residents living near a medical waste incinerator will cause the state to take a closer look at a pending permit for that facility. Officials with the State Department of Air Quality listened intently as 14 speakers told of their concerns about the incinerators at Auxier, operated by Medisin Inc...With enough Democratic candidates to field a football team, the race to replace departing U.S. Congressman Chris Perkins drew an unprecedented lineup of challengers, Tuesday, as the filing deadline passed. Eleven Democrat candidates will crowd the ballot for the Congressional seat that, for most of the past 45 years had been shared by just two men—both named Perkins. Rarely had the Perkins’ hold on the 7th District—now the 5th District—seat been challenged in primary elections...A 25-year-old Martin woman was charged with first degree wanton endangerment and first degree assault, after allegedly stabbing her husband, Saturday. Rebecca Collins of Martin, was charged with stabbing her husband, Larry Collins, twice with a knife after an altercation at their home Saturday afternoon...A Floyd County woman unknowingly saved the life of Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson when she took to heart a threat allegedly made by her husband. The woman called the sheriff’s department, Saturday, asking that a deputy be sent to her home and the situation turned out to be a domestic violence complaint...Floyd County school officials would neither confirm nor deny reports, Thursday afternoon, that a special meeting of the county school board, Friday evening, would include a proposal to eliminate all administrative positions in the system’s central office. Board Chairman Ray “Shag” Campbell would neither confirm nor deny the rumored actions, and said, “all I know is it’s an open meeting about personnel. I don’t know what all they’re going to do.”...The Prestonsburg City Council has been a hotbed of hot issues for many this week, and tongues are not likely to cool soon, because a question has been raised recently about whether long-time city councilman William R. Callihan is eligible to act as both a city councilman and be employed by the city. A letter from the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General, dated September 23, 1991, which is currently circulating about the area, and which the Times received anonymously, states that, although not a formal legal opinion, “a councilman, a city officer, may not serve as an employee in the same city he is serving as a councilman.” The corresponence was signed by Thomas R. Emerson, assistant attorney general...A “do nothing attitude” and “a lack of interest” for growth, forced Wayland City Councilman Robert Stewart to resign his seat at council’s January meeting. “They do as they please and no citizens will come to the meetings, because they know they won’t do nothing,” Stewart said. “In the past, I’ve talked with the Big Sandy Area Development District about getting grants to clean the ditches out. But, I couldn’t get anyone (on the council) to help me. I can’t do it by myself. It’s pitiful.”...Despite a 4-4 vote by council, Monday evening, there were obvious indications that a proposal to change Prestonsburg’s form of city government is anything but dead. A swing vote on the issue was all but promised by newly elected councilman, George Archer, if the current system’s checks and balances fail to meet Archer’s expectations. Should the issue be revived and a proposal for change is passed by council, Prestonsburg voters will have the final say....Prestonsburg civil rights attorney Ned Pillersdorf agreed to a press conference Thursday, to offer details on a current lawsuit which might possibly attract national attention and notoriety. Pillersdorf is representing Weeksbury resident Mary Ann Johnson, who claims that her husband, Billy Virgil Johnson, committed suicide on February 15, 1991, as a direct result of taking the highly controversial drug, halcion....Ladies and gentlemen place your bets on Floyd County being chosen as the site for a new harness racing track. The state’s Harness Racing Commission met Thursday in Prestonsburg, with city and local officials, to talk about the prospect and to tour three potential sites. After the tour, the commission’s chairman and vice chairman said they felt, in their personal opinion, Floyd County is the best place for the track...There died: Clinon Slone, 94, of Larkslane, Friday, at the Hazard Regional Medical Center; Alberta Ashley, 81, of Mallie, Thursday, at her home, following an extended illness; Kermit Stamper, 78, of Litt Carr, Saturday, at the Letcher Manor Nursing Home in Whitesburg; James Mullins, 77, of Leburn, Friday, at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Ervin Preston, 80, of River, Tuesday, at Humana Hospital in Louisa; Irene Clark, 70, of Sitka, Sunday, at her residence; Birtie Mae Risenberg, 51, of Springdale, Ohio, formerly of Pike County, Thursday, at Hospice of Cincinnati, Ohio; Hubert W. Pennington, 71, of Ligon, Saturday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Marilyn Hughes, Tuesday, at her residence; Tommy Kendrick, 62, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Vealie Louise Caudill, 75, of Hi Hat, Sunday, at her residence; Haleem Kawaja, 76, of Lexington, Thursday, at Veterans Administration Hospital in Lexington; Carroll Wade Moore, 52, of Columbus, Ohio, Thursday, at his residence; Connie Lee Thompson, 43, of Abbott Creek, Saturday, at his residence; Virginia Tackett Reynolds, 77, of Wheelwright, Monday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Dr. Clellen Herbert Boshears, 47, of Hickory, North Carolina, Thursday, at his residence; Lora “Goody” Johnson, 73, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, Tuesday, at Lansing General Hospital; Fannie Mae Lafferty Hicks, 58, of Hudson, North Carolina, Sunday, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, North Carolina; Timmy M. Shaheen, 30, of Arlington, Ohio, Monday, at his residence; Glendia Sue Burke McCoy, 43, of Martin, Wednesday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Cassie Roseline Casebolt, 84, of Speight, Wednesday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Mary Wilson Roberts, 85, of Lexington, Tuesday, at Cape Coral Hospital, Cape Coral, Florida.

(January 22 and January 24, 1992)

A civil suit, filed January 17, alleges that a Pikeville bank used insider information to acquire a failed Floyd County savings bank. The suit, filed in Floyd Circuit Court by First Guaranty Corporation, claims that Pikeville National Bank and Trust Company used confidential information provided by First Guaranty Corporation to acquire ownership of United Federal Savings Bank in Prestonsburg...Although four new Wheelwright Council members took office in January, at their first meeting, Thursday, council conducted business like old pros. In what appeared to be a move to clean house, council voted to replace three members of the utility commission, which brought a verbal resignation from a fourth member...Kentucky Congressman Harold Rogers announced, Tuesday, that he is seeking re-election to a seventh term in the United States House of Representatives. Speaking at Hazard and Pikeville, which are among the communities that have been added to the Fifth Congressional District, the veteran Republican lawmaker promised to continue his efforts to create jobs, promote family values and help people in need....Customers of the B & H Gas Company, which services the Ivel, Mare Creek, Betsy Layne and Stanville areas, will see soon an increase in their utility bill. The Public Service Commission granted the gas company increased rates in the amount of $13,100 annually. Rates will increase for the average residential customer from $48.40 monthly to $62.83...A 31-year-old Hazard man, arrested Monday morning, is the prime suspect in a month-long investigation to find a truck driver who has allegedly been exposing himself to passing female motorists. Floyd County Sheriff’s deputy Homer Neeley arrested Edward Gayheart at approximately 9 a.m., on Route 114 traveling toward Magoffin County. Gayheart was stopped after Neeley noticed the truck driver was apparently trying to get an automobile to stop, said chief deputy Linzie Hunt...A fire at Drift, Saturday morning, hospitalized one man and caused two children to be treated for minor burns. The home of Mose Meade was razed in the blaze which is still under investigation by the Left Beaver Volunteer Fire Department, fire chief Derek Thacker said Monday...Unless an 11th-hour rush occurs early, next week, at the Secretary of State’s office in Frankfort, the only dogfight in Floyd County for the May Primary election will be a race for district judge. Although no candidates had formally filed for the Seventh Judicial District race, Thursday, three candidates have announced their candidacy...State education leaders ousted three members of the Harlan County School Board, Wednesday, after finding them guilty of official misconduct. It is the first time in Kentucky’s history that local board members have been removed from office by state officials...A political dynasty that spanned four and a half decades will come to a close at the end of this year, when the current term of U.S. Congressman Chris Perkins expires. Perkins announced Wednesday that he would not seek a fifth, two-year-term as Eastern Kentucky’s representative in Congress, citing the adverse effects of politics on his personal life as the reason for his decision. Perkins was first elected in 1984, largely by acclamation, to succeed his father, Carl D. Perkins, who died after representing the now non-existent 7th Congressional District for 35 years. The younger Perkins faced no serious challenge to his family’s hold on the congressional seat until 1988, when he won re-election by getting just 59 percent of the vote over GOP challenger Will T. Scott...Local reaction to U.S. Representative Chris Perkins’ decision to not seek re-election to Congress has been mixed, but many Floyd Countians agree that Eastern Kentucky will feel the loss, and that is is certainly a sad end to a 44-year political dynasty. Chris Perkins’ contributions to Eastern Kentucky cannot be denied by many area residents, officials, and business leaders who are well aware of the strides made by Perkins for improved black-lung benefits; healthcare and nutrition programs for the poor; money secured for roads, water and sewer projects for the 7th District; and his efforts to raise the minimum wage rates while in Congress. His decision, however, to not seek re-election drew reactions state-wide and locally...Downtown Prestonsburg has been targeted for revitalizaiton by city planners and, by the end of 1992, area residents should be able to detect a marked difference visually, historically, and hopefully, economically in the downtown central business district. Last year the city received a $250,000 state grant for downtown revitalization, because Prestonburg was recertified as a Kentucky Main Street City in 1991, and also due to the efforts of State Representative Greg Stumbo and Senator Benny Ray Bailey...There died: Rev. Rudolph Lewis, 77, of Banner, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Della Blankenship Jones, 81, of Teaberry, Monday, at the residence of her daughter, Ollie Hall; Rose Annie Hamilton, 89, of Stanville, Thursday, at The Albion Community Hospital, Albion, Michigan; Kevin Harris, 31, of Springboro, Ohio, formerly of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at his residence; James Thornsberry, 25, of Kite, Saturday, at Kite from injuries sustained in an automobile accident; Windell Tackett, 51, of Lucasville, Ohio, Saturday, at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital in Ashland; Edgar Bartley, 82, of Pikeville, Saturday, at Parkview Manor Nursing Home; Ben Sellards, 73, of Rush, formerly of Endicott, Friday, at Veterans Administration Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia; Minnie B. Conley, 98, of Garrett, Wednesday, at her residence; Shirley M. Caudill, 63, of McDowell, Thursday, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington; Hattie Little Vaverek, 62, of Chicago, Illinois, formerly of Weeksbury, Sunday, at her residence; Evelyn Castle Fraley, 71, of Drift, Monday, at her residence; Lovada Brown Damron, 88, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Lillie Hamilton, 91, of Fellsmere, Florida, formerly of Banner, Sunday, at The Humana Hospital in Sebastian, Florida; Tommy Kendrick, 62, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Henry Edgar Harmon, 94, of Pikeville, Tuesday, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home; Hazel Music Howell, 62, of Indianapolis, Indiana, formerly of Bonanza, Saturday, at the Community Hospital in Indianapolis; Elizabeth Martha Damron, 66, of Pikeville, Wednesday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital. 

(January 15 and January 17, 1992)

State officials apparently have joined the dogfight over the future of Combs Airport, issuing an ultimatum that safety violations at the airstrip must be corrected by January 30, to prevent the possible revocation of Combs’ landing designation. Revocation of the airstrip’s landing designation would effectively force closure of the jointly owned Paintsville-Prestonsburg facility...An arrest was made, Monday, in connection with the December 13, 1991, robbery of Jim’s Stop & Shop on North Lake Drive in Prestonsburg. Prestonsburg Police Detective Jeff Stumbo, arrested James Slone, of Paintsville, after Slone was detained for questioning on a forgery warrant...An early morning break-in, Friday, at Mert’s Gun and Ammo in Allen resulted in the loss of thousands of dollars worth of guns and knives. Floyd County deputy Chuck Ousley, and Kentucky State Police are investigating the burglary which, was reported by the owner at 4:49 a.m...Plans to use Allen Central High School’s swimming and athletic facilities for underprivileged children from local housing projects may have hit a snag in the areas of insurance and transportation. Floyd County Housing Authority members pondered those issues at Thursday’s meeting, but requirements by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) may nip the project in the bud...Residents of Left and Right Beaver may within the year be drinking suitable water as the Beaver Elkhorn Water District enters yet another stage of expansion, and water line installation for approximately 1,700 potential new customers in that area. Representatives from the Beaver Elkhorn Water District and the Big Sandy Area Development District will be conducting numerous public meetings in February for Left and Right Beaver residents about the expansion of water service into those areas. Meeting locations and times will be announced later this month...Prestonsburg Mayor Ann Latta gave her State of the City address during the local city council meeting, Monday night. Prestonsburg continues to show moderate economic growth, with slight increases forecast in all revenue categories for the current fiscal year. Caution should be the fiscal byword for the coming year, Latta pointed out, because of national business conditions. The current fiscal year city budget is $2.8 million...A $2000 reward is being offered by South Central Bell for information about thefts of telephone cable in Floyd County. Telephone cable has been stolen at Abbott Mountain, Highway 114 on the Old Middle Creek Road, and in West Prestonsburg across from Archer Park. The reward will be paid for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the parties responsible for the thefts....A meeting of PTA and PTO presidents and vice-presidents took less than two hours last Thursday evening to select a parent reprsentative to participate on the superintendent screening committee to find a new top administrator for the Floyd County school system. The group decided on Debra Hayes of Betsy Layne to act on the committee required by KRS 160.352, which calls for a screening committee for superintendent applicants composed of two teachers, one board of education member, one principal, and one parent. Present board superintendent Ron Hager’s contract expires in June 1992...Allegations that improperly placed construction materials on the site of the Left Beaver High School caused an eight-month delay in progress was called “comical” by representatives of the company that oversees construction on that project. Those allegations and claims that the site contractor and project architect James Ellis were punished for voicing complaints about the constructon manager of the project were raised at Tuesday’s Floyd County Board of Education meeting...Controversy concerning the Left Beaver High School project is not new, questions and concerns about the site were raised by the architect, construction manager and the public, as early as 1987. Once the site for the new school was announced in 1987, referred to as the Mitchell site, heated discussions took place between residents in the Wheelwright and McDowell areas; between residents and the architect, James Ellis; and between the architect and the local and state school board...Morehead State University is establishing a local scholarship program that might well contribute to the lives of many Floyd Countians. President C. Nelson Grote announced Wednesday, at the Prestonsburg MSU extended campus that Morehead State University is developing the program for area “part-time, nontraditional students” who would like to attend the college locally...A 46-year-old Prestonsburg man was charged with first degree wanton endangerment after he allegedly fired two shots at a man at Jenny Wiley Village in Prestonsburg, Wednesday evening. Ernest “Bucky” Collins turned himself into the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department, Wednesday evening, for allegedly shooting at James “Whig” Pennington, after the two men had argued in the village parking lot, said Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson...Country music stars are shining bright on a Harold youth. Kimberly Carter, 17, recently signed a recording contract with American Records of Tokyo, Japan. Her single, “Rocking at the Dance Hall,” will be released throughout the United States on February 17. The album’s release date is March 23, in Japan. The album has been recorded with producer Mick Lloyd, who has produced recordings by Johnny Lee, Slim Whitman, and the late Lew DeWitt, of the Statler Brothers...There died: Elmer Hackworth, 64, of Abbott Creek, Sunday, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Lexington; Shirley Daniels Sparks, 71, of Louisa, Saturday, at her residence; Basil McGuire, 70, of Taylor, Michigan, formerly of West Prestonsburg, Friday, at Heritage Hospital in Taylor; Alva Stambaugh, 77, of Sitka, Saturday, at the Paul B. Hall Medical Center; Lillie Jones, 88, of Robinson Creek, January 13, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Willard “Baby” Moore, 69, of Minnie, Thursday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Boge Tackett, 68, of Myra, Thursday, at Jenkins Community Hospital; June Slone, 57, of Langley, Thursday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Velva DeRossett Compton, 65, of East Point, Wednesday, at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington; Okey Burkett, 73, of Warsaw, Indiana, formerly of Floyd County, Monday, at Kosciusko Community Hospital in Warsaw, Indiana; Fred Miller Sr., 97, of Pierceton, Indiana, Sunday, at Whitley County Memorial Hospital, Columbia City; Francis Marion Tackett, 91, of Virgie, January 15, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Juanita “Nita” Puterbaugh, 51, Monday, at the Life Care Center of La Grange; John Melvin Barbe, 55, of Shelbiana, formerly of Betsy Layne, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Virginia Vinson, 87, January 15, at her residence; Edna Faye Adams, 69, of Hager Hill, Sunday, at the J.J. Jordan Nursing Home in Louisa; Ivory Mae Jarvis, 66, of Endicott, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Minnie B. Conley, 98, of Garrett, Wednesday, at her residence; Geraldine Bryant, 64, of West Prestonsburg, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center.

(January 8 and January 10, 1992)

A Floyd County man pleaded guility to charges of murder for hire and cocaine possession in U.S. District Court Monday. Three other Floyd County men entered guilty pleas in federal court on drug charges in December. Wendell Ray Newman, who also faces a murder charge for a 1978 shooting in Floyd County, pleaded guilty to trying to hire an undercover FBI agent to kill Dave Slone, who was at one-time his co-defendant in the Floyd murder case...Prestonsburg’s new postmaster, Edith Risner, was welcomed by city officials, business owners and area residents, Tuesday, in a standing room only swearing-in ceremony at the Prestonsburg post office. The official ceremony began in prayer with Bro. Clem Stambaugh followed by Boy Scout Troop #877 leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Two songs were performed by Kentucky Opry representatives Rebecca Recktenwald, Jonathan Estep, Angela Carr, and Nikki Queen. Introductions were made by postmaster, Leslie C. Nelson, of Paintsville...Special Judge Stephen “Nick” Frazier ruled Tuesday that members of a Paintsville-Prestonsburg Airport commission are city officers whose appointments to the joint board must be confirmed by the city councils of the respective cities. Frazier’s ruling effectively voids the October 29, 1991 appointments of six new members to the airport board and resolves, for now, a civil lawsuit filed by a Combs’ Field pilots’ association...An incumbent city councilman at Martin quit his post Monday prior to a ceremony that would formalize his election. James Robinson, in a one sentence letter to the council, resigned from his seat on the city council. Robinson had served the previous two years on the council and had again regained his seat during the November 5 election....A meeting is set for Thursday, January 9, to elect the parent screening committee representative to recommend a superintendent for the school system. John Rosenberg, who was asked by the board to coordinate the meeting, said Tuesday that anyone interested in being a candidate for the position should attend Thursday’s meeting at Allen Central High School...Voter turnout was 100 percent and election results were unchanged in the Prestonsburg City Council race following a special election held in Floyd Circuit Court Friday. Special Judge James Knight asked the 30 registered voters subpoenaed from the Cliff 2 precinct to cast their ballots to settle a lawsuit filed by former councilman Dr. Gary Brown...Questions remain in the Sunday evening shooting of a Floyd County man where investigators are hampered because of the victim’s reluctance to discuss the incident. Eugene Tackett, 40, of Branhams Creek was shot one time in his left shoulder at Tackett’s Store, a small grocery store he operated at Branhams Creek. The Floyd County Sheriff’s Department and Kentucky State Police are investigating the incident...The Kentucky Division for Air Quality’s public meeting regarding Medisin Inc., originally scheduled for January 9, has been rescheduled to Thursday, January 23, at 7 p.m., at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park. Medisin, which operates a medical waste incinerator at Highlands Regional Medical Center, has applied for an operating permit required under state regulations which went into effect in February 1991...Some light could be shed on the problems and delays surrounding the new Left Beaver High School project at Tuesday’s meeting of the Floyd County Board of Education. Project architect James Ellis has been directed to attend Tuesday’s meeting adn bring a wide variety of records pertaining to the project...Prestonsburg may be ahead of other contenders in the race for a proposed $3 million harness racing track and facility. Representative and attorney Greg Stumbo, who is representing an unnamed client interested in placing the harness racing track near Prestonsburg, has reached a “tentative verbal agreement” with Chester Porter, owner of harness racing’s Louisville Downs...Investigators from the state’s Office of Education Accountability were in Floyd County this week to review school records pertaining to certain operations in the district. Dr. Penney Sanders, director of OEA, said Thursday that investigators were in the district to review school administraive procedures. Sanders did not reveal what operations were being reviewed....No definite plan to fill a vacancy created by incumbent James Robinson’s resignation from the Martin city council was made during the second special meeting held Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at Martin city hall. Robinson sent a letter of resignation to council members dated January 6—the day of the first special meeting and swearing in of the council...Newly appointed Justice Secretary and Kentucky State Police Commissioner Billy Wellman announced key appointments in the force last week that includes a new commander for the Pikeville post. Captain Robert Forsythe was moved to command the KSP Pikeville post. Forsythe was post commander in Madisonville before being reassigned...As the filing deadlines for the May Kentucky Primary election draws near a look at the state of open offices promises a spring season of heavy campaigning. Besides the Presidential primary on the national scene, many of Kentucky’s federal legislators are at the end of their terms. U.S. senator Wendell Ford’s term expires, leaving his seat up for grabs. All six of Kentucky’s congressional districts have representatives up for election, including U.S. Representative Chris Perkins’ seat in the newly created 5th Congressional District. No one has currently filed for the senatorial position, but Jerry Cecil of Hazel Green in Wolfe County has filed to challenge for Perkins’ seat. Cecil ran unsuccessfully against Perkins in 1990...There died: Bert Colvin, 78, of LaFollette, Tennessee, formerly of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at LaFollette Medical Center; Roy Mullins, 47, of Martin, formerly of Bevinsville, Sunday, at his residence; Josephine Wilhelm, 88, of Allen, formerly of Lewisburg, Ohio, Sunday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Preston Hicks, 71, of Sarasota, Florida, formerly of Floyd County, Sunday, at a nursing home in Florida; Curtis Elliott, 71, of Detroit, Michigan, formerly of Floyd County, Saturday, at The Oakwood Hospital; Beverly Conn, 84, of Dwale, Sunday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Charles Lee Watkins, 71, of Wayland, Tuesday, at the Cabell Huntington Hospital; Willie (Bill) Burke, 63, of Myra, January 6, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Bonnie Jo Prater Kiser, 51, of Warren, Michigan, formerly of Middle Creek, Friday, at her residence due to injuries received during a house fire; Kenneth Thacker, 64, of Greasy Creek, Wednesday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Betty Elswick Moore, 93, of Virgie, January 6, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; William Kenneth Fyffe, 60, of Independence, Monday, at Bradley Memorial Hospital; Josephine Brown, 86, of Garrett, Friday, at The University of Kentucky Medical Center; Daniel B. “D.B.” Gibson, 66, of Columbus, Ohio, formerly of Minnie, Wednesday, at The Lancaster Hospial in Ohio; Eva D. Page, 67, of Arlington, Virginia, formerly of Floyd County, Tuesday, at The Northern Virginia Doctors Hospital; Thelma Hart Meade, 86, Friday, at the Medical Care Center in Lynchburg, Virginia; Charles Hansford, 77, of Garrett, Tuesday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Anna S. Gibson, 96, of Groveport, Ohio, formerly of Minnie, Tuesday, at the Mt. Carmel East Hospital in Columbus, Ohio; Lee Andrew Baker, 55, of Beaver, Tuesday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Jesse Perry Wright, 67, of Grethel, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Thelma Hart Meade, 86, Friday, at the Medical Care Center in Lynchburg, Virginia; Velva Derossett Compton, 65, of East Point, Wednesday, at Central Baptist Hospital, Lexington.

(Dec. 18 and Dec. 20, 1991)

A Floyd County Sheriff’s Deputy was the target of a hit-and-run attempt early Tuesday morning in the driveway of his home, near Ligon. An individual who is believed to have knowlege about the incident was questioned by Sheriff Paul Hunt Thompson and deputies, Tuesday evening. Deputy Sheriff Larry Newsome of Beaver said someone made two attempts to run him down with a car at 4 a.m., Tuesday morning, after someone pulled into his driveway and blew the car horn...State education officials will be asked to appraise the old Prestonsburg Drive-in property as a site for a new Prestonsburg High School. Floyd County Board of Education members voted at their December 12 meeting to contact Mike Luscher, director of facilities management for the Department of Education, to commission the appraisal and to contact the property owner(s) of the drive-in site to determine if the site is available...An elderly Floyd County man who was reported missing Sunday night was spotted, Tuesday morning, walking on KY 80 near Allen....Claude Patton, 78, of Eastern, was last seen by family members at 8 p.m. Monday evening, near the home of his sister, Martha Tuttle. Patton lived with Tuttle but occasionally spent the night in a one-room house adjacent to Tuttle’s home...Floyd County school students and teachers were caught by surprise, as well as the flu bug, Monday when schools closed early prior to the holiday break due to the rising rate of absenteeism. Average daily attendance (ADA) dropped to 81 percent, this week closing Floyd County schools until Monday, December 30, according to assistant superintendent Pete Grigsby...Oral arguments will be heard December 30 in Johnson Circuit Court, in a civil suit concerning appointments to the Paintsville-Prestonsburg Airport board. The suit, filed last month by Paintsville attorney C.K. Belhasen, challenges the legality of six appointments to the board, made jointly by Mayors Ann Latta of Prestonsburg and John Preston of Paintsville...Santa Claus is coming this Christmas, but his sleigh may be somewhat lighter than in previous years. With the increase of unemployment in local industries and the cost of living on the rise, Christmas shopping is proceeding steadily, but cautiously, this season...A boil water advisory, which began last week for residents of Mud Creek, will probably remain in effect throughout the remainder of the week. Seven water samples were taken last week by employees of the Mud Creek Water District, and tested for contamination by McCoy and McCoy, Inc., of Pikeville...A redistricting plan approved by the General Assembly, Wednesday will put U.S. Democratic Congressman Perkins in a district with Republican contender Congressman Hal Rogers. Reaction to the state’s plan brought mixed reaction from the congressmen and a warning from the state’s Democratic chairman. “It makes possible for the Republicans to win the congressional district in the east,” said Grady Stumbo...Payments to the construction manager on the Left Beaver High School project were resumed Wednesday by the Floyd County Board of Education after an attorney for the company threatened to take legal action against board members. Board members voted at the December 12 meeting to suspend payments to Martin Engineering and Construction Company on the advice of their attorney Cliff Latta. Latta told the board he had “serious questions” if the monthly payments were a contractual obligation and asked them to stop payments until he reviewed the issue...A midnight fire claimed the life of a Floyd County man at Cow Creek, Wednesday night. Donald Ray Goble, 35, of Slickrock, tentatively identified by Floyd County Coroner Roger Nelson, was dead at the scene following a blaze that leveled his hillside home. Goble’s wife, Jane, and three children escaped without injury through a bedroom window, according to Nelson...There died: Kenneth Eugene Ward, 37, of Van Lear, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Myrtle Kendrick Conway, 83, of La Grange, formerly of Floyd County, Friday, at Tri-County Community Hospital in La Grange; Raymond Hamilton, 72, of Marshall, Michigan, Friday, at Tendercare of Marshall; Nim Patrick, 90, of Hazard, Thursday, at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Charles V. “Chuck” Ormerod, 57, of Prestonsburg, Sunday, at his residence; Lloyd “Hop” Salisbury, 66, of Hunter, Saturday, at the Veterans Hospital in Lexington; Bill McCoy, 77, of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Carl Caudill, 61, of Melvin, Friday, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Lela Tackett Elkins, 83, of Myra, Saturday; Fred Amburgey, 78, of Mallie, Monday at the Hazard Appalachian Regonal Medical Center; Emmogene Turner, 60, of Vermillion, Ohio, Sunday, at Lorain Community Hospital, in Ohio; Paul Saunders, 87, of Delaware, Ohio, Monday, at his residence; Lucy Hackworth Shell, 81, of Prestonsburg, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Edward B. Jarrell, 74, of Banner, Monday, at his residence; Maggie Marie Hall, 84, of Flat Gap, Monday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Johnny Milton Osborne, 53, of Eastern, Wednesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Ruth “Fox” Patrick, 75, of Martin, Tuesday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Theodore Warrix, 54, of Hager Hill, Saturday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Anna Lee Gambill, 81, of Thelma, Saturday, at her residence; Bradley Lewis, 54, of Daniels Creek, Banner, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Angie Douglas “Doug” Harmon, 66, of East Point, Thursday, at Humana Hospital in Louisa; Sallie Ratliff, 92, of Langley, Saturday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Oscar “Nig” Mosley, 82, of Minnie, Tuesday, at University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington.

(Dec. 11 and Dec. 13, 1991)

Floyd County Attorney Jim Hammond apparently will not question State Representative Greg Stumbo’s account of an auto mishap early Sunday morning that resulted in Stumbo’s arrest on a charge of driving under the influence of intoxicants. In a press conference Monday, Hammond said the DUI charge against Stumbo, Majority Leader for the Democratic Party in Kentucky’s General Assembly, would be amended to public intoxication because an investigation could not prove Stumbo was driving at the time of the mishap...Officials at Martin Engineering and Construction Company said Monday during a press conference that their records concerning school construction projects in Floyd County are open for public inspection. Company owner Sam Martin, whose firm is providing construction manager services for the new Left Beaver High School project, issued a challenge and a welcome to auditors, accountants, attorneys and taxpayers, to inspect their records concerning school construction projects...Two men escaped from the Floyd County jail around 3:30 a.m., Monday, while on cleaning detail at the facility. Alvin “Tiger” Branham, Jr., 20, of Auxier and Stevie Crum, 20, of Harold, escaped by jimmying the third floor door between the men and women’s side of the jail, according to Jody Mullins, deputy jailer...A Life Line Company ambulance, which was transporting a dialysis patient home to Minnie, Saturday afternoon, collided head-on with a van, killing two and injuring five others. The victims included the van’s driver, Ivle Moore, 68, of McDowell; and a paramedic in the ambulance, Billy Dean Johnson, 40, of Weeksbury...Pay scale inequities among Prestonsburg city employees continue to be a hot topic of discussion for the Prestonsburg City Council, and council is prepared to take matters into their own hands. Council reviewed a proposal they commissioned from Paul Combs and Associates, a consulting firm from northern Kentucky, that would equal out pay scales for the employees...Certified and classified employees of the Floyd County School System delivered an apparent ultimatum to the board of education, Tuesday night—talk or we walk. Carol Stumbo, president of the Floyd County Education Association, told the board that the teachers group was disappointed that the board and Superintendent Ron Hager had not followed the terms of an agreement signed in September to head-off a repeat of last year’s teacher strike...Members of a search committee to select a new Floyd County superintendent will be named at the January meeting of the Floyd County Board of Education. Chairman Ray “Shag” Campbell asked that the teachers, board, principals and parent-teacher organizations name their representative for the committee...A Floyd County woman was listed in good condition Thursday, after a tractor trailer, transporting coal, struck the driver-side door of her compact car, Wednesday, at the intersection, of Route 122 and Ky. 80 in Martin. The truck reportedly ran the red light at the intersection as Helen Wicker, 50, of Mousie, proceeded onto Ky. 80...A boil water advisory will remain in effect for residents of the Mud Creek area in Floyd County, probably throughout next week, until testing for contamination is complete, according to Eula Hall, chairperson of the Mud Creek Water District. Water service was restored, Wednesday, for most of Mud Creek, after last week’s flooding and cold weather caused several breaks to occur in approximately 35 miles of the area’s water lines. Service was interrupted from Harold to the top of Ligon hill, last week, as workers tried in vain to provide water to area residents...Payments to Left Beaver High School construction manager Sam Martin were halted Tuesday night, by the Floyd County Board of Education until its legal counsel determines if there is a contractual obligation. Attorney Cliff Latta advised the board to withold the $13,608.40 December payment to Martin until he is furnished with a breakdown of payments made to date to determine if the payments are a legal obligation...A 21-year-old Floyd County man was arrrested Wednesday night, and charged with attempted murder in connection with a stabbing incident. Ronald Dean Hall of Melvin, is accused of stabbing Richard Hill, 31, of Wheelwright three times in the abdomen after an argument at the home of Hill’s brother, George Hill...There died: Ivle Moore, 68, of McDowell, Saturday, at Minnie from injuries sustained in an automobile accident; Ralph Lewis, 46, of Banner, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Berlie Conn, 70, of Martin, Saturday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital, from injuries received in an automobile accident; Ed Marshall Marcum, 55, of Louisa, Tuesday, at Humana Hospital in Louisa; Thurmel “Jack” Prater, 63, of Alanson, Michigan, formerly of Hueysville, Sunday, at the Northern Michigan Hospital; Noah D. Thacker Jr., of Florida, a native of Martin, November 26, in the Methodist Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida; William R. “Bill” Davis, 77, of Paintsville, Sunday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Delmar Castle, 38, of Melvin, Saturday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Chester Arthur Patrick, 81, of Paintsville, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Donnie Bailey, 42, of Flat Gap, Saturday, at his residence; Flora Mae Walters, 73, of Delbarton, West Virginia, Wednesday, at her mother’s residence in Columbus, Ohio; Rhoda Compton, 94, of Hi Hat, Thursday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Carrie Hall, 78, of Bevinsville, Friday, at her residence; Stella Bevins Johnson, 76, of Raccoon, Thursday, at Kentucky River Regional Medical Center in Jackson; Liddie McGuire Miller, 88, of Prestonsburg, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Billie Dean Johnson, 40, of Weeksbury, Saturday at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Marcelino Castillo, 88, of Beaver, Wednesday, at his reisdence; Matt Hamilton, 69, of Galveston, Thursday, at his residence; Myrtle Keathley Hall, 74, of Galveston, Wednesday, at the Mountain Manor Nursing Home in Pikeville; Clyde Justice, 52, of Harold, Wednesday, at his residence; Worley O. Mace, 76, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, Thursday, at Mount Carmel East Hospital; Alvin “Ousley” Elliott, 57, Thursday, at The Kosciusko Community Hospital in Warsaw, Indiana.

(December 4 and 6, 1991)

Three-and-a-half days of steady rain pushed Floyd County streams out of their banks, Monday, and swelled the Big Sandy River to within five feet of flood stage in Prestonsburg, Tuesday. The Big Sandy was expected to crest at 7 p.m. Tuesday, at 35.4 feet. Flood stage is 40 feet...Johnson Circuit Judge James A. Knight will serve as special judge in a civil suit contesting the outcome of the November 5 election for seats on Prestonsburg’s City Council. Knight had set no hearing date on the issue by presstime, Tuesday, but said it would be possible to conduct a preliminary hearing this month...Wet weather and high water made a Floyd County Housing Authority meeting doubtful Monday, but a quorum of the board managed to make it to the office at Green Acres. The special meeting of the board was called to approve the authority’s 1992 operating budget before the December 15 deadline....The first wave of a state Office of Education Accountability review of the Floyd County school system is expected to arrive in Prestonsburg this week. Dr. Penney Sanders, head of the Office of Education Accountability (OEA), said Monday that OEA investigators will be in Floyd County this week to talk with school officials about matters that “are currently under review in Floyd County.” She declined to elaborate on specific issues, and she would neither confirm nor deny that the scope of the investigation would be broadened after the initial review was completed....A 30-year-old Johnson County woman was struck by a vehicle Saturday night on Route 23, after attempting to cross the highway at a local lounge. Tammy Hensley of Wittensville was hit by a car driven by Glenda Howard of David, at approximately 7:30 p.m., at the Mountaineer Lounge near Prestonsburg, said Floyd County deputy Lloyd Powers. Hensley suffered a head injury and was taken to Highlands Regional Medical Center...The engraving on 72-year-old William Hurstle Gibson’s congressional medal reads—Remember Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, “A Day That Will Live In Infamy,” Act of Congress, 1990. This is the inscription found on the Congressional Medal for Veterans of the Attack of Pearl Harbor presented by Senator Wendell Ford to William H. Gibson on behalf of the Pearl Harbor Survivor’s Association of Kentucky...There died: Dick Burchett, 72, of Endicott, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Burt Gearheart, 79, of Hi Hat, Monday, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington; Edward “Frog” Bentley, 67, of Wabash, Indiana, Sunday, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne; Hollie LeMaster, 77, of Wittensville, formerly of Martin, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Homer Gene Mullins, 27, of Mansville, Massachusetts, formerly of Floyd County, Friday, at his residence; Goldie Osborne, 89, of Lexington, formerly of Eastern, Wednesday, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington; Charles Eugene Hall, 45, of Beaver, Saturday, at the U.K. Medical Center; Kathleen “Moore” Lee, 58, of Marion, Ohio, formerly of Wayland, Wednesday, in Marion; Michael D. Gilliam, seven-month-old infant, Monday, at Cabell-Huntington Hospital; Ernest Crisp Jr., 44, of Wayland, Saturday, at the Veterans Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia; Betty Jean Simpson Cooper, 64, of Drift, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Fred Bingham, 78, of Louisville, Sunday, at Baptist Hospital East in Louisville; Paul Edwin Compton, 33, of Weeksbury, December 2, at McDowell A.R.H.; George Parsons, 69, of Drift, Monday, at his residence; Estill Cox, 82, of Jenkins, Thursday, at the Wolfe County Nursing Home in Campton.

(Nov. 27 and Nov. 29, 1991)

Four alternate sites are being considered for the location of a new Prestonsburg High School, a project which has been delayed because of controversies surrounding the project. The Floyd County Board of Education voted at its November meeting to look at alternate sites for the school to get the project moving. A representative from the state Department of Education met with local officials, Monday, to look at the sites and to determine if they were suitable alternatives to the current proposed site at Middle Creek...Pay inequities among Prestonsburg city employees, and concerns that no plan existed to close the gap, were raised, Monday night, by councilman Billy Ray Collins. But, the issue is expected to be resolved at the December council meeting, according to Paul Combs, owner of the firm hired to develop a plan to eliminate the inequities...Prestonsburg’s troubled United Federal Savings Bank reopened Monday with a new name, a new owner and a new lease on life. United Federal, taken over earlier this year by Resolution Trust Corporation amid financial difficulties, has been sold to Pikeville National Bank and Trust Company, one of Kentucky’s leading banking institutions...They gasped when Governor Wallace Wilkinson presented Floyd County Judge-Executive John M. Stumbo a check for $6 million to finance the extension of water lines in the county. They applauded as Hilda Legg, co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission, suggested that her organization must shift its focus from bricks and mortar, to address “our human infrastructure.”...A Floyd County Grand Jury has apparently declined to issue indictments in two cases of local concern—one relating to the operation of illegal bingo games at Prestonsburg High School, and the second concerning a traffic fatality involving a Kentucky State Police trooper. After hearing testimony from KSP special investigator Johnny Ray last Wednesday, the grand jury issued no true bill in connection with the Prestonsburg High bingo games operated by an organization known as the Prestonsburg Academic Athletic Association...An unsuccessful candidate for reelection to Prestonsburg’s City Council has filed suit in Floyd Circuit Court, seeking either a special election in one precinct or a ruling declaring the entire city election null and void. Dr. Gary Brown, who finished ninth in the November 5 balloting for eight city council seats, alleged in his suit, filed Wednesday, November 27, that “a minimum of 30 voters” residing in Prestonsburg’s Cliff No. 2 precinct were “wrongfully and illegally” denied the opportunity to vote in the city council race...The conviction last month of a Floyd County school principal has prompted the Kentucky Association of School Administrators to take unprecedented action. For the first time, the association will directly represent one of its members in court, executive director V. Wayne Young said Wednesday in an interview with the Associated Press...Kentucky’s new ungraded primary school program, which is to be in place and in full operation by the ’95-’96 school year, is an innovative concept for kindergarten through the third grade. The Kentucky Education and Reform Act of 1990 (KERA) has developed and outlined a learning curriculum very different from the traditional method of teaching primary school students...Complaints were few and actions were swift in an unusually short meeting of the Floyd County Fiscal Court, Friday. Three people addressed the court during the grievance session, asking for help with roads and water, and wanting to know the status of an ordinance dealing with political signs...Greyhound Bus Lines is planning to discontinue coverage into Eastern Kentucky, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the end of passenger bus service for the area. All Greyhound stops along Route 23 from Ashland to Pikeville are scheduled to cease, December 2, due to the excessive costs associated with covering the area and a steady decline in the number of passengers...There died: Mike Staley, 94, of Mt. Sterling, formerly of Lackey, Friday, at the Mary Chiles Hospital in Mt. Sterling; John Denver Fannin, 71, of Wabash, Indiana, formerly of Floyd County, Sunday, at Veterans Medical Center in Marion, Indiana; Pearl Dicie Lambert Bradley, 80, of Estill, Tuesday, at her residence; James “Shum” Monroe Mullins, 68, of Pikeville, Monday, at his residence; Fred (Dutch) Marshall, 77, of Prestonsburg, Friday, at his residence; Rebecca Lafferty Ford, 80, Friday, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Norman L. Hicks, 85, of Wabash, Indiana, formerly of David, Sunday, at the home of his daughter; Era Ward Webb, 82, of Johnson County, Friday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Aline Crum, 44, of Lorain, Ohio, formerly of Dana, Thursday, at St. Joseph’s Hospital; Bill Parsons, 75, of Pikeville, Sunday, at his residence; John F. “P Jack” Daniels, 50, of Paintsville, Monday, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center; Kathryn M. Carpenter, 64, of Arcanum, Ohio, Sunday, at Wayne Hospital; Winifred Archer Daniels, 75, of Frankfort, formerly of Prestonsburg, Saturday, at King’s Daughters’ Memorial Hospital in Frankfort.

(Nov. 20 and Nov. 22, 1991)

Floyd County school officials will set their third tier priorities for school construction projects in a public hearing slated for November 25, despite continuing problems on priority one projects and the possibility of a state investigation into building procedures. In the past year school construction projects in Floyd County have come under considerable scrutiny, raising questions concerning excessive costs, the quality of construction, construction management and fiscal control. Combined, the construction issues paint a picture of indifference on the part of the Floyd County Board of Education and indicate a total lack of oversight on the part of the state Department of Education...Learning to read is a vital component in anyone’s life; it is a skill they will need and use the rest of their lives. When the skill to read is not mastered early in life, it takes an admirable amount of courage and determination to begin that process later on. Then, a person’s courage and determination is matched with someone who can provide the time and effort to teach them...A Pikeville architect has asked the Floyd County Board of Education to rescind an October decision to employ another firm for a proposed Betsy Layne Elementary project, claiming he was given the job in 1988. In a letter dated November 11, James Ellis advised the board and superintendent Ronald Hager that the board’s decision in October to employ architect Paul Hoffman and Martin Engineering for the Betsy Layne classroom addition project “raises two concerns.”...Floyd County Housing Authority members met Thursday to approve one item on their agenda, to renew voucher funding with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The contract provides for housing assistance payments for residents of public housing. The amount of the contract was for $111,300 and will, for the first time, require a separate budget and register. The contract is in effect for five years...Projected shortfalls in state revenues are taking their toll on all areas of government, including higher education. Prestonsburg Community College president Dr. Deborah Floyd told advisory board members Tuesday evening that PCC will be affected by a cut of more than $3 million in the community college system budget...An expansion of the new Veterans Outreach Clinic near Prestonsburg could be in the works since the number of patients expected to be seen at the clinic has doubled. A letter from Philip Elkins, director of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia, to Seventh District Congressman Chris Perkins shows the clinic is averaging 790 patients a month. The clinic was projected to serve 387 veterans monthly....Roy May of Maytown is a talented and quite interesting person. He is a wood carver. He makes bowls and scenes of people working. These figurines are very detailed and beautiful. May has been carving all his life. He is self-taught. When he was a little child, he used a hatchet to carve an Indian’s head in his father’s apple tree. May thinks that incident occurred when he was about six years old. He really enjoyed that experience, so he continued carving. Nowadays, he carves at night, while watching television. He said he usually carves every evening...There died: Zina Pack Sexton, 83, of Drift, Sunday, at the Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington; Josephine Bingham Hall, 89, of Town Branch Road, Saturday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Ollie DeRossett, 86, of Ivel, Saturday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Harold Lee Blocker, 61, of Weeksbury, Friday, at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington; Maudie Hall, 94, of Raceland, Saturday, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Paul Stephenson, of Raceland; Carolyn Stanfill Black, 86, of Pikeville, Friday, at the Mountain Manor Nursing Home of Pikeville; Erie “Darkes” Cotton, 87, of Grayson, Sunday, at King’s Daughters’ Medical Center in Ashland; Walter C. Zemo, 64, of Pataskla, Ohio, formerly of this area, Friday; Jeffrey Smith, 36, of Raccoon, Tuesday, in the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Greenville “Wedge” Branham, 55, of Bypro, Wednesday, at his residence.

(Nov. 13, 1991- Nov. 15, 1991)

Verdicts in a robbery, and a drug case on appeal from Floyd County Circuit Court, have been upheld by the Kentucky Court of Apeals. Attorneys for Ronnie Hall, 32, of Galveston, filed an appeal in October on grounds that Judge Hollie Conley erred in not admonishing the jury to Hall’s admission of a prior felony. The appeal said the jury should have been admonished that Hall’s admission could only be considered as it might affect his credibility as a witness...Dr. Penney Sanders, head of the state’s Office of Education Accountability, will be the guest speaker at the dedication ceremonies for Floyd County’s Head Start outdoor learning environment center, Friday, November 15...Though insurance, Haz-mat equipment quotes, and conservation fund applications were the scheduled topics on the agenda, a 40-minute executive session headed Monday night’s two-hour city council meeting, culminating in the hiring of Mark A. Wells as the new city administrator. Wells, currently serving as finance officer for the City of Prestonsburg, will now assume the duties of City Administrator, a position performed over the past few months by Mayor Ann Latta. The position of finance officer will be left vacant for now...The Floyd County Grand Jury will meet November 18-20, and is expected to hear evidence concerning a bingo game at Prestonsburg High School, and a fatal traffic accident involving a Kentucky State Police trooper. Commonwealth Attorney Jerry Patton said in September that information concerning a bingo game operated by the Prestonsburg Academic Athletic Association is expected to be brought before the grand jury by a KSP special investigator...Plans for a bicentennial train excursion through eastern Kentucky have been derailed, at least temporarily, members of a regional Chamber of Commerce learned Tuesday. Clyde Blevins, executive director for the Paintsville-Johnson County Chamber, told regional chamber members gathered in Prestonsburg, Tuesday, that the project had received a “flat no” from CSX Transportation, the rail company which operates the tracks targeted for the tourism project...Though the silvery voices of the Jenny Wiley Theatre cast are silent for the winter, symphony of whirs, bangs, and rattles is reverberating through the amphitheater while renovations are underway. Next summer’s audience will be in for a pleasant surprise, said Tedi Vaughan, general manager of the theatre. The most noticable change, Vaughan said, will be the theatre’s new “sleek, contemporary look.” Wires will be buried underground; the new lighting and sound systems, temporarily installed this past summer, will be permanently installed. This will give the theatre a “clean look,” said Vaughan...A recanvass of votes, Wednesday morning, in the Prestonsburg City Council race produced no changes in the vote totals. Floyd County Court Clerk Carla Boyd said Thursday that vote totals for all candidates remained the same and she would present her findings to a Floyd County Grand Jury next week...Good things may come in threes, but promoters of a mountaintop golf course in Floyd County think the magic number is fore, uh, four. That’s as in nineteen ninety-four, the year targeted for the opening of a new, 18-hole golf course near Jenny Wiley State Park...State school officials declined, Thursday, to discuss specifics of an apparent probe into school construction projects in Floyd County. School board member Eddie Billips said at Tuesday’s board of education meeting he had been questioned by the Office of Education Accountablity (OEA) about the board’s hiring practices concerning construction managers, architects and engineers for school construction projects. The issue came up when discussion at Tuesday’s meeting turned to the new Prestonsburg High School project...A shortfall in state education funds will put a budget crunch on the Floyd County School System. Superintendent Ron Hager told board members Tuesday night that he was informed by state education department finance offices that projected revenue cuts will force local budget cuts...There died: Annie Bell “Totsie” Scott, 80, of Wheelwright, Sunday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Thomas Conn, 76, of Martin, Friday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Maggie Ethel Johnson, 57, of Hi Hat, Sunday, at McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital; Thomas Ketty Ritchie, 75, of Mousie, Saturday, at his home; Elder John “Johnnie” King, 98, of Harold, Monday, at the Mountain Manor Nursing Home, in Pikeville; Roger Lee Whitaker, 33, of David, Sunday, at the K.T.K. mining site in Martin County; John Combs, 87, of Fisty, Friday, at Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Ursell McKinney, 80, of Harold, Monday, at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Nancy L. Amburgey, 65, of Larkslane, Tuesday, at the Flemingsburg Hospital; Lillie Mae Newsome, 64, of Beaver, Saturday, at her residence; Lewis “Bob” Wright, 61, of Sidney, Indiana, Tuesday, at Wabash County Hospital; Mitchell Hitchcock, 76, of Meally, Tuesday, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington; Frank Childers, 79, of Wheelwright, Sunday, at St. Joseph Hospital, in Lexington; Johnnie Dyer, 61, of Hindman, Saturday, at his home after an apparent heart attack; Jean Carol Hale, 59, of Hindman, Wednesday, at the U.K. Medical Center in Lexington; Ellis B. Kidd, 57, a former New London, Ohio, resident, Monday, at the Hillside Acres Nursing Home in Willard, Ohio; Andrew “Jack” Dotson, 57, of Claypool, In., Wednesday, at his residence; Sherd Caudill, 45, of Virgie, Wednesday, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Bert Hunter, 71, of Garrett, Tuesday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Frona Bayes, 69, of Staffordsville, Monday, at the Scioto Memorial Hospital.

(November 6 and November 8, 1991)

With Democrats holding a 13 to 1 edge in voter registration, Tuesday’s general election balloting in Floyd County was a predictable one-party runaway, offering no surprises and few friendly fires for state GOP candidates who wandered into the stronghold. As expected, Floyd County’s general election outcome was set with the finalization of the Democratic ticket in last May’s primary, with only the final margins to be determined Tuesday. And, from the Governor’s race down, Democratic candidates drew lopsided victories...A Floyd County man was killed Saturday night after he was thrown from a vehicle that overturned on the road near Drift. Donnie Columbus Patton, 43, of Allen, was pronounced dead of a fractured neck by Floyd County Coroner Roger Nelson. Two other occupants, a 17-year-old male and a 17-year-old female, were taken to McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital, Nelson said...Forest fires in eastern Kentucky appear to be under control, but extremely dry conditions still pose a threat to the brittle timberlands. Steve Brackett, spokesman for the state Forestry Department, said Tuesday that a 10-acre fire at Tram, in Floyd County, and an unconfirmed report of a fire at Frasures Creek were the only fires the department were concerned with at the time....Stay out of the woods or go to jail, was the message issued by Governor Wallace Wilkinson’s office October 31. The emergency order, issued to avoid outbreaks of forest fires, bans entry or travel in wooded areas in 25 eastern Kentucky counties, including Floyd. Violators could face six months in jail, and a $100-$500 fine, said Pat Able, legal counsel for the governor’s office. Able said he did not know how long the ban will last. “It depends on the circumstances,” he said, referring to the numerous forest fires currently blazing in eastern Kentucky...An elementary school principal filed a federal lawsuit last Wednesday against Floyd County superintendent Ron Hager and the board of education, alleging her first amendment rights of free speech and free association were violated...Prestonsburg Police Chief Greg Hall was undoubtedly surprised Monday morning when one of his policemen kicked in his door. That unannounced visit was to alert the chief that his house was on fire. Policeman Anthony “Harpo” Castle was on his way to work Monday when he drove past Hall’s home at Lancer Addition and noticed smoke coming from the attic at approximately 7 a.m., said Prestonsburg fire chief Tom Blackburn. Castle burst through the door and woke up Hall and his family to warn them of the fire, Blackburn said...The jackpot for Wednesday night’s Lotto Kentucky drawing has grown to a record high $42 million, and ticket sales in the 17-county region served by the Prestonsburg office of the Kentucky Lottery Corporation are soaring. Regional lottery manager Jeff Riley said Tuesday that Lotto Kentucky ticket sales in the Prestonsburg region had increased by approximately 33 percent over the past two weeks, jumping from a total of $1 million during the week of October 20-26 to $1.33 million last week...A Prestonsburg City Councilman who was not re-elected in Tuesday’s election filed Thursday for a recanvass because of voting problems in the Cliff number two precinct. Dr. Gary Brown served notice to the Floyd County Board of Elections for a recanvass of votes in the seven precincts in the city limits...The director of the Floyd County Head Start program was elected to the Kentucky Head Start executive committee last month. Janie Bailey Smith was elected to serve on the committee during the October meeting in Owensboro...A third suspect in a four-county theft ring was taken into custody Thursday by the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department. Harold Brown, 19, of Prestonsburg, was charged with burglary and theft by unlawful taking. Brown is a suspect in a theft ring being investigated by the sheriff’s department and the Kentucky State Police...A House-Senate conference report containing $596 million for education programs serving needy areas passed the House of Representatives Wednesday. Concentration grants, a formula created by Congressman Chris Perkins that funnels federal dollars to school districts with the highest concentration of low income families, received the funds...There died: Dudley Jack Martin, 67, of Price, October 31, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington; Enoch James Mitchell, 44, of Grethel, Monday, at his residence; Myrtle M. Prater, 65, of Hippo, Tuesday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Lula Shepherd, 88, of Hueysville, Friday, in the McDowell Appalachian Hospital; Sara Caitlin Nicole Haley, seventeen months, of Eastern, Saturday, in the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Melissa Gwen Hall, 28, of Rittman, Oh., formerly of Hi Hat, Friday, at her residence from injuries suffered in a house fire; Archie Tucker, 73, of Newman, Georgia, October 12, at Humana Hospital in Georgia; Millie Jane Mullins, 78, October 3, at Morgan County A.R.H. in West Liberty; Leonard Ousley, 85, of Silver Lake, Ind., formerly of Floyd County, Saturday, in Dukes Memorial Hospital in Peru, Ind.; Wanda Bray Cobb, 64, of Emma, November 1, at her residence; Robert Ellis Samons, 88, of Martin, Friday, in the Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Don Columbus Patton, 43, of Allen, Saturday, at Hunter, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident; Ivory Mae Stratton, 86, of Stanville, Sunday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Luther Wicker, 66, of Lima, Oh., Tuesday, at Our Lady of the Way Hospital; Sallie Conley, 96, of Ivel, Thursday, at her residence; Benjamin Fred Tackett, 79, of Bristol, Tenn., Thursday, at his home; Mary Nancy Daniels, 64, of Prestonsburg, Monday, at her residence; Ballard Whittaker, 76, Sunday, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington; Jerome Cade, 62, of North Highland, Ca., Friday, at his residence.

(October 30, and November 1, 1991)

Six new members were appointed, Tuesday, to the Paintsville-Prestonsburg Airport Board, and they immediately became the defendants in a lawsuit. The new members, three from Prestonsburg and three from Paintsville, were appointed Tuesday at Combs Field by Mayors Ann Latta and John David Preston. They include Ted Nairn, Sam Isbell, Dr. David White, Scott Perry, J.K. Wells and Mike Schmitt....The Christmas season in downtown Prestonsburg will take on a decidedly different look this year if plans for a Main Street Expo come together. Main Street program manager Henry Mayo told City Council members, Monday evening, that the Expo was “the beginning of a whole new focus” for downtown and that the hoped-for results would be a “revitalization” of the city’s central business district...An outbreak of hepatitis in two areas of Floyd County appears to be under control, said Floyd County Health Department director Earl Compton. The community of Dwale, near Allen, has had the most cases reported, approximately 20. Several cases have been reported in the Wheelwright area which prompted questions about the sanitary condition of the city’s water supply, said Audrey Yates, business manager for the Wheelwright Utility Commission...Two adults and one juvenile were arrested, Monday, in connection with a four-county theft ring, Floyd County Chief Deputy Linzie Hunt said Tuesday. Alvin “Tiger” Branham, 20, of Auxier, was charged with theft by unlawful taking for allegedly taking a dirt bike belonging to Lorrie Slone of David. The motorcycle was recovered by the sheriff’s department...Governor Wallace Wilkinson is expected to declare an emergency in the eastern half of the state, today, due to an outbreak of forest fires. National Guardsmen are expected to be activated to the area once the order is signed, said a governor’s spokesperson, Tuesday. Floyd County Judge-Executive John M. Stumbo and Prestonsburg Mayor Ann Latta declared a state of emergency Tuesday afternoon, and have banned any burning in the county or city....Auxier Fire Department and Allen Park were recipients of state grants last week totaling $81,703.97. A $71,703.97 grant from the state’s Area Development Fund was awarded to Floyd County for improvements at the Allen park golf course and to pave the walking track. The Big Sandy Area Development District board of directors recommended the project to the department...Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brereton Jones grabbed the lion’s share of ballots cast in a six-day mock election held at A.J.’s Market at Allen, grabbing 72 percent of the votes cast in that race. In a battle of local interest, Paul Burchett breezed past Harold Stumbo in a non-partisan race of Floyd Circuit Judge. Burchett drew 54 percent of the ballots cast to Stumbo’s 36 percent...In the general election on November 5, 11 candidates are running for the eight seats on the Prestonsburg city council...Two Floyd County men were injured in two separate shooting incidents Wednesday, at Drift and Teaberry. Anthony N. Allen II, 18, of Drift was shot one time in the face after he allegedly threw corn at a vehicle near Drift at approximately 9:30, Wednesday night, according to a state police report. The motorist stopped and fired several shots into the area with one shot striking Allen in the face. A sprinkling of local flavor is expected to spice up next Tuesday’s general election ballot in Floyd County, where a race for circuit judge, and contests for seats on two city councils should pique voter interest...Floyd Countians will be going to the polls Tuesday, November 5 to cast their votes for candidates seeking the state’s highest offices and for candidates hoping for a place on local city councils. Floyd County schools will be in session Tuesday, said County Court Clerk Carla Boyd...Prestonsburg was inducted Thursday into Kentucky’s Certified Cities Hall of Fame, signifying recognition from the state Chamber of Commerce for the city’s continuing effort toward development. The award was presented at a luncheon, Thursday, in Frankfort, and culminates a six-year project by city leaders to qualify for the state Chamber’s certification program...The windshield of a Floyd County school bus carrying about 50 students was broken, Tuesday afternoon, by someone throwing rocks from a passing vehicle. Floyd transportation director Earl Ousley, said Thursday, that a bus traveling near Lancer was hit by rocks thrown from a passing vehicle. The incident occurred near the site of a 1958 bus crash that claimed the lives of 27 students...There died: Maegolda Ramey Johnson, 70, of Hueysville, Tuesday, at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center; Anne Katherine Stephens, 75, of Lawrenceburg, formerly of Floyd County, October 26, at King’s Daughters’ Memorial Hospital; Preston Tackett, 71, of Pike County, Monday, at his residence; Lula Harris, 88, of Prestonsburg, Monday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Maudie Gayheart Martin, 89, of Eastern, Sunday, at the Riverview Manor Nursing Home; Norman Ward, 77, of Prestonsburg, Thursday, at Highlands Regional Medical Center; Rina Mae Wallen, 73, of Water Gap, Monday, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington; Ben Crum Jr., 73, Monday, in Wayne, W. Va.; Delmar “Del” Lafferty, 49, of 80 Penry Road, Thursday, at his residence; Glima Hughes Allen, 77, of Mt. Dora, Fl., formerly of Pikeville, Friday, at The Flordia South Hospital in Orlando, Fla.; Henry P. Hall, 59, of Warsaw, In., formerly of Floyd County, Saturday, at the Kosciusko Community Hospital in Warsaw; David A. Wyatt, 52, of Ypsilanti, Mich., Thursday, at the Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington; John Douglas Hardwick, 45, of Thoreau, New Mexico, formerly of Betsy Layne, Saturday, at his residence; Phillip Jenkins, 77, of Myrtle Beach, N.C., Monday, at Bowman Gray Hospital in Winston Salem, N.C.; Alice Wright, 78, of Drift, Tuesday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center; Willard Adkins, 75, of Allen, Monday, at the Highlands Regional Medical Center.

(October 23 and October 25, 1991)

Readin’, ’ritin and ’rithmetic, education’s legendary “three Rs,” have a new sibling, thanks to Kentucky’s General Assembly, Dr. Penney Sanders announced Monday at Prestonsburg Community College. What’s it called? “Revolution,” Sanders said. Speaking to a crowd of future teachers at PCC Monday, Sanders, head of the state’s Office of Education Accountability, said 1990 legislation establishing the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) would be appropiratley titled the “Kentucky Education Revolution.”...Relocation of a county road and a continuing feud between a magistrate and a David Fire Department volunteer were the top issues discussed at Friday’s Floyd County Fiscal Court meeting. Fiscal court members heard from Sammy Hall and Freddy Osborne of Osborne Branch at Hunter about road condtions and allegations of public officials doing work on private property...There will be no tricks for trick or treaters at th