By: Madison Fugate

A Thoughtful Group Organized for the Women of Powell County
These social distancing rules can be so disheartening and difficult for the  natural desire to have social interaction with one another. However, the women of Powell county have found one unique and thoughtful way to unite and still be social with one another. There has been a group created on social media, Facebook, known as Stanton Wine and Sweet Treats with Friends. This group allows each woman to share a brief autobiography describing their interests and lifestyle. Based upon these descriptions, other women of the group can gather an idea of what they suppose would be the most desirable treat for this individual. After they decide which gift is best suited, the next step is to make sure this person has been “wined,” or more particularly, they have been gifted with a bottle of their favorite wine along with other neat gifts. It appears the women participating are each equally excited, or possibly more excited, to give than receive. This can also be a fantastic way to meet and befriend more people of your community and possibly have more company from fellow mothers and friends to help occupy the stands with you at the football stadiums this next season.
It’s always interesting to discover how much difference these acts can make. Adrian Morton, was intrigued to gift a fellow lady of her community. She was also excited when she discovered a thoughtful and sincere gift waiting for her on her door step. Beka Crowe had left Adrian a thoughtful gift with her favorite sweet treats. As a result, Adrian was inspired and now will gift three more women in the community just the same. Happy Wining, ladies! This group and the creative acts are sure to help disrupt the void of absence that social distancing can leave.

By: Lisa Johnson

On May 12, just after 4:30 in the evening, the Clay City Fire Department received an emergency call regarding a  45-year-old male overdose victim. The first responder on the scene was Robert Mason of Clay City Fire. Mason was unable to locate a pulse and quickly began performing CPR with a family member assisting. EMS arrived ten minutes later to find Mason diligently fighting to resuscitate the man.

Mason, who joined the team just last July,  obtained all his required credits as a firefighter by December in near-record time. Mason said he checked for the pulse, cleared the airway of the patient, but could only feel his own heartbeat. His dedication to training and his commitment to his community have been well proven.

The male subject survived the ordeal and is alive because of Mason’s quick response and his commitment to his craft.

Training is an essential part of what first responders endure- all to better serve you. “We train as much and as often so we know what to do and without a second thought,” said Chief Mike Sparks.

Local businesses, Clementine’s, Stanton Dairy Queen and Papa John’s Pizza partnered with Ale-8 and Pepsi to honor this year’s graduating Powell County High School seniors. These businesses and franchises came together to provide each senior a goody bag in honor of their achievements as graduates. Below you will find an image of what could be found inside of these generous gestures.

By: Madison Fugate

It’s official, the world has gone mad, or more particularly, some locals in Powell County may just be seeking a little extra enjoyment and entertainment amid this pandemonium. Locals had to take a second-look when they noticed there was what appeared to be some sort of UFO parked just along the roadside of Hardwicks Creek in Clay City. Some even had to get a closer look and snap a few pictures in front of the large metal concoction for their own safe-keeping. After the word spread of this mysterious and comical landing, the county lit up with amusement and folks were traveling and bringing their children out to take a peek at the mystery.

This invention featured several noticeable details including images that appeared as if aliens were peeping outside at the beauty of Powell County. One local, Cory Graham, even summed the situation up to say, “everybody is just like, ‘Well, look at that, an alien.’” This was something no one expected to see outside their car windows. Although the invention has since been vandalized and an arrest was made to penalize that behavior, it still leaves everyone with a mesmerizing question. That question is, “What will be next?” Maybe it’s time for everyone to strap on their seat belts and embrace the journey and, of course, be prepared for impact. Laughs definitely help the situation and make everyone’s time stuck in quarantine far more enjoyable. To Powell County and beyond!

By: Madison Fugate

On Tuesday, April 14^th, the Powell County Fiscal Court was able to safely conduct their meeting through means of technology that allowed each magistrate to join in via video call. The meeting began with a message from Stacy Crase of the Powell County Health Department. She gave updates on how the health department has successfully worked with other important groups in the county such as Emergency Management teams and local media in order to provide updates and education. She confirmed that despite what information you may have heard so far, to date, there has only been one COVID-19 case reported in Powell County and this case has since recovered. The health department would indeed be notified of any additional reported cases. Executive Judge, James Anderson, showed his gratitude to Crase for all of her diligent efforts during this pandemic.

To follow there was discussion regarding a budget amendment involving an energy conservation project in the amount of $1,125,527.00. As soon as the money is there, the Fiscal Court will approve this amendment. Revisiting some unfinished matters- the fiscal court also needed to make a few clarifications to the budget for Powell County Jail. The biggest implication on the budget for the jail was the Governor’s signing to lock in the current retirement rate. The jailer also needed to include in the salary lines of his deputy to insure those amounts were being considered. Anderson wanted to make sure all necessary changes would be considered and included in the budget.

Anderson wanted to make a point to encourage the citizens of Powell County to log in to my2020census.gov and complete a census. He advises this process will be brief and is crucial step in order to ensure that the county will be properly funded. He then addresses the census checks could be considered as potentially worrisome for a small community with several local businesses such as Powell County. To support this notion, he expresses his concern that most of the monies will be spent at larger franchises and he warns recipients to be cautious of where their dollars are spent and to shop locally whenever possible.

He then led a word of honorable mention to honor our local faith communities and their efforts to provide a positive experience during the Easter holiday season. When considering our local churches, Anderson remarked, “We are just so very proud of the way that they represented Powell County.” He also sent praise to Powell County Clerk, Jackie Everman and team in their accommodations to best serve Powell County. Everman would like to remind everyone that restoration and renewals have been extended for (90) ninety days and you can still renew online at drive.kentucky.gov or by mail, P.O. Box 548, Stanton, KY 40380- the $2.00 fee will be waived for this service. The window service is available on Wednesdays from 9 a.m until 4 p.m. at the Powell Counwty Clerk’s office. Marriage licenses are by appointment only. Your fishing and hunting license can be done online, there are still some retailers offering this service as well. Anderson then uttered his appreciation to our local businesses and community partners. The Powell Valley Millwork was certainly implemental as for their abundant donatiowns in hand sanitizer to the county. Later, he expressed a few lines of appreciation for the first responders and dispatch staff and his understanding of their sacrifices during this time. These were just a few of the appreciated and valuable contributions that were mentioned.

The next item for discussion was the progress in effort to open the Clay City Industrial Park- just located right off the main Clay City exit. Powell County received a grant to have the utilities facilitated.  In order to finish this particular need, a request for engineering had been made. The submissions for this job were then acknowledged and are as follows: Nesbitt Engineering, Inc., Blake Adams Engineering, and Palmer Engineering. However, the Fiscal Court will still need to meet with the industrial authorities in order to make their decision based upon their recommendations.

After some detailed discussion of Powell County’s duties as well as some past experiences, a motion was made to maintain the contribution and leave the soil conservation the same as the year before. Anderson informed the magistrates he would be in communication with County Attorney, Robert King, in order for the two to dictate a response that meets the criteria.

By: Lisa Johnson

On Wednesday, April 8 just after ten o’clock in the morning a man driving on Hardwick’s Creek, fell asleep at the wheel. The Maysville man’s vehicle came to rest under a telephone pole just feet from plunging into the creek. He was alert and out of the car when first responders arrived.

He is lucky to be alive, driving while drowsy is incredibly dangerous. According to the CDC The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving was responsible for 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries, and 800 deaths in 2013. However, these numbers are underestimated, and up to 6,000 fatal crashes each year may be caused by drowsy drivers.

The Sleep Foundation says that drowsy driving is extremely dangerous. Sleep deprivation can have similar effects on the body as drinking alcohol. Being awake for 18 hours or more essentially has the same effect as a blood alcohol level of .05 (for reference .08 the legal limit). Someone who has been awake for a full 24 hours and driving is similar to driving with a blood alcohol level of .10.

It’s important to recognize the signs of drowsiness before getting behind the wheel of a car. If you are yawning or blinking frequently, having difficulty remembering the past few miles driven, have missed your exit, keep drifting from your lane or hitting a rumble strip on the side of the road it may be a good idea to pull over for  a quick nap or to stop somewhere for a cup of coffee.

Being fifteen minutes late to your destination is better than not arriving at all.

By: Lisa Johnson

Wednesday, April 1st, author, former US Forestry Service worker and founder of the Red River Gorge Mountain Rescue, Don F. Fig passed away at his home here in Stanton.  Born in 1937 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia Don graduated from the University of Florida at Gainsville. Don and many others created the Red River Gorge Mountain Rescue in 1962. He and his team members are responsible for more than 1,600 searches and rescues. Don received a Presidential Citation, a USDA Honors Award, a Congressional Award Of Merit, an award for  Heroism and a Kentucky Senate Award of Merit. Don also authored six books one of our favorites is Tales Of The Red River Gorge, copyright 2016. Tim Eling  US Forest Service states ” Don was an amazing man and dedicated public servant. Don and the Red River Mountain Rescue Team saved countless lives over his long distinguished career with the US Forest Service”.   Don is survived by his loving wife Susie Fig, his brother Frank Fig and several nieces and nephews. Don and Susie deliver an example of a successful life and marriage at its best, through service to others.  I will share with you our readers in review- words extracted from the Saga of an Arch found in Tales Of The Red River Gorge in Don’s own words.    “After many years of being exposed to the elements, I am aging. I have grown old and I am in the winter of my life. A few rare times I am alone with my memories. During my final time, I can only hope that people will once again respect the land. So I am here, overlooking the valley below and the Red River. I  am told the rivers sometimes rejuvenate themselves and become young again. I sometimes wish this could happen to me. I dimly remember someone saying one windy day, words over which I have pondered.   ” As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone, and the place thereof shall know it no more. Is this all there is for man? Will it be thus for me? I Wonder,”. A memorial service is planned at a later time and a ribbon-cutting by  Powell County Search and Rescue for the  ‘Don F Fig” Aid Station in Natural Bridge in celebration of the life of a great man who has given so much of himself to others in their time of need.  Thank you Don Fig, you will be missed.

Here in Powell County, we have an advantage that most communities do not. We have leaders in our school systems that have genuine care and consideration for each student and staff. They realize that what goes on outside of school walls can sometimes be just as important as what is provided and taught inside of school walls. Especially in times like this where we are faced with uncertainty and discouraging circumstances. However, through the triumph, our school leaders have managed to maintain vital roles and responsibilities for teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and more while providing free meals to their beloved students and streaming videos via social media.

During the pending of this pandemic, Dr. Orr has expressed his goal to provide breakfast and lunch to the students of Powell County throughout the weeks to come. On March 17^th, PCS provided 1,812 meals to students. He has also managed to create a system that will keep the students and staff of Powell County safe while continuing to learn from their homes. Teachers and principals throughout the county have been committed to their students and engaged through means of technology in order to assist in their anchor day assignments. He has reciprocated an uninterrupted relationship with the health officials of the county and praised their efforts in reaching out and communicating their solutions and guidelines. The Superintendent and BOE are confident in their current state that we will overcome this situation and come out even stronger than before.