From the desk of Arthur Lacy:

On June 6, dispatch advised a female subject at Kroger, driving a white Dodge Neon had stolen a bag of ice and four potted flowers and left the premises.

A Stanton fireman notified dispatch that he  had just passed a white Dodge Neon that was parked at the Shell Station.

Upon investigation the subject, Tricia Lee Rogers, of 111 Greenway Road, Stanton, claimed she had paid for the items and produced a receipt that did not account for the four potted flowers or ice located in her back passenger seat.

Law enforcement confirmed with Kroger, no flowers had been sold within the last hour added to Rogers outstanding warrant.

Rogers  was arrested for theft by  unlawful  taking and transported to the Powell County Detention Center.

STANTON, Ky. (June 5, 2018) – Local McDonald’s® Owner/Operator Kelly Healy invited local dignitaries and community members to celebrate the grand re-opening of his prominent Stanton McDonald’s restaurant on Monday, June 4. The Healy Family McDonald’s restaurant, located at 385 Furnace Road, is one of ten restaurants owned by the Healy family throughout the Bluegrass.

Healy kicked off his grand re-opening festivities at 5:00 a.m. on Friday, May 18, when he presented the first 50 customers in-restaurant with a coupon for one free Big Mac® or Egg McMuffin sandwich® . The celebration continued when he distributed one hundred key-tags with custom offers to customers throughout the day. The key-tags granted customers onefree dessert with purchase of any Extra Value Meal®.

Kelly Healy’s mother, Mrs. Sarah Healy, and director of operations, Jim Bennett, took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony commemorating the newly renovated restaurant surrounded by management and crew. Local dignitaries in attendance included Stanton Mayor Dale Allen, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce William Combs, Pastor of Stanton’s First Church of God Mike Hicks, Whitaker Bank members Kayla Carroll and Jared Childers; and Stanton City Clerk Stephanie Faulkner.

The Voice contestant, Livia Faith, preformed the National Anthem during the flag raising ceremony. Throughout the celebration, dignitaries and customers were treated to cake and menu specials.

“We’re excited for the community to experience our newly remodeled McDonald’s restaurant in Stanton,” Local McDonald’s Owner/Operator Kelly Healy said. “This restaurant and our staff show our commitment to the community every day by serving delicious, convenient meals, comfortably for you and your family each time you visit. We are so proud to offer customers a brand new dining experience with new ways to order, pay and engage with our crew and brand.”

Now through June 30, customers can receive a coupon for one free pie or soft serve vanilla cone for ordering on the new self-order registers. To further commemorate the grand re-opening, customers should look for great specials throughout the summer.

Mrs. Shana Bailey’s Marketing Class. The class developed marketing plans for the Powell County Farmers’ Market and the Mobile Farmers’ Market that will be coming this year

CLAY CITY, KY –Foothills Health and Wellness Clinic recently received an $18,000 grant for the Powell County Healthy Places for Healthy People (HP2) Implementation project.  The Appalachian Regional Commission awarded the project $15,000 and the remaining $3,000 was provided by local sources.

With the assistance of the EPA, a communitywide meeting was held in October 2017 to discuss solutions to improve the health of Powell County Citizens.

One of the areas identified to improve was a veggie voucher program.  The program, titled Sprout and Give will begin this summer at Foothills Health and Wellness Clinic.

“Patients participating in the program will receive vouchers to exchange for fresh fruits and vegetables at the Powell County Farmers’ Market,” said Misty Kessler, Healthy Community Coordinator.  “The program is designed to improve health outcomes for high risk patients with chronic illnesses through increased access to fruits and vegetables. In addition, by making the vouchers valid only at the Powell County Farmers’ Market, we are putting money back into the local economy, supporting our local farmers, and giving patients access to the freshest produce available.”

Funding for the Sprout and Give Program is provided by the Appalachian Regional Commission and Foothills Health and Wellness Clinic, a program of Kentucky River Foothills Development Council, Inc.

On May 24 Foothills Health and Wellness Clinic presented awards to three students from Powell County High School for their contributions to the veggie voucher program.  The students who received awards were Abby Adkins, Madeline Brandenburg, and Sara Scarbo – all are students of Ms. Alicia Frazier.

In addition to contributing toward the Sprout and Give Program, the Appalachian Regional Commission provided funding to build a mobile market and promote both the Powell County Farmers’ Market and the mobile market.

Foothills Health and Wellness Clinic reached out to Mrs. Shana Bailey- Perdue’s marketing class at Powell County High School for assistance in developing a marketing plan. The students provided a number of unique ideas to promote both the Powell County Farmer’s Market and the mobile market.

In appreciation of the time and effort put in to their marketing plans, Foothills Health and Wellness Clinic provided pizza for the class on Friday, May 25.

To meet the goals identified through the HP2 grant, Foothills Health and Wellness Clinic is in the process of creating a wellness coalition. “So far we have implemented community gardens, will be increasing access to local fruits and vegetables through the Sprout and Give program, and are in the process of increasing activity through community walks,” said Ms. Kessler.  “We’re currently in search of individuals in Powell County who would like to join us as we work to improve the health of the county. Anyone interested in serving on the wellness coalition can call the clinic at (606) 663-9011 or email mkessler@foothillscap.org.

By CECIL PERGRAM

Times Editor

Powell Countians came out and participated in the electoral process with Tuesdays primary election.

Over 40 candidates had filed for office and if the primary elections was any sign you can surely expect some more competitive races during the upcoming general election.

In the race for Powell County Circuit Clerk in the Republican primary Jessica Farmer Yarber received the most votes with 726 votes in a race against Billie Watts Campbell who received 596 votes. On the Democratic side Brian King was the top vote getter receiving 1,217 votes ahead of Conchita Everman who totaled 1,087 votes, James Cook received 454 votes and Tina Baker Epperson received 319 votes.

In the race Democratic primary race for the Powell County Judge Executive seat incumbent James D. Anderson Jr. received 2,149 votes in a race against Koda Muncie who tallied 869 votes. Anderson will move on to face Republican Charles Faulkner in the general election.

In the race for Powell County Clerk in the Democratic primary, Jackie Boone Everman received the most votes with 1,546 votes the next closest vote getter was Nancy Ware Mann who had 865 votes, Michelle Faulkner Hensley received 328 votes, Ingrid Caudill Crabtree totaled 316 votes, and Anna Stewart Todd received 87 votes. On the Republican side of things Megan Daniels Wells beat Pam Congleton Angel 822-to-487. Jackie Boone Everman and Megan Daniels Wells will each move on to face one another in the general election come November.

In the race for Powell County Sheriff on the Democratic ticket H.K. Goodwin received the most votes with 1,572 votes in race against Chris Chaney who received 1,155 votes. On the Republican side of the ticket incumbent Sheriff Danny Rogers received 792 votes to Arthur “Randy” Lacy’s 606 votes. Rogers will now run against H.K. Goodwin in the fall.

In the race for Jailer incumbent Travis Crabtree tallied 2,387 votes over challenger Terry W. Tipton who earned 660 votes. No Republican candidates field for election.

The Magistrate races provided to be the closest and most competitive elections during the Powell County primary proving the saying true “that every vote counts.”

In the Democratic race for Magistrate District 1 Chad Patton received 216 votes in a close race against Richard Richardson who received 215 votes and Derek E. Smyth who received 143 votes. Patton will face incumbent Republican Keith Hall who has no opposition during the May primary.

In the race for Magistrate District 2 Democratic primary incumbent Kenneth “Goat” Rice received the most tallies with 242 votes, Brian K. Campbell received 190 votes and Hugh L. Reed received 119 votes. On the Republican side Dennis Lee Combs ran another close race against Roger Hollon who missed out on the nomination 125-to-124 votes. Rice and Combs will run a race this fall to decide the Magistrate District 2 seat.

In the Democrats race for Magistrate District 3 incumbent Mike Lockard received the most votes with 267, Ralph Higgins got 192 votes and Myers Arnett received 139 votes. Lockard will not face Republican opposition this fall however Independent Allen Martin has filed and will face Lockard in November.

In the Democratic race for Magistrate District 4 incumbent Timmy Tipton received 245 votes and was the top vote getter, next was Shane Bowen who received 228 votes, Keith Rogers received 110 votes and Jon Tipton got 34 votes. Tipton will now move on to face Republican Ronnie Spencer this fall.

In the Democrats race for Magistrate District 5 incumbent Donna Gabbard tallied the most votes 308, Rusty Nolan got 150 votes, Jazmen Thorpe got 93 votes, Sam Bolin had 66 votes, Enoch G. Thomas IV received 64 votes and Cathy Benningfield Rogers totaled 48 votes. On the Republican side only Joshua Congleton has filed and will face the Democratic primary winner Gabbard in November.

In the Constable race for District 4 J.L. Bowen had the most votes with 826 in a race against Jesse Miles who got 146 votes. Bowen will face no opposition during the general election.

In the local ballet option of whether to allow alcohol sales in Powell County citizens voiced their opinions and the county voted to go wet with a total of 3,000 “wet” votes against 1,699 “dry” votes.

All other races were too close to call as of press time.

Members of the Powell County Board of Education members pose with new Powell County Schools Superintendent Anthony Orr after he was named Interim Superintendent at Central Office. Those pictured right to left are Kimberly Hall, Anthony Orr, John Brewer, John Barker and Diann Meadows. Board member Mendel Tipton is not pictured

By CECIL PERGRAM

Times Editor

The Powell County Board of Education held a regular scheduled meeting on  May 14 at the Powell County Middle School Library.

Powell County Board of Education Chairwoman Kim Hall called the meeting to order and those in attendance recited the pledge of allegiance before officially starting off the meeting by adopting the agenda for the meeting.

The board approved a motion enter into executive session pursuant to Kentucky Revises Statutes 61.810 for the discussion of the possible hiring of the next Superintendent of Powell County Schools.

The board approved a motion to return from executive sessions. The action take from the executive session was for the board members to vote on the hiring of Interim Superintendent of Powell County Schools Dr. Anthony Orr as the next full-time superintendent. Orr was introduced as the Interim Superintendent of Powell County Schools on January 4 after former Superintendent Michael Tate resigned on December 31. Tate had forewarned the board of his resignation during the previous months board meeting.

The board approved by a 4-1 vote of the hiring of Dr. Anthony Orr as the next Superintendent of Powell County Schools. Board members Kim Hall, John Brewer, Mendel Tipton and DiAnn Meadows voted to approve the hiring meanwhile board member John Barker was opposed to the motion to approve the hiring.

The board formally announced the hiring of Dr. Anthony Orr and unanimously passed a motion to approve and sign the new superintendents contract to be recorded in the board’s minutes.

“I want to say thank you to the members of the board for agreeing to keep me around for awhile and I’ll tell you I’m excited for the opportunity,” Orr said.

Orr says it would be accurate description to say that he changed his mind about taking over the superintendent responsibilities on a more permanent basis. Orr had previously said in January that he expected he didn’t believe he would be interested in stepping into the role of Superintendent full-time basis and his primary goal at that point was to keep the school district in good working order for the next person.

“When I came my intent was to really make sure I did everything I could to keep the district moving forward and in better position for the next Superintendent to take the reins that’s how I got started but I’ll tell you within a matter of just a few weeks I had very thoroughly changed my mind and the reason is really very simple,” Orr said. “Because of the people that I had been working with since I got here to the staff at central office, at the annex, principals,  teachers, cafeteria workers, and custodians that I’ve spoken with over the past several months the students and parents that I had the opportunity to meet with while working with the board. My mind changed 180 degrees and I’m really grateful for the opportunity to get to continue to move the district forward. I want to thank all of you in this community.”

Alicia Frazier was first to speak to the board to recognize two clubs at Powell County High School that each has recently enjoyed success in it’s state competitions.

Frazier first recognized Powell County High School students who recently excelled against other Future Business Leaders of America chapters from across the state of Kentucky.

“We had six that placed at state and they will advance on to the National Leadership Conference in Baltimore, Maryland and will be representing the state of Kentucky,” Frazier said. “I’m super proud of them. We brought home over $1,000 in cash prizes.”

The board recognized the following FBLA students: Kelby Rose and Kalei Farthing who placed in first place in the category of Broadcast Journalism. Jermiah Creech, Kelsey Turner,  and Erika Howard who placed second for business ethics. Ethan Frazier, Trenton Rogers and Gabriella Huntsberger were recognized for being awarded second place in the category of Introduction to Business Presentation. Zak Becraft, Clayton Anderson and , Kellen Greif for being awarded third place in the category of Computer Game and Simulation Programming. Hannah Meadows and Macy Bentley was awarded fourth place in Banking and Financial Systems. Nalli Marcum and Moriah Turner for finishing in fourth place in the category of Bulletin Board.

The Local Powell County FBLA chapter, will now advance to the National Leadership

Conference held in Baltimore, Maryland on June 27- July 2.

Frazier also recognized DECA members Oliva Everman and Jada Crowe who also placed at their organizations’ state competitions.

Larry Mitchum from Curneal Hignite Insurance gave the board a presentation about general liability, fleet, property insurance and workers compensation. The board approved a motion for Curneal Hignite to serve as agents on the boards behalf to work with Liberty Mutual for general liability, fleet, property insurance coverage and Church Mutual for Workman’s Compensation coverage.

Representatives from Sherman Carter Barnhart presented the board with a review of a project to upgrade entrances and other areas at Powell County High School.

SCB Architects presented preliminary costs for four priorities of specific upgrades at PCHS.

The project would include making security upgrades to the lobby of the high school restricting access for visitors to only the front lobby so that the only authorized persons can gain entry to the rest of the school. The estimated costs for making the front lobby entrance security renovations is around $107,500. The next priority of the construction project would be Heating, Venting and Air Conditioner (HVAC) replacement for an estimated costs between $13,532-to-$53,000. SCB Architects also proposed adding electric power to all five basketball goals in the gymnasium.

The third priority of the project would the addition of installing exterior door card readers to the 22 exterior doors at PCHS for an estimated costs of $40,700.

The fourth priority recommended by SCB Architects would be the addition of Americans with Disability Act compliant wheelchair lift to the stage of the gym that addition would costs an estimated $50,000.

The board approved a motion to select Sherman Carter Barnhart Architects as the architectural firm to begin the process of planning out additional details of the construction project.

The board approved a motion to reschedule the second regular meeting during the month of May to the date of May 21 because the original meeting was scheduled for Memorial Day.

The board listened to a discussion for the Powell County High School to enter into an agreement with BSN Sports for the Nike/BSN Sports Rewards program. The agreement would last for a period of five years from July 1, 2018-to-May 23, 2018 and would require PCHS to wear Nike uniforms and sideline gear during varsity contests. PCHS would also get discounted gear and Nike would provide the school with $6,000 of Nike promotion products on July 1 each year. The agreement would also require PCHS and BSN Sports to agree on uniform rotations. According to the presentation the agreement can be cancelled by PCHS, BSN Sports or Nike and would have to be in writing before May 31 of any agreement year.

The board passed a motion to table the agreement until next months meeting.

The board approved the following consent items:

Approval of minutes for the Regular Meeting held on April 9 and the minutes from special meetings held on April 25 and April 30.

Approval claims and authorization to make payment of claims.

Approval of Orders of the Treasurer for April 2018.

Approval to collect Indirect Cost from Powell County Food Service at the non-restricted rate as approved by the Kentucky Department of Education in the 2018-2019 school year.

Approval of Monthly Financial Report.

Approval of Stiles, Carter & Associates Audit Contract for 2017-2018 in the amount of $15,500.

Approval of Performance Bond of Treasurer in the amount of $200,000 for 2018-2019.

Approval of CKEC Membership Invoice for 2018-2019 in the amount of $6,119.

Approval for Clay City Elementary PTA school-wide fundraiser – Spring Fling – for the 2017-2018 school year.

Approval for Bowen Elementary to apply for a Dollar General Literacy Grant for the 2018-2019 school year.

Approval of bus request trips.

Approval for an out of state trip request for the Bowen Elementary students with perfect attendance to travel to Holiday World in Santa Claus, IN on June 6.

Retro-active approval for an overnight trip request for the Powell County High School Bass Team to Herrington Lake, Harrodsburg, KY for regional competition on April 20-21.

Approval for an out of state trip request for the Powell County High School Band to Kings Island in Mason, OH on May 22.

Approval for an out of state trip request for the Powell County High School Dual Credit Spanish Class to the Cincinnati Zoo in Cincinnati, OH on May 29.

Approval of out of state trip request for the Powell County High School FBLA to travel to Baltimore, MD on June 27-to-July 2 for the National Leadership Conference.

By CECIL PERGRAM

Times Editor

Aaron’s Gift of Smiles President Greg Rogers is pictured with Landon Shuler as he speaks to those in attendance. Landon donated $40 to Aaron’s Gift of Smiles to go towards funding the construction of an all inclusive playground at the Stanton City Park.

Aaron’s Gift of Smiles held a benefit auction at the Parks and Recreation Building to help raise money for a special needs playground to built at the Stanton City Park.

“I want to thank the Stanton Parks and Recreation for the use of their building and nice facilities for while there was a storm and it bent trees over almost to the ground and while that was happening people really weren’t looking outside, they just kept bidding, they didn’t care about that storm they cared about raising money for these children,” Aaron’s Gift of Smiles President Greg Rogers said. “The outcome is going to be super and it won’t be long and we’ll be seeing that light at the end of tunnel and we are going to get there working with our city officials, parks and recreation and our community. I want to thank everybody that came out and supported our cause because we had a full house and people were smiling and spending money for a good cause.”

“Saturday there were a lot of events going on throughout the community from pancake dinners to the Middle Fork Fire Department to the SPARK Rally. A lot of people sometimes want to put this community down but days like that show you what kind of community we really have,” Rogers said. All those events plus the auction and every event was successful,  nothing can be successful without the participation of the citizens in this community.

“Everybody came together with one goal in mind and it really showed how Powell County can shine as a community,” Rogers said.

Rogers says that Aaron’s Gift of Smiles goal is to build a playground that is all inclusive to children with and without special needs as well as their parents.

“We hope to incorporate outdoor workout equipment so parents who have children that don’t get to go to the gym like they want to because they have children and cant find the time they’ll be able to take their children and let them play while they can get workout,” Rogers said. “So it will benefit everybody in the whole community.”

Rogers says he believes the playground will costs in neighborhood of $75,000-$100,000 and that the city of Stanton is submitting grant proposals to help fund the project. Aaron’s Gift of Smile’s recently held a benefit concert at Lion’s Club Park proceeds also went to benefit the special needs playground project.

“We raised well over $3,000 at the auction we’re at $5,000 altogether so by the time the city of Stanton matches us dollar-for-dollar we are now at $10,000 in just the past two weeks that’s pretty good,” Rogers said.

Local band Highway 15 which includes band members Hailey Wheeler, Maddie Murray and Crase kicked the off the evening with live music.

“I would like to thank Highway 15 for coming out they gave a wonderful performance donating their time and all those that helped out like Jerald Rogers and Kathleen Rogers, Vivian and Montford Powell and Beverly Hall,” Rogers said.

Rogers says the event took months to plan out to come up with all the auctioned items.

“We had some things mailed to us but there was a lot of road work traveling around getting all the stuff together but when it’s all over and you see the smile on a child’s face like little Landon Shuler it makes every second of it worth it,” Rogers said.

Local Clay City Elementary student Landon Shuler donated $40 of his own money to help build the special needs playground.

Rogers says that Aaron’s Gift of Smiles will continue to look to do more fundraising opportunities in the near future.

“They are a couple of things we are discussing about doing but I’ve kind of ran out of ideas, Aaron’s Gift of Smiles doesn’t have one boss is somebody has a good idea they kind of become the boss of that project,” Rogers said. “It’s great to have other people coming along with ideas and stepping up to the plate to help accomplish this goal.”

“The work is there but the workers are few and it takes a lot of ground work to accomplish these goals those workers we do have are awesome but we are so few it be wonderful to see people come along and be willing to help and if they have a great idea to share it,” Rogers said.

Rogers says in the future he believes Aaron’s Gift of Smiles will be collecting money at stoplight as well as the organization is the beginning stages of planning a bake sale.

Rogers says interested volunteers can contact Aaron’s Gifts of Smiles via it’s Facebook page or they can contact Greg Rogers, Duane Curtis or Vivian Powell if anybody specifically interested in volunteering to help out during an upcoming bake sale.

“We would like to get this bake sale up and going I know a lot of women in Powell County and we got some of the greatest cooks that’s ever walked on the face of this earth and I’ve drove a truck all across this nation for 20 years,” Rogers said.

Rogers says he still needs work out some kinks with organizing a bake sale in a successful location

“We just don’t want these women working hard on baking all of this stuff then it not selling,” Rogers said. “I would love to see it be successful, there’s 14,000 people in this community and if we could get 14,000 cupcakes sold we would be a long way to paying for this playground.”

By CECIL PERGRAM

Times Editor

Chelsea Nolan

The General Bowen Memorial Trail Ride will be held on April 27-through April 29 in the Red River Gorge and will serve as an the official opening of Callie’s Lake and Campground and Bowen General Store both of which are owned by Dee Dotson and Shane Bowen.

The Grand Opening of the Bowen General Store is scheduled for Saturday morning at Callie’s Lake and Campground and will kick-off the start of the General Bowen Memorial Trail Ride.

The theme for the trail ride is “Spring Formal” people will be in formal attire with boutonnieres for men and corsages for women the flowers will be donated by Melinda Nolan with Blessings Flora Design in Stanton.

Trail rides are planned by Eco-Ohv School and Guide Service, along with partners Lower 48 Outfitters and Lucky’s Off-road will be leaving each morning to the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway.

There will be live music. activities, raffle, food, camping and more available at the campground.

Musician Jordan Miller will start the evenings musical festivities at around 6 p.m. Local musician Chelsea Nolan is scheduled to take stage at 7 p.m. and the band “Rock Bottom” is scheduled to headline the evenings musical acts from around 8 p.m.-to-until- around-11 p.m.

Dotson says the band, who is from Campton, volunteered to headline the event after she had a cancellation.

“They did this out of the kin

By CECIL PERGRAM

Times Editor

Dee Dotson is shown above with a campaign sign making her case for Powell County to approve alcohol sales

     Dee Dotson, 48, owner of Dees’ Barber Shop in Stanton and co-owner of Callie’s Lake and Campground in Bowen, says as a teenager and throughout the years has been asked the same question by tourists visiting our beautiful Natural Bridge area: “Where can we buy beer?”

   If Dotson had it her way, she would much rather send tourists to local businesses here in Powell County instead of neighboring wet counties where they buy their groceries, gasoline and alcoholic beverages.

  “When campers are staying with us at Callie’s Campground and ask where can they buy beer, we have to explain what “Dry” is and then direct them to Slade or Mount Sterling.

   Dotson says she believes in a “Powell County First” motto which led her to research the steps needed to get the vote put on the ballot May 22. Mary Sue Helm, with the Kentucky State Board of Elections, gave her step by step instructions on how to lawfully and thoroughly proceed. She needed to collect 1,254 signatures to get the vote put on the ballot and began her work, along with many others, on November 8, 2017. With overwhelming support from the community, she had the signatures needed by December 22, 2017, with people still stopping by her barber shop asking to sign the petition days and weeks after she had turned in the petition. With the Natural Bridge Lodge being wet has has had a huge impact in local restaurants. It’s a unfair playing field. As well as loosing Cattlemans almost 4 years ago due to them asking to help get the county wet. Without change Powell county will remain stagnant and will never be considered for new chain restaurants, new factories or hotels.

Brad Smith, Chief Of Police in Irvine, Ky. says they imposed a five percent Regulatory Fee which has generated over $60,000 for Administration and Enforcement.

“We have made purchases of Roadside Breath Testers, in car cameras and have made purchases of several vehicles in the last 4 years,” Smith said.

Third and fourth Class cities can pass a regulatory fee on the sale of alcohol that go to local law enforcement agencies.

Breathitt County similarly passed a vote to allow alcohol sales in July 2016 and the city of Jackson approved a five percent regulatory fee on malt beverages and six percent regulatory fee on liquor and wine that goes to it’s local law enforcement agency for the enforcement, regulation or administration of alcohol laws.

Jackson Police Department Chief of Police Kenneth Spicer says five percent of all beer sales and six percent of all liquor sales over the past year has went to his police department. He says that money amounts to around $5,000-to-$6,000 a month.

“I’m local Alcohol Beverage Control Administrator as well as the Chief of Police so they pay part of my salary and anything associated with it such as my retirement back to the city,” Spicer said.

Spicer says he has seen an increases in Driving Under the Influence arrests but he doesn’t attribute the increase in those in his community’s decision to allow alcohol sales.

“In Breathitt County we don’t have a drinking problem, we have a drug problem. There has been a few more increases in alcohol related DUI’s but I’ll be honest the ones we got are people from Owsley County. They went wet the same time we did and we got people coming to our hospital from Lee, Wolfe and Owsley Counties,” Spicer said speaking of the DUI’s. “They are not necessary our residents because we get a lot of traffic from outside of our community. What we see now is if people want to have a drink they stop at the local gas station buy a 12-pack and go home.”

Spicer says while he didn’t vote to allow alcohol sales it was a decision that has been a good thing for his police department.

“We used the regulatory fee to buy police cars and uniforms with the money, that money would have to come out of the city’s budget before so it frees up the city’s money they would normally spend of administration, enforcement and regulation of alcohol laws back into the general fund,” Spicer said. “They can use the money they would’ve spent for other things fixing roads, water lines or things like that. I can’t say that I voted for it but it has helped my department.”

I spoke to local pastor at Stanton Baptist Church Johnathan Lewis who says he had nothing but love and kindness for those who want to make Powell County wet however he didn’t know if the economic benefits would outweigh the social costs.

Powell County residents will decide whether or not to allow alcohol sales by voting in a countywide ballot measure on May 22.

The PCMS Varsity Academic team was recognized for going undefeated during it’s competitions during the season, the team was District Champions, Regional Runner-ups, and advanced to state competitions for the first time since 1989. Academic team members in the above photo are: Linsey Jones, Cailey Jones, Tanner Hunley, Matthew Mynk and Boone Chaney

By CECIL PERGRAM

Times Editor

The Powell County Board of Education held a regular scheduled meeting on Monday in the Powell County Middle Schools’ Library.

Students who were part of the Powell County Middle School Junior Varsity Academic team and the PCMS Varsity Academic team were both recognized by the board during the meeting.

The PCMS Junior Varsity team went undefeated during it’s competitions this past season. Team members recognized during the meeting were: Jared Abney, Hannah Angel, Aiden Berry, Austin Begley, Trevor Brown, Kaylee Blevins, Tyson Edwards, Caleb Epperson, Ava Deerway, Derrick Gill, Destiny Goodwin, Skyler Johnson, Derrick Meadows, L.W. Napier, Desiree Plavnek, Olivia Powell, Connor Tood, Ella Wilde and Emily Wireman.

The PCMS Varsity Academic team was recognized for going undefeated during it’s competitions during the season, the team was District Champions, Regional Runner-ups, and advanced to state competitions for the first time since 1989. Team member Boone Chaney went to the state competitions as a test taker in social studies where he placed in 18th place out of 125 fellow competitors.

PCMS Varsity Academic team members recognized during the meeting were: Daniel Boswell, Boone Chaney, Tanner Hunley, Cailey Jones, Lindsey Jones, Luke Marcum, Maddie Murray, Matthew Mynk, Katie Neal and Logan Sparks.

“Thank you to the staff and parents who made this possible, I know it involves a lot of back and forth to make sure the kids have everything they need to compete in those contests successfully,”’Interim Powell County Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony Orr said. “Thank you again to the parents for helping to make all that possible for our students and the school.

Student Peyton Tubbs was recognized for being a 2018 Recipent of the Craft Academy Award.

Casey Borst with Energy Solutions CMTA, Inc was present at the meeting to present the board with news about four schools in the school district achieving Energy Star Ratings on behalf of Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin, Energy Secretary Charles Snavely, the Kentucky School Board Association and CMTA.

Borst had worked previously with the Powell County School District to upgrade facilities and infrastructure such as lighting, air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and light fixtures to save energy.

Four schools in school district were presented with energy star ratings awards meaning they were among the most energy efficient schools in the state. The schools awarded were Bowen Elementary, Stanton Elementary, Clay City Elementary and Powell County Middle School.

Virginia Todd gave a presentation about Gifted and Talented students.

Shana Bailey-Perdue delivered a presentation about Career and Technology Education.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Anthony Orr gave the board updates about things the school district has started taking action to address following discussions about school safety over the past couple of months.

Orr told the board the district has a safety assessment audit scheduled to be held at the beginning of the next school year. Orr says the district will hold an Emergency Personnel Mock Response Training that will be held during the upcoming summer.

Orr says that the district is in the process of getting a emergency radio in the hands of Powell County Dispatch to quicken a response from emergency responders in the event of a threat or emergency.

Orr told the board the district was taking action to use a construction class at Powell County High School to make outside entrance labels to be placed on the outside of windows at each of the schools in the district.

Orr says that the district has applied for a grant that would be used to cover a tip line that would include additional services such as putting callers in contact with mental health specialists directly from the tip line.

The board approved to set June 10 as the date for Powell County Senior Class to graduate. Graduation is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.

The board approved a new position of School Technology Coordinator for each of the districts schools. The positions would be paid by stipend taken out of the technology departments budget.

The board approved the selection of Stiles, Carter and Associates as the auditor for the 2017 Fiscal Year. The board had received three different quotes from interested parties wanting to bid to complete the audit. Stiles, Carter and Associates submitted the lowest bid in the amount of $15,500.

The board approved a motion to table discussions to accept a recommendation to use RossTarrant Architects for the Powell County High School Security and Safety Renovation Project.

The project would include the addition of entrance security vestibule, exterior door panic bar and push plates, security gates for inside the building to be used during events, camera installation and upgrades, gym electrical wiring and installation of goal lift and the replacement of three Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Units. The board wanted to table the discussion for approving the project until a  presentation could be made by Sherman Carter Barnhart Architects. The board expressed they were pleased with the work completed by Sherman Carter Barnhart Architects during the Powell County Middle School Renovation Project and  wanted to see a presentation from the company before making a decision of whether or not to approve the project.

The board approved the Architectural Consultant Selection of Sherman Carter Barnhart for Local Planning Committee for the District Facility Plan.

The board approved an application for the district to use non-traditional instructional days as needed for inclement weather.

Casey Borst with Energy Solutions CMTA, Inc was present at the meeting to present the board with news about four schools in the school district achieving Energy Star Ratings on behalf of Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin, Energy Secretary Charles Snavely, the Kentucky School Board Association and CMTA.

Borst had worked previously with the Powell County School District to upgrade facilities and infrastructure such as lighting, air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and light fixtures to save energy costs.

“Four schools achieved Energy Star Ratings which means they are in the top 25 percent of the schools in Kentucky for being the most energy  efficient,” Borst said.

The four schools in the school district awarded with a Energy Star Rating were: Stanton Elementary School, Bowen Elementary School, Clay City Elementary and Powell County Middle School.

Virginia Carpenter presented the board with updates about the Gifted and Talented Program in Powell County

According to state regulations for gifted and talented programs, a gift ed and/or talented child is defined as one who is identified d as possessing demonstrated or potential ability to perform at an exceptionally high level in one or more of the following areas:

• general intellectual aptitude

• specific  academic aptitude

• creative or divergent thinking

• psychosocial or leadership skills in the visual or performing arts

Carpenter told the board 99 students had been selected as part of primary talent pool that  would be recognized as gifted and talented.

Carpenter says there are 203 students district wide are recognized as the Gifted and Talented. She says that 39 students who noticed as Gifted and Talented are in elementary schools, 79 students are in middle school and 85 students attend high school.

Shana Bailey-Perdue gave the board updates about the Career and Technical Education Department at PCHS.

Bailey-Perdue told the board the CTE center is Locally Operated Vocational Educational Center and is funding based off enrollment and because they don’t send kids out of the county all of the money stays in the county.

“If we were to send our kids to Montgomery County’s Area Technology Center they would get that money,” Bailey-Perdue said. “We are very fortunate to keep our money here in Powell County .”

Bailey-Perdue says that enrollment belt to fund salaries and other Career Technical Education expenses such as salaries for principals, counselors, custodians, CTE clerks, District Technology Technicians, technology such as computers, textbooks and education consultants.

Bailey-Perdue says that every five years the CTE adopts new technologies such as computers, she says when the department gets new computers they redistribute the old computers throughout the school district.

Bailey-Perdue told the board the department recently met with Maysville Community and Technical College to offer nine different career pathways with dual-credit opportunities.

“We wanted to offer dual-credit to our students in all nine of our pathways, we set down with them last Fall and they were very aggressive with us and told us they would offer two intro classes,”  Bailey-Perdue said. “If you look at our new accountability model with the state department it says we will get our accountability points if students take two approved dual-credit classes. We are the only school in the state, we have been the model school for the state and that’s pretty impressive.

Bailey-Perdue says that CTE center’s construction class has partnered with the Powell County Industrial Board on a tiny house project and recently the center partnered with the Powell County Farmers Market for the Agriculture class to build portable farmers markets meanwhile business classes are working to come up with a successful marketing strategy for the portable farmer markets.

Bailey-Perdue says the center is also working on becoming a certified AWS certified welding testing center.

“That means when a student goes though our agriculture department and they select our welder pathway they can pickup their welder certification and leave PCHS with a certification and are able to get ample employment, this program is brand new,” Bailey-Perdue said.

Bailey-Perdue also gave the board updates about clubs in the CTE Center. She told the board four students with Family, Career, Community Leaders of America are going to national competitions, Distributive Education Clubs of America despite being a brand new club has had two students who qualified for nationals and Future Businesses Leaders of America has 30 students who will be going to that organizations state competition.

Jennifer Kincaid spoke to the board about recommending approval a brand new Certified Evaluation Plan.

A local Certified Evaluation Plan (CEP) outlines procedures and contains forms needed to evaluate certified personnel below the level of superintendent in Kentucky public schools.

Other action taken by the Powell County Board of Education during April 9 meeting:

Approval of minutes for the Regular Meeting held March 12 and approval of minutes from special meeting held on March 28.

Approval claims and authorization to make payment of claims

Approval of bus request trips

Approval of monthly financial report

Approval of orders of the Treasurer for March

Approval of bond of depository for Powell County Board of Education with Whitaker Bank, Inc. and Sun Trust Company.

Approval of 2018-2019 Certified Evaluation Plan

Approval of out of state trip request for the Clay Elementary fifth grade class to travel to Mason, OH to Kings Island on the last day of school.

Approval of overnight trip request for the Powell County High School FFA to travel to Lexington, KY on June 5-7, for their state convention.

Approval of overnight trip request for the Powell County High School FCCLA to travel to Hardinsburg, KY on June 5-7 for their training for regional and state council.

Approval of out of state trip request for the Powell County High School FCCLA to travel to Atlanta, GA on June 27-July 2 for their national convention.

Approval of personnel action

Approval of medical leave for Stephanie Ritchie for the 2018-2019 school year

Approval of medical leave for Donna Willoughby from March 20-until further notice.Technology Coordinator for each of the districts schools. The positions would be paid by stipend taken out of the technology departments budget.

The board approved the selection of Stiles, Carter and Associates as the auditor for the 2017 Fiscal Year. The board had received three different quotes from interested parties wanting to bid to complete the audit. Stiles, Carter and Associates submitted the lowest bid in the amount of $15,500.

The board approved a motion to table discussions to accept a recommendation to use RossTarrant Architects for the Powell County High School Security and Safety Renovation Project.

The project would include the addition of entrance security vestibule, exterior door panic bar and push plates, security gates for inside the building to be used during events, camera installation and upgrades, gym electrical wiring and installation of goal lift and the replacement of three Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Units. The board wanted to table the discussion for approving the project until a  presentation could be made by Sherman Carter Barnhart Architects. The board expressed they were pleased with the work completed by Sherman Carter Barnhart Architects during the Powell County Middle School Renovation Project and  wanted to see a presentation from the company before making a decision of whether or not to approve the project.

The board approved the Architectural Consultant Selection of Sherman Carter Barnhart for Local Planning Committee for the District Facility Plan.

The board approved an application for the district to use non-traditional instructional days as needed for inclement weather.

Casey Borst with Energy Solitions CMTA, Inc was present at the meeting to present the board with news about four schools in the school district achieving Energy Star Ratings on behalf of Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin, Energy Secretary Charles Snavely, the Kentucky School Board Association and CMTA.

Borst had worked previously with the Powell County School District to upgrade facilities and infrastructure such as lighting, air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and light fixtures to save energy.

“Four schools achieved Energy Star Ratings which means they are in the top 25 percent of the schools in Kentucky for being the most energy  efficient.

The four schools in the school district awarded with a Energy Star Rating were: Stanton Elementary School, Bowen Elementary School, Clay City Elementary and Powell County Middle School.

Gifted and Talented Resource Teacher, Virginia Carpenter, presented the board with updates about the Gifted and Talented Program.

According to state regulations for gi ed and talented programs, a gi ed and/or talented child is defined as one who is identified d as possessing demonstrated or potential ability to perform at an exceptionally high level in one or more of the following areas:

• general intellectual aptitude

• speci c academic aptitude

• creative or divergent thinking

• psychosocial or leadership skills in the visual or performing arts

Carpenter told the board 99 students had been selected as part of primary talent pool that they would be considered of close being recognized as gifted and talented.

Carpenter says there are 203 students district wide that are recognized as the Gifted and Talented. She says that 39 students who noticed as Gifted and Talented are in elementary schools, 79 students are in middle school and 85 students attend high school.

Career and Technical Education Coordinator, Shana Bailey-Perdue gave the board updates about the Career and Technical Education Department at PCHS.

Bailey-Perdue told the board the CTE center is Locally Operated Vocational Educational Center and is funding based off enrollment and because they don’t send kids out of the county all of the money stays in the county.

“If we were to send our kids to Montgomery County’s Area Technology Center they would get that money,” Bailey-Perdue said. “We are very fortunate to keep our money here in Powell County .”

Bailey-Perdue says that enrollment belt to fund salaries and other Career Technical Education expenses such as salaries for principals, counselors, custodians, CTE clerks, District Technology Technicians, technology such as computers, textbooks and education consultants.

Bailey-Perdue says that every five years the CTE adopts new technologies such as computers, she says when the department gets new computers they redistribute the old computers throughout the school district.

Bailey-Perdue told the board the department recently met with Maysville Community and Technical College to offer nine different career pathways with dual-credit opportunities.

“We wanted to offer dual-credit to our students in all nine of our pathways, we set down with them last Fall and they were very aggressive with us and told us they would offer two intro classes,”  Bailey-Perdue said. “If you look at our new accountability model with the state department it says we will get our accountability points if students take two approved dual-credit classes. We are the only school in the state, we have been the model school for the state and that’s pretty impressive.

Bailey-Perdue says that CTE center’s construction class has partnered with the Powell County Industrial Board on a tiny house project and recently the center partnered with the Powell County Farmers Market for the Agriculture class to build portable farmers markets meanwhile business classes are working to come up with a successful marketing strategy for the portable farmer markets.

Bailey-Perdue says the center is also working on becoming a certified AWS certified welding testing center.

“That means when a student goes though our agriculture department and they select our welder pathway they can pickup their welder certification and leave PCHS with a certification and are able to get ample employment, this program is brand new,” Bailey-Perdue said.

Bailey-Perdue also gave the board updates about clubs in the CTE Center. She told the board four students with Family, Career, Community Leaders of America will be participating at national competitions, Distributive Education Clubs of America despite being a brand new club has had two students qualify for nationals and Future Businesses Leaders of America has 30 students who will be going to that organizations state competitions.

District Technology Coordinator, Jennifer Kincaid, spoke to the board about recommending it approve a brand new Certified Evaluation Plan.

A local Certified Evaluation Plan (CEP) outlines procedures and contains forms needed to evaluate certified personnel below the level of superintendent in Kentucky public schools. A local CEP is developed by an evaluation committee (also known as a 50/50 committee) to meet all the requirements of the Kentucky Framework for Personnel Evaluation (704 KAR 3:370). An evaluation committee is responsible for developing a CEP that clearly defines the processes and procedures to evaluate all certified personnel below the level of superintendent.

The 50/50 committee develops and submits the plan to the local board of education for approval as well as to the Kentucky Department of Education for final approval prior to implementation.

Kincaid told the board the CEP would assist staff with knowing what is expected of them to perform at the highest level possible.

Other action taken by the Powell County Board of Education during April 9 meeting:

Approval of minutes for the Regular Meeting held March 12 and approval of minutes from special meeting held on March 28.

Approval claims and authorization to make payment of claims

Approval of bus request trips

Approval of monthly financial report

Approval of orders of the Treasurer for March

Approval of bond of depository for Powell County Board of Education with Whitaker Bank, Inc. and Sun Trust Company.

Approval of 2018-2019 Certified Evaluation Plan

Approval of out of state trip request for the Clay Elementary fifth grade class to travel to Mason, OH to Kings Island on the last day of school.

Approval of overnight trip request for the Powell County High School FFA to travel to Lexington, KY on June 5-7, for their state convention.

Approval of overnight trip request for the Powell County High School FCCLA to travel to Hardinsburg, KY on June 5-7 for their training for regional and state council.

Approval of out of state trip request for the Powell County High School FCCLA to travel to Atlanta, GA on June 27-July 2 for their national convention.

Approval of personnel action

Approval of medical leave for Stephanie Ritchie for the 2018-2019 school year

Approval of medical leave for Donna Willoughby from March 20-until further notice.

By CECIL PERGRAM

Times Editor

Kentucky Congressman of the Sixth Congressional District, Andy Barr, recently visited with members of the community on March 29 to discuss addiction and recovery services to help combat the opioid epidemic.

The event also served as an unofficial opening of the Special People Advocating Recovery Kentucky center office located across from the Powell County Courthouse that was donated by the Powell County Fiscal Court program that some in the community attributes was being a factor to a recent drop in the overdose mortality rate in the county by 50 percent.

For the past three years Jenell Brewer has been an advocate for Special People Advocating Recovery Kentucky also known as SPARK which is a faith based program meeting the needs of anyone with a number of afflictions from substance abuse to grief over the loss of a loved one or family member.

Recently Brewer has opened up an advocacy office for SPARK across from the Powell County Courthouse in Stanton.

In the past two years SPARK has used Casey’s Law more than 90 times to send drug abusers the help needed with addiction recovery.

Powell County resident Stacy Coffey who volunteers his time to assist SPARK advocacy center, told Barr that from 2011-to-2015 Powell County had over 35 deaths due to a drug overdose.

Since the SPARK advocates have been working in the community over the past two years the number of overdose deaths have dropped to four in 2016 and four in 2017.

“To me that’s a drastic impact. Now can I say that SPARK had a direct impact? I would say, yeah, but can we say that was all of the impact? No, but I would say that it was a large enough impact that it warrants potentially being the model for other communities and warrants the need of being funded,” Coffey said.

Barr told those present that he was interested in finding ways of taking resources already dedicated to fighting the opioid crisis and bringing it to Powell County. Barr also told those present at the forum he was interested in hearing from them about what politicians in Washington were missing out on by not being on the front-lines battling addiction.

“The war is fought one person at a time and we can’t lose sight of the fact we are fighting one person at a time and they are no one size that fits all answers,” Powell County District Judge Kenneth Proffit said. “I truly believe if involuntary treatment is going to work for persons with substance abuse there has to be an advocate in each county and that’s not going to happen on a volunteer basis. It’s a one-off, what we have here in Powell County, and; we now have one in Wolfe County.”

Proffitt told Barr while Powell County has done almost 90 Casey Law’s cases in the past two yearas over that same period time there had only been 15 in Breathitt and Wolfe Counties.

“What I was thinking was maybe we need to do is packages this as some sort of study for the Sixth District where we could get funding on a trial basis for each county, the money could be administered through the county judges office or the county attorney,” Profitt said. “If this has any chance of success we need to study what are the best practices for involuntary treatment because if it doesn’t work we need to know that. Right now I look at is a tool that I can use to use help move people from the place where they are a drain on societies resources to the place where they are contributing to societies resources. I think of this as a puzzle but a critical piece is the advocate I would ask that you help Spark with grant writers, money or whatever it takes to make that happen.”

Those present told Barr that they need a central advocate who can coordinate helping people from the cradle to the grave of the process by using their networking skills to get others the help they need.

“What I’m telling you is any money that you can send here, we will take advantage of and we will make you proud of what we do with it,” Powell County Attorney Robert King said.