By LISA JOHNSON

Times Staff Writer

Along with the renovations the Lodge has been decorated for Christmas. A festive addition to an already beautiful destination.

  According to Tim Hibbert “Keeper Of The Lodge”, 11 rooms have already been completed and 24 more are being scheduled for upgrades and total renovation after January 1st.  Several of the rooms will contain two Queen size beds and much needed furniture all   around.

In addition a 40 inch flatscreen television will be added to each room.  The new upgrades are part of the Restoring the Finest initiative. Natural Bridge State Resort Park has planned over a million dollars in improvements to go along with the Restoring the Finest initiative. The renovations go to enhancing the experience and improve guest comfort.  Hemlock lodge and State Park Cabins see  thousands of tourist every year who visit Powell County and surrounding areas .   The business is growing and the keeper of the Lodge invites you to come dine with us, have a drink and  enjoy your stay at Natural Bridge!

By LISA JOHNSON

Times Staff Writer

   This week  marks the graduation of Hunter Martin from the Kentucky Law Enforcement  College  in Richmond Kentucky. Hunter is the grandson of former County Judge  and Sheriff Billy Joe Martin, Sr., and the son of former Sheriff Billy Joe Martin, Jr. Hunter will be working in the Powell County Sheriff’s Office where his grandfather and father  served the citizens of Powell County for many years.

Billy Joe Sr. became the  Fiscal Court Judge In 1978 and helped secure the anew courthouse that we  still use today and which bears his name  “Billy Joe Martin Government Center”. His accomplishments were great and the continued contributions by his family to the citizens of Powell County are well noted.

Billy Joe Martin, Sr.’s, son-in-law Timmy Tipton serves as a Magistrate. One grandson, Marty Tipton, serves as Chief of Police for Clay City. Hunter has served as Jailer and  will soon  join the Powell County Sheriff’s Office.

The family patriarch who is often remembered  smiling with a toothpick In his mouth, left a great legacy  and some rather large shoes to fill.

Current Judge Executive James Anderson stated “He accomplished many great things while in office”.  We  as a community are glad to see the  family continue his legacy of service to others.

Sheriff Danny Rogers is proud to welcome another  Martin to the family.

By BRANDON TIPTON

Times Staff

Today is Thanksgiving, Christmas is right around the corner, before we know it the year will be gone and it’ll be 2020. The 20’s again, can you believe it? Can’t wait for all those Gatsby parties, speak easies and flapper girls, but before we get the cart before the horse, let’s back up to the Yuletide.   

Christmas is coming up fast and the Powell County Kiwanis club is working overtime to make it merry and bright for the people of the county. They have already started putting up lights and decorating in Stanton in addition to gearing up for the annual Kiwanis Christmas Parade which will be held the first Friday in December. Lineup will begin at 6:00pm on East Elkins Street. Enter on the Ace Hardware end of East Elkins Street and Powell County Kiwanis Representatives will direct you.  The parade will end at the Stanton City Park with gifts for the first 100 children a picture opportunity with Santa!

The theme for the 2019 Christmas Parade is: Old Fashioned Christmas. For more information or to enter a float contact Misty Marsh at (606) 723-2139. There are three categories of floats School/Civic, Church and Business. Prizes will be $200 and a ribbon for the best overall float, $100 and a ribbon for first runner-up and $50 and a ribbon for second runner-up. The rules are simple: the float must be lit, there is only one Santa and he is provided by the Kiwanis Club and all participants must complete the entire route.

It’s sure to be a wonderful sight, all those beautiful floats twinkling through the night. See you there!

By LISA JOHNSON

Times Staff Writer

 On Wednesday morning around 2:50  A.M. near the 16 mile marker on the Mountain,  Parkway Deputy Edwards with the Powell County Sheriffs office  approached a parked vehicle reported stolen.
Inside he found   Stanton resident,  38 year old, Donald Lewis.

Upon approach Lewis exited the vehicle shoving  Deputy Edwards  and then attempted to take control of a truck parked in the emergency lane.  The deputy shot out the tires to prevent Lewis from  escaping. Lewis  then  exited the truck and jumped into Edwards’ cruiser in an effort  to escape forcing Edwards to attempt to shoot out his own tires.  Lewis headed east on the parkway while Clay City and Stanton  Police pursued the man who turned onto  213 North  driving into Montgomery county . The Montgomery  County Sheriffs  Office with  State Police joined in the pursuit . Lewis then turned back south  and ran   off road  into a field becoming stuck in the mud were he was arrested . He is charged with fleeing and evading in the first degree , driving under the influence and resisting arrest-Lewis is currently  lodged in the Powell County Detention Center.  Thanks to all who  helped bring this to a safe conclusion while we all slept warm and safe!   Guess his name is MUD.

By LISA JOHNSON

Times Staff Writer

 Last Saturday, Kroger held its annual holiday open house to kick off the season. Kroger and it’s staff are trying to provide the  various needs for the holidays, especially for all you home chefs. The staff works  to provide for your every need, and on a personal level. Store Manager Mark  says if you don’t see it on their shelves tell  any of their staff they will do their best to have it in stock.

Kroger maintains its commitment to end food waste and stamp out hunger and does so with a smile. It’s a fun place to shop with great people who deliver their best every single day!

Kroger and Stanton welcome a new manager, Iva Stevens. Thanks to Kroger for making shopping a fun family adventure.

By LISA JOHNSON

Times Staff Writer

It has been little more than a years since the voters of Powell County headed to the polls and made their decision known. The polling data shows that out of the 3000 people who voted in last May’s election, 1699 voted to approved alcohol sales in the county.

According to Clay City and Powell County’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) accounting the 6% regulatory fees collected from May to September was $42,852.80. Stanton sales are not included in this total.

The start up money from the county has been paid back and now ABC will begin utilizing the revenue received. Some of the monies will be used for prevention education through the School Resource Officer office at the high school.  The funds go to education, administration and law enforcement and of course the county.

The big question on many minds is have DUI’S and public intoxication arrests increased? According to Stanton Police Chief Arthur  Lacy  and Clay City Police Officer Rob Williams the answer is no. They have seen no change in those crime rates. There were actually  some statistic from outside sources that stated dry counties may have higher methamphetamine usage and instances of drunk driving.

The miles driven to obtain alcohol have decreased for residents and the money is staying in the county and is being used to benefit the citizens of Powell County and not any of our adjoining counties. The trail of beer cans and  liquor  bottles that are often seen between counties is diminishing and we hope this means a decrease in drinking and driving.

Powell County has added similar  language to the law that was enacted in Lexington some years ago that requires  registration on kegs to prevent the misuse by minors. Laws should work to benefit the community as a whole. It seemsClay City has actually seen a decrease in Alcohol offenses and other  crimes because more money equals more police and the City Of Clay and its Mayor  have delivered on their commitment to its citizens.

By LISA JOHNSON

Times Staff Writer

Last Saturday Powell County Schools hosted the 7AA /7A and 6AA Regional Cross Country meet at the Lions Club Park. Nearly 130 participants competed to see who would go on to state. The girls had four qualifying teams from Perry, Lawrence, Letcher and our very own Powell County.

The qualifying boys teams were Letcher, Lawrence and Powell County. This is the first time Powell County has hosted these events and those involved in the planning demonstrated excellence above and beyond.

A special thanks goes out to Julie Clark, Hondo Hearn, Timmy Tipton, James Campbell (from Kroger), the Lions Club and the many others who helped plan and manage the meet. They have set an example of excellence that demonstrates the very best of Powell County.

Powell County Judge Executive James D. Anderson, Jr., addressed the crowd of concerned citizens. David Adkinson reviews his notes in the background.

By LISA JOHNSON

Times Staff Writer

Representatives of Red River Economic Development, LLC. (RRED), met  with area residents, business owners and local  leaders to set the stage for the finalization of plans for an 800 acre hotel and village complex referred to as a destination resort  planned for the Slade area. Red River Economic Development, LLC., has secured funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) from multi-county coal severance funds. The deadline for submittal of the development plans is October 31, 2019 and the completed plan is scheduled for April 30 of 2020.

Numerous people attended the meeting, held in Hemlock Lodge at Natural Bridge State Resort Park. Many concerns were addressed and Judge James Anderson stayed all day to answer residents questions and concerns. RRED plans to mark the Red River Gorge as the Gateway To Eastern Kentucky in the hopes that the new employment opportunities will offset the loss of jobs brought on by the decline of the coal industry.

The primary speaker was David Adkinson from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.  Many local business owners expressed concerns over environmental issues and being unable to find enough employee to operate.

One speaker, Craig Bentley, stated that he felt the owner of the property where the proposed hotel will be built is being singled out by others and that he had the right to do with his property as he sees fit. The owner is considered to be a highly respected member of the community.

The development is reputed to be well planned and open for input and touted to bring a much needed source of revenue to the area that will  go to improving the lives of the working people in and around Powell County. For Questions or comments you can contact  www.redriver.com,  go to redriverky@kychamber.com or speak with County Judge James Anderson who stated, “my door is always open”.

By LISA JOHNSON

Times Staff Writer

Austin Shockley of Ravenna, Kentucky was sentenced to 20 years in prison for murder and 10 years for assault, to run concurrently, for the fatal accident that killed Powell County resident James Patton Bowen on October 15, 2017 and injured Mason Powell.

The accident occurred on HWY 499 in Irvine, Kentucky around 1:00 in the morning.  Shockley, who was driving under the influence, crossed the median and struck the Volkswagen head-on, killing 26 year old General Bowen.

Shockley has been arrested twice since the accident, once for failing a drug test in 2018 and again in September 2019 for failure to appear and failing another drug test.

We take time to remember a life cut short of a young man who was everything to his family, who  stood tall in the community that loved him. His future and his family’s future, all cheated by death, not by an accident- but by a plague on our society that robs people of their hopes and dreams and offers no comfort or solution. Their loss is felt by us all!  Rest In Peace General Bowen.

By LISA JOHNSON

Times Staff Writer

You may know him only as our 911 Director, but Cory Graham is not just a voice on the emergency  airways.   At 10 years of age, Cory had his own column  ( Cory’s Comments) right here in the Clay City  Times. Graham’s true passion is art and his works have been published in Red Planet and The Outsider Magazines. Graham’s art will be on display at the PRHBIN Lexington Art League’s October 18th show that will be held at the Loudon House in Lexington, located at 209 Castlewood Dr.  and is open free to the public from 5pm to 10pm. Exhibition Director Logan Dennison states “this will be one of the Art Leagues most exclusive events”.   The uniqueness of Grahams  artistic visions is well worth the trip.  Afterwards we will post our reviews for those of you who missed out. Looking  Forward to seeing you there!