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!

By LISA JOHNSON

Times Staff Writer

 On Saturday, September 28, nearly 500 rummers from 17 states and 4  countries descended upon the Red River to challenge what is one of the toughest races in the Eastern Us. The prize? To Tame The RED! The half marathon is the  creation of  Joe Bowen and as far runners are concerned, it’s the ultimate race on their to-do list. Winner in the Men’s Division was Ben Calebs from Louisville with a time of 1 hour and 56 minutes. The Women’s Division winner was Jillian Markus from Covington finishing in 2 hours and 15 minutes.  The first place husband and wife team was Steve and Julie Breitegan from Lexington.

Local youth provided music along the trails. A thanks to Powell County SAR who have been working the race for five years and RED STAR Paramedics who were on scene. A tale of great sportsman ship from  an unknown couple who are thanked for stopping  to pickup a fallen female runner who went down in  the first mile of the race. Kris Tito  a Podiatrist from Cincinnati, Ohio did finish the race and  sends her thanks to the unknown couple. Like we always say “you meet some of the nicest people out on the trail”. Great Race! Great People! Y’all Come Back- See You Next Year!

By LISA JOHNSON

Times Staff Writer

  On Sunday, September 22 just days after the institution of a burn ban, a ground fire was reported at 1:30pm  on Campton Rd, just north of Slade. The fire scorched the mountain beside  a business and endangered a nearby cabin development.  Fire Departments from Middle Fork, Stanton and Tri Community responded along with the US Forest Service. The fire was listed as a controlled burn and the cause is under investigation. The fire was under control by 4:30pm. The first responders asked us to express their  appreciation to the Wilcox family for the snacks and cold water.

Seventy-one nearby counties, including Estill and Wolfe, have issued burn bans due to the drought-like conditions. These bans usually forbid burning of forest, grass, crops, woodlands, marshes or other similar areas, burning leaves or debris, campfires, bonfires and warming fires, open pit cooking and charcoal grilling along with the use of fireworks and welding. In November of 2016, under similar conditions, a wildfire tore through the Smokey Mountains region of Tennessee claiming 14 lives and injuring 134 others.

Steve Asbury, Judge James Anderson and Chief Mike Sparks from Clay City Fire.

By LISA JOHNSONTimes Staff Writer

 Last week Kentucky  Emergency Management conducted  its annual awards ceremony in Louisville. The award for  Kentucky County Judge of the year went to Powell County’s Judge Executive James Anderson. The most improved Emergency Management Director went to  Powell County  EMA Director  Steve Asbury. An additional award was given to   team members  from our ambulance service and Search And Rescue (accepted by by Chief Mike Sparkes)  and  Red Star Backcountry Paramedics (accepted by David Fifer)for their work in a joint exercise training program with Kentucky Air National Guard in preforming emergency medical airlift training in the Red River Gorge.

We are most fortunate at this time in our community to have such  dedicated, personal and well formed leadership that makes Powell County stand out.  Upon receiving his award County Judge  James Anderson made the note that his recognition  was the byproduct of the good people that support our community and they are the reason for his award and for our county’s  success.

We congratulate them all and thank them for being apart of our humble county. Thanks Judge Anderson, Chief Sparks, and Steve Asbury for a good job and taking care of our community.

By LISA JOHNSON

Times Staff Writer

 The Powell County Lions Club held its annual Miss Powell County pageant on September 7 at the high school. Eleven contestants displayed an array of talent from singing, dancing, musical instruments to a hula hoop.  The final five contestants were Lexie Grace Meade, Gabriella Huntsberger, Nalli Katherine Marcum, Madeline Elizabeth Murray and Demara Alexis La-Sha Sparks with Lexie Grace Meade announced as Miss Powell County 2019. The evening was most memorable and we  thank all the participants and the Lions club and Jonathan Hall for their hard work to make this special night happen for these talented young ladies.  The Miss Powell County Pagent is  more than a beauty pageant, it requires a lot of work and personal effort on behalf of all the contestants. Each individual participant brings a rare look into the best of up and coming womanhood  and  is an example for all to see. Pageants like this foster individual goals, community activism and feminism. Each individual showcases the best and  brightest , all representing  Powell County. Beauty pageants are a part of the American land scape and are part of our culture and the participants in my book are all winners!  All contestants were ask , fifty years from now what do you want people to remember about you?  Lexie stated” I want to stand out”   we agree you did.  Congratulation to all from Clay City Times Staff.