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.

Powell County High School FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) placed in twenty-two events on Friday, March 6th, 2020 at the Regional Leadership Conference. This group of young leaders achieved 13 first place victories, 4 second place victories, and 1 fifth place award. Needless to say, these admirable students left with a lot of gold and self accomplishment. Fantastic job to all who were a part of the success, both to students and leaders.

By LISA JOHNSON

Times Staff-Writer

On Sunday, February 16, a car rolled down the boat ramp and sank into the depths of Mill Creek Lake at Natural Bridge. The fisherman had pulled onto the boat ramp facing downhill and got out to unload his fishing tackle when the incident occurred. Several fire departments responded and Search And Rescue attempted to recover the vehicle.

The edge of the lake from the ramp has a shallow berm for the first twenty yards then terraces down steeply. When the car floated for a few seconds it passed over the edge of the under water bank plunging nearly 40 feet to the bottom. Rumor has it Mill Creek Lake is 100 feet deep, but the deepest point is within 30 feet of the far bank and is only 50 feet deep.

The following Friday a diver swam to the depths of the lake to hook a tow cable to the submerged vehicle. Unfortunately the tow chain broke sending the car and diver back into the depths. After nearly a week the car is now high and dry and will be cleaned inside and out. No trout were reported injured in the incident.

By MADISON FUGATE

Times Editor

Hannah Wheeler, a native to Clay City, Kentucky, certainly makes this community shine with her bold talents and personality. Hannah is (19) nineteen years old and is a graduate of Powell County High School. She now studies elementary education and special education at Morehead State University. However, in her spare time, Hannah likes to pick up her guitar, paper, and pen and create something that will make all music lovers bliss.

Hannah’s interest in music first peaked when she was a young fourth grade student at Clay City Elementary and became a member of the Clay City Singers, a school quire. She was also influenced greatly by her english teacher, Jessica Begley. Hannah would describe her music as a combination of folk and country. She is inspired by other Kentucky artists that have advanced their careers in the music industry such as: Chris Stapleton, Loretta Lynn, and Tyler Childers. With that being said, Hannah declares if she had the opportunity to open for any artist, she would mostly likely choose Tyler Childers.

Hannah uses music as her outlet for her thoughts and ideas on what she cares the most about and chooses to write her music about the people in her life that have influenced her the most in her life and sometimes social issues such as the coal industry. Hannah’s best piece of advice would be to do what makes you happiest in life without the worry of what everyone else will think. Hannah also states that if she had the power to change anything in the music industry today it would be that artists focus their energy on writing and performing on matters of importance or from the heart rather than what they may consider to be the most contemporary.

If you would like to listen to Hannah’s music, you can call WSKV 104.9 and request it or Truckin’ It Home with Katelyn usually plays it Tuesday-Friday anywhere from 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Some of the titles to Hannah’s songs are as follows: Love Ain’t Blind, Bring Back the Light, and Appalachian Man. Appalachian Man was a song inspired by her grandfather, whom she suggests is her number one fan and therefore was deserving of the contribute. You can also check out Ms. Wheeler’s Facebook page to see what’s new. Of course, you have the community’s support and we can’t wait to see where you will go, Hannah!

By MADISON FUGATE

Times Editor

The Stanton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center hosted a Valentine’s Day party for their residents on Thursday, February 13^th, 2020. This festivity included a chocolate fountain, holiday themed Pictionary, each took an estimate as to how many Hershey kisses were in a jar, and in conclusion residents guessed the title and artist to love songs. Some of the artists were The Temptations, Elvis Presley, and Frank Sinatra. Although, Elvis (The King of Rock and Roll) definitely seemed to be the most popular in the room of all the artists. Everyone in the room seemed engaged the whole occasion and the coordinators did a superb job with the organization of the celebration.  Before dismissing, there was a crowning of Valentine’s Day King and Queen. The King and Queen seemed to be delighted at the result and it was a picture-perfect ending to the event. It’s always uplifting to see that the residents in our local rehabilitation centers are in good hands and taken well care of with special events all can enjoy.

By MADISON FUGATE

Times Editor

The City of Stanton Tourism and Convention Commission plans to introduce exciting new growth in the community hopefully in the coming Summer months. Many of the local residents have countless fond memories of the drive-in theater here in Powell County. As a result, it is imperative to the Tourism committee to preserve this as much as possible and include it as an important and cherished piece of the community with the additions of some exciting and modernized renovations.

The members are only in the first stages of layout and thoughts for potential events and renovations.

Some of the discussion proposed throughout their meeting involved presenting past released film projections on the screens in conjunction with the local festivals, hosting concerts, leasing for community events, car shows, and other possible festivals/swap-markets.

Recently, there has been a health inspector on site to observe the area to specify some of the requirements for updates. The board members have also decided the building will indisputably need new paint, new lighting fixtures, new plumbing/toilets, new doors, and they plan to possibly add an office and remove the drop ceilings therein. It is their desire to have a high-quality facility that the public will be eager to utilize. In order for contractors to have an opportunity to place their bids, the board plans to advertise the trades needed for the process in the local paper before proceeding with any developments. However, the Stanton Tourism and Convention Commission members feel the most efficient strategy for success is to wait until all needs have been declared before advertising to the public and pursuing bids. All in all, this addition should create a desire for the community to connect, gather and celebrate.

By MADISON FUGATE

Times Editor

Red River Gorge United hosted a community meeting in efforts to represent the people and the ecosystem of the Red River Gorge on Saturday, February 1st, 2020. Citizens from all over the state and even some out of the state gathered to discuss the potential development and possible resort planned for the Red River Gorge area. Among these citizens, you could find concerned local residents, local business owners, and out of county admirers. Kristen Wiley, owner of Kentucky Reptile Zoo in Slade, Kentucky held most of the discussion before dividing the crowd into groups. Many of those who attended expressed their concerns with stories in how they had raised their families in the area and there were also those who expressed their perspective in how they moved to the more peaceful and untouched area in order to escape their previous lifestyles they considered to be overwhelming. There were several local citizens who spoke out on their concern for distant companies having such an influence in the area and felt it would be best for any development in the area to be by and through the community as an alternative.

Ms. Wiley, front-runner of the discussion, instructed the crowd that it was not her position to see absolutely no growth in the area, however, she did want to make certain that if there were to be any changes in the area that it would be the right growth for the area and any development would be sustainable, slow, good for the environment and not too drastic. This later opened discussion regarding concerns on branding the gorge. Members of Red River Gorge United articulated they had been advised of discussion involving wording that related to branding not only the possible resort but also the Red River Gorge.

The meeting further continued into a discussion for community concerns. Transportation was stressed as a highlight of concern for those attending. Many felt that the Red River Gorge was already at its capacity and there was fear of overcrowding, noise pollution, and the lack of room to expand these narrow routes. Infrastructure was fixated numerous times throughout the discussion regarding the location of wastewater (sewer), garbage, the livelihood of threatened and endangered species, and the arches. The significance of preserving the historic sites on the area included archaeology and a possible cemetery.

Members of Red River Gorge United elucidated their understanding that this enlargement could potentially produce several jobs throughout the community, but they had concerns for the nature of the jobs and their true benefit to the community. According to RRGU, there is no just and true clarification as to who would ultimately benefit from this development and one member made the argument, “You either plan or you get planned for.”

There were many attending who cherish the amenities the gorge already has to offer as is and would like the opportunity to reach out to the community to gather the needs and desires of the people. If you’re interested in reaching out to Red River Gorge United, you may find more information on their Facebook page that also holds a link to their website, (rrgunited.org), that includes a survey for the community.

By LISA JOHNSON

Times Staff-Writer

Ricky Williams with Estill County Search and Rescue, along with another member, go over ground rules for the search.

 On Sunday, January 26 Powell County Search and Rescue received a  call requesting assistance from the Estill County SAR team.   A 42 year old man and his dog were reported missing off Mountain Spring Road in Estill and were last seen around 3:00 in the afternoon on Saturday.

The subject  had a history of disappearing but was quickly located inside a cave around 3:00 on Sunday  by various  members of the Estill team and their  dogs. The subject was  taken by sheriff Chris Flynn to be assessed by EMS. The man and his dog are both reported as well.