The Powell County Road Department is pictured above while installing  all of the recently added GPS Trackers in all of the departments vehicles.

Stanton, Kentucky – November 17, 2017 – A new technological innovation will be debuting in the Powell County Road Department, and just in time for winter. Over the course of the last week, GPS trackers have been installed on the fleet of trucks deployed by the department to aid in road repairs and other responsibilities unique to their crews.

Using the resources of the Bluegrass Area Development District, the Powell County Fiscal Court worked with the Road Department to establish the new platform for tracking vehicles wherever they may be throughout Powell County. Beyond simply knowing where the vehicles are, these tracking devices offer up a measure of safety and increase efficiency within the department.

“Having the ability to keep constant track of the trucks when they’re in the field will give us an added layer of understanding as to how road conditions are progressing, and how effective we are within the department,” said Judge-Executive James Anderson, “particularly during the process of snow removal.” While the work of our local road crews impact the day-to-day life of nearly every resident of Powell County, perhaps no other time are they more visible or more important than during the snowy winter months.

The information from the trackers will feed into a monitor in the Powell County 911 Dispatch Center, where the communications department can track progress in real-time, and determine the conditions of roads throughout the county more effectively. Cory Graham, director of Powell County 911, remarked on the history of the project: “Two years ago we began experimenting with snow removal through our dispatch center, testing different routes and changing the way we communicate during winter storm events. This project has been a long-term goal, and will allow us to better inform the public as to the progress of snow removal and will add an element of safety to the crews out there working to clear the way.”

The addition of these tracking devices will give the staff of the 911 center the ability to monitor any vehicles which may become stuck, or otherwise find themselves in peril while plowing a given route. Additionally, the accuracy of the equipment will allow first responders, should an emergency arise, to locate the particular vehicle in its exact location should communications prove difficult.

By CECIL PERGRAM

Times Editor

Powell County Schools Superintendent Michael Tate submitted a letter on November 13 notifying the  Powell County Board of Education that he intends to resign effective January 1, 2018.

“It is time to make this happen as I am ready to begin the next chapter in my life. I find myself overwhelmed with all the positive experiences I have enjoyed over the past 35 years serving the students of Kentucky,” Tate said. “

Tate says that he would like to say thank you to all the tremendous educators that he has had a privilege to work with over the years.

“I would like to say a special thank you to the board members and the board attorney for our working relationship during my time as Superintendent, it has been an honor to  collaborate with them in serving the students of Powell County,” said Tate. “A special thank you to the five board members who selected me to be the Superintendent of Powell County, I hope that I served the students well and did not disappoint them while serving in this position.”

Tate says that the Powell County School System has been proactive over the past seven years with him being the acting Superintendent and that he is overwhelmed with pride for what the administration has been able to accomplish during his tenure.

“Everyday we remained focused on the goal of increasing student achievement. We have dramatically increased choices students at the high school with many opportunities for dual credit,” said Tate. “The only sure way to accomplish student achievement is to continue to focus on every student to graduate high school, college and/or career ready. By every single measure of our work the youth of Powell County have a significantly better education today that they did seven years ago.”

Tate says that the administration and staff worked ceaselessly to ensure a better education and outcome for the youth of Powell County.

“We have moved forward with our facility plan with the purchasing of land next to the middle school. We also made progress at Powell County Middle School and Powell County High School with construction projects over the past few years to upgrade both schools,” Tate said. “We have assured that no single student goes hungry before they start their school day or leave us hungry before they return home, with all students eating free breakfast and lunch within the district.”

Tate said the school district had been proactive on leading the way in the implementation of the Common Core Standards and new initiatives from the Kentucky Department of Education.

“The work of our teachers is nothing short of extraordinary in developing and implementing this ground breaking shift in instructional practices and expectations of for our students. I have watched students work to accomplish the goal of earning full scholarships at top institutions, I have witnessed young men and women develop the set of skills to allow them entry into the Armed Forces of the United States of America,” Tate said.

Tate says the is has been a joy for him to watch students grow in confidence performing at high levels while also showcasing their talents in the sports arena, academics, band competition, declamation, and events like Miss Powell County, Veterans Day Programs, and the Reading Celebration.

“I will always have fond memories of graduation day watching our students leave or campus with a sense of urgency ready to move on, knowing that we helped them acquire the skills and knowledge to be productive citizens and community members,” said Tate.

“Needless to say this has been hard work, in fact exhausting work. I am proud and honored, but it is time for a transition.” Tate said. “Our district is in good shape, financially, educationally, and in all areas serving the many needs of our youth. I could not be more thankful for the opportunity to have served the amazing youth of Powell County and I will now take time to reflect of how I will continue to serve them and contribute to the community.”

By CECIL PERGRAM

Times Editor

The Outdoor Group LLC announced it will be closing it’s Scott Archery facilities located at 125 E. Elkins Street in Stanton at the beginning of 2018.

On November 6 the city of Stanton was made aware that the Outdoor Group LLC would be permanently closing it s Scott Archery Facilities in Stanton beginning in January of 2018.

Outdoor Group LLC Vice President of Operations Corey Risden notified the city of Stanton via letter that the action would take place over a 14-day period between January 10-January 24 and that all but seven employees would be separated from employment. Those seven remaining employees will reportedly remain employed for a brief stint of time to help assist with shutting down plant operations before eventually being terminated in another 14-day period between the dates of February 2-February 16.

“They told me that they made some bad decisions and had two plants running at half capacity that they were taking it all back to the one plant in New York,” Stanton Mayor Dale Allen said.  “They said that there was nothing that we could do to change that.”

Mayor Allen says that Powell Valley Millwork held a job fair on Novmeber 14 to explain the types of employees that they’re looking for and that he is hopeful that some of the affected employees will be able to make a transition from one company to the next.

“All of management is on board. They’re going to explain what they do down there and hopefully they will be able to move,” Mayor Allen said.

Local officials say that the move was unexpected based on previous meetings. Mayor Allen says that the Industrial Authority, Powell County Judge Executive James Anderson and himself worked tirelessly to change the groups minds and to bring the Outdoor Group LLC to the county.

You could have knocked me over with a feather. Some of the people there have been there 25, 30, or 35 years and it’s speciality work. It’s not  like digging ditches or something like that it’s a very unique and pretty skilled thing making those releases out of a solid sheet of aluminum.

“It was a great shock to us. We worked very hard the past four and a half years and actually just got them to sign a 5-year contract where they’re located at. The state helped through its incentive program and we thought that they were set,” Powell County Judge Executive James Anderson said. “We had a conversations that actually the reverse would potentially happen with New York having a issue and them consolidating here in Kentucky.”

“Their moving is nothing that the state of Kentucky, the city of Stanton or Powell County that we did that is on us or something that we did. They told us that they’ve never had a better incentive package than what was put before them here,” said Anderson. “That’s the frustrating thing knowing that we did everything that we could and it’s very unfortunate.”

Judge Executive Anderson says that the county has been exploring all options and has had conversations with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and the Department of Local Government making them aware of the situation and that they were just shocked because of how instrumental the departments were in the state’s portion of the deal.

“They will be of an assistance and I would think that in the next few months that we will have the majority of those people a job opportunity still in Powell County,” Anderson said.

“That will be our goal if you have to start driving outside of the community its very unfortunate. Hopefully we will be able retain a great many of them here that has been and will continue to be our goal. Economic development  has been one the things were we’ve had a lot of success and lot things are still in the works but in the short time we want to make sure that these people affected are not disadvantaged anymore than they have to be,” Anderson said.

By CECIL PERGRAM

Times Editor

On November 5 Aaron’s Gift of Smiles an organization ran by Greg Rogers of Stanton as a way to honor his late son Aaron Gregory Rogers collected toys and cash to be distributed to needy children for Christmas.

Rogers says that he believes altogether that he collected around $3,000 in cash and toys from a poker run and toy drive.

“It was the first annual event we had quite a few bikers who showed up and they spent money. It was funny to see these big burly bikers rolling in with big toys strapped to the backs of their bikes,” Rogers said.

“We were worried about the weather and prayed about the weather but it ended up being a beautiful day and it was really cool how things worked out,” Rogers said. It’s a great way to honor my son and I know that he would be looking down from heaven seeing these children smiling at Christmas.

Rogers says that he plans to distribute all the toys and cash to the Powell County Board of Education because he doesn’t have the ability to know where all the children are to be able to distribute the gifts and cash.

“The cash will go to children who have outgrown toys but they still want something for Christmas. They’re at a transitional age and they can get forgotten about and we can’t forget about those children because their at the age where things start to matter a lot more to them as far as their feelings go. If we can save one life or change the course of child’s life it’s all worth it and that what it’s all about,” Rogers said.

Rogers says that he is just trying to put smiles on kids faces the best way that he can.

“As a parent losing a child it’s medicine for me and it gives me something to work on with my son and it’s my way of keeping him close to me,” Rogers said.

Rogers says that the event was a really good thing for the community and that quite a few people were present at the event. Rogers says that he would like to thank everybody that helped making the event such a success from the riders, to his family and friends, law enforcement who blocked the road for the bikers and Clay City Mayor Jimmie Caudill. Rogers says that he would like to specially thank Mike Curtis for everything he did to help with the event and Duane Curtis for everything that he did behind the scenes.

Rogers says that he plans to hold the event annually and that he expects that event will be bigger next year.

“We hope that it continues to grow and that we can continue to reach more and more children,” Rogers said. “I know that my son, Aaron, would be looking down from smiling because he’s reaching children.

Above photos shows Powell County Lions Club members Cebert Gilbert Jr. and Dallas Pelfrey along with other who walked to the top of Natural Bridge as parts of the club’s 5th Annual Walk to remember. Also pictured in no specfic order are Park Naturalist Brian Gasdors, Ted Raybould, Carolyn Raybould, Greg Webb, Billy Joe Bush, Debbie Orme Bush and Candace Ann Gilbert.

The Powell County Lions Club held its 5th Annual Walk to Remember to the top of Natural Bridge,  on October 14 in honor of its 77 past Lions members who have went on to a greater service in the last 71 years.

Powell County Lions Club members who made the walk were Cebert Gilbert, Jr. and Dallas Pelfrey. Others who made the walk were Natural Bridge Park Naturalist Brian Gasdors, Dr. Ted Raybould D.M.D., Carolyn Raybould, Greg Webb, Billy Joe Bush, Debbie Orme Bush and Candace Ann Gilbert. Others in attendance who did not walk were: Karen Hope Collins Gilbert.

The Powell County Lions Club is still accepting donations for two 2018 Scholarships for Powell County High School Seniors. Those interested in making a donation have until March 31, 2018 to donate in Memory of or in the Honor of a Lion or someone special.

The Powell Lions Club is asking for those interested to please give to Chris Allen at Whitaker Bank or mail donations to Powell County Lions at P.O. Box 145, Stanton, Kentucky 40380. Please make checks to: Powell County Lions Club Scholarships.

By CECIL PERGRAM

Times Editor

Piece of Cake LLC a new bakery that has opened on Main Street in Clay City has become quite the hit in the community according to owner Jamie Wynn.

“The first day we made cake donuts and we sold 28 dozen in the first 15 minutes and we said that were going to have to do more than that and quadrupled the recipe for the next day and we sold that much in an hour.” Wynn said. “So we thought that this wasn’t working so know we’re doing yeast donuts and we’re making 10 times the amount we made during the opening week and we can still barely keep up.”

Jamie and Latisha Wynn are the owners of Piece of Cake LLC. Both formally worked in law enforcement with the Madison County Detention Center prior to following their dreams of opening a bakery.

“Both of us worked in law enforcement. I worked as a Captain at the Madison County Detention Center and Latisha is from here and she was a head nurse at the detention center. We were talking and I asked her one day what her dream was and she said that it was to open a bakery,” Jamie Wynn said. “I told her that she should do that. Low and behold she quit and decided that she wanted to try starting a bakery.  I told her that I would help her.”

“To do this I agreed to retire from my job so that we could do it together we kind of left our jobs and followed our dreams we kind of took everything we had and just put it into this,” Wynn said.

Wynn says that he and his wife put a lot of hard work tranforming the building into a bakery and getting it ready for operation.

“We had to paint, get phone lines ran, get plumbers in here to fix leaks and the decor, we probably spent $20,000 on decor alone in the cleaning process because of how long the building has been here,” Wynn said. “I’m told that it used to be a saloon and we took it from a saloon 70 years later to a bakery.”

“It takes a lot of work we have to have people get the dough ready. We wasn’t going to be a donut place but we decided to go into the donuts and with the donuts we actually had to put in a third shift. They come in and cut the donuts out then me and my wife come in around 4 or 5 o’clock in the morning to fry and glaze them. That’s just for the donuts,” said Wynn.

Piece of Cake LLC does custom cakes, cupcakes, pies, candy, desserts and of course donuts. 

“All the cake mixes are homemade. We incorporate homemade everything if you see strawberry icing thats not icing from a can thats actually strawberries crushed up with cream cheese and made into icing,” said Wynn.

Wynn says that the bakery has cake designers and that if anybody in the community would like to have a speciality cake for a birthday, wedding or other special event that you can get call his store for his services.

We require two weeks notice for that because we have to get the ingredients. We may not have them and have to call and order the ingredients then it may not come in for a couple of days so you want to be well prepared,” Wynn said.

Wynn says that his shop will even try to fit around the busy schedules of its customers.

“If anybody wanted to order donuts and they didn’t have time to stop they can call us and tell us and we’ll have them ready for them so that when they walk up all they have to do is pay for them and we’ll already have everything ready.” Wynn said. “We want to help to people because thats what me and Latisha want to do is help people and we want people to enjoy this.”

Wynn says that his shop will be doing a event for children for Halloween on October 28 from 2 p.m.-8 p.m. Activities are planned such pumpkin decorating and cake walk. Children will also be able to pick out their favorite candy apples. For those interested you contact Piece of Cake LLC on its Facebook page or by calling 606-663-0848.

Wynn says that eventually he hopes that the bakery will be able to hold classes or additional events for the community after hours once he gets the ins and outs of the business more lined out.

“We want to start to having art classes one a week for people to come in here while the bakery is closed and get the community involved such as a mother-daughter day. We want to do a lot of things but being our second week we just got to get everything lined out,” Wynn said.

“I was in law enforcement and now I’m a baker so thats a big jump but I think its beautiful. I think that Powell County has supported us like no other,” Wynn said. “This county has came out and supported us with this and I didn’t know if it would make it or not but it’s turned out to be great.”

I’m not from here and people are so friendly and nice I hope that we can stay here a longtime because I live here now in Clay City. If anybody has any questions they can come to me or ask for me and I would be glad to talk to them,” Wynn said.

Piece of Cake LLC is located at 4493 Main Street in Clay City, Kentucky. Hours of operation are 7 a.m-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The shop is closed on Sunday and Monday.

By LISA JOHNSON

Times Reporter

On October 12 a vehicle driven by Daniel McDaniel struck a semi on Highway 68 in Powell county. The Clay City Fire Department responded to the call at around 7:09 a.m. to find the vehicle had hit the semi trailer as it was pulling out onto the highway. The car driven by McDaniel apparently struck the truck with enough force to remove the rear axles from the back of the truck. McDaniel a resident of Slade, Kentucky was taken to the University of Kentucky hospital by ambulance and reported in serious condition with a brain bleed and an open skull fracture. The Times received an update according to Clay City Fire Assistant Chief Eric Strange McDaniel had reportedly woke up and knew the people around him. The subject was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident as reported by Assistant Eric Strange. Our hopes and prayers for his recovery.

By CECIL PERGRAM

Editor

The city of Clay City held its annual Ice Cream Social on October 6 from 6:00 p.m. until 10 p.m. at the Clay City Park.

The Ice Cream Social was made possible by the Clay City Council, the Clay City Tourism and Convention Committee, Clay City Parks and Recreation committee and the American Veterans Post 67 in Clay City.

Adults and children present at the event was treated to free ice cream and music deejaying by WSKV’s Ethan Moore.

Children present had the opportunity to sign-up for foot races and chance to win a medal for finishing in first, second or third place.

Results for the following categories of age groups from the foot races are as follows:

In the 2-3 year-old category first-place Josh Henson, second-place Lilly Jones, third-place Angel Hicks.

Results from 4-5 year-old race in first place was Starla Hicks, second place Axl Howell, third place Branston Shelton.

The 6-7 year-old category medal winners included Landon Rogers in first-place, Gauge Graham second-place and Kaleb Thorp third place.

In the category reserved for 8-9 year-old contestants Elaine Potts finished in first-place.

Results from the 10-11 category in first-place Ayden Ratler, second-place Joanna Jones, third-place Adrian Faulkner.

Brianna Wilcox was the winner of the 12-13 year-old race.

Landon Grayson finished in first-place in the 14-15 year-old race, Sierra Wilcox finished in second-place and Cameron Goodwin finished in third-place.

Danny Konkwright was the winner of race for 16 year-olds and Codi Barnett was the winner of the 17-18 year-old category race.

By LISA JOHNSON

Reporter

Crews working to cleanup the aftermath of a collision involving a school bus on Route-11 during the early hours of September 27

A Powell County Handicap bus was involved in a collision on Route-11 on September 27 at 6:30 a.m. while in route to school.

The driver of a pick up truck attempted to pass from behind on the left as the stop arm was pulled in.

The driver, Paul Rogers, of Clay City, was reportedly faulted for the accident.

Sheriff deputy Mike Townsend stated the driver of the pickup was cited for no insurance and careless driving.

There were six people on the bus at the time of the collision ,four were children and two children were in wheelchairs.

There were no reported injuries.

First responders from the Clay City Fire Department  and the Powell County Sheriff’s office responded to  the scene.

Always take your time those buses have precious cargo, “Our Children.”

By LISA JOHNSON

News Reporter

We all have seen him on the news but you may not know were WKYT-TV 27 news reporter Victor Puente grew up.

It is one of the best success stories for a man who was raised by his single mother, Bonnie, at 36 Skinner Holler Rd. right here in Powell County.

Puente says that he had a great mother who was  always there and supported him in every way.

Puente was born in Germany and moved to Powell County at a young age along with his younger brother, he played football in high school and  loved journalism.

“We would often play lots of board games with friends on weekends( and it kept us out of trouble,” said Puente.

Puente had a part-time job working at the Stanton Food Court but as you can imagine news was to be his best job.

Puente says his success is credited to his mom who helped him with his homework, great teachers and people who cared.

He said its all about making good grades because that’s were it starts.

Victor received a scholarship to EKU  were he majored in Journalism.

Victor started at WLEX-18 were he worked for five years as a photographer and later moved to WKYT were he is a reporter and a weekend anchor from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Sunday.

I asked him for some advice that may inspire students here in our county and this is what he had to say.

“I lived in a trailer so it matters not were you come from or your background, “Your Life Is Your Show” and  yours alone, just remember anything is possible,” Puente said.