By: Brandon Tipton

Teresa Hatfield-Barger would like to thank the people of Powell County, the readers and contributors, all the staff of the Times, past and present, who helped bring together the paper over the past several decades. “I could not have done it without you.”

After over 120 years in operation, the Clay City Times is going out of publication. Owner and Publisher, Teresa Hatfield-Barger is retiring. Along with the times, it’s sister paper, the Citizen Voice and Times will also cease operations.

The Times has had a long and storied history. It originated in 1900 in Spout Springs with the venerable J. E. Burgher as its publisher. After a devastating fire consumed the Times building and several other nearby businesses, he relocated to Clay City where the Times has operated ever since.

There was a string of owners after Mr. Burgher, but in 1985 Jerlene Rose purchased the business from the Mount Sterling Advocate. Some years later she sold the business to Guy Hatfield of Irvine. Hatfield was already the owner and publisher of the successful Citizen Voice and Times, but he turned both papers into some of the most popular and successful weekly papers in the state of Kentucky.

When Mr. Hatfield passed away in 2005, his wife Teresa, inherited the paper. Mrs. Hatfield had worked alongside her husband for many years in the newspaper industry. Though she understood that she had some big shoes to fill, she rose to the occasion and took up the reigns. Mrs. Hatfield-Barger has helmed the paper for the past 17 years, including throughout the pandemic and during the catastrophic flood that hit downtown Clay City. Floodwaters even made their way into the Times office.

It is with deep regret that we bid a fond farewell to our neighbors in Clay City and our readers throughout Powell County, Kentucky, and even across the United States. We wish you and yours a Happy New Year, and many more to come.

We could not have been nearly as successful the past few years without help from the community. After all, a newspaper is nothing without it’s readers or without the community which it serves.

As they have for many years, the wonderful men and women at AMVETS post 67 in Clay City came together to provide a bit of Christmas cheer to the children of Powell County. Christmas with a Smile provides three new gifts to children fifteen and younger, along with a raffle ticket for a chance to win a bike. As mentioned in the caption above, the program serves around 400 children in Powell County. Clay City and Powell county would be a much poorer place without the tireless efforts of the AMVETS community.

The Red River Gorge Discovery Zone (RRGDZ) popped up at Breakfast with Santa on December 10th at the Lodge at Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Slade, KY.  Red River Gorge Discovery Zone (RRGDZ) is a pop-up discovery zone emphasizing Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM), with activities for kids (of all ages) focused on the Red River Gorge, conservation, and local history.

Thirty-one children and 32 parents/guardians visited the Zone to participate in Santa-related activities.  The Santa’s Sleigh STEM activity run by Deana Brooks of Powell County Schools and Sandra Hall of Kentucky Retired Teachers Association (KRTA) and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), taught the children about the six step design process (ask, think, design, build, test, improve) and gave them the opportunity to design and build a new sleigh for Santa, using recycled materials.

The Santa’s Chimney Activity, run by Judy Dourson of Dourson Biological Consulting and KRTA, allowed the children to engineer a new chimney for a house that was expecting a visit from Santa.  The children built impressive structures from toothpicks and gumdrops.

The Track Santa Activity, run by Jane Hayes of DAR and University of Kentucky (retired) and Rachel Miller of DAR and Lee County Schools, taught the children about the Global Positioning System (GPS), latitude, longitude,GPS tracking, and how NORAD will track Santa on Christmas eve (visit noradsanta.org).

The Welcome Table, run by Rose Lynn Hall of Powell County Schools and Ann Smith of DAR and Red River Historical Society and Museum, provided the children with RRGDZ stickers and STEAM home activity cards.

Funded by a grant from TC Energy Foundation and a smaller grant from Powell County Tourism Commission, the all-volunteer effort includes other organizations and team members not listed above: Rachel Addison Miller (Lee County Schools and DAR), Ann Smith (DAR and Red River Historical Society and Museum), Rita Shepherd (Powell County Tourism), Patty Gordon (DAR), Judith Wilson and Sharon Robinson (both with DAR), Bea Snowden (KRTA), Keith Caudill (TC Energy), Miranda Fallen, Monica Mynk (Montgomery County Schools), Jason Vaughn (Powell Cooperative Extension Office), and Suzy Brown and Charlotte Denniston (both of KRTA and Powell County Library).  Organizations/individuals who donated or loaned items to assist the Discovery Zone include Beechfork Golf Club, Powell Cooperative Extension Office, Selina Howard, Troy Brooks, Delbert Brown, Ace Hardware of Stanton, Whitaker Bank, Chris Allen, Citizens Guaranty Bank, James Clark, Rogers Hardware, Stanton Parks and Rec Board, Powell County Schools, Soil Conservation Office, Red River Historical Society and Museum, Suzy Brown, Red River Valley Chapter of the DAR, Diane Mier, Hussam Nasir, and Darren Wasson.  Father Al Fritsch of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Appalachia Science in the Public Interest, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church (Stanton) was the inspiration for the Discovery Zone.

The Discovery Zone has completed its season for 2022.  Do check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/rrgdiscoveryzone/ for the future and join us at the next event!   

The Red River Gorge Discovery Zone (RRGDZ) held their end of season dinner on December 2nd at Thyme Savor Off the Beaten Path on Bowen, KY, organized by Sandra Hall.  Red River Gorge Discovery Zone (RRGDZ) is a pop-up discovery zone emphasizing Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM), with activities for kids (of all ages) focused on the Red River Gorge, conservation, and local history.

The dinner started with an overview of the season, presented by Judy Dourson.  RRGDZ ran 13 events this season. Children were provided a RRGDZ passport showing all the events of the 2022 season and got stamps each time they attended.  In the 2022 season, 526 children (plus the Fair day parade and Kiwanis Christmas parade) and 284 parents (plus the Fair day parade and Kiwanis Christmas parade) participated in Discovery Zone events.  There were a total of 140 volunteers during the events (57 different from 22 organizations).

Highlights of various events included: being interviewed by Jason Lindsey on WKYT, working with 200 children on Halloween activities at Callie’s Campground, purchasing a trailer and getting it wrapped with the RRGDZ and sponsor logos – then covering it with lights to participate in the Kiwanis Christmas Parade.

The numerous sponsors and volunteers were acknowledged, particularly TC Energy Foundation and Powell County Tourism.  The winning Explorers were then honored by Sandra Hall and Jane Hayes.

Jake Bowman was awarded Co-Explorer of the Year by attending nine events.  Jake is the son of John and Alicia Bowman of Clay City.  Jake said his favorite part of Discovery Zone’s 2022 season was “all of it.”

Sylas Clark was awarded Co-Explorer of the Year by attending nine events.  He is the son of James and Chelsea Clark of Clay City.  Sylas said his favorite part of the 2022 season was the computer activity (Hour of Code).  The Co-Explorers earned a certificate and hooded sweatshirts honoring their achievement as Explorer of the Year.  Katie Neal designed the logo for the hoodies and Belinda Lynn designed the certificates.

Landry Clark was awarded Junior Explorer of the Year by attending six events.  She is the daughter of James and Chelsea Clark of Clay City.  She was unsure of her favorite part of the 2022 season, but really liked seeing her picture in the PowerPoint presentation.  She earned a certificate and RRGDZ t-shirt.

Lynne Stidham and Jane Hayes honored the hardworking volunteers of the RRGDZ with sweatshirts, with the logo designed by Belinda Lynn.  The dinner ended with a photo session, with all Explorer winners and volunteers joining in.

The next evening, a well-lit “in the Christmas spirit” RRGDZ trailer (thanks to the Stidham brothers) was part of the Kiwanis Christmas Parade.  The trailer was towed by Greg Hayes.  Suzy Brown and Jane Hayes provided candy and activity cards to children along the parade route.

Funded by a grant from TC Energy Foundation and a smaller grant from Powell County Tourism Commission, the all-volunteer effort includes other organizations and team members not listed above: Rachel Addison Miller (Lee County Schools and DAR), Ann Smith (DAR and Red River Historical Society and Museum), Rita Shepherd (Powell County Tourism), Patty Gordon (DAR), Judith Wilson and Sharon Robinson (both with DAR), Bea Snowden (KRTA), Keith Caudill (TC Energy), Miranda Fallen, Monica Mynk (Montgomery County Schools), Jason Vaughn (Powell Cooperative Extension Office), and Suzy Brown and Charlotte Denniston (both of KRTA and Powell County Library).  Stacy Stidham towed the trailer, transported the supplies, and led set up and tear down.  Greg Hayes assisted with trailer modifications.  Organizations/individuals who donated or loaned items to assist the Discovery Zone include Beechfork Golf Club, Powell Cooperative Extension Office, Selina Howard, Troy Brooks, Delbert Brown, Ace Hardware of Stanton, Whitaker Bank, Chris Allen, Citizens Guaranty Bank, James Clark, Rogers Hardware, Stanton Parks and Rec Board, Powell County Schools, Soil Conservation Office, Red River Historical Society and Museum, Suzy Brown, Red River Valley Chapter of the DAR, Diane Mier, Hussam Nasir, and Darren Wasson.  Father Al Fritsch of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Appalachia Science in the Public Interest, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church (Stanton) was the inspiration for the Discovery Zone.

The Discovery Zone will pop-up next at Breakfast with Santa on December 10th at the Trillium Room in the Lodge at Natural Bridge State Resort park.  Check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/rrgdiscoveryzone/ for our 2022 schedule and join us at the next event!   

SPD is seeking assistance in identifying the male subject pictured above. He is a suspect in a counterfeit money investigation.

If you have any pertinant information you can email the case officer, or contact Powell County Dispatch at 606-663-4116. The officer investigating this case is Officer Ryan Smith (ryan.smith@stantonky.gov).

By: Brandon Tipton

Local bluegrass band, the Goodwin Brothers, brought home Bluegrass Group of the Year from the 8^th annual Josie Music Awards held October 23 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee. Brothers Johnathan and William, along with their childhood friend, Chase Bush, have been playing together for years, but they played their first gig as a band in July of 2021 at Goodfellas in Lexington, Kentucky. The newly formed band brought big business to the venue, the night the Goodwin Brothers performed was their biggest sales date in this history of the location with nearly 800 people in attendance. Lexington wasn’t  that far from where they had grown up on Cat Creek, but it was just a small step in the right direction.

In the year since their debut concert the Goodwin Brothers Band have become Pinecastle Recording artists. They signed with MNA Management Group of Nashville, Tennessee and are represented by Hope River Publicity, one of the largest public relations firms in bluegrass/Americana music. On top of winning Bluegrass Group of the Year award from the Josie Music Awards, they also performed to a sold out crowd at the Grand Ole Opry House.

The Goodwin Brothers will be performing at Meadowgreen Music Park in Clay City  on December 17. That will be the last opportunity to catch a Goodwin Brothers show this year. If you’d like to check out their music, you can find them on your favorite music listening platform.””””””””

By: Brandon Tipton

Last week wild fires crowned the ridges of neighboring Estill County, filling the air with smoke and ash. Depending on the direction of the wind you may have caught the scent of burning leaves on the air here in Powell County.  Fire crews from Stanton, Clay City and Montgomery County were dispatched to help subdue the blaze and protect properties. The fire line came perilously close to several homes on Sixth and Seventh Streets in Ravenna. Fortunately firefighters had managed to contain the fires by the time rain arrived on Friday to fully extinguish them.

The cause of the fires is currently unknown, but it is suspected that they were man-made. Theories have ranged from a careless smoker to someone burning brush or trash. Regardless, burn bans were issued in Powell and several surrounding counties. Even though we have received much needed rains, the thick carpet of fallen leaves and dry out quickly without frequent showers and dry leaves are always potential hazards. Even after the bans are lifted, it is important to practice caution when burning outdoors.

Fires should never been left unattended, embers can smolder beneath ash for hours, even days! The old adage, if it’s too hot to touch it’s too hot to leave, is good to keep in mind. To fully extinguish a fire, soak the ashes with water, or smother them with sand or soil. Cigarette butts should never be tossed carelessly from car windows, butt buckets are sold in every dollar store and fit in your vehicle’s cup holders. ,

When in doubt, contact your local fire department. The crews would much rather supervise your burn than fight a wildfire.

By: Crystal Neal

After the flooding in Eastern Ky, some STLP students at PCMS expressed interest in collecting and donating school supplies to a school in need.  Through most of September and part of October, the students collected items like notebooks, crayons, colored pencils. and folders.  The Powell Co. chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution heard about their effort and made a large donation to the cause as well.  Once all donations were collected, the students asked our Youth Service Center Director to help them connect with a school in need.  Knott County became the chosen destination.  On November 1, the STLP students along with the homeroom class that collected the most items (Mrs. Moore’s homeroom) traveled to Knott County Central High School and delivered the donated items.  Way to go kids!

By: Lisa Johnson

  On Saturday The Powell County Marching Band competed in the Regional Finals placing 6th and now are going to the state championship. The competition Saturday was quite a day for band members, staff, and the great parents that support our marching band. Amanda Wilcox ,mother of Dakota Wilcox said members  had to be at the high school by 5:15 am Saturday to go over the show before driving to Brian Station Highschool in Lexington by 8:30 am. The band was then transported to Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond where they performed once again at  5;30 pm earning their way into the state finals. To all the great musicians, Director Taylor  Huffaker and Assistant  Director Katie Moore, and all those hard-working parents thank you for all the hard work, GO PIRATES!