By James Cook, Times Editor

 

Just after 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Powell County 911/EMS Dispatch received the call of a male subject that had been shot in the chest at 881 Frames Branch Road. When officers from the Clay City, Stanton and Powell County Sheriff’s Departments arrived they found Mike “Moose” Boyle sitting in his red Chevrolet truck with a gunshot wound to the chest. As emergency personnel began to treat Boyle, police secured the crime scene.

Meanwhile, following up on information from witnesses at the scene, Stanton Police Sgt. Charlie Crabtree found the alleged shooter, Danny Jones, at a residence further up on Frames Branch Road. Jones cooperated with the police without any incident. Officers did find the possible weapon, a .25 caliber handgun, in the glove box of Jones Chevrolet S-10.

According to police, Boyle told them that he had parked in the yard of the home of Mary Goodwin waiting for his girlfriend. She apparently works and rides with Goodwin. Boyle stated that Jones approached him and an argument ensued. The argument was allegedly over Boyle driving his truck over a concrete slab sidewalk at the residence.

The argument then allegedly got heated and Boyle told police that Jones pulled out a pistol and shot him. Boyle then allegedly got back into his truck, grabbed a rifle and shot at Jones truck as he left the scene. According to Clay City Police Sgt. James Kirk, Boyle hit a piece of wood in the back of Jones’ truck. At first Boyle denied he has shot at Jones, but after police suggested a gunshot residue test be conducted, he admitted to firing a his weapon.

Jones, however, has allegedly told police a different story. He claimed to police that an argument did occur, but that Boyles went to his truck and grabbed the rifle. Jones then allegedly told police that he got in his vehicle and was leaving when Boyle fired at him. Jones claimed he fired back “from a distance” according to Kirk, striking Boyle.

Lifenet was called in and landed in a field less than 100 yards from the shooting scene. Boyle was airlifted to the UK Medical Center. He is listed as being in serious, but stable condition.

The Kentucky State Police are investigating the shooting. No arrest has been made as of press time.

 

By James Cook

Times Editor

Anytime the economy gets tough, crime seems to rise. But an attempted armed robbery in broad daylight is quite unusual, especially in a small town. Now Clay City can add their name to the list.

A man claiming to have a gun attempted to rob the Cash in a Dash on Main Street last Friday afternoon. The check cashing and fast cash business is located next to Mullins Used Autos and close to the EZ Stop and Clay City Shell Mart.

According to an employee, who was working at the time, a male subject wearing a blue hoodie entered the business with his head down. “He looked up and he had a bandana around his face,” the employee said. According to the employee the subject asked for the money and she told him “No.” He claimed he had a gun, but never displayed a weapon of any kind.

“Then he told me to get on the floor and I said ‘No’,” the employee told Powell County Deputies Mike Townsend, Travis Meadows, Matthew Reed and Eddie Barnes.  Barnes went to local businesses nearby to check on videos to catch a better glimpse of the subject and which way he may have gone after leaving the trailer. Meadows and Reed checked around the area, including side roads nearby as he had apparently left on foot.

The employee told the deputies that after she told him no, he pulled down his bandana and tried to claim he was joking. He asked her to check on his account, but the name he gave did not match any in the business computer system. The subject then ran out the door toward the car lot.

“It’s kind of scary, right here in the middle of the day, for something like that to happen,” the employee said. Deputies are still looking for the subject, who is believed to be about 5’10”, white male with brown and gray hair just below the ears. 

If you have any information about this case, please call Powell County Dispatch at 663-4116 or the Powell County Sheriff’s Office at 663-2226.

 

 

 

By David J. Griffin, Times Reporter

A Walt Disney film titled Secretariat is currently in production and is scheduled to be released in 2010. Diane Lane will star as Secretariat’s owner, Penny Chenery. The movie reportedly will focus on her humble beginnings in Virginia to her rise as the “first lady” of horseracing. 

Twenty-six year old Amanda Madden of Clay City will have a small speaking part in the up-coming movie. “I will be filmed at Churchill Downs on Oct. 7, and will have a speaking role in the movie,” she explained. 

Amanda spent most of her time in Powell County with her grandmother, Virginia Madden of Clay City. She is the daughter of Robert and Lawanna Daugherty, who reside in Bath County. She graduated from Bath County High School in 2002. 

When asked how she was able to land the movie role, she said, “I have been modeling for 26 years and have been in pageants all of my life.” She has turned down offers to be in a couple of movies before. “This one I just had to accept,” she said. 

The period film will concentrate on the life of Secretariat and his unusual racing ability. In 1973, he became the first U.S. Triple Crown champion in twenty-five years, setting new race records in two of the three events. Those were set at the Kentucky Derby, and the Belmont Stakes and the records still stand today. 

Amanda will be filmed wearing a hat from that time. “My aunt Evelyn Neely found a hat for me that was actually worn at Churchill Downs when Secretariat won the Kentucky Derby,” she said. 

Amanda plans to attend EKU in January and will major in drama.

By James Cook, Times Editor

The Cow Creek Water Project has hit a small snag, but the Stanton City Council hopes to clear that up quickly. The council heard about the delay at their regular monthly meeting last Thursday. The water project, along with the new city sidewalks and requests for street lights dominated the meeting as the city’s face is beginning to take on a whole new look.

“There is a pressure reducing valve we need. People have already got their lines and meters ready to be hooked up,” Mayor Dale Allen told the council. “But it’s on back order. We got to have it before we can do that.” Allen also told the council that once the residents on Cow Creek were hooked into the Stanton Water System, that providing water to the homes in their service area would be “99.5 percent complete.”

The council also discussed a request for a street light to be placed near 869 East College Avenue. “I was approached by a person in that area and they said it is awful dark in that area,” Allen said. “We may need to look into getting a light set up there.”

Council members Linville Bellamy, Tommy Mays and Dustin Meadows also brought up areas where street lighting may be needed. Some streets like West Railroad, Westview Drive and Oak Hill Drive were mentioned as being areas where the lighting may not be adequate. “On Westview I don’t even think they have a light there,” Bellamy reported.

Meadows mentioned that once the new lights located at the Mountain Parkway exit are activated, there may not be a need for street lights on Vine Street. That street runs parallel to the parkway and the new lights should provide enough illumination for the area that some street lights could possibly be moved.

“We really need to go around and see where it is too dark or where a light may not be needed,” Allen told the council. Stanton Police Chief Kevin Neal advised the council that his officers used to do that at least once a year and report it to the council. “Do you mind doing that again,” Allen asked. Chief Neal agreed and will have his second and third shift officers make a list.

The council also discussed the new sidewalks that are being poured around the Main Street area during the road construction project. “They (the construction company) have told me that if we don’t seal the sidewalks then that cobblestone look will end up cracking. They sealed one section down by John Brewer’s and you can tell a difference,” Allen advised the members.

“Doesn’t the state have to pay for that? It’s their road project,” Meadows asked. “No, it wasn’t in the contract. So it would fall to us,” Allen answered. After some discussion about the possible cost, the council agreed to look into possibly sealing them.

The sidewalk along the Stanton Cemetery and up to the Powell County Health Department was also discussed. “We are going to have to put in a new sidewalk there and it has an estimated cost of $40,000,” Allen told the council. There was some discussion about lowering it when it is redone. “We have to be careful there, there are two major waterlines that run underneath that sidewalk,” Allen added. The only other noteworthy activity by the council was over the dust problem that Janice Trent has addressed the council about several times in the past. At issue is the road that leads to the fitness center and the cable television building just off East College Avenue past the drive-in.

“We have had the property owner served, I believe it was on Sept. 15 or 16, so they have 30 days to correct the problem,” City Attorney Scott Graham advised Trent and the council. When asked if the owner did not respond what the next step would be, Graham said, “Then we issue a criminal complaint for violating an ordinance and from there we would go to district court.”

The council did go into closed session to discuss possible litigation, but no action can be taken in a closed session and none was according to Graham.

By James Cook, Times Editor

Local and state police have been quite busy in the past week with alcohol or drug related arrests. Ranging from driving the wrong way on the Mountain Parkway to arguing with bank tellers, at least three such arrests were made.

State police arrested Alma Johnson, 60 of Bonnyman, last Tuesday after she crossed over the median and drove east bound on the Mountain Parkway in the west bound lane. Stanton Police Sgt. Charlie Crabtree and Ofc. Donovan Crabtree was able to get Johnson stopped after she apparently had an accident of some sort. “There was some damage to the front of her vehicle, but we’re not sure what she hit,” Sgt. Crabtree said. She was stopped in the emergency lane near exit 22.

According to Trooper Nathan Shortridge’s report, Johnson thought she was in Campton and was driving back to Hazard. The report indicated she was “very unsteady on her feet.” And while performing field sobriety tests she had to be caught by the officer before she fell. In the report, Johnson admitted to taking two Alprazolam, which is a generic form of Xanax.

Johnson was charged with reckless driving and DUI. She was released on bond last Wednesday. Johnson will be in Powell District Court on Oct. 27.

Just two days earlier Trooper Shortridge placed Gerald W. Chism, 48 of Clay City, under arrest after an accident on Highway 82 two miles south of Clay City. Chism had apparently lost control of his vehicle in a curve just past Happy Top Road. As members of the Clay City Fire Department and Powell EMS assisted, Chism refused medical attention. The arrest report indicates that Chism had an “odor of alcohol” on him, he had “bloodshot eyes” and he failed the field sobriety tests. Trooper Shortridge also found two cans of beer in the vehicle, “cold to the touch, one was open” according to the report.

Chism, who refused a breathalyzer test, was charged with possession of an open alcohol beverage container in a motor vehicle. He was also charged with DUI and failure to maintain insurance. He was released on a $500 surety bond the same day. Chism is due in district court on Oct. 20.

The day before Clay City Police Chief Shannon Taylor was dispatched to the Clay City Shell Mart because a male subject was allegedly cursing and threatening tellers.  Peoples Exchange Bank has a branch located in the store. Upon arriving Chief Taylor found Kenneth E. Brock, 47 of Winchester, fitting the subject’s description.

Taylor’s arrest report states that Brock’s “speech was slurred” and that he was “unsteady on his feet.”  

A search of Brock found that he had a bottle of methadone that had been filled just five days before this incident on him. The report stated that the prescription was for 250 pills, but only five were left in the bottle. Brock was arrested and charged with public intoxication, believed to be a controlled substance excluding alcohol. Brock was released on a $1,000 cash bond last Tuesday.

Local and state police have been quite busy in the past week with alcohol or drug related arrests. Ranging from driving the wrong way on the Mountain Parkway to arguing with bank tellers, at least three such arrests were made.

State police arrested Alma Johnson, 60 of Bonnyman, last Tuesday after she crossed over the median and drove east bound on the Mountain Parkway in the west bound lane. Stanton Police Sgt. Charlie Crabtree and Ofc. Donovan Crabtree was able to get Johnson stopped after she apparently had an accident of some sort. “There was some damage to the front of her vehicle, but we’re not sure what she hit,” Sgt. Crabtree said. She was stopped in the emergency lane near exit 22.

According to Trooper Nathan Shortridge’s report, Johnson thought she was in Campton and was driving back to Hazard. The report indicated she was “very unsteady on her feet.” And while performing field sobriety tests she had to be caught by the officer before she fell. In the report, Johnson admitted to taking two Alprazolam, which is a generic form of Xanax.

Johnson was charged with reckless driving and DUI. She was released on bond last Wednesday. Johnson will be in Powell District Court on Oct. 27.

Just two days earlier Trooper Shortridge placed Gerald W. Chism, 48 of Clay City, under arrest after an accident on Highway 82 two miles south of Clay City. Chism had apparently lost control of his vehicle in a curve just past Happy Top Road. As members of the Clay City Fire Department and Powell EMS assisted, Chism refused medical attention. The arrest report indicates that Chism had an “odor of alcohol” on him, he had “bloodshot eyes” and he failed the field sobriety tests. Trooper Shortridge also found two cans of beer in the vehicle, “cold to the touch, one was open” according to the report.

Chism, who refused a breathalyzer test, was charged with possession of an open alcohol beverage container in a motor vehicle. He was also charged with DUI and failure to maintain insurance. He was released on a $500 surety bond the same day. Chism is due in district court on Oct. 20.

The day before Clay City Police Chief Shannon Taylor was dispatched to the Clay City Shell Mart because a male subject was allegedly cursing and threatening tellers.  Peoples Exchange Bank has a branch located in the store. Upon arriving Chief Taylor found Kenneth E. Brock, 47 of Winchester, fitting the subject’s description.

Taylor’s arrest report states that Brock’s “speech was slurred” and that he was “unsteady on his feet.”  

A search of Brock found that he had a bottle of methadone that had been filled just five days before this incident on him. The report stated that the prescription was for 250 pills, but only five were left in the bottle. Brock was arrested and charged with public intoxication, believed to be a controlled substance excluding alcohol. Brock was released on a $1,000 cash bond last Tuesday.

 

 

Rebecca Brewer, 7 , tried her best to beat her opponent  but that harness was just a little too much. But she never gave up and seemed to be having fun at the 4-H Family Fun Day at the Stanton City Park last Saturday. Rebecca is the daughter of Andrea Brewer of Clay City.

Times Staff Writer

David J. Griffin

Last week I stumbled across a poem that describes the world we lived in during the 1950’s. I still find it amazing that so many things have changed since that era. The poem is by Bucky Covington, and it is titled A Different World:

 

We were born to mothers who smoked and drank

Our cribs were covered in lead-based paint

No child proof lids no seat belts in cars

Rode bikes with no helmets and still here we are

We got Daddy’s belt when we misbehaved

Had three TV channels you got up to change

No video games and no satellite

All we had were friends and they were outside, playin’ outside

School always started the same every day

The pledge of allegiance then someone would pray

Not every kid made the team when they tried

We got disappointed and that was alright, we turned out alright

No bottled water, we drank from the garden hose

And every Sunday, all the stores were closed

It was a different life

When we were boys and girls

Not just a different time

It was a different world

 

Yes, we were born to mothers who smoked and even some of them drank. As best as I can remember, most of the people I knew in the ‘50’s smoked, and no one ever thought of saying anything about it. Why, tobacco was the most valuable crop in the state of Kentucky. Even most of the actors and actresses smoked on the big screen. Certainly most of my friends smoked in high school. We even had a mid-morning break for young people to take a smoke. The school provided a place for smoking, and many of the adult teachers joined us. 

I remember when seat belts were first installed in new cars. Ford offered lap belts for the first time as an option in 1955. By 1964, most US automobiles were sold with standard front seat belts. The emphasis on safety in our cars and trucks was not as vigorous as it is today. 

As a matter of fact, riding in the back of a pick-up truck was considered a special treat. I distinctly recall my Dad allowing me to ride in the back of his 1950 Chevrolet pick-up while he ran errands in Mt. Vernon. It was a real joy — much like being in a convertible. Some of my friends usually joined me, and their parents did not object. 

Drinking after someone else was not even considered threatening. (Horrors!) My grandfather (Pop) left the garden hose in the back yard so that we could drink out of it – no one considered it necessary to enter the house to get individual glasses for all of my friends playing in our yard. When we walked up to Winstead’s store, we did not think anything about sharing a soft drink by drinking from the same bottle. 

In those wonderful times, many illnesses were treated with aspirin tablets. The cure for a headache was to take two standard Bayer tablets with a glass of water (usually from the bucket in the kitchen, dipped with a galvanized dipper). We often used that same dipper just to get a quick drink. Of course, no childproof lids appeared on medicine bottles either. 

We ate white bread, real butter, drank Kool Aid made with real, white sugar. And we were not overweight because we PLAYED OUTSIDE and got an abundance of exercise. Our mothers even used lard to enhance the taste of vegetables. We ate real homemade bacon and country ham for breakfast and, of course, it was covered with white cream gravy that was prepared in the same skillet as the ham or bacon. 

Another thing about what we ate. Pop carried a pocket knife, and he used it to peel apples, tomatoes, radishes, peaches, and most other garden treats or fruits. I remember Mommie Katie once asking him if he washed his knife, and he laughingly replied, “I have no reason to clean it because it is only used to clean my toe nails.” We all got a good laugh about his humor. He did use his handkerchief to wipe off the blade of his knife after using it to peel fruit or vegetables. To him that was clean enough. That same handkerchief was used to wipe his brow after some hard chore in the yard or garden. 

Just one other thing I must mention. From the time we were 10 years old, every boy I knew carried a pocket knife. It was a necessary tool for young men of that time. How else would a person get a splinter out of his finger? or how would you make a “sling shot” or a walking stick? I never heard of anyone pulling a knife on someone in school or using it to threaten a person. Today if a young man carried a knife to school he would be arrested. 

Like many, I look back at the simple days of my boyhood with longing. Seems like most everything that I loved the best about those days has since disappeared. In today’s society, would you go to bed with only the screen door to protect your family while you were sleeping? 

It would have been impossible back then to imagine the ways in which things would change. I suppose that is what some call “progress” – but I am not one of them.

 

(You can reach me at mtnman@mis.net or you can drop me a line at P.O. Box 927 – Stanton, KY 40380. I appreciate your suggestions and comments.) 

By James Cook, Times Editor

Easy come, easy go. That may be the case for a Powell County man who had made a deal in another case, was given probation and then was arrested on a different charge. Meanwhile, his wife was arrested following a visit with him at the jail.

Gary Sell, 42 of Stanton, was in Powell District Court on Sept. 29 accepting a deal he made in an alleged home invasion type case. Sell had been charged with wanton endangerment and terroristic threatening. The original charges included conspiracy to commit murder, but were changed. In that case Sell and a friend, Houston Paul Johnson, allegedly broke into a house, pulled a woman outside and threatened to kill her as her children were only a few feet away.

The two men entered the home of Vickie Dunaway in Clay City on July 30.  Johnson was armed with a handgun. The police report states that Johnson pointed his gun at Dunaway while her two children were nearby, at the direction of Sell.

While Sell was pleading guilty to a misdemeanor and making a deal to testify truthfully against Johnson, while accepting a sentence of 365 days conditionally discharged for two years, police were executing a search warrant on his home. Stanton Police and Kentucky State Police joined Probation and Parole Officer Jason Olney in conducting the search.

The search found that Sell, who was already on parole for another case, had allegedly violated his conditions. Evidence at the home found that Sell had been going Florida “to obtain prescription medication oxycodone” according to the arrest report.

The evidence found allegedly was comprised of hotel receipts from Florida and the prescriptions obtained and filled in Florida. According to Olney’s report, Sell had violated his parole by “traveling to Florida”, having an “association with a convicted felon and pleading guilty to a misdemeanor.”

Sell was arrested and lodged back in the Powell County Detention Center. Because it is a parole violation charge, no bond has been set.

But the saga for the Sell family was not over.

Robin Sell, 51, was arrested last Tuesday after visiting with her husband at the jail. According to the arrest report, Sell had left contraband in the jail restroom during visitation. Detention center employees report the visit and again following the visit. Before Sell could exit the jail’s exit gate, she was stopped and placed under arrest.

The report says that Sell tried to hide loose tobacco, rolling papers and two cans of smokeless tobacco, also known as dip. The items were wrapped up in toilet paper and made to look like a feminine product. The report also stated that Sell was the “only one to use the restroom.”

She has been charged with promoting contraband second degree. She was released last Wednesday on a $500 cash bond.