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Troublesome Creek
Times
P.O. Box 1500
Hindman, KY 41822
606-785-5134
FAX 606-785-0105
tct@
troublesomecreektimes.com |
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This
Weeks Headlines
Week of August 7, 2008
Groundbreaking
held for
Knott Nursing Home's
new expansion
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PLocal officials, along with Knott County Nursing Home
affiliates, helped break ground on the proposed site for a new
resident wing at the nursing home. (Photo by Jordan Hall)
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Resident wing to be named for Knott
native Debra Reynolds
With shovel in hand Knott County native and
Forcht Group of Kentucky Chief Operations Officer Debra K. Reynolds
helped break ground on the new resident wing of Knott County
Nursing Home that will bear her name.
"Debbie has been a tremendous asset to our corporation for
the past 30 years," said Terry E. Forcht, founder, president
and CEO of Forcht Group of Kentucky. "It is only fitting
that we recognize Debbie's contributions by naming the new resident
wing of Knott County Nursing Home as the Debra K. Reynolds Wing."
Reynolds and Forcht were joined by elected officials, business
leaders and citizens in Knott County in breaking ground for the
new wing on August I. The new resident wing will provide space
for additional residents, resulting in the creation of 10 additional
jobs paying an hourly wage between $9.25 and $16.25.
In addition to the resident wing the dining area of Knott County
Nursing Home will be expanded and a new storage and mechanical
area will be built, bringing the total investment of the expansion
to more than $2 million.
"Today's ceremony is reflective of the outstanding service
and attention to the community that Knott County Nursing Home
provides to our residents," said Kathy Hall, Knott County
Nursing Home Administrator and Chief Operations Officer of Management
Advisors, Inc. "We are pleased that we will soon be able
to provide top notch care to more of our neighbors in Knott County."
See the current issue of the Troublesome Creek Times for this
and other stories.
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Is
the future of marijuana growing
in Eastern Ky. going 'Up in Smoke'? |
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By MIKE SEXTON
In existence for little more than a year now, the "Up in
Smoke" initiative combines the investigative and judicial
powers of the U.S. Attorney's office, with the state's aggressive
marijuana eradication task force to not only identify growers
of the illegal "cash crop", but also to help prosecute
them in a federal court. This is something that has been difficult
to do in the past, according to Lt. Ed Schemelya of the Kentucky
State Police. "Almost 400,000 plants have been eradicated
since the governor's strike force has been in place. Marijuana
has remained a constant where other drugs have come and gone
in Kentucky's past.
Historically we've had a difficult time prosecuting
individuals in the state courts, so the initiative came about
as a need to change the idea that growing is an acceptable practice,
and the only way to do that is to send them a message by getting
them into the federal system."
The reasons for this past difficulty vary, but in emphasizing
the "no tolerance" stance of the initiative, Greg Ousley
of the U.S. Attorney's office states, "If you are found
growing on federal land, you will be going to federal court.
Cases involving private lands, will be looked at on a case by
case basis. We will consider whether the offense can be combined
with prior charges, and also try to determine whether or not
other federal laws are being violated (i.e. firearms, money laundering,
etc.), in an attempt to prosecute on the federal level."
In an emailed statement from Kyle Edelen, Public Affairs Officer
for the U.S. Attorney's Office, he explained the way the program
works and how it came together. "This initiative is unlike
any other in the nation because it combines the nation's top
marijuana eradication task force with the prosecution efforts
of the U.S. Attorney's Office. In 2007, the U.S. Attorney for
the EDKY (Amul Thepar) dedicated resources to work closely with
the investigative team of the Governor's Marijuana Task Force.
The result was 49 individuals being charged in federal court
for violating federal drug laws and various federal firearm laws.
Over 5,000 plants were seized during the marijuana season.
The addition of the U.S. Attorney's Office
to this endeavor has increased the deterrence to those who grow
marijuana in Eastern Kentucky." Mr. Ousley explained that
they (the U.S. Attorney's Office) have made an attorney available
24 hours a day to consult with members of law enforcement regarding
cases that fall within the scope of the "Up in Smoke"
initiative.
Continued from Mr. Edelen's email, "It's important to note
other factors that make this program so unique and effective.
In previous years the efforts during the marijuana season focused
on eradication but now it has become much more than that. The
investigation component of the Governor's Marijuana Task Force
is now working closely with the United States Attorney's Office
meeting on a weekly basis to discuss investigations and possible
targets." Mr. Ousley stated in a phone interview that "Knott
County is a county discussed frequently at these meetings, and
also that it is a county that is actively worked by this initiative."
Knott County has been identified by many involved sources as
a high traffic area for marijuana in particular.
Mr. Edelen finishes by stating, "The U.S. Attorney's Office
for the Eastern District of Kentucky is taking an aggressive
stance and is using all federal laws including forfeiture avenues
in prosecuting marijuana growers. Also Appalachia HIDTA has
agreed to operate a tip line so citizens can call and report
marijuana growers. Numerous law enforcement agencies across
the Nation are now aware of this initiative and are trying to
model their marijuana eradication programs after the one in Kentucky."
According to sources, citizens who make use of the tip line have
complete anonymity. During an interview, Mr. Ousley said, "Law
enforcement has no information regarding the identity of the
caller." Lt. Schemelya assures potential callers that
there are no tracking devices in place and that, "All we
want is the information you have. We don't care who you are,
we just want the information you possess on the growers in your
community." The toll free, anonymous tip line number is
1-866-424-4382. The tips obtained will be followed up by the
investigatory components of the Governor's Marijuana Task Force.
All involved with the HIDTA tipline, including the U.S. Attorney
General's office strongly encourage anyone with information to
call. Lt. Schemelya stresses, "There is only so much we
can do on our own. If you live in a community, you will be the
one who has the information on who is growing marijuana, and
we want to work together with you to put a stop to it."
See the current issue of the Troublesome
Creek Times for the this and other stories
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- Eighth member of Pratt family arrested
- Savanna Pratt (left) was arrested July 31 after
eluding Hindman Police Officers
- at a traffic safety check. (Photo by Sharon K.
Hall)
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By JORDAN HALL AND SHARON K. HALL
After the arrest of seven of her immediate family members last
week, Savanna Pratt, age 22 of Mallet Fork in Pinetop, was arrested
July 31, after eluding police.
Hindman City Police officers Paul Jarrell and David Gooslin,
were conducting a safety road check in the Owens Branch area
of Hindman when they observed a vehicle quickly turning into
Star Wars Way (ironically, the incident occurred at the home
of these reporters). The officers pursued the vehicle to a residence
where the female driver claimed she intended to use their phone.
Pratt was arrested on charges of operating a vehicle on suspended
license, attempting to elude police officer/traffic officer,
operating a vehicle with expired operator license, and failure
to wear a seatbelt. The vehicle was towed from the residence
by Combs' Wrecker Service.
Pratt is the granddaughter of Yeart and Lillis Pratt who were
targeted in a recent UNITE drug roundup.
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Other arrests
Hindman City Police officers arrested Tiffany Wicker, age 21
of Hindman, on August 2, when they executed a bench warrant from
Perry County on charges of theft by unlawful taking - shoplifting,
possession of drug paraphernalia, 1st offense, and illegal possession
of legend drug, 1st offense.
Also on August 2, Michelle R. Patton, age 36 of Dwale in Floyd
County, was arrested on charges of eluding police/traffic officer,
inadequant silencer, and license not to be in possession.
Alan Blake Pigman, age 24, was arrested for operating on suspended
operator license, license not to be in possession, prescription
medicine not in proper container. Also, the officers executed
a bench warrant from Knott County.
Increased patrol in Hindman
Hindman City Police Chief Paul Jarrell and Hindman City Police
Officer David Gooslin stated numerous complaints from Owens Branch
and Old Garner Road residents concerning drug related traffic,
speeding, and reckless driving has prompted increased patrolling
in the area. In the past week, Hindman City Police made three
arrests and 11 citations.
See the current issue of
the Troublesome Creek Times for this and other stories.
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Pickin' and Grinnin' finds a new
home |
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People are shown dancing to blue grass music by Mountain
Melody. (Photo by Jordan Hall)
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By JORDAN HALL
For ten years now "Pickin' 'n grinning," a group
of local musicians, have been meeting at the Knott County Human
Services Center for a jam session each Tuesday evening at 7:00
p.m. Tuesday, August 5, this group and their dedicated following
of fans have moved to a larger facility, the Conference Room
on the second floor of the Knott Opportunity Center. (Community
College/Public Library building)
Pickin' 'n Grinnin' began in the fall of 1998 when the late Jesse
Lee Amburgey organized a group of local musicians to hold a jam
session with the expressed purpose of demonstrating local talent
and providing a venue for young talent to play and learn. This
project was started as a cooperative effort with the then new
Knott County Branch of Hazard Community and Technical College
and has throughout the years been assisted by Judy Johnson with
the college.
The jam sessions were held in the welcoming surroundings of the
Knott County Human Services Center. Human Services happily provided
the facility at no charge to the group.
Little did anybody expect this weekly event to grow to a following
of over eighty people each week with as many as 200 in attendance
on some summer evenings. The large crowds in the limited facility
of the Human Service Center are part of the reason that a new
home was sought for this group. Eva Huff of the Human Services
Center said, "Another factor in the group moving their meeting
place was the Human Services facility was not fire rated for
the growing number of people."
This group is unofficially headed by Robert Short along with
a group of dedicated volunteers, including Eldred Vance, Orbin
Slone, Simeon Fields, Emil Slone, and Sam Hall, to name a few.
The local talent who have provided the entertainment are too
many to name.
The men and women who have provided their talents and time to
this undertaking have always performed for free and the loyal
band of followers have never been charged admission. This has
truly been the longest running, of all volunteer civic engagements
in Knott County. All those who have attended, either to perform
musically, to dance or just to listen are to be commended for
their devotion to the spirit of Pickin' 'n Grinnin'. A number
of non-profit groups have provided concessions to the fans and
musicians and have used the money that they have made for many
worthwhile projects such as church, arts, athletic, and senior
citizen projects, and Relay for Life.
The first Pickin' 'n Grinnin' held in the Opportunity Center
was a success with an approximately 120 people attending. A group
of 19 people attending Tuesday, August 5, event were from Colorado.
Eva Huff and the staff of the Human Services Center are to be
thanked for providing a hospitable environment for this jam session
to meet and grow over the past 10 years.
All the musicians, dancers and fans are invited to make the Opportunity
Center the new home of the Pickers 'n Grinners. If you have any
questions about this weekly event, please contact Larry Parke
at Hazard Community and Technical College, 606-785-4114, extension
73408.
Look in the current issue of the Troublesome
Creek Times for this and other stories
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