Headline News

Adair County’s agriculture community is taking a stand to support the future of the ag education program at the high school after speculation spread last week that one of three ag teaching positions is being eliminated.
The high school site-based decision-making council will evaluate the number of staff in the ag education program at the high school—deciding whether or not the department can be sustained with two instructors instead of the current three positions.

The situation arose after Terry Harvey, one of three ag teachers at the high school, announced his retirement last week. Harvey’s official retirement date is Aug. 31. However, substitute teachers are currently taking over Harvey’s classes.
After Harvey’s retirement, the third teaching position became vulnerable to elimination.

After questions were brought to the attention of Superintendent Alan Reed, he quickly announced that any decision regarding teaching positions at the high school is ultimately up to the SBDM council.
“The site-based decision-making council will decide whether three teachers are required in the vocational agriculture program, or whether two will work in order to add a foreign language instructor, fine arts teacher, or some other teaching position in the state assessed areas,” Reed stated in a press release Friday.

ACT SCORES
In an interview Monday, Reed said the council will take this opportunity to re-evaluate staffing in light of a recent drop in ACT scores at the high school.

“ACT scores did not grow,” Reed said. “They went down in critically assessed areas.”
ACHS students’ ACT scores dropped in every category with all-time lows since 2008. English scores dropped from 17.5 to 16; math scores dropped from 18.5 to 18.2; reading scores dropped from 18.9 to 17.4; science scores dropped from 18.7 to 18.

“Everything we are doing isn’t working or we wouldn’t have ACT scores that are going down,” Reed said.
Reed said the council is going to examine every possible opportunity….

To read more, get this week’s issue of the Adair County Community Voice. Papers are in news racks throughout the county this afternoon and in mailboxes Thursday.

By Allison Cross-Hollon
allison@accvonline.com

A 13 month long investigation into the attempted murder of Brandon T. Dykes has led to the arrest of two suspects, Matthew K. Swanson, 20, of Gilbert, Az., and the victim’s estranged wife, Ashley Dykes, 23, of Metcalfe County.

Ashley Dykes has been charged with Criminal Complicity to Attempted Murder after the results from a forensic examination revealed a plot between Swanson and Dykes to murder her estranged husband Brandon Dykes.
Ashley Dykes was arrested on Friday, August 10, 2012 and lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail on a $500,000 Bond.

Matthew Swanson has been incarcerated in the Adair County Regional Jail since July 16, 2011, the date of the incident.

Adair County Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Claywell is investigating the case.

July 2011 news article:

A minor injury accident may have actually been part of an intentional ploy to kill a local man on his way to work in Columbia Saturday morning.

Terry (Brandon) Dykes was traveling around 5:30 a.m. on Crocus Road near Hwy. 55 south of Columbia when the incident occurred.

Sheriff Deputy Justin Claywell said Dykes reported seeing the vehicle when he left the house that morning. Dykes is a youth worker at the Adair County Youth Development Center.

Dykes told police the car passed him once then stopped on the side of the road. The next time the car came up behind him rapidly, started to merge around him then sideswiped his vehicle.

Dykes called 911 on his mobile phone and the call was put through to dispatch in Russell County. While he was talking to dispatch, the driver of the other car walked up to him and stabbed him in the neck, Dykes reported. Dykes dropped the phone and began defending himself.

Dykes tried to grab the attacker and knocked away the knife, but the attacker pulled out a second knife. He stabbed Dykes again in the right inner thigh, according to Claywell.

When police arrived, Dykes had been stabbed in the neck and thigh, with minor cuts to his hand and shoulder. Even so, he was able to subdue the attacker until law enforcement arrived. Russell County Deputy Sheriff Jason Wariner was the first to arrive on the scene.

Deputy Sheriff Claywell arrived and arrested Matthew Kendal Swanson, 18, of Gilbert, Az. Swanson is charged with attempted murder and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Claywell is investigating the case and said more charges may be pending. He is investigating a potential motive for the stabbing but would not elaborate on the case at this time.

Dykes was transported to Westlake Regional Hospital then flown to the University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington.

Swanson is being held in the Adair County Regional Jail with bond set at $500,000.

By Sharon Burton
snburton@windstream.net

The Fiscal Court removed the topic of the hospital from its regular Tuesday night meeting agenda and instead announced a special called meeting on the issue.

The Tuesday night regular meeting does include the appointment of hospital board members. John Nall and Josh Harden have resigned, leaving two of the five seats vacant.

Here are the agendas for both meetings:

SPECIAL CALLED FISCAL COURT MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012
5:00 P.M. CST
BASEMENT OF ADAIR COUNTY ANNEX BUILDING
424 PUBLIC SQUARE, ST 1, COLUMBIA KY 42728

AGENDA
1. ROLL CALL

2. CALL TO ORDER

3. WESTLAKE REGONIAL HOSPITAL

4. ADJOURN

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING
ADAIR COUNTY FISCAL COURT
TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2012, 7:00 P.M. CST
ADAIR COUNTY ANNEX BASEMENT
424 PUBLIC SQUARE, COLUMBIA KY 42728

AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. TROY STRANGE, OLD COURTHOUSE
4. GRAWL
5. ADAIR COUNTY AMBULANCE, 911 CONTRIBUTION
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, JULY 10, 2012
7. APPROVAL OF BILLS AND ADDITIONS
8. APPROVAL OF ROAD WORK
9. APPROVAL OF JAIL REPORT
10. APPROVAL OF TREASURERS’ REPORT
11. APPROVAL OF BUDGET TRANSFERS
12. APPROVAL OF COURT ORDERS
13. APPROVAL OF SHERIFFS’ REPORT
14. APPROVAL TO HIRE PART-TIME GRAS EMPLOYEE
15. APPOINTMENT OF BOARD OF ASSESSMENT MEMBER
16. APPOINTMENT OF TRANSFER STATION COMMITTEE
17. BUILDING INSPECTOR
18. READING OF ROADS
19. APPOINTMENT OF WESTLAKE REGONIAL HOSPITAL BOARD MEMBER/S
20. OTHER BUSINESS
21. ADJOURN

Emergency personnel were on the scene of a fire around the 57 mile marker in the westbound lane near the Russell County line on the Louie B. Nunn Parkway. The westbound lane was originally closed then the entire scene was shut done when Emergency Management arrived for a short time. 911 was called at 10:03 p.m. by the driver of the vehicle who said the fire was under the trailer of the semi and the trailer was full of coal.

The truck carrying coal was operated by Cumberland Valley Coal from Harlan, Ky. and experienced mechanical problems and caught the coal in the dump bed on fire. There were 14 firemen on the scene for about 3 hours. Assistance from the Russell Springs Fire Dept, KSP, Adair Co. Sheriffs Office, Adair County EM, and Adair Search and Rescue, and KY Highway Dept.

A deal to sell Westlake Regional Hospital and a group of primary care facilities is on its deathbed, sources close to the negotiations said Tuesday.

Lifepoint Hospitals, Inc. has been negotiating with Westlake officials to purchase Westlake, and hospital officials recently said the offer ranged around $12.9 million.

Westlake officials apparently received word Friday, however, that Lifepoint is lowering its offer to a mere $2 million.

See this week’s Community Voice for more details. Papers are now in the racks and in businesses across the county with the latest.

Anyone wishing to sign a petition opposing a proposed tax from the hospital district can sign up Wednesday, Aug. 8 in the basement of the courthouse annex at 424 Public Square, Columbia, from 10:30 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Vicky Pike and Cynthia Rowe, Ron Carter, Wendy Gousha and Jay Johnson formed a committee to coordinate the recall petition drive.

Committee members are circulating petitions protesting a 3.7 cents tax on taxpayers to pay debt that will remain if and when Westlake Regional Hospital and a group of primary care centers are sold. Any registered voter in Adair County can sign the petition. If 755 people who are qualified sign in protest, the issue could go on the ballot for a vote before the tax can be implemented. Because of the time frame, the issue would not be on the ballot until 2014, thereby stopping the tax for at least two years.

SIGNING THE PETITION

Anyone signing the petition must do so on a sheet of paper identified for the specific precinct in which they vote. Anyone who does not know the name of their district can call County Clerk Sheila Blair’s office at 384-2801 to find out. When signing the petition, you will be asked to sign your name, print your name, provide your address and Pike said it would help if you provide your birth-date in case there are others with the same name. The committee must file the petition with the county clerk by September 4.

Pike said anyone who is interested in helping distribute petitions or get voters signed up can call her at 384-3348 or 634-2604, or they can contact Cynthia Rowe at 384-5431.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a one vehicle fatality that occurred early this morning on Holmes Bend Road approximately five miles north of Columbia.

Amanda Spencer, 31, of Columbia, was operating a 1996 Chevy Blazer when her vehicle exited the highway and overturned.

Spencer was not wearing a seat belt and was partially ejected from the vehicle.

Spencer was pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner Todd Akin.

An unrestrained passenger in the vehicle, Kenneth Sweet, 25, was transported to Westlake Regional Hospital ER by Adair County EMS and later sent to University of Kentucky Hospital for possible neck injuries.

Speed, dense fog and alcohol are believed to be factors in the wreck.

The Adair County Fire Department assisted at the scene to extricate the patients.

This incident is still under investigation by Deputy Justin Claywell.

Here’s a chance to expand your knowledge and your taste buds. The Adair County Garden Club is offering “Growing and Cooking Garlic,” a class designed to help you prepare for the upcoming garlic planting season as well as a chance to learn new ways to cook with garlic.

Register now for the class, which will be held Thursday, Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. Presented by Bobbett Jascor, the class will be held in the basement of the Columbia Adair Chamber of Commerce, 201 Burkesville St. Everyone is invited to attend. Students will receive garlic for planting as well as an opportunity to taste delicious garlic dishes at the class.

Early registration is recommended. Class tuition is $5 for active ACGC members and $10 for non members. To register, contact Barbara Armitage at 250-2979.

The Garden Club meets at 1 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month in a variety of locations. Each meeting is designed to expand your knowledge of gardening techniques, landscape ideas, environmental issues, natural resources, birds, wildlife and more.
There are no fees or dues to be a member of the Garden Club and everyone is welcome.

Taste of Adair was held at the Adair County Extension Service parking lot during the farmers’ market. A crowd gathered to taste different recipes made with local grown food. For more information and how to obtain recipes, call the extension office at 384-2317.

A father and son were critically injured in a one-vehicle accident Wednesday night on Hwy. 900 near Willie Grant Road.

Police say Allen McClister was driving when the vehicle left the roadway and overturned. McClister was entrapped in the vehicle and was extricated by emergency services. Jordan McClister, 15, a passenger, was thrown from the vehicle and lying in the roadway when emergency crews arrived.

Allen McClister was flown from the scene by Air Evac to University of Kentucky Hospital. Jordan McClister was transported to Westlake Regional Hospital and transported to UK by Air Methods.

The accident occurred around 8:30 p.m. Adair County Sheriff Deputy Aaron Rainwater responded and is investigating the accident.

Emergency services work with Allen McClister before he was flown from the scene of a wreck Wednesday night to UK Hospital.

A recall on the 3.7 cent tax initiated by the hospital district will not stop the sell of Westlake.

A recall is part of our democratic process and one we should all appreciate. The legislation that protects us from any government entity slapping on a huge tax without our permission is the same law that is in place here. It’s a good law.

No, it’s a great law.

With that said, we all know there is no good end to this story. As the letter from the Attorney General’s office clarifies, the debt of the hospital district must be paid, and if the district doesn’t have the revenue to pay it, then we get to foot the bill.

So, the worse-case scenario is that taxpayers refuse to pay the tax and the banks that loaned the hospital millions of dollars will have to go to court and ask a judge to force a tax on taxpayers. The judge would have the authority to set the rate and could even go beyond the 10-cent limit set for taxing districts should he or she so choose.

But, it wouldn’t have to happen that way. If the current tax is recalled, the hospital district could come back and ask for another one. To get one passed, they would have to educate taxpayers…

To read more, get this week’s issue of the Adair County Community Voice. Newspapers are in racks throughout the county this afternoon and in mailboxes Thursday.

By Sharon Burton
snburton@duo-county.com

Louise Smith took advantage of the afternoon hours at the farmers’ market Tuesday. Smith stopped to check out the ripe tomatoes brought by Wayne and Barbara Armitage. A“Taste of Adair” will be featured Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in front of the extension office at the farmers’ market. The office is located on Fairground Street.

School in Adair County starts Wednesday, Aug. 8. Students at Adair County Middle School went to open house Tuesday night. Pictured is Annette Hadley, bookkeeper at ACMS, 8th grade students Jordan Lasley, Katherine Curry and Madison VanArsdale and instructor Leighann Loy.

Dylan Pendleton, 8th grade student at ACMS checks to see what homeroom he is in.

The office of Attorney General Jack Conway offered an informal opinion Tuesday that shed some light on the laws the hospital district must follow to levy a tax.

County Judge Executive Ann Melton requested the Attorney General opinion after the hospital board voted to levy a 3.7 cents tax per $100 assessment after having a zero tax for 15 years.

The letter of advice, signed by Assistant Attorney General Matt James, emphasizes that it is not a formal opinion but hopes the views expressed in the letter will provide the community some assistance.

The AG’s office advises that the hospital’s attempt to establish a tax following a zero tax is subject…

To read more of this story, get this week’s issue of the Adair County Community Voice. Newspapers are in racks throughout the county on this afternoon and in mailboxes Thursday.

By Sharon Burton
snburton@duo-county.com

Vicky Pike, who is leading the movement to recall a hospital tax passed by the Adair County Hospital District board of directors, said Friday that petitions are now available for people to sign. In addition, a special day has been scheduled so people can go by the courthouse annex basement and sign the petitions.

Pike and four other people filed as a committee on Thursday to circulate the petition protesting a 3.7 cents tax on taxpayers to pay debt that will remain if and when Westlake Regional Hospital and a group of primary care centers are sold. Anyone from Adair County who voted in the last presidential election can sign the petition. If 755 people who are qualified sign in protest, the issue could go on the ballot for a vote before the tax can be implemented. Because of the time frame, the issue would not be on the ballot until 2014, thereby stopping the tax for at least two years. The Attorney General has been asked to clarify if the tax is subject to recall but an opinion has not been released yet.

SIGNING THE PETITION

Anyone signing the petition must do so on a sheet of paper identified for the specific precinct in which they vote. Anyone who does not know the name of their district can call County Clerk Sheila Blair’s office at 384-2801 to find out. When signing the petition, you will be asked to sign your name, print your name, provide your address and Pike said it would help if you provide your birth-date in case there are others with the same name. The committee must file the petition with the county clerk by September 4.

Pike said anyone who is interested in helping distribute petitions or get voters signed up can call her at 384-3348 or 634-2604, or they can contact Cynthia Rowe at 384-5431.

SPECIAL SIGN-UP DAY SCHEDULED

Pike and others will set up in the basement of the courthouse annex at 424 Public Square, Columbia, from 10:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 8. Anyone wishing to sign the petition can do so at that time.

In addition to Pike and Rowe, other members of the committee are Ron Carter, Wendy Gousha and Jay Johnson.

Five people have filed as a committee to organize a petition in opposition of the hospital district’s 3.7 cents tax.

Vicky Pike, Cynthia Rowe, Ron Carter, Wendy Gousha, and Jay Johnson filed the proper paperwork Thursday.

The committee will be responsible for circulating the petition protesting the tax and filing it in the proper form within 45 days from the passage of the order to impose the 3.7 percent tax on the taxpayers of Adair County by the Adair County Hospital District Board. The date the tax was imposed was July 20, 2012, meaning the deadline is Sept. 4, 2012.

For the tax to be recalled, 10 percent of the people who voted in the last presidential race must sign the petition, which is 755 people. The petition must be signed in the precinct where the signatory votes.

All correspondence for this committee should be sent to Victoria Pike at 3011 Burkesville Rd., Columbia. Her phone number is 384-3348 or 634-2604.

It is still not legally decided if the tax is in fact subject to recall but the clock is ticking. County Judge Executive Ann Melton, with the support of the fiscal court, has asked the Attorney General to clarify the legal responsibility of the hospital district board and that decision is pending. It is believed that the deadline date of Sept. 4 will be in effect should the Attorney General declare that the tax is subject to recall.

When I woke on July 23, my dog was missing. Her name is Lucy. She’s 8 months old and is a blue heeler/Border collie mix, weighs about 15-20 pounds, and is wearing a pink collar. She has stitches in her belly as she was just spayed on Friday. We live in the Prices Creek Road community. If anyone sees her, could you please call me at 270-250-3036.

(Photo Pending)

Thank you again.
Deb Dickson

The new school year begins on Aug. 8 and one community group is making sure that at least 200 school kids will go to school with new shoes.

With the economy the way it is, it’s harder for parents to buy new shoes especially if they have more than one child, said co-founder Cricket McCloud.

Four years ago McCloud, Mindy Smith, Jennifer Richard, Columbia Christian Church Youth and Family Minister Adam Shepard, and family resource and youth center representatives got together and came up with the Kids Needs Kicks Ministry.

They wanted to do something similar to the angel tree program during Christmas. Church groups, businesses and individuals can donate a pair of new shoes. KNK will work with the youth service and family resource centers to match up a student with a pair of shoes.

“Kids feel better about themselves when they have a new pair of shoes,” McCloud said. “The kids are just tickled to death if they get something name brand. They just light up.”

Those looking to donate can either choose a shoe card with a shoe size and gender or make a donation on their own. The deadline to return shoes with the “Shoe Box” program will be July 24 or as near to that deadline as possible.

Shoes can be dropped off at Columbia Christian Church, First and Farmers National Bank on the square and at the Community Voice office.

For more information regarding the ministry or donations, Kids Need Kicks Ministry Committee Members may be contacted as follows: Cricket McCloud at 385-9633; Mindy Smith at 250-6060, Adam Shepard at 384-2612 or Paula Garrison at 384-9752.

Nine people were indicted in Adair Circuit Court this week on various drug charges.

Eight of those who were indicted were charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.

• Cheyenne Dial, 36, manufacturing methamphetamine; possession of a controlled substance—methamphetamine, 1st degree, 1st offense; possession of drug paraphernalia. Arraignment is July 24 at 1 p.m. Bail is $25,000.

• Robin Lynn Morrison, aka Robin Lynn Nuszbaum, 30, manufacturing methamphetamine; possession of a controlled substance—methamphetamine, 1st degree, 1st offense; possession of drug paraphernalia. Arraignment is July 24 at 1 p.m. Bail is $25,000.

• Pamela McKinney Mosby Greer, 40, manufacturing methamphetamine, 2nd or greater offense; persistent felony offender, 2nd degree; possession of a controlled substance—methamphetamine, 3rd or greater offense; possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia. Arraignment is Aug. 14 at 1 p.m. Bail is $25,000.

• Aaron Dale McKinney, 36, manufacturing methamphetamine, 2nd or greater offense; two counts of persistent felony offender, 1st degree; possession of a controlled substance—methamphetamine, 1st degree, 3rd or greater offense; possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; tampering with physical evidence. Arraignment is Aug. 14 at 1 p.m. Bail is $25,000.

• Selisa Nichole McKinney, 31, manufacturing methamphetamine, 1st offense; persistent felony offender, 2nd degree; possession of a controlled substance—methamphetamine, 1st degree, 1st offense; possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia. Arraignment is Aug. 14 at 1 p.m. Bail is set at $25,000.

• Zackary Paul Morgan, 19, manufacturing methamphetamine, 1st offense; possession of a controlled substance—methamphetamine, 1st degree, 1st offense; possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; tampering with physical evidence. Arraignment is Aug. 14. Bail is set at $25,000.

• Jamie M. Benham, 23, manufacturing methamphetamine. Arraignment is Aug. 21 at 9 a.m. Bail is set at $25,000.

• Christopher P. Benham, 32, manufacturing methamphetamine; persistent felony offender, 1st degree. Arraignment is Aug. 21 at 9 a.m. Bail is set at $25,000 cash.

One person was indicted for trafficking in cocaine.

Gary Wayne Carter, Jr., 32, three counts of trafficking in a controlled substance—cocaine, 1st degree, 1st offense; three counts of persistent felony offender, 1st degree; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. Arraignment is Aug. 21 at 9 a.m. Bail is set at $100,000.

While others are trying to clarify how to properly establish a tax after 15 years, the hospital district board apparently plans to move forward with a vote on the issue Friday.

Judge Executive Ann Melton said Tuesday that an opinion from the Attorney General’s office might not be final by the time the hospital board votes Friday.

The hospital board set the wheels in motion on June 26 to initiate a 3.7 cents tax per $100 assessment, the first time the hospital district attempted to impose a tax since 1997.

Hospital officials said they believe the board has the authority to “reinstate” the tax from 15 years ago without being subject to recall, but admitted the move is unprecedented and the process unclear.

Melton requested the AG opinion and her request was supported unanimously by members of the fiscal court.

Melton said she spoke last week to an attorney with the Kentucky Association of Counties who said he believes the tax will be subject to recall.

To read more on this story, see the July 19 issue of the Community Voice.