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This story originally appeared in the Aug. 18 issue of the Community Voice. For your own subscription, call 270-384-9454

The Wounded Warrior Project, an organization created to support military veteran men and women who have suffered injuries related to their service, is sponsoring a fishing derby Sept. 7 at the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery in Jamestown.

“This is the ninth annual Wounded Warriors fishing event. We didn’t have one the last two years because of Covid,” said Marsha Hart, Fish Hatchery spokes- person. “We are so happy to host this.

“This is totally to honor those that have served and have given so much back in their service. We just wanted to have this special day to focus on them, and let them know we appreciate them and they’re important to all of us.” Pre-registration has already ended for the event. However, Hart said the turnout has been terrific. Some veterans have already registered from as far away as Ohio.

“There has always been a good turnout for this event, and it is the only event that we have to put a cap on because of the response,’ Hart said. “And we do that because we have fishing guides working with us that day.”

The event will run from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. A group will go from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Lake Cumberland, with another group going from 12 noon to 3 p.m. trout fishing on the Cumberland River or Hatchery Creek. Participants that have been selected will be notified no later than Aug. 26.

“We would prefer the guys and ladies arrive around 5:30 a.m. for breakfast,” Hart said. “They will meet up with their guides, and they get to take a snack pack out on the boat with them. They will come back and show us what they got.

“We will take a lot of photos and the Disabled American Veterans will hold a real nice ceremony. Then, after lunch we have people coming to share their expertise in fly fishing with us. Those folks will fish on the Cumberland River.”

Everything is free to the participants. They will have to have a cur- rent fishing license. If they fish in the after- noon session, they will also need a trout stamp.

“This is my first Wounded Warrior event, but I am looking forward to being a part of it,” Hart said. “We love planning it, meeting the veterans, and we’re looking forward to honoring them. I would tell the guys and girls to come on out for a great day. We’re here for them in any way we can.”

This story first appeared in the Aug. 18 issue of the Community Voice. For your own subscription, call 270-384-9454.

After a two-year hiatus, the Revisit Knifley Planning Committee is running full steam ahead on its plans for the 2022 event on Sept. 10. The festivities, including most of the events, will take place at or near the old Knifley School. Admission is free.

“If I am not mistaken, the event started in 2014,” said Lisa Greer, committee member. “We have missed the last two years because of Covid. When we started, it was just a committee with an idea. We gathered and wanted to come up with something we could do to include the history of Knifley.”

Though plans have not been finalized yet, the day is expected to begin with a country ham breakfast at 7 a.m. and events and vendors expected to open at 8 a.m. The day will include a tractor show and ride, a car show, musical performances, and a live auction. There will also be a veterans celebration at noon.

“This started as a way to reunite the Knifley community and provide an event that would bring peo- ple back to the com- munity, kind of like a homecoming,” said committee member Debbie Cowan. “It will be a great festival event where people can come out and see their friends,  and enjoy an inexpensive night out with their families.”

Cowan said one of the big draws seems to be the Knifley historical display, depicting the town in its earliest days. The community was believed to have begun around the early 1800s thanks to a man named Phillip Knifley and his family.

Greer said there will be numerous kids’ events like face painting, inflatables, a pet- ting zoo and a pedal tractor pull. Later in the day will be a fish fry and a fireworks display.

“We haven’t had the event for two years, so everyone is excited about this year,” she said. “It is expensive when you go to the fair, so we really wanted to make this as inexpensive as we could for the parents, as easy and enjoy- able as possible.”

Vendors of any kind are welcome at the festival and should call Greer at 270-469-0376 to register. She said there could be 1,000 people come through the event.

“We are looking for any kind of vendor – candles, crafts, food,” Greer said. “In the past, we’ve had people come in from all over, including other states. We will have people come back to Knifley to visit where families used to live.”

Cowan said volunteers are desperately needed for the day. More information can be found on the Revisit Knifley Facebook page.

“Knifley was once a thriving town,” Cowan said. “It is the northern community of Adair County, somewhat cut off from the rest of the county because of the flooding of Green River prior to the dam. It has a unique personality.”

FRANKFORT (KT) — Supporters held a signing ceremony at the State Capitol on Monday for the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which passed the 2022 session of the Kentucky General Assembly after lawmakers overrode a veto by Gov. Andy Beshear.

The law requires students from sixth grade through college to participate in sports based on their biological sex.

Senate Bill 83, which was sponsored by Sen. Robby Mills, R- Henderson, directs the Kentucky High School Athletics Association to develop rules prohibiting biological male students from participating in athletic teams, activities and sports designated as “girls.”

“The bill for me was always about fairness and common sense,” said Mills. “Most Kentuckians enjoy their sports and competition. They understand that boys have a physical advantage over girls and that’s just common sense. Kentucky common sense.”

Rep. Ryan Dodson, R-Winchester, added language to the original bill to include college athletics.

“That was a fight worth fighting for us in the Senate and in the House,” Dodson said. “We just want the young ladies and their parents across the commonwealth to know that we heard you, we stand with you, and we’re here to lift you up and to make sure that you get your scholarships, that you get your playing time, and all the things that come with Title IX.”

Secretary of State Michael Adams signed the bill because, under Kentucky law, when the legislature overrides a governor’s veto, the secretary of state signs that bill into law.

In his April veto message Beshear said, “Senate Bill 83 most likely violates the equal protections afforded by the United States Constitution because it discriminates against transgender children seeking to participate in girls’ or women’s sports.

“Transgender children deserve public officials’ efforts to demonstrate that they are valued members of our communities through compassion, kindness and empathy,” said Beshear.

But supporters of the measure said the new law is a victory for women and girls in Kentucky.

“Because of your hard work and courage to stand, women athletes can compete on a fair and level playing field today,” said Richard Nelson of the Commonwealth Policy Center.

FRANKFORT (KT) – A special legislative session began Wednesday, with executive and legislative branches of government agreeing to spend $212.7 million over the next six months to help rebuild communities devastated by the deadly flooding in eastern Kentucky that began July 26.

A total of $200 million will be allocated from the Budget Reserve Trust Fund, part of the state’s so-called $2.7 billion rainy day fund, to Eastern Kentucky State Aid Funding for Emergencies (EKSAF). It breaks down as follows:

–$115 million to the Department of Military Affairs Division of Emergency Management to provide financial support to cities, counties, school districts, state agencies and nonprofit or public utility service providers located in areas named in the Presidential Declaration of a Major Disaster. This includes reimbursement for services, personnel and equipment provided during the response and recovery phases; cost of replacement or repair of publicly owned buildings and their contents; and advancement of funds to local governments, utilities and school districts awaiting insurance claims and Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster assistance.

–$45 million to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s highways budget for the state matching funds to pay for bridge and road repairs and replacement.

–$40 million to the Department of Education for financial assistance to school districts to support repairs of school building facilities, additional transportation costs for displaced students and wrap-around services for schoolchildren and their families recovering from the impacts of the storms and flooding.

In addition to the above, nearly $12.7 million in fiscal year 2022-2023 from the State Fiscal Recovery Fund of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, or ARPA, is earmarked for EKSAFE. These funds will go toward water and sewer infrastructure projects, the building of replacement school facilities and housing sites not previously used, but now designed to mitigate the risk of future flooding.

Any reimbursements from FEMA, would then go into the EKSAFE fund.

The legislation will also allow the Commissioner of Education flexibility to waive up to 15 student attendance days through Jan. 20, 2023, due to the flooding. In addition, a school district may temporarily assign students to remote instruction due to uninhabitable school buildings. Up to 20 days of remote instruction may be permitted, with safeguards. It also expedites the approval process for school district facility plans to renovate, repair and replace flood-damaged school buildings.

It also provides SEEK Funding Relief to both Eastern Kentucky flood-affected areas and Western Kentucky tornado-affected areas.

Matthew Stapleton of Columbia is facing numerous charges after being arrested early Saturday morning.

Officers from the Columbia Police Department initiated a traffic stop on Burkesville St, inspecting the vehicle Stapleton was driving. K9 unit Nitro was called, and he alerted on the vehicle where suspected methamphetamine was found.

Officer Justin Cross observed Stapleton chewing and swallowing an unknown object when arriving at the Adair County Regional Jail. Stapleton was taken to T.J. Samson for observation before being brought back to jail.

Stapleton has been charged with careless driving, possession of methamphetamine, and tampering with physical evidence.

Officer Cross was the arresting officer, and he was assisted on scene by officer Trevor Foster and Adair County Sheriff’s Deputy Chandler Staten.

This story first appeared in the Aug. 11 issue of the Community Voice. For your own subscription, call 270-384-9454.

An enthusiastic Heather Spoon updated the fiscal court on recent activity by the Economic Development Authority Monday night and said the county is getting interest from several prospective clients.

Spoon went before the court to ask for a $150,000 commitment to help match a potential $456,000 grant. Magistrates approved the request and spent several minutes speaking with Spoon about improvements at the Green River Commerce Park and various EDA initiatives.

“If you have ridden out North 55 in the last year or so you will see there is a lot going on at the Green River Commerce Park,” Spoon said.

Spoon began assisting EDA part time after the board recruited her in 2021 to assist in recruitment and marketing efforts.

“We need jobs here. I think everybody in this room would say that we need jobs here,” she told the court. “The EDA has worked hard to develop a program to make Adair County attractive, to be able to entice businesses to come look at us.”

Spoon said the county competes with surrounding counties as well as counties across the state but is getting attention from several prospects.

“We are actually right now competing with a couple of other states for a big fish that we are hoping to land,” Spoon said. “We have to do everything we can to get companies to say, ‘Yes, we want to come to Adair County, Ky.’”

Spoon said they are currently working on three projects from companies that are looking at Adair County “in a very serious way.”

Should EDA be approved for the grant, the funds could be used for various needs. Should one of the prospective clients be ready to strike a deal, EDA could use the funds to help that along, Spoon said. It could be used

to develop build-ready pads, which includes getting groundwork and utility work ready so clients could get a building constructed as quickly as possible.

EDA has partnered with K & M Services, LLC., to recruit business to the Green River Commerce Park , which Spoon said is considered one of the top industrial parks in the state.

“We have a momentum that is going right now and I think that we are just poised for some- body to come into that park,” Spoon said.

Magistrates complimented the work EDA has put in recently to improve the park and recruit new business.

“I want thank you all for what you have done,” magistrate Sammy Baker said. “It (the park) has changed so much. You have been so progressive. Every day you go by it just looks better.”

All magistrates attending the meeting voted in favor of committing the $150,000 matching funds. Magistrate Terry Hadley said he would like to see a rehabilitation center in the park that would train people for jobs that come to the park .

Spoon said EDA intends to also ask the city of Columbia to match the $150,000.

By Sharon Burton
snburton@adairvoice.com

The latest state Covid-19 report from the Lake Cumberland District Health Department.

A boil water advisory is in effect for consumers at 2432-3477 Fairplay Rd, Hwy 704, Eddie Compton Rd, Johnson School Rd., Brice Morrison Rd., Rick Rob Rd., Stone Cemetery Rd, and Loy Cemetery Rd.

The advisory has been issued due to a main line break.

Following such an event, the potential exists for bacteriological contamination of the water supply therefore this advisory has been issued as a precautionary measure.

Until further notice, boil all water used for drinking and cooking, bringing the water to a rolling boil for three minutes before using.

This advisory will remain in effect until the situation has been corrected and test results have shown the water to be of an acceptable quality.

For more information concerning the advisory, contact Lennon Stone at Columbia Adair Utilities District at 270-384-2181.

This story originally ran in the Aug. 11 issue of the Community Voice. For your own subscription, call 270-384-9454.

An enthusiastic Heather Spoon updated the fiscal court on recent activity by the Economic Development Authority Monday night and said the county is getting interest from several prospective clients.

Spoon went before the court to ask for a $150,000 commitment to help match a potential $456,000 grant. Magistrates approved the request and spent several minutes speaking with Spoon about improvements at the Green River Commerce Park and various EDA initiatives.

“If you have ridden out North 55 in the last year or so you will see there is a lot going on at the Green River Commerce Park,” Spoon said.

Spoon began assisting EDA part time after the board recruited her in 2021 to assist in recruitment and marketing efforts.

“We need jobs here. I think everybody in this room would say that we need jobs here,” she told the court. “The EDA has worked hard to develop a program to make Adair County attractive, to be able to entice businesses to come look at us.”

Spoon said the county competes with surrounding counties as well as counties across the state but is getting attention from several prospects.

“We are actually right now competing with a couple of other states for a big fish that we are hoping to land,” Spoon said. “We have to do everything we can to get companies to say, ‘Yes, we want to come to Adair County, Ky.’”

Spoon said they are currently working on three projects from companies that are looking at Adair County “in a very serious way.”

Should EDA be approved for the grant, the funds could be used for various needs. Should one of the prospective clients be ready to strike a deal, EDA could use the funds to help that along, Spoon said. It could be used to develop build-ready pads, which includes getting groundwork and utility work ready so clients could get a building constructed as quickly as possible.

EDA has partnered with K & M Services, LLC., to recruit business to the Green River Commerce Park , which Spoon said is considered one of the top industrial parks in the state.

“We have a momentum that is going right now and I think that we are just poised for some- body to come into that park,” Spoon said.

Magistrates complimented the work EDA has put in recently to improve the park and recruit new business.

“I want thank you all for what you have done,” magistrate Sammy Baker said. “It (the park) has changed so much. You have been so progressive. Every day you go by it just looks better.”

All magistrates attending the meeting voted in favor of committing the $150,000 matching funds. Magistrate Terry Hadley said he would like to see a rehabilitation center in the park that would train people for jobs that come to the park .

Spoon said EDA intends to also ask the city of Columbia to match the $150,000.

By Sharon Burton
snburton@adairvoice.com

Gage Scheel of Adair County was arrested Wednesday evening after Columbia Police officers investigated a suspicious vehicle at the Columbia Christian Church’s park pavilion, just off North Reed St.

Sgt. Drew Conn was the arresting officer and K9 Matt alerted officers on the scene. A search of the vehicle found suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Scheel, 31, was placed into custody and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sgt. Conn was assisted on the scene by officer Josh Durbin and Sgt. Evan Burton.

The A.P. White Campus and the city of Columbia are abuzz with excitement as Lindsey Wilson College finalizes the preparations to begin a new academic year.

Although student-athletes involved in fall sports have been settling in for the last few weeks, LWC freshman residential students will not arrive for move-in until 9 a.m. CT, Saturday (Aug. 20) morning. The rest of the residential student body will move in beginning at noon on Sunday.

Students will be welcomed with a full week of events and activities planned to help them ease into college and campus life.

“We eagerly await the arrival of our students for the fall,” said William T. Luckey Jr., who has served as president of Lindsey Wilson College for more than 24 years. “This academic year will bring exciting opportunities as we are planning to fully resume service projects, student activities, Blue Raider athletics and collaborative academic pursuits. We are ready to see our beloved Lindsey Wilson running at full capacity for the first time in over two years.”

When students arrive, they will be greeted with campus improvements ranging from new furniture in residential and academic spaces to new equipment in the Doris and Bob Holloway Health & Wellness Center. Parnell Family Stadium, which is home to Lindsey Wilson football, also received a facelift. Over the summer, new turf was installed on the football field and the track was resurfaced.

LWC adds Telehealth Access for campus community

Also new for fall, LWC has partnered with Cumberland Family Medical Centers to provide primary care and mental health services to students, faculty and staff.

“The LWC community will now have access to primary healthcare services through telehealth technology,” said LWC Dean of Students Chris Schmidt. “This partnership also provides access to more than 50 mental health counselors. Remote services will be available to all students including those who attend LWC online and at extended campus locations.”

Students who need to see a service provider will contact LWC Director of Health Services and Campus Nurse Tamara Coots.

“I will assess the student or employee and then help them to sign in and set up the telehealth call,” said Coots, an Adair County native who joined LWC to manage health services in a full-time capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The telehealth technology provided by Cumberland Family Medical Centers is secure, reliable and accessible. CFMC is a perfect partner for LWC – serving this underserved region is as important to them as it is to Lindsey Wilson.”

When students, faculty or staff are feeling unwell they can visit Coots in the Blue Raider Sports Medicine office located in the basement of Phillips Hall or call 270-384-8138.

The first day of classes for the 2022-23 academic year at Lindsey Wilson College is on Monday, Aug. 22.

The Columbia City Council broke ground on a new splash pad Wednesday morning at the city park on Fairgrounds St. Those attending the ceremony were (from left) Bluegrass Recreation Sales and Installation representative Johnny Cain, council members Sharon Payne, Ronald “Doc” Rogers, and Robert Flowers; mayor Pam Hoots, council members Linda Waggener, and Craig Dean; and parks and recreation department staff Terry Johnson and Craig Lasley.

Dallas Hayes of Burkesville was arrested on drug charges late Saturday night near Columbia.

Around 11:30 p.m. Saturday night, Adair County Sheriff’s K-9 Deputy Chandler Staten and his his K-9 Nitro, along with Chief Deputy Brandon Hitch, initiated a traffic stop on a 2007 Volvo in the vicinity of Cane Valley Mill Road.

Suspected methamphetamine was found during a search of the vehicle, resulting in the arrest of Hayes, 31.

Hayes was lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail on charges of possession of a controlled substance, first degree. methamphetamine; possession of controlled substance, first degree, drug unspecified; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Adair County Sheriff is continuing the investigation.

Adair County Judge Executive Gale Cowan has announced the Adair County Transfer Station will be closed temporarily due to mechanical issues. They are working on getting the equipment fixed but stated it could be Monday before repairs are finished. Please call before you go to see if they are up and going at (270)-384-6014.

Skylar Riggins of Russell Springs and Brent Grimsley of Dunnville are facing numerous charges after an extensive investigation.

Officers from the Columbia Police Department recently concluded a three-month investigation after deputy jailers found suspected narcotics in May.

Evidence was presented to the grand jury with indictments being returned against Riggins and Grimsley. Riggins, 26, has been charged with conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance, as well as being a persistent felony offender. Grimsley, 40, has been charged with trafficking in a controlled substance, methamphetamine; trafficking in a controlled substance, drug unspecified; promoting contraband, and being a persistent felony offender.

Sgt Evan Burton was the investigating officer. He was assisted during the investigation by officer Justin Cross and the Adair Regional Jail staff.

James Burris, 33, of Columbia was arrested Monday after a traffic stop by Adair County Sheriff’  s deputies late that night on Pelly Ln., north of Columbia.

Following a roadside investigation and a search of the vehicle, deputies found a large amount of methamphetamine, suspected cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and a handgun.

Burris was arrested and lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail. He is being charged with possession of a controlled substance, first degree, methamphetamine; possession of a controlled substance, first degree, cocaine; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Deputy Chandler Staten and his K-9 Nitro were the arresting officers.

This story originally ran in the July 28 issue of the Community Voice. For your own subscription, call 270-384-9454.

Years ago, Lana Roy ’s Monday morning routine was pretty typical. After getting ready for work , she may stop to get some coffee or possibly pick up some breakfast. It would just depend on how much time she had. She didn’t want to be late for work.

When she would pull into the parking lot at Summit Manor, she would get out and hurry into her office, which was down the hall from the front door among the residents. When she passed “Pearl’s” room, she would have to stop.

Pearl was a talker, and the stop became a weekly thing.

“When I would come in on Mondays, she would want to know what I did over the weekend, because that was her connection to the outside world,” Roy said. “Even if I just did laundry and hung it on the line, that was good for her because she could then tell me about when she would do laundry and hang it on the line.

“I have been blessed because I have had that kind of interaction with the people. They have felt comfortable telling me things about their lives. My parents have been here as residents, so I understand. I get so many benefits from working at this job.”

And that interaction with the residents is what Roy said she will miss most, after announcing her retirement late last week. She has worked serving others at Summit Manor for just under 45 years.

Roy began working in the service industry at the old Adair Hospital.

She said she then moved to Summit Manor and has had several positions at the facility, including medical records and admissions. She is currently the social service director.

“I am an advocate for the residents,” she said. “I am their spokes- person. If they have a problem, I am going to try and direct them to where they need to go. I am going to be there for them.”

Roy said she never knew and still doesn’t know what to expect of her day when she walks in because things change daily at a place like Summit Manor – including the facility roster. She was often involved in helping residents and families prepare for that day.

“It would kind of sometimes be a weight on your heart when the residents would pass,” Roy said. “With these folks you just want to make sure you’ve done everything you can do for them.

“When they passed, I struggled with that a lot. This place is the final journey for a lot of our residents, and we want to be able to comfort them when they exit the journey. It is a challenge for me, and I know it is hard for everybody.”

Roy said families should know people are available to help them through the process of making a life decision like putting a loved one in a nursing home. She said she realizes it is difficult for the families making the decision, and for the person moving in.

“We want you to continue to care for your parents, so we want to know how you did it at home, what was their normal schedule,” she said. “We want you in here working with us to continue care for your parents. We’re not saying you’re dropping them off to die, we’re helping you care for them, helping you meet your goals for them.”

Roy said she never had a date in mind when retirement would come. But she said she just feels like now is the time. After all, now she can spend more time with her family.

“I am just so blessed,” Roy said. “Some time ago, I was talking with one lady about arrangements for her dying days, and she told me ‘I already have everything prepared.’ She said, ‘so when something happens to me, please be happy.’ She said, ‘I know where I am going’…and one day later at lunch, that’s exactly what happened.”

By Scott Wilson
scott@adairvoice.com

This story originally appeared in the July 28 issue of the Community Voice. For your own subscription, call270-384-9454

Columbian Theater owner Dr. Ben Arnold, who has been in a lease agreement for the facility with the school board for almost a year, signed the deed over to the board Thursday night during its July meeting.

“I am excited to death. This is a huge step for us,” said board superintendent Dr. Pam Stephens. “We ran into a couple of roadblocks in getting things rolling with the KDE (Kentucky Department of Education). They had the agreement, and they knew Dr. Arnold’s intent.

“We had that conversation with him, and he said, ‘With what you all have done, I know you’re going to do it well. I will gift it and that will stop all the roadblocks.’ We’re very blessed.”

The Columbian Theater opened in 1947 and was thought to have one of the largest screens in the South. In this proposal, Stephens sees the theater’s lights being turned on again for multiple uses, including drama events, choral performances, art displays, and special community occasions.

“Our goal is still to have our Christmas performances in the theatre,” Stephens said. “We are moving forward on that. We have a lot of equipment that will be going into the theater ordered earlier today.”

The board also voted unanimously to continue its agreement with the city of Columbia and the county of Adair concerning payment for School Resource Officers in the four local facilities. Currently, three officers are paid through the city budget while one officer is paid through the coun- ty sheriff ’s budget.

The agreement has the board paying $48,690 a year for one officer, with almost $38,000 going to the city, up from $24,000 last year.

“Safety is key for us,” Stephens said. “We had one SRO when I came in as superintendent. This board has been very committed to the safety of not only our students but also our staff. This agreement doesn’t cover just the days kids are here in school, it covers the days teachers are here.”

In other action Thurs- day night, the board:

– approved a request for out of state travel for the Adair County High School academic team to compete in a quiz bowl in Cookeville, Tenn. on Nov. 12;

– approved the school therapy agreement between the board of education and the Adanta Group;

– approved a pre- school partnership grant agreement between the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department of Community Based Services, Division of Child Care, and the Adair County Board of Education.

By Scott Wilson
scott@adairvoice.com

Columbia Mayor Pam Hoots (far left) honored members of the Adair County High School Future Business Leaders of America club at Monday’s city council meeting for a recent sixth place finish at the national competition.

Hoots made them honorary ambassadors of the city. Joining Hoots are (from left) Seth Murphy, JB Piatt, JR Thompson, advisor; Mattie Willis and Natalie Gilbert.

Charity Browning, head volleyball coach for Adair County High School, has announced her schedule for the 2022 season.

“I don’t think they have had a schedule like this in the past,” Browning said. “There are some really tough teams on the schedule, and there will be some matches where we will be competitive. I think the kids need some encouragement.

“I want the kids to hold themselves to a higher standard this year than they did last year. I think last year, we were happy to win a set, and that made me feel like I was the only one that wanted it. This year I think everyone wants it. This year, I think they believe they can do it.”

Aug. 15 – Larue County           6:30 p.m.
Aug. 16 – Pulaski County.       5:30 p.m.
Aug. 18 – at Russell County    5;30 p.m.
Aug. 23 – Taylor County          5:30 p.m.
Aug. 25 – Marion County.       5:30 p.m.
Aug. 29 – Hart County             5:30 p.m.
Aug. 30 – at Campbellsville    5 p.m.
Sept. 1 – at Allen County          6 p.m.
Sept. 6 – at Marion County*   TBA
Sept. 8 – at LaRue/Taylor*.    TBA
Sept. 9 – Capital City Classic   TBA
Sept 12 – Barren County           5:30 p.m.
Sept. 13 – at Taylor County      5:30 p.m.
Sept. 15 – at Glasgow                 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 19 – Green County           5:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 – at Barren County.   6 p.m.
Sept. 23-24 – DCA Tourney.    TBA
(Danville)
Sept. 26 – at Marion County.   5:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 – at Casey County.      5:30 p.m.
Sept. 29 – Campbellsville          5 p.m.
Sept. 30
– Oct. 1 – Halloween Smash      TBA
(Lexington)
Oct. 3 – at Green County           5:30 p.m.
Oct. 10 – Casey County.              5:30 p.m.
Oct. 14 – Cumberland County   5:30 p.m.
Oct. 17 –
Oct. 22 – District Tournament   TBA
*Class 2A Sectional Championships

Billy Collins, 44, was arrested Sunday after a traffic stop in the Breeding community, south of Columbia.

Collins was suspected of having illegal substances and, after a search, suspected methamphetamine was located, along with drug paraphernalia.  In addition, there was an outstanding arrest warrant from Adair District Court.

He was lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail on charges of possession of a controlled substance, first degree, methamphetamine; possession of drug paraphernalia; and an outstanding bench warrant.

Deputy Kenny Perkins is leading the investigation.

Adam Harris of Columbia, an inmate in the Adair County Regional Jail, has been charged with felony assault after an altercation Sunday at the jail.

Officers from the Columbia Police Department were called to the jail after midnight Sunday morning about an altercation between an inmate and staff member. The inmate was said to have created a disturbance before an altercation with a male deputy jailer, resulting in minor injuries.

Harris, 25, has been charged with assault, third degree, on a corrections employee; a class D felony. Harris has been lodged in jail since July 27 after being charged with tampering with a monitor device, also a class D felony.

Officer Trevor Foster was the investigating officer and was assisted on scene by officer Justin Cross and jail staff.

FRANKFORT  (KT) – The death toll has now reached 25 and continues to rise, due to the flooding that has ravaged more than a dozen eastern Kentucky counties. And although the rain has stopped, more is in the forecast for Sunday night and Monday.

During a Saturday press briefing at the State Capitol, Gov. Andy Beshear said: “Right now, the forecast for counties south of the Mountain Parkway is for another inch to possibly two inches, which could be rough. The challenge after the rain ends on Monday, is that it’s going to get really hot.”

The 25 deaths occurred in five counties: four in Breathitt, two in Clay, 14 in Knott, two in Letcher and three in Perry.  Four of the victims are children, according to Beshear.

The governor said there has been well over a thousand water and helicopter rescues for stranded residents in the area. “The Kentucky National Guard has rescued 404 individuals by air, the Tennessee National Guard 224 additional people, and the West Virginia National Guard 36.”

The KNG has also rescued 19 people and two dogs by boat, and Kentucky State Police have performed or assisted in 624 water rescues, while Fish and Wildlife boat crews have transported 125 people.

“We’re still trying to get an accurate way to count missing persons when we can’t get to certain areas,” he said. “Cell service is still down in so many areas. While we are getting some numbers, until we get full cell service up, you could assume there are hundreds of people that might be fine, but their loved ones have not been able to establish contact with them yet.”

Kentucky State Police are working in those areas to help track down missing family members.

If they live in Breathitt, Perry, Knott, Letcher of Leslie counties, call Post 13 in Hazard at 606-435-6069.

If they are in Magoffin, Johnson, Martin, Floyd, or Pike counties, call Post 9 in Pikeville at 606-433-7711.

If they are in Jackson, Owsley, or Lee counties, call Post 7 in Richmond at 859-623-2404.

If they are in Wolfe or Morgan counties, call Post 8 in Morehead at 606-784-4127.

If they are in Harlan County, contact Post 10 in Harlan at 606-573-3131.

You may also send an email to ksppubaff@ky.gov and include your name (first, last) and phone number, your missing loved one’s name (first, last), county of residence, a description (gender, age, race, etc.), their home address, and phone number.  The information will be forwarded to the appropriate KSP Post.

This story originally appeared in the July 21 issue of the Community Voice. For your subscription, call 270-384-9454.

Barbara Williams seemed to always have a feeling something needed to change. She was working as an operating room nurse in the Riverside, California area. She got up every morning at 5 a.m. and worked in the surgical wing of the hospital, where she said it was always freezing.

After 30 years of doing that day after day, Williams said she had enough and wanted out. She and her husband Rick started looking around the country for a new place to live, trying to find a great piece of property, and that feeling where you “just know” you’re home.

They found it in Adair County.

“Everywhere I worked, I was in charge,” Barbara said. “I loved my career, but it was a stressful job, and always being in charge just added another layer. After 30 years, I decided I just wanted to grow and sell vegetables. You can’t semi-retire and exist in southern California. The taxes and the gas alone will eat you up. You just can’t do it.”

The Williamses, who lived just between Los Angeles and San Diego, are a blended family with three children each. Barbara still works as a nurse through telehealth and Rick is trying to begin a bird dog business for hunters. They found 35 acres just off Hwy. 80 near the Adair-Russell County line.

“We were going to look at Texas, Utah. We went to Tennessee first and heard about this proper- ty that was just a couple hours from Nashville,” Barbara said. “So, we came up here to looked at it and when I drove up the driveway, I knew we were done. I had never seen green before, I had never seen colors, I had never experienced the different seasons. I can sit outside and hear crickets, frogs. I see the fireflies. This is heaven, and I am never leaving.”

Barbara said she is not sure where she got her dream of living on a farm. She just knows she would come home exhausted from work every day in California. She said her children would come home from school and then they were on their phones all day. She said she didn’t want that anymore. She wanted to be outside and have space.

Now, she has chickens, horses, and a donkey named Russ. They own several dogs and some barn cats. Barbara is even thinking about creating a space on the farm to rescue animals.

“Rick wants all of these same things, too,” Barbara said. “He has all the same dreams I do. He snuck the horse and the chickens in on me behind my back. We got a really good deal on the donkey. However, my focus, really, is on the garden. I wanted that up and running as quick as possible.”

And she hopes that becomes a little bit of a side business for her. Once she gets a good feel of what the community wants in produce, she wants to create a business where customers can call her with an order, she will harvest it, and then customers can come on their lunch hour after work or over the weekend to pick it up.

“My love is with the crops. The goal is to pro- duce as much as I can comfortably sell, and that is a learning process,” Barbara said. “I want to be that person that people message and say, ‘I want 20 bell pep- pers and 20 cucumbers,’ and I will harvest them and then they can come by and get them any time. The farmers’ market is only open a certain time; I am always here.”

Barbara said the decision to move to Kentucky was a good one, and she is now living a life she had only once dreamed about.

“It has been every- thing I could have hoped for,” she said. “Every morning I wake up and look out the window, and I just smile. I really can’t believe this. I want to pinch myself to make sure all of this is true.”

Since making the move almost a year ago, Barbara said so many people have told her they wished they had followed their dreams, they wish they had taken a big leap of faith in their lives.

“I never want to regret not doing something I wanted to do,” Barbara said. “If people have a dream, I think they should just do it. You can make anything happen if you want it bad enough. Remember, there are seven days of the week and none of them are named ‘someday.’”

Williams can be reached at 951-443-9290 or through the Russell Creek Farm Facebook page.

Patrick Loy of Columbia was airlifted to the University of Louisville Hospital July 21 after being involved in a two-vehicle accident on Montpelier Rd., just before the Russell County line.

Preliminary investigation by deputies from the Adair County Sheriff’s Office indicates Loy, 32, along with passenger Cara Pemberton of Russell Springs was traveling towards Russell County on a 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle. Whitney Coe of Columbia was traveling from Russell County toward Columbia on Montpelier Rd. in a 2014 Ford Edge.

Loy attempted to turn left on Montpelier and as Coe’s vehicle neared the rise, she was unable to avoid the motorcycle that was in her lane making the turn, resulting in a head-on collision.

Loy and Pemberton were treated on the scene by Adair County EMS. Loy was transported to T.J. Health of Columbia and then airlifted to the University of Louisville hospital. Pemberton was transported to the Russell County hospital. Coe was uninjured.Deputy Chandler Staten is continuing the investigation and was assisted on scene by Chief Deputy Brandon Hitch, Columbia-Adair County Fire, and Adair EMS.

The Green River Animal Shelter will be closed July 31 to Aug. 7 due to employee vacation and medical leave.  Animals will be fed and cared for daily but the shelter will be closed to the public.

For the month of August, the Green River Animal Shelter will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays.  The shelter will be open to the public as follows:

Monday                       12-4 p.m.
Tuesday – Friday       10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Adair County Judge’s Office at 270-384-4703.

Adair County Sheriff Josh Brockman and deputies Tracy McCarol and Gary Roy recovered a stolen vehicle in the woods on Sano Road.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office was called April 11 with a report of a stolen 2011 Jeep Patriot SUV from the Millerfield community.

The ongoing investigation led Sheriff Brockman and deputy McCarol to a location on Sano Rd. During the search, the vehicle was discover behind a barn in the edge of the woods.

Arron Wilkerson 31, of Adair County was arrested and lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail on felony charges of receiving stolen property over $1,000, but less then $10,000 .

Deputy Roy is lead investigator on the scene and was assisted by Deputy McCarrol and Sheriff Brockman.

Columbia Mayor Pam Hoots (front row, left) signed a proclamation earlier this week declaring July 29 as Lana Roy Day in Columbia. Roy has worked for Signature Healthcare at Summit Manor for over 40 years. Pictured with Mayor Hoots and Roy are (back row) Latasha Harden, Dana Richard, Crystal Burton, Charlotte Kirkland, Tami Branham, and Ruth Hutchison.

There will be a retirement celebration for Roy July 27 from 4-6 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce Building on Burkesville St.

Shawn Nuckols, 31, of Tompkinsville was arrested Saturday after failing a sobriety test following a traffic stop.

Adair County Sheriff Josh Brockman responded to a call of a suspicious vehicle on Bull Run Road, just outside Columbia. Upon arrival, Sheriff Brockman and deputy Derek Padgett located a 2013 black Dodge Avenger, operated by Nuckols.

Nuckols appeared to be under the influence and was placed under arrest for operating a motor vehicle under influence of drugs. He was also operating on a suspended driver’s license because of three prior DUI’s. Pills and methamphetamine were found in his belt line during a search.

He was lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail on charges of possession of controlled substance, first degree, methamphetamine; possession of a controlled substance, third degree, pills unspecified; possession of prescription-controlled substance, not in original container; possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a motor vehicle under influence of drugs, fourth offense; operating on DUI suspended license, and no insurance.

Deputy Padgett and Sheriff Brockman investigated the scene.