Officers find more than $21,000 during raid
By Greg Bird
McCreary County law enforcement officers were surprised to find a large quantity of cash stashed in an unusual place Tuesday afternoon. More than $21,000 hidden under the hood of a truck was found during a search after officers discovered evidence of illegal activity.
Officers went to the Bob Musgrove Road in Pine Knot around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday to serve sealed indictments on three individuals charged with trafficking in a controlled substance.
When officers first entered the residence, they discovered evidence of illegal activity and conducted a search of the home and property.
Indictments were obtained for Luther “Doc” Moore, James Murphy and Tammy Perkins after officers first raided the home on June 21, 2006 and found a large quantity of suspected illegal narcotics with an estimated street value of more than $14,000.
Officers waited until lab results were returned two weeks ago to obtain the sealed indictments against the three individuals this week and officers went Tuesday to make the arrests.
When first entering the home, the officers received consent to search the property after discovering pills, believed to be oxycontin in plain sight.
A large amount of cash, concealed in a plastic bag, was hidden in the engine compartment of one of the vehicles belonging to a suspect. The cash was taken to a local bank where the officers, bank employees and one of the suspects witnessed the count.
After finding the cash, the officers stopped their search until a search warrant was obtained.
A further search revealed a quantity of pills, drug paraphernalia and marijuana plants.
Moore, Murphy and Perkins were arrested and lodged at the McCreary County jail. A fourth suspect, John Kidd, was arrested at the scene and charged with Possession of Marijuana.
Duncan resigns from School Board
By Greg Bird
In a surprise statement during Monday night’s McCreary County School Board meeting, Board member Jimmy Duncan announced that he was resigning from the Board effective Monday night.
Citing personal reasons, Duncan asked to address the Board at the start of the meeting. “I regretfully resign from the Board of Education effective September 25, 2006,” he said in a brief statement.
“It has been a great honor to work with all these folks behind the desk,” Duncan said in regards to his fellow Board members.
Following the announcement other Board members spoke of their appreciation of all the work Duncan has performed as a member of the Board.
“We are very appreciative of all that you have done,” Superintendent Ray Ball said.
“You have been an excellent Board Member and we’ll miss you,” added Chairman Elmer Smith.
Board attorney Tim Crawford said it was unlikely that the Kentucky Department of Education would appoint someone to fill Duncan’s seat, representing the Fourth District with the election less than two months away.
Duncan has served as a member of the Board since 1999.
His resignation leaves one name on the November ballot to fill the seat. Becky Gregory filed for the position in August.
The members of the Board voted 3-0 to regretfully accept the resignation. Board member Janice Reed was absent due to illness.
In other Board action Monday night Board members voted to recreate the position of Assistant Superintendent. The position has been vacant since former Assistant Superintendent Larry Taylor left the position in June of 2005 to accept a job with the Kentucky Department of Education.
“With the volume of work we have been seeing, the help would be appreciated,” Ball said.
Mitzi Stephens, Assistant Principal at the McCreary County Pre-School and Pine Knot Intermediate gave a brief presentation on the activities at the pre-school and future plans for expanding the educational opportunities for the county’s youngest students.
Sunshine Canada, UNITE Counselor for the McCreary County School District and School Resource Officer Mike Neal provided details of a new initiative called: McCreary County Schools, Keeping our Children Safe.
Through the program, Canada and Neal have obtained Child Identification kits to distribute to parents. The kit contains ways to help parents discuss safety with their children and provides space for fingerprints and photographs to help identify the children in the event of an emergency.
The members of the Board also voted to approve the 2005-2006 working budget and the hiring of Ford Brothers Inc. Auctioneers to auction off surplus school buildings.
At the close of the meeting, Chairman Elmer Smith addressed concerns over the old Eagle Elementary school building. Smith said there are no plans to sell that particular property, and he would fight to prevent any proposed sale.
“As long as I am a member (of the School Board) the Eagle School will not be sold,” he said.
Cumberland Falls area among best in country for fall foliage
By Andrew Powell
Grand Jury indicts alleged Subway robber
Voice Staff Report
A McCreary County Grand Jury has returned an indictment against the man accused of robbing Subway last month.
Kenneth D. Ross, 30, faces one-count of first-degree robbery and one-count of being a persistent felony offender after the grand jury released indictments Monday. According to Kentucky State Police Detective Billy Correll, Ross allegedly pulled to the restaurants drive-through window around 6 p.m. on August 21. Ross apparently demanded cash from the register while telling the Subway employee he was armed with a gun.
According to Correll, the employee handed cash to Ross, who then drove away, as the employees notified authorities. Ross was spotted shortly thereafter traveling south on U.S. 27, was stopped and apprehended. He was reportedly identified by the Subway employee and had the exact amount of cash stolen from the restaurant on his person.
No gun was located on Ross or in his vehicle.
Ross was indicted by the grand jury in July on seven counts of second-degree possession of a forged instrument. This month’s indictment indicates Ross as a persistent felony offender after felony convictions in 2003 and 1999 in McCreary County Circuit Court.
Ross appeared in court on Monday to face the first-degree robbery charge in connection with the Subway case. He pled not guilty to the charge and will return to court in December for a pre-trial conference.
Others facing grand jury indictments include:
• Tammy Petrey of Stearns faces a count of first-degree possession of a controlled substance and being a persistent felony offender after an indictment was returned Monday. The indictment states Petrey, 30, was found in possession of Oxycodone on June 14, 2006 by McCreary County Sheriff’s Deputy Tom Smith.
• Jennifer Bolin faces a count of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and being a persistent felony offender. The indictment states on July 28, 2006, Bolin possessed a check made payable to Crabtree Wilson in the amount of $200, which was drawn on the account of Jean Bryant. Allegedly, Bolin altered the check and cashed it at Advanced Auto Parts.
• Barry Staley, 18, faces one count of first-degree possession of a controlled substance. According to the indictment, Staley was found in possession of a quantity of cocaine by McCreary County Deputy Joe Horne on July 14, 2006.
• Bobby W. Smith, 30, faces a three-count indictment after the grand jury returned on Monday. Smith is accused of a operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, his fourth offense, operating a motor vehicle while license suspended for DUI and being a persistent felony offender.
• Bradley Creech of Winfield faces a charge of receiving stolen property over $300 for allegedly having in his possession a ladder stolen from Joseph Shoopman on August 22, 2006.
• Joshua Crabtree, 18, faces one count of first-degree criminal mischief and one count of receiving stolen property over $300 after being indicted. The grand jury report states that on August 31, 2006, Crabtree had in his possession and intentionally damaged a 1985 Mazda RX-7 allegedly stolen and owned by Carl Strunk.
• Sydney Wayne Bell of Oneida faces a charge of first-degree possession of a controlled substance after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of methamphetamine and oxycodone on December 18, 2004 by KSP Trooper Tony Dingess.
• Shannon O’Regan, 20, faces a count of first-degree possession of a controlled substance after allegedly being found in possession of Oxycontin on December 11, 2004 by KSP Trooper Tony Dingess.
• Steven A. Gibson, of Williamsburg, faces charges of retaliating against a participant in the legal process and being a persistent felony offender. According to the indictment, Gibson, on July 17, 2006, threatened bodily harm to “anyone in the McCreary County Attorney’s Office who attempted to collect child support from him.”
• Brian Spradlin, James Leonard Phillips and Robert Phillips were jointly named in an indictment Monday. The three each face one count of third-degree burglary and one count of theft by unlawful taking over $300 for an incident on July 2, 2006 where the trio allegedly entered a garage and took various items that belong to Audrey Waters. The indictment also charges Brian Spradlin with being a persistent felony offender.
The McCreary County Voice would like to remind our readers that a grand jury indictment is not an indication of one’s guilt or innocence, but merely represents enough evidence exists in a case to pursue the matter further in a court of law.
School officials pleased with CATS results
By Greg Bird
McCreary School officials were very pleased with the latest Commonwealth Accountability Test Scores released last week by the Kentucky Department of Education.
The scores show all four county schools showing increases in their scores over the past two years.
Officials of the McCreary County School District are quick to point out that it took a combined effort between the administration, instructors and students to make the results possible, but are also aware that they cannot afford to relax in their pursuit of meeting their target of all schools reaching 100 points by 2014.
“We are on the verge of everything coming together,” said Superintendent Ray Ball. “I am very pleased with the results. We have been working very hard these past few years to make changes throughout the district that would pay off in the long run. We are starting to see those results now. Everyone from the Front Office, the instructors and students should be proud of what they have accomplished.”
“We know that we have a ways to go yet, but I am confident that the efforts will continue and our scores will rise higher and higher.”
Whitley City Elementary School continued its strong push toward meeting the 100-point goal before 2014 by posting a 6.3-point gain over the past two years. The combined score of 84.4 is well ahead of their target goal, but Principal Tim Moore is aware that the school can’t sit back and rest on their laurels if they wish to continue to move forward.
“Even though we have done really well, we have to do better in the future,” he said. “We have met our goal beyond 2008, and we are obviously tickled about that. But, what you have to do is look at your data and see how you are scoring.”
Mr. Moore and the staff at WCES have implemented a new flex schedule program, which will allow the educators to tailor instruction to meet an individual student’s needs.
The program allows staff to focus on and identify individual students needs and using flex-time to address those needs on a more one-on-one basis.
“Based on how our scores are looking, we have actually changed and started a new program where you have flex classes, where kids, based on their CTBS scores, are grouped for instruction based on their specific needs.”
“We are just trying to meet all kids’ needs,” Moore said. “Whether they are advanced or a remedial, we have programs for all levels of students. If you have every child where their instructional level is at, not above, not below…they have to grow.”
“We have led the district for years and of course I’m proud. We like to keep the top seed if we can. We want all schools to do well.”
The school saw gains in six of seven content areas, with only a minimal (0.2 point) drop in the Practical Living category. An 11.3-point increase in math, 8.8-point increase in Science and 7.1-point increase in reading lead the categories.
Scores at Pine Knot Intermediate School rose a full eight-points over the past two years, well ahead of their target goal, and only 2.9 points away from surpassing the target for the next biennium.
“Pine Knot Intermediate School’s students, teachers, parents, and all staff should be very proud of our schools CATS test scores,” said Principal Donnie Wright. “ Our teachers continue to strive to provide the best instruction so the needs of all students are met. We are also fortunate to have and want to continue to encourage the support of our parents. The school’s success is a direct reflection of the effort that our staff and students put forth and I am truly appreciative of their dedication.”
The intermediate school saw steady growth in five content areas, and decreases in two. Social Studies (4.2 points) and Science (3.9 points) saw the biggest gains, while Practical Living (9 points) and Writing (5.7 points) were the only categories that saw a decline in scores.
Aaron Anderson, Principal at McCreary County Middle School was happy with the report, but is looking to show even bigger gains in the future.
“We have met our goal,” he said. “Our progress so far is not exactly where we want it to be, but it is a work in progress.”
“We showed improvement in almost all of our areas with the new baseline implemented after the consolidation. It was a boost for everyone.”
MCMS saw scores jump in four of seven content areas, with Social Studies posting an 11.6-point gain and Writing moving up 5.7 points. Decreases in Practical Living (9.7 points), Arts and Humanities (4.8-points) and Reading (4.1-points) were the only negative numbers.
“We have a huge emphasis on our reading and math scores. We are going to continue with what we were doing before, with some added emphasis in all of our content areas,” Principal Anderson said.
The middle school’s score of 71.7 for the two-year period showed a 7.3-point increase over the 2003-2004 period. It was the sixth largest gain out of 15 area middle schools, with only Northern Pulaski, Rockastle County, Corbin, Northern Pulaski and North Laurel having larger increases.
The scores show MCMS is meeting it’s target goal for the period, but needs to pick up an additional 6.4 points over the next two years to reach their next target.
McCreary Central High School saw perhaps the most impressive gains in the county.
“It wasn’t too long ago when we were at the bottom in test scores,” Cothran said. “That is no longer the case. We have seen steady improvement and I am sure that will continue.”
Of 17 high schools in the region, McCreary Central jumped from last to 13th place and only a few percentage points separates the school from the next two schools.
Cothran attributes the increase to a change in attitude in the school that has occurred over the past few years, “The instructors and students now see that it is by them working together we can overcome low test scores,” he said.
MCHS saw gains in six of seven content areas in the Academic Index with a 21-point jump in Practical Living and an 18.3-point increase in Writing leading the list. Science (5.3 points) and Math (7.1 points) had the least gains while Social Studies was the only content area to show a decrease (2 points).
Despite the gains, the high school is still 6.1 points below the target goal for the biennium and needs to pick up 12.8 points to reach their goal for the 2007-2008 testing period. It is the only school in the district not meeting its goals, but is now well above the assistance level.
September 28, 2006
Howard Childers
Thelma J. Foster
Bob Davis Genoe Jr.
Jerry Lee Troxell
Helen Winchester
Howard Childers
Howard L. Childers, age 82 years, 3 months, and 2 days, of Whitley City, Kentucky passed away Monday, September 18, 2006 in Lexington, Kentucky.
Funeral services were held Saturday, September 23, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. with Bro. Glen Whitehead officiating. Burial followed in the Pine Knot Cemetery.
He was born June 16, 1924 in Honeybee, Kentucky to Lindsey Childers and Tempa Rose Childers. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was in many different campaigns crucial to winning the war in Europe. He received many medals and citations for his distinguished service. Before his retirement he worked for Norfolk Southern Railway for 27 years, and since 1986 he operated a tool and utility shop in Dixie. He enjoyed flea markets and trading, and he loved beagles, rabbit hunting, and he loved to tell stories.
Preceding him in death were his parents, two brothers, Jim and Glen Childers, a sister, Mae Bryant, three half brothers, and four half sisters.
Survivors include his wife, Norma Jean Stephens Childers, whom he married on September 20, 1947, a daughter, Patricia Spradlin and her husband, Wiley, Jr., of Whitley City, Kentucky, a brother, Arlo Childers and his wife, Ruth, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and a sister, Faye Taylor, of Corbin, Kentucky.
Condolences may be emailed to the family at strunkfh@yahoo.com.
Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home served the family of Howard Childers.
Thelma J. Foster
Ms. Thelma J. Foster, age 79, of Whitley City, Kentucky, passed away September 18, 2006, at the Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital in Somerset, Kentucky.
On September 22, 2006, she was cremated in accordance with her wishes.
She was born April 22, 1927, the daughter of the late John Coleman and Lucy Lois Crisp. She was a homemaker and enjoyed quilting, crocheting, sewing, and making beautiful things. She also enjoyed fishing and camping.
Besides her parents, she is preceded in death by a daughter Erma Joan West, two brothers Charlie Edgar and Johnny Alfred Foster, three sisters Elsie Jane Reggan, Zula Marie Hughes and Lula Ray Laxton.
Surviving family include a son Raymond West, Jr. of Whitley City and two daughters Sula Delane Stephens of Monticello and Lois Ann Perry of Whitley City, a brother Pearce Dean Foster of Whitley City and two sisters Beulah Mae Meadows of Pine Knot and Linda Sue Keith of Marshes Siding. She has ten grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren.
Pine Knot Funeral Home assisted the family with funeral arrangements.
Bob Davis Genoe Jr.
Mr. Bob Davis Genoe, Jr., age 57, of Pine Knot, Kentucky, passed away Monday, September 25, 2006, at his home with his family by his side.
Funeral services were held Thursday, September 28 2006, at 1:00 p.m. at the Hilltop Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. David Troxell officiating. Burial was in the Angel Cemetery in Stearns.
Bob was born October 19, 1948, in McCreary County, Kentucky, to the late Bob Davis and Mildred Ball Genoe. Besides his parents, those preceding him in death are a sister Kay Stephens, a brother Wayne Genoe an infant daughter Tina Louise Genoe, and an infant sister Melissa Robin Genoe.
Surviving family include four sons, James Davis (and Julie) Genoe of Stearns, Dallas Michael (and Brandi) Genoe of Stearns, Kelly Dale (and Emily) Genoe of Pine Knot, and Denny Dewayne (and Janifer) Genoe of Pine Knot. There are four surviving brothers Conan (and Debbie) Genoe of Revelo, Allen (and Shelby) Genoe of Strunk, Farron (and Debbie) Genoe of Strunk, and Rolland (and Kim) Genoe of Whitley City. There are six sisters Linda (and Jimmy) Stephens of Stearns, Debbie Genoe of Pine Knot, Rebecca (and Rick) Mayberry of Wartburg, TN, Kimberly Ross of Whitley City, Tonya (and Bradley) Anderson of Helenwood, TN, Regina (and Eddie) Stanley of Pine Knot. There are nine grandchildren: Jordan, Jerica, Jaelynn, Jada, Dustin, Madisyn, Amber, Chevy, and Courtney.
Bob was a self-employed business owner having run Bob’s Tire Shop since 1977. He loved the Lord and served God as a deacon in the Hilltop Missionary Baptist Church. He adored his family and loved his neighbor as himself. Our loss is truly heaven’s gain.
Pine Knot Funeral Home assisted the family of Mr. Bob Genoe with funeral arrangements.
Jerry Lee Troxell
Jerry Lee Troxell, age 41 years, Whitley City, Kentucky died September 21, 2006 at Scott County Hospital, Oneida, Tennessee.
He was born at Cincinnati, Ohio on November 15, 1964 the son of James Carlos Troxell and the late Garnett Jean Mullen Troxell. He was a member of Hill Top Baptist Church.
His mother and sister, Ramona Marie Troxell, precede him in death.
Survivors include his father, James Carlos Troxell, Stearns, Kentucky and his brother and sisters, James Troy Troxell, Terre Haute, Indiana; Becky Watters, Somerset, Kentucky; Georgia Troxell; Judy King and Amanda Jean Troxell, Stearns, Kentucky.
McCreary County Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.
Helen Winchester
Helen Winchester, age 76, of Revelo, Kentucky widow of James Ottis Winchester, passed away Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at her home.
Funeral services will be held Friday, September 29, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home. Burial to follow in the Angel Cemetery.
The obituary information is incomplete at this time a complete obituary will be in next week’s edition.
Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home is serving the family of Helen Winchester.
