Stolen property recovered in late-night raid
By Greg Bird
The McCreary County Sheriff’s Department confiscated over an estimated $28,000 worth of stolen material from a Marsh Creek residence in a late-night raid Tuesday evening.
According to McCreary County Deputy Odell Smith, following what he termed a “lengthy investigation,” officers used a confidential informant to exchange a flat-screen television for a quantity of OxyContin tablets at the H-King Road residence of Barbara Sue Riley and Jerry Melton. Following the purchase, the officers executed a search warrant on the residence where they found the television, a quantity of illegal narcotics and the stolen property, allegedly stolen from the Oneida Wal Mart.
More than 20 law enforcement officers representing the McCreary County Sheriff’s Department, McCreary County Constables, Kentucky State Police, Oneida Police Department and the Tennessee Drug Task Force participated in the subsequent search.
The search took over eight hours as officers and Wal Mart management and security sorted through numerous televisions, computers, appliances, hardware and DVD’s before confiscating the property.
Deputy Smith said Wal Mart officials will go over each piece of the suspected stolen merchandise with a portable scanner to determine what goods were purchased and what were stolen. The examination may take as long as three days to be concluded.
Deputy Smith estimates that the merchandise is valued at over $28,000, but that total is unofficial until Wal Mart personnel complete their scan.
The Wal Mart officials are especially concerned since two master keys to the store were discovered in the raid. The keys, typically only held by management, supposedly open most of the doors and storage facilities at the store.
Officers recovered some suspected OxyContin tablets from a bathroom toilet before one of the suspects could dispose of the evidence.
Deputy Smith, Deputy Joe Horne, Deputy Jimmy Meadows, KSP Troopers Tony Dingus, Phillip Hayes and Constables Milford Creekmore and Brad Waters were among the local authorities participating in the search.
No arrests were made following the search, but Deputy Smith said he will be seeking indictments against Riley and Melton.
OC tax revenues down for first time
By Andrew Powell
At the close of the current quarter, financial reports indicate occupational tax revenues are slightly lower than revenues collected during the same period last year. This is the first time, since implementation of the tax in 2004, revenues have not increased from one annual quarter to the next.
According to a report released this week by McCreary County Judge-Executive Blaine Phillips, a total of $144,094 was collected in tax revenues over the last quarter, August 16 through November 15, 2006. During the same period in 2005, $152,940 was collected.
Judge Phillips said during a special session of Fiscal Court last Tuesday the Occupational Tax Administrator, Stephanie Tucker, had closed out the quarter and received a net profits payment the very next day. That payment would have put revenues over last year’s mark, Phillips said.
This week, Phillips said collections could be interpreted to show that while the local economy has suffered the loss of jobs in the last year, the small business climate has improved. Localized small business profits contribute much to the circulation of a dollar through the economy, he said. Phillips added that the local economy should strengthen further in the coming year as more small business develop, primarily from the county’s revolving loan program, and the county seeks a tenant for the Pine Knot Industrial site.
“McCreary County has had a very tough time in the way of maintaining jobs and developing a stable economy,” Phillips said. “But, I hope and I feel we have seen the seeds planted that will help build our economic base for the future.”
Phillips sad recent unemployment figures have shown a drop and another economic “shot in the arm” could help to drive those figures lower. Since the closing of two factories in the last two years, McCreary County has hovered near the top of the list among counties in the state with the highest unemployment figures. The county recorded a rate of 11.2 percent earlier this year, but the most recent figures released by state officials show an unemployment rate of 8.9 percent.
Phillips also noted his office is working with the McCreary County Industrial Authority to transform the position of Director of the Office of Community Development into a full-fledged position of McCreary County Economic Director. A resume filing period has ended and officials are beginning to review applications and interview prospects for that position. Once that position is filled, which should occur during next month’s Fiscal Court meeting, another step will have been taken to lead the county into a better economic situation.
“That position, coupled with the availability of the industrial site, could lead the way for a new job market here in McCreary County,” Phillips said.
The economic development position and the industrial site does benefit heavily from the receipt of occupational tax funds. Of the funds collected, 20 percent is automatically put toward economic development in hopes of improving the local economic climate,” Phillips said.
Out of the $144,094 collected (an actual total of $136,155 after administrators salary and expenses are deducted), $27,231 will be forwarded to economic development. The ambulance service will receive a like amount. 10 percent of the quarter’s funds, $13,615, will go to each a park fund and the jail fund. 5 percent, $6,807, will go to each a senior services and a youth services fund. 30 percent of the collections, $40,846, goes into the general fund, which contributes to the salaries of three deputies.
So far in this financial year, $754,674 in occupational tax revenues has been realized.
Garbage contract stays with Scott
By Andrew Powell
UNITE targets 21 suspected dealers
Voice Staff Report
Law enforcement officials have arrested 17 of the 21 suspected drug dealers targeted in a round-up that began last week just before Thanksgiving. This was the first full-scale investigation and operation UNITE officers have conducted in McCreary County.
UNITE authorities, paired with law enforcement agents from the McCreary County Sheriff’s Department, Kentucky State Police, Lake Cumberland Drug Task Force, McCreary County Constables and the U.S. Forest Service, scoured the county around 8 a.m. last Wednesday serving indictments and making arrests on individuals suspected of selling narcotics.
“Most of those targeted in this operation have sold prescription medications, primarily Oxycontin, with some cocaine to our detectives or informants,” said Joel Cunigan, Manager of UNITE’s Cumberland Drug Task Force. “There are more we will be going after in the near future.”
The round-up was the result of a 6-month undercover investigation in McCreary County.
Last Wednesday, law enforcement officers arrested 13 of the 21 targeted, processing the suspected offenders and lodging them in the McCreary County Jail. Since that day, local authorities have arrested four more individuals, bringing the total arrested to 17.
To date, those arrested include:
• Kevin Canada, age 26, Wiborg Loop Road, Parkers Lake, three counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Greg Coffey, age 45, of Highway 1044 (Bethel Road), Pine Knot, two counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Charlotte Hendrix, age 42, of new Liberty Road, Pine Knot, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Nancy Sunshine Lyons, age 23, of Stearns, possession of marijuana under 8 ounces.
• Deanna McCoy, age 22, of Highway 700, Whitley City, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Misty McCoy, age 26, of Highway 700, Whitley City, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Etta Murphy, age 39, of Highway 90, Pine Knot, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• L.A. Murphy, age 42, of Highway 90, Pine Knot, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Matti Patton, age 32, of East Highway 92, Whitley City, two counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Joe Vanover, age 35, of Highway 90, Parkers Lake, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Billy Ray Watson, age 45, of Harper Road, Revelo, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine).
• Shawn Watson, age 21, of Poplar Ford Road, Pine Knot, two counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Sam Watters, age 51, of Highway 1650, Revelo, three counts trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.
• Joe Cooper, age 29, of Harper Road, Revelo, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Daphne Corder, age 27, of Parkers Lake, trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school and trafficking in marijuana between 8 ounces and 5 pounds.
• Dwayne Cross, age 35, of Pigskin Road, Pine Knot, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and one count second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Melissa Gregory, age 23, of Poplar Street, Whitley City, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
While this was the first round-up in McCreary County, Cunigan noted local residents have been subjects apprehended in a multi-county effort in December 2004 and have been targets of individual investigations during the past two years.
“The importance of citizens reporting suspected drug activity through our drug tip-line (1-866-424-4382) cannot be over emphasized,” added Cunigan. “Every piece of information we can obtain assists in building solid cases and getting these drug dealers off the street.”
Through September 2006, UNITE has received 238 drug tip calls from McCreary County.
Cunigan said more suspects are expected to be indicted within the next month. UNITE has a 98 percent conviction rate once cases go to court.
In 2003, Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (R-Somerset) worked to create Operation UNITE, a regional anti-drug initiative empowering citizens groups and community leaders in 29 southern and eastern Kentucky counties. UNITE, which stands for Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment & Education, seeks to fight the drug epidemic by expanding drug awareness and education programs to keep people from using drugs; coordinating drug treatment and outreach programs for those who are already addicted; and operating regional undercover law enforcement task forces for interdiction and prosecution of those dealing drugs. Rogers has directed $33.1 million in federal funds to the counter-drug initiative over the past three years. For more information contact Karen Engle toll-free at 1-866-678-6483 or visit www.operationunite.org
Tree to be dedicated to local Veterans
By Andrew Powell
Local citizens and groups are organizing the placement of a Christmas tree along U.S. 27 in Whitley City to honor local veterans.
Debbie Gibson said this week that the tree will be placed to specifically honor those who have or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during the holiday season, especially with many service people away from their families in service.
“This is something I feel is important to show our support for our soliders and their families, especially during the holiday season when families are supposed to be spending time together,” Gibson said.
Gibson is requesting that military veterans or their families provide an ornament to decorate the tree. The ornament should have the solider’s name or something that represents them so the entire community can be aware of those serving the country.
Gibson said the ornaments could be dropped off at the Bank of McCreary County (North Branch), given to her or brought directly to a ceremony for placement on the tree. Plans are to host a dedication ceremony at 5 p.m. on Friday, December 8 to place ornaments and light the tree. The tree will be placed on a lot next to the North Branch Bank near the Oaks Shopping Center. Gibson is encouraging the entire community to get involved with the project.
“I hope the families of our veterans can join us to place their ornaments on the tree and help us dedicate the tree to our veterans and active soldiers,” Gibson said.
Stephens Properties, South Kentucky RECC, the Bank of McCreary County, Lumber King and the U.S. Forest Service are assisting in the project. Anyone wishing to help or would like to ensure an ornament gets placed on the tree should contact Debbie Gibson by calling (606) 376-1675.
Citizen calls for maditory garbage, recycling
By Andrew Powell
It is past time for McCreary County to clean up its act says one McCreary County citizen.
During Fiscal Court meeting earlier this month, Tracy Lumley, a citizen and liaison for Kentucky PRIDE, is calling for county officials to implement mandatory garbage collection and recycling. Lumley took the opportunity to address the solid waste issue, since county officials are preparing to enter into a new contract for solid waste collections.
Lumley stated she loves McCreary County and its beauty, but her first experience here coupled the beauty of Cumberland Falls with trash flowing down the river.
“I was upset to find that garbage collection is not mandatory here,” Lumley said.
Lumley quoted statistics that show approximately 55 percent of households participate in the county’s solid waste collection program.
“What does the other 45 percent do? They burn and dump their garbage, which in this day and age is illegal,” she added.
Lumley added she has lived in several big cities and has never paid as much for garbage collection as she does in McCreary County. Lumley said mandatory garbage collection would not only help the environment, but could possibly lower costs to citizens and bring more revenues to the county. She suggested making collection mandatory by placing fees on citizens’ tax bills or attached to their water bill.
Lumley also requested county officials look at developing a recycling program locally. She said she takes recyclables to Somerset (metals can be recycled at the transfer station in Stearns). She said grants and other assistance could be provided through organizations such as PRIDE to institute a recycling program.
Fiscal court members addressed the contract situation for solid waste collection, even moving into executive session to discuss proposals for the service, but did not address the request or concern Lumley presented to them.
Editorial
Editorial Nov 30
Take our community back
McCreary County has been doing well with the prevention and education phase; we have seen the beginning of the treatment phase and last week gave us the first full glimpse of the law enforcement aspect of Operation UNITE. This was the final piece of hope to ensure us we can take our community back from those who make a living out of destroying the future of our children.
Many say the “war on drugs” will forever be fought and forever be a losing battle. We can agree that drugs will always have a presence in our and other communities throughout this nation, but drug abuse should not control every facet of our lives. Too many families have been touched by this epidemic and it is past time to slow it down and began recovery.
Recovering from the effects of drug abuse, as has been seen in recent years, will take some time. Many people still need to go to jail for selling their addictions to our children within our community. Many more need to find treatment so the evils of drug abuse can be expelled from their body. Hundreds upon hundreds of our youngest must still be taught and continually reminded of how drugs can destroy the possibility of a promising future. This could possibly be the most difficult part of the process, because not only do we, as a community, need to stress prevention, but we must also work to ensure those children have the resources and opportunities in place to make their dreams come true. Dreams and hope of a strong future are the best method to prevent drug abuse. If you take away the dream from a child, you can see the despair well in their eyes and soon they become lost. And they too become very susceptible to the “other hope” offered by our communities’ worst citizens at the end of a pipe or needle.
UNITE offers the resources and the methodology to address the drug epidemic through all three phases, but we as a community must welcome them here. We must also make the effort to use what they give to make this change happen. We must take back the community on our own. We can have help, but no one or no organization can do it for us.
We have gotten off to a great start, we now must pick up speed.
Champions/UNITE for a Drug-Free McCreary County should be applauded for all of their efforts in recent years. Our schools should be applauded for implementing drug testing policies and welcoming UNITE into the classrooms. Many others in our community, like New Beginnings, Community Watch and the Eagle Community Center, are doing their part.
At this point, they all need help from law enforcement and we saw the first stage of that. But, law enforcement depends on us, the citizens of every community in this county, to help them. They need to know what you know and see every day in the shadows of your neighborhood.
We encourage you to get involved. Become a member of the neighborhood watch, volunteer for school program or join local Champions group. Call (606) 376-9346 for more information on doing this. If you know someone who needs help with an addiction, call 1-866-908-6483 to get them help. And help law enforcement get the drugs of the street. You can provide them with tips, anonymously, by calling 1-866-424-4382.
November 30, 2006
Joseph Espinoza
Paul Gene McDonald
Melissa J. Stephens
Joseph Espinoza
Joseph Espinoza, age 50 years, 1 month, and 3 days, of Pine Knot, Kentucky passed away Monday, November 20, 2006 at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital.
Funeral services were held on Friday, November 24, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at the Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home with Bro. Stanley Taylor officiating. Burial followed in the McCreary Memorial Gardens.
He was born October 17, 1956 in Defiance, Ohio to Ignacio Espinoza and Mary Hernandez Espinoza. He had worked driving a truck at Super Service before his retirement.
Preceding him in death were his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Debbie Espinoza, of Stearns, Kentucky, a son Chris Espinoza, of Stearns, two daughters, Mistie Robertson and her husband, Ben, of Somerset, Kentucky, and Lynsey Espinoza, of Stearns, a grand daughter, Victoria Robertson, and several brothers and sisters.
Condolences may be emailed to the family at strunkfh@yahoo.com.
Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home served the family of Joseph Espinoza.
Paul Gene McDonald
Paul Gene McDonald, age 70 years, 1 month, and 20 days, passed away Sunday, November 26, 2006 at his home in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at the Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home with Bro. Eddie King officiating. Burial followed in the McCreary Memorial Gardens.
He was born October 6, 1936 in the Worley community to Clarence McDonald and Evelyn Tucker McDonald. Gene was a veteran of the United States Army and in his spare time loved golf, NASAR racing, and fishing.
Preceding him in death were his parents, a son, Curtis McDonald, two infant brothers, and a sister, Patricia.
Survivors include his children, Michael McDonald of Nashville, Tennessee, Larry McDonald and his wife, Kelly, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Sharon Seal of La Vergne, Tennessee, three brothers, Dean McDonald of Stearns, Kentucky, Darrel McDonald and his wife, Gennie, of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Terry (Sput) McDonald of Whitley City, Kentucky, three sisters, Sue Ridener and her husband, Thurstle, of Stearns, Kentucky, Charletta Sumner of Marshes Siding, Kentucky, and Judy Warman of Nashville, Tennessee, eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
Condolences may be emailed to the family at strunkfh@yahoo.com.
Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home served the family of Paul Gene McDonald.
Melissa J. Stephens
Melissa J. Stephens, age 30, of 816 Riverside Drive Sidney, died yesterday November 23, 2006 at 12:43 p.m. at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio.
She was born February 18, 1976 in Troy, Ohio. Parents are Ledford Stephens of Pine Knot, KY and her mother is Kathryn Rose Stephens of Sidney, Ohio. She is survived by many nieces and nephews and signicacnt friend, Larry Hogue of Sidney. She also survived by brothers and sisters Andrea Lawrence of Lake Whales, Florida. Her brother Doyle Bell of Lindsey, California. A sister Phyllis Bell of Sidney, Ohio and sister Tom and Theresa Chamberlin of Sidney, Ohio.
Another sister Terry and Robin Solomon of Ball Ground, Georgia. A sister Gerald and Lori Moses of Pine Knot, Kentucky. Another sister Faye Stephens of Winfield, Tennessee. Melissa was an agent for Brokers Reality in Sidney. The funeral will be Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at The Adams Funeral Home in Sidney.
Friends may call from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Monday. Burial is at Beechwood Cemetery in Lockington, Ohio. The Elder Allen Preuss will be officiating the service. Donations may be made in Melissa’s name to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She also enjoyed spending time with her three cats at home.
Raiders disarm Knights
By Greg Bird
The Raiders started their season with a convincing 83-49 win over the Knoxville Christian Academy Knights Monday night.
Head Coach Robert Jones was pleased to get the win; he was disappointed with the Raiders’ overall play.
“We looked like a very inexperienced team, compared to a veteran team, for half the game,” he said. “We made a lot of mental mistakes and inexperienced plays that are really unacceptable for a returning veteran team.”
McCreary jumped ahead to a 22-12 lead at the end of the first quarter, but their shooting touch got cold in the second and third periods, allowing the Knights plenty of chances to get back into the competition.
The Raiders shoot a sub-par 41 percent from the field and only 25.8 percent from behind the three-point line, but fortunately the Knights didn’t fare any better from the floor.
“Midway through the third quarter we started to look like the McCreary Central Raiders of last year,” Jones said. “Right now we’re not shooting the basketball well and that is supposed to be a strength for this team. We were missing open looks after open looks, we are going to spend some time on that.”
The Raiders failed to capitalize on several scoring opportunities in the second quarter, but still managed to increase their lead to 31-18 going into the half.
It wasn’t until the final five minutes of the game until the Raiders picked up the pace, going on a 14-2 run at one point, and opened up a 30-point lead on their way to the win.
Jones said he felt the Raiders may have been looking past the Knights ahead to their game against Pulaski County on Thursday.
“I don’t really know if we respected our opponent tonight because our intensity level was nowhere near as close as when we played our scrimmage against Boyle County,” he said. “I felt we kind of went through the motions tonight.”
Coach Jones made good use of his bench Monday, with 11 players scoring and providing depth when foul trouble benched some starters early in the first half.
“I think the kids played extremely hard,” Jones said. “I think our bench really contributed in the game. We played 9-10 kids with quality minutes and it didn’t hurt us. But it all goes back to if you don’t put the ball in the basket, you don’t score.”
Jones said he plans on working on refining the Raiders’ defense to cut back on fouls and limit second-chance opportunities for opponents.
“I think we have to control it more in practice,” he said. “We really preach getting aggressive. We want to get in their grill and put pressure on the basketball. We need to guard it with our feet and not our hands. We are not too far off. I don’t think it will take much to get them in shape.”
“We are going to spend some time on the defensive end so we can put pressure on the basketball. To do what we want to do this season we have to get better defensively, get better on the boards, and make better decisions.”
Aaron Watts led all scorers, finishing with 26 points with six 3-pointers. Devon Gibson was the only other Raider to finish in double-digits, scoring 12 points. Danny Lay and Josh Phillips, who left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury, both ended the night with 9-points each. Lucas Gregory, 8, Chris Hale, 7, Anthony Musgrove, 3, Adam Swiger, 2, B.J. Duncan, 2, Dustin Schrock, 2, and Larry Tucker, 1, rounded out the scoring.
The Raiders return to action Thursday night, hosting the Pulaski County Maroons who opened their season with a 43-54 loss to Clinton County. Next Tuesday, the Raiders will host the Garrard County Lions. Tip off for both games is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
