Knife wielding robber strikes Fastway

By Greg Bird

Officers are investigating the Monday night robbery of the Fastway convenience store in Stearns.

According to Kentucky State Police Trooper Shaler Jones, a single assailant entered the store at approximately 8:51 p.m. and demanded the two employees hand over the money from the cash register.

The robber flashed a knife at the employees then proceeded to empty the register of approximately $400 in cash. The suspect then ordered the employees into a back bathroom and told them to count to 500 while making good his escape.

A few seconds later, after making sure the suspect had left, the employees called 911 and notified law enforcement.

Authorities arrived on scene shortly thereafter, but were unable to locate the suspect or ascertain a direction of travel.
On Tuesday Trooper Jones and Detective Billy Correll were examining the security tape from the night of the robbery, hoping to gain clues as to the identification of the robber.

Trooper Jones describes the suspect as a white male, approximately 5’9” in height and weighing around 210 pounds. The suspect was wearing gray sweatpants, a gray sweater and black jacket with a nylon stocking over his head and a black toboggan cap.

Anyone with information pertaining to the possible identification of the suspect is encouraged to call 911, the McCreary County Sheriff’s Department or Kentucky State Police.

School District hires second SRO

By Greg Bird

When students returned to school following the Christmas break, they were greeted by a new face, School Resource Officer Bill Tucker.
Tucker joins Officer Mike Neal in patrolling county schools and providing security for staff and students alike.
Tucker, a Western Kentucky University graduate and a veteran of the National Guard, joins the McCreary County School District after working for the Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children, a Faith-based organization designed to provide care and support for children and families in need.
“He is a good candidate,” Officer Neal said. “In working with Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children, he’s already got a background of working with kids, parents and administrators. I think he’ll fit right in.”
Tucker will primarily be based out of the McCreary County Middle School and McCreary Central Academy, but will visit every school in the district as part of his duties.
“I’m ready to get started,” he said.
Tucker will be attending the Police Training Academy this summer.
“We’re glad to have him,” Neal added. “Hopefully we’ll have another one in August. By the time it is all said and done, we would like to have one in all five schools.”
Both Neal and Tucker are employed through the McCreary County School District and have part of their salaries and training paid through grants obtained from Operation UNITE. Sheriff Randy Waters plans to bond both officers.

Obituaries

Jerry Evelyn Stephens

Jerry Evelyn Stephens, age 76 years, 7 months, and 17 days, of Pine Knot, Kentucky passed away Thursday, December 28, 2006 at her home.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, December 31, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home with Bro. William Kilby officiating. Burial followed in the Upper Cal Hill Cemetery.
She was born May 11, 1930 in McCreary County, Kentucky to Edward Hughes and Lula Troxtel Hughes. She was a member of the East Pine Knot Tabernacle Church of God and before her retirement she worked at Valley Die Casting. She enjoyed crocheting, quilting, arts and crafts, and cooking.
Preceding her in death were her parents, a daughter, Lucy Darmis, a son-in-law, William Dean, a brother, Mike Hughes, two sisters, Willa Mae Hanson and Virdie Stephens, and two grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, Elma Stephens, of Pine Knot, Kentucky, whom she married on November 2, 1946, a son, Elmo Stephens and his wife, Sherry, of Winfield, Tennessee, four daughters, Anna Pearce and her husband, James, of Nunnelly, Tennessee, Patricia Dean, Tama Stephens, and Carol Hawley and her husband, Ronald, all of Pine Knot, Kentucky, a son-in-law, Ronald Darmis, a brother, Edward Hughes, Jr., of Pine Knot, twelve grandchildren, and fifteen great grandchildren.
Condolences may be emailed to the family at strunkfh@yahoo.com.
Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home served the family of Jerry Evelyn Stephens.

Edgar A. Kidd

Edgar A. Kidd, age 84 years, New Lebanon, Ohio formerly of McCreary County, Kentucky died December 23, 2006 at Harborside Nursing Home, New Lebanon, Ohio. Funeral services were held Thursday, December 28, 2006 at McCreary County Funeral Home with Rev. Kenny Kidd officiating. Burial was in Pine Knot Cemetery.
He was born at Strunk, Kentucky on March 6, 1922 the son of the late Elmon and Edna Wilson Kidd. He was a schoolteacher and member of Xenia United Methodist Church. He served in U. S. Navy during World War II.
His parents and his sister, Christine Carter precedes him in death.
Survivors include his sons, James A. Kidd and wife, Sara, New Lebanon, Ohio; Jesse E. Kidd and wife, Elaine, Williamsburg, Kentucky; Bill Kidd and Skip Smith and wife, Gina, Centerville, Ohio. The surviving brothers are, Edwin Kidd, oak Ridge, Tennessee; Estol Kidd and wife, Debbie, Monticello and Bill Kidd and wife, Norma, Stearns, Kentucky. Kenny Kidd; Rosanne Kidd Jordan; James Allan Kidd; Jesse Kidd; Amanda Smith and Darcy Brown are the surviving grandchildren. The surviving great grandchildren are, Mattigan Jordan; David Kidd and Anna Kidd.
McCreary County Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.

Leslie William Hamilton

Leslie William Hamilton, age 21 years, Parkers Lake, Kentucky died December 27, 2007. Funeral services were held Saturday, December 30, 2006 at Mill Creek Methodist Church with Rev. Harold Gudger and Rev. Daniel Ridener officiating. Burial was in Hamilton Cemetery.
He was born at Somerset, Kentucky on November 18, 1985 the son of Glenn Hamilton and Deborah Young Meadows. He worked in construction and was a member of Mill Creek Methodist Church.
Geneva Ann Hamilton is the deceased sister. The deceased grandparents are, Leslie Young, Herman Hamilton and Geneva Perry.
Survivors include his mother, Deborah Young Meadows and her husband, Roscoe and his father and stepmother, Glenn Hamilton and Diane, Parkers Lake, Kentucky. He is survived by his fiancée, Tasha Hurless. The surviving brothers and sisters are, Edward Hamilton; Adam Meadows; Jessica Hamilton; Sharon Patrick; Sherri Douglas, Parkers Lake, Kentucky; Shawn Meadows, Revelo, Kentucky and Tiffany Stout, Stearns, Kentucky. Two special brothers, Tyler and Trevor Strunk, survive him. The surviving grandparents are, Ann Young, Parkers Lake, Kentucky and Marie Hamilton, Whitley City, Kentucky. A number of nieces and nephews survive.
McCreary County Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.

Clara Frances Stewart

Clara Frances Stewart, age 78 years, 8 months, and 30 days, of Beulah Heights, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at her home.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at the Beulah Heights Bible Missionary Church with Bro. Mike Norwood officiating. Burial followed in the Beulah Mountain Christian Cemetery.
She was born March 30, 1928 in Point Pleasant, West Virginia to Eddie Stewart and Lillie Swisher Stewart. Clara came to McCreary County in 1947 to serve as matron of the girls dormitory at Beulah Mountain Children’s Academy and before her retirement she worked as post-mistress from 1966 –1993 at the Beulah Heights Post Office. She enjoyed writing, music, playing the piano, caring for others, spending time with her friends, and she was most grateful for salvation and her relationship with the Lord.
Although Miss Stewart had no children it is impossible to measure the impact she has had on countless numbers of children that she has helped raise and educate.
Preceding her in death were her parents, and a sister, Martha Stewart.
Survivors include a sister, Evelyn McNally, of Columbus, Ohio, and her nieces and nephews, Karen Stewart, David McNally, and Jonni Doeppenschmidt.
Condolences may be emailed to the family at strunkfh@yahoo.com.
Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home served the family of Clara Stewart.


Thursday, January 4, 2007 • 57 Oaks Lane, Suite 15 • Whitley City, KY

	Knife wielding robber strikes Fastway By Greg Bird Officers are investigating the Monday night robbery of the Fastway convenience store in Stearns. According to Kentucky State Police Trooper Shaler Jones, a single assailant entered the store at approximately 8:51 p.m. and demanded the two employees hand over the money from the cash register. The robber flashed a knife at the employees then proceeded to empty the register of approximately $400 in cash. The suspect then ordered the employees into a back bathroom and told them to count to 500 while making good his escape. A few seconds later, after making sure the suspect had left, the employees called 911 and notified law enforcement. Authorities arrived on scene shortly thereafter, but were unable to locate the suspect or ascertain a direction of travel. On Tuesday Trooper Jones and Detective Billy Correll were examining the security tape from the night of the robbery, hoping to gain clues as to the identification of the robber. Trooper Jones describes the suspect as a white male, approximately 5’9” in height and weighing around 210 pounds. The suspect was wearing gray sweatpants, a gray sweater and black jacket with a nylon stocking over his head and a black toboggan cap. Anyone with information pertaining to the possible identification of the suspect is encouraged to call 911, the McCreary County Sheriff’s Department or Kentucky State Police. School District hires second SRO By Greg Bird When students returned to school following the Christmas break, they were greeted by a new face, School Resource Officer Bill Tucker. Tucker joins Officer Mike Neal in patrolling county schools and providing security for staff and students alike. Tucker, a Western Kentucky University graduate and a veteran of the National Guard, joins the McCreary County School District after working for the Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children, a Faith-based organization designed to provide care and support for children and families in need. “He is a good candidate,” Officer Neal said. “In working with Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children, he’s already got a background of working with kids, parents and administrators. I think he’ll fit right in.” Tucker will primarily be based out of the McCreary County Middle School and McCreary Central Academy, but will visit every school in the district as part of his duties. “I’m ready to get started,” he said. Tucker will be attending the Police Training Academy this summer. “We’re glad to have him,” Neal added. “Hopefully we’ll have another one in August. By the time it is all said and done, we would like to have one in all five schools.” Both Neal and Tucker are employed through the McCreary County School District and have part of their salaries and training paid through grants obtained from Operation UNITE. Sheriff Randy Waters plans to bond both officers. Obituaries Jerry Evelyn Stephens Jerry Evelyn Stephens, age 76 years, 7 months, and 17 days, of Pine Knot, Kentucky passed away Thursday, December 28, 2006 at her home. Funeral services were held on Sunday, December 31, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home with Bro. William Kilby officiating. Burial followed in the Upper Cal Hill Cemetery. She was born May 11, 1930 in McCreary County, Kentucky to Edward Hughes and Lula Troxtel Hughes. She was a member of the East Pine Knot Tabernacle Church of God and before her retirement she worked at Valley Die Casting. She enjoyed crocheting, quilting, arts and crafts, and cooking. Preceding her in death were her parents, a daughter, Lucy Darmis, a son-in-law, William Dean, a brother, Mike Hughes, two sisters, Willa Mae Hanson and Virdie Stephens, and two grandchildren. Survivors include her husband, Elma Stephens, of Pine Knot, Kentucky, whom she married on November 2, 1946, a son, Elmo Stephens and his wife, Sherry, of Winfield, Tennessee, four daughters, Anna Pearce and her husband, James, of Nunnelly, Tennessee, Patricia Dean, Tama Stephens, and Carol Hawley and her husband, Ronald, all of Pine Knot, Kentucky, a son-in-law, Ronald Darmis, a brother, Edward Hughes, Jr., of Pine Knot, twelve grandchildren, and fifteen great grandchildren. Condolences may be emailed to the family at strunkfh@yahoo.com. Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home served the family of Jerry Evelyn Stephens. Edgar A. Kidd Edgar A. Kidd, age 84 years, New Lebanon, Ohio formerly of McCreary County, Kentucky died December 23, 2006 at Harborside Nursing Home, New Lebanon, Ohio. Funeral services were held Thursday, December 28, 2006 at McCreary County Funeral Home with Rev. Kenny Kidd officiating. Burial was in Pine Knot Cemetery. He was born at Strunk, Kentucky on March 6, 1922 the son of the late Elmon and Edna Wilson Kidd. He was a schoolteacher and member of Xenia United Methodist Church. He served in U. S. Navy during World War II. His parents and his sister, Christine Carter precedes him in death. Survivors include his sons, James A. Kidd and wife, Sara, New Lebanon, Ohio; Jesse E. Kidd and wife, Elaine, Williamsburg, Kentucky; Bill Kidd and Skip Smith and wife, Gina, Centerville, Ohio. The surviving brothers are, Edwin Kidd, oak Ridge, Tennessee; Estol Kidd and wife, Debbie, Monticello and Bill Kidd and wife, Norma, Stearns, Kentucky. Kenny Kidd; Rosanne Kidd Jordan; James Allan Kidd; Jesse Kidd; Amanda Smith and Darcy Brown are the surviving grandchildren. The surviving great grandchildren are, Mattigan Jordan; David Kidd and Anna Kidd. McCreary County Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements. Leslie William Hamilton Leslie William Hamilton, age 21 years, Parkers Lake, Kentucky died December 27, 2007. Funeral services were held Saturday, December 30, 2006 at Mill Creek Methodist Church with Rev. Harold Gudger and Rev. Daniel Ridener officiating. Burial was in Hamilton Cemetery. He was born at Somerset, Kentucky on November 18, 1985 the son of Glenn Hamilton and Deborah Young Meadows. He worked in construction and was a member of Mill Creek Methodist Church. Geneva Ann Hamilton is the deceased sister. The deceased grandparents are, Leslie Young, Herman Hamilton and Geneva Perry. Survivors include his mother, Deborah Young Meadows and her husband, Roscoe and his father and stepmother, Glenn Hamilton and Diane, Parkers Lake, Kentucky. He is survived by his fiancée, Tasha Hurless. The surviving brothers and sisters are, Edward Hamilton; Adam Meadows; Jessica Hamilton; Sharon Patrick; Sherri Douglas, Parkers Lake, Kentucky; Shawn Meadows, Revelo, Kentucky and Tiffany Stout, Stearns, Kentucky. Two special brothers, Tyler and Trevor Strunk, survive him. The surviving grandparents are, Ann Young, Parkers Lake, Kentucky and Marie Hamilton, Whitley City, Kentucky. A number of nieces and nephews survive. McCreary County Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements. Clara Frances Stewart Clara Frances Stewart, age 78 years, 8 months, and 30 days, of Beulah Heights, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at her home. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at the Beulah Heights Bible Missionary Church with Bro. Mike Norwood officiating. Burial followed in the Beulah Mountain Christian Cemetery. She was born March 30, 1928 in Point Pleasant, West Virginia to Eddie Stewart and Lillie Swisher Stewart. Clara came to McCreary County in 1947 to serve as matron of the girls dormitory at Beulah Mountain Children’s Academy and before her retirement she worked as post-mistress from 1966 –1993 at the Beulah Heights Post Office. She enjoyed writing, music, playing the piano, caring for others, spending time with her friends, and she was most grateful for salvation and her relationship with the Lord. Although Miss Stewart had no children it is impossible to measure the impact she has had on countless numbers of children that she has helped raise and educate. Preceding her in death were her parents, and a sister, Martha Stewart. Survivors include a sister, Evelyn McNally, of Columbus, Ohio, and her nieces and nephews, Karen Stewart, David McNally, and Jonni Doeppenschmidt. Condolences may be emailed to the family at strunkfh@yahoo.com. Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home served the family of Clara Stewart.

Knife wielding robber strikes Fastway

By Greg Bird Officers are investigating the Monday night robbery of the Fastway convenience store in Stearns.

School District hires second SRO

By Greg Bird

Officers are investigating the Monday night robbery of the Fastway convenience store in Stearns.