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Manchester Enterprise - 3.27.26 · Eastern Kentucky Newspapers

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Speaker 1: Now we turn to the Manchester Enterprise to read news
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from and around Manchester. Your reader today is Jim Rice.
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We will begin with the edition dated March twenty fifth,
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twenty twenty six. As a reminder, RADIOI is a reading
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service intended for people who are blind or have other
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disabilities that make it difficult to read printed material. Man
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jumps on car hood, tries to gain entry, attempts to
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gain entrance into holmes, tells police quote, You're going to
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murder me unquote. This is a staff report for Enterprise
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News Manchester. A London man was arrested Saturday after reportedly
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jumping onto a vehicle attempting to enter homes, later found
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standing in a creek along Kentucky eighty Billy Buttery twenty
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six of sixty five eighty nine Kievy Road in London,
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was taken into custody at approximately three twenty six pm
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following a series of unusual and concerning incidents along Highway eighty.
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According to a post arrest complaint, authorities received a call
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reporting a man in the roadway who had stopped a vehicle,
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jumped onto the hood and was attempting to gain entry.
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Witnesses also told officers the individual was trying to break
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into nearby homes and asking for help. Upon arrival, Clay
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County Sheriff's Deputy Wes Marker located Buttery standing in a
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creek thirty nine thirty two Kentucky eighty and Clay County.
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The report states Buttery appeared to be in a highly
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agitated and paranoid state, repeatedly telling officers quote, you're going
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to murder me unquote. He was reportedly unsteady on his feet,
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had slurred speech, and was wearing only one boot at
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the time. Officers also observed multiple scratches on his arms,
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which were believed to have resulted from crossing through briar
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patches and barbed wire fencing in the area. When officers
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attempted to take him into custody, Buttery allegedly resisted, pulling
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away and attempting to kick at law enforcement. He also
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reportedly stated quote, I am not going to jail, prompting
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officers to use soft empty hand control techniques to complete
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the arrest. Buttery was charged with public intoxication controlled substance,
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third degree criminal trespassing, first degree disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.
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Following his arrest, Buttery was transported to the Clay County
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Detention Center. Upon arrival, he requested medical attention and was
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evaluated by Clay County EMS at the Sally Port before
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medically cleared and lodged in the facility. Next article. A
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Community on the Rise. Clay County's growth gains momentum Manchester.
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From new tourism attractions to revitalized landmarks and private investment,
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Clay County is experiencing a wave of progress that local
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leaders say is laying the foundation for long term economic growth.
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Over the past several months, multiple projects have either been
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completed or moved closer to reality, signaling a renewed focus
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on development and community pride across Manchester and the surrounding area.
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A major driving force behind the downtown revitalization efforts has
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been the work of One Clay County and its executive director,
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Mike White. Through STU Trstigic planning partnerships and a focus
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on long term sustainability, the organization has played a critical
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role in bringing new life to Manchester's historic downtown. Quote,
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We're focused on creating a downtown that people are proud of,
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one that honors our history while building toward the future. Unquote.
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White said, quote, when you invest in your community, you're
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investing in your people unquote. One of the most visible
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additions is the Goose Creek Kayak Ramp and welcome Center,
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which officials believe will serve as a gateway for outdoor tourism.
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The project, created by One Clay County, is designed to
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attract visitors seeking recreational opportunities while showcasing the natural beauty
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of Clay County. Quote. This is about creating experiences, unquote,
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said Manchester Mayor Steve Collins. Quote. When people come here
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to enjoy the water, they also eat at our restaurants,
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shop in our stores, and support our local economy unquote.
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Another project generating excitement is the continued development of Manchester
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Distilling Company. The business has already begun building a reputation
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with its bourbon offerings, while also creating new jobs and
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drawing attention to the region's growing craft industry. They've renovated
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the old Rawlings and Goings locations, with one complete and
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the other still ongoing. A new facility will also be
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constructed on Jockey Street. Manchester Tourism Director Tim Parks set
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investments like these are key to diversifying the local economy.
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Quote we're seeking real momentum unquote. Park said, quote these
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projects just don't just stand alone. They work together to
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bring more people into Clay County and keep them here
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longer unquote. Downtown Manchester is seeing renewed attention, including improvements
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to infrastructure and the renovation of historic structures like the
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Old co House and Rice Asher's General Store. These efforts
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reflect a commitment to preserving Clay County's heritage while adapting
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to modern needs. Clay County Judge Executive Tommy Harmon emphasized
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the importance of balancing progress with tradition. Quote, we want
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to grow, but we also want to honor who we
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are unquote. Harmon said, quote these projects show that we
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can do both. Unquote. Local officials say collaboration between city government,
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fiscal court, tourism leaders, and private investors has been essential
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in moving these initiatives forward. That teamwork, they believe, is
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what will sustain growth in the years ahead. While challenges remain,
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there is a growing sense of optimism throughout the community.
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Each new project represents not just development, but opportunity for jobs,
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for small businesses and for future generations. As Clay County
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continues to invest. Leaders say the message is clear. Manchester
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is not just maintaining, it's moving forward. Quote this is
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just the beginning unquote, White said, quote the best days
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for Clay County are still ahead unquote. Next article it's official.
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City finalizes sale of Big Hickory Golf New owner promises
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major improvements Manchester. The City of Manchester has officially completed
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the sale of Big Hickory Golf Course, with new ownership,
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bringing a renewed vision for the future of one Clay
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County's most cherished recreational assets. Manchester Mayor Steve Collins and
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members of the City Council signed over the property Monday
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morning to codyly Likens of London. The deal, valued at
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three hundred thousand dollars, includes a requirement that the property
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remained a golf course moving forward. Under new ownership, the
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facility will now be known as Big Hickory Golf Club.
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City officials said the decision came after careful consideration of
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the course's long term sustainability and the proposals submitted by
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li Likens, which emphasized both preservation and growth. We believe
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this is a positive move for Manchester and for Big History,
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Big Hickory. Unquote, Colin said, misterly Likens has presented a
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plan focused on improving the course, maintaining community partnerships, and
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ensuring the facility remains an asset for our citizens. Our
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goal has been to see Big Hickory, Big Hickory thrive,
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and we're confident this agreement puts it on that path. Unquote. Likens,
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who said the course holds personal significance, expressed both gratitude
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and commitment as he takes over operations. Quote, I am
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beyond blessed for the opportunity I've been given and can
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assure you Big Hickory Golf Club will receive my absolute
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best unquote, Likens said. Quote together we will turn this
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into one of the most enjoyable golf course experiences and
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something we can all be proud of. Unquote. Li Likeens
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noted that construction and remodeling efforts will begin soon, with
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plans to improve all aspects of the course and clubhouse.
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Quote we will be improving every detail, from tea to
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green to post round activities as well. Unquote, he said,
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quote this is where I first learned to play golf
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and fell in love with the game. In this golf
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course has changed many lives and means a lot to
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a lot of people. I intend to keep that tradition
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going unquote. In his proposal, Likeens emphasized that Big Hickory
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is more than just property. Quote It's more than land.
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It is a community asset with history, relationships, and long
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standing partnerships that deserve to be respected and strengthened. Unquote.
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He wrote his plan focuses on long term stewardship, including
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maintaining current residential leases, continuing the high school golf partnership,
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and preserving the use of city jail work crews to
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assist with maintenance. Quote. MY goal is long term stewardship,
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not short term change unquote. King stated quote I want
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to protect what has been built while creating a stronger
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future for the course and the community it serves. Unquote.
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Initial improvements will target turf health, irrigation upgrades, and clubhouse renovations.
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Long term plans include expanded programming, youth development initiatives, tournaments
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and events, and potential additions such as golf simulators and
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improvements to the driving range. Liken said he envisions the
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course as more than a place to play golf. Quote
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This isn't just about golf unquote, he said, quote, It's
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about creating a place where families feel welcome, kids can
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grow their love for the game, friends gather after rounds,
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and our community has something to be proud of. With
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the sale now complete, city leaders and residents alike are
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hopeful the next chapter for Big Victory will be renewed
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energy and opportunity to the course and the community it serves.
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In sports, Lady Tigers down Corbin, Olivia Haskins, Ella Samples
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paces Tigers to win in DOUBLEA Turney Corbyn, Kentucky. Corbyn
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had no answer for Clay County's Olivia Hoskins on Monday Night,
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as her amazing effort in the pitcher circle and Ella
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Sample's massive home run powered the Lady Tigers to a
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three to nzheing victory over the Lady Redhounds. Hoskins was
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lights out, pitching a complete game shutout while striking out
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eight Lady Hounds in the win. In the batter's box,
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the Sample sisters played a huge row in determining the
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games offensively, as both pushed across runs, Ella with a
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home run, Anna with an rbi. Emmy Reynolds also swatted
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a dup in the first inning to score run as well.
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Coach Jason Rice was all smiles as his team brought
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home the win from Corbyn. Quote. Very proud of the
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girls tonight unquote said Rice. Quote It's never easy to
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come to Corbyn and get a win, so to hold
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them scoreless and come home with one feels good. Olivia
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pitched a fantastic game and our girls swung the Batwell,
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We're going to continue our hard work and get ready
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for a tough week ahead. Unquote. Madison Sizemore one for three,
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Holly Hacker won for three. Emmy Reynolds run for three.
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Ella Samples two for three. Next article, Holly Hacker leads
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and win over Pineville Barberville, Kentucky. The Lady Tigers open
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their season with a bang, defeating Pineville four to three
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on a walk off at Union Commonwealth University. Holly Hacker
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pushed across the winning run following the bottom of the
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seventh inning single to give Clay County their first win
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of the twenty twenty sixth season. Junior pitcher Olivia Hoskins
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started her season off the right way as well, striking
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out fifteen Lady Mountain Lions while allowing only two hits.
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Hoskins aims to be one of the thirteenth Region's best
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on the mound this year and could easily finish as
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one of the top pitchers in all Southeast Kentucky. The
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Lady Tigers' bats were warmed up as they posted nine
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hits in four RBIs. Madison Sizemore and Holly Hacker led
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the way with two hits each, with Sizemore notching a
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true and a Samples added a triple as well, while
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Olivia Hoskins, Casey Lust, Emmy Reynolds, and Ella Samples each
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had a single Hacker, Samples, lust In Hoskins added one
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RBI each. Pineville scored all three of their runs in
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the third inning, but were held scoreless for the remainder
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of the game. The Lady Tigers added one run each
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in the third, fourth, fifth, and seventh innings. Holly Hacker
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went two for four, Madison Sizemore two for four, Anna
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Samples one for three, Olivia Hoskins one for three, Emmy
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Reynolds one for two, Casey Lust one for three, Ella
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Samples one for three. Next article, The Lady Tigers ready
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to move to new stadium Manchester, Kentucky. The Lady Tigers
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softball team two and one following a big win over Corbin,
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and they now look ahead to get their season in
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full swing. A calm week is in store as the
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Lady Tigers are in final preparations to make their move
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to their new stadium. Only two games are scheduled to
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be played in the meantime to help make that transition
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a little easier. Clay County will square off with Middlesbrough
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on Monday, March thirtieth at home at six pm. They
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follow that contest with the game in Pineville on Tuesday,
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March thirty first, at six pm. Clay County will then
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be back in action on Friday, April third against Hazard
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at home and Monday, April sixth against Harlan County at home.
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Next article Tiger Baseball kicks off season with Perry, Manchester, Kentucky.
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Baseball season is in full effect in Manchester as the
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Tigers one in one prepare to begin a week filled
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with road games. The reason behind this is exciting as
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it's due to the Tigers new stadium nearing completion. It
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aims to be open within the next two weeks and
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will be played in for the remainder of the season.
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As for now, the Tigers can pack their bags and
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hit the road for a few Clay County well squared
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off with Perry Centro on the second day straight, this
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time on the road, on Tuesday. Results from both games
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against PCC will be in the next week's edition of
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The Enterprise. The Tigers then travel to Owsley County on Thursday,
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March twenty sixth for a six p m. Game. Friday,
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March twenty seventh, Clay County returns home briefly for a
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rivalry game against the Leslie County Eagles at Ramsey Ballpark
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at six pm. Clay County then hits the road again
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on Saturday, March twenty eight to face Lee County at
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three pm, followed by a Monday night contest at Buckhorn
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High School. Clay will also travel to Richmond on Tuesday,
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March thirty first face off against Model Laboratory. Next article
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Manchester man seriously injured in Ice seventy five crash faces recovery.
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A Manchester man is facing a long and difficult recovery
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after being involved in a serious automobile accident on Interstate
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seventy five north of London. Early last week, Chris Collier
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was initially transported to Saint Joseph, London, where he was
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treated for severe injuries sustained in the crash. Due to
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the extent of those injuries, Callier was later airlifted to
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the University of Tennessee Medical Center for advanced care. According
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to his wife, Amber Collier, Chris has already undergone three
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major surgeries, each lasting approximately six hours. Despite the severity
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of his condition, she reports that he is currently stable.
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While that news brings some relief, the road ahead remains
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uncertain and challenging. Quote thank you to each and everyone
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who has prayed for him during this time. Unquote, Amber said, quote,
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please continue to pray for the days to come because
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we have a long way way of recovery. Family members
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say the support from the community has been overwhelming, with
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prayers and messages pouring in from across Clay County and beyond.
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No additional details about the cause of the accident have
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been released at this time. VOA Family Recovery Court program
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celebrates five years. For five years, Clay County's Family Recovery
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Court FRC has helped parents struggling with addiction reunite with
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their children and achieve long term sobriety. FRC is an
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initiative led by Volunteers of America Mid States and Judge
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Clint Harris in partnership with the Department of Community Based Services.
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The voluntary eighteen month program works with families who struggle
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with addiction and are involved in the child welfare system.
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The immediate goal is to help parents maintain sobriety, and
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the long term goal is family reunification. Quote I came
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from a prosecutor background, and FRC gave me a different
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outlook on the people I was dealing with every day unquote,
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Judge Harris said, quote they didn't get into this situation
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they're in overnight, so it's not going to be fixed overnight. Unquote.
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VOA FRC launched in March twenty twenty one. Two of
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the program's first graduates, Destiny and Ruby Lee, are grateful
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for their FRC experience. Quote today I have my kids
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and I'm able to love myself unquote, said Ruby Lee.
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I got my own home, my own car, and I
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wouldn't have had all this if it wasn't for FRC.
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Ruby lee struggle with addiction began after she was prescribed
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paying medicine from an injury from a car accident. Over time,
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she became dependent on the pills, her drug use escalated,
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and she lost custody of her twin daughters. It wasn't
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until twenty twenty one that Ruby Lee decided to commit
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to recovery. Her son, James Ryan, was born addicted to
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opiate opiates and was at risk of losing another child.
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Judge Harris offered her another path. He gave me a
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choice to either go through the recovery program with him
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or lose him, said Ruby Lee. The ultimatum caused Ruby
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Lee to run out of the courtroom, but FRC team
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members Amanda Amanda m Hoff and Megan Mayne helped her
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find the confidence to take her first step toward a hopeful,
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healthy life for herself and James Ryan. I chose to
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go with him because I had already lost two of
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my kids and I didn't want to lose him. Ruby
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Lee first ended Freedom House, another fo VOA program that
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helps pregnant and parenting women find recovery. While the ninety
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day program, she volunteered to join FRC for additional support
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to help her maintain her newfound sobriety. She spent a
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year working with VOA, Judge Harris and DCVS to reach
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milestones that would help her become a successful sober parent
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and set her up for long term stability. Clay County's
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FRCS success has led to an expansion of the program
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across the region. Currently, the program serves parents in twelve
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counties across southeast Kentucky. Something Green by Melissa Garrison down
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Home with Melissa. Each year for Saint Patrick's Day, my
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husband's family has a green party. Yes, we have green eggs,
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green everything, pretty much, and it is so much fun.
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Traditions are something I truly love. There's comfort knowing that
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when a certain time of year comes around, we'll be
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celebrating in a certain way. This year, we gathered at
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my husband's family's catfish ponds. The kids played and fished
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while the adults ate and caught up with one another.
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I found that time together is incredibly important. The last
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howl Day I celebrate with my son before he passed
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away was the fourth of July. I will forever be
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thankful that he met us at the park for fireworks.
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It wasn't anything fancy, but it was time together and
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that's what matters most. Due to time restraints, I'm going
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to finish with the poems. She wrote at the end
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of this article. Happy March to you all. When's of March,
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we welcome you. There is work for you to do,
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work and play and blow all day, blow the winner,
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wind away. This concludes the reading of the Manchester Enterprise.
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Your reader has been Jim Rice. Now please stay tuned
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for continued programming and on behalf of everyone here at radio.
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I thank you for listening and we hope you have
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a good day.