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Manchester Enterprise - 5.29.26 · 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 addition dated May twenty seven,
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twenty twenty six. As a reminder, Radio Eye is a
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reading service intended for people who are blind or have
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other disabilities that make it difficult to read printed material.
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First article Artica Our auditor confirms no exam launched on
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tourism Rism Mission, still gathering more information to see if
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examination warranted. Staff report, Enterprise News Manchester. The Kentucky Auditor
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of Public Accounts has confirmed that it has not launched
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a special examination or audit involving the Manchester Tourism Commission,
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despite ongoing public discussions surrounding an inquiry that first began
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with the Kentucky State Police. The Manchester Enterprise previously reported
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the inquiry was expected to be forwarded to the State
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Auditor's office. After the inquiry by the Kentucky State Police,
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the newspaper has reached out to the Auditor's office on
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the status of the inquiry in search of the truth
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and squash any ongoing rumors. In a statement provided to
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The Manchester Enterprise, Olivia Mchune, director of Communications and External
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Affairs for the Kentucky State Auditor's Office said, the office
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has not officially received a formal referral from the Kentucky
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State Police regarding the matter. At this time, we have
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not officially received a formal referral on this matter for
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the Kentucky from the Kentucky State Police. Mcewn stated. However,
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when we receive information through our confidential and secure tip line,
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we follow our normal procedures in processing that information. Mcewn said,
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the office is processing information received through their tip line. Quote.
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At this time, the Kentucky State Auditor of Public Accounts
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has not initiated a special examination or audit regarding this matter.
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We are still gathering information and have not made any
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determination about whether to initiate an audit or special examination unquote,
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she said. Quote. As a result, the office has not
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reached any conclusions regarding allegations of wrongdoing. Quote. It is
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also not known what allegations were made against the commission
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to the tip lines of the Kentucky State Police and
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the Auditor's Office. According to statements made during recent tourism meetings,
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the situation began after Kentucky State Police received a complaint
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involving the commission. Tourism Commission Chairman Jamie Mills previously described
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the matter as a quote an inquiry rather than a
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formal criminal investigation. Quote. The Kentucky State eight Police received
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a text tip alleging a complaint against Manchester Tourism unquote,
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Mill said, quote KSP conducting an inquiry into the matter,
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and the Manchester Tourism Commission fully cooperated by providing all
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requested documents and information. Unquote. Mills said. The Commission was
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later informed that the inquiry had concluded without criminal findings
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by the KSP. Quote. The Commission chairmen and director were
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subsequently notified that the inquiry had been completed and no
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criminal activity was found unquote, Mills stated. Mill said the
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Commission remains open to any additional review that state agencies
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may deem necessary. Quote The Tourism Commission welcomes a full
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review by the the State Order's Office an involvement from
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the Attorney General's Office if warranted. Unquote. Mill said, quote
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I'm completely satisfied with the outcome. In my eyes, this
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Commission has done nothing wrong. At this time, no criminal
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charges have been announced, and no state agency has publicly
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alleged wrongdoing by the Manchester Tourism Commission or its members.
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Next article, Each Step gets eight years and there's plea
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agreement in violent domestic assault case staff report Enterprise News
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Manchester quote. I hope you've learned that hitting a woman
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a girl doesn't make you a man unquote. Those words
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from the victim echoed through Clay Circuit Court Wednesday as
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a violent domestic assault case against Pacey E Step came
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to a close with an eight year prison sentence. According
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to Commonwealth's Attorney Hailey Joe Fields eastep pled guilty to
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assault second degree, unlawful imprisonment first degree, and sexual misconduct.
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He received an eight year sentence on the assault charge,
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one year on the unlawful imprisonment charge, in three hundred
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and sixty five days on the sexual misconduct Next article.
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Thirty four percent just over a third of registered voters
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cast ballots in primary Manchester. More than one third of
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Clay County's registered voters cast ballots and Tuesdays time twenty
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twenty six primary election. According to unofficial results released by
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the Clay County Clerk's Office, election statistics showed a total
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of four thousand, six hundred and sixty five ballots were
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cast county wide out of thirteen thousand, five hundred and
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forty seven registered voters, resulting in an overall voter turnout
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of thirty four point four to four percent. Republican voters
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once again dominated participation in the county. Of the eleven thousand,
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four hundred and fourteen registered Republicans in Clay County, four thousand,
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four hundred and eighty three cast ballots for a turnout
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of thirty nine point two eight percent. Democrats saw significantly
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lower participation, with one hundred and eighty two ballots that
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doesn't cast out of fifteen to twenty five registered voters,
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resulting in eleven point ninety three percent. Throughout Clay County
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reported twenty of twenty precincts reporting on election day, along
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with all absentee and early voting precincts accounted for in
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the unofficial totals. The majority of votes were cast on
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election day itself, with four thousand, one hundred and four
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ballots submitted Tuesday at precinct locations across the county. Another
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three hundred and ninety two voters utilized the state's three
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day early voting period, while fifty voters participated through excused
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in person absentee voting. Mail in absentee ballots accounted for
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one hundred and nineteen votes. Election records also showed two
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blank ballots were cast during the election. Republicans accounted for
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nearly all ballots cast in the primary, representing four thousand,
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four hundred and eighty three of the county's four thousand,
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six hundred and sixty five total votes. No nonpartisan ballots
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were recorded. The numbers reflect continued strong Republican influence in
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Clay County politics, where GOP registration outnumbers Democratic registration by
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nearly ten thousand voters. Ribbon cutting for D eleven Manchester.
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It was standing room only Tuesday morning as friends and
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dignitaries opened the new Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District eleven in Manchester.
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The project originally started in two thous twenty and fourteen
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and was delayed several years. Senate President Robert Steivers secured
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funding for the new office, and construction began in October
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of twenty twenty four. The new office opened in April
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under budget and a hint under budget and a head
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of schedule. Senate President Robert Steivers Rocky Atkins, Senior Advisor
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to Governor Andy Basher, Secretary of Transportation Rebecca Goodman, District
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eleven Chief Engineer Chris Jones, and State Highway Engineer James
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Ballinger cut the ribbon for the official opening of the
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new District eleven office in Manchester Tuesday. Now he turned
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to sports. Region Final four Lady Tigers thump Middlesbrough and
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thirteenth Region opener Corbin and Semi London, Kentucky. Fueled by
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a non stop offensive barrage, the Lady Tigers advanced past
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Middlesbrough eleven to one in the opening round of the
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twenty twenty six thirteenth Region Tournament. Clay County powered by
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the Lady Yellow Jackets with eighteen hits, the biggest being
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a fifth inning home run by Olivia Hoskins. Annabel Lovett
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continued her pitching dominance, throwing a complete game while striking
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out two. Clay County scored early and opened in this one,
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posting runs in every inning. The first four Lady Tiger
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batters reached base in the rest was history. Madison Sizemore,
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Holly Hacker, and Anna Sample set the tone early and
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the team followed. Quote wonderful day in the batter's box. Unquote,
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said coach Jason Rice. Quote, We've been seeing the ball
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well the last few weeks. Couldn't ask for anything better
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during a region tournament game. I'm very proud of how
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we played, not only offensively, but defensively as well, added Rice.
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Four Lady Tigers finished with three hits apiece as Madison
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Sizemore and a Samples. Maddie Craft and Ella Samples each
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crushed three out of the Lady tigers eighteen total. Holly
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Hacker added two. Two of Maddie Craft's three hits were triples,
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not something you see often in high school sports. Clay
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County met Corbin on Tuesday, May twenty sixth. The results
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from the contest will be online and in next week's
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issue of The Enterprise. Corbin and Clay have met twice
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this season on the Diamond. March twenty third at Corbin
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in the opening round of the two way State Tournament.
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Clay won the game three to nothing. In a rematch
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April thirtieth, Clay lost fourteen to four. Madison Sizemore was
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three for five, Holly Hacker two for five, Anna Samples
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three for four. Olivia Hoskins one for three, Casey Lust
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one for four, Emmy Reynolds one for four, Maddy Craft
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three for four, Ellis Samples three for three. Next article.
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Tiger Track has three in top ten Maiden Collette Penland
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place and various events for Cover's squad Lexington, Kentucky. The
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Clay County Tiger Track and Field team had an outstanding
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day at the KHSA eight Class two Way Outdoor Track
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and Field State Championship. Coach Lindsay Culver shared that our
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Tigers had three top ten finishes. Quote, it has been
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another fantastic season for the Tigers, unquote, said Culver. Quote
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We're already looking forward to the next season. Future of
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this team is very bright unquote. Senior Trenton Maiden placed
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fifth in discus throw, Carson Collette placed ninth in the
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four thousand or four hundred meters dash, and Madison Pinland
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placed tenth in the long jump. The men's four by
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eight oom relay team placed eleventh overaw Team members consist
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of Steven Strickland, John David Lips, Patrick Hensley, and Carson Colette.
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Madison Penland also placed eleventh and women's high jump. The
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women's four by two hundred meter relay team play seventeenth.
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Overall team members consist of Carly Wolf, mckinna Souders, Ava Woods,
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and Madison Pendland. Carle Folks placed sixteenth in discus throw
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and Jaden Woods placed nineteenth in the long jump. Next
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article How Sweet it Is? Rogers Davidson advance to KHSAA
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State Attorney Sweet sixteen Manchester, Kentucky. The Clay County Tiger
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Tennis program continued making history this week as the doubles
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team of Abby Rodgers and Rachel Davidson advanced into the
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Sweet sixteen of the KHSAA State Tennis Tournament following a
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pair of impressive victories and opening round action the region
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champion Duel Open Tournament play in Ashland with a win
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over Martin County before following up with another victory against
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Boyd County to secure a spot among the final sixteen
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teams remaining in the state competition. The Sweet sixteen appearances
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adds another milestone to what has already been a memorable
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season for the Tiger tennis program. Clay County coach Lauren
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Desarn praised the pair for their composure, chemistry, and determination
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throughout the postseason run. Quote. I'm incredibly proud of Abby
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and Rachel, Desarn said. Quote. They have worked so hard
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off season long, and they continue to rise to the
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occasion every time they step on the court. Their communication,
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trust in each other in competitive mindset have been huge
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for us. Unquote, Dessarn said. The pair has represented Clay
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County well while competing against some of the top tennis
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programs in Kentucky. Quote. These girls never back down from
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a challenge unquote, Desarn said. Quote. They have shown so
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much heart and resilience throughout the regional and state tournaments.
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To see them advance into the sweet sixteen is a
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tremendous accomplishment, not only for them individually, but for our
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entire program unquote. The Tigers were scheduled to continue state
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tournament play Tuesday, May twenty sixth at twelve forty five
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pm at the Lexington Tennis Club. Because the match occurred
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just after the Manchester Enterprise print deadline, results will be
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available online and in next next week's edition of the newspaper.
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In addition to doubles competition, Clay County also scheduled to
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compete Thursday, eight ten forty five am in the team
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tournament at Sayer Athletic Complex. Design said, the success of
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Rogers and Davidson continues to build momentum for the future
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of Tiger Tennis and serves as motivation for younger players
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in the program. Quote this run shows what can happen
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when athletes stay committed in believing themselves unquote. Desire said quote.
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Our younger players are watching this and seeing that Clay
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County can compete with anybody in the state. That's exciting
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for the future of our program. Unquote. The Tigers' postseason
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success has generated excitement across the community as Clay County
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continues to gain recognition on the statewide tennis stage. Next
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article sixteen recognized as Triple Threat. KHSAA honors multi sport athletes.
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Manchester Clay County High School continues to showcase the benefits
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of student athletes participating in multiple sports and activities, as
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sixteen students were recently recognized with the prestigious KHSAA Triple
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Threat Award. The award honors students who successfully compete in
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THREESAA sanctioned sports or activities during the school year, highlighting versatility, dedication,
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and commitment both on and off the field. Clay County
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honorees represented a wide range of sports, including football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball,
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cross country, tennis, and indoor and outdoor track and field.
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Students receiving the recognition including Weston Bowling, Carson Colette, Maddy Kraft,
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Holly Hacker, Patrick Hensley, j D. Lipps Keaston, Little Keaton,
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Little Madison, Pindlin, Trenton, Reid, Anna Samples, Ella Samples, Lawrence Sizemore,
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Steven Strickland, Aiden Wagers, and Jaden Woods. Clay County High
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School Athletic director Tom Nicholson said the accomplishment reflects the
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hard work and dedication of the student athletes, while also
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reinforcing the importance of participating in multiple sports. Quote. We
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are extremely proud of these students for earning the KHSA
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Triple Threat Award. Quote Nicholson said. Quote it takes a
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tremendous amount of commitment, discipline, and time management to compete
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in multiple sports throughout the school year while also keeping
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up academically. Unquote, Nicholson said, multi sport participation helps athletes
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grow physically and mentally, while also benefiting the overall athletic
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programs at the school. Quote I've always encouraged our students
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to play as many sports as possible. Quote Nicholson added,
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Different sports develop different skills and athletes become more well
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rounded competitors when they stay active year round. It also
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helps build teamwork, leadership, and relationships with different teammates and coaches.
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Nicholson noted that playing multiple sports can also help prevent
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burnout and keep students engaged in school activities. The KSAA
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Triple Threat Award has become a growing point of pride
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for schools across Kentucky, recognizing athletes who demonstrate commitment across
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multiple competitive seasons. Clay County's list of honorees included several underclassmen,
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something Nicholson believes speaks well for the future of Tiger athletics. Quote.
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To see younger students already earning this award as exciting
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because it shows the culture we are building unquote, Nicholson said.
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The award recipients were recognized for embodying the qualities of dedication, leadership,
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and school pride while balancing the demands of multiple sports
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seasons throughout the academic year. Next article back Roads of Appalachia,
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All Things Wheels. Each week, the Manchester Enterprise will feature
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stories from local car enthusiasts in the vehicles that mean
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the most to them. Behind every class ride, hot rode
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or custom build, there's aus often a powerful personal story,
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and we want to help share those memories with our readers.
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This week's feature belongs to Ryan Gibson in his two
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thousand and two Transam race car. My name is Ryan
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Gibson and this is my two thousand and two trans
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Am race car. I started racing when I was just
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fifteen years old. Before I was even old enough to
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get my driver's license, I began competing in the top
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Et class with a nineteen sixty seven Camaro that I
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still own today. The chassis and motor for that car
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were built by Dank Shephard. As I continued racing, I
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spent a lot of time watching and helping others other racers,
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which allowed me to learn how to build my own
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motors and perform repairs at the track. Thanks to that experience,
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I now compete nearly ninety nine percent of the mechanical
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work on my vehicles myself. I currently have more than
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seventy thousand dollars invested in the motor of my trans
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Am with the trans Am, I compete in several classes
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including Outlaw, No Time, Pro Mod and No Prep drag racing.
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Along with racing, I also helped promote the races held
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at Elk Mountain. Those events drew crowds of more than
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three thousand people. The entry fee was two hundred dollars,
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with the winner receiving two thousand dollars and the total
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purse reached fifty thousand dollars. We are always looking for
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a good location to host future races. In addition to racing,
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I own my own business, Gibson Fiber Optic. Fiber Optic
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work has been part of my family for generations. While
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I was still in high schoo so I spend all
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my school breaks working alongside my grandfather and learning the business.
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Over the years, I've continued to grow the company, which
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now employs twelve people. Today, our trucks can be seen
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working throughout the county. I would also like to thank
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Oriah for taking time out of his busy day to
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sit down with me for a personal interview and share
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my story. I am proud of our younger generation that
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is willing to work hard and bring events and opportunities
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that benefit our community. We need more young adults with
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Ryan's work, ethic and desire to make their community better.
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If you own a car truck with a story worth telling,
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the Manchester Enterprise would love to feature it. Text Mark
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Berry at six oh six eight one three one five
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four one, or message him on Facebook with your story
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and photos. Next article. Ava Stevens receives Women's Club Scholarship.
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The Women's Club of Manchester is pleased to announce Ava
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Stevens as the recipient the recipient of its twenty twenty
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sixth scholarship. Along with their strong academic record, Ava has
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been active in school, church and community life. As a
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member of the Clay County High School Tiger Theater Troupe
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since twenty thirteen, she has earned several state and national honors,
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including Best Supporting Actor at Region, Outstanding Actor at State,
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and Superior Solo Acting at nationals. This year, she served
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as president of the Tiger Thespian Troop, organizing events and
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overseeing finances. She also played Princess Fiona, the lead female
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role in the troop's recent production of Shrek the Musical.
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Avas sings in the choir and as a mentor for
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young people at the Laurel Creek Church of God Worship Center.
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The daughter of Donnie and Regina, Rice Stevens Ave Of
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plans to attend Eastern Kentucky University to study education. Inner application.
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She wrote, quote, I feel strongly pulled toward education and
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the idea of coming back to my community one day.
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I want to give students the same sense of encouragement
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and belonging that I was given to me. That is
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one of the most meaningful forms of community service. Unquote.
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The Women's Club of Manchester is a volunteer service organization
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dedicated to supporting the arts, protecting natural resources, advancing education,
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promoting healthy lifestyles, and encouraging civic engagement for more and
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for more than forty years. The Club is invested in
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future leaders by recognizing academic achievement and community involvement through scholarships.
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The Women's Club of Manchester congratulates Ava Stevens in the
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entire twenty twenty six Clay County High School graduating class.
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This concludes the reading of the Manchester Enterprise. Your reader
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has been Jim Rice. Now please stay tuned for continued
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programming and on behalf of everyone here at radio. I
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thank you for listening, and we hope you have a
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good day.