Latest / Eastern Kentucky Newspapers / Manchester Enterprise - 1.9.26

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Manchester Enterprise - 1.9.26 · 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 Janet. We
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will begin with the edition dated January seventh, twenty twenty six,
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which the publishers have donated to Radio Eye as a reminder.
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RADIOI is a reading service intended for people who are
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blind or have other disabilities that make it difficult to
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reprinted material. The first front page headline is officer nearly
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hit head on bellsfork man charged in near collision. It's
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a staff report. Stephen Hopkins, thirty six, of Bell's Fork,
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was arrested early Sunday morning following a traffic stop on
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Kentucky four twenty one that resulted in multiple criminal charges,
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including du I related offenses and wanton endangerment. According to
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a post arrest complaint, Hopkins was taken into custody at
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one four thirty seven a m Sunday by Clay County
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Deputy Luther Thomas after the deputy observed a vehicle traveling
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northbound on Kentucky Highway four twenty one at a high
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rate of speed and crossing into oncoming traffic, nearly striking
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the patrol vehicle. The report states that Deputy Thomas had
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already received multiple calls regarding the vehicle prior to making contact.
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After activating emergency equipment, Deputy Thomas followed the vehicle into
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the parking lot of Ray's game room, where Hopkins allegedly
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exited the driver's seat and jumped into the backseat of
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the vehicle in an apparent attempt to claim he was
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not driving. During the investigation, the deputy reportedly observed a
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pint liquor bottle on the driver's side floorboard, along with
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two beer cans inside the vehicle. Hopkins admitted to drinking alcohol,
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but denied using drugs. No illegal drugs were located during
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a search of the vehicle. Two passengers were reportedly inside
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the vehicle at the time of the incident. Hopkins requested
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a blood test to prove he was not under the
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influence of methanthetamine. He was transported to advent Health Manchester,
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where a blood draw was conducted. After he was read
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and agreed to Kentucky's implied consent law. Due to the
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odor of alcohol and hopkins admission to drinking, standardized field
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sobriety tests were not administered. According to the report, Hopkins
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was arrested and charged with the following offenses. Driving under
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the influence on a suspended license, second offense, reckless driving,
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wanton endangerment first degree, police officer wanton endangerment first degree,
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operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol substances
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third offense. The post arrest complaint also notes Hopkins showed
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zero of six clues on the horizontal gaze nastagmus HGN test.
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Following the arrest, Hopkins was transported to the Clay County
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Detention Center, where he was lodged on the listed charges.
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The next trump page headline is final chapter closes in
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twelve Woods murder. Kathy Stuart sentenced in murder of Earl Woods.
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It's a staff report with the sentencing of Kathy Stuart
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on Monday, January five in Clay Circuit Court. The final
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chapter has closed in one of Clay County's longest running
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and most disturbing murder cases, the brutal killing of Earl Woods.
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Stuart's sentence brings an end to a case that has
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lingered in the courts for more than thirteen years following
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the December six, twenty twelve slaying of the seventy four
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year old Woods. Inside his bellsfo comb. Under a plea
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agreement accepted by the court, Stuart was sentenced to a
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total of twenty five years in prison, with all charges
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ordered to run concurrently. Her convictions include conspiracy to commit murder, robbery,
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theft of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a
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convicted felon, and a persistent felony offender enhancement. Stuart's sentencing
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follows last week's guilty plea and sentencing of codependent Joshua Morsh,
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forty seven, of Manchester, who received life in prison without
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the possibility of parole for twenty five years. Under the
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negotiated plea, Morsh was sentenced on the following counts. Murder
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life without parole for twenty five years, Robbery first degree
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twenty years enhanced to thirty years, Count three five years
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enhanced to ten years. Persistent felony offender's second degree enhancement applied.
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Counts one through three will run concurrently but consecutively to
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the persistent felony offender enhancement, resorting in marsh serving twenty
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five years before parole eligibility as part of the life sentence.
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The Woods case has remained active since the week of
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the murder, and was plagued by years of delays, including
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a previous conviction that was overturned by the Kentucky Supreme Court,
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forcing prosecutors to once again pursue justice for the victim
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and his family. Court testimony throughout the case revealed a
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harrowing picture of addiction fueled desperation. Defense attorneys argued that
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both defense were struggling with severe drug dependency and targeted
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Woods because they knew when he received prescription medication. Testimony
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indicated Stuart allegedly pressured Morsh into committing the robbery, placing
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a hammer in his hand and telling him quote, if
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you don't get me those pills, I don't see us
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having much of a relationship close quotes. Testimony also showed
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that Stuart acted as a lookout for marsh as he
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committed the murder. Commonwealth's Attorney Hailey Joe Fields said resolving
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the Woods case was an immediate priority upon taking office.
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Quote this case has been ongoing for the last thirteen years,
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but today justice was served for Earl and the family
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he left behind. Fields said, quote. When I came into
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office on January one, twenty twenty five, my staff and
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I immediately made this case a priority because thirteen years
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is way too long. Close quotes. Next, there is a
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photograph on the front page bearing the headline new Year's
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Day crash with this explanation. In an unreal scene on
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Kentucky eleven on New Year's Day, these two drivers escaped
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serious injury in a head on collision. The driver of
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the white truck told police he fell asleep at the wheel.
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Chief Deputy Clifton Jones interviews the Boonville man driving the
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white truck. Quote when I saw these vehicles, I thought
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possible fatality, the Chief Deputy said, quote, it was a miracle.
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They both walked away from this. The next front page
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headline as woman wishes newspaper burns Laurel woman upset with
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Enterprise articles covering London City Council, a staff report. In
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an unprecedented and disturbing incident tied to public reaction a
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way local government coverage, a London resident publicly expressed a
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wish that the office of the Manchester Enterprise was on fire.
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The comment was made by Bonnie White of London on
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the newspaper's Facebook page during a live social media post
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covering a fire in Manchester. In her comment, White stated quote,
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I was hoping it was the newspaper itself, since they
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back Weddell and Josh Morgan close quotes. The remark came
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amid heightened online criticism following the newspaper's reporting on a
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lawsuit filed by eighty six City of London employees against
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the London City Council. According to the newspaper, this was
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not an isolated incident. Editors confirmed that White has previously
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posted harsh and inflammatory comments on social media, including remarks
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critical of first responders and London. Publisher Mark Hoskins said
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public disagreement with news coverage is not unusual, but the
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nature of this comment crossed the line. Quote people get
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upset with stories from time to time. That's part of
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the job, Hopkins said Wednesday afternoon. Quote, but we've never
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had someone publicly say they hoped our office would burn
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down close quotes. Hoskins said that following the comment, the
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newspaper received an influx of messages and screenshots highlighting additional
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posts made by the same individual targeting various entities and
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individuals in London. When asked whether he viewed the comment
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as a threat, Hoskins said the situation was troubling but
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difficult to categorize. Quote it's an incredibly disturbing thing to say,
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he said. Quote I've never spoken with this woman, and
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I'm not sure what specifically prompted her anger. Comments like
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that go far beyond criticism of journalism close quotes. Hoskins
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emphasized that while the Manchester Enterprise supports open dialogue and accountability,
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rhetoric involving violence or harm has no place in public discourse.
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Quote disagree with us, challenge us, debate the issues. That's healthy,
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he said, quote, but wishing harm on people or property
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is something entirely different. The newspaper reported that the comment
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was documented and addressed in accordance with its social media policies.
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The next headline is Election Deadline Friday. It's a staff
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report of Enterprise News. The deadline is approaching as the
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May primary election filing is starting to take shape. The
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last day to file for office is January ninth, by
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four pm. Candidates who have filed as of press time
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Monday afternoon include County Judge Executive Tommy Harman, incumbent Jeffrey
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Todd Croucher Democrat Scottie Smith, Republican Sheriff, Patrick Robinson, incumbent
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County Clerk, Beverly Craft incumbent Republican, Jackson Gates Democrat, Jaylor
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Lynda Smallwood incumbent Mark Jackson, Republican, County Attorney, Joseph White
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incumbent County Coroner, Jason Abner incumbent Michael Caudle, Kathy Couch Hicks, PBA,
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Paul Durham incumbent Magistrates District one, Russell known as Rabbit
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Smith incumbent Earl known as Country Earl Owens District two,
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Sonia Hoskins Gray incumbent Chris Reid, William Bill Scalf District three,
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Sonny Gay incumbent Ben Burkhardt District four, Chris Smith incumbent,
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Jamie Jackson, Michael Smith, Marty Davis, Cecil Wagers District five,
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Jerry Combe's incumbent, Glen Ray Henson Mike Davis District six,
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Bill Warren incumbent Jason Smith. Constable's District one, Tyrone Saillier's
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incumbent Johnny Holland Roy known as Little Bit Hubbard, Michael
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Wagers District two, Anthony Wagers incumbent District three, Harvey eating
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Collins incumbent Jimmy known as Bucky Smith District four, Elvis
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Smith incumbent, Eugene Jackson District five, Bent Couch incumbent District six,
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Richard Bryan Hubbard incumbent, Paul Collins, Rodney Bowling, City of
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Manchester Mayor Steve Collins incumbent City Council Jennifer Gray Hooker,
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Betty Meredith, Tracy Rice White, Dorothy Sizemore, Russell Gregory. Candidates
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have until January thirty, twenty twenty six, to file their
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paperwork with the Clay City Clerk's office to appear on
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the May primary ballot. Additional candidates are expected to file
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in the coming weeks as the election season ramps up.
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The May primary will determine which candidates advanced to the
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November twenty twenty sixth general election in both partisan and
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non partisan races. Key election dates Filing deadline January nine,
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twenty twenty six, four pm. Voter registration deadline April twenty,
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twenty twenty six. Next we turned two obituaries. Deborah Ann Walker,
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aged seventy, of London, Kentucky, passed away peacefully at Saint
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Joseph's Hospital in Lexington Kentucky, on December thirty one, twenty
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twenty five. Born on October were twenty, nineteen fifty five
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in Manchester, Deborah lived a life devoted to her family, friends,
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and career. She was a loving wife to her surviving spouse,
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Kenneth Walker, and a dedicated mother to her son Adam
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Casey Walker of London, Kentucky and wife Lisa, and her
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daughter Rebecca Anne Burkhardt of Saint Simon's Island, Georgia and
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husband Ray. Deborah was the cherished grandmother of Jacob Raleigh Walker,
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Casey Gail Walker, and Sarah Rosewalker, who will always remember
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her warmth and kindness. She is also survived by her brother,
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Paul Wayne White of Broadhead, Kentucky and wife Jennifer, and
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her sisters Diana Baker of Manchester, Kentucky and Darla Denise
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Beg of Houston, Texas and husband name. She was preceded
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in death by her father, John C. White, her mother,
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Geraldine Casey White, and her brother John Calvin White. Deborah
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worked as a secretary for a trucking company owned by
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her family, a role she carried out with dedication and professionalism.
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Her commitment to her work was matched only by her
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passion for her family and her many interests. Friends were
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invited to pay their respects at the visitation, which took
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place on January four, twenty twenty six, at Britain Funeral Home, Manchester, Kentucky.
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The funeral service took place at Saint William Catholic Church
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on January five, twenty twenty six, at eleven am, officiated
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by Father George. Deborah was laid to rest at Memorial
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Gardens in Manchester, Kentucky. Deborah's memory will be cherished by
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all who knew her. Her legacy of love, kindness, and
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dedication will continue to inspire those she leaves behind. Donna
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Lynn Jackson, fifty one, of Manchester, Kentucky, departed this life
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on January two, twenty twenty six, at her residence. Donna
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was born January twelve, nineteen seventy four, in Cincinnati, Ohio,
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to the union of the late Wayne Lyford and Connie Burton.
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A loving homemaker, mother and partner, Donna's life was marked
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with a great love for her family. Cherishing the time
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spent with her children, grandchildren, family and friends was what
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brought the most joy to Donna's life. She could always
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be found happy with a diet, doctor pepper, and a cigarette.
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These things completed Donna. In addition to her family, Donna
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was a pet lover and considered her dogs as part
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of the family, bringing her immense joy. Besides her parents,
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Donna was preceded in death by an infant's sister, Amber Jackson.
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Donna leaves behind one son, Cody Dean Jackson spouse Jessica,
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one daughter Natasha Collins spouse Jeremy her significant other for
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twenty four years, Larry Goins. Other survivors include two brothers,
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Curtis Burton, spouse Katrina and Brian Burton. Five treasured grandchildren
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Jalen Jones, Jaden Collins, Maddox Collins, Jeremy Collins, and Skylar Smith.
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Her stepchildren Page Stuart, Dakota Collins, and Scott Goins, along
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with a host of other cherished relatives and friends that
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survive her passing. The funeral service was held Wednesday, January seven,
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twenty twenty six, in the chapel of Wolf and Son's
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Funeral Home, with Paul Mitchell and Lyles Sizemore officiating. Interment
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followed the services at the Smith Cemetery at Asher's Fork
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in Clay County. Arrangements were handled under the direction of
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Wolf and Sons Funeral Home. Dwight Eddie Morgan was born
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December twenty four, nineteen sixty eight, in hydn Kentucky. He
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died January two, twenty twenty six, at the Greg and
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Noreine Wells Hospice Center in Hazzard, Kentucky, surrounded by his family.
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He was fifty seven years old. Dwight was the son
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of Mural Morgan and Sarah Howard Hoskins. In addition to
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his parents, he leaves behind the following surviving relatives to
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Morning's passing stepmother, Elaine Morgan, one son, Dwight Tyler Morgan
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and Caitlin, two grandsons Miles Tyler Morgan and Max Hudson Morgan.
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Two brothers Michael Morgan and Terry Morgan. Three sisters Sherry Morgan,
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Perry Morgan, Griffin and Randall and Ashley Morgan and Danielle.
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Special cousins Tony Morgan, Scottie Morgan, Shannon Hacker, and Jeff Hacker,
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as well as many other loving family members. He is
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preceded in death by his grandparents, Henry and Eva Morgan
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and Eddie Howard and Mayvy Griffith, his stepfather Rath Hoskins,
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as well as an infant brother, Ovie Dwight, was a
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man of strong Christian faith. He found great joy in
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God's creation, especially in the outdoors while hunting, fishing, and gardening.
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Above all, he cherished time spent with his father, his son,
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and his grandsons, building a legacy of faith, family and
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love that will endure forever. Visitation was held on January
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sixth at the Grassy Branch Pentecostal Church in sse Kentucky.
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Funeral services were conducted on Wednesday, January seventh, twenty twenty
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six at the Grassy Branch Pentecostal Church at Essey, with
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Patrick Morgan, James Bowling Junior, Jerry Maggard, and Jeffrey Hacker
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officiating and Will Arbon reading the obituary. Burial followed in
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the Albert Morgan Cemetery at sse Kentucky. The following served
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as pallbearers Michael Morgan, Terrerry Morgan, Randall Griffin, Jeff Hacker,
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Shannon Hacker, and Tony Morgan. Honorary ballbears were Chris Morgan,
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Aaron Morgan, Jason Morgan, Grant Campbell, and Brandon Morgan. Mason
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Forrest Green went back to God's arms on Saturday, December
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twenty seven, twenty twenty five, while being held in his
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loving parents' arms, Mason was born unexpectedly due to a
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uterine and placenta failure and rupture you touacenta and uterine rupture.
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On Monday, December eight, twenty twenty five. Mason entered this
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world without a heartbeat, but came back at twenty two
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minutes with the help of his angels, Sherry t. N
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NP and Angela Jay birth Doula. Mason gave us the
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wonderful gift of time and touched so many lives. Throughout
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his short time with us. Mason enjoyed celebrating his Christmas
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with his big brother Hunter, grandparents, Uncle Chris, and aunt Sarah.
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He enjoyed many visits, snuggles, hugs, kisses from family and
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friends who all love him deeply. He is survived by
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his parents, Adam and Rochelle Greene, big brother Hunter Green,
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great Grandma Billy Jones, great Grandma Francis Lively, grandparents Randy
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and Peggy Jones, Green, uncle Chris Lively, Uncle Chris Will
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married to Carol Jones, Bonis aunt Brenda Peterson, Bonas aunt
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Sarah Woodie Hale, and a host of aunt's uncles, cousins
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and additional grandparents. Last, but not least, big sister Daisy
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Pepper's Green, who would not leave his side while he
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grew inside Mommy's belly. Mason is preceded in death by
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his uncle John Green, great Grandpa Albert Lively, great Grandpa
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Clarence Jones, great Grandpa Billy Green, great grand parents Wilson
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and Mildra Robbins. Funeral services where Mason were held on
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January three, twenty twenty six, at the roman Ger Funeral
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Home Chapel. Reverend Darryl Bargo officiated. Burial followed in the
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Herd Cemetery in the Cybert community in lieu of flowers.
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Donations can be made in Mason's honor to now I
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Lay Me Down to Sleep, who donates remembrance photography to
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parents experiencing the loss of a baby. Donate link is
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https colon forward slash forward slash www dot now I
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lay Me Down to Sleep dot org the forward slash
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donate forward slash. Helen Price Harris Plank, eighty nine years
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of age, passed away peacefully at VNA Hospice House in
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Vero Beach, Florida, on December thirtieth, twenty twenty five. Helen
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was born in Manchester, Kentucky, to James and Irene Price.
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She worked in Trenton, Ohio, as a bus driver for
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the Edgewood City Schools. After thirty years of dedicated service,
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Helen retired as the director of transportation. Helen attended Miami
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University in Oxford, Ohio. She volunteered and was a member
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of many organizations, including the Trenton Nothole Association and the
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Edgewood Athletic Boosters. Helen was also presented the Key to
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the City by the Mayor of Trenton on her eightieth
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birthday in twenty sixteen. Survivors include sons James Harris, jud
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Harris married to Ronda, Joe Harris married to Hazel, John
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Harris married to Julie, Darryl Harris married to Wendy. Daughter
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Patricia Landram married to John. Fourteen grandchildren, twenty one great grandchildren,
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and two great great grandchildren. A celebration of life is
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scheduled for January twenty nine, twenty twenty six, at the
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Warren County Mcow Park from four pm to nine pm
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at twelve twenty three Ohio seven forty one eleven and
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Ohio four five O three six. The graveside service is
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to follow on January thirty first, twenty twenty six, at
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one pm at Price Cemetery, Price Hollow, Manchester, Kentucky, four
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oh nine six two. Fellowship will be held at the
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Crowdehead Building immediately following the graveside service at three one
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one Highway six thirty eight, Manchester, Kentucky, four oh nine
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six two. In lieu of flowers, donation may be made
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to the Edgewood Athletics Boosters Pobox sixty seven Trenton, Ohio
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four five O six seven or the VNA Hospice House,
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nine oh one thirty seventh Street, Vero Beach, Florida, three
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two nine six oh. Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther
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Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach. Jones Gibson, aged seventy,
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passed away on Thursday, January one, twenty twenty six, at
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her home. She was born Friday January seventh, nineteen fifty five,
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in Manchester, Kentucky, to Colonel and Dora Roark Jones. She
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was a member of the Manchester Church of God, and
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she worked at Laurel Creek Nursing Home. She has survived
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by her children, Melissa Neely and Jennifer Gibson Woods, her
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grandchildren Alexandria Wagers, Bradley Wagers, Tayton Gibson, Alexis Gibson, Kelly Neely,
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and Trendon Neely. Her great grandchildren macen Lynn Wagers Haven Neely,
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also surviving as one sister, Lucy Roark. She is preceded
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in death by her parents, Colonel and Dora Jones, her
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husband Grant Gibson, her daughter Marianne Wagers, and her sisters
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Ruby Stephens and Florence Jones. Funeral services for Irene Gibson
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will be Tuesday, January I'm Very thirteen, twenty twenty six,
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at one pm at the Romaner Funeral Home Chapel, Whereverend
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George Davidson will be officiating. Burial will follow in the
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Gibson Cemetery in the Blue Hole Community. The family will
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receive friends and loved ones on Tuesday after twelve pm
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until funeral time at the Romanger Funeral Home Chapel. Arrangements
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are entrusted to the Romaninger Funeral Home This concludes the
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reading of the Manchester Enterprise. Your reader has been Janet.
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Now please stay tuned for continued programming and on behalf
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of everyone here at Radio I thank you for listening
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and we hope you have a good day.