Latest / Eastern Kentucky Newspapers / Manchester Enterprise - 3.13.26

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Manchester Enterprise - 3.13.26 · 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 three eleven, twenty
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twenty six, as a reminder, Radio I as 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. Mansets
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fire inside Dollar store. Security footage shows row Arc setting
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fire causing substantial damage to Goose Rock store by the staff.
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Report by Enterprise News Manchester. A Manchester man has been
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arrested following a fire inside the Dollar General store on
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South Highway for twenty one earlier this morning. Earlier this month,
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according to the Clay County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Patrick Robinson
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reported that on March first, twenty twenty six, Deputy Walter
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Marker responded to a call regarding a fire at the
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Dollar General located at Ay three to ninety South Highway
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for twenty one. Once the situation at the store was
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brought under control and the scene was deemed safe, Deputy
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Marker spoke with employees who were working at the time
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of the incident. Store personnel were able to provide surveillance
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video footage that captured the event. Authorities say the video
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showed a male subject starting a fire in Aisle twelve
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used an a but tane canister that was not sold
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at the store. The fire caused significant damage to the
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store and merchandise, and forced the business to close early
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for the day. The incident occurred during normal business hours
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while customers and employees were inside the store. Following the incident,
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the Clay County Sheriff's Office made a post in social
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media requesting assistance from the public in identifying the individual
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shown in the surveillance footage. According to the Sheriff's office,
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the suspect was later identified as Woodson Roarc Rowarc forty four,
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of Manchester, was subsequently arrested. Assisting in the arrest were
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Deputy Sergeant Rest Brumley and Deputy Jordan Dunselor. Was charged
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with first degree arson, first degree wanton endangerment, and first
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degree criminal mischief. Next article Hundreds pay their respects. Nineteen
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year old Bryson Cottingam killed in Harland while installing fiber
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optic cable. A Clay County community is mourning the tragic
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loss of Bryson Caine cottingm a nineteen year old Manchester
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resident who was killed Tuesday, March third, while working in
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Harland County. Authorities reported that cotting Gym died after coming
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into contact with an active power line while operating from
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a bucket truck during fiber optic installation work along Kentucky
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thirty eight in the Holmes Mill Commute Unity. Cottingem was
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working as a contractor for Apex Contracting assisting with fiber
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installation at the time of the accident. Emergency crews responded
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to the scene, but he was pronounced dead. In the
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days following the tragedy, an outpouring of support from across
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Clay County reflected the deep impact the young man had
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on those around him. On Monday, hundreds of friends, family members,
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and community supporters gathered honor Cottingem's life, lining the four
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lane in Manchester with bucket trucks side by side in
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vehicles as a motorcate escorted him to Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
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The tribute served as a powerful reminder of the respect
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and admiration many held for the young worker. Social media
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quickly filled with tributes from friends, teachers, and community members
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remembering Cottingjam's kindness, personality, and bright future. The staff of
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the Clay County Area Technology Center ATC, where Cottingjam had
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studied welding, shared their sorrow over the loss. Quote the
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staff of Clay County ATC our heartbroken over the loss
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of one of our former welding students, Bryson Cottingjam unquote.
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The school wrote in a statement, quote, Bryson was a
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good kid with the bright future ahead of him. He
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was part of our ATC family, and he will always
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hold a place in our hearts. Unquote. Clay County High
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School teacher Tyler Hensley also reflected on the loss of
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a student he remembered fondly. Quote, there are no words
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to match this moment unquote, Hinsley wrote, quote, long after
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I had him in class, Bryson would show up to
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my classroom just to check on me. I always told
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him that he had the most perfect smile. If you
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knew him, you probably thought the same thing, because he
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was always smiling. Unquote. Friends described cotting Jim as someone
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who cared deeply for those around him. Melissa Garrison shared
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the close bond between Cottagem and her late son, Cashton,
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who died in a tragic car accident last year when
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Cashton passed away, we were discussing. Paul Beears Garrison wrote,
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we had family lined out, but I wanted one friend,
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the one who never got him in trouble. Carolyn said Bryson.
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I said, Okay, he's the one. She added that Cottingem
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reminded her family of Casting more than anyone else. Quote
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Bryson reminded us of Cashton more than anyone else did. Unquote,
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she wrote, he was Casht's best friend. Many others remembered
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cotting Gem for his warm personality and the way he
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treated people. Friend Brittany Wagers wrote that cotting Gem had
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become like part of her family. You were always at
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my house, eating with us, staying the night, laughing, and
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making yourself part of the family. She wrote, you had
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such a kind heart and gentle soul. Friends also spoke
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about the shock of losing someone so young. Quote. To
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know Bryson was a gift, wrote Carly Cheyenne Shepherd. Quote
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he was one of a kind. He always had anyone's
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back if they needed him. For many in the community,
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the tragedy was difficult to comprehend. We hope to watch
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our former students grow into the people they're meant to
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become for many years, Hensley wrote, losing one far too
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soon is something that is never easy to comprehend. The
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loss comes just months after the death of Cottingem's close
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friend Cashton, making the tragedy even more difficult for many
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in the community to process. While Bryson Cottingem's life ended
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far too soon, the overwhelming turnout of support from across
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Clay County showed the lasting mark he left the people
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who knew him, and his one friend wrote simply and
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tribute quote rest easy, you will be You will truly
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be missed forever unquote. Next article Embezzlement sex crime highlights
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new indictments two accused of taking over fourteen thousand dollars
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for apartment complex the staff report by The Enterprise News Manchester.
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The Clay County Grand Jury handed down multiple indictments this
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week in cases involving alleged embezzlement, drug trafficking, burglary, assault
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and sexual abuse. The indictments include a London couple accused
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of stealing more than fourteen thousand dollars from their employer
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in a Manchester man facing serious sex charges involving a
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minor Lyndham Murrell forty six and David Murrell forty two,
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both of Tomcat Trail and London, have been indicted for
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theft by unlawful taking or disposition ten thousand dollars for
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allegedly embezzling fourteen thousand, five hundred and six dollars while
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being employed by South Creek Management Company. They're accused of
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falsely completing written instruments, money orders, and checks to be
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used as rental payment to benefit themselves. The case is
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being investigated by Kentucky State Police. Trooper Logan Gay Ambertani
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forty six of sand Hill Road was indicted for trafficking
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and controlled substance one methamphetamine and possession of a firearm
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of a convicted felon when she possessed a black Ar
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fifteen style semi automatic rifle as she was previously convicted
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in the state of Oregon. Donald Jeffrey Carraway fifty three
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of Crawfish indicted for failure to register as a sex offender.
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Nancy Mitchell, forty two of Boothill, Manchester allegedly entered the
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home of Stevie Lewis and committed burglary second on January ninth,
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twenty twenty six. Angelica Jackson thirty five Matt Hinson, Hollow Road,
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Manchester was indicted for unlawful taking or disposition when she
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allegedly took cash, lottery tickets, and cigarettes valued at two
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thousand dollars from Trolley Rock Market formerly Alvins. The case
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is being investigated by Chief Deputy Clifton Jones. Frankie Eastep
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fifty eight, Upper Raided Road, Manchester was indicted for possession
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of controlled substance methamphetamine and operating in a motor vehicle
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under influence of substance one fetanel Ernie Hobbs forty six
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of McKee was indicted for assault second Walton in dagerment
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and discharge of a firearm two counts. On December fourth,
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twenty twenty five, Hobbes allegedly struck Michael Smith in the
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head with an object, causing a four inch gash in
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his scalp, then discharged a firearm into the smith vehicle,
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also occupied by Lindsay Combs. The case is being investigated
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by Kentucky State Police Trooper Jacob Schwab. Kenneth Henkes fifty
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eight of Mudlick Road, Manchester has been indicted on sex
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counts of sexual abuse, one for a female victim under
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twelve years old from August twenty twenty three through February
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twenty twenty four. The case is being investigated by Kentucky
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State Police Trooper Jared Smith. Next article. Record breaking band
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expected to draw even larger crowd In twenty twenty six,
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The Creakers returned to headline Manchester Music Festival. The Manchester
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Music Festival is preparing for another major year as organizers
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announce a strong lineup for the twenty twenty sixth Manchester
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Music Fest, scheduled for September three through the fifth in
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downtown Manchester. Headlining this year's festival will be The Creakers,
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the Eastern Kentucky band that drew the largest crowd in
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festival history during their appearance at the event last year.
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Tourism director Tim Parks said bringing the band back was
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a natural desii after the overwhelming response from fans in
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twenty twenty five. Quote we had the biggest crowd we've
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ever had when The Creakers played last year. Unquote, Parks said,
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quote people packed the streets and the energy was unbelievable.
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When you see that kind of response, you know you've
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got something special unquote. Parks believes the band's growing popularity
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across the region could make this year's performance even bigger.
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Quote they've really taken off since last year unquote, he said,
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quote the fan base has grown tremendously and we're expecting
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an even larger crowd this time around. It's exciting not
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just for the festival, but for the entire community unquote.
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Appalachian routes. The Creakers were formed in Leslie County and
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have quickly become one of the fastest rising bands in
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the Appalachian music scene. The group blend's traditional bluegrass instruments
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with modern country influences, creating a sound that resonates with
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both younger listeners and longtime fans of Mountain music. The
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band's popularity surged after one of their songs gained widespread
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attention on social media, helping them land performances at festivals
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and venues across the country. Despite their growing national recognition,
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the band continues to embrace its Eastern Kentucky roots. Their
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return to Manchester has become one of the most anticipated
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performances of this year's festival. Strong lineup announced joining The
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Creakers on the Manchester Music Festival stage will be a
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diverse group of regional and national performers, including Col Cheney,
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Jason Scott and High Heat, B Taylor, Jack Wharf Band,
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Christopher Lee Bentley and The Protectors, Rye Davis, Hancock and Shouse,
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Tony Log Jenkins Twins, Madison Hughes, The Bank Shafters, Kobe Sands,
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and Red River George Mayor of Shenanigans Deep South South
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of eighty. The three day event has become one of
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Clay County's signature tourism attractions, drawing visitors from across Kentucky
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and surrounding states to experience live music, food vendors, and
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local culture in the heart of downtown Manchester. Park said
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the festival continues to grow each year and plays an
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important role in promoting the region. Quote events like this
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bring people into our town who may have never visited before, unquote,
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Park said. Quote they eat at our restaurants, shop in
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our stores, and see what makes Manchester special unquote. With
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the Creakers returning to headline the festival and a packed
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lineup of talented performers, Parks believe the twenty twenty sixth
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event could surpass even last year's turnout. Quote. If last
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year showed us anything. Unquote, he said, it is that
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Manchester Music Festival has become something people look forward to
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every year. We're expecting this one to be bigger, is
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better than ever. Sports turnovers, code shooting doom Tigers. Clay
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County falls and region opener to Bell County forty six
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to thirty by Tanner Hospital Enterprise. Sports turnovers in cold
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shooting spelled doom for Clay County as the Tigers fell
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forty six to thirty to Bell County in the opening
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round of the thirteenth Region Tournament. It marks the second
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straight season Clay County has been eliminated in its first
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regional game. The contest was often difficult to watch offensively,
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as neither team could establish a consistent rhythm. Bell County's
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defensive pressure kept the Tigers out of sync for most
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of the night. In fact, Clay County went nearly three
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full quarters without making a two point field goal. The
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Tigers' first basket inside the ark did not come until
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Aiden Grubb put back a misshot with eighteen seconds remaining
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in the third quarter, snapping a long scoring drought that
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stretched back to the seven to twenty eight mark of
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the second period. Clay showed some fight in the fourth quarter,
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outscoring Bell six to three in the opening three minutes
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to close the gap to thirty four to twenty three.
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The two teams traded baskets, and Clay got within ten
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at thirty six to twenty six on a free throw
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by Grub. The Tigers stepped up their defense intensity, forcing
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the Bobcats into two straight turnovers. With three p forty
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nine remaining in the game, Clay had a chance to
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get the game into single digits. A quick fiul by
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Bell sent Grub back to the line, where it made
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both and cut the lead to thirty six to twenty eight.
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Clay's Brody Hooker made a steal and Grub was sent
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back to the foul on for two more shots. With
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two thirty eight remaining, He made both to cut the
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lead to six at thirty six to thirty. Bells Braxton
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Ferguson drained a deep three pointer at two o two
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to make it thirty nine to thirty. A missed three
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pointer by Jacob Rogers led to a Bobcat basket by
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Caden Huff to push the lead back to double digits
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at forty one to thirty. That the Tigers can never
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get any closer. Bell County took control in the second
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half by tightening its defense, controlling the offensive glass, and
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forcing costly turnovers from Clay County. The opening half resembled
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two heavyweight fighters trading blows. Both teams came out tight,
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but played with intensity and aggressiveness as they battled for
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each for early momentum. The three point shot shot kept
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Clay County within striking distance early. The Tigers connected on
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four of their first twelve attempts from beyond the art,
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accounting for nearly all their scoring in the first half.
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As they failed to make a two point field goal
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before the break, Bell County jumped out to an early
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five and zero lead, fueled by two baskets from Ethan Buell.
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Clay County answered with a three pointer from Wagers, followed
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moments later by another from Maxton Gray to cut the
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deficit to seven to six. Freshmen Skuyler Sizemore then added
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a three pointer of his own as the team's battled
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to a nine to nine tie at the end of
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the first quarter. Bell County began to clamp down defensively
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in the second period. The Tigers managed only four points
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in the quarter, coming on a three pointer by Gray
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in a free throw from Wagers. Freshmen Braxton Ferguson provided
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a spark for the Bobcats in the second quarter, scoring
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four of bel Connie's twelve points in the period to
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help push his team ahead twenty to thirteen at halftime.
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Clay County struggled mightily from the floor in the first half,
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converting just four of nineteen field goal attempts. The Tigers
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were out rebounded thirty one to twenty two, with Grub
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recording ten. He was also the leading scorer with twelve
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Eiden Ragers nine, Maxton Gray six, in Skyler Sizemore three.
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Next article from the community Calendar from Sunset by Melissa
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Garrison down Home with Melissa. Some articles are simpler, harder
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to write than others. Sometimes the right words just don't come,
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and this seems to be one of those times. The
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first time I remember seeing Bryson Cottingen was at my
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son's dad's house. I had pulled into the driveway to
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take cash and some food. Bryson nearly as much as
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I had heard his name, and my son spent a
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lot of time together doing the things young boys loved
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to do. Bryson was never a kid I worried about
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when he was around Kashton. If anything, Cashton might have
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been the one with the stronger influence in the friendship.
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Like many boys their age, they lived life to give
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the kind of strong, heartfelt hug that you wouldn't soon forget.
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Christians Severe once told me how much Bryson loved Easton.
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She said Bryson was one of the few friends who
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came to the hospital in Easton was born. He would
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make random visits to their home and always talked about
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how he couldn't wait until Easton got big enough to
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start writing. I imagine Bryson would have had plenty of
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tricks to teach him, especially when it came to dirt bikes.
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Bryson was a master writer. Bryson was his family's whole world.
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Losing him will forever mark a day they will never forget.
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I've learned that memories are what we have to hold
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on to the dash between sunrise and sunset. What we
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do with our days from morning until night become what
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we leave behind to others for others to remember. What
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I remember about Bryson is that he was a handsome
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young man. He was fun. He loved my boy, and
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he loved his friends and family. Most of all, he
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loved life. I laughed at stories Kaylin told me about
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rod Run last year when they all went together, cash
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And made Bryson eat habachi at a place they looked
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that thought looked questionable. Bryson complained that it was way
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too expensive, and Cashton said it was terrible and ended
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up dumping his takeout food in the parking lot. That
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wasn't all they did, but I'll leave the rest of
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those stories untoned. What matters is they had fun and
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they made memories. Bryson was only nineteen years old when
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he lost his life on the job. It started out
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as a normal day. Caital and I had met for
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much for lunch around eleven thirty. Our first reaction was disbelief.
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No way, We said, there's no way that's true, and
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Bryson happened to be there. I can't remember exactly what
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they were doing, either working on a truck or getting
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ready to go writing, but I do remember casting being
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in a hurry, which unusually meant something fun was about
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to happen. Due to restraints, I have to end this article.
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I finished it. It was a midday when Bryce has
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left us this world. The sun deam to set differently
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that March day it went down with Bryce and looking
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at us now from a different view, from the very
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same sky. He would have turned twenty in about a month.
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This concludes the reading of the Manchester Enterprises. Your reader
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has been Jim Rice. Please stay tuned for continued programming
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and on behalf of everyone here at Radio. I thank
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you for listening and we hope you have a good day.