Latest / Eastern Kentucky Newspapers / Manchester Enterprise - 6.26.26

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Manchester Enterprise - 6.26.26 · 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 Roger Hamperion.
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We will begin with the edition dated Wednesday, June twenty fourth,
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twenty twenty six. As a reminder, Radio I as 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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Our first article is titled Pace's Creek Renovation advances Constructions
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slated for Spring. Staff Report Enterprise News. More than sixty
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million dollars has been invested in construction and renovation projects
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throughout the Clay County School District over the past decade,
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marking the most significant period of facility improvements in the
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history of the school system. The next major project is
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now officially underway as plans begin to take shape for
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the renovation and expansion of paces Creek Elementary School. Clay
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County super William Sexton, paces Creek Elementary Principal Aaron Asher
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and Maintenance Supervisor Dale Downy recently met with representatives from
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Trace Creek Construction and the architectural firm Tate Hill Jacobs
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to review preliminary plans for the project. The renovation will
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be funded in part through a five point five million
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dollar state allocation secured by Kentucky Senate President Robert Stuivers,
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with additional funding to be provided through school district bonding.
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Current estimates place the total project cost between ten million
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dollars and fifteen million dollars, although a more precise figure
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will be determined as the design process moves forward. According
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to the project timeline, schematic designs are expected to receive
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approval in early July. Design development will then begin and
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is scheduled for completion by October. Construction documents are expected
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to be finalized in February twenty twenty seven, before being
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submitted to the Kentucky Department of Education for approval in March.
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Following state approval, the project will be advertised for bids,
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with construction expected to begin in April twenty twenty seven
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and continue through August twenty twenty eight. For Principal Aaron Asher,
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the project represents an exciting opportunity to meet the growing
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needs of one of the district's fastest growing schools. This
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is an exciting time for Paces Creek Elementary. Asher said,
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we have seen steady growth in enrollment over the last
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several years, and this project will help ensure we can
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continue providing our students with the best possible learning environment.
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The renovation and expansion will allow us to better serve
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our current students while preparing for future growth. School officials
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noted that increasing enrollment at paces Creek has created a
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need for additional space and updated facilities. The planned renovations
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will modernize portions of the school while providing room to
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accommodate future student growth. Superintendent William Sexton said the project
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reflects the district's commitment to investing in students and creating
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learning environments that support academic success. Over the last ten years,
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the Clay County Board of Education has made an unprecedented
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commitment to improving our facilities, Sexton said, from new construction
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projects to major renovations, we have invested in our schools
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because our students and employees deserve the very best. The
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paces Creek project is another important step forward, and we
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appreciate Senate President Robert Steivers for helping secure the state
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funding that made this project possible. The paces Creek renovation
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joins a long list of facility improvements completed throughout the
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district in recent years, including school renovations Athletic facility, upgrades,
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the Clay County Technology Center, Legends Hall, and numerous infrastructure improvements.
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When completed, the paces Creek project will represent another milestone
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in what has become the most ambitious building and renovation
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effort ever undertaken by the Clay County School District. Our
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next article is titled Rape Incest charge Staff Report Enterprise News.
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A former Clay County resident has been indicted by a
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Laurel County grand jury on felony charges of rape and
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incest involving a child. According to the indictment, Darryl Hicks,
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fifty seven, of London was charged with first degree rape
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and incest involving a person less than twelve years of age.
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Court records indicate Hicks was lodged in the Laurel County
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Correctional Center on June eighteenth following the indictment. He is
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scheduled to be arraigned on July twenty seventh and Laurel
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Circuit Court before Judge Gregory Lay. Under Kentucky law, both
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charges are serious felony offenses. Additional details regarding the allegations
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were not immediately available. As with all criminal cases, an
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indictment is an accusation only. Hicks is presumed innocent unless
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and until proven guilty in a court of law. Our
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next article is titled quick Action Saves mail in Parkway
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truck fire, staff report, Enterprise News. Quick action by the
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Manchester Fire Department prevented the loss of mail and limited
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damage after a box truck caught fire Saturday evening on
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the hal Rogers Parkway. According to the Manchester Fire Department,
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firefighters were dispatched at approximately five nineteen pm to a
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reported box truck fire. Upon arrival, crews found heavy fire
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in the cab area of the vehicle. Firefighters quickly deployed
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a one to three quarter inch attack line and brought
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the blaze under control before it could spread into the
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cargo area. Their rapid response prevented further damage and saved
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the mail being transported inside the truck. Crews remained on
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the scene to extinguish remaining hotspots and conduct overhaul operations.
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The Manchester Fire Department thanked the Clay County Sheriff's Office
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and Kentucky State Police for assisting with traffic control, scene safety,
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and recovery efforts. Our next article is titled Let there
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Be Light One Clay County having lights installed on bridge.
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Staff report Enterprise News. Motorists traveling through downtown Manchester should
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prepare for traffic delays next week as work begins on
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a lighting project for the East Manchester Bridge. According to
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the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet KYTC, the Kentucky twenty four to
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thirty eight Bridge at the junction of US four twenty
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one will be temporarily closed each day beginning Monday, June
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twenty second through Saturday, June twenty seventh. The closure is
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necessary to allow crews working on behalf of one Clay
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County to install decorative lighting on the historic bridge. The
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project is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the appearance
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of downtown Manchester and highlight one of the community's most
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recognizable landmarks. The bridge will be closed daily from eight
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a m. Until five pm. These motorists will be required
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to follow a designated detour route. The bridge will reopen
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to traffic each evening after work concludes. Drivers are encouraged
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to follow posted detour signs utilizing Kentucky thirty four seventy
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two Memorial Drive and Kentucky twenty four to thirty two
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Littleton Road. While the work is underway. Transportation officials are
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advising motorists to expect significant delays in the area, particularly
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during peak travel periods. Drivers are urged to use caution,
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remain alert for workers and equipment, and allow additional travel
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time when passing through Manchester. The lighting installation is part
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of a broader effort by one Clay County to improve
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and showcase local attractions while enhancing the visual appeal of
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the community. KYTC officials ask the public for patients throughout
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the project and remind motorists to practice safe driving habits
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while navigating the temporary traffic Our next article is titled
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Admits to Sexual Abuse I Done It Staff Report Enterprise News.
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A Manchester man was arrested Saturday following an investigation by
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the Kentucky State Police into allegations involving a juvenile. According
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to a post arrest complaint filed by Kentucky State Police
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Trooper Trey Lovins, William Hensley, thirty seven, of Manchester was
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charged with third degree sexual abuse and distribution of obscene
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matter to a minor first offense. The complaint states that
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KSP Post eleven received a report of possible sexual abuse
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on June twentieth, During the investigation, officers interviewed multiple individuals
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and gathered evidence related to the allegations. According to the complaint,
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investigators determined the alleged victim was a juvenile female. The
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complaint alleges inappropriate sexual contact and the transmission of obscene
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material to the miner. Trooper Levins stated that after consulting
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with the Clay County Attorney's Office, probable cause was established
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for him Wensley's arrest. According to the citation, Hensley told
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the officer done it and put his hands behind his back.
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Video footage was also provided to the officer from an
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argument which you can clearly hear the subject stating I'd
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done it and to not call the police. Hensley was
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lodged in the Clay County Detention Center. The investigation remains ongoing.
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As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations only.
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Hensley is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in
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a court of law. Our next article is titled Clay
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Morne's loss of Transportation Director Donald Ray Cush Jones Staff Report,
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Enterprise News, the Clay County School District and the entire
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community are mourning the sudden passing of longtime transportation director
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and retired school bus driver Donald Ray Cush Jones, who
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passed away Saturday at the age of sixty eight, known
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throughout Clay County for his friendly personality, dedication to s students,
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and willingness to help others. Jones spent years serving the
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school district, both behind the wheel of a school bus
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and later as transportation director. Even after retiring, he returned
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to work for the district, continuing a career centered around
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serving the children and families of Clay County. Clay County
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Superintendent William Sexton said Jones's passing leaves a tremendous void,
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not only within the school system, but throughout the entire community.
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Cush was one of those people everyone knew and everyone liked.
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Sexton said, this is a tremendous loss for his family,
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our school system, and the entire community. He cared deeply
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about the students he transported every day and took great
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pride in making sure they arrived safely to and from school.
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Even after retirement, he wanted to continue serving the district
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because that's just the kind of person he was. Sexton said.
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Jones was a dependable employee and trusted friend whose impact
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extended far beyond transportation. He loved this community and he
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loved the people in it. Sexton said, you could always
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count on Cush. He was dedicated, hard working and always
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willing to do whatever was needed. He will be greatly
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missed by our employees, our students, and everyone who had
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the privilege of knowing him. Outside of his work with
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the school district, Jones was well known as the longtime
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owner and operator of Cush's Tire at Garrett, where he
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spent years helping customers and building friendships that lasted a lifetime.
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Friends also remembered Jones for his love of golf, whether
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on the golf course, at the tire shop, at school events,
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or simply talking with friends around town. He was known
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for his easygoing nature and ability to make people smile.
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Above all else, Jones was devoted to his family. He
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is survived by his wife, Rosetta Lips Jones of Manchester,
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daughters Dana Jones of Manchester and Kelly Asher, and husband
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Thomas of London, son Brayden Jones of Manchester, and grandchildren
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Austin Jones, Aiden Jones, Colton Asher, Wesson Asher, and Tate Asher.
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He is also survived by his mother Betty Brown Jones
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of London, sisters Charlotte Harris and husband Harold, and Deborah
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Gibson and husband David, both of London, along with several
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other family members and friends. Jones was preceded in death
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by his father, Willie Ray Jones, and his father in
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law and mother in law tj and Doris Lips. Funeral
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services will be held at two pm Wednesday, June twenty
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fourth at Britain Funeral Home with Dean Lawson, Clay Bishop
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II and Tess Lips officiating. Burial will follow in the
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Lipps Cemetery. Visitation will be held at six pm Tuesday,
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June twenty third at the funeral home. While his passing
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leaves a void that cannot be filled, those who knew
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Donald Ray Cush Jones say his legacy of kindness, dedication, friendship,
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and service will continue to live on through the countless
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lives he touched throughout Clay County. Our next article is
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titled power Up Charging Station now open. New charging station
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located off Kentucky eighty staff report Enterprise News. Electric vehicle
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drivers in Clay County and across eastern Kentucky now have
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a new place to recharge as Power Up America is
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now open. The official grand opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday,
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July twenty fourth, from eleven am to one thirty pm
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at the new facility, located at four fifteen Kentucky eighty
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and Manchester. The Manchester Charging Station marks power up America's
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expansion into Kentucky and represents a major step in the
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company's effort to build a comprehensive electric vehicle charging network
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throughout the Southeast. The station is strategically positioned to serve
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both local residents and travelers passing through the region, providing
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greater access to EV charging while supporting the continued growth
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of sustainable transportation options in eastern Kentucky. Company officials said
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the project reflects power Up America's commitment to delivering reliable,
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efficient charging solutions and helping communities prepare for the increasing
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number of electric vehicles on the road. We are excited
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to bring power up America's cutting edge charging infrastructure to Kentucky,
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said Joshua Turner, CEO of Power Up America. This expansion
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underscores our dedication to driving energy and dependence and providing
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seamless EV charging experiences for communities across the southeast. With
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the Manchester station, we're not only fostering local economic growth,
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but also empowering residents and visitors to travel with confidence.
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The Manchester location was awarded to power Up America through
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a competitive selection process. Company leaders view the project as
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an important milestone in expanding EV accessibility across the region
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while strengthening transportation infrastructure and rural commit unities. Our expansion
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into Kentucky represents a significant step forward in our mission
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to make EV charging accessible and reliable for all, said
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Jesse Hensley, president and co founder of power Up America.
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Thanks to our strategic partnerships and the strong foundation we've built,
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we are ready to support the growth of EV infrastructure
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across the region. The new charging station is expected to
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serve as a valuable resource for both local EV owners
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and visitors traveling through Clay County, helping position Manchester as
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a key stop along Kentucky's growing electric vehicle corridor. Community members,
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local officials, and business leaders are invited to attend the
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July twenty fourth grand opening celebration and learn more about
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the technology and benefits the new facility will bring to
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the area. Our next article is titled ten and Under
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Softball Advances to Finals. The Clay County ten and Under
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All Star team advanced to the district finals after a
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late fifth inning surge powered them to a seven to
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three win over Corbin. The girls also defeated Harlan forty
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two in the quarterfinal round. Coached by Mike Sizemore, Kevin Ealy,
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and Brian Jackson, this group of girls show that the
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softball future in Clay County remains as bright as ever.
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They join other Clay County teams heading to State, such
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as the seven and under Boys Baseball All Stars and
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the seven and under Girls Softball All Stars. The win
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over Harlan was a pitcher's duel. Tallon Sizemore struck out
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thirteen batters while allowing only two hits. Ellie e Lee
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and Harper Desarn each had a hit in the victory
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as well. Clay County relied on a keen eye at
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the plate as they reached base eight times on walks
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to help bring home the win. Sunday's win over Corbin
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was highlighted by Sizemore's fourteen strikeout game in the pitching circle,
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as well as another solid day offensively for Clay County.
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The girls finished with seven hits, with Sizemore notching three
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of them. Aila Smith added a hit, Ellie Ely added two,
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and Harper Desarn added one as well. Ealy and Disarn
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each added two. RBIs in the win. Clay County is
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set to play Wednesday night versus the Laurel County All
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Stars at South Laurel Little League. The ten and under
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softball team consists of Emily Collins, Audrey eelam Elie Kate Ely,
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Kimsey Fitch, Palin Hoskins, Chloe Jackson, Harper Desarn, Tallon Sizemore,
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Avery Sizemore, Emily Smith, and Aliah Smith. Our next article
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is titled The Future Looks Bright for Clay County Athletics
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by Tanner Hoskins, Sports Editor. Summer is often considered the
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off season for most sports in Clay County. It's a
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time when athletes, coaches, administrators, and parents can catch their
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breath and recharge before another busy school year begins. For me, however,
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summer always seems a little too long. I enjoy the
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slower pace, but I find myself counting down the days
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until school resumes and the excitement of local sports returns.
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There's just something special about Friday night football packed gyms,
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tennis matches, golf tournaments, and all the other events that
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bring our community together. The good news is we have
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plenty to be excited about as another school year approaches.
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Clay County is blessed with some of the finest athletic
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facilities in Kentucky. But what makes our programs truly special
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isn't the buildings, fields, or courts. It's the young people
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who represented our school every day. One thing that probably
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doesn't get mentioned enough is just how outstanding our student
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athletes are, both on and off the field. I rarely
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hear anything negative about the young people in our athletic programs. Instead,
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I constantly hear stories about their character, work, ethic, leadership,
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and willingness to help others. A perfect example came this
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past school year when sixteen any student athletes earned the
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prestigious KHSAA Triple Threat Award. That is an incredible accomplishment
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and one our community should be proud of. For those
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unfamiliar with the award, it recognizes students who participate in
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three sports during the school year while maintaining strong academic standing.
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It may sound simple on paper, but anyone who has
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ever competed in multiple sports knows the level of commitment required.
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The long practices, travel, conditioning, sacrifices, and time management skills
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necessary to succeed are difficult to fully appreciate unless you've
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experienced them firsthand. I want to personally congratulate those sixteen
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student athletes. Their achievement is a testament to their dedication,
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and I hope that number continues to grow in the
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years ahead. The benefits of being a multi sport athlete
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extend far beyond wins and losses. Athletics teach perseverance, discipline, accountability, teamwork,
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and leadership. Those lessons don't disappear after graduation. They help
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shape productive citizens, future business owners, community leaders, and parents.
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I've seen many of our student athletes volunteering in churches,
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community organizations, and local events. That speaks volumes about the
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values being taught at home and within our school system.
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From a competitive standpoint, multi sport participation is also vital
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for a small community like Clay County. Our athlete pool
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is limited compared to larger schools, meaning every program depends
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on the others. When athletes compete in multiple sports, they
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develop different skill sets, improve their overall athleticism, and help
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strengthen every team they represent. Success isn't built by one
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program alone. It's built when everyone works together toward a
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common goal. As I scroll through social media this summer,
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I've been encouraged by the number of student athletes putting
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in the work. Whether it's football workouts, basketball camps, volleyball practices,
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golf tournaments, softball games, baseball leagues, track training, or tennis matches,
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our athletes are staying active and preparing for the seasons ahead.
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As Clay County's sports reporter, that gives me plenty of optimism.
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The future is bright for Clay County Athletics because the
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future is being built right now through hard work, dedication,
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and commitment. Summer may be winding down, but the excitement
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is just beginning. After all, we're only about a month
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away from hearing those familiar words once again, it's football
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time in the Mountains. Our next article is titled the
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Column Proved The Column from the publisher's desk. Mark Hoskins,
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Enterprise Publisher. A few weeks ago, I wrote a column
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about perception. The basic point was simple. Two people can
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read the exact same thing, witness the exact same event,
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or hear the exact same statement, and walk away with
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completely different opinions about what they just experience. It wasn't
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a complicated concept. In fact, it's something we see every day. Ironically,
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after posting that column online for The Manchester Enterprise, the
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reaction to it became a perfect example of the very
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point I was trying to make. Some readers interpreted the
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column as support for an individual accused of sexually assaulting
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a child. Let me be crystal clear, nothing could be
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further from the truth. I have never supported child abuse,
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sexual abuse, or anyone accused of harming a child. I
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never will. The column wasn't about that particular case. It
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wasn't about any case at all. It was a broader
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discussion about perception and how people often view the same
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information through completely different lenses. Yet some readers connected the
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two and reached a conclusion that was never intended. One
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of those readers happened to be a family member of
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the alleged victim. After seeing the reaction, I reached out
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directly to her. We exchanged several messages and talk through
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what I had written and what I had meant By
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the end of the conversation, she understood that she had
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misinterpreted the column. To her credit, she publicly acknowledged the
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misunderstanding and made a post explaining herself. That deserves recognition.
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In today's world, admitting a mistake is rare. Social media
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has become a place where people often doubled down rather
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than step back. Many would rather continue arguing than admit
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they may have misunderstood something. It takes humility and character
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to say I may have read that wrong. I genuinely
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respect her for doing that. Unfortunately, even after that clarification,
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others continued trying to push the narrative that the column
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was somehow defending the accused or dismissing the seriousness of
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the allegations. That reaction only strengthened the point I was
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making in the first place. People didn't just interpret the
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column differently. Some continued believing their interpretation even after additional
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context was provided. They saw what they expected to see
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rather than what was actually written. That's the power of perception.
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We all do it at times. We bring our own experiences, emotions, biases,
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and assumptions into every conversation. Sometimes those things help us
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understand a situation. Other times they can cause us to
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see something that isn't really there. As a newspaper publisher,
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I understand that not everyone will agree with what I write.
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That's part of the job. Healthy disagreement is good. Different
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opinions are good. But before we react, before we share
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a post, before we accuse someone of something they never said,
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maybe we should all take a moment to ask a
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simple question. The truth is that the reaction to my
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perception column ended up being the greatest evidence that the
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column was right all along. Sometimes the best proof doesn't
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come from an argument. Sometimes it comes from watching the
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argument happen in real time. Our next article is titled
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Clay Natives Bringing Mellow Mushroom back to Central Kentucky. Two
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Clay County natives are helping bring one of the nation's
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most recognizable pizza brands back to central Kentucky. John and
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Whitney Bowling, who have roots in Clay County and now
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reside in London, are in the final stages of an
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agreement with Mellow Mushroom to develop three new restaurant locations
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in Lexington, Richmond, and London over the next several years.
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According to a release from parent company, eighteen fifty one franchise.
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The Bowlings plan to open the first location in Lexington
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by the end of twenty twenty six, followed by Richmond
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in the summer of twenty twenty seven and London in
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twenty twenty eight. The couple, who also own and operate
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a group of convenience stores and fuel station throughout the region,
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said they see tremendous potential for the popular pizza chain
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in central and eastern Kentucky. The Lexington location is expected
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to be the first step in the expansion effort. John
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Bowling said the city offers a strong customer base and
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a build in audience through the University of Kentucky. Lexington
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is a popular destination in Kentucky, particularly for shopping. Bowling
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said the city is home to the University of Kentucky
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and known for basketball as well as the Kentucky Derby.
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Lexington previously had a successful Mellow Mushroom location that served
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as a favorite among college students and locals alike for
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well over ten years. The community is looking forward to
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having it back. After Lexington, the Bowling's plan to expand
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into Richmond and eventually London, communities they know well through
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both business and family connections. We have work here and
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travel for our kids sports, so the area is a
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big part of our life. Bowling said. Richmond and London
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have the people and the drive. Richmond also has a
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big university there. I just look at them as great
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potential markets. Whitney Bowling said selecting the right location is
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one of the most important factors in the company's expansion plans.
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Our goal is to be where our target audience is at,
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she said. We aim to locate where our business can
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thrive and achieve great success. Due to time constraints, we'll
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need to end this article at this time. This concludes
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the reading of The Manchester Enterprise. Your reader has been
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Roger Hampurion. Now please stay tuned for continued programming and
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on behalf of everyone here at Radio. I thank you
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for listening and we hope you have a good day.