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Licking Valley Courier - 2.6.26 · Eastern Kentucky Newspapers

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Speaker 1: We now turn to the Licking Valley Courier to bring
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you news from in and around West Liberty. Your reader
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today is Janice. We begin with the addition dated Thursday,
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February fifth, twenty twenty six. As a reminder, RADIOI is
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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 Morgan County High School boys basketball.
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A spectacular debut. Aiden Barker scores forty six as Morgan
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beats Rowan in double over time. Asher Gamble finishes with
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thirty one, highlighted by his one thousandth career point by
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David Patrick. Aiden Barker had been waiting patiently for his
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opportunity to play high school basketball in the twenty twenty
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five twenty sixth season. He enrolled academically at Morgan County
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High School in the spring of last year, but his
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athletic eligibility was put on hold, and after many months
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of waiting, Aiden and his family pardon Me, finally received
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the wonderful news from the Kentucky High School Athletic Association
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on January twenty second that he was eligible. Of course,
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what followed was a winter storm that forced the postponement
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of more than a week's worth of games. But when
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the roads were cleared enough to get to Morehead and
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basketball resumed on Saturday, what Barker did on the basketball
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court instantly became the scuff of stuff of legends. The
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talented junior unleashed almost a year's worth of stored up
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basketball talent, hitting fifteen field goals, seven of those being
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three pointers, on his way to a remarkable forty six
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point performance, camped by the game winning basket to lead
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Morgan County to a ninety seven to ninety five double
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overtime win against longtime rival Roland County. The point total
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was only one shot of Doug Jones' school record of
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forty seven points that has stood since the early nineteen seventies.
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For Aiden's head coach, the game was beyond special. Seeing
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Aiden out there with his teammates brings me pure joy.
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Rhees Griffith said, given the year he's had and to
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return to the court with a game like this was
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straight out of a story book. When the first few
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shots fell, I realized that the long wait was worth it,
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Barker said, Being able to celebrate with my teammates after
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a big win like this makes me grateful for the
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amazing supportive community that I came into. Barker wasted no
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time in making his presence known as he assisted on
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the Cougar's first basket, a Grayson Hampton layup, before hitting
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back to back three pointers in lane ass then a
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minute to tie the game at eleven. Barker then drove
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baseline for a bucket prior to finishing fast break with
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the layoup courtesy of an Asher Gamble steal as Morgan
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trailed by five twenty three to eighteen after one quarter.
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Barker was credited two baskets via the goal in call
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early in the second period that Gamble brothers Asher Engage
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kept the Cougars close with three pointers before Barker hit
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his third tray of the opening half to pull Morgan
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within one seven thirty seven to thirty six with less
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than a minute to go. The home team would take
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a thirty nine to thirty seven lead to the halftime
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locker room. The entire second half and the overtime that
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followed were filled with clutch baskets by both teams. Asher
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Gamble scored the Cougars basket of the third quarter a
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twenty five foot three pointer from the right wing to
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reach the one thousand point milestone in a show of sportsmanship.
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Rowland County immediately paused the game as fans from both
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teams gave the Cougar point guard a standing ovation while
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being presented the game ball. It felt really good knowing
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that all that hard work and many hours that had
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spent in the gym had paid off with his career accomplishment,
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Gamble said. With Aiden scoring forty six and me getting
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my one thousandth point, it made it a special moment
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for all my teammates and the Cougar Nation fans. Barker
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then gave Morgan County the lead forty three to forty one,
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with a left wing three at the five minute fifty
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two mark following an eight to zero run by the Vikings.
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Barker scored again with a basket in one Amble buried
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consecutive threes to put Morgan up fifty seven to fifty
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five before Rowan County's Cameron Cross delivered a contested three
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at the buzzer to give Rowen a fifty eight to
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fifty seven advantage heading into the fourth. The teams combined
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an insaying seventy seven points in the final quarter and
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two overtime, triggered by baskets by Parker, Trustee Barker, Cross,
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and Asher Gamble. Barker scored the Cougars final eight points
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of regulation, including two to three pointers. As the teams
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were tied at eighty headed to the first extra period,
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Barker hit a three ball in a mid range jumper
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to give Morgan and eighty five to eighty two lead.
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Early overtime, Cross, who finished with a team high twenty
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five points for Rowen, fouled out with one minute and
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eighteen seconds remaining, but still Viking six men Grant Rose
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and freshman Bentley Barnett wheeled the Vikings to an eighty
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eight all tie to force yet another extra period. However, Asher,
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Gamble and Barker were clutched in the second overtime, with
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Gamble scoring seven points, highlighted by a basket in one
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with forty three seconds remaining to give the Visitors a
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ninety five to ninety three lead. After Rolling tied it,
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Barker was simply not going to be denied, driving the
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lane and scoring a layup to beat the buzzer for
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a ninety seven to ninety five double overtime win. The
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night belonged to Aden Barker and Asher Gamble, who combined
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for seventy seven points, highlighted by a thirteen three point baskets.
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As a team, the Cougar hit seventeen of thirty seven
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in forty six percent with a deep long will, an
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impressive of eighteen of two eighty one percent at the
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free throw line, of nine of eleven coming from Barker.
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For good measure, Aiden added nine rebounds in six assists
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while playing thirty nine minutes. Morgan's victory was even more
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impressive considering Rowan had doubled. I had four double figure scores,
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with Rose twenty two points, Barnett nineteen points, and Drew
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Eppling seventeen points. Barnett hauled down a game high ten rebounds,
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plus the Vikings easily dominated the points off the bench
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twenty two to five and points in the paint in
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the paint forty six to twenty eight. The game marked
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the second time this season that Morgan eclipsed the ninety
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point mark, with the first coming of December ninth, with
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a ninety three to sixty seven home court win over Prestonburg.
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Our next article is DAV Chapter one thirty two to
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hold meeting Friday, Morgan County. DAV Chapter one thirty two
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will hold its regular meeting on Friday, February sixth at
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seven pm in the Morgan County Fiscal Court Room. We
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will discuss upcoming officer nominations, Community Impact Day, and a
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Memorial Day church activity. All veterans are welcome. Hope to
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see you there. Our next article is e KCC death
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garner's attention from statewide media outlets. Governor W. L Ex
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speaks to Margaret Knuckle's sister and coroner Sean Vancleeve. Kentucky
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Justice Public Safety Cabinet provides additional incident details by Miranda M. Cantrell.
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The passing of an Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex e KCC
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inmate has garnered the statewide attention admited questions regarding the
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circumstances of his death. According to the initial press release,
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which was published in last week's Courier from the Kentucky
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Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, Marvin Knuckles died as a
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result of injuries sustained while removing snow in ice at EKCC.
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The Department of Correction states that a work crew of
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inmates was removing snow in ice debris on a facility
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grounds prior to the start of regular inmate movement when
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mister Knuckles fell and sustained a head injury. Staff immediately
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transported Knuckles to Appalachian Regional Hospital West Liberty, where he
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succumbed to his injuries this morning around seven point thirty
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a m. Eastern Standard time. This tragic incident is one
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that we worked to avoid each day as we protect
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those in our custody. Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary
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Keith Jackson said, we extend our deepest condolences to the
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family of mister Knuckles into the correctional staff. We will
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conduct a thorough review of this situation to better prevent
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this from happening again. The release provided no additional information
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about the incident. Following the announcement of Knuckle's death, his
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sister Rita Alexander voiced concerns to w LAX about the
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details that were provided to her large larger by coroner
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Shan Van Cleeve. Alexander said that Van Kleeve had told
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her that Knuckles had fallen over a forty foot embankment.
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Van Cleve confirmed to w l e X that Knuckles
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fell in the vicinity of a steep embankment near the
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prison entrance before he was transported to Morgan County ar Age.
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Alexander stated to w l e X that she believed
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her brother's death to be the result of neglect on
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part of the prison. The Justice and Public Safety Cabinet
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released additional details regarding Knuckles's death on January twenty ninth.
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As per report from WKYT, the cabinet says Knuckles was
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assigned to the EKCC Minimum custody Outside Detail unit based
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on good behavior, where he was given opportunities to assist
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with special assignments. They say that when staff requested volunteers
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to assist assist with ice removal for the midnight shift,
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Knuckles volunteered. Officials say that the incident was reported to
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the KSP and an autopsy is pending. They are also
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conducting a full review to determine whether all related policies
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and procedures were followed. Governor Andy Bursheer also addressed the
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situation during a January twenty ninth press conference. What I
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want to make sure is that the full truth come
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out and that we fully trans that were fully transparent.
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The sheer said, decisions made good bad deserve to be
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seen by that family and by everyone else. Nichols was
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serving a twelve year sentence for a drug related charges,
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including trafficking of a control substance, possession of control substance,
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and tampering with physical evidence out of Madison County. Our
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next article is Judge gives an update on roads and
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addresses concerns. Schools in Morgan and all surrounded counties remained
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closed due to the icy road conditions as of Tuesday.
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Editor's note. Judge Executive Jim Gayze addressed several issues regarding
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road clearing efforts following winter Storm Fern in February. Second
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posting of the Morgan County Judge Executive's office Facebook page,
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Judge gay Ze responded to recent concerns and criticisms circulating
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on social media regarding the continued icy road conditions and
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road department operation in the storm's aftermath. Snow and ice
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that fell during the storm, along with the bitterly cold
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temperatures that followed, forced the closures of numerous schools, churches,
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government offices, and Pardon Me and businesses throughout the state
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last week. As the February third, schools in Morgan and
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all surrounding counties of Elliott, Johnson, Lawrence, macgoffin, Melopee, Rowan,
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and Wolf remained closed due to the icy road conditions.
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Judge Gaisy's Facebook Facebook post regarding winter Storm Fern is
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as follows, February second, Good Morning, Morgan County. I wanted
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to take a moment to update everyone on the aftermath
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of the winter Storm Fern and its impact on our community.
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This storm has been one for the books, dumping more
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ice than anticipated across the county and creating some serious
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challenges for our dedicated road crews. First, the rainfall leading
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up to the freeze played a big role in the
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flash freezing. What started as rain quickly turned into a
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thick layer of ice. As temperatures plummeted, roads became treacherous
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almost overnight. Our crews have been out there working hard.
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Operating vehicles in these conditions come with several risk slippery surfaces,
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poor visibility, and the constant threat of accidents. These folks
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are putting their safety on the line to keep us moving.
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Plows just aren't built to handle this volume. Of ice
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that can scrape the surface, but removing it all is
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a battle. Even our graters are struggling to chip it
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away it is. It's important to note that removing all
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the snow and leaving just the ice sheet actually makes
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the roads more dangerous as it eliminates any natural traction.
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All state road manuals instruct road crews to leave some
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snow on the surface for better traction where possible. I've
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heard some folks asking, while we don't enlist local farmers
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and their tractors to help out like we did some
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years ago. While that was a common practice in the past,
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these days state r s krs Kentucky revised statues, regulations, codes,
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and liability concerns make it unfeasible farmers could be put
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to a great liability. According to the Kentucky Farm Bureau's
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Farm Vehicle Regulations Booklet, based on federal regulations in forty
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nine CFR Three ninety point five, a covered farm vehicle
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is as defined as a straight truck or an articulated
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vehicle a registered in a state with a license plate
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or other designation issued by the state of registration that
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allows law enforcement officials to identify it as a farm
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vehicle B operated by owner or operator of a farm
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or ranch, or employee or family member of an owner
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or operator of a farm or ranch. C used to
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transport agricultural commodities, livestock, machinery, or supplies to or from
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a farm or ranch, and D not used in four
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higher motor carrier operations. Snow removal on public roads doesn't
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qualify under this definition. Farmers insurance policies typically do not
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cover them for all activities on government roads, except for
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farming applications. Additionally, they would lose key exemptions for operating
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on highways, potentially requiring commercial driver's license, additional registrations, and
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specialized insurances. Having them plow roads would leave them exposed
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to significant personal liability in cases of accident, damage, or injuries.
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Under the KRS three four thirty nine, all motor vehicles
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operated in Kentucky must carry minimum liability insurance, but standard
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farm policies often exclude non agricultural commercial activities like this.
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We simply can't put our farmers in that position. Adding
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to the mix is a statewide shortage of salt. I'm
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grateful that the KYTC District has stepped up and provided
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us with a knife to tide us over the over
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until our next delivery. Our road salt bends were completely
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full heading into the storm, and we managed to secure
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two additional deliveries through only about half of what we ordered.
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In just five days, we've gone through over two hundred tons,
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which is highly unusual for our county. For perspective, Lexington
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typically uses one thousand to fifteen hundred tons per per event,
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but for Fern they've already burned through over three thousand,
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five hundred tons. Our District ten has probably used nearly
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three times that amount. It's been that intense. Looking to today,
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will have four contracted graders available plus our own county
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graders to tackle the remaining ice. With temperatures finally creeping
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above twenty degrees, we're hopeful this combo will make a
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real den, especially before the next weather system rolls in.
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Our utility companies deserve a huge shout out for keeping
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the lights on, water flowing in, our internet and TV
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services running without major interruptions. That's no small feet in
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a storm like this. Additionally, a big thanks to our
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first responders, including our volunteer fire departments, EMS, law enforcement
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Morgan County as say our team and the Red Cross
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who were on standby to help with shelters if needed,
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among others. Their readiness and quick actions have been crucial
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in keeping everyone safe. On the administrative side, we didn't
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miss a beat in keeping county operations going. Thanks to
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tech upgrades and apps, the Judge's office has the flexibility
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to handle our work from anywhere, allowing us to keep
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unessential employees safe at home while ensuring the county runs smoothly.
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I am in communication with my staff numerous times daily
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using these apps. I know this has been an incredible
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frustrating time for many of you. Power outages, school closures,
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and passable roads aren't easy, but please remember this wasn't
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a normal weather event. It's been extreme. I'm also grateful
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that we were not impacted as severely as the people
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in Tennessee. Our road crews have given it. They're all
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working tirelessly in brutal conditions. I've seen a lot of
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the Facebook comments out there, and while I understand the frustration,
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I want to gently remind everyone that those words can
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really impact our crew's morale and their families who sit
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at home worrying about their husbands, brothers, cousins and loved
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ones out there on those icy roads. Let's support each
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other through this. If you see a crew member or
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county employee, give them a wave or thank you. Stay safe,
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Morgan County, We've got this. Jim Gazy, Judge Executive. Our
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next article is new troopers are assigned to more Head Post, Frankfort, Kentucky,
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January thirtieth. Today, the Kentucky State Belize KSP announced the
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graduation of thirty two candidates from the KSP Training Academy,
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marking the start of their careers as state troopers serving
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communities throughout Kentucky. During the graduation ceremony, KSP Commissioner Philip Burnett,
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Junior commented the graduates for their determination their resilience throughout
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the academy. Six of the new troopers have been posted
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to KSP Post A Morehead. The new troopers are Noah
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Hardin from West Liberty, William Carver from Morehead, Matthew D.
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Dungan from Williamsburg, Jace Fugate from Jackson, Caleb Sloan from Beattyville,
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Alexander Wipins from Jackson. KSP Post eight covers Bath, Elliott Fleming,
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Lewis Mason Menafee, Morgan, Montgomery, Powell, Rowan, and Wolf Counties.
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Our next article is Gateway Area Agency on Aging Independent
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Living to host public hearing on Wednesday, February eighteenth. The
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Gateway Area Agency on Living and Independent Living, the GAIL,
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will hold a public hearing to receive comments of the
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proposed FY twenty twenty twenty seven through twenty twenty nine
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Area Plan on Aging on Wednesday, February eighteenth, twenty twenty six,
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at one thirty pm at the GAD main office, one
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ten Lake Park Drive, Moorheads, Kentucky. This plan outlines services
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and priorities for older adults, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities
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in Bath, Menafee, Montgomery, Morgan, and Rowan Counties. All interested
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individuals are encouraged to participate. Input gethered during the review period,
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which ends February twenty seventh, twenty twenty six, and at
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the public hearing will help shape services and priorities for
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older adults and individuals with disabilities across the Gateway Region.
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Our next article is Castle named to Dean's List at
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University Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Tanisha cass So, Morgan County, Kentucky's
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student from Canell City has been named to the University
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of Alabama's Dean List for Fall semester twenty twenty five.
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A total of fifteen thousand, three hundred eighty eight students
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enrolled during fall semester twenty twenty five at the University
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of Alabama were named to the Dean's List with an
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academic record of three point five or above. Our next
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article Regular Morgan County Fiscal Court Meetings fourth Thursday of
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the month. Monthly meetings of the Morgan County Fiscal Court
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are held on the fourth Thursday of each month at
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sixty m at the County Government Building located at four
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point fifty Prestonburgh Street. All meetings are open to the public.
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Jim Judge, Executive Jim Gaysey and the magistrates encourage all
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citizens to attend. Our next article is local students are
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named to Warhead State University's Dean West Moorehead State University
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recently released the fall twenty twenty five deans lists. To
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qualify for the Dean's List, students must have completed at
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least twelve undergraduate credit hours and earned a three point
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five credit GPA or hire for the fall semester Morgan County.
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Residents named to the Dean's list include Alexandria Parks, Brady
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Lane Atkins, Christian Luke Bowman, Travis Logan, Jenkins, Austin k Schuck,
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Jenna Caroline Hampton, Hailey Ann, Any, Carson ham, Abby Ann Allen,
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Bobby mana Moamah, John Mason, Muckley, Terry, Lasha Wireman, Gracie Fay, Spencer,
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Cody Adams, Dagna, Elijah Watham, Frederick Joshua Griffith, Caitlin Raschelle Witt,
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Philip Arthur, Tackett, Hannah Gracewitt, Casey, Marie Montgomery, Cameron Blake, Thornsbury, Jenna,
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Elaine Wright, Caden Blaze, Baskin Madison, Alexandra Hoskins, Christy Lynn Havens,
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Grace Lynn Lewis, Sarah Ann Payton, Kada's Brooks, Shasha Braden Williams,
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David Gullett, A Kaylav josh Lyn Fannon, Cameron isay A Bamble, Kirby,
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Matthew Likins, Makaela Nicole Ferguson, Alisa Hope, Smith, Logan, Matthew Cantrell, Kennedy,
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Madlin Pelfrey, Dakota, Gray Williams, Ken Lejoy, Treublue, Macy, Summer, Atkins, Angel,
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Lorraine Keimplin, Corbeth Hammonds, Jayshaun Delane Lewis, Susan Lane, Yeary Blake,
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Alexander Jenkins, John Clark, Gunnelle Alex Johnson, Armstrong, Madison, Lee, Anstarr, Cordell, Trey,
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Howard Low and Jeffrey Spencer eighthen A, James Lynes, Bringing,
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Madison Burg Cameron, Martin Hall, Jaden Donna Galvinski. Congratulations to
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all these students on their academic achievement. Our next article
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is EKCC names Haskins as employee of the month. Eastern
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Kentucky Cora Directional Complex has a recognized correctional officer, Gregory Haskins,
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as Employee of the Month for February twenty twenty six.
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Mister Hatkins has began his career in corrections at EKCC
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on February seventh, twenty twenty two, as a correctional officer
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and has been given a vital member of the employee's
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security staff, especially during the lockdown procedures. Said Warden Shawn Mackenzie.
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Mister Haskins has been going above and beyond completing tasks
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without being asked to do so and is always asking
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what he can do to help, said the warden. Mister
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Haskins has kept all the medical appointments on task and
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watching movements to ensure it all goes smooth and stays
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on schedule. He has maintained a positive attitude and shows
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a great deal of respect for all staff. Mister Haskins
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is always eager to help with movements and monitoring chow,
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and he has stopped several physical alterations while doing so.
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Mister Haskins is vital member of the EKCC team. These
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and many attributes make mister Haskins a very deserving recipient
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of the Employee of the Month Award for February twenty
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twenty six. Congratulations on the job well, John. This concludes
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excerpts from recent editions of The Licking Valley Courier. Your
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reader has been Janus on behalf of everyone here at
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radiois thank you for listening, keep on listening, and I
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hope you have a very good Dae.