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Ashland Daily Independent - 4.1.26 · Eastern Kentucky Newspapers

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Speaker 1: We now turn to the Ashland Independent to bring you
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news from in and around Ashland and Boyd County. Your
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reader today is Jane. We begin with the edition dated
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March thirty first, twenty twenty six. As a reminder, radioized
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a reading service intended for people who are blind or
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have other disabilities that make it difficult to read printed material.
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Our first article church organ Jackson still feels sanctuary with
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music at age eighty eight, by Aaron Snyder of the
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Daily Independent. When Max Jackson first placed his hands and
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feet on the pipe organ, he was enthralled. Before leaving
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Ashland for college in the nineteen fifties, Jackson heeded advice
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from an organist at Wildwood Baptist Church. She said, I
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think you ought to familiarize yourself with the organ, Jackson recalled.
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She disclosed where she stored the key and told him
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to come mess around with it any time you want.
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I did that for a while, and she said, I
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think you're doing quite well. You should go down to
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the Presbyterian Church and take lessons, Jackson recollected. Jackson told
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William Holby, then minister of music at First Presbyterian in
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downtown Ashland, I enjoy this more than anything else I've
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ever done in my life. I think I want to
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be an organ major. He said, all right, I'll treat
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you like an organ major. Now, at age eighty eight,
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Jackson is back where he began. He has played an
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opening and closing number on the pipe organ virtually every
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Sunday for the last decade. In between, he helps on
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the piano to accompany the church choir. I started right
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here and came back home, Jackson said. Jackson played clarinet
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in the Ashland High School band under the tutelage of
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Carl Reeves, a fine fellow, good mus musician, and he
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was tough, Jackson said. Jackson also took clarinet lessons from
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Navy veteran in Huntington. Jackson studied music at Southern Methodist
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University and the University of Kentucky. He has degrees from
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both institutions, and he earned two master's degrees. Jackson was
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one of two people to apply to teach music at
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Ashland Community College in the nineteen sixties. The college hired
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Jackson because I had two master's degrees and the other
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guy had one, Jackson said, with a laugh. He taught
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at ACC now ACTC for thirty one years until retiring
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in nineteen ninety nine. All the while Jackson played pipe
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organ in various churches under different denominations. He was at
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Saint Paul's Lutheran in Ashland for sixteen years. At one
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point after he retired, Jackson's wife, Lois, found a job
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as a library in cherry Port Point, North Carolina, where
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he played in the Marine Corps air Station Chapel. He
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also played for Presbyterians in town for a few years.
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Upon returning to the area, Jackson handled organ duties at
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churches in Ireton and Ashland before coming back to First Presbyterian,
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a historic venue originally built in eighteen fifty eight. Jackson
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hasn't touched the clarinet in fifty years, and he never
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took to other instruments aside from the pipe organ and piano.
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I still get a great deal of satisfaction from it,
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Jackson said. Pulled to the pipes, as Jackson describes it,
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the piano is a percussion instrument, while the organ is
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a wind instrument. I love the quality of the sound
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and the way the organ plays, Jackson said. One of
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Jackson's favorite memories is seeing a historic organ at Fisk
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University in Nashiel. The instrument has an estimated value of
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two point five million dollars according to Fisk dot Edu.
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At First Presbyterian, he plays a nineteen fifty one model
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connected to pipes in two rooms on each side of
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the stage. Jackson does not play by ear. He reads music.
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He's always gravitated to church music. While his voice is
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now worn out, he said, Jackson spent many years singing too.
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At SMU, he was in a choral conducting program and
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took four semesters of voice. I enjoyed that, he said.
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I had no idea I could sing, but a good
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teacher showed me how. Those high quality instructors inspired Jackson
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to teach. He taught choral groups at the community college
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as well. Teaching remained in his blood, and he kept
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an eye out for potential organists. However, their few and
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far between, he said. Jackson has introduced the organ to
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one young man at First Presbyterian. He now plays at
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two different churches. Jackson said he's always been fairly healthy.
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He had artery blockage about fifteen years ago that required surgery.
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He always worried about his fingers and joints locking up,
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he said, because his mother had awful arthritis, but he's
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avoided it. The only thing I have is a little
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not on my finger, he said. Music is in the family.
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His youngest daughter, Sheryl Taylor, played bassoon in high school
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and college, and she earned a master's at Johns Hopkins
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in music. Jackson has three daughters, two grandchildren, and a
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great grandchild. He and his wife, Lois have been married
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for fifty four years. Our next article Protesters show for
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No King's rally in Russell by Aaron Snyder of The
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Daily Independent. Protesters concerned about losing America's democracy lying Dietrich
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Boulevard Saturday afternoon in Russell in hopes of bringing attention
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to problems for which they say the Trump administration is responsible.
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The No King's rally brought about one hundred and fifty
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five people on a chilly sunny day. It was one
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of a few in the area, as some made it
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a day of it, hopping from Ashland to Russell and
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then across the river to Ironton. Protests occurred across the country,
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drawing millions to express their resistance to immigration enforcement, the
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Iran war, rising cost of living and more. I hope
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more people see the urgency of what's happening in our
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country and stand up for our democracy, stand up for
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what people really need to have a healthy, fair chance
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for survival, said Brand Martin, chairperson of the Democratic Women's
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Club of Kentucky. Sam Perkins, organizer of the Russell gathering,
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said the purpose of Saturday's event was to be a
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united front to come out and show love for our country.
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The first such protest in Russell was April fifth, twenty
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twenty five, called Hands Off. We were really blessed because
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when this start, it was so great and we just
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went with it, Perkins said. We did it bi weekly
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at first, and they kept coming happy timing. Perkins said
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he was pleased with a turnout which highlights First Amendment rights.
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People have signs to show whatever they're passionate about, whether
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it's the LGBTQ community, veterans, medicare and medicaid, whatever, Perkins said.
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Dietrich Boulevard is highly traveled. Many vehicles honked as drivers
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and passengers waived and yelled in agreement with protesters, while
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others voiced disagreement and discussed as they passed by. Paula
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Bowling organized the Ashland protests, Saturday morning. She said the
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Ashland count was one hundred and fifty six. Everybody has
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been really peaceful, Bowling said, We're well behaved. Bowling said
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the main mission is for people to understand they're not alone,
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that we don't want to lose our democracy. Martin spoke
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specifically about a few issues, including the conflict in Iran.
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I'm not saying there aren't times for that, but you
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consult with Congress and you do it at the right
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time in the right way, not by bombing a school
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of one hundred and sixty people, which exposes us to
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more threat and revenge, Martin said, referring to the missile
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strike on the Menab school on February twenty eighth. With
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twenty twenty six marking America's two hundred and fiftieth anniversary
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of independence, Martin said, it's important to remember what Americans
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fault again in seventeen seventy six. We do not have
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a kingdom in this country, she said. We the people
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have a voice. We need to speak up in midterm elections,
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speak out and join together for our country. We need
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to put party aside and think about our future generations.
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For more information about no Kings and associated events and
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information visit no Kings dot org. In other news, protesters
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show Frankfurt boy on quest to make rescue animals Kentucky's
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official pet by Sarah Ladd of the Kentucky Lantern. When
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Ethan Branscombe was six years old, he saw on the
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news that Ohio had just declared rescue animals to be
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the official state pet. Even at that young age, he
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and his mom, Meish, regularly went to visit his local shelter,
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the Franklin County Humane Society, to take photos of adoptable
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animals and post them online. In Ohio, advocates hoped that
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having shelter pets honored in that way would drum up adoptions.
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I figured that that might be a good way to
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try and get these animals adopted in Kentucky, said Branscombe,
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now thirteen. His dogs, Hank and Dixie, are former shelter pets.
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While advocating at the capitol, the teenager is also busy
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looking out for animals around Frankfort, in particular making sure
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that unhoused people have food for their pets. In twenty nineteen,
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he wrote a letter to a former lawmaker, Representative Joe Gravis,
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who at that time was representing parts of Frankfort. Honestly,
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we weren't expecting to get a reply back or for
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it to get introduced, but he actually loved the idea,
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Branscomb said. In twenty right before Kentucky got its first
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COVID nineteen cases, House Built twenty seven made it through
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the House floor ninety to two, but failed to be
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heard in the Senate. Under that bill, all domestic cats
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and dogs that reside in or have been adopted from
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Kentucky animal shelters or rescue organizations are named and designated
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as the official pets of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Since then,
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lawmakers from both parties have filed the bill, but it
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has stalled COVID nineteen to rail the legislation. In some ways,
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I just haven't really been able to gain the traction,
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Branscomb said. He and his mom are hopeful this year
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will finally be the year Kentucky honors rescue pets. His
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bill has been tacked onto another piece of dog related
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legislation that is almost law Kentucky's official dog breed. For
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the past two years, Representative Erica Hancock, Democrat of Frankfurt,
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has filed Branscombe's bill, her House Bill one ninety three
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from this year, never got a committee hearing, but she
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has filed it as an amendment to another bill that
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is closer to the legislative finish line, which would designate
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Kentucky's official dog breed as the treeing Walker Coonhound. That bill,
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Senate Bill thirty seven, unanimously passed the House Agriculture Committee
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Wednesday and needs a vote on the full House floor.
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In February, it unanimously passed the Senate. Hancock filed the
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state pet language as an amendment to that bill, which
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will still need to be voted on. The American Kennel
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Club says the treeing Walker Coonhound is as Southern as biscuits, engravy,
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Magnolia trees, and William Faulkner Hancock stands on the floor.
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Sponsor Senator Robin L. Webb of Grayson said during the
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Wednesday committee that this is the only breed Kentucky can
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claim to have originated that is registered with the United
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Kennel Club and American Kennel Club. Webb said the bill
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is timely ahead of Kentucky's two hundred and thirty fourth
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birthday on June first, and told committee members Wednesday that
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there's just nothing more Kentucky than this. Hancock said, there's
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been no pushback on the bill that she filed this
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year and last other issues just had to take precedence
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over it. She hopes the House floor will vote on
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Webb's bill and her amendment before the veto period on
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April second. I think that there are definitely more high
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priority bills with affordability issues and housing issues and things
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that are really kind of heavy topics, Hancock said. But
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every now and then, when we get to pass a
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bill like this, it's a reminder that sometimes we need
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to take palls and find even the smallest thing that
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we can agree on, even if it's something as small
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as a state symbol. But you know, our state symbols
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bring us together. Her amendment would name and designate as
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the official pets of Kentucky domestic cats and dogs, both
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purebred and mixed breeds alike, that reside in or have
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been adopted from Kentucky animal shelters or rescue organizations. As
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Branscombe works to honor shelter pets at the state level,
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he keeps busy spending what his mom estimates is fifteen
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hours a week to help animals around Frankfort. This is
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even as Hank, his bull terrier, who is now eight
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years old, has terminal cancer. Through Ethan's Rescue Pet Project,
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he promotes adaptable animals online and is hoping to form
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a nonprofit to expand his work. He has an Amazon
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wish list people can donate pets, supplies and basic necessities
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for the humans who love them. He drops off the
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items he collects at various drop boxes around town, including
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one at his church, the Church of the Ascension Episcopal.
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He is especially passionate about getting supplies to unhouse populations
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around Frankfurt. Branscomb asks people to donate small items for
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easier distribution. We prefer the small bags just because if
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they're large, we have to break them down because most
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of the people that we are serving are unhoused, he said.
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And you can imagine how hard it would be to
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get from wherever you were camped out at how hard
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it would be to carry around twenty pound bag of
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dog food. A joy to watch, Branscomb will keep working
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to elevate shelter animals as Kentucky State Pets, and he's
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realistic about the slow nature of making law. It's politics.
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It can be extremely hard to get things past. He said.
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My hat goes off to anybody who's actually trying to
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get anything with actual legal implications other than just another
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line of code. On the Kentucky website, Hancock said, it's
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been a joy to watch Branscomb's advocacy, and I'm really
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proud of the work that Ethan's done in her If
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her amendment makes it into law this year, she said,
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it's not my bill, it's Ethan's. Moving on page raising
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funds for family after tragic loss. Several fundraising efforts are
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ongoing to help a family following a recent fatal house
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fire in Ashland, including a go Fundme page. Brooklyn Johnson, thirteen,
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died in a fire on Central Avenue on Tuesday, March
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twenty fourth. A relative launched a gov fund to help
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the family. The loss has left our family devastated and
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we are struggling to cope with the emotional and financial aftermath,
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the family member wrote. The funds will help cover funeral expenses,
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replace essential belongings, and help find a new place to live.
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Every donation will make a difference in helping them rebuild
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and heal during this incredibly difficult time. The family member wrote,
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thank you to the loving community for being so supportive.
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Your kindness and generosity mean more to us than words
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can express. Visit GoFundMe dot com and search support for
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family after tragic house fire. Recent obituaries Linda Catherine Brickey
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eighty four of Ashland, Chandas Ferguson eighty five of Ashland,
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David J. Laney seventy seven, formerly of Ashland, Loretta Johnson
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seventy one of Greenup, Janet McCarty eighty of Ktlitsburg, Cheryl
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Caldwell seventy nine of Ashland. In other news, repair affair
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set for May sixteenth, Ashland's twenty fifth annual Repair Affair
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is scheduled for Saturday, May sixteenth. If you were someone
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you know could benefit from assistance, submit a project application
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by Friday, April third. According to City Commissioner D. J. Rimer,
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eligible projects may include minor exterior home repairs such as
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wheelchair ramps, porch or stepped repairs, painting, yard clean up,
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accessibility improvements, and other small projects that help improve safety
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and quality of life. To qualify for assistance, applicants must
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be homeowners within the Ashland City limits who are elderly, disabled,
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or low income. Projects must be able to be completed
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safely by volunteers within the event time frame. Not all
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projects may be selected due to skill level or availability
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of volunteers. Applications are available at Ashland, ky dot gov
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or in person at the Community and Economic Development Office
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in the second floor of the city building. They can
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also be requested by calling area code six oh six
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three eight five three three one seven. This event is
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truly near and dear to my heart. Rhymer said. Year
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after year, this event reminds me just how strong and
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compassionate our community truly is. It's an incredible opportunity to
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come together, lend a hand, and make a real, immediate
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difference for our neighbors. Repair affairs started as a way
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to assist a handful of homeowners, it has become a
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tradition that brings together volunteers, local organizations, and city resources
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to complete critical home repairs for residents in need. Through
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this effort, countless homes have been made safer and more accessible,
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while also strengthening the sense of unity that makes Ashland
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so special, Rhymer said. Raymer said the city is calling
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on volunteers to step up and be a part of
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the effort. Whether you have construction experience or just a
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willingness to help, your time can make a lasting impact.
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Rhymer said volunteers should plant to gather at Central Park
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on the morning of the event for assignments and instructions
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before heading out to project sites. To keep everyone fueled,
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lunch will be provided for volunteers. In other news, body
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found in Carter County identified as missing woman. Cause of
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death has not been determined. Ks HE said the investigation
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remains ongoing. A deceased body found in Carter County on Tuesday,
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March twenty fourth has been identified as a missing woman.
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According to Kentucky State Police, Tessa Reeves, fifty, had not
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been seen since February fourteenth in Grayson. According to previous reports,
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Reeves was last seen at Baso's Pub on South Hoard
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Street in Grayson. Reeves was missing on February twenty third.
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KSP received a report of a body under a bridge
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along State Route seven near Gibbs Hardware in Carter County
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on March twenty fourth. Through investigative efforts, KSP reported authorities
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identified Reeves. Our next article, Good Friday service in Ironton.
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Ironton Area Ministerial Association will host the Good Friday Service
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at First method Church of Ironton. A light lunch with
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desserts will be served at noon. Seven local pastors will
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share scripture verses from Christ's seven Sayings from them across
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A worship service will feature beloved Easter songs. Speakers are
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Bernie Hensley of Saint Paul Lutheran, Brian Davis of First Methodist,
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Jane Jerrold's of First Nazarene, Jeff Cremenes of the City Mission,
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Isaac Glover of New Jerusalem Christian Center, Wayne Morris of
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the Catholic Community, and Yakabu Jackda of Coalgrove Methodist. Participating
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churches are providing finger foods, salads and desserts. For more information,
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contact Rob Hale at area code six oh six nine
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two three three five three eight. In other news, man
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gets fourteen years on child porn charges by Aaron Snyder
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of The Daily Independent, a six year sixty eight year
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old man entered a guilty plea and was sentenced on
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child pornography charges Thursday in Boyd County Circuit Court. Lawrence
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Wolfe was sentenced on ten counts of possession, viewing of
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matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor under twelve
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Class C felonies. Wolf was sentenced to fourteen years of incarceration.
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Each count entailed a five year sentence, with the exception
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of count three four years. Counts one, two, and three
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result in consecutive sentences, while the rest will run concurrent,
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bringing the total to fourteen years. Wolf must register as
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a sex offender, comply with five year post incarceration supervision,
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and comply with all education and treatment requirements by the
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Department of Corrections. According to the plea agreement, the defendant
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shall forfeit all items seized, including cash and contraband, to
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the Ashlan Police Department. Moving on Ashlan Mann indicted on
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trafficking possession by Aaron Snyder of The Daily Independent. An
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Ashland man in Boyd County's detention Center on a two
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hundred thousand dollars bond was indicted on trafficking and possession
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charges this week. Zachary B Bow, thirty one, was indicted
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on charges of first degree first defense, meth trafficking greater
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or equal to two grams, first offense, trafficking in car
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fentinyl or fentanyl derivatives, and first degree first defense cocaine possession.
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And indictment is not necessarily an indication of guilt. All
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individuals included in this roundup remain innocent until proven guilty.
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Zoey McGinnis nineteen, to Ashland, was indicted on the following
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charges second degree escape, tampering with prisoner monitoring device and
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theft by failure to make required disposition of proper valued
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between one thousand and ten thousand dollars. Ang M. Locke
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aka Angie Lewis, forty six of Ashland was indicted on
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charges of second degree escape, tampering with prisoner monitoring device,
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and theft by failure to make required disposition of property
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valued between one thousand and ten thousand dollars. Jason M. Wiper,
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forty six of Detroit was indicted on these charges trafficking
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in marijuana between eight ounces and five pounds, first degree
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possession of heroin, first degree possession of cocaine, and first
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degree possession of an unspecified drug. Matthew C. Bustetter, forty
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three of Ashland was indicted on the following charges, first
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degree fentanyl possession, first degree meth possession, drug paraphernalia by
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possess reckless driving, operating motor vehicle under the influence of
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controlled substance, expired registration receipt, failure to produce insurance card,
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rear license not illuminated, and operating vehicle with expired operator's license.
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Tiffany Joe Horn forty one of Saliersville was indicted on
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three counts of first degree promoting contraband, first degree possession
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of hydrocodone and third degree possession of an unspecified drug.
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James Meek twenty seven, of Ashland was indicted on a
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charge of failure to comply with sex offender registration. Letters Invited.
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The Daily Independent invites readers to submit in your view
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letters on public issues. Letters must not exceed three hundred
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words and must include the name, address, and telephone number
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of the author. Words of thanks. Letters are limited to
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no more than one hundred and fifty words. The Daily
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Independent cannot guarantee a day of publication for letters, but
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makes an effort to publish letters in a timely manner.
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The newspaper is not obliged to print every letter it receives.
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This concludes excerpts from recent editions of The Ashland Daily Independent.
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Your reader has been Jane On behalf of everyone here
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at radio. I thank you for listening, Keep on listening
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and have a good day.