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Ashland Daily Independent - 4.29.26 · 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 addition dated
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April twenty eighth, twenty twenty six, as a reminder radioized
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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 Opioid grant funds to save our programs,
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by Aaron Snyder of The Daily Independent. Boyd County jailer
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Bill Hensley received a batch of good news on Friday
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when he learned four hundred and twenty two thousand, two
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hundred and eighteen dollars of opioid abatement grant funds are
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coming the jail's way. Chris Evans, executive director of the
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Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, informed the jail it has
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been selected as a grant recipient. The Commission was impressed
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with your proposal and the level of commitment your organization
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has in addressing the drug epidemic. Evans wrote. The grant
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opportunity was extremely competitive. Evans wrote the Commission received nearly
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four hundred applications. Contracts are set to be finalized for
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a start date of July first, twenty twenty six. Judge
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Executive Eric Cheney shared the news on social media with
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this remark, this is what progress looks like. Grateful for
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the dedication of everyone working to make a difference in
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Boyd County and for the support that helps expand these
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life changing programs, wrote Hinsley. This recognition reflects the commitment
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we have made to providing meaningful programs that give individuals
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the tools and opportunities to break the chans of addiction,
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offering not just recovery, but a path toward employment, purpose,
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and hope. Hinsley thanked the jail staff members for their
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passion and daily investment in the people we serve. Hinsley
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told The Daily Independent Monday morning that the jail was
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struggling to retain crucial programs. They have been developed based
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on inmates' responses to Hensley when he asked them each
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holiday season, what are three things that would help them
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while in jail and three things that would help them
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get back on track upon release. For me, that's the
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frontline of events, Hensley said, referencing classes the inmates. Inmates
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can take in programs in which they can enroll while incarcerated.
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This will fund that with no taxpayer money. I'm real
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excited about it. It was a long process to get it,
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but it's going to save our programs. Hensley recognized the
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Fiscal Court and the following community partners Voices of Hope,
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Choices and Changes, Youth Homes, Incorporated Pathways, Local ASAP Board,
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Clay's Pharmacy and Comprehensive Correctional Care, Next Main Street, and
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Memories Grayson's fifty fifth annual Memory Day's returns by Brayley
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Boggs for The Daily Independent. A half century old tradition
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is returning to Grayson Memorial Day weekend, with Memory Dates
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set to take place May twenty first through the twenty fourth.
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The fifty fifth annual festival will feature headliners including Sunday
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Best and Jason Crabb, along with a variety of entertainment
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and activities throughout the weekend. I am thankful that the
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Grayson Chamber of Commerce has put the trust of Memory
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Days planning in my hands, said Michelle Boggs, who is
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serving her fifth year as the events coordinator, to say,
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we are super excited about Sunday Best taking the stage
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this year would be an understatement, she said. To keep
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the theme of remembrance, the Chamber chose Linda Webb as
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Grand Marshall. Web and her late husband, Doc Web were
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the founders of the well renowned camp Web in Grayson.
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The celebration highlights and supports small businesses in the area.
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Vendors will have the opportunity to showcase their products throughout
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the weekend, from handmade crafts to local food and drinks.
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Visitors can enjoy live music performances, carnival games, and family
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friendly activities. The parade will march down Main Street on
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Saturday afternoon, featuring marching bands, local organizations and businesses. Families
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and residents gather along the route each year to enjoy
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the atmosphere, drawing in thousands on one day alone. Lots
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of planning and preparation go into this amazing weekend, Boggs added,
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we cannot wait for more information about the upcoming event.
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Refer to the Grayson Memory Day's Facebook page or www
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Dot Grayson Chamber dot com. The next article, Russell says
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Goodmorrow with by Leeward of the Daily Independent, Jousting by
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the Riverside, and tea parties with Princesses brought out crowds
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between twenty eight hundred to thirty five hundred last weekend
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to celebrate fairy Tales in Russell. Diamond Lewis is a
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board member at Wander Russell, the city's tourism board, but
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this weekend he was grandpa escorting his grandchildren, ages three, five,
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six and seven through the two day medieval experience. The
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downtown had become. We really enjoyed it. We all dressed up,
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Lewis said, without a doubt. He said the horse carriage
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rides were the most popular offering drawing princes and princesses
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along with moms and dads and queens and kings. Every
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time we have carriage rides, that's the number one thing.
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Faith Wolf, director of Wander Russell, agreed, but had a
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few more observations. Everything catered to different people. She said.
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The Princess t party sold out within an hour of
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being announced. There were characters like Elsa, snow White and Glinda.
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There about seventy five kids participated. Jousting and sword fighting
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were our unusual sights in town and were very popular.
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She said. It was very interesting. Wolf said they were
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wearing real armor and they stayed in character. The whole time.
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Wolf said a venders market was well attended, food trucks
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sold out of their products. Local businesses stayed busy with shoppers,
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and the restaurant Ghostly Gourmet had customers lined up out
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the door. Eridanus Brewing set up a beer tent near
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the jousting and had the brewery operation as well. There
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also were workshops explaining some of the ins and outs
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of jousting and fighting. Wolf said the performances were provided
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by the company Solera the Land of the fire Born,
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which can be viewed at Kingdom Ofsolera dot net. Lewis
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pointed out the events were made possible because of the
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restaurant tax in Russell. He and Wolf said they will
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go over feedback they got from the event to continue
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to grow it and offer activities and events the community likes.
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The next event will be a Memorial Day drone show
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with more than two hundred drones lifting off at the
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edge to perform two fifteen minute shows on Sunday, May
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twenty fourth. Lewis said it will be the first drone
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show in the Tri State. In other news, Developers moving
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Forward after Rosebud Rezone by Aaron Snyder of the Daily Independent.
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Ashland's City Commission passed on second reading an ordinance to
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amend the zoning map to change the classification of the
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Rosebud Mobile Home Park property on Beach Street. It will
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go from single family residential medium density to planned unit development.
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This move essentially authorizes rezoning for the purpose of a
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townhome development. The Commission unanimously voted in favor of rezoning.
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Just wanted to quickly thank you for this consideration and approval,
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said Brian Lubbock of DGBL four LLC, which owns the property.
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Catherine has been great to work with and everybody's been
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very receptive. It's made this process very easy. There's good
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opportunity for growth in this town and we are excited
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to be a part of it. Will bring nice new
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housing to the town. We appreciate your investment in Ashly,
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and Mayor Chuck Charles said. At a commission meeting earlier
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this month, a tenant voice concerns about the developer, and
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Sarah said there had been no effort in assisting tenants
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find a new location. They are leaving ten or fifteen
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families homeless. Melissa Preston said at the time agreed with
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the Commission's vote to allow rezoning. DGBL four LLC is
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primarily based in Fayette County. It has existed since twenty twenty.
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DGBL four LLC has owned the Rosebud property since March
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twenty twenty two, according to the County PVA Office. Moving On.
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Two women die after fire in Ashland. Two women died
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after suffering injuries in a house fire on Garfield Avenue
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Sunday morning. According to the Boyd County Coroner's Office and
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Ashland Fire Department. Ashland Fire responded to the residential structure
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fire at twenty four thirteen Garfield Avenue at six point
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fifty one am. AfD initiated an aggressive interior search while
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simultaneously attacking a well developed fire within the structure. According
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to her release from the fire department, within five minutes,
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firefighters located and removed both victims. Both victims were transferred
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to Boyd County EMS and then transported to UK King's
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Daughters Center, where they passed away. According to AfD, firefighters
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brought the fire under control at seven twenty two am.
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A portion of the first four collapsed into the cross
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space of the residents. According to AfD, the fire Department
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located zero operating smoke detectors in the home. Fire crews
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were on scene until eleven twenty seven am. Ashland Police,
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Boyd County EMS, Westwood Fire and Katlitsburg Fire assisted the
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Ashland Fire Department Sunday morning. AfD and APD are investigating
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the cause of the fire. According to AfD, there is
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no indication of suspicious activity the County Coroner's offices handling
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the death investigation. AfD extended its deep its condolences to
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the family and friends of the two victims. According to
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Boyd County Coroner Mark Hammond, toxicology testing was conducted and
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submitted for further analysis. As of Sunday afternoon, the identities
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of the decedents were being withheld pending notification of next
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of ken. The home was at twenty four thirteen Garfield Avenue.
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In other news, Greenup man indicted on trafficking in Boyd
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County by Aaron Snyder of The Daily Independent, a Greenup
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man facing a drug trafficking charge was indicted by a
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Boyd County grand jury last week. Joseph D. Howe, twenty six,
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was indicted on a charge of first degree fentanyl trafficking
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how is the Boyd County Detention Center on one hundred
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thousand dollars cash bond. An indictment is not necessarily an
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indication of guilt. All individuals accused remain innocent until proven guilty.
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The following were also indicted by grand jurors this week.
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James Prater, forty six of Ashland was indicted on charges
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of first degree meth possession, first degree fentanyl possession, disregarding
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a stop sign, and operating on a suspended revoked operator's license.
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Brittany N. Woodell thirty of Catletsburg was indicted on a
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first degree fentanyl possession charge. Steven M. Fox forty nine
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of Ashland was indicted on charges of impersonating a peace
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officer and falsely reporting an incident to law enforcement. Joshua
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Seth Riley, forty two of no listed address was indicted
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on these charges public intoxication controlled substance excludes alcohol, resisting arrest,
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second degree fleeing, evading police on foot, and first degree
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meth possession. Justin T. Weber thirty two of Galloway, Ohio
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was indicted on charge of first degree possession of fentanyl.
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Christopher Riddle, forty of Ashland was indicted on the following charges, menacing,
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resisting arrest and first degree meth possession. Samantha kay Braden
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forty seven of Flatwoods was indicted on these charges, careless
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driving and first degree meth possession. Lois Henry fifty three
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of Ashland was indicted on a charge of first degree
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meth possession. Jacob Lee McLoone thirty seven of Ashland was
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indicted on charges of first degree meth possession and second
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degree possession of an unspecified drug. Justin Newman forty six
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of Katletsburg was indicted on a charge of first degree
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possession of opiates. Charles Griffith fifty three of Ashland was
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indicted on charges of first degree meth possession, operating on
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suspended revogue license, and careless driving. News in Brief Basket
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Bingo will be next week. Vintage Lungaburger basket Bingo will
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be May seventh at the Boyd County Cooperative Extension Office,
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twenty four to twenty Center Street. Doors will open at
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five thirty pm and games will begin at six pm.
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Attendees can get twenty games for twenty dollars pay at
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the door. Door Prizes Raffle baskets and fifty to fifty
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are planned. The meal will be hot dog, chips, dessert
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and drink for five dollars. The Boyd County Homemakers raise
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money to support community projects including County four h Clubs,
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Ashland and Boyd County FFA Programs, Kentucky Honor Flight, two
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Hearts Pregnancy Center, Boyd County and Ashland School Programs, Reese
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Across America, and Boyd County Resource Center. Church announces annual
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yard sale. Kilgore Community Church's annual yard sale will be
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from eight am to two pm Friday. Hot Dogs and
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baked goods, clothing, and miscellaneous items will be for sale.
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The church is at one four six three zero, Kentucky
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eight fifty four. There's a Mother's Day Market planned. An
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afternoon of shopping, music, and community connection is set for
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eleven am to two pm May ninth at morning Point
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Senior da Living. The outdoor event will feature more than
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forty local vendors offering a wide variety of items from
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handmade goods and accessories to sweet treats and unique gifts.
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Food trucks and live entertainment will round out the experience.
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The market is designated to give the community a chance
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to slow down, stroll and find something meaningful for the
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mothers in their lives, while also supporting small businesses from
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the surrounding area. Proceeds will support the morning Point Foundation,
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whose mission is to advance the care and strengthen the
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delivery of senior services. Morning Point is at one thousand
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Addington Drive. For more information or vendor inquiries, call area
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codes six O six nine, two two, one one eight.
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Five attorneys recognized by Suit Lawyers The Super Lawyers released
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their twenty twenty six directory today. In five Jenkins First
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Maker attorneys have been recognized. They are Stephen J. Golder
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Business and Corporate law, Lee Murray Hall Insurance coverage Law,
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Robert H. Bow Sweeney Construction litigation law, Jason Bowles named
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a Rising Star in Personal Injury General Defense, and Stephen P.
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Turner named a Rising Star in Construction Litigation Law. It's
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an honor to know that our attorneys are recognized for
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their hard work and outstanding results. We're proud of all
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the members of our team and this honor is an
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endorsement of our focus on the work we do with
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our clients. Steven Wellman, CEO and Managing member of The
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firm said, Jenkins First MAKERLC provides representation in West Virginia, Kentucky,
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and Ohio. The firm celebrated its one hundredth year in
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twenty twenty three. Clients can find attorneys dedicated to quality, DTL,
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detail oriented representation in business and commercial law, wills, trusts
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and estates, litigation, and labor and employment law. Moving on,
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the laundry Rack opens in Ashland. A new laundromat celebrated
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its opening within Northeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting
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on Friday morning. The coin free establishment, called the Laundry Rack,
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is at twenty three twelve thirteenth Street in Ashland. Founded
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in twenty twenty two, the regional chain now has nine locations.
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This is the first in Kentucky. A local family opened
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the first laundry rack in Keova, West Virginia, in twenty
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twenty two. It now has locations in East Huntington, South Charleston, Milton,
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Saint Albans, Fairmont, Weston, Morgantown, Canova, and now Ashland. We've
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been so grateful for the support we've received across West Virginia,
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and expanding into Ashland feels like a natural next step,
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said Chris Waters, general manager of the Laundry Rack. Our
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community deserves a laundromat that's clean, modern, and actually enjoyable
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to visit. We've built something here that we're really proud of,
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and we can't wait to welcome Ashland through our doors.
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The new laundromat requires no quarters, all machines except debit cards,
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credit cards, and the company's reloadable loyalty cards. For convenience,
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The laundry Rack features new, state of the art commercial
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washers and dryers. According to a news release, speed Queen
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machines are fast, reliable, and built to handle everything from
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everyday loads to bulky items. The laundry Rack is fully
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staffed with attendants who are friendly and knowledgeable. According to
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the release, machines feature touchscreen displays. The area also includes
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free Wi Fi, free parking, large HDTVs, comfortable seating, folding areas,
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and twenty four to seven video surveillance. In addition to
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self laundry, the Laundry Rack will soon offer wash, dry
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and fold pickup and delivery service. Visit the Laundryreck dot
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com or call area code eight eight eight nine three
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three three three five zero for more information. In your view,
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Fiscal Court makes correct call. Hats off to Judge Executive
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Eric Cheney and our Boyd Fiscal Court for not jumping
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to a knee jerk reaction to the request to sign
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a resolution from the Creek Don't Rise coalition. This group
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wants more scrutiny of rate increases from Kentucky Power beyond
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what's already in place with our state Public Service Commission.
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None of us likes rate increases, but facts are the
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power company has been dealt several blows the last twenty years,
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with a loss of industrial customers just look at Boyd
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and Greenop Counties and a large loss of residential customer base,
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not to mention the loss of the coal industry south
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of us. Like Judge Cheney said, you can see Kentucky
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Power's problem if you look closely enough. The Fiscal Court
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also correctly noted the solution to the problem is to
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look forward, not cry about past events that cannot be changed.
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The solution is economic development and tourism growth. In simple terms,
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we must not forget Kentucky Power is among our region's
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largest employers and it is based right here in Ashland. Again,
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thanks for our wise leaders in the Boyd County Fiscal Court.
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You all are often faced with difficult decisions, and we
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only wish that you continue to weigh each one carefully.
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Submitted by Paul Amber Amberghee of Ashland. Recent obituaries Michael
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dale Vance eighty one of Raceland, Robin Armstrong sixty eight
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of Ashland, Michael Zorn's formerly of Olive Hill fifty five,
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norbert A. Michaeh Lack formerly of Ashland ninety and Greg
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Carney sixty seven of Ashland. Next former tire shop site
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maybe future farmer's market by Aaron Snyder of The Daily Independent.
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The site of what was once one of Ashland's oldest
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businesses is set to be transformed into a proposed farmer's market.
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Ashland's City Commission approved upon first reading Thursday, and ordinance
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to allow the city to purchase property at fifteen four
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forty Carter Avenue for one hundred and seventy five thousand dollars.
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The purchase will utilize American Rescue Plan Act funds. Jane
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Jackson Tire Company was at the location for decades until
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it closed in late twenty twenty. The business began as
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a tire store in nineteen forty seven, when Gene Jackson
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sold tires for General Tire and Rubber in Huntington and
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opened a store on Seventeenth Street. It was when Wirtz
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Brothers garage. Years later, Jackson was approached by Ashland Oil,
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which offered him the chance to operate one of its
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service stations. He then opened the store on Carter Avenue.
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When Jean Jackson Tire Company closed in twenty twenty, Steve Jackson,
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Jean's son, owned it. He had just four employees at
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the time of closure. Steve Jackson had been the owner
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in operation since the late nineteen seventies. The property has
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seen little to no activity for five plus years. I'm
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excited to see the potential of a farmer's market, Commissioner D. J.
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Reimer said, and it's going to cover two things, getting
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rid of a nysore. Mayor Chuck Charles said the vote
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was unanimous, but Commissioner Sonny Martin abstained because the Martin
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Wheeler and Vincent Law firm is adjacent to the property.
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According to the fiscal year twenty twenty six budget, five
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hundred thousand dollars of ARPA money will be budgeted toward
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the structure. Charles told The Daily Independent. He envisions and
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open air building that could be used year round for
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various purposes, in addition to a farmer's market. Next, public
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invited to participate in Ashland Street Survey. A public online
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story map and survey are available to provide residents with
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information on the Greenop Avenue US twenty three Corridor study
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in Ashland. According to a news release, this planning study
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is being conducted to identify and evaluate potential concepts to
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improve safety, mobility and capacity along Greenop Avenue and adjacent
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routes including Winchester Avenue east of Eighteenth Street. The survey
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is live until May fourth, twenty twenty six. Input collected
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from the community will be an important part of the
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decision making process. This concludes excerpts from recent editions of
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the Ashland Daily Independent. Your reader, husband Jane on behalf
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of everyone here at radio. I thank you for listening,
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Keep on listening and have a good day.