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Manchester Enterprise - 7.3.26 · Eastern Kentucky Newspapers

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Speaker 1: Now we turn to the Manchester Enterprise to read news
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from and around Manchester. Your reader today is Jim Rice.
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We will begin with the addition dated July one, twenty
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twenty six. As a reminder, RADIOI is a reading service
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intended for people who are blind or have other disabilities
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that make it difficult to read printed material. First article,
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Couch enters plea agreement. A Clay County murder case that
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stemmed from the January twenty twenty four death of seventy
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seven year old Rufus Smallwood reached its conclusion Friday after
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a criminal mediation process resulted in a guilty plea in
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a twenty five year prison sentence. John Lee Couch was
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forty six, was formally sentenced Friday after pleading guilty to
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murder an attempted first degree robbery in connection with Smallwood's death.
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The sentence followed a criminal mediation conducted earlier in that
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day at the Clay County Judicial Center. The mediation included
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members of Smallwood's family, the defendant, and the defendant's counselor.
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Throughout the proceedings, Couch maintained that she acted in self defense.
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Following discussions facilitated by the mediating judge, the parties reached
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an agreement, an agreement that resulted in the guilty plea.
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During the sentencing hearing, Donnas Smallwood, daughter of the late
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Rufus Smallwood, delivered an emotional victim impact statement. She described
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her father as a kind and compassionate man who treated
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everyone with respect, and said his loss continues to leave
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a tremendous void in the family's lives. Quote. I miss
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having my father as the rock of our family unquote.
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She told the court. Couch had originally been indicted on
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charges of murder, first degree, robbery, first degree possession of
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a controlled substance, and possession of a handgun by a
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convicted felon. Evidence presented during an earlier preliminary hearing painted
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a detailed picture of the investigation. Kentucky State Police Detective
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Logan Gay testified, and investigators obtained surveillance video showing Couch
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getting into smallwoods truck earlier on January the fifth, twenty
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twenty four, in front of Cyber Grocery on horse Horst
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Creek off Kentucky eighty. Kentucky members later discovered Smallwood's body
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in a shallow creek on Crawfish after he failed to
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return repeated phone calls. Quote, we found an elderly man,
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Rufus Smallwood deceased in a shallow creek unquote, Gay testified.
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According to the detective, investigators recovered a handgun, a fixed
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blade knife, and a baseball bat at the scene. An
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autop topsy conducted by the Kentucky Medical Examiner determined Smallwood
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died of blunt forced trauma to the head and thirty
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two stab wounds. Investigators also found Smallwood's truck stuck on
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a dirt mound near the scene. His wallet was recovered
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approximately one hundred and seven seventy five yards from his body.
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No money was in his wallet, Gay testified. Witnesses told
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investigators Smallwood had approximately three thousand dollars in cash with
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him on the day of his death. Gay also testified
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the handgun recovered at the scene had been loaned to
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Couch by Bill and tef Tiffany Wombos. Although Couch initially
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denied being with Smallwood, Gay testified she later admitted during
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a law enforcement interview and recorded Joe jail phone calls
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that she had been involved in the altercation, but claimed
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she acted in self defense. The baseball bat found at
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the scene was identified by family members as belonging to Smallwood.
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Investigators further testified Couch walked to the a residence on
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Curry Branch following the incident and asked for a ride.
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Those individuals drove her to her home, where she reportedly
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told them she needed to clean up and change clothes.
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Friday's resolution came through the criminal mediation process, which differs
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from traditional plea negotiations by allowing victims and their families
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to directly participate in discussions regarding the resolution of a
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criminal case. During mediation, victims are given the opportunity to
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speak directly with the mediating judge, who then communicates any
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proposed resolution to the defendant for consideration. The ultimate decision
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to extend or accept a plea agreement is guided by
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the wishes of the victim. In the Commonwealth's attorney quote,
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justice looks different in every case, and in this one,
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it meant giving mister Smallwood's family the opportunity to be heard. Unquote,
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Commonwealth's Attorney Hailey joe Field said, quote, they showed tremendous
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strength throughout this process. Through criminal mediation, they were able
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to directly participate in the resolution of the case, and
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their wishes were central to the outcome. While nothing can
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erase the pain of losing Rufus Smallwood, I hope today's
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resolution brings them a measure of peace and closure as
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they continue to heal unquote next article police chase ends
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with tree crash. Wagers hits three tree fleeing police. Bear Branchman,
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a Baar Branch Man, was arrested after allegedly leading deputies
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on a vehicle pursuit that ended when his vehicle crashed
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into a tree on Gilberts Creek Road. According to the
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Clay County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Dustin Hinson attempted to conduct
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a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Billy Ray Wagers,
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fifty seven, of Bear Branch, but the driver failed to stop.
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Authorities said the pursuit came to an end when wagers
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vehicle left the roadway and collided with the tree on
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Gilbert's Creek Road in Clay County. Deputies were then able
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to take him into custody. Deputy Henson reported that Wagers
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did not possess a valid operator's license and exhibited several
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signs of impairment. Voting difficulty standing, slurred speech, bloodshot eyes,
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pinpoint pupils, in being unsteady on his feet. According to
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the arrest citation, Wagers consented to standardize field sobriety test.
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During the horizontal gaze the stigmas test, Deputy Henson observed
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six out of six clues of impairment, along with the
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presence of a vertical gaze the stigmas. During the walk
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and turn test, deputies reported Wagers was unable to maintain
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his balance during instructions, began the test too soon, stop
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walk walking, stepped off the line, and used his arms
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for balance. He reportedly exhibited five of eight clues on
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the test and was unable to complete the one leg
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stand test. Following the arrest, deputies searched the vehicle and
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allegedly discovered two glass pipes with burn marks commonly associated
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with smoking meth amphetamine in the drivers area. According to
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the citation, Wagers had admitted to using methamphittamine earlier in
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the day. After being advised of his miranda rights, Wagers
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was transported to advent Health Manchester, where he was read
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a requested blood tests before being lodged in the Clay
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County Detention Center. Wagers was charged with operating a motor
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vehicle under the influence of a substance, first offense, licensed
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to be in possession, no operators, mote slash moped license,
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and possession of drug paraphernalia. Deputies West Marker, Stephen Fisher,
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and Dustin Hinson assisted during the incident. As with all
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criminal cases, the charges against Wagers are allegations and he
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is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a
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court of law. Next article Feds and dyte smugglers Manchester
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Federal Correctional Institution FCI Manchester has been identified as one
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of ten federal prisons allegedly targeted in what federal prosecutors
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describe as the largest coordinated drone smuggling operation ever prosecuted
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in the United States. A federal grand jury in the
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Middle District of Georgia returned a seventeen count indictment charging
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twelve individuals in an alleged conspiracy to use drones to
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deliver drugs, cell phones, and other prohibited items into federal
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prisons across eight states. The indictment was unsealed June twenty fourth.
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According to prosecutors, the conspiracy operated from September twenty twenty
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three through May twenty twenty six, and involved at least
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thirty eight drone flights into federal correctional facilities, including FCI
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Manchester and the Federal Medical Center in Lexington. Federal authorities
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allege the defendants used six drones to transport methanphetamine, marijuana,
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synthetic marijuana in parentheses, kate slash, two seboxone cell phones, tobacco,
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and even saw blades that could be used as weapons
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or to facilitate escapes. Among those charged are Ira Christopher Jackson,
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forty two of Macon, Georgia, who Prosecute Computers describe as
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the alleged leader of the operation, and Kenna Middleton, forty five,
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of Making. Both face multiple federal charges, including conspiracy to
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provide contraband in prison and drug trafficking offenses carrying potential
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life sentences. Others charged include Leviticus Blash, Crystal Dunn, Jeff Richardson,
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Tysion Richardson, Glenn Middleton, Xavier Maxwell, James Phillips, and three
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Bureau of Prison's inmates allegedly involved in coordinating the deliveries
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from inside federal facilities. The indictment specifically alleges that Lametheus Douglas,
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a Bureau of Prison's inmate housed at both FCI Manchester
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and the Federal Medical Center in Lexington during the conspiracy,
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use contraband cell phones to coordinate drone drops at those institutions.
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Prosecutors also allege that inmate Aaron Hubbard coordinated drops at
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FCI Beckley in West Virginia, Robert Lee Wishby Junior, coordinated
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deliveries at FCI Memphis, and former inmate James Phillips helped
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arrange drops at multi both federal institutions, including FCI Jessup
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and f CI Talladega. According to court documents, the Bureau
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of Prisons employed a drone detection system capable of identifying
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the make, model, and identification number of drones operating near
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prison facilities. The system also tracked launch locations, flight paths,
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and altitudes, allowing investigators to document repeated flights into prison grounds.
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If convicted, several of the defendants face maximum penalties of
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life imprisonment. Federal officials emphasize that an indictment contains allegations only,
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and all defendants are presumed innocent unless in until proven
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guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Next article Fourth of July Celebration. Thunder on the Mountain
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City Fourth of July Celebration moved to Elk Mountain, Clay City,
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Clay County. A new tradition is taking shape this Independence
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Day as Clay County prepares to host its first ever
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county ride county wide Fourth of July celebration on Elk Mountain.
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The Thunder of the Mountain event will commemorate the two
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hundred and fiftieth anniversary of American Independence in marks the
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first time a major Independence Day celebration of this scale
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has been held outside of the city of Manchester. Organizers
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have planned a full day of activities on Saturday, July
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the fourth, combining families, entertainment, live music, a motorcycle rally,
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food vendors, a car show, and a fireworks display overlooking
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one of Clay County's most scenic locations. Activities will begin
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at two PM, when vendors open and registration begins for
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the Thunder on the Mountain Motorcycle Rally. Riders will depart
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at three PM for a scenic ride through the mountains
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of Clay County before returning to Elk Mountain. For the
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evening festivities. Families attending the event will find plenty to
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enjoy throughout the afternoon. Inflatable attractions will be available from
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two pm until eight pm, while a car show will
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run from two pm until five pm. Karaoke is scheduled
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from five pm until six pm. The evening entertainment lineup
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will feature several local and regional musical acts. A DJ
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will kick off the live music portion of the event
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from five pm until six pm, followed by My Finest
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Hour from six pm until seven pm. The popular regional
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group Red River George will take the stage from seven
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to thirty pm until eight thirty pm, before Deep South
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closes out the night beginning at nine pm. Organizers expect
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the combination of live music and fireworks to draw visitors
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from throughout southeastern Kentucky. The event is being sponsored through
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a partnership that includes the Clay County Tourism Commission, Manchester
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Tourism Commission, on NITA Tourism Commission, and Clay County Court,
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the City of Manchester in the Clay County Cruisers officials
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say the event is designed not only to celebrate the
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nation's two hundred and fiftieth birthday, but also to showcase
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Elk Mountain as a destination for tourism in outdoor recreation. Quote.
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This is more than just a fireworks show unquote, organizers said.
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Quote It's an opportunity for families from across Clay County
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and the region to come together and celebrate our nation's
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history while enjoying one of the most beautiful locations in kentuckyuote.
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The fireworks display is scheduled for dark and will serve
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as the grand finale to a day filled with music, motorcycles, food,
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family activities, and patriotic celebration. Organizers are encouraging residents to
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bring lawn chairs, spend the day on the mountain and
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take part in what they hope will become a new
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Clay County tradition. Thunder on the Mountain will take place Saturday,
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July fourth at Elk Mountain. Next article New life breathed
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into Old Jail. She's still a thing of beauty. Clay
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County's Old Jail was built in nineteen ten to nineteen
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eleven using handmade bricks manufactured at doctor j R. Bvirchull's
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brickyard on Greenbrier. Most items necessary for operating the jail,
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where purchase were purchased at Albert Langdon's General Store in
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downtown Manchester, including ten cups, dippers, washpans, blankets, mattresses and locks.
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During her term as jailer, Fanny Emore, who lived nearby,
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prepared food in her own home and carried hot mills
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to the inmates. The old jail operated until January nineteen
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seventy seven, when inmates were transferred to a modern facility
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on adjacent property. That same year, the old jail underwent
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a major renovation and for several years housed the Clay
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County Ambulance Service. From nineteen eighty five to two thousand
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and seven it was home to the Clay County Historical Society.
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Names of inmates and their quote time served unquote can
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still be seen on the walls of the upstairs sails.
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Cell doors and keys from the old jail are on
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display at the Clay We Were Museum inside the Clay
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County Historical Society in downtown Manchester. Recent renovation has restored
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the historic site to quote almost new unquote condition to
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enable it for modern use. The Old jail exterior renovation
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completed in twenty twenty two by the Clay Historical Society,
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the clayfyscal Court and Judge Executive Tommy Harmon added the
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original front entrance back with new windows and interior renovation.
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The building will be used as the headquarters for the
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county Emergency Management Services. Next article from the publisher's desk,
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Mark Hoskins. Be careful which closets you open. There's an
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old saying that people who live in glasshouses shouldn't throw stones.
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It's a lesson that's been around for generations, yet somehow
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it seems to get ignored more with each passing year.
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We've reached a point where some people spend more time
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digging through someone else's past than cleaning up their own.
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Everyone has skeletons in the closet, every single one of us.
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Some are small, some are embarrassing, some are painful. Some
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are mistakes we made years ago that we'd rather forget.
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Others are chapters we've worked hard to overcome. None of
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us have lived a perfect life. That's why I have
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never understood the people who make it their mission to
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expose everyone else's faults while pretending their own closet is empty.
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The truth is it usually isn't. In fact, I've noticed
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something over the years. The loudest critics often have the
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biggest closets. They're quick to point out someone else's divorce
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while forgetting their own family drama. They'll criticize someone's financial
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decisions while ignoring the bills they left unpaid. They'll spread
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gossip about another person's mistakes while hoping no one remembers
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the choices they made. It's a dangerous game. Because you
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decide to start opening closets, don't be surprised when someone
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decides to open yours. In a small community like Manchester
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in Clay County, memories are long. People remember what happened ten, twenty,
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even thirty years ago. They remember who helped others, but
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they also remember who hurt others. They remember who stood
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by their word who didn't. That's why I've always believed
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we're better off extending grace than seeking revenge. Grace doesn't
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mean ignoring wrongdoing. It doesn't mean pretending bad decisions never happened.
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Accountability is important, but there's a difference between seeking accountability
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and seeking humiliation. One is about making things right. The
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other is about making yourself feel better by tearing someone
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else down before you decide to shine a spotlight on
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someone else's skeletons, it might be worth taking a flashlight
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into your own closet first. You may discover things you've forgotten,
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or things others never forgot. If your own house isn't
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in order, maybe it's best not to become the neighborhood inspector.
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The older I get, the more I appreciate people who
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have learned from their mistakes instead of hiding behind them.
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Those are the people I respect. They don't claim perfection,
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they admit they are wrong, They make changes, and they
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move forward. Those who constantly remind everyone else of yesterday
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often hope no one remembers theirs. Life has always as
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a way of balancing the scales. Character always surfaces. Truth
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has a funny way of finding daylight. So before you
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pull another skeleton from someone else's closet, ask yourself one
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simple question. Are you prepared for someone to open yours?
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Because if you're not, it may be wiser to leave
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the closet doors closed and spend that energy becoming the
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kind person who doesn't have to fear what's behind them.
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The next is a happy anniversary. Congratulations go out to
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my amazing parents. Lee Roy and Alvi Barry on their
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wedding anniversary on July one, twenty twenty sixth. After sixty
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five years of love and happiness, I can still see
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how much you love and adore one another. You've been
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through thick and thin together and weathered every storm. You
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have been each other's rock and strength, and now sixty
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years later, that bond is still as strong as ever.
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Congratulations and happy sixty fifth anniversary from your daughter Deborah
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Barry Bays. I love you both very much. This concludes
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the reading of the Manchester Enterprise. Your reader has been
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Jim Rice. Now please stay tuned for continued programming and
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on behalf of everyone here at RADIOI thank you for
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listening and we hope you have a good day.