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Licking Valley Courier - 12.19.25 · Eastern Kentucky Newspapers

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Speaker 1: We now turn to the Licking Valley Courier to bring
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you news from in and around West Liberty. Your reader
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today is Janice. We begin with the edition dated Thursday,
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December eighteenth, twenty twenty five, as a reminder RADIOI as
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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 is holiday deadline notices. Due to the
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holiday press schedule, all news items and advertisements for December
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twenty sixth edition of the Courier must be received by
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twelve pm Friday, December nineteenth. Additionally, all news items and
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ads for the week of January one must also be
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received in time for the publication in the December twenty
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fifth edition. No paper will be published the week of
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January one, as the Courier office will be closed for
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vacation from December twenty ninth to January second. Our next
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article is Jimmy Atkins honored for sixty years of service
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as a minister. Proclamation was presented to him by Lazy
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Creek Church of Christ's Elders by Miranda M. Cantrell, Judge
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Executive Jim Gaysey, and Mayor Kyle Resner. Recently issued a
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joint proclamation recognizing local pastor Jimmy Atkins for his many
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decades of service as a minister in Morgan County. Atkins,
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pastor of Lazy Creek Church of Christ, who has been
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preaching God's Word in Morgan County for sixty years, became
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an or ordained minister in August nineteen sixty nine. Atkins'
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service to his congregation and contributions to the local community
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inspired Judge Gaysey and Mayor Risner to declare Saturday, December
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sixth as Brother Jimmy Atkins Day in Morgan County and
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West Liberty. The Judge, Executive and Mayor presented the honor
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to the elders of Lacy Creek Church of Christ during
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a December six men's prayer breakfast hosted by West Liberty
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Christian and Methodist churches. Though Atkins was unable to attend
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the prayer breakfast, Lacey Creek Church of Christ's elders, Doctor
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Jim Frederick tom Steele, then hit up Pole and Paul
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Jarvis later presented the following proclamation to Atkins at his home.
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Proclamation County of Morgan and City of West Liberty honoring
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Brother Jimmy Atkins for decades of dedicated service to the
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citizens of Morgan County through his Christian ministry, and for
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being an outstanding citizen of Morgan County. Whereas the Morgan
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County Fiscal Court and the City of West Liberty deemed
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it necessary to highlight the accomplishments and bestow honor upon
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citizens who have exhibited commitment to the community and civic duty,
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and who have attained outstanding benchmarks in their lives. And
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whereas Brother Atkins is one of those individuals working tirelessly
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to meet the needs to a pardon me to meet
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the spiritual needs of Morgan County and West Liberty residents
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with integrity, consistency, and a strong sense of civic responsibility
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and exemplary Christian service. Whereas Brother atkins exceptional commitment to
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compassionate service and pastoral care and his willingness to volunteer
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his time for the betterment of our county have gone unnoticed.
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His ministry has provided invaluable support and counsel to families
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and individuals through both joyous celebrations and challenging and often
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heartbreaking situations. And whereas, let it be known that this
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proclamation expresses the community's gratitude for his leadership, his faithfulness
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and inspirational attitude that he brings to the role as mentor,
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minister and friend. Now, therefore, I, Jim gaze Morgan County
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Judge Executive, and Kyle Risner, Mayor of West Liberty, do
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hereby proclaim December sixth, twenty twenty five, as Brother Jimmy
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Atkins Day. We urge every resident to take time on
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this day to congratulate Brother Atkins on his many years
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of service to the community. Jim Gazey, Morgan County Judge Executive,
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Kyle Risner, West Liberty Mayor. Editor's note, Courier staffers would
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like to congratulate Jimmy Atkins on a great friend of
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this publication, on this much deserve honor, and to thank
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him for his faithful service to God, his Church in
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our community. Miranda M. Cantrell. Our next article is woman
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injured in an apartment fire on December fourteenth. One person was
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seriously injured in a weekend fire that occurred on the
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night of Sunday, December fourteenth at West Hill's Apartments on
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Liberty Road. The fire started shortly before six forty six
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forty eight pm, at which time West Liberty Fire Department
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was notified that the incident of the incident and dispatched
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to the scene. West Liberty Fire Department Chief Jamie Phipps
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told the Courier that the fire department Deputy Chief Jeremy
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Meyer entered the burning apartment and successfully saved a female
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inside the unit. The fire department Deputy Chief Meyer was
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assisted by Deputy Sean Pack of the Morgan County Sheriff's
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Office and firefighter Connor Motley of Blackwater Fire Department. West
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Liberty Police Department Chief Wayne Lewis has identified the victim
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of the apartment complex, resident Kimberly Cook. Firefighters provided first
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aid until Cook was turned over to the Morgan County EMS,
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but she was later airlifted to the Trauma Center at
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Cable Huntington Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia with life threatening injuries.
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Chief Phillips said that the firefighters made a full stop
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of the fire, which was confined to the unit from
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which the victim was rescued. Additionally, Chief Phipps stated that
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no other injuries or damages were noted as the results
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of the fire. The West Liberty Fire Department would like
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to thank the Blackwater Fire Department and West Liberty Street
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Department for their response and assistance during this incident. Phipps said.
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The fire remains under investigation by Chief Phipps, the West
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Liberty Fire Department and Patrolman Brian Hillman of West Liberty
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Police Department. Our next article is City officials announced the
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passing a former city councilman, John May at December fifteenth
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council meeting. Twelve City twelve term city council member died
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from injuries sustained in December ninth car crash by Miranda M. Cantrell.
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City officials announced the passing the former city Councilman John
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May during the December fifteenth meeting of the West Liberty
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City Council. May reportedly died earlier in the day on
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December fifteenth, as a result of injuries he sustained in
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an automobile crash on two O five in Morgan County
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last week. According to the E nine one one transcript,
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the single vehicle crash occurred shortly before three twenty nine
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pm on Tuesday, December ninth, which time West Liberty Police
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Department dispatches were notified of the incident. The caller identified
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the driver as May and also told them that the
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vehicle was in a ditch. Additionally, the caller indicated that
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May might have hit his head on the windshield, before
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noting that May could not move his left leg. AIRVAK
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personnel's airlifted May to Cabal Huntington Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia,
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after Morgan County EMS and Morgan County Sheriff's Office in
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Caney Valley Fire Department initially assisted the scene. Funeral arrangements
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for May are not available at press time. Councilman Mark
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Walter expressed gratitude for May's dedicated dedication to the city
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of West Liberty as an official business owner and resident,
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and during the meeting's invocation. Following the prayer, council members
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observed a moment of silence in the honor of May.
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Clerk Amy Cox told the Courier that May had served
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twelve terms as council member from two thousand and one
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to twenty twenty four. In addition to May's service as
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city councilman, he was also a longtime owner of Radio
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Shack store on Main Street until the twenty twelve tornado
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destroyed the shop. Mayor Kyle Risner offered condolences to May's
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family on behalf of the city during a December sixteenth interview.
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Our thoughts and prayers are with John's family at this time,
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Risner said. We would like to express our heartfelt symphony
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to them. We will always be grateful for John's service
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to the City of West Liberty. In other news, Clerk
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Cox announced that city trash pickup service will now be
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administered by Rumpkey following the company's recent purchase of a
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portion of waste management business. The clerk noted that the
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trash pickup service was pricing and pricing will not change
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amid the transition. During departmental reports, Mayor Risener praised West
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Liberty Fire Department, Blackwater Fire Department, West Liberty Police Department,
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and Morgan County Sheriff's Office for their response to a
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weekend fire at Wells Hill Apartments. The mayor recognized Deputy
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Chief Jeremy Meyer of West Liberty Fire Department for his
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rescue of a woman who was trapped in a burning department,
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as well as other first responders at the scene. A
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complete report on the fire can be found on page one.
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Mayor Risner also recognized all city employees for their dedication
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in recent amid the recent inclement weather, before a chairman
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the Councilman Mark Walter or the Council's condolences to families
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that have lost loved ones in recent weeks, including those
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of John may the late Magistrate Donnie Keaton and several others,
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as well as prayers people in the communities suffering from
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various illnesses and medical issues. The meeting concluding as Mayor
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Risner wished all the residents of West Liberty and Morgan
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County a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Additional information,
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The West Liberty City Council meets at five pm the
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fourth Monday of each month in the upstairs Council Room
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of City Hall. Our next article is Gamble Scores Career
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High twenty eight as Cougar's Route Prestenburg by David Patrick Asher,
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Gamble and Eli Bradley combined fifty one points to lead
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four players in double figures as Morgan County cruise to
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a dominant ninety three to sixty seven win over Prestonburg
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at Veterans Memorial Gym last Tuesday, December ninth. Gamble connected
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on nine of thirteen field gold attempts, including four to
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three pointers and six of seven at the free throw
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line to score twenty eight points. Bradley's shooting numbers were
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identical to Gambles other than being one of two at
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the line to finish with twenty three. Parker, Trusty and
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Gauge Gamble also hit four to three balls apiece and
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scoring seventeen and sixteen points respectively. The Cougars put up
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twenty eight points in the first quarter before posting the
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staggering thirty three in the third, highlighted by a trio
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of threes from Bradley. The black Cats were never in
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the game, trailing by fifteen after one and sixteen at intermission.
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Coach Tree s. Griffith's squad then stretched the lead to
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thirty leading to the fourth. Morgan was on fire from
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behind the arc, hitting eighteen of thirty seven threes forty
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nine percent. Eighth Greater Gauge Gamble turned in his breakout
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performance with a perfect five of five from the field
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and two of three at the free throw stripe. With
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all the made field goals, there wasn't a ton of
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rebounds to be had. With the Cougars losing the battle
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on the boards twenty nine to twenty seven. Eli Bradley
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pulled a game high of seven rebounds, while Grayson Hampton
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added five. Bradley and Asher Gamble dished out four assist each.
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Prestonburg was led in scoring by Tigan Sloan's twenty three points,
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while Clay Runyon and Andrew Noble had fifteen and ten respectively.
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Our next article is Lady Cougar's endure another tough shooting
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night in loss at East Carter by David Patrick. Morgan
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County is still trying to find its way offensively in
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the early season. Last Saturday, eight December thirteenth, the Lady
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Cougars shot only thirty four percent from the field, twenty
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three percent from a three point range and thirty three
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percent from a free throw line in a fifty one
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to forty seven home court loss to sixty second district
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rival East Carter. Littley Littell and Sarah Jenkins were the
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only Lady Cougars in a double figures with fourteen and
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thirteen points respectively. Littell has been the model of consistency
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thus far, hitting six of nine shot attempts with nine
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rebounds and three steals. Jenkins converted four of eight attempts
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and three of four at the stripe to go along
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with seven defensive rebounds and three assists. The rest of
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the team combined to hit only eight of thirty six
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field goals attempts twenty two percent. Bella Smith was the
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lone bright spot, knocking down three three point baskets in
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twenty three minutes of action. Emma Clinger struggled from the
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field of three of thirteen and free throw line one
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of nine, but was strong in the glass of the
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game high fourteen rebounds. Greasey Hampton failed to score zero
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of six fg but had three rebounds and five assists.
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The Lady Raiders were led by Joshua Rudd's thirteen points,
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while Bristol Bogs eleven and Brian Lee Walker ten also
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reached double figures. Each had its own shooting struggles, hitting
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only twenty five percent fifteen and sixty one from the
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field and twenty two percent nine of forty one from three. However,
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East won the game in a free throw line, converting
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a perfect twelve of twelve compared to only six of
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eighteen for Morgan. The Lady Cougars will return to Veteran's
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Memorial Gymnasium tonight Thursday when they host Belfrey with a
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seven thirty pm tip. The JV game is slated for
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six o'clock. Our next article is three area men arrested
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over the weekend on arson charges after a series of
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fires in hazel Green. West. Liberty Man was among those
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taken into custody after December thirteenth traffic stop by Miranda M. Cantrell.
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Three area men were arrested on the night of Saturday,
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December thirteenth, in connection with multiple fires that occurred in
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Wolf County community of hazel Green last week. Wolf County
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Sheriff Greg Banks said that the two barns, hay and
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equipment were burned in the Lacy Creek Lansall Road in
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Buchanan Fork areas of Wolf County on the night of Wednesday,
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December tenth. Lacy Creek location, a barn owned by Greg
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Brewer and hay owned by Brian Larson were burned. A
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Lansall Road location, a barn, hay and equipment owned by
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Earl and Lou Brewer were burned. Buckhannan Fork location. Several
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rolls of hay owned by David Maggard burned Sheriff Banks
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noted that the fires occurred within an hour to an
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hour and a half of each other, but that no
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persons or animals were injured. Wolfe County law enforcement officers
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apprehended three suspects during December thirteenth traffic stop conducted by
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Jim Brown on Jim Brown Road Highway one ninety one
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at Hazel Green Corey wall In twenty seven of Saylorsville.
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Bron Harper thirty six of West Liberty, Joshua Spencer twenty
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seven of Campton. All three men were charged with arson
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third degree, criminal mischief first degree, and menacing. Sheriff Banks
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said that the tips from the community residents led to
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the arrest. I'd like to thank the public for their
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help with its investigation, Banks said. Several people provided information
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after we put out a post on our Facebook page
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asking residents of these areas to review their security cameras.
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Following their arrest, Wallin, Harper and Spencer were lodged in
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Three Forks Regional Jail in Battyville, where they remain incarcerated
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at press time. The case remains under investigation by the
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Wolf County Sheriff's Department. Our next article is Morgan County
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Robot Gladiator Team remains ranked number one in state. The
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Morgan County ATC Robot Gladiator Team traveled to Paul Lunce
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Paul Pardon Me Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School to compete
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against Hill, the Hub for Innovative Learning and Leadership, and
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came out victorious with an overwhelming dominant performance in advancing
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to an unblemish three to zero on the season. The
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first half consisted of Morgan County testing out a new
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line up of row by adding their newest combat models
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named Lynx, a wedge bot with a high powered vertical
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spinner in the center of the wedge, piloted by Jonathan
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Rosenberry and weapons operated by Colton's Thomas, alongside Pink Panther,
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a pneumatic flipper robot piloted by Seth Gibson and weapon
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operated by Riley Tharp. At the opening buzzer, Lynx went
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straight across the arena and hit one of Hill's robots
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with the wedge, feeding the opponent into lynx spinning blade
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and threw him into the air and landing them on
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their top, knocking them out. From there, it was a
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two to one match with Lynx and Pink Panther toying
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around with the opponent before finally flipping them over with
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Pink Panther's flipper and ending the half by ko. During halftime,
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the crowd remained chanting to the Morgan County's well known
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vertical spinner Spike in action, pivoted by Matthew Vance and
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weapon operated by Sophie Johnson, so during the halftime they
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made a change in the lineup, swapping out links for
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Spike to begin second half. As soon as the second
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half started, the pilot drove Spike straight across the arena,
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ramming the opponent and throwing it nearly three feet into
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the air and knocking it out. During the hit, Spike
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took the damage to the spinner shaft, snapping it in half,
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but it was not out of the game. The students
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used Spike to spind and the remaining opponent against the
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arena wall, while Pink Panther lined up and rammed the
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opponent with the full force, flipping it over and ending
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the fight with two minutes to spare in the half.
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This advance is Morgan County to dominating three to zero
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on the season, and the team remains ranked number one
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in the state. The next Maylee will be in late February.
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Exact date in time to be announced. Morgan County will
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be taking on their close rival Rowan County in all
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out of war dominance in the arena. Our next article
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is Morgan County student graduates from h CTC Hazzard, Kentucky.
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For the first time in more than fifty five years
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of existence, Hazard Community and Technical College h CTC on
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December sixteenth hosted a fall commencement ceremony celebrating more than
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four hundred and eighty graduates. The event took place at
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the Forum at Hall Rogers Center in Hazzard. This semester's
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graduating class includes students representing multiple states in twenty nine counties.
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Among the graduates was Randa Laisha she Francis Witt of
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West Liberty. Our next article is a picture with four
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girls and a big check. Underneath his picture, it says
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Morgan County ARH donation for a meaningful mission. Morgan County
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ARH Hospital recently had the honor of presenting a thousand
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dollars check to the Hazel Green Food Project to help
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provide holiday meals for families in the area. Pictured left
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to right is Caitlin Stacey from Hazel Green Food Project
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ARH employees Cheyenne, Jocelyn r n, Emily Keaton, sr NA,
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and Rachel Lewis LPN. Our next article is holiday tree
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safety by your local Emergency management office. A fire on
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any days seems bad, but a fire on the holiday
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season seems to be the worst. Some three hundred trees
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caught fire in one recent year, with electrical problems the
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most common culprit. Here's how to keep your tree green
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and your presence safe. When you buy your tree, have
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a vendor make a fresh cut in each an inch
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from the trunk bottom. This will help your tree absorb water.
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If you buy your tree early and keep it outside,
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store it away from the wind and sun, and keep
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the trunk bottom in a bucket of water. Make sure
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your lights are safe. If you need outdoor lights, make
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sure the ones you buy are map for outdoor use.
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Make sure your lights carry certification from a testing lab.
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Do not use electric lights on a metal tree. Discard
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any strings of lights that are frayed or broken. Holiday
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lights are cheap. Unplug your tree before you leave or
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go to bed. Do not buy a tree that is
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dry or dropping needles. To check for freshness, loosely grip
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the ends of a branch and pull your hand over it.
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Only a few needles should fall off. Make sure your
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tree stands, holds plenty of water and does not let
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it run out. If your tree seems wildly, center in
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the stand more securely and redo the bolts or screws.
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If your tree stand is cheap by a large, stronger one.
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If you buy an artificial tree, make sure it's fire retardant.
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Keep your tree at least three feet from furnaces, radiators,
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and fireplaces. Try to position the tree near an outlet
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so that cords are not running long distances. Do not
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place the tree where it may block entrances and exits
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the holidays are over. When the holidays are over, or
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when the tree starts dropping needles, dispose of it. Do
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not leave it in your house or put it in
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your garage. Keep an eye close eye on small children
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when they are around the tree. Many small decorations and
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ornaments are sharp, breakable and can be swallowed. Our next
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article is candidates filing for the twenty twenty six primary
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listed last correction last week's candidate filings report Joseph Howard,
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Republican candidate for District five Magistrate, was mistakely mistakenly identified
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as Joseph Smith. We apologize for the era editor by
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Mirandy M. Cantrell. County Clerk Randy Williams told The Courier
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that no additional people have filed to run for local
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offices since the publication of last week's candidate listing. In
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federal offices, Republicans Michael James Ferris and Nate Morris have
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filed for the office of the US Senate, joining Andy Barr,
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Jonathan M. Holliday, and Donald Winzel on the ballot. Logan
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Forthside and Jonathan Blanton Senior remained the only Democratic candidates
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for the US Senate at this time. Writing candidate Billy
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Ray Wilson has file for the office of the US
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Representative in the fifth Congressional District, an office that is
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also being sought by Republican Hall Rogers and Benjamin Hurley
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and Democrat ned Pillardwarf. The following is a complete listing
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of candidate filings for local, state, and federal offices at
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press time. Judge Executive Republicans Jim Gayzey, incumbent James David
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Green and Kenneth Kelly Bowman Democrats. Walker Crees Sheriff Republicans,
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Kenneth Scarberry, Jeffrey Smith and Roger Benton Democrats. John Paul
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Turner County Clerk, Democrats, Randy Williams, incumbent Jaylor Democrats, Loyal Atkins,
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Property Evaluation Administrator, Democrats, Darby Franklin incumbent Coroner, Democrats, Sean
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Van Cleeve County Surveyor, Democrats, Joseph Kurd incumbent Magistrate District one, Democrats.
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Eric Pelfrey incumbent Magistrict District two, Republicans, Frederick Hutchinson, Magistrate
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District three, Republicans, Tommy Fannin incumbent Magistrate District four, Democrats,
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Brandon Evans incumbent Magistrate District five, Republicans, Byron Risner and
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Joseph Howard Democrats. Anthony Likens Constable District four, Democrats, Jared
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Murphy incumbent Constable District five, Democrats. Ricky Stamper incumbent district
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Judge thirty seventh district, nonpartisan, Rubert Wilholt, incumbent State Representative
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ninety ninth District Republicans, Richard Lee White incumbent State Senator,
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thirtieth District Republicans Brandon D. Smith incumbent and Billy Wesley
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US Representative. Fifth Congressional District Republicans Hal Rogers incumbent and
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Benjamin Hurley Democrats Ned Pillardorf write in, Billy Ray Wilson,
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US represents, US Senator Republican Zandi bar Jonathan m Holiday,
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Jimmy I, Leon, Donald Winzel, Michael James Ferris, and Nate
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Morris Democrats, Logan Forthsite, and Jonathan Blanton Senior additional information.
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The filing deadline for candidates is four pm Saturday, January ninth,
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twenty twenty six. For additional information, contact County Clerk Randy
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Williams at seven four three thirty nine forty nine, or
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visit his office in the County Government Building at four
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fifty Prestonburg Street. This concludes excerpts from recent edition of
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The Licking Valley Courier. Your reader has been Jannis on
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behalf of everyone here at RADIOI thank you for listening,
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keep on listening, and I hope you have a very
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good day