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Licking Valley Courier - 5.29.26 · Eastern Kentucky Newspapers

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Speaker 1: We now turn to the Licking Valley Courier to bring
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new news from in and around West Liberty. Your reader
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today is Janis. We begin with the addition dated Thursday,
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May twenty eighth, twenty twenty six, as a reminder of
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RADIOI as a reading service intended for people who are
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blind or have other disabilities that make it difficult to
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read printed material. Before I begin, I need to tell
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you something. Thank you for listening to radioi's regional newspapers.
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Due to work being done on the transmitters by Moorhead
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State Public Radio during the month of June, listeners in
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the eastern Kentucky region using SCA radios will not have
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signal from June second to June eighth and may face
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intermentt outages during the rest of the month. Other methods
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of listening are our app Alexa devices. Internet streaming will
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not be affected. Thank you to our friends at MSPR
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for broadcasting the RADIOI frequency at no cost to us
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on our listeners. All right. Our first article is KSP
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arrest EKCC officer on contraband other charges. Department of Corrections
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states that Joe A. Cress sixty of hazard was terminated
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on May twenty second, West Liberty, Kentucky, at the request
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of the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex EKCC, the Kentucky State
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Police Post eight and Morehead was contacted on May twenty
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first after prison officials called a correctional officer bringing illegal
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narcotics into the facility. KSP arrived on scene and opening investigation.
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Based on evidence, KSP charge Joe Acress, sixty of five
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Hazard Kentucky with promoting contraband in the first degree, trafficking
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a controlled substance in the second degree greater than twenty
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dose suge units, and official misconduct in the first degree.
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Mister Crass was transported to the Rowan County Detention Center.
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The investigation remains ongoing and is being led by Trooper
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Brian Evans. Statement from the Kentucky Department of Corrections Joe
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Crass has been terminated effective May twenty second. The Department
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of Corrections takes aggressive steps to control contraband from entering
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the facilities, including not limited to frisk searches, the use
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of body scanners only, to allowing clear bags inside and
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putting them through the belt X ray machine, and limiting
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the number of personal belongings that employees can bring to work,
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among other protocols. These requirements apply to the employees of
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the DOC, visitors, vendors, and contract employees. The Department remains
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committed to protecting both inmates and correctional employees by continually
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evaluating and strengthening contraband prevention efforts, and has seen a
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significant reduction in dangerous contraband this year, including more than
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thirty five percent decrease at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Center.
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Our next article is emergency road aid funds awarded to
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Morgan County, Jackson, Kentucky. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet today announced
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that the Morgan County Fiscal Court will receive a total
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of seventy five thousand, eight hundred dollars in county road
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Aid emergency funds for repair of slides on Railroad, Fork Railroad,
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Fork Road c R twelve twenty one and Deadman Road
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CR ten sixty three. The Transportation Cabinet is pleased to
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approve this request pardon me for funding to provide assistance
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to Morgan County to repair and maintain safe connections in
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the community, set Transportation Secretary Rebecca Goodman. The slide is
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to be repaired on railroad. Fork Road is near big
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Staff Branch Road. The slide to be repaired on Deadmon
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Road is near Claude Keaton Road. The Morgan County Fiscal
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Court is responsible for the administration. Our next article is
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Commodities Giveaway for Senior citizens is slated for June third,
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Wednesdage third Commodities for Seniors from God's Pantry will be
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given out on Wednesday, June third, from eleven am to
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four pm the Index Church Community Center located at seventeen
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forty nine West Main Street. Please bring a tote or
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basket to put your items in. For additional information calls
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six oh six four nine five fifty six thirty one
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or SO six five two two thirty nine eighty eight.
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And Our next article is DYW program slated for Sunday,
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June seventh. The GFWC Morgan County Women's Club proudly announces
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that this year's Distinguished Young Woman the DYW Program will
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be held on a Sunday. The twenty twenty seven DYW
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Program will be held on Sunday, June seventh, at the
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Morgan County High School Auditorium. The program will begin at
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six pm a mission is ten dollars for adults, which
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includes a program book and five dollars for students no
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program book. Children under five years old are admitted free.
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Additional program books will be available for sale for five dollars.
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Eight local high school seniors will participate in Morgan County
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Program this year. The two twenty seven participants are as follows.
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Lylah Bartley, daughter of Heath and Annette Bartley, Miracle Davis,
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daughter of Stephen and Lena Davis, Addison Day daughter of
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Amber and John Standifer and Mike and Alicia Day. Chloe
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Dye daughter of Troy and Sandra Dye, Abby Ingall daughter
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of Eric and Christina Ingle, Olivia Murphy daughter of Quentin
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and Jennifer Murphy, Savannah Oldham daughter of Frank and Chrissy Odom,
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Lacey Perry daughter of Jonathan and Monica Perry. Each participant
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will be evaluated in the areas of scholastic achievement, personal interview,
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talent fitness, and self expression. In addition, these young ladies
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will be vying for overt one hundred thousand dollars in
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cash and university offered scholarships serving as mistress of ceremonies
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for the program will be our own twenty nineteen Morgan
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County Distincs. Pardon me. Distinguished young woman Katie Payton, GFWC
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Morgan County Women's Club, sponsor annual scholarship program, wishes to
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thank the generous community businesses that have donated to this
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year's program. A complete list of donors will be published
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in the post program article. Our next article is local
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business owner and former magistrate dies in electrocution accident. John
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Brown forty eight if West Liberty was working on the
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foothills communications in Johnson County when he came in contact
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with live power lines. Editor's note, we would like to
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offer our sincere condolences to the family of John Brown.
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I know John primarily as a magistrate of the Morgan
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County Fiscal Court and during the years that I reported
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on events at one ninety one Speedway, where he served
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as a race team pit crew member. John was always
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very pleasant and helpful to me every time I reached
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out to him about county government matters. Thank you for
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your service to Morgan County. John, You will be missed
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by many. Miranda M. Cantrell, a Morgan County man, died
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on the evening of Friday, May twenty second, after he
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was electrocuted while working in Johnson County. Old Springs Fire
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and Rescue reported via Facebook that the incident occurred shortly
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before six thirty four pm, at which time firefighters received
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notification of a mail who came into contact with live
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power lines at Foothills Communication in Staffordville. Upon arrival the
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first units, it was determined that the mail was in
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a man left basket thirty to thirty five feet in
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the air and still in contact with the live power lies.
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The area was secured, including the closure of Kentucky forty
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in both directions. AEP Kentucky Power was notified and disabled
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all three power lines as a precautionary measure. The Foothills
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standby a generator was also disabled to prevent any power feedback.
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Fire department officials stated that the victim, identified as Jonathan Brown,
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forty eight, of West Liberty, was removed from the lines
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and brought to the ground and was subquently pronounced deceased
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by the Johnson County Coroner's Office. Brown was reportedly pressure
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washing a building on the Foothills Communication property when the
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incident occurred. Foothills Communication officials issued a statement via Facebook
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regarding Brown's passing later that evening. It is with deep
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sadness that Foothills Communication acknowledged is a tragic incident that
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occurred on our property this evening, resulting in the loss
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of Jonathan Brown of West Liberty. Our thoughts and heartfelt
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condolences are with Jonathan's family and loved ones during this
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incredible difficult time. We extend our deepest sympathies to all
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who knew and cared for him. Brown, who resided in
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Isael at the time of his passing, was also the
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owner of Kentucky Pool Company as well as his power
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washing business. Additionally, Brown was a magistrate of the Morgan
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County Fiscal Court from twenty fifteen to twenty nineteen during
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the administration of former Judge Executive Stanley Franklin. As a magistrate,
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Brown served District two in eastern Morgan County, where he lived.
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During his fiscal court tenure, Brown also assisted local radio
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announcer Rick Barker with live broadcast of Morgan County sports
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events and was a fixture at one ninety one Speedway,
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where he served as pit crew member for his cousin
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and former track champion Jamie Ferguson. Both Barker and one
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ninety one Speedway officials, along with numerous others, have paid
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tribute to Brown viz Social media since the news of
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his death initially broke. Brown is survived by his wife,
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Lee Ann, four children, and a large extended family. A
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celebration of life service for Brown will be held two
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p m. Sunday, May thirty first, at Jamie Ferguson's garage,
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located at seven sixty four Fife Branch in West Liberty.
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The service will be open to the public. A complete
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obituary for Brown can be found elsewhere in this edition.
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Our next article is MChS Graduation is Friday, May twenty ninth,
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ceremony seven thirty pm on Don Mackenzie Field. Honor Grands
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announced by Miranda M cantrell. One hundred and thirty six
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Morgan County High School seniors are set to receive their
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diplomas on Friday, May twenty ninth during the school's graduation ceremony.
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This year's commencement will be held at the Earl Reed
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Athletic Complex, the Don mackenzie Field on the high school campus,
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with ceremonies slated to begin at seven thirty pm, Morgan
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County High School Principal Ashley Pelfrey reflected on this year's
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graduates and a statement to the Courier. It has been
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such a wonderful and memorable year with these students, Pelfrey said,
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although we are sad to see them leave, I know
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they will do many great things. We have tried to
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make graduation week a very special time for our seniors
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with a visit to their former elementary schools, awards, the
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graduate ceremony, and Project Graduation. My goal is for them
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to leave with top notch education and many fond memories.
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Superintendent of Schools, Doctor Ralph Hamilton, also offered best wishes
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to the graduates on behalf of himself and the school board.
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Congratulations to the class of twenty twenty six. Doctor Hamilton said,
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this is a monumental moment in life for each of you.
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You have preserved, made lasting memories and worked diligently to
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prepare for this moment. On behalf of the Morgan County
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Board of Education and all stakeholders who've made a difference
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in your lives. Thank you for being such incredible learners.
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We are so very proud of you and wish you
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great success in the future. You choose, chase your dreams
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and make a difference. Find joy in life, and leave
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your mark in creating a better future for everyone. Morgan
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County High School class of twenty twenty six Honor Students.
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The Honor Student recognition is determined by cumulative grade point
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average including weighted grades through seven semesters of high school coursework.
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Weighted grades can be earned by taking advanced placement or
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dual credit courses. Students are recognized in three different levels
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of achievement and listed alphabetically. Summa cum laude graduates meaning
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Summa cum lauda means with highest praise. Is awarded to
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graduates with a four point zero and higher GPA. Jamie Age,
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Laurie Barker, Carly Basham, Emma Cleinger, Audrey Cole, jaylen Craft,
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Bruce Daniels, Isabella Endicott, Tristan, Frederick Wayland, Friend, Aiden, Jeddah,
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Don Gray, Cie Campton, Ireland, Holbrook, Kasey Keaton, John Maynard,
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Mason scaff Daniel Shawler, and Kensley Smith. Magnum coom laud graduates.
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Magnum coom laud means with great praise and is awarded
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to graduates with a three point seventy six to a
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three point nine to nine GPA. Alexis Atkins, Brian Blattin,
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Zoe Bradley, Cameron Dunn, Grayson Hampton, Alan Hicks, Jennifer Huffman,
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Sophie James, Ryan Legg, Cameron Lewis, J. C. Lewis, lillyly Likens,
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Stephanie Moore, Zephanie Moore, Jonath von O Quinn, Daniel Pennington,
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Katherine Skaggs, and Brianna Watson Coom Lottie Graduates. Meeting with
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Praise is awarded to graduates with a three point five
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to three point seventy five GPA. Dalton Atkins, Braxton book Bush,
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Tessa Conley, Kyla Fallen, Connor Fleming, Hannahlykins, Gavin Morris, Bailey, Nicol,
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Caleb Nol, MICHAELA. Shelton, Noah Sweeney, Parker Trustee, and Emmeline Wright.
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A note from the Courier Senior photographs for the Morgan
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County High School class of twenty twenty six will appear
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elsewhere in this edition. Congratulations to the Class of two thousand,
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twenty six. Our next article is clickett or ticket campaign
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runs through May thirty first Frankfurt, May seventh, twenty twenty six.
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During a clickett or ticket enforcement campaign running May eleventh
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to May thirty first, Kentuckians are reminded to buckle up
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and properly secure children in car or booster seats to
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keep themselves safe throughout the year. Bucal up every trip,
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every It's a simple action that can save lives, said
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Governor Andybasheer. It only takes two seconds, and those with
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two seconds can save your life. We want every Kentucky
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in to make it home to their family and loved ones.
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The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the KYTC Office of the Highway
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Safety KOHS is joining law enforcement around the Commonwealth and
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the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA in the annual
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federally funded High Visibility seat belt enforcement effort that spans
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the Memorial Day weekend. According to the KOHS, of six
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hundred and sixty four roadway desks last year in Kentucky,
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four hundred and twenty three were killed in motor vehicle
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crashes ninety pardon me, forty nine percent of them two
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hundred and nine were either not wearing a seat belt
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or were not properly restrained in a car seat or
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booster seat. Four of the four hundred and twenty three
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deaths were children ages nine and younger. One of the
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four was improperly restrained. Buckling up should be second nature,
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not just for drivers, but passengers too, said the Kentucky
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Transportation Secretary, Rebecca Goodman. It's a small step that can
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make a difference and help prevent fatalities on our roadways.
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More than one hundred and twenty one law enforcement agencies
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throughout Kentucky have participated in the Kohs Clicket or Ticket
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Local Heroes initiative to reinforce this message. Localized public service
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announcements featured officers, deputies, and troopers in county with low
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seat belt usage rates and or a high number of
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unrestrained motorists in golf crashes. The PSA. The public service
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announcement will air during the cliccket or Ticket campaign beginning
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Memorial Day weekend in the areas with county specific PSA,
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statewide versions will air featuring various law enforcement agencies throughout
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the state. According to the NHTSA, when Warren correctly, seat
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belts reduce the risk of death by forty five percent
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for front seat vehicle occupants and sixty percent for pickup trucks,
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suv and mini van occupants. Properly fastened seat belts contact
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the body's strongest parts, such as the chest, helps and soldiers.
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Visit Kentucky's Highwayssafety dot Com for more information. Our next
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article is Ben Montgomery shines at District ten Rodeo. Magoffin
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County Team member claims top spot in twenty twenty Highway
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Department competition. Magoffin County State Highway Crew won the county
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championship and the Department of Highways District ten annual Equipment
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Operators Safety Training Conference and Rodeo last week Estell County.
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Matt Kirby was the overall individual champion, compiling the best
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total score from all seven events that make up the competition.
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This year's rodeo was held May thirteenth and fourteenth at
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the Beautyville Equipment Garage and Lee County Maintenance Facility. Partly
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cloudy skies and cool weather made for a pleasant two
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days a competition. Ben Montgomery of Morgan County Morgan County's
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Maintenance Facility was among the top individual event winners and
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will represent District ten at the statewide competition against participants
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from the other eleven highway districts across Kentucky, to be
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held at the Kentucky Horse Park in late June. Montgomer
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replaced first in the snowplow obstacle course competition and second
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with the tractor with Mower competition and second in the
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low Boy tractor trailer event. The annual Rodeo begins Equipment
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brings equipment operator from the district maintenance garages together for
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a day of friendly competition and fellowship. The event allows
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equipment operators from district's crews to show their skills in
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operating the equipment they use to maintain state highways in
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the district. The obstacle courses stimulate actual situations equipment operators
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may encounter in the performance of their duties. The event
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is officially known as the Equipment Operator's Safety Training Conference,
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and participants receive training in driving safety during the event.
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District twelve encompasses the counties of breathat Estell, Lee, Macgoffin, Menafee, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pale,
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and Wolf in East central and southeastern Kentucky. Our next article.
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Brandon is Brandon Smith wins senatorial nomination. State Representative Bill
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Wesley of Ravena lost to incumbent Brandon Smith in the
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May nineteenth GOP primary race. In the thirtieth Senate district,
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no Democrat file to run, so Smith will likely remain
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in the seat after the November election. There were more
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than one thousand votes difference between them. The Eastern Kentucky
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district includes counties of breathat, Estell, Lee, Leslie, mcgoffin, Morgan, Perry, Pell,
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and Wolf Counties. Our next article is the Senior Citizen's
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menu Thursday, May twenty eighth, one percent milk RF chicken salad,
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sandwich on croissant, apple sauce, potato salad, three being salad
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Friday ninth plane omelet, apple, cinnamon, oatmeal round MTC, one
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percent milk, turkey, sausage link MTC fresh orange, lowell WS
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sodium V eight, vegetable juice, and cream of wheat. Our
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next article remembering longtime Eastern Kentucky EM s instructor Rodney Cantrell.
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Editor's note, As noted in this report from w LAX,
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longtime EMS instructor Rodney Cantrell of West Liberty passed away
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on May eighteenth, twenty twenty six. Rodney, who was also
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the owner of Patriot Palm on Main Street, had dedicated
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his life to saving other lives. We are forever grateful
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for his service to Morgan County and Eastern Kentucky. His
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habituary can be found elsewhere in this edition by Miranda M. Cantrell.
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The article is written by Alex Barber, Morgan County. Ridney Cantrell,
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a longtime EMS instructor who helped train generations of first
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responders across Eastern Kentucky, died unexpectedly on May eighteenth. He
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was sixty four. Cantrell spent years teaching EMS certification courses
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in Morgan County, bringing real world experiences into the classroom
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to prepare students for the demands of emergency medicine. A
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proud veteran, he was also known for his love of
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riding motorcycles. An old friend of his, Greg Brooks, said
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Cantrell was the best teacher. Brooks was already a medic
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when he met Cantrell, but said Cantrell still taught him
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a great deal simply by working alongside him as an instructor.
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Cantrell made a point of connecting with students on a
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personal level, taking the time to make sure they understood
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the material in a way that could actually apply it,
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whether they passed his course or not. Former students Cody
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Lamaster and e ms Werker for Morgan County and William
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Auxur and Air Evac Life Team nurse, shared similar experiences.
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The two say his influence stretched well beyond Morgan County.
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This concludes excerpts from recent editions of The Licking Valley Courier.
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Your reader has been janus On behalf of everyone here
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at radio. I thank you for listening, keep on listening,
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and I hope you have a very good day.