The Ravenna Railroad Festival is geared toward kids, and there were smiles aplenty on Saturday.  The weather was fine for a childrens’ parade, hayrides, train rides and lots of other autumn fun.

by Lisa Bicknell, CVT Editor

Trapp Elementary School, once home of the Trapp Eagles, is now being re-purposed as a transitional home for women veterans and their children, says Wanda Martin, Clark County Coordinator for Lady Veterans Connect.

The old Trapp school was empty for a couple of years, but it is getting a fresh coat of paint and is being outfitted with bedrooms, comfortable seating and dining areas, and work areas.

When work on the women’s home is completed, it will be equipped to house 35 women and children and will be the largest women veterans home in the nation.

Women veterans will be participating in a transitional housing program designed to be completed within a year’s time.  They will take classes in financial planning, life skills, job preparation and resume writing, as well as restoring relationships. Once participants have completed the program, the goal is to provide them with enough furnishings and household items so they can furnish their own apartment.

Lady Veterans Connect hopes to find churches and civic groups who will host household showers for each woman as they “graduate.”

Trapp Elementary was purchased by Bryan Howard and Allen Taylor after it closed. They contacted Clark CountyRepresentative Donna Mayfield, and one thing led to another until Phyllis Abbott, now the executive director of Lady Veterans Connect, as well as a team of volunteers, got the ball rolling.

Lady Veterans Connect already operates the Thurman-Abbott home in Lexington where three women are living. Abbott is not a veteran herself, but she said she has family members who are, and she has also worked with the homeless population for a long time.

She pointed out that women veterans have a higher risk of suicide and dying on the street than men veterans do.

Many women don’t self-identify as veterans by wearing military apparel, even though they have served in the military, so their needs are often overlooked. And some of them say that because they weren’t on the front lines getting shot at, that they don’t consider themselves veterans.

Martin says she doesn’t have enough words to thank the owners for the work they did in helping the organization obtain the building.Volunteers continue to step up, from individuals to retailers such as Home Depot, who came in to sweep and clean, and Lowe’s, who sent painters to finish some of the walls.

The women’s home is already outfitted with bedrooms, a gym with a beauty station, a large kitchen and a dining area, and a library/technology space. Organizers didn’t want the place to look institutionalized, so school lunchroom tables have been replaced with donated dining rooms sets.

There’s a storage room full of dishes and other items needed for setting up a household. When the women complete the program and are back on their feet, they will be provided with the necessities to start out on their own. Donations of furniture have also been flooding in. “It won’t all be staying here, but it will all be used by veteran’s,” said Martin. “We are thankful for every item that comes through here.”

Last year, a coalition of organizations called Veterans Resources United of Central and Eastern Kentucky (VRUCK) formed to bridge the gap between veterans and the VA. They sought not to “reinvent the wheel,” but to connect women with the services available to them. Martin said that the number of women percentage-wise who are joining the military are growing faster than the men.

The VA will set up a telemedicine center within the home, and patients can talk to counselors and other medical professionals via Skype.

On Saturday, October 7, there will be a “Throwdown” a fundraiser at the former Trapp school to raise money for a heating and air-conditioning system for the building. The coal furnace has to be replaced, and Martin estimates that the new heating system will cost $150,000. The event will happen rain or shine and will last from 6 p.m. to midnight. Admission is five dollars for everyone except veterans and children, who get in free. Food will be available, but guests may bring bring coolers, lawn chairs and blankets. Donnie Isaacs and Take a Break Band, Moonshine Mike and the Taste Testers, Clay Case and other bands and solo artists will be performing. 

Anyone interested in donating money, clothing, household items, or furniture may call 859-806-4297.

Photo Caption: Commander Bob Fauste and Adjutant George Kissick of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 94 of Estill County, KY, present a $500 check to Wanda Martin of Lady Veterans Connect to be used for a homeless and rehabilitation shelter for female veterans.

Photo by Lisa Bicknell

In 1987, Jack and Teresa Stickney bought their first 60-plus acres of mostly wooded land on Lilly Ferry Rd.

That was the beginning of the fulfillment of a dream.  Jack said he was working as a geologist on an oil rig decades ago, reading Mother Earth News, and telling himself, “One of these days, I’m going to have me a farm.”

One of the first things Jack and Teresa did as new homesteaders was to inoculate some logs with shiitake mushroom spawn. Thirty years later, they are still growing shiitakes-and they have purchased more land and tackled many more agriculture and forestry improvement projects.

Jack was recognized as Kentucky’s “Tree Farmer of the Year” during a Farm Field Day at his farm on October 5.  The event was sponsored by the Kentucky Tree Farm Committee, UK Forestry Extension, Kentucky Division of Forestry, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Estill County Cooperative Extension Office, Kentucky Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee, and the Kentucky Forest Industries Association.  About a 100 people signed up to attend the event.

Over the years, the Stickneys have utilized several of the Natural Resources Conservation Service programs as they have harvested timber, practiced timber improvement, and grown their shiitake operation.

Jack has applied for cost-share programs through the NRCS which have helped him install spring-fed water tanks, develop rotational grazing practices, and fence cattle out of creeks and springs.

Sam Miller,  Estill and surrounding counties’ Natural Resources Planner for the USDA-NRCS, encouraged land owners to check out the technical and financial assistance available through the NRCS.  He said they can sign up for programs such as EQIP that can pay for marking timber, for example, as well as make recommendations for future timber stand improvement.

“[It’s] kind of like weeding your garden,” Miller said. “For decades, what has typically happened in Estill County is that people think in terms of logging for all it’s worth, when it [the forest] could be left in better shape for their children and grandchildren.”

Miller added that the NRCS also has some agriculture programs that farmers can take advantage of, such as the high tunnel on the Stickney farm that helps extend the garden growing season and fencing to protect waterways.

The Stickneys conducted tours of their farm, and the field day was followed by a meal catered by Kim Gill.

Anyone interested in growing shiitakes can find a You tube tutorial produced by Earth Healing and featuring Father Al Fritsch interviewing Jack Stickney about how to grow them.

The older, taller guy was Doug McLaren with UK forestry that presented Jack the sign. The other UK forester is Billy Thomas.

Citizens Guaranty Bank employees and family members are pictured together at their table.  The luau was presented by the bank.

Story and photos submitted

Saturday, September 30, 2017 was the largest single-day fundraising event in the history of Marcum & Wallace Memorial Hospital (MWMH). The MWMH Foundation hosted the third annual Golf Scramble and Paradise Luau (presented by Citizens Guaranty Bank) at the Estill County Golf Club. The events combined to raise over $52,000 to benefit the goal to replace the portable ultrasound we use at community events and in the emergency department.

“Our mission is to improve the health of our community and this is what we are accomplishing with the purchase of the ultrasound machine,” said Susan Starling. “It is with the community’s support of the Marcum & Wallace Hospital Foundation that we are able to offer preventative health screenings at community events, such as carotid artery and thyroid ultrasounds. These screenings have proven to result in early detection of health issues and have saved lives. Thank you to all who supported this event as we work together to improve the health of our community.”

“We are especially thankful to Kathy Samples and Rodney Davis for the vision of this community fundraising event that will have a direct benefit to Marcum and Wallace patients,” said Arielle Estes, MWMH Director of Development. “The response from the community to support these events has been inspiring. I want to sincerely thank everyone who supported the events through sponsorships, attending the event or donating items for the live and silent auctions.”

MWMH is a part of Mercy Health based in Cincinnati, Ohio. MWMH and Lourdes Hospital in Paducah are the only Kentucky facilities. A system-wide fundraising program called “Mercy Health Mission Partners” allowed 100% of all event proceeds to go directly towards the event goal. (Mercy Health Mission Partners: Cincinnati Bell, Cushman & Wakefield, Fifth Third Bank, Danis, Johnson & Johnson, Cisco, Paradigm Radiology, and Medtronic.)

The day started with the golf scramble that included 56 golfers. They were treated to lunch from the Apollo/Steam Engine Pizza truck and House of ‘Cue. The Beverage Cart sponsor was Estill Medical Clinic. Special event holes were a Hole in One with the chance to win a 2017 Jeep Cherokee sponsored by Tanner Chrysler Dodge Jeep (no winner); Longest Drive sponsored by Marcum & Wallace Hospital (winner of a Maxfli golf club bag was Spencer Collins), Closest to the Pin sponsored by Southeast Apparatus ($100 donation was made to the MWMH Foundation in honor of the winner Garry Dunaway); and the Putting Contest sponsored by Citizens Guaranty Bank was organized by Denny Smith (winner of the putter was Johnny Abney).

Special thank you to the Estill County Golf Club (Justin Snowden and Kathy Collett) and scramble organizer Denny Smith. Also thanks to the individuals who donated use of their personal golf carts and the individuals who volunteered to watch the hole-in-one.

Hole sponsors for the event: Bobby Carol Noland (In Memory of Clarence Noland), Citizens Guaranty Bank, In Memory of Lisa Perkins (From: Dan, Debby, Steve, Terri and Greg), In Honor of Marilyn Raider (From: Steve & Carolyn Perkins), Whitaker Bank, Hardy Propane Gas, Dr. William Witt, Spencer Drug (Madison Drug, Irvine Health Care Pharmacy, Estill Clinic Pharmacy and Woodford Family Pharmacy), Citizens Bank & Trust Co., The Twin, Jackson Energy, Piper & Bowers, P.S.C., First Due Fire & Rescue Equipment, Tanner Chrysler Dodge Jeep, TechSolve, Marcum & Wallace Ladies Auxiliary, Easter Healthcare Consulting, Modern Woodmen of American, Stanton Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Commonwealth Home Health, Rodney & Kimberly Davis, Uncle Kris, Steven & Mary Grinnell, Appalachian Wireless, Cintas, Marcum & Wallace Orthopedic Clinic- Thomas Cervoni, MD, Surge Promotion and Ernie & Jan Davis. Special thanks to Canteen Vending, Priceless Foods and Highbridge Spring Water. Also special thanks to sign/banner sponsor Southeast Apparatus and photography sponsor Illumi Studio (Lauren Rothenhauser).

The golf team sponsors were: Citizens Bank & Trust Co., Citizens Guaranty Bank, Davis Law, Commonwealth Home Health, Irvine Nursing & Rehab, Spencer Drug, Estill County Golf Club, Tanner Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Team Estes, Team Blackwell, Team Patton 1, Team Patton 2, Team Snowden and Team Walters. The winning team was Citizens Bank & Trust (players: Jared Kiser, Greg Snowden, Fig Newton and Travis Adams). The second place team Spencer Drug (players: John Spencer, Artie White, Stuart Witt and Jerry Goble). The third place team (by draw) was Team Blackwell (players: Kelby Robinson, Gary Robinson, Bill Jones and Spencer Collins).

The golf course grounds were transformed into a paradise and 198 guests received an island-style welcome from Hawaiian dancers from Hawaiian Hula and Ori Tahiti of Louisville, music from Tango Island band and luau foods from Bayou Bluegrass Catering. The Paradise Luau included a photo booth sponsored by Robbie and Susan Starling in honor/memory of long-time MWMH supporter Clarence Noland.

The live and silent auctions featured various items and experiences donated by community members and hospital personnel. The auctions combined netted over $18,800. The live auction included: a week stay at an ocean-front Costa Rica home (Donated by Dr. Iraklis Livas), weekend getaway at Green Pastures cabin (Donated by Doug & Ruth Mays), Apple Watch (Donated by Maher Kassis), Nashville Package (Donated by 21 C Hotel-Nashville, Nashville Symphony and Ryman Auditorium), Autographed Tyler Childers CD (Donated by Deanna & Gene Seale), Cleveland Package (Donated by: Rodney and Kimberly Davis), Kate Spade purse & wallet (Donated by: Arielle Estes & Audrey Brooks), Five night stay in Dillard, Georgia (Donated by: Bobby & Geraldine Gross) and Cincinnati Bengal Tickets (Donated by: Ben & Elizabeth Walling and Steven & Megan Mainous).

Special thank you for the generous support from our sponsors: (Presenting Sponsor): Citizens Guaranty Bank; (Platinum Sponsors): Citizens Bank & Trust Co. of Jackson and Beattyville, Modern Woodmen and Rodney & Kimberly Davis; (Gold Sponsors): Robbie & Susan Starling, Tanner Ram Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Stanton, Spencer Drug (Madison Drug, Irvine Health Care Pharmacy, Estill Clinic Pharmacy and Woodford Family Pharmacy), Uncle Kris, Marcum & Wallace Hospital Auxiliary, Piper & Bowers PSC, Commonwealth Home Health, CSX Beyond Our Rails and Easter Healthcare Consulting; (Bronze Sponsors): Estill County Chiropractic, Professional Radiology, Siemens, US Acute Care Solutions, Pathology & Cytology Laboratories, Med Cost and Janice & Ellen Bush-In loving memory of Eugene Bush; (Table Sponsors): Estill Medical Clinic, Bluegrass Plastic Surgery in honor of breast cancer survivor Susan Smith, Ann & Earl Blackwell, Irvine Nursing & Rehab, Steven & Megan Mainous, Hardy Oil Company, River City Players and West Coast Central Ohio Consortium – MRI Services.

The events would not have been possible without many in-kind supporters including Ethan Moore with Pick Up Country 104.9 WSKV FM (sound sponsor), Lauren Rothenhauser with Illumi Studio (photography sponsor), Nothing Bundt Cakes- Lexington (dessert sponsor), Southeast Apparatus (sign sponsor), Divine Soiree – Events by Amber, Priceless Foods, Kroger (Stanton), Estill County Tribune, Citizens Voice & Times, Three Forks Tradition, Beattyville Enterprise, Highbridge Springs Water, Wallingford Broadcasting, Estill/Powell County ASAP Board, Estill County Rescue Squad, Wallace Taylor, Estill County EMA, Advanced Disposal, Advance Auto Parts-Irvine & Advance Auto Parts-Stanton, Edwin Watts Golf and the MWMH Management Team.

Other supporters of the events include: Warren F. Toler Funeral Home, David & Carol Carr and Bluegrass Renal Care.

For more information about how to support the Marcum & Wallace Hospital Foundation, contact Arielle Estes at 606-726-2119 or arestes@mercy.com.

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

The principals of Estill County schools presented their own report card to the Board of Education on Thursday night.

They shared data and named reasons to celebrate, as well as areas that need improvement.

Lisa Reece, from Central Office, began the presentation by explaining how the Kentucky Department of Education is moving away from scoring schools and districts and is focusing more on individual scores of learners.

Andrea Williams, new interim principal at the middle school, said she was “extremely excited” about the novice reduction rate in comparison to KPREP scores from last year.  She attributed improvements in part to a program called Reading Plus, as well as a culture change at the school.  Writing scores were not as impressive, but Williams said the school is revising a school-wide writing plan.

Williams has stepped into the role of principal following the move of former principal Tim Burkhart to Director of Transportation/Instructional Supervisor.

Stephen Willis, principal of the preschool center at South Irvine, expressed pride in the increase in the number of preschool students who tested kindergarten ready, per the Brigance Kindergarten Readiness evaluation.  Last year, 71.5 of preschoolers were said to be kindergarten ready, the largest in the region, in comparison to 48.1 the year before.

Jessica Mullins, principal at Estill Springs Elementary, said her school does not have KPREP scores, but she is seeing progress, particularly in math.  Charlotte Arvin, principal at West Irvine, said the number of students enrolling at West Irvine keeps growing, and parent volunteers are in the building on a daily basis.

“We are building steam at West Irvine,” said Arvin.

High school principal Chris Winkler defied the trends and did some ranking of his own.  He said the ECHS overall accountability score of 73.8 put them as the top 30 high school in the state. He also noted that the graduation rate is 19^th in the state.

“Our kids like to come to school,” Winkler said. The high school has an attendance rate of 94.7, which he hopes will improve, although ECHS is the highest among other schools in the 16^th region.

Board member L.W. Beckley said an internet search of the Estill County District could turn up some rankings that reveal “we are still behind.”

He reminded school leaders that board members are aware of that, and said, “Let’s don’t get lax,…while celebrating our gains, know we still have gains to make.”

All board members stated that they receive frequent complaints about the appearance of school grounds.

Rhonda Hardy asked if it would be feasible to contract some of the work, and Saylor said that they already do contract some of it. Beckley said he would be willing to volunteer to help pick up trash, paint, etc.

Staff and community Mountain Movers were recognized during the meeting. Debbie Rison was recognized as a community partner for her work with Helping Hands Ministry, which helps fill backpacks with food for students and also helped organize a summer feeding program.

Nettie Marcum was recognized for her 30 years of work at the high school, and said she cannot imagine not going there every day.

Donald Norton was not present, but was recognized as the certified staff Mountain Mover.  He is a middle school math teacher but was attending open house and couldn’t be there.

Sondra Hall and Lauren Rader, with Gear Up, spoke of the benefits of that program to the high school community, from providing ACT workshops, to parent workshops, to college and job site visits.

In other business, Superintendent Jeff Saylor said that architects are currently evaluating three sites for the new career and technology center.  He said a site selection could be made by next week.  The board also approved a request for proposals for construction management services.  They agreed to table a discussion on the needed Estill Springs HVAC project and the middle school roof replacement.

Consent items approved include a list of surplus items, and contracts with Kentucky Counseling Center and Parsons Counseling.  Superintendent Saylor said Parsons is willing to come to Irvine, which would save parents money who currently drive to Richmond for counseling services.

The board also approved a trip to Molena, GA, in November for the JROTC to attend a national championship.

Also, a trip to Washington, DC was approved for middle and high school students to attend the National Association of Student Councils Annual LEAD Conference.

Personnel actions taken include the hiring of Tim Burkhart as Transportation Director/Instructional Supervisor; Andrea Williams as interim principal at the middle school; Rebecca Ernest as a substitute teacher, Christopher Johnson and Starr Young as substitute bus assistants, and Angel Phillips as a substitute teacher/para-educator.

Resignation/term limits were accepted from James Ellet, substitute bus assistant, Margaret Ellet, substitute bus assistant, Kara Singleton,, asst. cheerleading coach at the high school, Cheryl Stepp, substitute bus assistant, and Elizabeth Wright, bus assistant.

Superintendent Saylor ended the meeting with a comment that what Governor Bevin has proposed with the teacher retirement pension plan “will destroy public education.”

He urged teachers and staff to be patient and “remember what we are here for-we are here for the kids.”

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the school board is November 16, at 6 p.m.

Photos by Lisa Bicknell

Retired teachers Sara Noland, Ica Mays, Wanda Wilson and Sally Hill were recognized by County Judge-executive Wallace Taylor last week. He presented a proclaimation recognizing Retired Teachers Week.

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

Retired Estill County teachers who have reached, or are about to reach, the age of 90 were recognized during a program hosted by the Estill County Retired Teachers Association at the courthouse last Wednesday.

County Judge-executive Wallace Taylor began the program by presenting a proclamation recognizing Retired Teacher’s Week, which he described as “a privilege and an honor” to do. He also thanked the teachers for the role they played in his own growth.

Some of the teachers shared memories from their careers, while family members spoke for others.  Martha Royalty is also a member of the 90-plus club but did not attend the meeting. The Citizen Voice and Times hopes to share her story on a later date.

See page 2 for the teacher’s stories.

Victoria Stevens, left, and Rhonda Childers, right, accepted the Phoenix Rising Award from the Kentucky Democratic Party on behalf of Estill County’s Democratic Executive Commitee.

The Kentucky Democratic Party awarded Estill County’s Democratic Executive Committee with the Phoenix Rising Award at the 2017 Wendell Ford Dinner in Lexington on October 21, 2017.     Estill County was chosen to receive the Phoenix Rising Award to recognize the work done in the past year to renew the party. Mary Nishimuta (pictured middle), KDP Executive Director, presented the award saying, “This committee has re-organized and, within three meetings, are on their way to holding their first county-wide rally. We’re proud to award the Phoenix Award to Estill County.” Victoria Stevens, Estill County Democratic Executive Committee Chair (pictured left) and Rhonda Childers, Estill County Democratic Executive Committee Member (pictured right) accepted the award at the dinner. Stevens said, “I accept this award for all the Democrats in Estill County who continue to show up and raise their hand. I am merely a voice for Democrats I represent in my county, speaking for those who do not have the same opportunity or are still learning how.” After accepting the award, Childers invited Democratic legislators and 2018 candidates to the first Estill County Democratic Reunion, to be held at the Fair Barn on November 10 at 7 p.m. to learn about issues important to Estill County Democrats.

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

Despite Elves attempt to unionize, Christmas deliveries to be on schedule

During an exclusive interview with the Citizen Voice and Times, Santa Clause recently said “There’s been a little situation with the elves at the North Pole.”

According to Santa, Chief Elf Gartrod tried to unionize the elves, and the elves got to thinking cookie breaks were full time. Therefore, Mr. and Mrs. Claus had to have a little talk with the elves to get them back on track. Santa is relieved to report that everything is now moving forward for timely Christmas deliveries.

In fact, Santa expects to have enough free time to make several pre-Christmas stops in Estill County. This Saturday, he will be at Rader’s River Grill for Breakfast with Santa.  The following Saturday, he will deliver presents at the annual Witt Christmas Party.    

Santa continues to receive lots of letters from children asking for soft stuffed animals.  Construction toys are also very popular, especially with the six to 12 year-old age group.

Five hundred years ago, when Santa was still a boy, erector sets were popular, he said, but his mentor Uncle Chris didn’t like to fool with them, so he gave him baseball cards instead.

In other developments at the North Pole, Santa is thinking about hiring a tenth reindeer because Rudolph, who is left-hoofed, is always steering the flight off toward the north.  A tenth reindeer would help Santa to be on time for all his stops in the southern part of the hemisphere.  Santa says he plans to hire a lady reindeer this time.

Mrs. Claus, who sometimes rides in the sleigh, helps keep Santa on track. One time, he started to make a delivery to Fullerton, CA,  instead of Fullerton, Neb.  Santa gives full credit to Mrs. Claus’s attention to detail for averting a disaster.

Santa has no predictions as to whether or not there will be a white Christmas this year.  “That is the job of other folks,” he insisted with a twinkle in his eye.

When all Christmas deliveries are completed, Santa and Mrs. Clause will gather all the elves around to thank them and ask them what will make their job easier for next year.  They also plan to remind them that all of life can’t be a cookie break.

As for Santa’s favorite cookie?  He loves the sugar-sprinkled cookies that he and Mrs. Clause make together. He makes the dough, and they both roll them out and decorate them.  Then they eat them, of course, and they share some with the elves.

Once all Christmas deliveries are made, the Clauses’ like to play chess to unwind.  They will “try to sleep a little bit,” then they will be right back at it in Santa’s workshop on January 1, making presents for next year’s Christmas.

Santa’s Busy Schedule

On Small Business Saturday, Rader’s River Grill will be hosting ‘Breakfast with Santa.’  Rader’s will be hosting four seatings and requests that parents call the grill at 723-6439 to make reservations. Each child will receive a personalized ornament. Two special elves, Neveah and Bella Lynch, will be assisting Santa on that day.

The first seating is from 9 to 9:45, the second seating is from 9:45 to 10:30, the third seating is from 10:30 to 11:15, and the fourth seating is from 11:15 to 12 noon.

Rader’s will be serving an excellent array of breakfast items on their buffet bar that day, according to Santa.

Photo by Lisa Bicknell

Rader’s River Grille was filled with excited children eager to have breakfast with Santa on Saturdy morning.  Restaurant manager Marsha Porter said 141 children and their families came by for breakfast.  The children all received a free personalized ornament.

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

Photo by Lisa Bicknell

Mountain Warriors began the first lef of an memorial march for Lt.  Colonel Jeff Cole.  Soldiers carried the flag above to Middlesboro.

On Friday morning, the first shift of marchers participating in the Inaugural Mountain Warrior Memorial Ruck March departed from the Kentucky National Guard Armory in Ravenna.

The 202 mile march was held in memory of Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Cole, a former commander of the Kentucky National Guard’s 1^st Battalion 149^th infantry.  He died from cancer in 2015 after battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Cole was a Company Commander with the Middlesboro Kentucky National Guard Armory and was deployed as a commander in 2005-2006 during Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to a news report from WYMT.

Members of his family, including his wife Christi and their four and eight year old daughters, attended a flag folding ceremony in Ravenna before the march began.

A total of 250 soldiers participated in the march as they carried heavy ruck sacks (or backpacks) from the armory in Ravenna to Middlesboro.

The soldiers marched in relays, with their first rest stop at Bunt Gross Auto in Irvine.  From there, teams of the Charlie Company relayed on to Mt. Vernon.  In Mount Vernon, the Bravo Company was to pick up the flag and continue to Somerset and London.

Teams of soldiers swapped out every four miles. On Sunday afternoon, they placed a flag that had been carried from Ravenna to Middlesboro.  The march took approximately 51 hours.

Photo courtesy of Danielle Patrick

Traffic tie-ups such as this one at Waco caused problems all around the area Saturday night.

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

Local dispatchers and first responders were busy early Saturday evening, but despite a flurry of calls for help, there were only five injury accidents reported.  No one was seriously injured, said rescue squad captain Chris Mitchell on Monday.

Two injury accidents were reported on Hwy. 52, one on Barnes Mt., one on Hwy. 89, and one on Hwy. 82, and they all happened at about the same time, just as it got dark and cold enough for a light snowfall to freeze into black ice.

Mitchell said there were also reports of a traffic backup at the Powell/Estill County line, because of vehicles that couldn’t make it up the hill.

Two Estill County ambulances responded to more serious accidents in Madison County.

Local fire departments responded to 23 accidents on Saturday evening, most of which were calls to help get out of the ditch, said Chad Neal, with the Irvine Fire Department.

As more snow was expected early in the week,  “The most important thing to remember…” said Melisse Jesse with EMS, “…if it’s snowing, don’t be out.”

Jesse also reminded that the state has issued new “Priority Route” definitions, which are listed below:

Priority A: Interstates, parkways and major arteries with the highest traffic volume. While all roads are treated during a winter storm, these receive top priority with a goal of a one-hour turnaround time on interstates and two-hour turnaround on other A routes.

Priority B: Highways that are not as heavily traveled as ‘A’ routes are treated next. All Priority B routes should be completely treated during a routine winter storm with a goal of a four-hour turnaround.

Priority C: Mainly rural and other low-volume routes are third on the list. The cabinet’s goal is to treat Priority C routes within 8 hours of the beginning of a routine snow event, and with an 8 hour turnaround time after that.  Priority C roads will not be treated between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., but they will be pre-treated just like the other state roads.

Photo by Lindsey Wood

Last week, Caleb Bonny surpassed Delmar McGee’s 60-year-old scoring record.  

by Andrew Hatton

CVT Sports Writer

Senior Caleb Bonny made Estill County High School history last week, becoming the all-time leading scorer for Engineer basketball. Bonny broke the record set by Delmar McGee over 60 years ago.

Entering the night, Bonny needed 25 points to tie McGee’s record of 1,943. Estill’s opponent for the game was district foe Owsley County, a solid team that would make Bonny’s attempt to break it that night a challenge.

The senior guard was determined to break the record that night though. The Engineers were at home, so doing it in front of an Estill crowd would make the moment special. Estill wouldn’t return home again until Jan. 5, and breaking the record on the road just wouldn’t be the same.

Making it even more special was the Engineers’ honored guest in attendance for the night; none other than Delmar McGee himself.

First things first though, the Engineers had to take care of business. And they did just that. Estill wasn’t just focused on Bonny getting his, that’s not Coach Jon Bentley’s style. If Caleb was going to do it, it was going to be within the construct of their game.

Although Owsley shot the ball well enough from outside to hang with the Engineers for a few quarters, ultimately, the better team simply flexed their muscles and pulled away. Estill dominated nearly every facet of the game.

This is perhaps an aspect overlooked by many, but not by those close to the program or close to Bonny. In Caleb’s mind, the team always comes first. He values winning and his team’s success over his own, and knows that this record would not be possible without the help of those guys that he shares the court with.

If Caleb was going to break it that night, it was going to be with his team working together to get a hard-earned victory. The Engineers would do just that, defeating Owsley by a score of 84-55.

What helped matters was that Bonny had it going. Estill’s talisman was knocking down everything. He had the hot hand from beyond the arc, but was able to get to the rim as well. The versatile scoring ability that got him to this point was on full display in this game.

The game was buzzing in the second half as Bonny continued to inch closer to the mark. At the scorer’s table, the anticipation grew as he continued to score at a high rate, until it was all but a certainty. The officials had been put on alert and were ready for the moment.

Bonny tied the mark in the fourth quarter and we all knew that breaking it was an inevitability. Caleb knocked down a shot that looked no different than hundreds of shots that he had hit before, and the whistles sounded.

With his 27 points on the night, Caleb Bonny had broken Delmar McGee’s record of 1,943 set during the 1956-57 season. Meeting him at center court to give him the game ball was none other than McGee, himself. It was a truly special moment in the history of Engineer athletics.

Justin M. Rogers, a Democrat, has recently filed the paperwork to run again for the office of county surveyor.

Republican Sharla K. Plowman, a Republican, has announced her campaign to run for Circuit Court Clerk against incumbent Stephanie L. Brinegar, also a Republican.

Gary W. Powell, Republican, has joined the race to run with Tom Hart, a Republican,  and Rhonda Childers, a Democrat,  for the office of Estill County Judge-executive.

The current list of sheriff’s candidates also includes Teddy Hunt, Terry Carroll and Christopher Shawn Flynn, all on the Democratic ticket, as well as Russell “Doc” Morris, currently a sheriff’s deputy, Ken White, a Ravenna police officer, and Kevin Chaney, all Republicans, have filed to run for Estill County Sheriff.

Incumbent Rodney Davis, a Republican, filed for re-election as county attorney, and incumbent Jeff Hix, a Democrat, filed for re-election to the office of PVA.

Beverly “Bo” Morris, a Republican, filed for re-election as Estill County Jailer.

Brian Crowe and Elizabeth Henry Walling have filed as the Republican candidates seeking the county clerk position.  Felicia Fike Campbell, a Democrat, has also filed to run for county clerk.

Ricky Williams, a Democrat, and Herman C. Price, a Republican, have filed to run for Constable in District 1, and several have joined the race for Constable in District 2, including Paul J.P. Barnes, Jerry Goosey, Tommy Mullen, and Charles “Jr.” Spicer, all Republicans.

Billy Goosey, Floyd Edmonson, and Rick Goosey, all Democrats, have filed to run for Constable in District 3.   

Anthony “Tony” Murphy filed to run again for coroner.

Mike Abney had filed to run for Magistrate of District 1.

William “Bill” Eldridge filed as a Republican candidate to run for Magistrate District 2. Keith Bradley, also a Republican, and Bobby Gene Snowden, Jr., a Democrat, also filed.

Gerry Wayne Flannery, a Republican, filed to run for Magistrate, District 3.  Melvin Douglas Fields, also a Republican, has also filed for that position, as well as Holden Hardy, a Democrat.

Tommy Joe “Tobo” Bryant has filed as a Republican candidate for the office of the Mayor of Irvine. Incumbents Tim Burkhart and Glenwood “Woody” Tipton have filed to run for a seat on the Irvine City Council.

There is a $50 fee to file to run for office, and the deadline to file for all partisan races is January 31.

The home of Greg and Rita Woolery, at 671 Cantrell Street, was named grand champion winner in the Kiwanis Club Christmas light contest.

Photo by Lisa Bicknell

The new year began with a blue moon hanging over the frozen landscape.  A blue moon happens when there are two full moons within the same month.  Fortunately,  most blue moons aren’t accompanied by sub-0  temperatures.

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

“Is it cold enough for you?”

That’s the question everyone seems to be asking, and for most, the answer is, “Yes, it’s too cold!”

January 2 saw the temperatures  plunge to 0 or even below in some areas of the county.

The cold temperatures haven’t caused a lot of problems, other than some frozen water pipes and some cars not starting.

Because of the extreme cold, Estill County schools were closed on Tuesday, the day they were scheduled to reopen after the Christmas break.

However, teachers reported for a work day.    

By Jerry Eltzroth

CV&T Contributor

My previous two stories about Harry Dean Stanton jogged some CV&T readers’ memories. Jimmy Smithers, a former Estill County resident who now lives in Miamisburg, Ohio, told me that Harry Dean’s father, Sheridan Harry ‘Shorty’ Stanton was pictured in the Estill County Historical Society’s book titled, “200 Years in Pictures, Estill County, Kentucky.” I could not locate ‘Shorty’ Stanton’s picture in the index until I discover his last name was spelled incorrectly. Shorty ‘Straton’ was listed on page 45 of book.

     The caption under the picture read: “Shorty Straton [Stanton] and Albert Witt Barber Shop. The barber at the first chair is Shorty Straton [Stanton] and the barber at the back chair is Albert Witt. The shop was located where the parking lot is on Broadway in Irvine, Kentucky.” There were several pictures on this page. I scanned the page and sent the image to my daughter, Deanna, in Waco, Texas. She used her computer skills and a little magic to isolate Shorty’s picture and send it back to me. The picture is reprinted on this page.

     The two customers in the barber chairs were not identified. The black man at the rear was not identified either. The black man has a whisk broom in his hand which may have been used to clean the customers clothing. He most likely also shined the customers’ shoes if desired. The sign above his head reads, “BATH.” Evidently this was a full service barber shop. Another interesting sign above the mirror reads, “NO CREDIT,” which is self explanatory. The photo was probably taken about 1930.

     After sharing this photo with the good folks at the Estill County Historical Society, they seemed certain that this barber shop was in the building next door to them on Broadway that used to house the recently closed Thyme on Broadway Restaurant.

     Another fan of my stories (I’m glad somebody is reading this stuff!), Bev Miller, called me with yet another tidbit of information about Harry Dean. Bev is 91-years-young and is a walking, talking history book of Estill County. Bev told me where the Stanton house used to be located on Garrett Ave. near his home, and where Harry Dean Stanton was born in 1926. The house was razed recently and a doublewide mobile home replaced it.

     Bev further informed me that Paul Parsons’ family owned the Stanton house for many years after the Stanton’s moved. Paul was born in 1933 and was raised in that house. Paul eventually became associated with Combs, Parsons and Collins Funeral Home on Main Street in Richmond, Kentucky. Bev added that Paul Parsons had a picture of the old house. Unfortunately Paul Parsons passed away in 2016. I understood Bev to say that the picture was hanging on a wall in the funeral home. Therefore I went looking for the picture.

     When I asked Shannon Combs about the picture, he could not remember any such picture ever hanging in the funeral home. My hopes of finding this picture began to dim. Perhaps I misunderstood Bev Miller about the location. Then Shannon asked their office associate to come downstairs. Her name is Lula (Parsons) Kinder, Paul Parsons’ daughter. She did not remember the picture hanging in the funeral home. However, she told me she inherited a painting of an old house from her father. It was proudly displayed in her home. She graciously took a photograph of the painting and e-mailed it to me. I presented a print of the photograph to Bev Miller. He positively identified the house in the painting that accompanies this story as the Stanton, and later, the Parsons home. Fate, via Bev Miller, guided me to Lula or this picture may have never been found.

     Bev Miller suggested I send the picture to Jerry Rose, who is an historian of the Cedar Grove area of Estill County and recently published an excellent book on the subject. Jerry commented that he knew someone who took pictures of the old Stanton-Parsons home as it was being razed. He is going to try and secure those pictures. I also gave a copy of the Stanton house and the photo of the barber shop to the Estill County Historical Society.

     Bev Miller recalled another bit of information about the Stanton family. After Shorty Stanton’s first wife, Lula (Dozier) Stanton passed away shortly after their second daughter was born, the young daughters, Quincy and Lillian, went to live with their Aunt Marie Dozier. She lived a short distance away on Garret Ave. next to the Church of Christ. Marie never married and worked at the Carhartt clothing factory in Irvine. Marie had an untimely death and was found collapsed in her home. Quincy and Lillian were teenagers at this time and went to live with their father and his new wife Ersel (Moberly) Stanton. Shorty and Ersel were living in Fayette County at the time (around 1940) with their children, one of whom was Harry Dean Stanton. Quincy and Lillian had attended school in Estill County, but Lillian had to finish high school in Fayette County.

     I have found Harry Dean Stanton’s story from his birth in West Irvine July 14, 1926 until his death on September 15, 2017 at the age of 91, to be very interesting. All the tidbits from Estill County residents and relatives of Harry Dean have enriched my stories. I am continually reminded of Harry Dean’s legacy as an actor whenever I see one of the movies where he was a supporting actor. Recently I was watching “Godfather 2” and there he was in one of the scenes. I exclaimed, “There’s Harry Dean!” Bonnie gave me that “You’re nuts!” look. Just a few days ago I was watching a movie starring Jack Nicholson titled “Goin’ South.” At the beginning of the movie, Jack Nicholson’s character was thrown into the local jail. On the wall of the jail cell was scrawled “H. Dean Stanton.” Jack Nicholson thought so much of Harry Dean that he secreted Harry Dean’s name or initials in his movies to honor him.

     I have heard a rumor that Estill County may try to find a way to honor Harry Dean in a permanent way. That would be a fitting tribute to one of our local residents who made it to the big dance.

Captions:

This photo of a painting belonging to Lula (Parsons) Kinder has been verified by Bev Miller to be the house where Harry Dean Stanton’s family lived when he was born in 1926.

This reprint of a photo on page 45 of the book, “200 Years in Pictures, Estill County, Kentucky” is of the Shorty Stanton and Albert Witt barber shop that was operated around the 1930’s on Broadway in Irvine, Kentucky.    

Photo by Mimi Tucker

The Rather Bee Quilting Club presented a quilt to Nannie Muncie, who lost her belongings in a fire.

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

In early October of 2017,  Nannie Muncie’s home of more than 50 years was severely damaged when a fire broke out in her living room.  Many of her possessions were destroyed, and she’s been sleeping in a storage shed beside her home on Armour Street while repairs are being made there.

Last week, Mimi Tucker, a long-time friend of Nannie’s, presented her with a beautiful handmade quilt made especially for her by the Rather Bee Quilting group.  Nannie said she was “tickled to death.”

“It was the first brand new quilt I ever had,” said Nannie, who added that the gift brightened her days and made her feel like “somebody was thinking about me.”

Nannie is on supplemental oxygen and is unable to get out much.

All of her furniture, curtains, curtain rods, etc., will have to be replaced. Some chairs have been donated and are in storage building, but Nannie isn’t exactly sure what she has, because she hasn’t been out to check and see.

If anyone has extra household items that they would like to donate, they may call Nannie’s daughter, Janet Rose, and leave a message.  The number is 726-9909.

Anyone who would like to join the Rather Bee Quilting group, which often makes quilts to donate, may come to the Estill County Public Library on the second Saturday of each month.  The quilting bee meetings last from 1 until 5 p.m.,  and participants typically work on a project while they are there. Call the library at 723-3030 for more information.

Jail employees will become transport assistants, some could face unemployment

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

During Monday night’s meeting, the Estill County Fiscal Court continued to look for ways to generate cash flow that will allow them to begin to pay back some of the county’s mountain of debt.

Judge-executive Kevin Williams presented a plan to the court to house all inmates, male and female, at the Three Forks Regional Jail in Lee County.  Three Forks has agreed to house the inmates at $32 each for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2018.  At that time the agreement may be re-evaluated.

The county agreed to contract with Three Forks for at least 50 beds. Jailer Bo Morris said the county currently has 58 inmates, but they sometimes have 70 or more.  Recently they had as few as 43, Morris said, but it’s usually more than 50.

The county also approved a Jail Transport Plan.  Judge Williams said it will probably take a few weeks to work the bugs out, but he said the proposed plan is working in other counties who face the same problems Estill County does.

He explained that the financial drain caused by the jail is not the fault of the jailer or even the court, but is the result of a failed state system that was based on the presumption that crime rates would lessen over the years, when in fact they have dramatically increased.

“County governments and county taxpayers bear the brunt of it,” Williams said, also adding that the local jail had been running in the hole since the day it opened because it has such a small capacity.

Jailer Morris had misgivings that cutting employees would not provide him the resources to do his job.

Williams insisted that the transport plan is proven.

“We’ve all lost sleep over this, but this is a business,” he said, “and it has to be done…We’re not going to walk away from it.  This has been a problem for years.”

Chad Smith, a deputy jailer, asked if this is the plan that has been talked about before.  He said, “The only thing I can ask, is that you involve someone with insight (in developing the plan).”

The jail transport plan was approved, and it goes into effect on February 8.  All jail employees, with the exception of the jailer, will be terminated, but two will be rehired as full time assistant prisoner transport officers.  Part time assistant prisoner transport officers may be hired as needed.

Jail employees will receive private notification letters, Williams said.

Peggy Frazier, a jail employee, asked the court if they are blaming the county’s financial problems on the jail.

Magistrate Marty Snowden said that the jail has been the biggest drain on the budget, and they have already spent, in the first six or seven months of this fiscal year, the amount budgeted to last for the entire year.

In other business, a second reading of the amended ordinance repealing the three dollar landline fee imposed in 1990 and adding a four dollar fee to residential and business water meters was approved.

Magistrate Darrell Johnson asked County Attorney Rodney Davis if watering tanks for livestock would be included if they are not associated with a home, and Davis said they would not be.

The court voted to make the county’s Emergency Operating Center a smoke free facility.  Judge Williams said that is needed because of the expensive high-tech equipment housed there.

Judge Williams requested a transfer of a 911 services fund to CSEPP, for the amount of $14,400.  CSEPP will reimburse the funds.

He also asked for pre-approval from the court to reconstruct the Kentucky Association of Counties (KACO) loan.  Judge Williams said the county’s liabilities are “scattered everywhere,” and he had met with KACO officials a couple of times about combining all the loans into one, perhaps to be paid back over a ten-year period.  Williams said the need to generate some cash flow is great, so that employees get paid, and the county can buy salt, as well as pay on their debt.

Williams said the county may have to go before a board, because “we are a liability[to KACO].”

Magistrate Johnson supported the decision, calling it a step in the right direction.

Judge Williams requested approval for a CGB Visa credit card for emergency expenditures.  He said the county could not even get a $100 part from a local parts store to repair a truck because they won’t honor the credit.  He also said that all other cards have been destroyed.

Margaret Wood and John Isfort were re-appointed to two-year terms with the ambulance board.  Their term lasts through June 30, 2019.

After a job posting to hire a director at the Senior Citizens Center, Bj McGee was the only applicant to apply, and she was hired to fill the position.

The court approved claims from CSEPP for $14,400, and for an HVAC system to EM Tower.

Lucas Barnes, with the local EMA/CSEPP office, said that CSEPP recently had funds of $94,000 become available to reimburse the county.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Estill County Fiscal Court is February 19 at 6 p.m.

Photo by Lisa Bicknell

The Concerned Citizens of Estill County hosted another public forum for Estill Countians, this time to voice their opinions on the landfill’s proposed Corrective Action Plan.  The majority of those who spoke up at the meeting last night said the illegal waste should be removed.

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

Dozens of people turned out on a snowy Monday evening to learn more about Advanced Disposal’s proposed Corrective Action Plan, to which the Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) has already given tentative approval, pending public comment.

And comment the public did.  Several attendees of the meeting asked hard questions and expressed fears and misgivings about leaving the waste in place.

Tom Hart, chair of the Concerned Citizens of Estill County, began the meeting by providing background information about how the illegally dumped Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (TENORM) was first brought to the attention of state officials in early 2016.  TENORM is drilling waste from oil and gas wells, and the material was generated in West Virginia.

Hart said that at least 92 loads of TENORM was brought in by Corey Hoskins and other trucking companies. Fairmont Brine was one of the largest violators, dumping 865.33 tons of the material.

Eventually, Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services sought $8,547,380 in civil penalties from the companies responsible for the dumping, but several of those companies declared bankruptcy, including Corey Hoskins.

Fairmont Brine has agreed to pay their penalty by making 30 monthly payments that are to be dispersed to the Estill County Health Department.

Hart provided details from a risk assessment which had determined the threat from the waste in the landfill to the public was minimal.   Later in the meeting, someone asked who “they” are (that conducted the study).  Hart said that it was a very reputable company and the study, which cost $300,000, was paid for by Advanced Disposal.

Following Hart’s presentation, Mary Cromer, attorney with the Appalachian Citizens Law Center representing CCEC, provided an overview of Advanced Disposal’s CAP.

She explained that the two alternatives spelled out in the Corrective Action Plan are essentially: 1) closure in place and monitoring, and 2) excavation and re-disposal of the waste.

Cromer said that the plan for leaving the material relies on operational requirements already in place and an interim cap over the waste.  It also provides for a radionuclide sampling plan and moving methane collection wells.

The second alternative would require moving the waste to another landfill in Pennsylvania designed to handle such waste.  The plan would require moving an estimated 45,575 cubic yards of waste 425 miles away.  The landfill calculates that it would take 93 working days to move 1,823 loads of the material.

Risk factors the landfill considered when creating the CAP include the amount of direct exposure to the material, the impacts to the surface and groundwater, and exposure to radon “daughters” through inhalation as the material breaks down.

The landfill maintains that to remove the material could result in direct exposure to workers and the community.  Other factors to consider in moving it are the stability of the material in the landfill, traffic concerns, and truck decontamination.

The CAP says it would cost $464,900 to leave the material in place and $6.2 million to remove it.

The landfill ultimately concluded that closure in place offers the highest degree of overall protectiveness, both short term and long term, according to the CAP.

The meeting was then opened to questions.

Nancy Farmer, one of the community host agreement committee members, asked if the material was removed, would it require the use of a special team.  Cromer answered that the CHFS would have to decide that, but she surmised that the laborers would have to undergo special training at the very least.

Ronnie Harbison, of Red Lick, expressed concerns about the life of the liner, which is only designed to last for 30 years by some accounts.

Rhonda Childers wondered about moving the methane gas wells and if they are venting the radon into the atmosphere.

Harold Friend also expressed concerns about high rates of cancer in the county.  His wife had breast cancer and received treatments in Richmond.  At one time, he said, eight of the twelve undergoing treatments there were from Irvine, something he thinks is more than coincidence.

Pauline Cooper said the waste might be safe during our lifetime, but asked, “What about our children and our grandchildren?”

“If we don’t step up, nobody else is going to,” she said. “We have to take care of our county, because nobody else cares.”

She said the waste needs to go.

Victoria Stevens, with the Estill Action Group, asked if the landfill in Pennsylvania has three schools and a river near it.  This question was in reference to the argument that moving the waste would move the risk elsewhere. She stated that “perception is reality,” and property values will be affected if the waste remains.

Childers also said that Advanced Disposal is one of the leading companies in the country disposing of frack waste, and they “are well-equipped to move this waste.”

David Alexander, from Red Lick, says he has worked in the county since he was 15 years old. His comment was that the landfill accepted the waste, even if they did not bring it in.

Alexander, the father of six children, said, “One of then is eat up with cancer.”

Craig Williams, program director with the Kentucky Environmental Foundation, wrapped up the comment section by emphasizing that the CAP was based on assumption because core samples were not taken.

He also read a statement by Bob Shaffer, former Estill Development Alliance director, who fought against NORM being brought into the landfill in the 1990s.  Shaffer insists that the illegal waste should be removed on moral grounds.

Further actions being taken regarding the illegal dumping in the landfill include the Estill County Fiscal Court’s civil suit against the landfill.  According to County Attorney Rodney Davis, the landfill does not acknowledge the presence of TENORM in the landfill and claims they are not bound by the terms of the county’s community host agreement.

Responding to a comment that the big companies and the state are picking on a small community, County Attorney Rodney Davis said that even though Estill County is a small community, “a lot of good lawyers” are working on the case. A team of lawyers from New Orleans specializing in landfills is assisting the county.

Davis said “boxes and boxes” of records have been gathered in the discovery phase of the county’s lawsuit, and he assured that a lot is going on behind the scenes, because “you don’t litigate in public.”

He also recommended that the public show up to court hearings regarding the fiscal court’s civil suit against the landfill.  The date of the next hearing is not known at this time but will be announced later.

A committee is working on an updated community host agreement.

Hart said he has spoken with Commonwealth Attorney Heather Combs, who is considering criminal prosecution against Corey Hoskins.

The home of Dan and Cindy Ball on Tucky Lane was destroyed by fire on Saturday evening. Fire departments from all around the area fought the blaze but couldn’t save the home.

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

The home of Dan and Cindy Ball at Tucky Lane on Possum Run Rd. in the Sandhill area was destroyed by fire on Saturday evening.

Estill County Fire Department Chief Derrick Muncie said that a call came for assistance after 5 p.m. when Cindy Ball returned home and saw smoke coming from the garage.

She went to her daughter’s house, who lived nearby, to call for the fire department.

Muncie said when crews arrived they saw heavy smoke coming from the home. One of the crew on the scene, Shawn Riddell stepped into the house from a door connecting to the attached garage, and he fell through the floor into the basement below. He was able to exit through a door in the basement and escaped serious injury.

Riddell was checked out on scene and later transported to the hospital, but he was released from the hospital later that night.

Muncie said crews from Hargett, Irvine, Ravenna, Red Lick,  Union City and Waco responded to the fire, with as many as 46 people on scene.

Because crews couldn’t safely get inside the house, they had to put water on the fire from outside, which Muncie said was “a losing battle.”