CSX, RJ Corman to transport historic locomotive through Central Kentucky to new home in Ravenna

Submitted by the Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation

A giant piece of Kentucky’s past will be rumbling through the bluegrass this summer. Chesapeake and Ohio 2716, a massive 75-year old steam locomotive, will be making a triumphant journey from the Bardstown area to Ravenna, Kentucky, July 26 through 28. The 400-ton engine is slated to be restored to operation, taking center stage at the Kentucky Rail Heritage Center, a blossoming Eastern Kentucky economic development project based in Estill County.

The Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is spearheading efforts to help revitalize the regional economy in Appalachian Kentucky with a multi-faceted rail-based initiative. The locomotive’s move will be a mobile kick-off for the project, allowing the public to get an up-close view of a piece of the region’s past, and what may be a key part of its future.

Thanks to collaboration from both CSX Transportation and Nicholasville, Ky.-based RJ Corman Railroad Group, the locomotive will be transported over a three-day period from the Kentucky Railway Museum, in New Haven, to Estill County. The unprecedented event will also include several stops and a public excursion, the proceeds from which will be shared by Kentucky Steam Heritage and the Kentucky Railway Museum, both non-profit entities.

Chris Campbell, Kentucky Steam Heritage president, says the weekend-spanning odyssey will be a culmination of months of planning and shows extraordinary generosity and buy-in from two large rail companies.

“This project is about much more than just trains, and our corporate partners really understand the vision,” he said. “Kentucky Steam’s focus is to spur economic development and job creation through tourism, utilizing the region’s rich rail history as a springboard. Over a half century ago, this engine helped build and sustain the economy of the eastern part of our state, and all of Appalachia. We want to tell that story as well as to help write the next chapter for the region.”

Last May, Kentucky Steam announced that a deal had been struck with CSX Transportation to purchase a 40-acre tract of decommissioned railyard in Estill County. Ambitious development plans for the Kentucky Rail Heritage Center include a diverse set of attractions based around trains — a restaurant, brewery and event center, concert venue, walking trails and a railroad restoration shop which will include a partnership with Estill and Lee County schools. Area vo-tech students will be able to participate in the rehab of historic train equipment while gaining valuable technical skills training and program credit hours.

The property was acquired from CSX in late-2018 and work began over the winter by a growing number of volunteers from the area and surrounding states. Many of the volunteers are drawn in by the chance to help rebuild the locomotive, one of the few remaining examples of what helped define the industry and economy of Appalachia.

Steam Locomotive 2716 was built in 1943 and operated pulling freight and passenger trains for thirteen years — mostly in Appalachia — before being retired in 1957. It was donated to the Kentucky Railway Museum — then located in Louisville — by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway in May of 1959. Over the past sixty years, the engine has only operated for a few short months before being put on static display in 2001 at the museum’s new home in New Haven, south of Bardstown.

Kentucky Steam leased the engine from the Kentucky Railway Museum in 2016, with the intent of restoring it to operation. Once rehabbed, it will be one of the largest operating steam engines in the nation. The process of restoration is costly, however, mainly because replacement parts have to be custom manufactured and fitted by hand. The group hopes to offset some of the costs of the restoration through donations and revenues generated by the upcoming public send-off excursion.

The move of the locomotive will be spearheaded by CSX Transportation and RJ Corman, a joint-effort that will result in photo opportunities, public tours and displays in several cities along the 200-plus-mile-long journey. Details for the schedule will be solidified early this summer, but the tentative route should bring the locomotive through Louisville, Frankfort, Midway, Lexington and Winchester before it arrives in Ravenna. The public will be able to access and tour the engine, as well as other pieces of historic equipment, at several predesignated stops along the route. Campbell stresses that while the series of events is intended to engage the public, safety is of the utmost importance.

“We think this will be a great way to let people interact with our project and to get them excited about what we are doing,” he said. “But, the best way that the public can say ‘thanks’ to the companies that are helping move this amazing artifact is to be safe, smart and respectful around railroad tracks and property.”

Tickets to ride the special July 26 excursion at the Kentucky Railway Museum featuring steam locomotive 2716 and other historic trains will go on sale on Thursday, April 18 at 9 a.m. EST. A limited number of seats are available.

For more details and updates, information on membership, donations and for ordering tickets, visit www.kentuckysteam.org

For more info about the Kentucky Railway Museum, visit www.kyrail.org

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

Photo by Lisa Bicknell

Estill Springs second graders sang “My Old Kentucky Home” before the school board on Thursday night.

Estill Springs Elementary was spotlighted during Thursday night’s Estill County Board of Education meeting.

Teachers participating in #KyCharge gave a presentation.  It is a grant-funded program that benefits students by providing professional development for teachers and opportunities to secure new technology for classrooms and engage kids in history.    Teachers JoLin Owens, Morgan Worrell, Rachel Newby and Dess Kerby presented a slide show of images from student history lessons.

Several second grade students also sang My Old Kentucky Home for all in attendance.  A few kindergarten and first grade students presented a canvas to the board painted with the words, “In God We Trust.” Students informed those gathered that Governor Bevin recently signed a bill requiring schools to display “In God We Trust” in a prominent location.

ESE Principal Jessica Mullins also presented images “before” and “after” renovations at Estill Springs.  The front offices have been extensively remodeled to make the entry safer, and a new roof is currently being installed.  At press time, the new roof was about 50 percent complete.

In other business, Superintendent Jeffrey Saylor asked the board to approve a pay application of $128,250 for the roof renovation project at Estill Springs and ECMS, as well as a photogrammetric survey (via drone) of the property being purchased for a new school bus garage.  The board unanimously agreed to approve the drone services, at an additional cost of $7,375. The total cost for the survey services of S&ME will be $44,008.50.  The board also approved appraiser services of Steven D. Adams of Winchester.  He bid the job for $1,900.

Saylor said dirt should be moved in June for the Estill Area Technology Center.

A final draft of the Estill County Schools District Facility Plan (DFP) was approved by the board.  A public hearing will be held on April 25^th at 5:30 p.m., and the public is encouraged to attend.  The board will meet in special session at 6 p.m. to approve the final draft of the plan, which will be sent to the state board of education for approval in June.   

The DFP lays out $18,000,000 in district need, over the course of the next four years.

The plan includes major renovations at the high school, including HVAC replacement, plumbing upgrades, LED lighting upgrades, technology upgrades, replacing ceilings and interior finishes, including flooring and paint. The estimated cost for the renovations at the high school is listed at $7,547,600.  Not included in that estimate is “life safety” upgrades which include a secure entry vestibule and handicap accessibility upgrades at the high school.

The DFP also does not include upgrading the athletic facilities at the high school at a projected cost of up to $3,400,000.

Superintendent Saylor said in a later interview that it is unlikely that everything on the list will be accomplished, but if all needed renovations and projects were completed, that is the approximate amount they would cost.

The board approved Assurance Partners of Lexington as an insurance agent, and White and Associates as auditors for 2020.  Auditing services will cost $17,500 a year for a three year term.

Consent items approved from the agenda included:

• A resolution concerning the untimely death of Brooklyn Nicole Fox, a senior at Estill County High School.

• A dual credit agreement with Bluegrass Community Technical College for classes in agriculture and family and consumer sciences.

• Out of state field trips-ECMS students to Kings Island

                                       ECMS student council to Derby Dinner Theater in Indiana

                                       ECHS FMD class to Cincinnati Zoo

                                       ECHS FPS to international competition in Massachusetts.  Superintendent Saylor said the school board is paying for housing and fees, or about 70 percent of costs of the academic teams’ trip.

•An agreement with Project Home Network, which will provide a grant for new CMA health services to the high school.

Personnel changes include the hiring of Mike Tanner as JROTC teacher at the high school and Alyssa Wysong as substitute teacher.  Resignations were accepted from Paula Marcum, custodian at South Irvine, and Sherry Murphy, a teacher at the high school.

Cutlines: Sister Loretta Spotila accepted the Community Mountain Mover award during Thursday night’s board meeting.

Spotila represents the Interfaith Wellness Ministries, a non-profit that leads many local programs, including a local diabetes coalition and adult exercise classes. The center recently celebrated its 20^th anniversary of work within the county.

Middle school principal Andrea Williams was named April’s Certified Mountain Mover; however, she was unable to attend the meeting, because she was in Chicago for the 8^th grade trip.  Williams is in her first year as head principal at the middle school. She served as assistant principal two years prior to that, and has been an educator at the middle school level for 22 years.

Loren Chaney was named the Classified Mountain Mover of the month. An RN for 10 years, Chaney is the school nurse at Estill Springs Elementary.

These cyclists proudly take a break at Ada’s Place on Drip Rock after pedaling up the steep, winding hill.

Photo submitted

By Kris Davis

With the Bluegrass Cycling Club

The Mountain Mushroom Festival attracted more than 50 cyclists from Central and Eastern Kentucky to Estill County on Saturday. Many of the cyclists were members of the Bluegrass Cycling Club (BCC); cyclists from Prestonsburg and other areas also attended.

The BCC promotes cycling in Central Kentucky and beyond and is comprised of experienced riders and racers as well as novice cyclists. All members like to ride their bikes and have fun! Libby and Danny Barnes, BCC members, have been hosting a club ride for the past three years in conjunction with the Fungus 5K and the Mountain Mushroom Festival. Last year, approximately 20 cyclists participated in this ride.
This year, Libby Barnes planned five different routes that ranged in distance and difficulty. The first group of cyclists headed to McKee. They rode 64 miles round trip in a little more than four hours. The backroads to McKee and Stanton are an absolute terror for anyone trying to drive there. And luckily for the cyclist, this makes these roads challenging and also thrilling.

The second group stayed in Estill County and rode to the top of Drip Rock and back down to Red Lick and over to Knob Lick; they enjoyed a snack stop at the old Jinks Trading Post.

The third group rode 38 miles and visited the old Texacola oil refinery then traveled on to Cathedral Domain and Fitchburg Furnace. I really love this part: seeing peoples’ faces the first time they see this furnace. Fitchburg Furnace is a true man-made wonder.

The fourth and fifth groups rode 54 and 39 miles, respectively. Both groups had one goal: to ride up Cobb Hill. The steepness of Cobb draws riders from all over with one goal: to simply make it to the top. Only some of the riders earned those bragging rights.

After riding up Cobb Hill, the fourth group rode to Stanton. The route to Stanton and back to Irvine is like a miles-long roller coaster. The views are second to none. Looking over Hardwick’s creek and State Rock is my favorite view up at Furnace Junction.

The BCC is hoping to bring a ride to Irvine on every other Wednesday to enjoy the views, tackle the hills, and see what else Estill County has to offer.

Please watch out for cyclists on the road! For more information on cycling or the BCC please visit http://www.bgcycling.net.

Kris Davis lives in Estill County and is very involved in the Bluegrass Cycling Club and the Cave Run Red River Gorge Mountain Bike Alliance.  He also helps organize bi-weekly Estill Action Group hikes.

Photos submitted

Above, Gene and Elaine Smith moved to the Drip Rock area  from Alabama.  They are members of the Estill County Farmers Market.

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

Editor’s note:  This is the first in a series of articles introducing Estill County Farmers Market vendors to the community.  Meet Elaine and Gene Smith from Drip Rock Farm.

Elaine and Gene Smith moved to this area from Alabama after the company Gene worked for there relocated some workers to the chemical demilitarization plant in Madison County.

“We knew absolutely nothing about this area,” said Elaine.  They rented an apartment in Berea for a while, then they moved to a larger apartment in Richmond.  In their spare time, they’d take the back roads and look for places they’d like to live.  Elaine, a photographer who operated a business in Alabama called Robin Lane Photography, brought along her camera and took lots of photographs.

One day, they found themselves in the Drip Rock area.  “This is beautiful,” they both agreed. They decided to keep an eye out for properties for sale in the area.

Eventually, a home and some land on Marcum Road came on the market, and as soon as they saw it, they knew.

“This is it,” they both agreed.

Elaine says they had never really farmed by themselves, but they were raised with family who did.  The Smiths decided to plant a large patch of several varieties of garlic, as well as some purple hull peas like the ones that Gene’s grandparents raised back in Alabama.  They planted lavender, heirloom tomatoes, and a few other vegetables.

This year, Elaine is planning to grow “pro cut” sunflowers, a pollen-less variety that is especially suitable for creating indoor bouquets and using in weddings.

Elaine is an avid crafter, and makes beautiful flowers from crepe paper and coffee filters.  She also makes an exfoliating soap and has recently taken up felting.

The Smiths joined the farmer’s market last year.  They sell garlic, garlic powder, flowers, tomatoes, peas and other vegetables.

The couple is hopeful Gene will get to work until retirement age at the depot, because they’d love to stay here.

A couple of their grown children have also moved to the area.  The Smiths have nine grandchildren, ranging in ages from newborn to 18.  Elaine says they enjoy visiting the farm.

By Blain Click

CV&T Sports Reporter

Region Runner up Anglers Chase Rawlings and Micah Adams are pictured with Greg Adams and Coach Hopper Osborne

The Bass Fishing Engineers traveled to Cave Run Lake on April 27th for the regional tournament. There were a total of 93 boats competing for a spot in the KHSAA State Tournament. The top 17 boats advance to KY Lake on May 10-11 for a shot at the state title. The Engineers took six boats to the region with two of those boats eventually qualifying for the state tournament. Chris Wise and Lucas Puckett finished 15th while Chase Rawlins and Micah Adams finished runner up in the region. With no seniors, these four juniors are the leaders of the team. The Engineers have had a tremendous year under new coach Chris “Hopper” Osborne with two teams already qualifying for the KHSAA State Tournament and two teams qualifying for the SAF national finals. There is also one remaining tournament to qualify for the KBN State. One team is already locked into the KBN State and another one is sitting in fourth in total points and is looking like a strong candidate for the event. Osborne said it takes everyone to make this possible and would like to thank all the help and support along with the sponsors that have helped get the team to where they are.

Photo by Lisa Bicknell

Eric Puckett won the Rondo Hatton Fan Artist of the Year Award for 2018.

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

Local pop culture artist Eric Puckett says he was a kid who always liked to draw and paint, and art classes in middle school and high school fueled that interest.

At Morehead State University, he earned a degree in art, where he specialized in portraiture.

His interest in art has endured, and now he’s making quite a name for himself.

Puckett recently snagged his second Rondo Hatton award, specifically, the Linda Miller Award for Fan Artist of the Year.  In June, he will be attending Wonderfest in Louisville to accept the award.

For several years, Puckett worked as a graphic artist for some prominent publishing companies, including Simon and Schuster in Indianapolis.

In his spare time, Puckett would paint just to relax and have a little fun. His main interest is in pop culture art, especially the classic horror genre.  He enjoys painting portraits of the characters he liked to watch while growing up.

Several years ago, he began to take his finished paintings to get them signed by celebrities when he attended pop culture conventions such as Lexington Comic and Toy Convention.

One day someone stopped him as he was leaving and asked if the paintings he was carrying were for sale.

The realization that someone might want to buy his work led him to get his own table at Lexington Comic Con.

Puckett has become a fan favorite, as evidenced by the Rondo Hatton awards, which are decided by popular vote with only one vote per person allowed.

On the Rondo Awards website, Puckett’s art is described as “bright and scary, capturing a monstrous world where deadly clowns and villains lurk behind garish masks.  A mainstay at conventions and exhibits, Eric’s work is soaked with humor and danger.”

Puckett won his first Rondo Hatton award in 2013, and he continues to increase the number of conventions he attends. This year he has already attended Frankfort Con, and Lexington Comic and Toy.  He is also scheduled to appear at Ohio Toy and Comic Show, HorrorHound, Scarefest 10, Harlan Haunt Fest, and Richmond’s very own “RichCity Comic and Pop Con.”

Not only does Puckett paint characters from horror films, but he has done portrait work of people, pets, and even some landscape paintings.

He likes to work in his studio late at night after his wife Staci and daughter Shalee have gone to bed.

“It de-stresses me,” he said.

Painting is a creative outlet for him, but he’s now making a little extra money as well.  Puckett is not quite ready to give up his day job yet, but he’s hopeful that someday he can.

He has sold paintings to people as far away as Thailand, the United Kingdom and France.

His paintings hang in celebrity homes, and now he’s the one who sometimes gets stopped for an autograph, which amazed his daughter Shalee when she accompanied him to a convention.

“Why do they want your autograph?” she asked.

Puckett is in the process of building a website, and samples of his work can be found on his Facebook page (The Art of Eric Puckett Designs) and on Instagram.

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

When Diane Sparks Johnson was about 14 or 15, she asked for a goat for her birthday.  That must have been a sign of things to come.

Years later, she married Travis, a country boy with some acreage on Jake’s Heavenly Hwy., and her interest in the loveable—and sometimes frustrating—critters has only increased.

The first goats the Johnsons acquired on their “Creek Bank Homestead” were Pygmy goats given to Diane by a former co-worker.

She laughs as she shares how she and Travis worked hard to put up some new electric fencing, but when they turned the goats out of the barn, they headed straight through the fence and across the creek.

That was just the beginning of a streak of bad luck.  They bought two does and a set of twins from the stockyards, but they lost some of them to parasite-related problems.

Diane credits a course of classes on small ruminants with helping them become much more successful with their herd.

The Johnsons learned about deworming goats, how to tell good hay from bad, and how to assist when the goats are giving birth.  They also learned about disease.  There are a few, such as Johne’s and CL, that can be transmitted from goats to humans, so Diane and Travis are diligent about testing their herd for those diseases.

They then bought a starter herd of young Boer goats and successfully raised them up on their farm.

It also helps that they’ve established good relationships with a couple of veterinarians and a seasoned goat breeder, all of whom have provided a lot of valuable guidance.

This year, so far, eight of their does have successfully raised 20 baby goats. They’ve had five sets of triplets.

The Johnsons sell meat and dairy goats both commercially and as registered stock. Diane also sells goat’s milk soaps and lotions at the Estill County Farmers Market.   

Diane decided to make some value-added products after she took a class in making soap from goat’s milk.  Eventually, she also learned to make goat’s milk lotions.  Besides the farmers market, she now sells the soaps and lotions at area festivals and events, as well as online.

Diane and Travis are also raising “kidlets” of their own. Seven year-old Aubree and nine month-old Ivory are usually right there with their parents as they work.   

Aubree thrives on playing outside and helping with the animals. She enjoys feeding and assisting with the fencing, and she’s often seen lugging around one of the goat kids.

“I have more of an issue getting her to work inside,” Diane says with a laugh.

Little Ivory is learning early to be farmer too.  Diane says she pushes the baby in her stroller to the milking shed, and Ivory sits quietly while the first goat is being bottle-fed.  About halfway through the milking of the second goat, Ivory typically begins to get a little restless, and by the time Diane starts milking the third goat, she usually has to put Ivory on her knee while she finishes up.

Occasionally, Diane still finds time to feed all the critters, but it can be a challenge with the 25 pound baby on her back.

Look for Diane and the Creek Bank Homestead table at the Estill County Farmers Market beginning June 7 at 3:30 p.m., and at the Moonlight Market, which is the first Friday of each month and lasts from 6 to 10 p.m.

Photo by Lisa Bicknell

Jeanette Hughes, at right, is retiring after 60 years as a school teacher in Estill County.  She is pictured above with Charlotte Arvin, the 13th principal with whom she has worked.

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

Mrs. Jeanette Hughes is retiring from teaching after 60 years.

She was honored with a luncheon at West Irvine Intermediate on Thursday, as well as a  surprise assembly that afternoon when she was presented with a rocking chair.

Hughes began her teaching career when she was 18 years old.  She  drove from Furnace Mountain to the  one-room ‘Harris School’ on Barnes Mountain.

She had to be emergency certified to teach, and she had 45 students ranging from first to eighth grades.

Hughes went on to earn three degrees, work under nine superintendents, and 13 principals.  She trained dozens of student teachers during her lengthy career.

See next week’s paper for a more detailed story by Blain Click.

Photos by Lisa Bicknell

The Estill County High School Class of 2019 graduated a class of 160 students on Friday night.  At top left, Paul Voils, class president, delivers his charge to the class.  At top right, Hannah Parks and other classmates share a laugh at Voils remarks.  At bottom left, Dakota Glasson sports the Kentucky State Police hat he was presented by a group of KSP troopers, one being his neighbor, and at bottom right, this group of friends posed for a photo before the graduation ceremony.  From left are:  Taylor Collins, Courtney Stamper, Audrey Ratliff, Hallie Wilkerson, and Jessica Banks.

Brian Aaron Tipton

An Irvine man was arrested and charged last week with second degree rape and first degree sexual abuse.

On Wednesday, June 5, Brian Aaron Tipton, 30, of James Street in Irvine, was served a complaint warrant which stated that on November 16 and 17 of 2017, Tipton allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with a victim less than fourteen years of age.

The victim reported the incident to Detective Austin Brashear of the Kentucky State Police.  An ongoing two-year investigation by the Irvine Police Department backed up the victim’s statements, according to the police report.

Rape in the second degree (no force) is a class C felony; sexual abuse in the first degree is a class D felony.  Tipton’s bond was set at $10,000 cash.

Photo by Lisa Bicknell

A long line of wanna-be festival go-ers formed Friday.  Some of them said they were “Kickin’ it on the street.”

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

“What in the world is going on downtown?”

“Is there a parade coming through?”

“Why can’t I find a space to park?” 

These were the questions being raised last Friday as hundreds of people set up camp chairs on the sidewalk along Main Street in Irvine and prepared to wait.

But the question on their minds was simply this:  “Will I get a ticket to Kickin’ it on the Creek?”

On Thursday night, a line began to form in front of Wildflowers Boutique, which is owned by LeeAmber Roberts Hellard, daughter of the festival founders.

That’s where a limited number of “pre-sale tickets” could be purchased to gain entry to Kickin’ it on the Creek, the three-day music festival on her parents’ (Byron and Kelli Roberts) farm at Little Rosses Creek.  The event, now in its fifth year, will be in mid-September.

“Although [the pre-sale] is not exclusive to Estill County, and we can’t regulate that, it gives the people of Estill County the first opportunity to get tickets,” said LeeAmber.

“We do this without announcing a lineup in downtown Irvine so everyone can come get in line and get the first chance at tickets for our festival.”

On Friday evening, nearly 300 people were lined up almost to the Irvine United Methodist Church.  Some waited in line for more than 40 hours.

“We were really honored to see everyone out there,” LeeAmber said. “It made me cry when I went into work!”

A festival “pre-show” was also held at the Steam Engine on Friday night, and some folks lined up for tickets for that as well (earlier in the day).  Arlo McKinley, Crownover, and Bedford Band were the featured performers.

Online sales will be held for additional Kickin’ it on the Creek tickets in a couple of weeks to give everyone else an opportunity to purchase tickets.

Even with the large crowd who came out to wait, people were very respectful of others property and cleaned up after themselves, LeeAmber said.

Just to make sure, her dad Byron, her brother Kenton, and her husband Tim walked down the street after the ticket sales to check, but there was very little left behind.

Some even left thank you notes and a gift card for home owners on Main Street, who allowed them to “spread out a little” on their lawns.

Photo submitted

Above,  American Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary president Kimberly Stone Richardson and American Letion Post 79 Comander James Noe stand by the stairs and ramp that they say is not readily accessible to aging veterans. They are asking for funds to install an elevator.

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

The stairs are steep, and the wheelchair accessible ramp leading to the second floor at the American Legion Post 79 is long and also steep.

Walking up the stairs can be difficult or impossible for an aging population of veterans.  Getting up the long ramp requires either a lot of upper body strength or another strong individual to push the wheel chair.

Many are reluctant to accept help.

That’s why James S. Noe, the newly-elected Commander of Post 79, is asking elected officials to step up and fund the building of an elevator to the second floor at the American Legion building.

Noe sent letters to both Congressman Andy Barr and Senator Mitch McConnell, informing them of the need.  He also explained that because the post is beside the Kentucky River and is at risk of flooding, it is necessary to house most of the post’s activities on the second floor.

The lack of accessibility for the aging and disabled hinders activities at the post. Noe said he knows of some who couldn’t come to post elections.

It is an issue not only for local members, but for state and national level executives, as well as veterans from Powell, Lee, Wolfe, Breathitt and Owsley Counties, who are members of Post 79.

For these reasons, acquiring an elevator at the post is a priority of Noe’s. He estimates that the cost to build a simple elevator is between $15,000 and $18,000.  Because the post is located in one of the poorest areas in the state, Noe is asking for help from the government.

His letter invites the officials to come and look at the building for themselves, and Noe even invites them to be guests at a dinner in their honor.  He reminds that the post is known throughout the state for serving some of the best food in the state, as well as having some of the most welcoming and down to earth members.

Noe has set other goals in his new role as commander.  He wants to be transparent with all the financial business of the post, and he says he’d like to restore its public image.

“This is a family-oriented and community-based organization,” he said, adding that the post belongs to veterans and their families and is controlled by the members.

He also noted that the American Legion is not a private club but was created by an Act of Congress in 1919, with its own constitution and bylaws.

The American Legion exists for several purposes, among them, upholding and defending the Constitution of the United States; promoting peace and good will, preserving memories, etc., of the two world wars and others; building ties between veterans, and setting themselves aside to serve the country  and their communities.

Noe believes the Legion is vital for bringing together veterans where they can offer one another moral support.

“Sometimes the best medicine is someone to confide in,” Noe said. “And no one understands like someone who has been through the same thing.”

Nationwide, the American Legion lobbies Congress on behalf of veterans.

Service officers also make themselves available to veterans at Post 79 to help fill out paperwork if they need care by the VA.

Photo by Lisa Bicknell

Many Estill County farmers were busy baling hay last week after what some would consider a long overdue break in the rain.

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

Much like last year, a soggy spring has delayed haying season, but after a few days of sunshine, local farmers were busy “layin’ it on the ground” last week.

Unfortunately, too much rain can delay the cutting of hay, and hay harvested too mature is often of poor quality, particularly if it gets rained on after it is cut.

Estill County extension agent Eric Baker explains,  “Hay harvested late due to few good weather days such as last year (and some recently) will have lower nutritional value for livestock.

“This past winter, several farmers lost cattle due to poor nutrition as a result of poor quality hay, animal stress from having to walk through deep mud, and cool rainy weather. It was kind of a perfect storm of events that led to the increased livestock mortality.”

Baker recommends that farmers test their hay each fall for nutritional quality and formulate a ration that meets the needs of their livestock.

“I am happy to help farmers with forage testing and rations,” he said.

To improve the quality of the second cutting of hay, Baker recommends trying to harvest forages at the proper stage of maturity, as well as avoiding rain damage and baling too moist if at all possible.  He cautions not to cut hay too low and to consider applying 40-60 pounds of actual nitrogen fertilizer after the first cutting.

“We still recommend soil testing to know your soil fertility levels,” said Baker.

On the bright side, abundant rains have caused pastures to be green and lush, at least for now, and many cattle are looking better after a season of abundant grazing.

“With livestock grazing pastures, nutrients are recycled and fertility levels stay fairly consistent,” said Baker.

However, if the ground dries out, that can change.

“If grass pastures are grazed too close, they can suffer too, especially if we see drier conditions.”

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

On Monday night, the City of Ravenna accepted the nomination of Vickie Horn to fill the council seat of William VanCleve, who recently resigned.

The council also discussed more transparent ways of handling the monthly financial report when they met on Monday night.

Councilwoman Valerie Flinchum said that she would not vote to approve the financial report without also seeing the receipts, invoices, etc.

Flinchum went on to say that she had spoken with the city of Irvine’s clerk Robin Powell, who told her that Irvine “lays it all out on the table,”  including the bills, receipts, and cancelled checks.

The Ravenna council had in hand a spreadsheet listing receipts and expenses for the month of June, as well as beginning and ending balances of all the city’s accounts.

Flinchum said she didn’t mean to imply that there is any wrongdoing, but that she wants to be transparent with the taxpayers’ money.

Mayor Estine Tipton said she would talk to Powell to see how Irvine does their financial report.

Councilwoman Beverly Thompson made her opinion clear that no one had ever stolen anything from the city with the method of bookkeeping they’d been using.

Flinchum also wondered why so much money was budgeted for the police fund, when the police chief’s salary is much less.

Mayor Tipton said it is always better to have a high estimate of the year’s expenses, because “you can’t overspend the budget.”

Councilwoman Thompson declared that she knows how to do a budget.

The council agreed to table the financial report and inquire how Irvine does theirs.

Flinchum also spoke her opinion that city ordinances need to be updated.  She said that there is nothing in an ordinance allowing for city workers to be provided boots and clothing.

Flinchum said there are many ordinances that need to be updated, and she said there are “three men” who will do it for free.  She suggested updating them all at the same time.

Councilwoman Amy Crowe and Mayor Tipton agreed that there have been previous attempts to update all the ordinances, but they were abandoned because of cost and the amount of time it would take.

The council did agree that Flinchum could check with the men who work on ordinances.

Councilwoman Tammy Howell asked if they could ask current city worker Ricky Williams to do his own laundry, as Ravenna Police Chief Ken White does his, in order to save money paying Cintas.

The next meeting of the Ravenna City Council is Monday, August 12 at 6 p.m. at Ravenna City Hall.

Haley Dooley, center, was named Miss Estill County Fair on Saturday.  This is the first time that the winner of that category has been a local since the pageant was opened to those outside of the county in 1994.  All six contestants in the pageant were from Estill County.  At left is first runner-up Kaylee Covey,  and at right is second runner up and Miss Congeniality, Kristen Osborne.

Barbara Gehrer, 27, of 606 Cantril Street, was charged on July 20 after she was interviewed by Irvine police following a complaint that she purchased alcohol for juveniles on July 12.  According to the police report, Gehrer admitted purchasing alcohol for two minors three times on that date.  She also allegedly admitted purchasing marijuana for minors on five separate occasions, and admitted to having sexual intercourse with a minor under the age of sixteen on five occasions.  The police report staid that she admitted sodomizing a minor under the age of sixteen four times. Her bond was set at $10,000 cash.

Photo by Lisa Bicknell

During  last weekend’s Weekend on the Water, Seth Wheat from Ky’s Tourism Departmnet, presented a plaque name Irvine and Ravenna as Twin City Trail Town.  From left are magistrates Paul Tipton, Mike Abney and Gerry Flannery, Seth Wheat, Joe Crawford, and in front row, Jessica Stevens and Lindsey Rogers with the Estill Action Group.

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

The mood on Saturday morning was as bright and festive as the multi-colored floats and boats entering the Kentucky River Park.

Supporters of the local Trail Town initiative were especially eager to get the third annual Weekend on the Water underway.

Before the paddling event began, a good-sized crowd gathered at the park pavilion for a ribbon-cutting ceremony naming Irvine and Ravenna as official “Twin City Trail Towns.”

Seth Wheat, from the adventure tourism division of Kentucky’s Department of Tourism, spoke at the event.  He said it was his first visit to the Kentucky River Park, but he added, “I’ll definitely be back.”

The certification came after years of planning and work on the application process.  Now that the Twin Cities are an official Kentucky Trail Town, the 19th in the state now, they will be promoted on the Department of Tourism’s websites.

This year’s Weekend on the Water event was a one-day event, with about 60 people on the water.  Estill Action Group member Jessica Stevens said there were 74 participants in last year’s fun paddle and race, which were held on both Saturday and Sunday.

Organizers praised the county road department for their help in mowing and trimming the entire park, as well as cleaning off the boat ramp and graveling access to it.

The county had also prepared an expanded parking area and provided tables and a swing set to the pavilion area, while the city of Irvine lended tables and garbage cans to the eating area.

Several vendors set up near the parking lot to sell food, t-shirts and other items.

Many volunteers were also on the scene to ensure a safe day, as the Hargett Fire Department provided support on land, while Estill Search and Rescue provided support on the water.

The Estill Springs roof project is nearly complete, just in time for the opening of school.  Work on the playground will begin in September.  In addition, new carpet will be installed in the library in the future, and some tile work will be done in the kitchen.

Photo by Lisa Bicknell

Steve Parke, with Termi-tech Pest Control, is a regular customer of Doug Saylor’s.

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

Doug Saylor grew up helping his dad in a family-owned grocery store in Manchester.

He and his siblings worked in that store until it burned down several years ago.  That’s when Doug was forced to consider a career change.

It was his dad who encouraged him to go to barber school.  Doug figured he had developed the people skills necessary for the job while working in the grocery, so he earned his barber’s license and became employed at Kevin’s barbershop in Richmond.  He cut hair, trimmed beards and shaved necks there for ten years.  He also met a whole lot of people.

About 60 percent of his clients were from Estill County, Doug estimates, some of whom encouraged him to move his services to Irvine.

For two years, he kept his eyes and ears open for a good location.  When a spot beside Wilton Flynn’s gun shop became available, beside the Burger Barn on Richmond Rd., he jumped at the opportunity to branch out on his own.

“I’ve always been a people person,” he said, adding that Irvine has the same small town feel as Manchester, with “a lot of good people.”

Doug isn’t the only barber in the family.  His wife Melanie is also a barber, and she’s been trimming people up for 12 years.  She currently works in Richmond at Kevin’s, where, for six years, the couple worked side by side.

Doug says he enjoys building relationships with his customers.

“We are a very kid-friendly place,” he adds.  However, Doug emphasizes that he is a barber for all ages.

Doug and Melanie have three kids.  In his spare time, Doug likes to play golf and spend time with his two grand-babies.

Open since July, Doug’s shop in Irvine operates traditional barbershop services, including haircuts and straight razor shaves.

His business hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Fridays, and from 8 to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.  He says he may reset those hours around the first of the year, depending on the needs of customers.

Doug’s Barbershop also has a Facebook page where some of his younger customers like to tag him with pictures of themselves sporting their new haircuts.

No appointments are necessary; walk-ins are always welcome at Doug’s Barbershop.

By LISA BICKNELL

CV&T News Editor

The Estill County Board of Education again voted not to raise property taxes for the upcoming fiscal year, as promised when the recallable nickel tax was imposed three years ago.  The vote was taken on Thursday night during the monthly board meeting.

Instead, the board agreed to take the compensating tax rate with exonerations, which is 51.1 cents per $100, a slight decrease of the current rate of 51.3.  The decrease is due to a small increase in property assessment. The motor vehicle and watercraft tax rates will remain at 54.8 cents, the same as it has been for several years.

The Board of Education also approved a one percent raise for all school employees.  Superintendent Jeff Saylor said there is a possibility the district can give another one percent raise next year.

Peter Fisher, with Ross Tarrant Architects, provided the board with construction update on projects within the school district.

He reported that both the middle school and Estill Springs roof projects are essentially done, and a pay application of $25,975.61 was approved to Riddell Construction.

The board approved construction documents and gave approval to advertise for bids on the school bus garage project, pending Kentucky Department of Education approval for the bus garage project to move forward.    

Superintendent Saylor said he is hopeful that the project can go to bid by the September board meeting.

The most recent project application estimates the probable cost of the bus garage at $2,521,446.31.

A survey for a road right of way was also approved.  Superintendent Saylor said a narrow strip of county land in front of the school will be needed for extra parking, and the county is willing to donate it.

Randall Johnson, with Codell Construction, provided the board with an update on the area technology center project.

He said that all the bus garage buildings have been demolished and the debris hauled off.  Fuel tanks have been removed, but sample results taken have not shown signs of fuel leakage at the site.  Johnson also reported that the construction fence and entrance gates have been installed, and that a curb has been removed to make it easier for the buses to get around.  A gate has also been removed, and an access road widened to make it easier for parent drop off.  An initial pay request of $105,298.70 was approved for Codell Construction by the Board of Education.

Saylor also announced the launching of a monthly E-News letter.   Several departments within the school district will be reporting.  The purpose of the newsletter is to build better communication and enhance school culture.

Personnel actions reported include the hiring of Kelsey Bricking at Estill Springs Elementary; Caleb Click, as teacher at the high school; Andrew Farmer, teacher at the high school, Matthew Fletcher, teacher at the high school and middle school; Lindsey Gilbert, teacher at the middle school; Jill Goosey, para-educator at the high school; Crystal Henegar, bus driver; Jessica Kirby, cook at the high school; Mariah Roberts, para-educator at Estill Springs, Emily Shrout, teacher at West Irvine; Audrey Sturgill, teacher at West Irvine; and Jonathon Thomas, teacher at the high school.

Substitutes hired include Hannah Adams as co-op student at Estill Springs; Bridgett Bishop, Barbara Chaney and Melason Edmonson as cooks, Matthew Fletcher as percussion instructor at the high school; Connor Hall as co-op student at West Irvine; Elizabeth Hisle as cook; Cheyenne Lamb as coop student at South Irvine; Kaylee Riddell as co-op student at the middle school; Tiffany Rose as bus assistant.

Matthew Fletcher was hired as the choral director at the high school and middle school; Ronnie Riddell was hired as the head softball coach at the middle school, and Jonathon Thomas was hired as assistant football coach at the high school.  Andrew Witt was hired as assistant football coach at the middle school.

Resignations or terminations include Larry Brown, bus driver; Jeff Burchfield as counselor at the high school and assistant football coach at the high school; Blain Click as first assistant girl’s basketball coach at the high school; Leah Elliott, teacher at the high school; Cassidy Flynn as second assistant girls’ basketball coach at the high school; Cecelia Forehand, substitute cook; Brianna Hibbard, teacher at the middle school; Amy Kaylor, head softball coach at the high school; Matt Marshall, head girls’ soccer coach at the middle school; Jordan Sanders, teacher at the middle school; Bobby Snowden, custodian at Estill Springs, and Monica Teague, teacher at the high school.

The next meeting of the Estill County Board of Education is September 19 at 6 p.m.