The Year that was 2014

Citizens raised their voices in concern over the way our local government ran things, seemingly questioning everything.

The Fiscal Court battled with a tight budget, and will see two new members in the coming year. A split School Board made things difficult for Superintendent Donnie Wright. Voters chose a new Sheriff, as well as alcohol in Stearns.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane as we examine some of the things that made the news in 2014.

The year started on a high note as a McCreary County Ambulance crew helped deliver a baby enroute to the hospital. Lilly Alice Trammel arrived kicking, screaming and healthy in the back of an ambulance on January 2 just south of the Pulaski County line.

The first signs of discontent were heard at the January meeting of the McCreary Fiscal Court. Jailer Tony Ball bristled at criticism from both citizens and county officials over the closure of the jail and the handling of the inmate transport system. The meeting would set a trend where citizens were more vocal with their concerns in the coming year.

McCreary County was left out of the President’s Promise Zone, an eight-county region that would benefit from a federal initiative granting priority for economic development. McCreary, and 72 other Kentucky counties were included as a USDA program offering similar “bonus points” as Promise Zone counties when applying for grants through the USDA.

McCreary County native Zach Day took a huge step in his singing career when the young man auditioned for American Idol and made his national television debut. The 20-year old made it through the first rounds, only to be eliminated from the competition in Hollywood, but his perseverance endeared him to audiences. The singer visited local schools to share his story and to hopefully inspire the next generation of performers.

McCreary received good news in January when it was announced the long awaited completion of KY 92 would be included in the state’s six-year road plan, along with other road improvements for the county.

In February the Duskytail Darter briefly stopped the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from restoring water levels in Lake Cumberland. The tiny fish, an endangered species, lives in the Big South Fork River, and its habitat would be impacted by the rising water. Politicians such as Mitch McConnell fought to bring the lake back, possibly at the expense of the darter.

Plans for a new park around the Laurel Creek Reservoir were announced by Judge Executive Doug Stephens, which would offer more recreational activities for the county. Issues have since arisen that have left the project stalled at this time.

McCreary County 911 took major steps forward over 2014, including finally going to an enhanced system. Starting in February, the service passed an audit from the Commercial Radio Services Board, paving the way to go enhanced and to seek funding for new equipment.

In March the Bank of McCreary County announced a merger with First Trust and Savings Bank of Oneida. The new organization would adopt the name United Cumberland Bank, The Bank of McCreary had been a county staple since 1906.

An investigation into the 2013 fire that killed Whitley City fireman Arlie “Pooh” Hill was determined to be arson, and investigators are still seeking information as to who set the fatal blaze.

Later this year Hill was honored by having his name engraved on fallen firefighters’ memorials in Kentucky and Maryland.

In May a local couple was arrested after a child was found strapped in a hot car with the father apparently asleep behind the wheel. The child was taken for emergency medical treatment and turned over to protective services. Both parents later would agree to enter pleas in the case.

The Primary Election set the tone for November, with four incumbents losing and others barely holding on.

Local law enforcement found a moonshine and marijuana growing operation while attempting to serve federal warrants on a suspect. Officers found a working still along with several plants outside a residence after their suspect fled out the back door. The suspect was found hiding in the woods a short time later.

Tensions started to rise in the McCreary County Board of Education, beginning a tumultuous time for Superintendent Donnie Wright. Two Board members voted against passing the budget citing their lack of input. That dissension would carry through the rest of the year, as Wright would face more discord from his Board.

In June history repeated itself as the McCreary County Ambulance Service delivered another baby in the back of an ambulance. Lettie James Ridner was the second baby girl delivered by an Ambulance crew this year.

Severe winds and hail ripped through the county in June, causing damage to homes and toppling trees. The storm would have a bigger impact on the county – as it was a primary factor in the Chamber of Commerce introducing a business license proposal to the Fiscal Court later in the year.

The Class of 2014 bid their farewells to McCreary Central High School, donning their caps and gowns and marching to Pomp and Circumstance as they picked up their diplomas.

The trial of accused murder for hire suspect Timothy Prater kicked off in June as well. Prater stood accused of being hired to kill Pine Knot resident Debbie Taylor by a jealous acquaintance of her husband. Prater allegedly enlisted two Somerset men to aid in the February 7, 2003 attack. The scheme was foiled by the timely intervention of two neighbors, and Prater was found guilty on four counts and faces up to 40 years behind bars.

Budget issues continued to plague the county as the Fiscal Court passed a “tight” budget for the coming fiscal year. Coming in at $7.5 million, the annual budget leaves very little wiggle room for unforeseen circumstances. Less than $30,000 is in the contingency fund.

Governor Steve Beshear and Representative Hal Rogers announced SOAR, Shaping Our Appalachian Region, an initiative to bring prosperity to Kentucky.

The family of a man who died at a Wayne County jail filed a lawsuit against the County and the Wayne County Detention Center in July claiming the arresting officer and deputy jailers failed to provide needed medical treatment. According to the suit Charles Lee Rose was arrested in February on DUI charges and transported to Wayne County. He passed away after being found unresponsive in his cell the following morning. As of December the case has yet to have a new hearing date set.

Superintendent Wright’s annual review highlighted the divided nature of the Board in July. Wright received a 1.91 overall mark, just below “good” on the five-point scale.

In August an inmate from USP McCreary made headlines after his escape from the facility’s camp, apparently for a rendezvous with a female friend. The inmate and a compatriot were arrested later that same day. Both inmates were recently indicted on federal escape charges.

In September the fall election season began in full swing with seven write-in candidates throwing their hats into the ring. In races running from Judge Executive, Sheriff and School Board, the write ins hoped to offer voters another choice when going to the polls in November.

The month closed with three rounds of a drug investigation round up between the McCreary County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky State Police, Lake Cumberland Area Drug task Force and other agencies. In all more than 30 people were arrested and faced drug charges.

October began with poor economic news for the county as Armor Shield announced it would be closing and moving operations to Ohio. The closure meant the loss of more than a dozen jobs from the local economy and became a topic of debate in the election.

A lawsuit filed against the County Ambulance Service on harassment and discrimination charges was dismissed in U.S. District Court, ending a two-year court battle where neither side could come to an agreement on settlement.

Four of McCreary’s five schools showed gains in the annual test scores, marking the District’s best overall performance in recent years. One school, Pine Knot Intermediate, was named a Distinguished school with scores in the top seven percent in the state.

A potentially big economic development story came at the end of the month when Judge Stephens announced that METT USA was planning to build a waste-to-energy treatment plant in northern McCreary County. The plant would not only be a multi-million dollar endeavor, it could also mean upwards of 600 new jobs for the county.

The news in November was dominated by the election results. Three incumbents; Sheriff Gus Skinner, Magistrate Frankie Ball and School Board member Larry Davis, lost their bids for re-election, defeated by Randy Waters, Duston Baird and Rhonda Armijo. Other new faces for the term starting next month will be Conley Chaney as County Attorney, Tim Corder as Coroner, Leroy “O.L.” Perry as Magistrate, Jessie Hatfield as Jailer and Dustin Ridner as Constable in District 1.

Residents in the Stearns voting precinct had another choice to make on election day. The option to allow for alcohol sales in the historic district was on the ballot, with just over 53 percent voting in favor.

The Chamber of Commerce introduced a proposal for a new ordinance that would require businesses to obtain a license to do business in the county. While championed by the Chamber and Judge Executive Doug Stephens, many local small business people voiced their opposition.

The proposal was tabled in November, and again in December after a public hearing where many citizens spoke out against the measure.

The year closed on a down note, however, with the murder of Pine Knot resident Johnny Taylor. Taylor was found stabbed to death in his home on December 12 by firefighters responding to a fire call in the residence.