It seems like just a few weeks ago we were picking out the front page images that would be featured for our first edition of 2014, and now here we are faced with that task again 12 months later – for our first edition of 2015.

Before we completely close out the books on the headlines, photos and articles that filled the pages of the Clinton County News in 2014, and move on to the events and happenings we will be covering in 2015, we want to once again offer our annual look back at the year that was – The Year In Review.

Politics, crime, government, sports, birthdays and deaths were just some of the topics we covered for our readers in the past year, and we are again looking forward to the challenges of bringing our readers the news that will shape our lives for the next 12 months.

As always, it has been our pleasure to be your main source of news and events in our home county, and we would like to extend our wishes to all of our readers and advertisers for a happy and prosperous year in 2015.

We hope that you once again enjoy our annual presentation of the past 12 months of the events and happenings we covered in the pages of the Clinton County News . . . The Year In Review

January 2014

January News…One of Clinton County’s most successful and influential natives in the business world, William Russell Miller, 91, died December 26 at his home in Florida. Miller rose through the ranks to become vice-president of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio.

Ralph Groce, who served as Clinton County’s Circuit Clerk for nearly two decades, from the early 1980s to 2000, passed away January 1 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Before being elected Circuit Clerk, he was a long-time employee of Citizens Bank of Albany, now First and Farmers.

The 10th annual Christmas at Home food and toy drive helped supply food and toys this past holiday season to some 246 families, and just as importantly, reaching out to some 545 children–both new records.

The winter season of 2013-14 is now just barely three weeks old, and already residents have been through one of the coldest stretches seen in this area in some two decades. Albany and Clinton County may have dodged the bullet, so to speak, in the amount of snow that was predicted to fall in this area when a winter storm moved across the region Sunday evening and into the early morning hours Monday, January 5 and 6, but we weren’t quite as lucky in dodging the frigid below zero temperatures the system brought with it.

Clinton County learned the news of the death of a second well-known native son this week, John Woodrum, who made his way from Albany in the early 1960s to Las Vegas, where he rose to become one of the most respected businessmen in the early history of that city. Woodrum, who opened the Klondike Hotel and Casino, died Friday, January 3 after an extended illness.

Recently, the team of Sun Fiberglass Pools came up with an idea that might get the attention of a different type of consumer, including more attention from the local market. The company is in the process of producing camouflage fiberglass hunting structures called “Camo Huts,” again making the product strictly from their location in the centrally located Clinton County Industrial Park.

As last Saturday’s unseasonably warm weather moved out of South Central Kentucky, another arctic blast from Canada headed this way seeing temperatures reach the single digits once again. With the several different ways to heat homes, propane, wood furnaces and electric, many people in Clinton County are faced with high electric and gas bills, not to mention the added cost for extra wood in order to heat homes and businesses. Another growing threat is the high prices and availability of propane. Also, there is limited supplies of road salt to some states and rural areas, driving up the cost of that commodity used to help keep roads safe during the winter season.

The possibility of a new marina being established on Lake Cumberland in the future near Rowena Landing was put in limbo last week when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it was going to reassess details surrounding the proposed development. The Corps withdrew its Notice of Availability for the development of the marina. Although the proposed Rowena Landing South Marina would have been situated just across the Clinton County boundary in neighboring Russell County, the only access by land to the new marina would have been by traveling Highway 558 in Clinton County.

January Deaths…Charlie Wilson, 89, Albany; Lena McFall, 91, Albany; William Russell Miller, 91, Cocoa Beach, FL; Delmer Ray Clark, 72, Albany; Charles A. Gardner III, 71, Bowling Green, KY; Mildred Edwards, 96, Byrdstown, TN; Ralph Groce, 70, Albany; Preston Cole, 92, Albany; Wendell Norris, 55, Burkesville, KY; Jimmy Dean Conner, 77, Albany; John “J.G.” Woodrum, 75, Hendersonville, NV; Patsy Lowhorn Koger, 67, Albany; Mary Eva Kent, 68, Knoxville, TN; Mary Ellen Jones, 73, Albany; Ruth O. Thornsberry, 81, Albany; Floyd David Hoover, 63, Louisa, KY; Raymond C. Brown, 35, Albany; Jack Edward Cross, 74, Allensville, KY; Dorothy Guffey Cross, 77, Albany; Eva Sue Stearns, 67, Albany; Robert William Foster, 76, Albany; Wallace Fairchild, 85, New Castle, Indiana.

February 2014 Yearly Review

February News…

A little fish with a big name is causing a lot of grief for boaters and fishing enthusiasts and especially for owners and operators of the commercial marinas on Lake Cumberland. The Duskytail Darter, a small minnow sized fish on the endangered species list, has forced the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to announce that the discovery of the species will likely mean that Lake Cumberland will once again be raised no higher than a maximum pool elevation of 705 feet above sea level.

High winds and a rash of outdoor brush and field fires prompted an outdoor burn ban being declared in Clinton County this past weekend. Clinton County Judge/Executive Lyle Huff issued the ban late Saturday morning, February 1, citing the brush and field fires that had been occurring, apparently due in part to high winds causing the fires that were set outdoors spreading to fields, woodlands and structures, causing several thousand dollars of loss and damage.

A late flurry on the final deadline date last Thursday, January 28 saw eight local candidates file for election, bringing the total number of Clinton County candidates alone to 52. All toll, county, state, federal and judicial races, over 70 candidates names will appear on the local ballot in the May primary.

A Clinton County man and long-time business operator was killed in a single-vehicle accident last Friday morning, February 14, near his home. James Michael Cooksey, 60, of Albany, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on Hwy. 558 by Clinton County Coroner Steve Talbott.

A storm system that came through the Beech Bottom community of southern Clinton County early Wednesday morning, February 19, produced winds strong enough to completely level a large barn situated just across Ky. 415 from the Paul and Kathy Conner house, caused heavy damage to an adjacent garage, completely destroyed a nearby greenhouse building and practically destroyed the portion of Conner’s family brick home where the kitchen and den were located.

The over 20 volunteers of the Albany Fire Department will soon have a larger and better location in which to work and train after Albany City Council awarded a bid for construction of the new Albany Fire Station. A total of eight contractors submitted bids on the project, with the low bid being from Boils Construction Company of Albany at $536,000.

The annual CCHS Basketball Boosters Club/WANY Radio Auction last Friday night, February 21, was another tremendous success, netting just under $8,000 for the varsity basketball programs. Held annually at the Clinton County High School Cafeteria, the auction saw a large gathering of workers and bidders at the event headquarters, as well as a huge number of local residents participating through telephone bids.

February Birth…

Kenzlee Skylar Guffey, daughter of Eric Guffey and Cassandra Huddleston, Albany.

February Deaths…

Patricia Ann “Pat” Duvall, 73, Albany; Christine Brown Cook, 72, Burkesville, KY; Randy Watson Rush, 65, Burkesville, KY; Colene Claborn, 75, Albany; Willie Bud Crawley, 77, Burkesville, KY; Cassie Ray Owens, 71, Byrdstown, TN; Freida Mae Troxel, 63, Stearns, KY; Debora L. York, 51, New Castle, IN; James Michael Cooksey, 60, Albany; Jerry “Butter” Shelley, 38, Albany; Weldon Lee Wolfe, 65, Burkesville, KY; Marlene Jane Mastin, 74, New Castle, IN; James “Edgar” Means, 76, Paris, IL; David Dron Dowdy, 48, Byrdstown, TN; Dale Smith, 65, Albany; Kathy Ann Wireman, 56, Albany.

March 2014 Review

March News…Clinton County High School’s basketball teams — all four of them — were front and center last week when it came time to distribute championship trophies at the conclusion of the 16th District tournament. After claiming the championship titles in both freshmen tournaments the week prior, both CCHS varsity squads followed suit. The Lady Bulldogs defeated Russell County’s Lady Lakers in the finals, 60-51 while the Bulldogs defeated Russell County’s boys in the championship game, 71-70.

The winter that just won’t seem to go away belted the region again late Sunday, March 2, and into the morning Monday, this time with heavy rains that later turned to sleet and ice and finally snow and bitter cold temperatures. The system all but brought the region to a stand still early Monday morning, causing area roads to be covered by a thick layer of ice that resulted from the sudden drop in temperatures Sunday night.

A local woman charged with murder, robbery and tampering with physical evidence had a bond hearing March 6 in Clinton Circuit Court. Andrea Byler, one of two co-defendants charged in the October 2013 murder of Jimmy Sidwell Jr., 19, of Albany, was declared a flight risk by Circuit Judge David L. Williams, who denied bond reduction. Both Byler and co-defendant Michael E. Thompson of Albany, remain incarcerated on $1 million bond each.

Albany City Council, on March 4, took steps to seek funding for the possible extension of water line availability along a portion of the 127 Bypass. The project is estimated to cost approximately $2 million.

The nearly two-decade long effort to have the nation’s highest combat decoration, the Congressional Medal of Honor, awarded to Clinton County native Carlin Murl Conner, hit another snag last week. A federal judge, Thomas B. Russell, issued an opinion that wasn’t what local family and friends wanted to hear. Russell’s opinion notes that due to a technicality regarding the amount of time that had elapsed between the occasions that evidence had been presented in the case the statute of limitations had been exceeded and that violation would prevent the matter from being considered now or in the future.

Approximately 433 addresses in Clinton County have been redistricted to accommodate KRS 117.0552, resulting in a change of voting precinct locations for those residents. The redistricting is designed to even out the number of voters in each precinct in order to make them as close to the same as possible. The state requires all precincts to be within five percent of each district. Eight of the 13 precincts in Clinton County will be effected, including Illwill, Speck, North Albany, Snow, Highway, Neathery-Cave Springs, South Albany and West Albany.

The Kentucky State Police Drug Enforcement Special Investigations West Branch served a search warrant March 11 at 714 Poplar St. in Albany, leading to the arrest of Anthony Wilson, 58. According to the police report, he was charged with trafficking marijuana over eight ounces and possession of drug paraphernalia. Seized in the raid was 243 grams of marijuana, 20 firearms, a 2005 Pontiac and $12,053 in U.S. currency.

Spring has officially arrived, ushering in the spring season of Spring Cleanup in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. April is PRIDE Cleanup Month in southern and eastern Kentucky, including Clinton County.

Campaign signs and other signs placed on state  right-of-ways that restrict sight distance or interfere with mowing operations will be removed by Kentucky Transportation (KYTC) crews in the coming weeks as the spring mowing cycle is about to begin.

March Births…Marian Mae Helm, daughter of Derrick and Terran Helm, Jamestown, KY; Abel Cullan Reeves, son of Brent and Courtney Reeves, Albany, Kentucky.

March Deaths…Elizabeth “Jonnie” Weise, 91, Quincy, IL; Ruel Dicken, Sr., 77, Albany; Herbert Larry Jones, 58, Albany; J.D. Craig, 63, Albany; Mary Lucille Carlton, 78, Hendersonville, TN; Reba (Pittman) McWhorter, 97, Marion, OH; Virginia Sawyers LaCaillade, 86, New Albany, IN; Dale Wells, 87, Albany; Hill Alexander Smith, 94, Burkesville, KY; Eddie Anderson Wilson, 56, Albany; Mildred Cheatham Radford, 88, Burkesville, KY; Ricky Neal Whitley, 37, Albany; Winifred F. Spear, 88, Scottsville, KY; Nora Alice Kennedy, 69, Albany; Fred Dalton, 62, Albany; John Lee Guthrie, 82, Dayton, OH; Darrell Lewis York, 83, Columbia, KY; Josephine Riddle Moore, 773, Round Rock, TX; Edna M. Ferguson Guthrie, 81, Eubank, KY; Donald L. Sewell, 77, New Castle, IN; Lawrence Irwin “Jet” Cross, 78, Chattanooga, TN; Carol Jean MCollins 62, Albany; Albert Gene Gibbons, 85, Lancaster, KY; Barbara Jean Melton, 80, Albany.

April 2014 Yearly Review

April News…At 8:37 p.m. Sunday night, March 30, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department responded to 155 Martha Stockton Rd. after a shooting had been reported. Deputy Josh Asberry was first on the scene and discovered that Danny Kennedy had been shot one time in the abdomen. Kennedy was flown to UK Medical Center. After a manhunt, Jonathan Blaesing of Albany was arrested and charged with first degree assault.

In this issue, Thursday, April 3, 2014, the Clinton County News looks back 40 years at the darkest day in Clinton County history, April 3, 1974, the worst ever disaster in the county when a series of violent tornadoes left eight local residents dead and several other injured and/or homeless.

The level of water at Lake Cumberland–depending on the cooperation of Mother Nature and spring rains, could reach normal summer pool levels of 732 feet above sea level this summer. That announcement came last week from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that noted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had finalized a Biological Opinion in regards to the endangered species of fish that had been discovered up stream in the Big South Fork.

A new effort is underway here with the combined goals of providing a vehicle that would allow those who call Clinton County “home” to be able to give back to the community, and at the same time provide grant funding for projects that would improve life for those living here now, and in the future. The Clinton County Community Foundation has formed as a non-profit group and will be working locally through an advisory board made up of community leaders. The inaugural group of CCCF Advisory board members are: Steve Morgan (Chairman), Keith McWhorter, (Vice-Chairman), Alan Gibson, (Secretary/Treassurer), Dr. Kathleen Booher, David Cross, Larry Conner and Glenn Ray Smith.

A large two-story house in south Albany known as the Ballenger house, was heavily damaged by flames last Thursday morning, April 3, following a lightning strike that was reported by witnesses across the street at Super City Mart.

A ruling issued by a Franklin Circuit Court Judge has cleared the way for former Cumberland County District Judge Steve Hurt of Burkesville, to run for the 40th Circuit Judge’s seat, against current Judge David L. Williams, also of Burkesville. The district is comprised of Clinton, Cumberland and Monroe counties.

Clinton County joined the Lake Cumberland area as well as the entire state in experiencing higher than usual unemployment rates during the second month of 2014. The local jobless rate rose by 2.4 percent from January to February, standing at a full 13 percent for the month.

Students at the Early Childhood Center enjoyed near perfect weather to be outside riding around the track at Mountain View Park on Thursday, April 10 to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The ECC students raised $2,613.40 and so far over the past 12 years of participation have now raised over $40,000.00.

Clinton County Board of Education made the closing day of school officially Tuesday, April 15 during a call meeting when they unanimously approved the current 2013-14 school year calendar. That will reflect the last day for students to be Thursday, May 22 and Clinton County High School graduation on Friday, May 23.

A Clinton County man who was able to escape from the Wayne County Detention Center sometime Monday night, April 14 was apprehended by local police in Albany some five days later. Anthony Shaw, who had reportedly been in the Wayne County facility since July of 2013 on methamphetamine charges, was arrested by Albany Police Officer Mark Bell on April 19 and returned to the Wayne County Detention Center.

April Births…Piper Blue Thompson, daughter of Steven and Ashley Thompson, Monticello, KY; Gabrielle Kate Groce, daughter of Trent and Kaitlyn Groce, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

April Deaths…Delmer “Pop” Parrish, 74, Albany; Jerry Frank Melton, 89, Albany; Hattie Mae Frank, 90, Wabash, IN; Dean Burris, 76, Albany; William “Kent” Blythe, 48, New Castle, IN; Helen Russell, 83, Edinburgh, IN; William “Bill” Papineau, 85, Detroit, MI; Glenda Louise Massengale, 80, Muncie, IN; Barbara Ann Barnes, 51, Albany; Sandra “Joan” Blackston, 74, Hueytown, AL; Mabel W. Baxter, 85, Wilmington, VT; James Dorwin Armstrong, 91, Charleston, S.C.; Barbara M. Cool, 89, Lancaster, KY; Shirley Ann (Collins) Ferguson, 54, Albany; Florence Cecelia Reitz, 90, Albany; Lonnie Wilburn Stearns, 71, Albany; Billy Gerald Harden, 42, Albany; Olive Ogden Griffin, 87, Tampa, FL; Burl Denton Claborn, Savannah, GA; Ina C. Bell Begley, 81, Kokomo, IN; Ronnie Ike Brown, 64, Albany.

2014 May Review

May News…A major issue came to light last week, just hours after a special meeting of Clinton Fiscal Court–when a lien against the Twin Lakes Family Wellness Center was filed by Haddix Gas and Electric Company of Albany due to a gas bill that is over $60,000 in arrearage. The lien was filed April 24 in the county clerk’s office.

The 2014 Clinton County Relay For Life program is in the books, and although the overall numbers were down from previous years, the signature event to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s war on cancer was still successful as some $50,000 was raised in Clinton County.

For the first time in years, local lake enthusiasts and tourists alike visiting Clinton County’s Grider Hill Marina and other local access points for Lake Cumberland will be enjoying a “full pool” of water this summer. Lake Cumberland surpassed elevation 723 feet last week assuring the recreation season will begin with the reservoirs at its historic summer pool level for the first time since 2006.

Results from the 2014 May Clinton County primary included incumbent Judge/Executive Lyle Huff losing the Republican nomination to newcomer Richard Armstrong. Charlene King won the Democrat nomination. Clinton County incumbent Sheriff Ricky Riddle also lost to Republican challenger Jim Guffey. In the GOP race for Jailer, Johnny Thrasher won the nomination defeating six other candidates. One incumbent Republican Magistrate in District One, Phillip Parrigin, lost to Johnny Russell and in the Republican race for 16th District State Senate, incumbent Sara Beth Gregory of Monticello was unseated by Campbellsville opponent Max Wise.

When graduates walk across the stage this week they will be a part of history, as the Class of 2014 will be the largest ever in number. Some 119 seniors will receive diplomas during the 97th Commencement Program on Friday, May 23 at Clinton County High School.

A Clinton County man, Steven L. Burchett, was charged by a federal grand jury in Bowling Green last week, for failing to report approximately $386,183.67 in income and royalty income during a six-year period and for overstating business expenses of $581,519.91, according to a press release May 5 by U.S. Attorney David J. Hale of the Western District of Kentucky.

Several former members of the Clinton County High School Band have organized a type of club or organization for band members who played in the high school band during those four years. The Clinton County Alumni Band will enable a broad range of former musicians–any former high school or middle school band member, who wants to play and raise funds for the current band program.

The school project “No Kid Hungry” started this year during the district-wide pep rally by collecting coins for less fortunate families. As the year progressed and the number of volunteers grew, so did the output of the group. During Thanksgiving, the “No Kid Hungry” project fed more than 600 people who would have otherwise not had a Thanksgiving meal. Now the group of volunteers are working on a mobile feeding station called “Bus Stop Cafe.”

May Births...Axton Huck White, son of Tyler and Alicia White, Albany; Brody Wade Boils, son of Ryan Boils and Melissa Jackson, Albany.

May Deaths…Michael James Lee, 24, Albany; Bobby Mitchell Bridgeman, 57, Albany; Roger Dale Allen, 71, Albany; Evelyn York Heck, 83, Indianapolis, IN; Johnny Keith Speck, 64, Somerset, KY; Ricky Wayne “Sarge” Ferrell, 55, Albany; Hannah Elizabeth Black, 89, Palm Beach Shores, FL; Earl D. Stockton, 78, Albany; Reba “Ricki” Aaron Pierce, 86, Carmel, IN; James Edwin Elder, 74, Livingston, TN; Judy Polson Eddings, 64, Uniontown, KY; Joan Thomas, 67, Albany; Alvin C. Logan, 83. Albany; Regina E. Cash Riddle, 87, Albany; James Russell Shaw, 77, Burkesville, KY; Venita Claywell Lawson, 78, Monticello, KY; Ivan Dale Neal, 77, Byrdstown, Tennessee.

June News…A fatal two-vehicle accident occurred Friday, May 30, on Hwy. 449 near the Cumberland and Clinton County boundary, resulting in the death of a former Clinton County man. Donnie Thrasher, 57, of Burkesville and formerly of Albany, was pronounced dead at the scene by Cumberland County Coroner Gary White.

The 2014 edition of the Clinton County Fair is just days away and will feature six nights–Monday through Saturday, June 16-21–of main events as well as multiple programs that will have something for evreyone to be entertained. This year’s fair format will be somewhat different in the area of program rotation. Usually, the fair begins with the annual beauty pageants, but this year, the first nightly event to kick off will be the always popular Family Night. Also missing from this year’s fair will be the long-running ticket sales and eventual tractor ticket drawing, as no tractor will be raffled off at this year’s event.

The City of Albany has a new budget in place after action taken Tuesday, June 10 during a call meeting of city council. The total budget, which is approximately $400,000 under the 2013-14 year amount, is $3,954,317, with the bulk of that amount in the water and waste water areas of over $3 million.

Two local brothers, Phillip Roberts and Thomas A. Roberts, charged in connection with the death of 73 year old Frank Perdue in September 2012, have been convicted on charges related to the death following a week-long trial in Clinton Circuit Court. Phillip Roberts was found guilty of first degree manslaughter and second degree burglary while Thomas Roberts was found guilty of reckless homicide and second degree burglary, with the jury recommending a 15-year total sentence for both defendants.

A former Clinton County resident died Friday night, June 20, as a result of a one-vehicle accident on north U.S. 127 near Mountain View Park. The accident claimed the life of Frank D. Gregory, 69, of Monticello, Kentucky.

The occupational tax, or license fees, for employers and employees who have a business or work inside Clinton County, has been around for 15 years. However, many of the businesses and individuals who, by statute, are required to pay the tax to the county aren’t doing so–and some are apparently even still unaware they have to, according to Occupational Tax Administrator Virginia Conner, who is taking steps, along with County Attorney Michael Rains, to collect the tax, including back fees. Surprisingly, Conner estimates about 40 percent of those required to pay the fees aren’t doing so.

The “No Kid Hungry” project is now finishing up its third week with its newest project, ‘Bus Stop Cafe’ and according to project overseer Melissa Tallent, the rolling food truck is feeding around 500 children per week in Clinton County. The bus loads up at 7:10 a.m. at Clinton County High School and after breakfast, goes back to load up again for lunch deliveries.

June Deaths…Roger Wade Flowers, 70, Jeffersonville, IN; Frances Brown, 67, Port Charlotte, FL; Rodell L. McFall, 89, Albany; Etta Mae Tweedy, 84, Burkesville, KY; Donnie G. Thrasher, Sr., 57, Burkesville, KY; Alfred Lee Thurman, 67, Albany; Peggy Sue Griffin, 55, Albany; Jennifer “Jenny” Scott, 47, Albany; Edna Rebecca Guffey, 81, Albany; Beatrice Hay, 86, Thousand Oaks, CA; Ruth Hagan Fletcher, 79, Burkesville, KY; Jesse L. Guffey, 95, Albany; Windell K. Cash, 80, Blue Mound, IL; Kenneth Cummings, 75, New Castle, IN; Henry Floyd Poore, 73, Byrdstown, TN; Judy Ann Davis, 55, Albany; Zelma Davis Higginbotham, 89, Louisville, KY; James E. Andes, 69, Albany; Lois Esmon Williams, 70, Albany; Shirley Ann Sheckles, 60, Albany; Frank Gregory, 69, Monticello, KY; Lynn Flowers, 71, Albany; Jessie B. Short, 67, Burkesville, KY; Inalene Vitatoe, 89, Albany; Cinda Stockton, 101, New Castle, Indiana.

July News…A fatal collision Tuesday night, June 24, around 10:47 p.m. on Ky. 90, about five miles north of Albany near the entrance to the Keystone Foods, LLC processing plant, claimed the life of an Albany man. Jerry Hadley, 34, of Albany and formerly of Russell County, was operating a 1994 Chevy 4-door vehicle and traveling east on Ky. 90 when his vehicle rear-ended a 2007 Mack semi-truck.

A highly well-known southern and eastern Kentucky attorney, and one familiar to all the legal community in the Albany/Clinton County area, was shot to death last Friday morning, June 27 in front of his Somerset, Kentucky office. Mark Stanziano, 57, of Somerset, was pronounced dead just over an hour after being shot multiple times by an apparent nearby disgruntled resident and acquaintance of the attorney, Clinton D. Inabitt, 40, of Somerset, who has been charged with murder.

The eighth annual fireworks celebration proved to be the biggest event in its history this year with thousands of people viewing the 9 p.m. spectacle from a host of locations at and surrounding Mountain View Recreation Park. With the 4th falling on a Friday and combined with absolutely picture-perfect weather conditions, the local Independence Day celebration was more than the success hoped for by organizers.

The latest boost for the new playground equipment project at Mountain View Park came this week when a $10,000 check was delivered to Paula Little, the chairperson of the now year-old Clinton County Healthy Hometown Coalition, the group responsible for getting the project off the ground. This week’s boost to the project came through the collective efforts of Clinton County’s newest agency, the Clinton County Community Foundation, along with a matching grant from the Foundation For a Healthy Kentucky.

The Clinton County Emergency Services Management has been working on a project for more than three years and is just now almost complete. More than 120 hours have been spent retrofitting and outfitting a bus that can be used in case of a catastrophic event. Mass casualties 14 or CM14 is a bus outfitted with a product called AMBUBUS which is a type of support system that can support up to 12 stretcher patients during an emergency.

An effort that has been ongoing for many years now to secure a much deserved Congressional Medal of Honor for Clinton County native Garlin Murl Conner is apparently moving forward despite recent setbacks. In an article that appeared in the Lexington Herald-Leader by staff writer Greg Kocher, it was noted that the effort has now moved to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. In this latest development, a pair of Lexington attorneys, Dennis Shepherd and Donald Todd, are hoping to convince the Court of Appeals judges that several errors in the past have prevented Conner from being warded the medal.

Another meeting was held by Clinton Fiscal Court last Tuesday afternoon, July 22, to specifically discuss issues surrounding the Wellness Center and its debts. However, after much talk, no official actions were voted on.

July Births…Jarvis Dale Fillingham, son of Jordan and Reshea Fillingham, Burkesville, KY; Easton Michial Conner, son of Michial and Jessica Conner, Albany.

July Deaths…James (J.G.) Craft, 79, Albany; Odis Pierce, 78, Albany; Franklin Junior Beaty, 75, Byrdstown, TN; Myrtie May Foster, 67, Albany; Jerry Dewayne Hadley, 34, Albany; Onie S. Elmore, 72, Albany; Grady “Moe” Cummings, 73, Albany; Helen Katherine Graham, 85, Albany; James Earl Jones, 72, New Castle, IN; Adeline L. Smith, 90, Albany; Carmel Ryan Jarvis, 82, Albany; Johnny K. Conatser, 56, Albany; Jeff A. Sampson, 55, Avon, IN; Larry Flowers, 63, Bowling Green, KY; Gary R. Cole, 61, Lancaster, KY; Robert “Bob” Lewis, 76, Burkesville, KY; Joseph Paul Butterfield, 66, Aaron, KY; Roger D. McAlpin, 62, Lexington, KY; Charlene M. Phillips, 67, Albany; Hulen R. Brown, 80, Albany; Katherine Polston, 86, Albany.

August News…Two area businessmen with several ties to Albany and Clinton County were killed last week inside their business just across the state line at Static. Early Thursday morning, authorities were called to the scene of the Sugar Shack package store at Static, Tennessee and found the bodies of owners Danny Dowdy, 58, and his son, Cody Dowdy, 22. A Wayne County man, Joshua Clay Pyles, 34, of Monticello, has been arrested and charged with two counts of first degree murder.

Summer vacation for over 1,700 Clinton County school students will end next week when children return to classes on Monday, August 11. All four schools in the district have been preparing for the start of the new year and will be ready for the returning students, according to Superintendent Charlotte Bernard.

The financial woes that have plagued the Twin Lakes Wellness Center for at least a year may soon be over, according to information released last week via social media. A post on Facebook noted that the Wellness Center had received an anonymous donation that would allow them to pay off the propane gas bill that had been in arrears for quite some time.

For those looking for a great buy at a yard sale, well, the wait is over. The 127 Sale will officially begin Thursday, August 7 and wrap up Sunday, August 10. Many vendors came into Albany and set up early in order to entice the local crowd. The usual locations will be up and running again this year with booths and vendors set up at Mountain View Park, the empty lot behind the IDA-Welcome Center, as well as several spots at the old Ford garage building.

A former Clinton County School District employee is seeking $3 million in punitive damages against four individuals and the Clinton County Board of Education. James C. Thaxton, now a resident of Tennessee and former Assistant Principal, filed the suit in U.S. District Court in Bowling Green and names Superintendent Charlotte Bernard, CCHS Principal Sheldon Harlan, and CCHS Principal Teresa Scott as defendants, as well as the school board.

When the 2014-15 school year began this week, a lot of parents are getting a break of a different kind where it matters a lot, their wallets. Thanks to a new federal USDA program that is allowing many school districts, including Clinton County, to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students in the district. Food Services Director Georgia Rigney has been working to help Clinton County qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision (PEP) that qualifies the district to offer free meals.

What has apparently been a goal of the county’s largest employer, Equity Group of Kentucky-Keystone Foods, LLC processing plant, since as far back as the 1990s, will apparently become a reality this fall with the construction of a natural gas line to the poultry processing plant, located on Hwy. 90, west of Albany. Officials with Navitas Gas Company confirmed that construction on the line, by Cleary Construction of Lexington, would begin by the end of the week.

It has become almost an annual event now and Albany Mayor Nicky Smith is once again concerned that the recycle bins, donated by Somerset Recycling Company, that are set up in east Albany near the city maintenance building may be taken away from legitimate users if the illegal dumping at the bins continues.

When all was said and done, only 14 local candidates had filed for non-partisan races, with the majority of those–10 total–filing for Albany City Council. Two candidates, Nicky Smith and Lyle Pierce, filed for mayor and both school board members, Kevin Marcum and Goldie Stoenecipher, will be unopposed in November.

Clinton County Fiscal Court voted to set the 2015 county tax rate at 6.5 cents per $100 assessed value, the compensating rate, at its regular meeting August 21. They also voted to keep the current tax at 7.80 on motor vehicle and watercraft.

Clinton County’s unemployment rate in July was recorded at 7.9 percent, the lowest jobless rate the county has seen in the last five years.

First Columbia Gold Corporation on Memphis, Tennessee, recently announced its intent to construct a pipe threading facility in Albany. Also in a press release on July 22 in The Wall Street Journal, it announced it had acquired $4.6 million in hard assets from Kentucky-based SWO and ISM, LLC, Hein Oil Col, Inc. and Hein Oil Well Services, LLC.

A Monticello, Kentucky man charged with double-homicide in the deaths of a father and son in Pickett County, Tennessee, made his first court appearance and through legal counsel, entered a not guilty plea to the charges. Joshua Clay Pyles, 34, made his first court appearance on August 5 in Pickett County Circuit General Sessions Court. He is charged with murdering Danny Dowdy, 58, and his son, Cody Dowdy, 22, at their family owned business at Static, Tennessee in late July.

August Birth…Easton Nathaniel Shelley, son of Nathan and Stacy Shelley, Albany.

August Deaths…Barbara Jean Madison, 65, Albany; Marsha Lynn Hogan, 61, Lexington, KY; Jack Coop, 76, Albany; Johnnie “Bob” Hatfield, 72, Muncie, IN; Cody Dwight Dowdy, 22, Byrdstown, TN; Danny Dwight Dowdy, 58, Byrdstown, TN; Cadle Asberry, 78, Albany; Shannon David Wade, 50, Albany; Dannie R. Byers, 77, Holland, KY; Dewey Chester Young, 73, Burkesville, KY; Gregory Dicken, 54, Somerset, KY; Reba Dean Jones, 88, Byrdstown, TN; Paul Randolph Neathery, 86, Burkesville, K; Ruth Stockton Upchurch, 82, Albany; Russell Keith Gilbert, 88, Burkesville, KY; Rev. Carlos H. Coop, 81, Burkesville, KY; Gladys Massengale Asberry, 80, Albany; William Kenneth Jones, 69, Albany; Thelma Ruth York, 78, Albany.

September News…Two local brothers who were convicted by a Clinton Circuit Court jury in June in relation to the death of another Clinton County man, 73-year-old Frank Perdue, has been formally sentenced. Phillip Roberts and Thomas Aaron Roberts were sentenced on August 14 by Circuit Judge David L. Williams, who followed the jury recommendation with each defendant receiving a total sentence of 15 years.

The trial of two local residents, charged with the October 13, 2013 death of 19-year-old Jimmy Sidwell, Jr., has been continued in Clinton Circuit Court. Andrea Byler and Michael E. Thompson were originally scheduled to stand trial October 28-31 but a new trial date was not set pending another preliminary hearing in November.

Schools in Clinton County were called off Friday due to a possible bomb threat made to the Clinton County High School. School officials decided to cancel classes district-wide late Thursday night, early Friday morning after putting together a Safety Team comprised of other principals throughout the district as well as other personnel. Kentucky State Police Trooper John Paul responded and through investigation, was able to identify a CCHS student juvenile who was allegedly responsible for the threat.

An apparent tragic accident involving a tractor and trailer, has claimed the life of a Clinton County man who was working at a location in southwestern Clinton County this past weekend. Larry K. “Red” Wallace, 39, of Albany, was pronounced dead at 1:21 p.m. Sunday, September 7 by Clinton County Coroner Steve Talbott. Preliminary autopsy results revealed the victim apparently died from blunt force trauma to the chest area.

September Births…Kylee Paige Speck, daughter of Bennett and April Speck, Albany; Mallorie Caroline Cross, daughter of Brad and Stacy Cross, Albany.

September Deaths…Maida Huddleston, 91, Monticello, KY; Ralph Clark, 81, Albany; Russell L. Pierce, 83, Albany; Carol Looper, 60, Albany; Larry K. “Red” Wallace, 39, Albany; Betty Alois Huddleston Harlan, 84, Albany; Johnny H. Speck, 60, Albany; George Edward Morrison, 84, Albany; Rex Carl Widau, 64, Albany; Terry Jandecka, 90, Westlake, OH; J.R. “Slick” Polston, 67, Campbellsville, KY; Mattie B. Starnes, 90, Albany; Wanda Gay Gibson Graham, 74, Albany; Robert L. Shelley, 88, Byrdstown, TN; Betty Ellen Krebs, 77, Texas.

October 2014 Yearly Review

October News…The Clinton County branch of the University College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the UK College of Public Health learned last week that it is one of six Kentucky Extension Service offices that will share part of a $1.8 million cooperative agreement. One of the factors considered in making Clinton County a part of the program is the one of obesity among local residents which is currently more than 40 percent.

The 29th annual Rollercoaster Yard Sale, one of the oldest and best marathon sales, is coming through an eight-county area of Kentucky and Tennessee, including Albany and Clinton County, Thursday through Saturday, October 2-4.

The Clinton County Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs golf teams were named district champs last week after defeating both Metcalfe County and Cumberland County in the district tournament. The Lady Dawgs shot a team score of 75 with Addison Bernard picking up All-District honors with a 39. Sam Stinson shot a 41 and was also named to the All-District team. Stinson and Jeffery Brown picked up all district honors with a 40 and 41, respectively.

The K-PREP (Kentucky Performance Report for Educational Progress) results showed the overall percentile in the Clinton County School District was a 45, with Albany Elementary School showing a vast improvement over the previous year’s test and having a percentile of 76. Clinton County High School did show some improvement with a percentile of 70. Both schools were classified as proficient/progressing. Clinton County Middle School had a percentile of 28 and was classified as needs improvement/progressing/focus school (students with disabilities).

J.D. Mullins, Chief Executive Officer of the Clinton County Hospital, told the Clinton County News last week that the local facility in west Albany has, in fact, filed bankruptcy. The bankruptcy filing comes six years after a rebuilding project was completed that basically placed an entire new facility at the location.

Another trial date has been scheduled for two Clinton County residents charged with murder in the death of Jimmy Sidwell, Jr., 19, of Albany, that occurred a year ago. On Thursday, October 9, Clinton Circuit Judge David L. Williams set aside a week–April 27 through May 1, 2015–for the trial of Michael E. Thompson and Andrea Byler.

The man accused of double-murder in Pickett County, Tennessee in late July will apparently have his case heard by a Pickett County Grand Jury. Joshua Pyles, 34, of Monticello, during a preliminary hearing, waived his rights to formal arraignment with the case being waived to the grand jury. He is charged with the murders of Danny Dowdy, 58, and his son, Cody Dowdy, 22, who were killed at their family business, the Sugar Shack, at Static, Tennessee.

A Clinton County businessman involved in the oil drilling industry was killed over the weekend in a farm-related accident. Robert “Rob” Papineau, 59, was killed Saturday, October 25 when a tractor he was operating overturned on top of him, according to Clinton County Coroner Steve Talbott.

October Birth…Emery LeAnn Browning, daughter of Chris and Sarah Browning, Albany.

October Deaths…Eddie Hogan, 70, Glasgow, KY; Danny Leon Russell, Jr., 54, Albany; Marvel Lewis Purnell, 56, Albany; John M. Laughlin, 77, Monticello, KY; Ricky Carl Craig, 52, Albany; Ruby Kidwell McWhorter, 91, Albany; Linda S. Stearns, 55, Albany; Lester Cooper, 81, Albany; Imogene Brown, 82, Smyrna, TN; Georgia “Kathleen” Bise, 80, New Castle, IN; James Lester Manis, 77, Byrdstown, TN; Cheryl Ann White LeFever, 69, Winchester, KY; Flonnie M. Duvall, 86, Albany; Edmond (Ed) Savage, 75, Albany; Roger Glenn Conner, 55, Jamestown, KY; Garry Dale Daniels, 49, Pall Mall, TN; Kathy Lee Taylor, 59, Albany; Jeffery “Jeff” Bridgeman, 51, Albany; Kevin Patrick McGee, 47, Albany; Robert “Rob” Papineau, 59, Albany.

November Yearly Review

November News…Tuesday’s general election saw Republican newcomer Richard Armstrong being elected Clinton County Judge/Executive, defeating former Democrat Judge/Executive Charlene King, 2,439 votes to 1,816 votes. Albany Mayor Nicky Smith was re-elected, defeating challenger Lyle Pierce by 95 votes, 515 to 420. Incumbent 40th Judicial Circuit Judge David L. Williams defeated opponent Steve Hurt by 600 plus votes district-wide and U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell defeated Alison Lundergan-Grimes statewide by 15 percent, 56 to 41 percent and Republican First District Congressman Ed Whitfield was re-elected, carrying Clinton County by a wide margin.

A potentially extreme situation for county government and several customers of a former waste collection area of the county was halted last week after an emergency was declared when one of the solid waste franchise holders, Abston Sanitation, forfeited its franchise. On October 27, Judge/Executive Lyle Huff issued an executive order and recommended Area One be divided between the remaining three franchise haulers.

The Albany Police Department is continually trying to keep up with the new technology and the agency’s newest form of technology will offer safety to both the officers and public. As of last week, each Albany Police Officer will be equipped with a “Body Cam.”

In the midst of frigid cold temperatures that arrived across the nation weeks earlier than normal, thanks to a weather system that resulted in a downward push of the jet stream and cold air moving in from the northern arctic circle, Albany and Clinton County residents awoke early Tuesday morning to yet another reminder that winter 2014-15 might be another rough one–snow covered ground and highways. Enough snow, as it turned out, to give Clinton County students their first break from classes this school year in the form of a “snow day.” In fact, the dismissal of classes November 17 was a record for the earliest that classes have been dismissed due to snow in at least 23 years.

Beginning next year, the Clinton County School District will once again have a GEAR-UP program. Thanks to a collaboration led by Berea College, Clinton and Cumberland counties will offer the program over a year grant period through Berea.

A holiday theme feature that proved to be popular from both sides of the spectrum is making a return to the Clinton County News this Christmas season. Christmas from Clinton County, 2014! In an effort to give local shoppers and crafters the chance to once again get together, we will be putting together the feature to give local crafters and manufacturers–big and small–the opportunity to get the message out to local and area shoppers that possible Christmas gifts that are made by residents of Clinton County can be purchased during the upcoming holiday season.

Kentucky’s new Lieutenant Governor, Crit Luallen, has named Phil Huddleston of Frankfort as her new Chief of Staff. Huddleston, a Clinton County native, has served more than 30 years in state government in a variety of roles.

Kathy Conner, who has been volunteering and organizing Samaritan’s Purse Christian ministries, Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection drive locally for the past seven years, said the first year 30 shoeboxes were filled with toys, hygiene items and other products sent to children in 126 countries. Since that time, however, the project locally has come a long way. In 2014, a record 1,665 shoebox gift packages were donated, almost twice as many as the 864 donated last year.

Local and state law enforcement authorities were still busy at press time Tuesday, November 25, investigating an apparent murder that occurred sometime Monday in the Snow Community of Clinton County, and eventually resulted in a multi-hour standoff that ended hours later and resulted in another death. According to multiple reports, Andy Hargis, 36, was found dead outside of the building where he lived in an apartment on the property belonging to Kent Shearer near the Keystone Foods farm on Ky. 1590. The standoff apparently came to an end at about 2 p.m. when officers with the Kentucky State Police special tactics unit fired teargas into a residence where a suspect was heldup. Later, KSP issued a press release saying that one of the suspects, 38-year-old James Douglas Polston, was found inside the residence deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

November Births…Everly Faith Groce, daughter of Nikki and Nathan Groce, Albany; Nicholas Jeremaih Slone, son of Scott and Brenda Slone, Albany.

November Deaths…Marjorie Myers Sparks, 93, Burkesville, KY; Rita Speck Johnson, 62, Nancy, KY; Ora Lee Phillips, 89, Albany; Melvin G. Buster, 80, Albany; Arnold “Shorty” Daniel, 79, Albany; Wendell S. Jones, 65, Albany; Russell H. “Beechnut” Shelton, 80, Albany; Hugh Shelton, 84, Mt. Sherman, KY; Dorothy M. Duvall, 79, Albany; Brian Wayne Comstock, 42, Dayton, OH; Tom Conner, 77, Madison, TN; Bonnie Cowan, 54, Monticello, KY; Gladell Beaty, 90, Albany; Herman E. Reeder, 72, New Castle, IN; Jeremy Pryor, 32, Bowling Green, Kentucky.

December News…On January 1, 2015, long-time Clinton County public servant Gene Ferrill will leave his position as Clinton County Jailer, opting to retire after serving four consecutive terms and five total terms in that capacity.

Last Thursday, November 27, the No Kid Hungry project moved into its second year of providing a Thanksgiving meal to Clinton County residents in need. Everyone had their part, their station, their duty and 1,400 meals later, the day was over and many people in Clinton County were less hungry. More than 120 turkeys were prepared, 70 gallons of green beans came and went, 1,200 rolls were handed out and of the 1,423 meals served, 800 were delivered along with 114 boxes of additional food items that had been donated to the cause.

After 37 years, Fred Thrasher’s artistic career is coming to an end. Thrasher, a Clinton County native, one of the most renowned and respected artists in Kentucky, will be offering his last commercial print entitled “Family Heritage” for sale.

One of the longest serving public officials, in either the city or county government, will be exiting office this month following a cumulative 31 years as a member of Albany City Council. James “Smitty” Smith, 79, was first elected to the council in 1979 and served a total of 15 terms.

Two people from Massachusetts, both closely linked to the New England Compounding Center in that state, have been charged with second degree murder in connection to several deaths that include the September 17, 2012 death of Clinton Circuit Judge Eddie C. Lovelace. The 73-page indictment charges Barry Cadden, one of the co-founders of the company, along with Adam Chin, a phonemicist with the same firm, with 25 counts of second degree murder. The indictments are connected to the release of what was proved to be tainted steroids manufactured by the firm and sold to several medical facilities, including the one that Lovelace was being treated at in Nashville, Tennessee, the Saint Thomas Neurosurgery Center.

The Clinton County Lady Bulldogs made it through practically all of the 2014 portion of this basketball season with a perfect 10-0 record and a championship win in the Louisville Seneca Lady Redhawk Classic. According to records, 10-0 is the best start to a season in Clinton County Lady Bulldog history. Two previous teams were 9-0 to start a season.

Clint Poore has been lifting weights all his life. He is a very active member of the Omega Force team as well as winning several national bench pressing awards. Now, after a strong-man competition, he carries the title of Kentucky’s ‘Strongest Man for 2014.’ The competition was held at the Atlas Athletic Club in Hopkinsville on November 15.

December Births…Colton Ray Hood, son of Michael and Shanice Hood, Albany; Lauren Alexandra Harrod, daughter of Matt and Ashley Harrod, Albany.

December Deaths…Arnold Wayne Needler, 75, Albany; Jimmie W. Peavie, 85, Albany; Edsel R. Beaty, 88, Knoxville, TN; Johnny Ralph Shelton, 52, Albany; James Kenneth “Kenny” Garrett, 51, Albany; Jonathan Richard Melton, 43, Albany; James Douglas Polston, 38, Albany; Gregory “Greg” L. Neal, 53, Muncie, IN; Mary Ruth Clemons, 65, Louisville, KY; Porter Richard Smith, 81, Moores Hill, IN; Lennie E. Riddle, 88, Albany; Mary S. Gibson, 85, Albany; Kenneth I Pierce, 76, Jamestown, KY; Margaret Louise Polston, 70, Albany; Lana Terry Lawrence, 67, Albany; Cindy Jones Savage, 50, Albany; Betty Elizabeth Neal, 93, Albany; Byron Kendrick Patton, 69, IL; Alice E. Bertram, 84, New Castle, IN; Kenny Hacker, 64, Somerset, KY; Thelma L. Hadley, 61, Jamestown, Kentucky.