Wayne County Outlook …

Posted November 27, 2019 at 1:39 pm

Two people died following a shooting incident that apparently occurred on Monday, November 11, at an apartment complex off West KY 92.

According to information released by Wayne County Coroner Gordon Hicks, Mandy Kinnett, 37, and Chris Polston, 30, were found dead in the same apartment from injuries consistent with gunshot wounds.

Hicks and Deputy Coroner Glen Wolfe pronounced the two individuals dead at approximately 11:55 p.m.

Kentucky State Police were notified at approximately 11 p.m. and responded to Hillcrest Apartments to investigate.

Their preliminary investigation indicates that Polston, of Monticello, made entry into the apartment which was occupied by Kinnett. The two were estranged but had a child together.

Kentucky State Police indicated that the bodies of Polston and Kinnett were both sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

State police have said that no other suspects are believed to be involved in the incident.

No other details have been released by Kentucky State Police.

Detective Eric Moore is leading the investigation. He was assisted at the scene by detectives from Post 11, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, the Monticello Police Department, Wayne County EMS and the Wayne County Coroner.

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A man was reported missing by a Wayne County Deputy on Thursday, November 14, after two hunters went into the woods and only one came out.

The hunt originated in the Tuttle School Road area of Wayne County and a search was conducted by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and Rescue Squad, with PHI and EMS on standby.

Fish and Wildlife Officer Jerrod Alley stated that the hunter received an arm injury due to a fall, but did find his way out of the woods at Cedar Hill Church on KY 790 East.

The man told officials that he came into close proximity of a mama bear defending her cubs and fired a couple of warning shots.

He was transported by EMS to Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital for treatment.

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Election officials in Wayne County gathered on Thursday, November 14 at the courthouse to conduct a recanvass of votes cast on November 5 in the race for Kentucky governor.

It was the same process that was occurring in all county clerks’ offices in Kentucky, as the recanvass of votes, requested by Governor Matt Bevin, was completed.

Less than 30 minutes later, the local tally was verified, and Wayne County Clerk Heather Piercy noted that the vote totals for Bevin and Andy Beshear were unchanged.

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The lifesaving efforts of a Monticello Police Officer were recognized during a meeting of the city council on Tuesday, November 12.

Officer Jeremy Thompson received a Lifesaving Award and commendation from Police Chief Joe Bybee during the meeting. Bybee informed council members that Thompson’s efforts earlier this month helped save the life of an infant.

He explained that a call came through the local dispatch center about a baby who had stopped breathing. Thompson was on scene before EMS arrived, and Bybee stated that the officer administered chest compressions and resuscitated the infant.

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During their meeting on Tuesday, November 12, the Wayne County Board of Education recognized Bell Elementary Principal Derrick Harris for being named a National Distinguished Principal.

Harris received the award in Washington, D.C. recently.

Superintendent Wayne Roberts congratulated Harris for the impressive award and being nominated for the honor. He praised Harris’ leadership abilities and the success his school has demonstrated, especially in the area of literacy.

Harris is focused on implementing best practices that increase student performance and learning, such as a differentiated literacy program that ensures each child’s specific instructional needs are being met.

The highly successful program has resulted in a high percentage of students now reading at grade level.

Educators from other schools frequently visit Bell Elementary to borrow ideas and strategies. Their mentoring program and classroom program at Bell Elementary is another successful model to emulate.