Local reporters this week in 1994 were kept busy gathering details about several tragedies and near-misses in our area. But there was also hopeful news about the future – although one “progressive” step still, 30 years later, has never been realized. If all had gone as planned back in 1994, Pulaski County would have I-66 running somewhere through it today.
Here’s what was newsworthy in Pulaski County this week in 1994, from the pages of the Commonwealth Journal.
Cycle Rider Dies
The 18-year-old driver of a motorcycle that collided with a school bus Tuesday died yesterday from injuries suffered in the crash. (The driver), of Sloans Valley, was pronounced dead at the University of Kentucky Medical Center yesterday at 2 p.m., according to the Fayette County coroner’s office. The cause of death was listed as head injuries. The accident occurred on Ky. 80 as the bus was attempted to turn onto Ky. 235. (The driver) was attempting to pass the bus and struck it on the driver’s side near the front of the bus. None of the children on the bus were injured.
Boy, Horse Hurt by Attacking Dog
A vicious attack by a Rottweiler dog sent a 12-year-old boy to the emergency room with a leg wound requiring many stitches. (The boy), of Slate Branch Spur, needed four layers of stitches on the calf of his leg after being attacked by a Rottweiler while he was riding his horse. … The full-grown dog’s head was sent to Frankfort to determine if it were infected with rabies. The family was told to watch the horse, which was also bitten, for signs of the virus. … (The boy) was riding his mare, Shadowdancer, with an adult friend … Wednesday evening when the attack occurred. … Shadowdancer tried to stay between the dog and her rider, bucking and twirling, and knocking the dog away. The dog managed to bite (the boy’s) calf, however. … It wasn’t until the mare took off that the dog turned loose of (his) leg. … The boy endured three layers of stitches inside the wound and another set of stitches on top.
Juvenile Arrested on Weapons Charge
A 17-year-old Somerset High School student was arrested shortly after noon Tuesday and charged with carrying a concealed deadly weapon. Somerset Police Detective Scott Vito said a .22-caliber pistol and a lock-blade knife were found in the juvenile’s possession. He was taken into custody at the school at 12:10 p.m. and later released to relatives, the officer said.
Driver Escapes Serious Injury When Train Crashes into Truck
A Whitley City man was treated and released from Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital yesterday after the dump truck he was driving was struck by a northbound train. (The driver), 36, was operating a 1979 International dump truck when the accident occurred at 9:08 a.m. According to Rick Harris, spokesman for Norfolk Southern Railway in Atlanta, the tandem dump truck failed to stop at a crossing just north of Somerset on U.S. 27 near Kentucky Hardwood Lumber Company. … (The driver), who was not wearing a safety belt, … was thrown clear on impact, and walked under his own power back to the wreckage.
Train Strikes Car at Clifty Crossing
The driver of a car struck Friday by a train at the Clifty Road crossing walked away from the wreckage without injury — the second driver in a week to survive a traffic accident involving a train. (The man), 28, of McQueen Street, Somerset, was checked out at the scene by Somerset-Pulaski County EMS personnel, but reported no injuries. He was traveling north on Clifty Road when the accident occurred just after 3 p.m. … (The man) told officers his brakes were not working properly, and he could not stop his car until it was already on the tracks.
U.S. 27 Widening to be Studied
A House Committee has approved $4 million for a preliminary study that could eventually lead to four-laning U.S. 27 from Somerset to Eubank, 5th District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, R-Somerset, announced yesterday. “This begins a project that will eventually four-lane U.S. 27 from south of Lexington to the Tennessee state line,” Rogers said.
Route for I-66 Finalized
An amendment by 5th District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers to Congressional committee-approved legislation finalizes the general corridor for I-66, a proposed transcontinental highway that would run through eastern and southern Kentucky. The now-established route enters Kentucky in Pike County and extends through Pike, Floyd, Letcher, Knott, Perry, east to west through Pulaski County and on to the West Coast. “No specific route has been established through individual communities,” said Frank Masano, spokesman for Rogers. However, he said “the general idea is” that I-66 might follow East KY 80 and the Cumberland Parkway through Pulaski County.” “The bill requires that I-66 be within 25 miles of Somerset,” noted Maisano. Rogers apparently is convinced that I-66 is a lifeline to economic improvement in this section of Kentucky.
Crist is Building Inspector
A local contractor with 18 years of experience in Pulaski County will take over as Somerset’s building inspector/enforcement officer Monday. He replaces Skip Padgett, who retired from the office in December. Dennis Crist was hired by Mayor Jim Williams, who chose him from a list of four people recommended by Somerset City Council’s personnel committee. … Crist, whose hiring was announced Wednesday, will start work Monday at a salary of $24,000. … Crist said his two top priorities will be to keep the city clean and within code, and to ensure all contractors in the city are properly licensed and meeting at least basic building requirements. … His job description shows he will also serve as a gas inspector, flood plain manager and airport zoning inspector. He will assist various city departments when needed. Crist, who came to Pulaski County from California, where he was certified as a contractor, said he will give up his contracting business, Crist Construction, when he assumes office Monday. … Crist lives in Hillandale with wife Joan and their son, Brian.
City Lauded for Housing Program
More than a year after families moved into Somerhill Estates, local and area officials gathered yesterday to dedicate the subdivision with a ribbon cutting. Located just off Hail Knob Road, the 30 houses were built through a joint effort involving the Housing Authority of Somerset, the city of Somerset and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Instead of being rented, the homes are sold to families who otherwise couldn’t afford to own one. Somerset is believed to be the first city in Kentucky to actually sell individualized homes. … Somerset Mayor Jim Williams said Somerhill Estates “fills a great need that we have with our people…” The homes, assessed at $40,000, cost between $26,000-$32,000. All 30 are occupied, and, at the first of this month, 12 families had completed the requirements and signed the 30-year mortgages. … The money the authority collects will be placed in a fund, which will be used for other homes that will likely be built around the city.
National News:
A little-known type of fat found in margarine and other processed foods could be responsible for 30,000 deaths from heart disease in the United States each year, according to a researcher who is recommending warning labels to alert consumers to the risk. “Such warning labels are, indeed, more justifiable than those on cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, because the nature of the product is invisible to the consumer,” Harvard University’s Dr. Walter Willett says in a commentary published today by the American Journal of Public Health. U.S. researchers last year reported that diets high in margarine, long touted as a healthy alternative to butter, and similar foods could double the risk of heart attack. But Willett, Harvard’s nutrition chief and a renowned researcher on diet and heart disease, goes even further, saying the trans fatty acids found in those foods are probably worse than saturated fat. “Will people be shocked? I suspect so,” said Willett.
School News:
-Southern Elementary assistant principal Jerry Girdler … has been selected as the next principal at Southern. Girdler succeeds Bob Overbey, who is moving across U.S. 27 to take the reins at to-be-completed Oak Hill Elementary. … Girdler assumes this position after 23 years in the Pulaski County School System. His last principalship came during a two-year stint at Woodstock Elementary. He’s worked under Overbey for the past three years at Southern; before that, he was assistant principal at Southern Middle School for two years. The new school leader said he had no such lofty aspirations when he began his academic career. He said he got into education primarily so he could coach, and he coached both baseball and football.
-Plans for Southwestern High School’s football field have hit another snag, as bids for a concession building and lighting came in over budget. School district officials had hoped to install both for $210,000, however, opened combined bids topped the $300,000 mark and were rejected by Pulaski County Board of Education members Tuesday night. With football season less than 100 days away, county Supt. Bert Minton noted that lighting will have to take top priority in the project. To trim costs on lighting, architect David Samokar suggested that the poles could be shortened and moved closer to the field, at the end of the bleachers. Planners had wanted the light poles to be behind the bleachers, so seating could be expanded.
-Scheduling changes at the two county high schools will mean all Pulaski County students will spend more time at school next year. … New class times and the district schedule were approved by the county board of education Tuesday night. The biggest change was registered by Pulaski County High School. Currently, the school day runs from 8:40 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. The final bell for first classes at PCHS has been moved up to 8:25 a.m., and the final bell is being pushed back to 3:15 p.m. … Pupil personnel director Anne Cox noted that other district schools are submitting schedule plans to central office. The district’s transportation system revolves around the high schools, so the alterations will mean earlier and later pick-up times for other students. ... The school system also is adding three extra days of professional development, bringing the total of training days to nine.
-Despite a growing demand to drop baccalaureate services from Kentucky high schools’ graduation programs, Somerset Independent School District is not shying away from the traditional religious ceremony. “We are one of the few (school districts in Kentucky) that still have baccalaureate services,” SHS principal Chuck Eckler said in announcing the schedule for commencement exercises last week. To comply with a 1992 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Eckler said the baccalaureate service has been moved from the SHS campus. The service will be held today at 8 p.m. in the First Baptist Church sanctuary. Many schools have abandoned baccalaureate services because of the ruling. The program traditionally is a religious service where guest speakers — usually ministers — deliver words of praise and blessings to the graduating seniors. Eckler said the baccalaureate service is based on voluntary attendance by the students. Dr. Mike Gatton, pastor of First Christian Church in Somerset, is scheduled to deliver the baccalaureate address. … The federal ruling has caused Somerset officials to make some changes in its format for its commencement program. Instead of having an opening and closing prayer, Eckler said students are asked to give an opening and closing statement. … “We haven’t had an opening and closing prayer for the last few years,” Eckler said. The SHS principal said students voluntarily recited the Lord’s Prayer after the conclusion of last year’s commencement program. “I thought that was nice.”
Church News:
A heritage and homecoming celebration is planned for Sunday, May 22, beginning with the 11 a.m. worship service at Burnside United Methodist Church. The celebration will include a special speaker, a beef barbecue and potluck dinner on the grounds. … Burnside Methodist Church was chartered in 1896 and the building was constructed later in 1907. … The church’s respect for its roots is evident when one looks at the membership roll or drives by the front of the church. For five generations, members of the Lewis family have participated in the life of the church. The stone wall in front of the church was carted up from old Burnside. It had been the foundation of the Seven Gables Motel which was torn down to make way for Lake Cumberland. In the early 1950s, when the educational wing was built, the brick came from the old Burnside School. One of the church’s earliest pastors began a school called the Wesley Academy which filled an educational need in the Burnside community for years. … The pastor of Burnside UMC, the Rev. John Shroll, had this to say: “This Heritage Day has special meaning for me because it will be my last as pastor of this church. The bishop is moving me to another appointment in June. In the six years I have served here, people like Bernice Mitchell, Alleyne Hardwick, Doyle and Christine Hardwick and others have mesmerized me with tales of old Burnside. The Burnside Methodist Church was built on a hill with its face, like that of a proud parent, overlooking the community life of old Burnside. The old town is now buried in a watery grave, but the church remains as one of the last vestiges of a people who once lived there.”
Birth Announcements:
The following babies were born at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital during the period April 28 through May 6, 1994: -A son, Blake Hunter, 8 pounds ¾ ounce, born April 28 to Tim and DeAnna Day, Somerset. -A daughter, Amber Denise, 7 pounds 9 ounces, born April 28 to Shawnda Mounce, Somerset. -A son, Joshua Steven Clay, 7 pounds 3-1/2 ounces, born April 30 to Karen Bell, Somerset. -A son, Andrew Ryan, 8 pounds 13-3/4 ounces, born May 2 to Cathy Francis, Somerset. -A daughter, Brittany LaShea, born May 3 to Michael and Darla Mink, Somerset. -A daughter, Jorgen Thomisha, 8 pounds 10 ounces, born May 4 to George A. and Mary Arthur, Somerset. -A son, Benjamin Grant, 8 pounds 12 ounces, born May 5 to Jessie and Richard Rice, Somerset.
Engagements and Anniversaries:
-Jennifer Arlene Burris, daughter of John and Anna Burris, 890 Slate Branch Road, and Howard and Phyllis Minton, 107 Shady Lane, will be united in marriage at 1 o’clock in the afternoon Saturday, May 28, at Calvary Baptist Church. Miss Burris is a 1991 graduate of Pulaski County High School. She currently is a junior at Eastern Kentucky University studying in the baccalaureate nursing program. Mr. Minton is a 1988 graduate of Somerset High School and a 1993 graduate of Western Kentucky University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in secondary education in history/government and a minor in journalism. He is currently a graduate student at Eastern Kentucky University.
-Mr. and Mrs. Arlis Taylor, Somerset, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Tracy Lynn, to Lawrence Anthony Bowling. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence A. Bowling, Somerset. Miss Taylor is a graduate of Pulaski County High School and Eastern Kentucky University. She is employed by the Somerset Independent Board of Education and Pulaski County attorney Fred G. Neikirk. Mr. Bowling is a graduate of Pulaski County High School. He is employed by the Kroger Company. The couple will be united in marriage during an open ceremony at 6 o’clock in the evening June 18 at Science Hill United Methodist Church, Science Hill.
-Mr. and Mrs. Dave Hamblin, Somerset, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Stephanie Michelle, to Christopher Lee Burton. He is the son of Albert Lee and Sharon Burton, Oak Hill Road, Somerset, and the grandson of Albert and Elizabeth Burton, Somerset, and Corba Braley, Crab Orchard. Miss Hamblin is a student at Kentucky Tech-Somerset and is employed by Tom’s Hallmark. She is a 1991 graduate of Pulaski County High School. Mr. Burton is employed by H.T. Hackney Co. He is a 1992 PCHS graduate. The couple will be united in marriage during the afternoon of August 6 at Oak Hill Baptist Church.
-Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Bradley, 1245 Colo-Grade Road, will celebrate their 70th anniversary Sunday, May 22, with an open house at their home. The couple have seven surviving children, 19 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. The couple were wed May 22, 1924, at the home of Mrs. Bradley’s parents, John William Meece and Siotha Alice Erp Meece. The late Rev. Jack Ridner performed the ceremony. Mr. Bradley is the son of the late Larenzo and Mary Hargis Bradley.
-Ben and Gloria Wesley, Slate Branch Road, Somerset, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 22, at First Baptist Church fellowship hall. The event is being hosted by the couple’s children. They were wed May 23, 1944.
-Conley and Eunice Beshears will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary with a reception from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 29, at the South Kentucky RECC community room. The event will be hosted by their daughter.
Obituaries:
-A retired Somerset businessman, community and civic leader died yesterday at his home. Ben S. Mattingly, 84, 418 Clements Avenue, was former owner of Western Auto dealership and operated Ben S. Mattingly Tire Company until his retirement in 1977. Mattingly was a leader in the local business community and active in church and civic groups. He was a composer and a vocalist and often led the singing at St. Mildred’s Catholic Church. He was a nationally published writer on various social issues and author of Amazing Innovation, a Lifetime of Poetry, published in 1993. Mattingly spent much of his time in his later years working with Peace and Social Justice Committee, an ecumenical group in Southeastern Kentucky, and was chairperson of that committee for a time. Mattingly, who graduated from St. Xavier High School in 1927, was class poet. After graduation, he was a member of the distinguished Aloha Club, a literary society sponsored by The Courier-Journal of Louisville. For several years, he was voted “Poet of the Year” by popular ballot among the newspaper readership. He also was a member of the Sabrid Players, a dramatic club where he met his wife. They married in 1934. A funeral Mass will be held Sunday at St. Mildred Catholic Church. Burial will be at Lakeside Memorial Gardens.
-Wanda Mitchell, 85, Slate Branch Road, Somerset, died Saturday, May 14, 1994, following a long illness. She was born in the Delmer community March 27, 1909. She was a homemaker and member of Slate Branch Baptist Church. Survivors include five sons, five daughters, 27 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the chapel of New Brothers Funeral Home. Burial will be in Floyd Family Cemetery.
-Theodore Roosevelt Brassfield, 89, Railroad Drive, Somerset, died Wednesday, May 18, 1994, at Midtown Care Home, following a long illness. He was born in the Cracker’s Neck community of Pulaski County, Oct. 7, 1904. He was a retired laborer for Gene Horne Paving Company and was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include his wife, Lucille Garland Brassfield, whom he married July 30, 1947, four sons, four daughters, 31 grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the chapel of New Brothers Funeral Home. Burial will be in Lakeside Memorial Gardens.
-Dorothy B. Wesley, 3328 West Ky. 635, Science Hill, Saturday, May 21, 1994, at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital. She was 79. Born Aug. 16, 1914, in Eubank, she was a retired employee of Palm Beach Company following 30 years’ employment and was an active member of West Science Hill Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband of 66 years, Odis Wesley, whom she married June 29, 1928, three sons, two daughters, eight grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and a step-great-grandchild. Funeral services were 11 a.m. today at West Science Hill Baptist Church. Burial was in West Science Hill Cemetery.
This Week in Local Sports:
-Senior Jaime Wallace, Pulaski County, advanced to Saturday’s quarterfinal round of regional tennis competition. … Wallace outplayed Somerset High School’s Emily Travis, 6-3, 7-6, and won the tied match with a score of 7-3, to advance in Saturday’s round. After defeating Susan Magaha, Russell County’s No. 1 seed, in Saturday’s second round, Wallace was knocked out of the event by Allison Rushka from Madison Central.
-Four local players were named to the All-44th District Softball Team yesterday after North Laurel’s 7-4 win over South Laurel in the finals at Rockcastle County High. Somerset’s Brandi Wilson and Gretchen Brown led their team to the semifinals and were both named to the All-District squad. Joining the SHS duo were hard-hitting Kelly Morrison of Southwestern and Shawna Taylor of Pulaski County.
-Somerset’s Briar Jumpers were able to put a three-run rally together against South Laurel southpaw Chris Berry last night in the finals of the 48th District Tournament. But that was in the sixth inning. And by that time, the host Cardinals had the game well in hand. South Laurel touched Jumper starter Scott McAninch for seven runs over five innings, and then strafed reliever Shawn Clark for four more in the sixth, to carry an 11-1 lead in the bottom of the frame. Despite Somerset’s flurry, the second-seeded Cardinals soared to the district championship with an impressive 12-4 victory over the top-seeded Jumpers. … The Jumpers have played without senior Bart Harris for over a month, after he became ill. Yesterday, senior Les Kirkpatrick had a virus and was unable to make the trip. Then, in the third inning, sophom*ore catcher Jeremy Bales — one of the team’s hottest hitters — collided with big first baseman Andrew Kinch while both of them were chasing Tim McClure’s pop fly. Kinch made the catch, but Bales was left with a broken nose and was forced to leave the game.
-Just what did the high school split mean to the track and field program in the county system? It created two Class AAA Region 8 champions, one at Southwestern, and one at Pulaski County High. The Warriors nipped Lincoln County 93-90 to win the boys’ crown, while the Lady Maroons garnered their third straight title, topping South Laurel 100-93 yesterday at the Region 8 Meet at Bell County High. “I think it’s amazing that a high school could win a Region Meet in its first season,” said SWHS coach Dale Anderson. “The credit can go to the kids and their former coaches at Pulaski County. I don’t know that anything like this has ever happened before. A school system splits, and then both schools come up with Regional track titles. This may have been a first.” … The Warriors had several athletes come through with strong showings. Josh Smith won the 110 high hurdles (15.6) and was second in the 300 intermediates (41.6). Brian Rice, meanwhile, won the 100 in 11.45, while Chris Coffey was second in the 800 (2:06) and the 1600 relay team (Eric Weddle, Coffey, Smith and Rice) was runner-up in 3:32.6. … The Maroons’ David Evans was incredible in the Regional. He won the 3200 on Thursday, and then took first in both the 1600 and the 800. “David has been the heart and soul of our team all season, and he certainly did a tremendous job in the Regional Meet,” Wilson said. … The PC girls came up with first place finishes in four events to win their Regional title. … Julie Roberts won the 1600 in 5:30.98, while Natalie Scruggs — who won the 3200 on Thursday — was second in 5:34.65. The Lady Maroons also finished 1-2 in the 800, as Mandy Jones was first in 2:25.65 and Roberts was second (2:37.10). Gretchen Sandefur placed second in both the 400 (1:02.61) and the 200 (27.84), while the 1600 relay team (Jones, Roberts, Sandefur and Amy Bullock) was second in 4:19.90. … Michelle Barnes excelled for the Lady Warriors, advanced to the State Meet in the 100-meter dash with a first-place time of 13.00. … At the Class A Regional Meet at Harrodsburg, Somerset’s Brian Crist advanced to the State Meet in the high jump, with a second-place leap of 5-10. … Issac Sanders was third in the 200 (24.07) and fourth in the 100 (11.66).
Advertisem*nts from Local Businesses:
-Video Hits – Cumberland Square. Rent 1 movie or game and get 2nd of equal or lesser value free, Sunday through Thursday only.
-Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken – 400 S. Hwy. 27. Ten-piece pack, $11.49. Chicken, two pints of your choice of vegetables or salads, and four biscuits. Famous Recipe, Crispy Plus, of Golden Herb Roast.
-Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance, Larry VanHook Agency – 423 East Mt. Vernon Street. Larry VanHook is at a new location with the same company and the same service. Stop by and see us!
-Brooks Fashions – Somerset Mall. Going out of business – everything is on sale. Drastic reductions on all women’s fashions! We will accept cash as well as Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Sorry, no checks.
-Wallpaper for Less — Now open across from Arby’s on South Hwy. 27. We carry first quality wallpaper, over 300 patterns in stock starting at $5.00 double roll.
Lost and Found:
-$50 REWARD for LOST video tape. If you have recently purchased a used VCR at a flea market or yard sale & found a tape of a wedding, it’s worth $50 if returned undamaged. Sentimental value, it can’t be replaced.
-Found: Pet Rabbit, Southern Hills Subd.
-Found: Adult male tabby cat. Barnesburg Community. Call to identify.
-Found: Large husky type dog. Call to identify, after 5 p.m.
Showing This Week at Showplace Cinemas and 27 Twin Drive-In:
Grumpy Old Men – 3 Ninjas Kick Back – Cops and Robbersons – Bad Girls – The Three Musketeers – Tombstone — When a Man Loves a Woman – The Crow – Maverick
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