| DEC 7 | DEC 21 |
|
Irvine-Ravenna, Estill Co., KY
|
|
PROUDLY SERVING ESTILL COUNTY SINCE 1982
|
|
Volume 35 - Number 24 - Wednesday, December 14, 2016
|
|
Current Obituaries
|
|
Wednesday, December 21st Edition
|
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Joshua David Rawlins, 36
Joshua David Rawlins, age 36, of Ida Grace Road in Irvine, Kentucky, passed away Sunday, December 18, 2016, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, following a long illness.
He was born December 13, 1980 in Madison County and was the son of Gene David Rawlins and Delores Smith Rawlins. He had lived in Estill County all of his life.
Survivors in addition to his father and mother include one daughter, McKinlee Dawn Rawlins, Powell County; one son, Joshua Chase Rawlins, Estill County; his grandmother, Gladys Smith, Estill County; aunts and uncles: Brenda & Arthur Smith, Michael & Teddie Smith, Billy & Richelle Smith and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Billy Gene Smith.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, December 21, 1 p.m., at the Warren F. Toler Funeral Home Chapel by Bro. Jerry Rose. Burial will be at the West Irvine Cemetery. Friends may call after 11 a.m., Wednesday, at the funeral home.
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Modena Smith Estes, 94
Modena Smith Estes, age 94, of Elm Street in Ravenna, Kentucky, passed away Saturday, December 17, 2016, at her home following a short illness.
She was born August 21, 1922, in Estill County, a daughter of the late Orland and Bertie Lee Smith. She was an assembly line worker with Westinghouse and had lived in Estill County all of her life. She was a member of the South Irvine Church of Christ and a former member of the Estill County Homemakers Association.
Mrs. Estes was preceded in death by her husband, Merriell B. Estes.
She is survived by two sons: Jerry Estes (Norma) and Garry Estes (Sarah), both of Irvine; two sisters: Alma Short, Newport; and Eva Lois Andreas, Cincinnati; a daughter-in-law, Lavonne Estes, Estill County; a son-in-law, Buddy Tuggle, London; eight grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by one daughter, Carolyn Tuggle; one son, Ronald Estes; one sister, Lillian Macy; and three brothers: Delmar, Kenneth, and Lenual Smith.
Funeral services were conducted Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Warren F. Toler Funeral Home Chapel by Bro. Tony Belcher with burial following in the Cobb Hill Cemetery. Friends called between 6 and 9 p.m., Monday, at the funeral home.
Pallbearers were Brent Raider, Kenny Bell, Derek Estes, Terry Carter, Jimmy Hacker and Brian Gordon.
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Myrtle E. Mansfield Rose, 100
Myrtle E. Mansfield Rose, age 100, of Blue Run Road in Irvine, Kentucky, passed away Saturday, December 17, 2016, at the Marcum & Wallace Memorial Hospital following a short illness.
She was born September 14, 1916 in Estill County and was the daughter of the late Arthur and Martha Johnson Mansfield. She was a homemaker and farmer and a member of the Sandhill Christian Church. She had lived in Estill County most of her life.
Mrs. Rose was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Rose.
She is survived by two daughters: Betty Rose and Lucille “Martha” Moore (James), both of Estill County; two sons: James E. Rose and Paul E. Rose (Betty Lou), both of Estill County; two sisters: Duluth Witt, Estill County; and Mary Hochendal, Florida; seven grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 31 great, great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one daughter, Juanita Rose; two sisters:Ona Smeltizer and Minnie Withers; three brothers: William, Elbert and James Mansfield; one grandchild, one great grandchild and one great, great grandchild.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, December 21, 2 p.m., at the Sandhill Christian Church by Bro. Ronald Lutes and Bro. Matt Vaughn. Burial will be at the Sandhill Cemetery. Friends called between 6 and 9 p.m., Tuesday, December 20th at the Warren F. Toler Funeral Home and after 11 a.m., Wednesday, at the Church.
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Harold Dean Thomas, 82
|
|
|
Harold Dean Thomas Harold Dean Thomas, age 82, of Robin Hill Way in Lexington, Kentucky, passed away Thursday, December 15, 2016, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Lexington following a long illness. He was born January 14, 1934 in Estill County and was the son of the late Raleigh and Delilah Wolfinbarger Thomas. He was a retired Standard Products employee and a member of the South Elkhorn Baptist Church. He was a United States Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict.
Mr. Thomas is survived by his wife, Bonnie Jean Smyth Thomas; and his son, Rory Dean Thomas (Bonnie) of Lexington; one sister, Sadia Elizabeth Elmore of Louisville; one brother, Roger Dale Thomas of Estill County, one grandchild, Casey Ryan Thomas (Whitney); and two great grandchildren: Carter Joseph and Jackson Raleigh Thomas.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Norma Jean Thomas.
Funeral services were conducted Monday, December 19th at 2 p.m. at the Warren F. Toler Funeral Home in Irvine by Bro. Sherl Thomas. Burial was at the Sunset Memorial Gardens. Friends called after 12 Noon, Monday, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the charity of your choice.
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Earl Cox, 86
|
|
|
|
Earl Cox Earl Cox died in Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday, December 13, 2016.
Born in Irvine, Kentucky March 25, 1930, he was the son of Bess (Benton) and Coleman Cox. He grew up in Irvine, attended the University of Kentucky and served in the U. S. Army for two years. After returning home, Earl Ruby offered him a position as a sports writer at The Courier-Journal.
In many ways, Earl was the vanguard of his profession and he was a not-so-quiet warrior for equality. He was the first reporter in Louisville to cover athletes at all-black schools in the 1950s (over the objection of his editor), and he was one of only a few writers in the nation who covered women’s college sports in the 1950s and 1960s. Until he started writing about them, these athletes were ignored. In the early 1970s, Earl hired the Courier’s first female sports writer and he told her male colleagues that if they gave her any grief, he would fire THEM.
Earl’s years began and ended with the Kentucky Derby and he was convinced that if the Courier Sports section looked good the day after Derby, he felt he had been a success that year.
After retiring from the Courier in the mid-80s, Earl began his second career as sports editor at The Voice-Tribune until his retirement in 2013. He was one of the most respected syndicated sports writers in Kentucky. At his peak, he was offered jobs with larger newspapers and national sports magazines, but he loved Kentucky too much to ever leave.
One of the things Earl enjoyed the most was being invited several consecutive years to speak at a Columbia University symposium to a group of other national sports writers. He was the founder and the first president of The Associated Press Sports Editors, a national association. He was a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame and the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the Dawahares/Kentucky High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame, and he was the only person inducted into all three. In addition, his colleagues elected him Kentucky Sportswriter of the Year many times.
Earl was humble about his professional accomplishments, but he always was very proud of his family. For 59 years, he was married to the former Carolyn Holliday who he first spied when he was nine-years-old and she was six, as she strolled down the street eating ice cream in downtown Irvine. Carolyn is a retired school teacher and the mother of Earl’s three children, Sarah, Scott and Ellen.
To his children, Earl was the most incredible father in the world. When asked to play catch in the back yard for the millionth time, he said yes, every single time. He taught his children how to keep score in baseball, to cheer for the Big Red Machine, and to root for any team from Kentucky. He was his children’s number one cheerleader, their coach, and their hero. His only vice was that he never missed an opportunity to let you know that Sarah was a doctor, Scott and Ellen were attorneys, and Ellen graduated from Harvard. His children apologize to all who tired of hearing about them.
Earl is survived by his wife, Carolyn, his daughter, Sarah (Dwight Pridham); his son, Scott (Lorie); his daughter, Ellen Call (Jill Johnson); and his grandchildren: Emma and Hallie Pridham, Coleman and Caroline Cox and Virginia and Sophie Call. He is also survived by three step grandchildren: Cameron Sousa, Kate Ashton and Alex Pridham.
He leaves behind countless good friends who he cherished, including Guy Strong, Oscar Combs and Joe B. Hall. He was predeceased by his parents, his five sisters and his brother. Earl’s family would like to thank Dr. Jane Cornett for her kindness as well as the staff of the Episcopal Church Home.
Please join the Cox family for a celebration of Earl’s life Saturday, December 24, at Big Spring Country Club, 5901 Dutchmans Lane, Louisville 40205. The reception/visitation begins at 12 noon followed by a special tribute at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army or a charity of choice.
Pearson Funeral Home of Louisville is entrusted with arrangements.
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Nakoa Lee Crowe, 32
|
|
Nakoa Lee Crowe, age 32, of Lexington, Kentucky, formerly of Estill County, passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2016, in Lexington.
He was a native of Estill County, born January 7, 1984, a son of Ritchie and Michelle Chaney Crowe. Mr. Crowe was an United States Army Veteran who enjoyed hunting, music, and especially his Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Survivors, other than his parents, Ritchie and Michelle, include his sisters: Keesha Mosley and Metia Crowe; his nephews: Austin Mosley and Caleb Conrad; and his niece Makayla Mosley.
Graveside services were held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 17, at the Walton Cemetery, with Jason Lykins officiating.
Pallbearers were Chad Crowe, Ryan Chaney, Justin Mosley, Rick Chaney, Kevin Chaney, and Jason Lykins.
Arrangements by Lewis-Abner Home for Funerals.
Wednesday, December 7th Obituaries
|
Former Obituaries
|
|
Wednesday, December 14th Edition
|
2016
Willie Mae McIntosh
|
|
Willie Mae McIntosh A private memorial service for our dear sister, Willie Mae, was conducted at Turning Point Apostolic Church in Ravenna, Kentucky, on Sunday, December 11, 2016. She turned 73 on December 5.
Willie Mae was child number five of Willie and Eva Rawlins McIntosh and the first of eleven children to join our precious Mom and Dad. She loved us dearly as we did her. Forever in our hearts and precious in our memories. "We'll Meet You By The River On That Beautiful Shore"!
Love, Millard, Arthur, Russell, Marshall, Jim, Ray, Eugene, Linda Lou, Roger and Larry McIntosh
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Stanley Walling Jr., 64
Stanley Walling, Jr., age 64, of White Oak Road in Irvine, Kentucky, passed away Thursday, December 8, 2016, at the Compassionate Care Center in Richmond, following a long illness.
He was born March 1, 1952 in Madison County and was the son of the late Stanley Benjamin and Pearl Wiseman Walling. He was a truck driver and a member of the White Oak Church of God. He had lived in Estill County all of his life.
He is survived by his wife, Teresa Baker Walling; one daughter, Melissa Kaye Walling, Estill County; one son, Benjamin Ray Walling (Elizabeth), Estill County; one brother, Donnell Walling, Estill County; and six grandchildren: Austin Wells, Blair Walling, Stephen Wells, Jessalynn Wells, Nolan Walling and Jaxson Hardy.
He was preceded in death by two sisters: Elizabeth Wise and Elwanda Walling.
Funeral services were conducted Saturday, December 10th at 4 p.m. at the Warren F. Toler Funeral Home by Bro. Glyndon Woosley and Bro. Larry McIntosh. Burial was at the White Oak Cemetery. Friends called after 2 p.m., Saturday, at the funeral home.
Pallbearers were Charlie Park, Jeff Hix, Kagen Walling, Dwight Puckett, Oza Johnson, Donnie Watson, Jackie Tipton and Donald Walling.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Bessie Marie Reed Caldwell, 76
Bessie Marie Reed Caldwell, age 76, of Hickory Road in Stanton, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at the Owsley County Health Care Center in Booneville, following a long illness.
She was born January 6, 1940, in Richmond, Kentucky, a daughter of the late Riley Reed and Jesse Pitman Reed Sparks. She had lived in Estill County most of her life and was a member of the Roadside Mission Church.
Mrs. Caldwell was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Caldwell.
She is survived by two sons: Micky Reed, Powell County; and Rick Bryant, Alabama; a sister, Katherine Barker, Indiana; one brother, Langley Reed, Indiana; eight grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two sons: Jimmy McIntosh and Charles Reed; three sisters: Betty Begley, Frieda Stilman, and Mary Ashcraft; and four brothers: Tracy, Charles Henry, Jim, and Ray Reed.
Funeral services were conducted Saturday, December 10th at 12 Noon at the Warren F. Toler Funeral Home Chapel by Bro. Henry Johnson with burial following in the Cobb Hill Cemetery. Friends called after 11 a.m., Saturday, until service time, at the funeral home.
Pallbearers were Micky Reed, Rick Bryant, Greg Goodwin and Leroy Caldwell.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
James Lewell Reynolds, 83
James Lewell Reynolds, age 83, passed away Wednesday, December 7, 2106 at Baptist Health in Richmond, Kentucky.
He was a native of Arkansas, a son of the late Wilburn and Tressie Reynolds. He was a member of the Panola Baptist Church, and a retired brick mason.
Mr. Reynolds was preceded in death by a daughter, Teresa Francisco; a son-in-law, Ron Profitt; a daughter-in-law, Debbie Reynolds; his grandson, James E. Reynolds; and a brother, Dub Reynolds.
Survivors include his wife, Jan Reynolds; his sons: Ray Moses (Milly), Doug Reynolds, Danny Reynolds, and Verl Reynolds; his daughters: Pam Stone, Cherish Reynolds, Teresa Reynolds, Ruth Profitt, and Connie Daniels; his sisters: Agnes and Annie; and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Services were held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 10th, at Lewis-Abner Home for Funerals with Bro. Marvin Neal officiating. Burial followed in the Reynolds Family Cemetery. Friends called anytime after 6:00 p.m., Friday, December 9th at the funeral home.
Pallbearers were Ray Moses, Doug Reynolds, Mike Johnson, Jeff Woosley, Joe Woosley, and Tim Osborne.
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Hunter Nevada Shean, 19
Hunter Nevada Shean, age 19, of Richmond, Kentucky, passed away Tuesday, December 6, 2016, after arrival at Baptist Health Hospital – Richmond following a lengthy illness.
He was born August 30, 1997, in Montgomery County, Kentucky and had attended the Estill County High School. Hunter attended Eastside Community Church and loved anything to do with Batman and the University of Kentucky basketball. He was also a wrestling fan.
Survivors include his mother, Glenna Rae Shean (Billy Neal) of Richmond; his father, Douglass Shean of Irvine; two brothers, Trey Shean of Richmond and Corey Shean of Winchester; one sister, Shanna Shean of Richmond; paternal grandmother, Elaine Gray; and maternal grandparents, Raymond and Linda Goosey; two nephews, Kayden and Jayden Shean and one niece, Miya Johnson.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Gordon Shean.
Funeral service for Hunter was held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 12th at Oldham, Roberts & Powell Funeral Home, 1110 Barnes Mill Road, Richmond, with Mike Eckler and John Buckland officiating. Visitation was from 11:00 a.m. until service time, Monday, at the funeral home.
Pallbearers were John Buckland, Tyler Romero, Brian Eaves and Chris Hall.
In lieu of flowers donations are suggested to Eastside Community Church, 2010 Catalpa Loop Rd., Richmond, KY 40475.
Oldham, Roberts & Powell Funeral Home
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Lawrence Seth Smith, 34
|
|
Lawrence Seth Smith Lawrence Seth Smith, age 34, of Irvine, Kentucky, passed away Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at his home.
He was born on March 2, 1982, in Richmond to Charles and Dedra Stepp Smith. He was a member of the Union City Christian Church.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by: his grandmothers, Sharron Stepp and Emma Smith; two sisters, Amanda & Michele Smith; a nephew, Gabriel Dombrowski; four aunts and one uncle; as well as many other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Lawrence Stepp and Clyde Smith.
Funeral Services were conducted at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 8th at the Warren F. Toler Funeral Home in Irvine, with Bro. Kenneth Bishop officiating. Private family burial was at the Crowe Cemetery. Visitation was after 4 p.m., Thursday, at the funeral home.
Pallbearers were Brad Richardson, Zach Goosey, Billy Horn, Tangee Turpin and Tish Morris.
The Combs, Parsons & Collins Funeral Home, Richmond, is in charge of the arrangements.
Combs, Parsons & Collins Funeral Home
Wednesday, November 30th Obituaries
|
Estill County News
|
Friday, December 16, 2016
KSP Cram the Cruiser Campaign Collects Record Amount of Food for Needy Families
The Kentucky State Police announced today that its seventh annual Cram the Cruiser food drive gathered nearly 170 tons (339,656 lbs.) of food to help Kentucky families struggling financially during the holiday season.
“Due to the generosity of numerous individuals, businesses, schools, social clubs, scout troops and civic organizations across the state, we have surpassed last year’s campaign by more than 46 tons,” said KSP Commissioner Rick Sanders. “This spirit of giving is a genuine public service that will make a real difference to many families facing difficult times.”
KSP initiated the Cram the Cruiser program in 2010 to assist needy families in its local post and region areas. Since then, the agency has contributed over one million pounds of food to shelters, food banks and churches throughout the Commonwealth.
“The Kentucky State Police continues to maintain the traditions of service the agency was founded on more than 65-years ago,” adds Sanders. “Helping those in need is a fundamental part of our mission and we are grateful to be able to coordinate this effort and the benefits it provides to the communities which support our troopers and officers throughout the year.”
Over the years, the campaign has developed into a friendly competition among Kentucky State Police posts and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement regions. This year, KSP Post 7 in Richmond took top honors with a total of 80,872 pounds of food collected.
Capt. Chris Steward, commander of the post, praised local citizens and businesses for their support of the project. “We can’t thank them enough,” he said. “Their generosity is both impressive and humbling.”
Steward also recognized the hard work of Tpr. Robert Purdy, public affairs officer for the post, who spearheaded the effort, which increased the post’s collections by more than 52,661 pounds from last year’s results.
Photos from Cram the Cruiser events can be viewed on the KSP flickr page at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kentuckystatepolice/albums/72157673533117413.
Friday, December 16, 2016
Boyle County Man Charged with Murder following KSP Investigation
A Boyle County man has been charged with the murder of his daughter, following an investigation by the Kentucky State Police, Richmond Post.
The investigation began on Sunday, November 20, 2016, when KSP Post 7 was contacted by Boyle County DCBS, indicating that a six week old child was admitted to Ephraim McDowell Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The child was transferred to Kentucky Children’s Hospital in Lexington, where she succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday, November 22nd. An autopsy was performed the same day by the State Medical Examiner’s office, in which the preliminary diagnoses indicated that the child died from multiple internal injuries.
Following the initial investigation, Jeffery Spielman, 45 years old of Danville, was arrested and charged with Menacing, Resisting Arrest, Assault 4th Degree Domestic Violence, and Wanton Endangerment 2nd Degree, and was lodged in the Boyle County Detention Center. Spielman bonded out of jail on Thursday, December 8th, and was arrested again on Monday, December 12th for an EPO Violation.
As a result of the ongoing investigation Spielman was charged with Murder today, following the indictment by the Boyle County Grand Jury. He remains in the Boyle County Detention Center.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by KSP Detective Tye Chavies.
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Auditor Mike Harmon Announces Findings of Special Examination of the City of Irvine
Results of examination being referred to Attorney General, Department of Revenue, and IRS
Mike Harmon, Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts, today announced the results of a special examination of the city of Irvine in Estill County. The findings in the examination will be referred to the Office of Attorney General (OAG), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Kentucky Department of Revenue to determine whether additional investigation is needed.
"The conclusion we came away with is the city has a poor operating environment in which actions of the mayor, city clerk, and city council members have contributed to numerous questions regarding the city's finances, personnel practices, and other related issues," Auditor Harmon said in releasing the report. "Ongoing disagreements and confusion over who is responsible for supervision of the city's operations created a leadership vacuum, allowing financial decisions to be made without proper review or oversight and increasing the opportunity for waste, fraud or abuse to take place."
The special examination of Irvine, which came about from anonymous complaints to the APA's TIPS line, and a formal request by Irvine Mayor W. J. Noland to conduct a review, contained seven findings:
1. The city of Irvine's operating environment is not conducive to proper management of the city's functions primarily because there is a great deal of friction within the city's management. The city clerk and city council bypassed the mayor's executive authority on key decisions, and in many cases the city was noncompliant with state law and local ordinances on issues like budgetary reports. In addition, the city has no policy manual on administrative and financial activities.
2. There were disagreements between the mayor and city council on who has authority over matters such as the hiring and dismissal of employees, and professional service contractors like external CPA firms.
3. Financial information presented to the city council was minimal, inconsistent and insufficient to allow members to get an accurate understanding of the city's financial situation.
4. The city had numerous errors on tax withholdings for federal and state taxes for employees and contractors, and failed to submit tax payments on time and in the correct amount to the IRS and the Kentucky Department of Revenue. Because of those failures, the city was charged nearly $18,000 in penalties and interest by the IRS and Kentucky Department of Revenue between 2010 and September 2015.
5. Due to a lack of segregation of duties, the city clerk often performed financial duties without any review by another responsible official. For example, the city clerk approved a raise for a city employee without the mayor's signature, and the city clerk opened and closed bank accounts without any review or approval by the mayor.
6. There was a lack of documentation on disbursements from the city's bank accounts. Our office examined 302 transactions from those accounts over a three-year period, and discovered 84 percent, or 253 transactions, lacked information such as invoices or receipts, and no evidence that anyone outside the city clerk had reviewed invoices or determined whether the expenditure was for valid purposes for the city. Auditors also found $5,090 in petty cash withdrawals without any supporting receipts.
7. We also discovered fund transfers to the city's payroll account were not enough to cover the amount paid to employees, leading to bank charges of $3,311 in overdraft fees, returned deposits, fees for providing paper bank statements over and above the electronic statements provided, and other fees charged to correct errors from the deposit of funds. Our office also found an instance where the city had reimbursed a local grocery store after a city employee cashed their payroll check and it bounced because of insufficient funds in the city's account.
8. The city paid bonuses to city employees in violation of Section 3 of the Kentucky Constitution. When the city was advised in a prior audit that bonuses are not permissible, the city changed its methodology and began purchasing and distributing gift cards to employees. We discovered a check written for $1,650 in Fiscal Year 2014 made out to "Christmas Bonus."
9. Auditors identified $4,441 in questionable expenditures for gift cards and gift certificates for employees, flowers and gifts sent to city employees, elected officials and their families, and meal purchases. We also found the city clerk reimbursed herself $504 in July 2015 for four years of meal allowance expenses without any supporting documentation.
"Due to the lack of supporting documentation for expenditures and other examples cited in our examination report, we are referring this to the Attorney General's office for them to determine if there has been any criminal wrongdoing within the city of Irvine," added Auditor Harmon. "The amount of missing or incomplete documentation in many areas was concerning enough that we felt it appropriate for law enforcement to take a closer look."
The full examination report is available for review on our website.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Plow blades down! Crews across the state gear up for snow and ice season
Stocked inventory, well-trained crews, new initiatives cement Cabinet’s strategy
The plow blades have been sharpened. The salt domes are full. It’s snow and ice season, and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) maintenance crews are prepared and ready to battle the elements to keep Kentuckians moving this winter.
At the Department of Highways District 5 office, Secretary Greg Thomas and State Highway Engineer Patty Dunaway today discussed the Cabinet’s upcoming snow and ice strategy, including new equipment to assist crews with their snow removal efforts. The Cabinet’s mission for snow and ice removal is to keep traffic moving in a safe manner with an emphasis on maintaining mobility along critical corridors and priority routes.
“Snow and ice season is the Super Bowl of transportation,” said Secretary Thomas. “The Cabinet is committed to providing dependable service to the public, and we are prepared to respond to weather conditions that may affect travel.”
With a strategy reminiscent of combat, nearly 2,000 professional “snowfighters” and support staff have been briefed and trained on how to tackle snow and ice removal. A statewide brigade of trucks and plows stands ready, and a new special teams strike force of eight plows is stationed in Frankfort, positioned for district deployment during major winter weather events. The Cabinet will operate using snow and ice priority route maps during routine snow and ice occurrences.
“We’ve sophisticated our strategy based on the unusually harsh winter hits Kentucky has seen in recent years that have impacted traffic on major roadways and interstates,” said Dunaway. “Our teams are ready to take on the snow and will work to maintain access on heavily travelled priority state routes.”
|
|
New this season:
New equipment has been secured, including a special teams strike force of eight retrofit snow plows housed in Frankfort for statewide deployment as needed in winter weather emergencies. The strike force is reserved for high-priority routes to ensure interstates remain open.
In addition, the Madisonville and Elizabethtown districts have new tow plows. These plows are independent, trailer-mounted plows with an attached hopper spreader that allow one driver in one truck to cover two lanes. The trucks are much larger and have greater hydraulic capabilities.
The Cabinet has also developed a new webpage for all snow and ice information. The public can visit http://snowky.ky.gov to learn more about priority routes, access helpful winter weather tips and fact sheets and view informational videos on salt application and snow removal.
Inventory of materials and equipment:
The Cabinet is winter-ready, fully stocked with a supply of 431,200 tons of salt, 1.1 million gallons of salt brine and 1.1 million gallons of calcium chloride.
The Cabinet has approximately 980 deployable trucks and plows among the 125 snow and ice frontline maintenance crews. Another 451 contracted trucks are available to assist in snow and ice operations.
Maintenance crews have prepared rosters and schedules, calibrated salting equipment, prepped plows, reviewed plowing strategies and completed safety training.
The Cabinet will efficiently manage equipment, salt supplies and other snow-fighting materials. Districts will actively look for opportunities to shift resources for sharing with other districts as needed, focusing on the statewide team goal of serving all Kentucky citizens.
Be prepared:
The following measures will help keep motorists safe and prepared:
• Pay attention to weather advisories. Weather will impact your commute on some level
• Travel only as necessary during major snow events. It’s better to be stuck at home than to be stuck on the road
• Maintain a safe distance from snowplows and other heavy highway equipment
• Do not pass snowplows on the shoulder
• Allow time for a slower commute
• Winterize vehicles
• Supply vehicles with blankets, flash light and an emergency supply kit
• Know before you go. Visit http://transportation.ky.gov/sites/snowky and download the free Waze app to check traffic conditions before you travel
• Eliminate distractions (e.g. using phone and eating) while driving
• Cooperate with the expectations of the Quick Clearance law, which requires drivers to move vehicles to the shoulder in the event of a non-injury crash
• See Estill County Priority Snow Routes at http://transportation.ky.gov/Maintenance/Documents/Snow%20and%20Ice%20Maps/ESTILL.pdf
|
Estill Tribune Pages
|
