Authorities in Pulaski county say they have made an arrest in connection with a bomb threat reported this week at Southwestern High School. The report was first called in Wednesday at about 2:24am with law enforcement dispatched to the school to search for any evidence of an actual explosive device.  No such device was located, but upon investigation, Kentucky State Police traced the threat back to a juvenile who was reportedly arrested and charged with terrorist threatening 1st degree, a class C felony. he investigation into the threat is continuing.

The FBI is reportedly investigating the administration of former Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher. The probe reportedly centers around claims that cost estimates for some highway projects were leaked to bidders before bids were submitted. Highway officials have said little, other than confirming that the FBI is conducting the investigation and that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is cooperating with their requests for information in the case. Officials working under both administrations have told media sources they know nothing about any possible bid leaks.

Despite colder than expected temperatures and the threat of rain Saturday, nearly 300 volunteers made their way to Cumberland Falls for the PRIDE clean up event along Highway 90 from Whitley County to McCreary County. Groups from both counties and across the region competed for awards based on the number of volunteers and the amount of trash collected. McCreary County's own ATV/OHV club received the award for most volunteers participating, while the Pine Knot Job Corps Center and Beulah Mountain Christian Academy, tied for second place in number of volunteers among school groups. The event was kicked off by a ceremony featuring US Congressman Hal Rogers at Cumberland Falls Saturday morning. The PRIDE two week spring clean up will run through Saturday April 19th with individuals and groups asked to volunteer to help clean up sections of roadways in the region. In addition, McCreary County's spring clean up including the bulk item drop off program, will run from April 14th through 19th. For more information on the clean up efforts, call McCreary County Solid Waste Coordinator Linda Babb at 376-2556.





Officials with the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area have announced plans to conduct controlled, prescribed burns over the next four to six weeks. According to information from park officials, the fires are called for in the park's Fire Management Plan and will be located within the park boundaries with fires varying in size from about 130 to almost 500 acres at locations in both Kentucky and Tennessee. At each burn site, crews of between 20-25 with several engines will be on hand to control the burns. Neighboring property owners who may be impacted will reportedly be contacted before burning in an area begins. For more information on burn schedules, call the park's visitor centers at 376-5073 for the Stearns center, or 286-7275 for the Tennessee center.

After last week's story about the major drug round up in neighboring Whitley County, another nearby county has followed suit with its own drug round up. Scott County authorities say a total of twenty one people were nabbed early Friday morning on warrants for drug related indictments. The Scott county Sheriff's Department began the round up at about 12:30am Friday, in an attempt to catch the suspects off guard. The case is the result of a lengthy investigation into the drug problem in Scott County, according to Sheriff Anthony Lay.

The McCreary County Sheriff's Department is investigating a drug case which resulted in two out of county individuals being arrested Tuesday night. According to a news release from the sheriff's office, an off duty officer observed the driver of a vehicle receive what appeared to be a handful of pills and contacted Sheriff Gus Skinner and members of the Lake Cumberland Area Drug Task Force who stopped the vehicle and arrested Robert Stephens of Norris, Tennessee. Stephens was charged with DUI and possession of a controlled substance while a passenger in the vehicle, Martha Creekmore of Oneida, Tennessee, was charged with possession of a controlled substance 2nd degree. Both suspects were lodged in the McCreary County Detention Center as the investigation into the case continues.     

After pulling an all nighter late Monday, into early Tuesday, lawmakers in Frankfort were able to hammer out details of a two year budget plan for Kentucky. That proposal then went before both the full Senate and House Wednesday, where it received its final passage, before heading to Governor Steve BeShear's desk. The governor must now signed the bill into law for it to be ready to take effect July 1st, the start of the fiscal year for the state. The budget totals $19 billion over the two years with revenue increases called for by, not raising taxes, but realizing added income through restructuring of the state's debt, increasing proceeds from the state lottery, and capitalizing on a large number of state employees anticipated to be retiring over the next couple of years, with many of those positions not to be filled. About $30 million will be left in the state's "rainy day fund" under the measure, and $60 million goes into the "Bucks for Brains" program, which provides state matching funds for private donations to universities for research and other spending. State employees and teachers across the state will receive a 1% per year increase in pay in the budget; public universities will see a 3% cut in funding; and $2 million was included for funding Operation UNITE in eastern Kentucky. In addition, $31 million in savings are calculated for a home incarceration program, which would remove some non-violent felony offenders from jails. $6 million was allocated for mine safety programs and more than $10 million for the Kentucky Horse Park to prepare for the 2010 World Equestrian Games.

The mother of a 15 year old boy killed three years ago is now facing charges she lied under oath, on the witness stand. 39 year old Jeannie Burress was indicted this week by a Scott County Grand Jury on six counts of perjury related offenses, for allegedly lying during the trial of her son's killer. The man convicted of committing that crime, Kenneth Cross, is currently serving ten years in prison after being awarded a new trial and then accepting a plea agreement from prosecutors. Cross will be eligible for parole later this year. The case dates back to April 2005 when Burress' son, 15 year old Brandon Woodward was shot in the head by a bullet reportedly fired by Cross during a dispute. The new trial for Cross was ordered after evidence came to light that Woodward may have been armed himself at the time of the shooting.

A high speed chase that led police through several counties and two states ended Monday morning with the suspect's arrest in Whitley County. Ryan Brock of Lily, Kentucky is accused of holding up a CVS Pharmacy in Knoxville, Tennessee Monday before fleeing the scene with prescription drugs. Officers followed Brock through several Tennessee counties and across the state line into Kentucky, before he was apprehended when officers shot out his tires. Brock was charged with fleeing or evading police and wanton endangerment in Kentucky, and also faces charges in Tennessee.

The McCreary County Water District has announced it will begin its annual routine of flushing local water lines this coming Monday March 31st. The schedule includes the areas of Revelo and Stearns on March 31st, including Mine 18 Road, Pigskin Road, Wilburn K Ross Highway, and KY 1651 north to the Country Store. Water lines in other areas of the county will be flushed on a schedule which will continue through April 11th. The flushing will take place on the respective days between 10pm and 5am, during which time residents in those areas are asked to refrain from using water due to possible discoloration. Listen to HAY-98 and check our website for the complete schedules. For information call the McCreary County Water District at 376-2540.

While last week marked five years since the US invaded Iraq in 2003, four US military deaths there Sunday brought another milestone to the deadly war. The latest casualties bring the US death toll to more than 4,000 since the war began. The four killed Sunday died when a homemade bomb hit their vehicle as they patrolled in a southern Baghdad neighborhood. Of the 4,000 US military personnel killed in Iraq to date, 3,263 of those died in attacks and fighting, while 737 were in non hostile incidents. Last week, as the US commemorated five years in Iraq, President Bush reaffirmed his administration's commitment to remain in the country until the war is won, a statement echoed by Republican Presidential candidate John McCain. Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have both saiad they would end the war as quickly as possible, bringing troops home, if they were elected president.  

A large quantity of illegal alcoholic beverages were seized last Thursday night as police investigated reports of a possible shooting. Kentucky State Police were called to the scene near the Whitley-Knox County line at about 11pm Thursday. Upon arrival, officers found no signs of a shooting, but did uncover a large quantity of alcoholic beverages in plain view. In total, 1,464 cans of beer were seized, along with 273 bottles of liquor. At this time, no arrests have been reported, but the investigation is continuing by Kentucky State Police.

A shooting in Pulaski County last month has led investigators to determine that the victim of that incident is a registered sex offender from Texas. 40 year old Jim Helm III was reportedly shot multiple times on February 17th allegedly  by Elijah Hardwick, who had hidden in his estranged wife's home, only to confront her and Helm with a gun. Debbie Hardwick was able to escape the scene uninjured, but Helm was shot several times and had to be treated. Upon further investigation, police now say that the victim, Helm, has himself been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and theft of identity. This stems from Helm reportedly giving police a false name at the time of the shooting incident. Helm may also face charges related to non-compliance of sex offender registry laws. The Pulaski County Sheriff's Department is continuing their investigation.

COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE
ISSUES WARNING TO PARENTS PRIOR TO EASTER

The US Small Business Administration has announced that small businesses in certain parts of Kentucky are eligible to apply for disaster assistance loans now through the end of March. The counties include McCreary, as well as neighboring Wayne and Whitley Counties. The loans, which are available for up to $1.5 million at a 4% interest rate for up to thirty(30) years, are due to extreme drought conditions that persisted in the regon beginning May 1, 2007 and continuing through the year. The Small Business Administration has also given small buisnesses in eligible counties until March 26th to apply for similar disaster assistance loans to recover from loss of business caused by the low water levels on Lake Cumberland since early 2007.  For information on the low interest, disaster assistance loan program, call the US Small Business Administration customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 between 8am and 9pm Monday through Friday, or 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday, or log onto www.sba.gov.





For several years, those with leadership ambition in McCreary County have had the opportunity to attend a course known as Leadership McCreary. The next class of Leadership will beginning August of this year, running through May 2009. A maximum of 25 slots are open for the Leadership class with applications being circulated in the county now. Among topics covered in the program are leadership styles, team building, tourism, economic development, meetings, government, education and local history. For more information on Leadership McCreary 2008-2009 stop by or call the McCreary County Extension office at 376-2524.