7.27.25

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Now return to the reading of the Hazard Herald. For
news in Hazard and Perry County. Your reader today is
Roger Imperion. Will begin with the online edition dated July
twenty third, twenty twenty five, which the publishers have donated
to RADIOI as a reminder. RADIOI is a reading service

(00:21):
intended for people who are blind or have other disabilities
that make it difficult to read printed material. Our first
article is titled Perry Central's Riley Adams named Governor's School
for the Arts Class of twenty twenty five. Riley Adams,
a student at Perry County Central High School, has been

(00:42):
selected for the twenty twenty five class of the Kentucky
Governor's School for the Arts GSA, Joining a group of
student artists from across the state, Adams, a Perry County native,
was chosen to participate in the drama discipline, where students
are immersed in an intensive three week summer resident of
artistic study and cross disciplinary collaboration at the University of Kentucky.

(01:06):
GSA's curriculum spans nine creative fields, including creative writing, dance design, drama,
film and photography, instrumental music, musical theater, visual art, and
vocal music. Participants engage in seminars, creative projects, masterclasses, and
lectures led by professionals in their field. I think I

(01:31):
was more shocked than anything, said Adams. I had a
friend who got accepted before, but I still went into
it feeling like I really didn't know much at the time,
So it's more shocked than anything that I had actually
been accepted. Riley said her connection to the stage runs deep.
I've always had a connection with theaters, she said. I've

(01:53):
been on stage since i was four. I've done shows
since i was six. I'm open to multidisciplinary art, so
I followed a lot of different art forms, but drama
has always specifically spoken to me more so I've always
felt more at home when I'm on the stage. The
audition process for GSA is highly competitive and occurs in

(02:15):
two rounds. It was a two round process, Adams said.
You have to go through and answer a lot of
questions and send in a video of you doing a monologue.
That was the first part of the audition. Then you
had to be accepted beyond that for an in person audition.
So I made it past the first round and had

(02:35):
to come to UK's campus and do an audition with
some other people, and a lot of it was improv
We got to say our monologues with each other and
play a lot of games that are theater based. I
found out about a month later that I was accepted.
Now nearing the end of her season, Adams says the
experience has already exceeded expectations. I've already been through almost

(02:59):
two weeks of it, so i only have a week left,
she said, But I've already learned so much. It's actually
insane how much I've learned. I've been pushed out of
my comfort zone a lot and had the opportunity to
speak to a lot of professionals. I think my goal
or expectation is finding a unique path to becoming an

(03:19):
artist after GSA. Looking ahead, Adams says theater will continue
to be a major part of her life. All of
the colleges I've looked into, I'm wanting to major in theater,
she said. There's so many different paths I can go
through after that, but I know theater is going to
be a huge part of my life afterward. Adams says

(03:41):
her journey began at the local level, and she credits
several sources of support for her growth. My artistic journey
really started with Little Theater of Hazard, Adams said, that's
where I did my first show. I did a lot
of shows with them when I was younger. Then when
I was in school, competing in speech was a big thing.

(04:03):
Having all of these different artistic outlets wherever I was
was a big way I was supported through all of this.
Also having very supportive parents that are willing to support
me through everything, because it's not an easy thing to
be a theater parent. So I'm thankful for people who
are willing to take me to practices, buy me costumes,

(04:23):
and go out of their way to make sure I'm
happy in having that creative outlet. I also think my
high school has been a big part of that. With
our theater program. It's not a huge program, but not
a really small one either. That's been a great outlet
for me to go and compete. That's a lot of
support there. Adams also said she draws inspiration from modern

(04:46):
theatrical works, particularly the acclaimed musical Hamilton. I have a
lot of inspirations, she said. I think a lot of
people really enjoy Hamilton, and that's something I'm also obsessed with.
Actually got to go see Hamilton performed on Broadway in
New York for my birthday one year. Seeing how everyone

(05:07):
takes on their characters and makes it their own was
a big thing for me. Her father, Otis Adams, expressed
pride in his daughter's achievements and her drive. Myself and
her mother are beyond proud, he said, her having the
nerve to do it in the first place, to try,
because it's a big process you have to go through.

(05:28):
The pride in that itself is amazing, but for her
to actually be picked as a member of the Governor's
School of the Arts is incredible, just an overwhelming feeling
of amazement. We know she's good, but we're biased as
her parents, but for professionals to see her love, dedication
and work she's put into this art is mind blowing.

(05:48):
And we stand in awe of what she's been able
to do and what she's done, and we just pray
to the Lord for her gifts and abilities. Our next
article is titled Hazard High Students Shine in Governor's scholars
Entrepreneurship Programs. Three rising seniors at Hazard High School spent

(06:09):
their summer representing their school and community at two of
the state's most prestigious academic programs, the Governor's Scholars Program
and the Governor's School of Entrepreneurship. Aubrey Cornett and Jacob
Bellis were selected for GSP, a residential program that nurtures
Kentucky's brightest students through academic enrichment, leadership development, and civic engagement. Meanwhile,

(06:35):
Ali Caldwell attended GSE where she took home first place
for her innovative project aimed at increasing women's safety. Caldwell's
winning product, Eversave, was designed to help protect teenagers from
violence and exploitation. According to Jordan Baugus, Hazzard High School
band director and faculty member at this year's GSP, these

(06:59):
students have to sub applications that ask them for their
community service to write essays. There's a lot that goes
with it, so it's a big deal to be accepted,
said Baugus. They're not just looking for a high academically
achieving kids. There are many other aspects they look for
to see their well roundedness, things like extracurricular involvement, not

(07:21):
just a high SAT score. Bagas, who taught music theory
and composition as a GSP faculty member, praised the program's
educational structure and immersive environment. What they do is just
amazing in the program, she said, they have a focus
area in GSP where they spend a lot of time
doing the core subject they chose. It could be music,

(07:44):
maybe it's dramatic expression, maybe it's modes of mathematical thinking.
They pick that one core subject and then they have
what's called general studies. Baugas says she believes that Hazzard
High School's small size actually contributes to produce using the
type of students who excel in these competitive programs. I

(08:04):
think a lot of it comes down to being a
smaller school, said Baugus. I think a lot of people
see that as a negative. But because we're small, our
kids can be into many different facets of our school
and culture. So they're picking up a leadership role in
their sport, but they're also picking up an academic club
or helping lead the FCA, involved in multiple aspects of

(08:26):
the school. Our kids get very involved, which creates what
these programs are looking for, which are multifaceted students. Bougus
said the accomplishments of Cornett, Bellis and Caldwell reflect positively
on both the students and their community. It's a big
deal to have students from here representing us, she said.

(08:47):
It speaks volumes about the schools here and hazard both.
We should build them up and celebrate them. These are
great kids and they bring a lot to the community.
Our next article is titled change in Child Welfare case
management from proactive to reactive sparks concern by Justin Begley.

(09:08):
Kentucky's approach to child welfare cases is drawing concern from
judicial and legal officials who say recent policy changes are
preventing social workers from intervening before children are harmed, leaving
some in unsafe environments, and tying the hands of those
tasked with protecting them. We are trying to get these
dependents abuse and neglect petitions filed, said Perry County Attorney

(09:33):
Derrick Campbell. I think it's important the cabinet as a
matter of frankfort policy, not local policy. I know wonderful
social workers who are really bothered by this. They do
not open cases involving the health, safety and welfare of
a child based on a risk of harm any more.
There has to be a substantiated harm. That's the best

(09:54):
standard I can get currently, Campbell said that shift from
preventing harm to respect bonding to it is at the
core of the issue. So now we're not acting to
prevent harm, we're acting to address harm. He said. I
think that's a terrible way to do business. I don't
mean to say that the Cabinet is doing nothing. The

(10:14):
policy isn't to do nothing. I just think it becomes
a tepid response to a volatile situation. My understanding of
the cabinet's response is what's now called alternative response. Under
the current framework, Campbell said, children are sometimes left in
homes where they would have previously been removed due to

(10:34):
risk of harm, but now without immediate and substantiated evidence
of injury, no case is opened. The ultimate goal is
always reunification, he said. We don't want people to lose
their children. We want to help families build more holistic units.
But what we're doing now, though, whereas a case is open,
you are mandated to work with those plans in order

(10:57):
to regain custody of your children. We're leaving children in
place in conditions as is that would have warranted a
case being opened before with a temporary removal. Now we're
leaving those children there, and we're making those resources available
to parents, but we're not mandating they do them. They
are voluntary. There are no surprise visits. There's no one

(11:20):
forcing anyone to do anything. Campbell said. The result is dangerous.
It's dangerous, and it's already hurting a lot of kids.
And I've done everything in my power to make sure
it didn't happen. He said. Most people don't know about
it right now. They're still used to assist them where
they make these reports to the cabinet and they trust

(11:40):
that the cabinet will take what is in their minds
appropriate action. Now social workers hands are tied. They don't
have the ability to exercise professional discretion anymore. They are
adherent to whatever chapter the Kentucky administration says it is.
Family Court Judge Ken Varney of the thirty fifth Judicial
Day District in Pike County also expressed concerns pointing to

(12:04):
how Kentucky revised its criteria for child removal cases. Kentucky
revised criteria for removal, said Varney. Risk of harm and
immediate safety are always two very important aspects, and they
are written throughout the statute, but it is not written
in those exact words or language in the Cabinet's Standards
of protocol SOP. They will tell you that it's embedded throughout,

(12:29):
but it is not specifically stated. He said, risk of
harm and danger to the child are vague and wide
open terms. They have narrowed the statute. During a June
twelfth Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee meeting, Varney addressed what
he sees as a growing divide between state law and
the Cabinet's internal procedures. There's a feeling among the Family

(12:52):
Court judges that there is a disconnect between the Kentucky
Revised Statutes and the standard of policies and procedures the
Cabinet are enacting, especially with Central Intake. He said, I'm
not saying that I disagree with Central Intake. I think
it can provide a wonderful tool, especially for rural counties
that might not be able to supply a direct line

(13:13):
or office. I think Central Intake has some really good purposes.
It's the policies and procedures that Central Intake implements that
I think lies in the disconnect in the judiciary and
the Cabinet. Varney said those changes may be contributing to
fewer abuse and neglect cases being filed, but not necessarily

(13:33):
because there are fewer incidents occurring. We feel like there's
too many children falling through the cracks, resulting in near
death fatalities or the increase of child abuse and neglect,
he said. In twenty twenty, in Pike County, during the
height of COVID nineteen, we had three hundred seventy four
JAY cases filed in Pike County. That was when we

(13:55):
were all shut down. We couldn't go to the dentist.
We had to wear a mask ask the world had stopped.
In twenty twenty two, we saw a huge decrease to
two hundred and ninety cases, followed by three hundred and ten,
three hundred and sixteen, and this year one hundred sixty cases.
Despite recognizing the need for constant improvement, Varney said the

(14:18):
system must stay aligned with the law. I have spoken
with many family court judges from across the state who
feel the same. He said. The problem is the system
needs to be worked on. It always has to be
worked on, It always has to be tinkered on. We're
never going to create a perfect system. Perfection is something
you strive for, but understand you might not ever be

(14:42):
able to achieve. I think the system needs to be
worked on and needs to be compliant to Kentucky Revised
Statutes and be tinkered on from there. Our next article
is titled PCSO hazard Man impersonated officer attempted to steal
vehicle by Hazard Herald's staff. A hazard man is facing

(15:06):
several charges in connection with an incident in which he
allegedly posed as a police officer and attempted to steal
a vehicle. According to an arrecitation written by Perry County
Sheriff's Deputy Chris Jones, on July sixteenth, the Sheriff's office
received a complaint that a man was threatening to burn
a house down on Kentucky twenty eight. Upon responding, Jones

(15:29):
wrote he made contact with the victim, who said she
had come outside her residence and saw Derrick Dwayne Hall,
thirty one, of Hall's drive in the driver's seat of
her twenty seventeen Ford Explorer. The victim told Jones she
had asked Hall what he was doing, and Hall had responded,
I'm a police officer and I have had numerous calls

(15:51):
on you and I will terminate you where you stand.
The victim, the citation said, then retrieved a firearm to
protect herself as she new Hall wasn't a police officer. Hall,
the citation said, had left the scene before the deputy's arrival,
and Jones left to locate him. Upon contacting Hall, Jones

(16:11):
wrote he learned Hall, who had no identification showing he
was law enforcement, had an active warrant for his arrest.
Hall was lodged in the Kentucky River Regional Jail on
charges of attempted auto theft, ten thousand dollars to one
million dollars, impersonating a peace officer, third degree terroristic threatening,

(16:32):
and third degree criminal trespassing. Our next article is titled
Perry Sheriff's Office issues checkpoint notice Special to the Hazard Herald.
The Perry County Sheriff's Office has issued their latest traffic
safety checkpoints running through August. Expect minor delays. The checkpoints
began July fourteenth and will run through August fourteenth, and

(16:56):
will run from six a m. To six pm. Locations
include Kentucky seven at the six point two mile point
marker at Viper and Kentucky seven Slash six ninety nine
at Raimi's. The purpose of these checkpoints will be to
enforce and improve highway safety in the area, according to

(17:16):
the Sheriff's Office. Our next article is titled Reeling in Restoration.
The Perry County Fiscal Court announced the installation of new
fish habitat structures at Buckhorn Lake, made possible through a
partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers and the
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The large, concrete

(17:39):
and brush structures are designed to support a variety of
fish species. The Fiscal Court contributed funding to help transport
the habitats to the lake. Our next article is titled
Leadership Kentucky announces twenty twenty five Bright Kentucky Class Special
to Appalachian Newspaper. Leadership Kentucky has announced in a statement

(18:04):
the members of the Bright Kentucky Class of twenty twenty five.
Bright Kentucky, which began in twenty nineteen, empowers today's emerging
leaders ages twenty one to forty in the Appalachian region
to drive innovation, collaboration, and community and economic development while
honoring the vision and values of the foundational leaders who

(18:25):
came before them. The statement said the program builds on
a strong legacy by equipping a new generation with nonpartisan,
ethical leadership training and expanded networks. Designed especially for residents
of the fifty four Kentucky counties of the Appalachian Regional
Commission ARC. The program is made possible by an Appalachian

(18:48):
Regional Commission ARC grant and provide funding from the Whittaker Foundation,
AEP Foundation, Kentucky Power, and other donors. The statement said,
Wright Kentucky consists of five three day sessions where the
primary goal is to help participants fully understand the local
economic context and to build robust skill sets in communication, collaboration,

(19:13):
consensus building, visioning, and community engagement. The program, the statement said,
which runs from July through November, will take participants from
Eastern Kentucky Hazard in July, Somerset Monticello in August, Frankfort
Berea in September, London Corbin in October, and Ashland Moorhead

(19:35):
in November. The program is set to kick off on
July ninth with an engaging session on understanding and maximizing
the participant's leadership style. This year's class includes thirty eight
participants from twenty one ARC counties representing a variety of
public and private sectors. Participants in the Appalachian Newspapers coverage

(19:58):
area include shame All Floyd County, Kentucky Power, Dylan Baker,
Perry County, Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Jessica Buckley, Floyd County, Pikeville
Medical Center, Kelly Callahan, Perry County, Bluegrass Care Navigators, Stacey Fields,
Pike County, Pikeville Medical Center, Stacey Fugate, Perry County. Foundation

(20:22):
for Apples in Kentucky, City of Hazzard, Patrick Hall, Perry County,
Hazzard High School, Kelly Hathaway, Johnson County, Operation Unite, Marianna Henjosah,
Floyd County, Big Sandy Area Development District, Madison, Little Pike County,
City of Pikeville, AWA, Katie Ray, Pike County, University of Pikeville.

(20:48):
Our next article is titled Liquor store owner charged with
selling to a minor Hazzard Harold Staff report. The owner
of a Perry County liquor store is facing a criminal
charge after allegedly selling alcohol to a miner. According to
the citation written by Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Control Officer B. J.

(21:09):
Coddle on July nine, Larry Crutcher, ninety one, of South Kentucky,
fifteen hazard, owner of four Seam Liquors, sold a six
pack of bud Light to an eighteen year old miner
without asking for identification. Coddle issued Crutcher a citation charging
him with selling alcoholic beverages to miners, a misdemeanor. An

(21:31):
arraignment in the case is set for August twelve. Our
next article is titled Bashir joins lawsuit over federal education
funding freeze. Local leaders weigh impact by Justin Begley. Governor
Andy Basheer announced Monday that Kentucky has joined twenty three
other states and the District of Columbia in a lawsuit

(21:54):
challenging the Trump administration's decision to free six point eight
billion dollars in federal education funding. Basher said the move
violates federal law and puts ninety six million dollars in
jeopardy for Kentucky, including eighty seven million dollars designated for
local school districts and nine million dollars for adult literacy

(22:15):
programs administered through the state's Education and Labor Cabinet. This
is not about Democrat or Republican. These funds were appropriated
by Congress for the education of Kentucky's children, and it's
my job to ensure we get them, said Basher. Our
kids and our future depend on a strong education, and

(22:35):
these funds are essential to making sure our kids succeed.
The US Department of Education notified state agencies on June
thirtieth that it would not obligate funds for six formula
funding programs beginning July first. The announcement arrived just weeks
before the start of the twenty twenty five twenty twenty
six school year, leaving state scrambling to fill gaps for

(22:58):
programs that provide class gass room learning support, technology and
school conditions, and fund community learning centers, among others. Jody Maggart,
financial officer for the Perry County Board of Education, said
while most of the negotiations are handled at the state level,
the uncertainty is already being felt locally. There's a lot

(23:20):
of back and forth between the states and the federal
government right now, said Maggard. With the reductions of some
of the federal programs. We have attended some commission meetings
and they're still handling things at the state level. We
don't get involved in that locally, but the Kentucky Department
of Education KDE and the state work with the federal

(23:41):
government trying to secure as much money as possible. But
we're moving on one way or another, however, we have
to get that done. We do have confirmation of some
of our federal funds, like Title I, so we're good
on the indication of some federal funds, but not on
others currently. Maggard said that the district will remain in

(24:03):
contact with state officials as the situation develops. We will
be staying in communication with the KDE regarding the possible
loss of federal funding for the twenty twenty five twenty
twenty six school year. He said, every dollar we receive
for public education is vital, so any loss of revenue
is substantial. All school districts work from a limited budget,

(24:27):
and so the unknown surrounding a loss of funding at
the beginning of a school year provides a further challenge
to our district administrative team to find ways to be
successful regardless of the funding decisions made by funding sources.
The coalition of states joining Kentucky in lawsuit includes Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada,

(24:58):
New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as the
District of Columbia. Our next article is titled Perry Schools
Prepare for New Year with Leadership Updates, policy Changes by

(25:20):
Justin Begley. As the twenty twenty five twenty twenty six
school year approaches, the Perry County Board of Education met
for their regular scheduled meeting Tuesday, July fifteenth to discuss
upcoming changes, including leadership updates and new state mandated policies.
During the meeting, Superintendent Kent Campbell was officially renewed for

(25:42):
another four year contract, continuing his tenure overseeing the district.
In his remarks, Campbell outlined several key updates for the
year ahead, beginning with changes in school leadership. Angie Back
has been hired as the new principal at R. W.
Comb's Element, said Campbell. And she has served as a

(26:03):
teacher and instructional coach in the district for many years,
and we are excited about the transition into our new
role in addition to staffing updates, Campbell addressed new statewide
policy changes that will affect how teachers and students communicate
during the school year. Kentucky legislators passed SB one one

(26:24):
into law requiring districts to utilize a traceable digital communications
system for employees and students. He said, we have posted
an infographic on the district Facebook page that provides details
and guidelines. The district has purchased a traceable communication phone
app that will allow us to stay in compliance with

(26:45):
the law. The measure is intended to enhance transparency and
safety in school related communication, according Campbell, who said the
new app will streamline how messages are sent and stored.
Campbell also reminded families of the official shall start date
for the school year. August twenty fifth, will be the
first day back to school for students. He said. This

(27:08):
concludes the reading of the Hazard Herald for to day,
which is donated to Radio Ee by the publishers. Please
stay tuned for continued programming. Thank you for joining me
and on behalf of everyone here at Radio Eye. This
is Roger Hemperion, wishing you a very good day.