PAGE sEvEn The Licking VaLLey courier Thursday, ocTober 25, 2012

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Licking Valley CourierLicking Valley CourierWest Liberty, Kentucky 41472

Thursday, February 23, 2012

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Licking Valley CourierLicking Valley CourierWest Liberty, Kentucky 41472

Thursday, February 23, 2012

The

(USPS 312-040)

PerCopy

$25.50 Year In County$28.00 Year In Kentucky

$30.00 Year Outside Kentucky50¢Volume 101 — No. 21 SPEAKING OF AND FOR MORGAN, THE BLUEGRASS COUNTY OF THE MOUNTAINS

Special Edition

Thursday, March 8, 2012

By Greg Kocher and Tom Eblen—gkocher1@herald-leader.com

WEST LIBERTY—President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for Kentucky on Tuesday night, triggering the release of feder-al funds to help people recover from the storms in the state last week.

The president’s action makes federal funding available to businesses and residents in Johnson, Kenton, Laurel, Lawrence, Menifee, Morgan and Pendleton counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and low-cost loans to cover uninsured prop-erty losses.

More counties may be added later as damage assessments are completed. For example,

Magoffin County suffered extensive damage throughout Salyersville on Friday.

Earlier Tuesday, residents and business owners re-entered the devastated Morgan County seat for the first time since Friday’s deadly tornadoes.

West Liberty was crowded with utility crews restringing lines and working to restore power.

The American Red Cross shelter at Morgan Elementary School closed as families moved to the Assembly of God Church at 558 Ky. 519.

“We’re moving now so that families have a better long-term shelter and so that the school can get back to doing what they do best: teaching our kids,” said Terry Burkhart, chief executive of the American

Obama declares Ky. major disasterPictured above is the rub-

ble of the home of Licking Valley Courier publisher Earl W. Kinner, which was completely destroyed by the EF-3 tornado that demolished much of downtown West Liberty on March 2. Kinner’s grandson, Austin, stands amid the destruction. He is the son of Greg and Karen Kinner, who lived next door to Earl Kinner. Their home was also destroyed. The LVC office across the street was also demolished in the storm. The Kinners plan to revive the publishing company, which also prints The Wolfe County News and The Elliott County News. At left is the ruins of the West Liberty United Methodist Church on Prestonsburg Street. See DISASTER, Page A2

By Miranda M. CantrellLocal officials offered assur-

ance and resolution to a devas-tated public during a series of meetings held Wednesday, March 7, to address the deadly March 2 EF-3 tornado that destroyed West Liberty and several outlying Morgan County communities.

The tornado cut a wide swath across Morgan County and destroyed countless homes, businesses and historical build-ings on the heels of an EF-2 twister that touched down in the Mize, Greear and Malone

communities just two days prior.

Authorities said six Morgan Countians are confirmed dead as a result of the tornado, but a complete official casualty list is not available at press time. However, obituary listings for tornado-related deaths in The Lexington Herald-Leader have named the following people among those dead:

• Charles Endicott, age unknown, of Blackwater.

• Betty Sue Endicott, age unknown, of Blackwater.

• Elizabeth Endicott, 72, of

Blackwater.• Emma Dean Cecil, 87, of

Woodsbend.• Wilmer Cecil, 90, of

Woodsbend.• Alex Clayton Dulen, 86, of

Williams Creek.It is unknown how many

people died within city limits at this time. Additional deaths will be documented as infor-mation becomes available.

The hardest-hit area was downtown West Liberty, which was reduced to rubble. Most homes and businesses were completely destroyed or

severely damaged, as well as several community landmarks including the 105-year-old courthouse, the depression-era WPA building that houses the community center and the 100-year-old West Liberty United Methodist and Christian churches.

The Licking Valley Courier office was severely damaged but remains standing. Editor/Publisher Earl Kinner and his son, Greg Kinner, lost their homes to the storm, which left Earl Kinner trapped in the rub-ble of his house for a brief period.

The Wells Hill area also sus-

tained severe damage at Morgan County ARH and at West Liberty Elementary School. Several homes were also destroyed.

The tornado also hit the Ezel, Woodsbend and Williams Creek communities, where heavy destruction was report-ed.

The most poignant quote heard and read on local, state and national media and social networking outlets was simply, “Town is gone.”

Approximately 60 West Liberty survivors were taken to an Elliott County shelter in the early morning hours of

March 3 before they were sent back to the shelter at Morgan Central Elementary School in Greear. They were then bused on March 6 to Assembly of Faith Church on Hwy. 519, where they will remain indefi-nitely. The number of people housed in other shelters throughout Morgan and other counties remains unknown at this time.

Shelters and distribution cen-ters for food, clothing and sup-plies were established through-out the county. The Red Cross and several other organizations

Tornado destroys West Liberty, surrounding areasOfficials look to future, make plans to rebuild

See REBUILD, Page A2

Thank God for sparing so manyA message from West Liberty Mayor Jim Rupe,

Morgan County Judge Executive Tim Conley, and the citizens of West Liberty and Morgan County:

Words cannot express our thanks to the caring people, churches and organizations, from far and near, who have rushed to assist us in our hour of greatest need. West

Liberty will rebuild and Morgan County will recover, God willing, and your love, your compassion, and your help will never be forgotten.

To our readers: The paper is appearing late this week. The tornado that lev-

eled West Liberty destroyed the Courier Publishing Co., where this and our other two newspapers are normally pro-duced.

The building, all production equipment and vehicles were destroyed, as were the homes and vehicles of Publisher Earl W. Kinner and Production Manager Greg Kinner.

As a consequence of the disaster, local news items and advertising could not be collected and included in this edition.

We plan to set up temporary quarters from which to operate and resume normal production as quickly as humanly possi-ble.

In the meantime, we ask our readers and advertisers to bear with us.

Our thanks is extended to the Kentucky Press Association and its members, particularly The Mt. Sterling Advocate, The Morehead News and The Salyersville Independent, all of which rushed to provide us with assistance.

This week's special edition is being produced at The Mt. Sterling Advocate.

Earl W. Kinner Publisher

In this, the Morris case, fiveJustices held that in the future aviable unborn child is a “person”under the state’s homicide law.

Former Justice JANETSTUMBO was one of only twowho disagreed.

Janet Stumbo argued, it wasinconsistent with Ky statues andprior court decisions to interpretthe word “person” to include a“viable fetus.”

In 2004, voters removed JanetStumbo from the Supreme Courtreplacing her with Will T. Scott.

On a March Sunday afternoon,a pregnant 22 year old VeronicaThornsberry was in labor and onher way to the hospital.

Christopher Morris, on drugsand speeding, ran a red lightplowing his truck into her car.

A tiny baby girl, Haley Natoshawas delivered by caesarean inthe ambulance. But it was toolate, mother and child were dead.

Ky Courts previously held,someone killing an unborn childcould not be charged with murdersince a fetus is not a person.

Janet Stumbo opposed recognizing an unborn child as a person.

Read the rulingCommonwealth v.Morris, 142 S.W.3d654 (Ky. 2004), goto WillTScott.com,click on “You BeThe Judge” andscroll down to theMorris case.

Paid for by S

cott for Suprem

e Court, Jam

es D. W

allen, Treasurer.

Will T. Scott isrecommendedby KentuckyRight To Life

JANET STUMBO

Jimmie Lee Benton and Florence Williams McKenzie

McKenzie, Benton willexchange vows nov. 3

Florence Williams McKen-zie, of West Liberty, formerly of Hazard, and Jimmie Lee Benton, of West Liberty, are pleased to announce their forth-coming marriage.

The couple will exchange vows on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, at In-dex Community Church, with Pastor Mike Frisby performing the ceremony.

Jimmie Lee is the son of the late Bishop Benton and Hortence Arnette Benton, and Florence is the daughter of the late Jerry Williams and Ola Faye Napier Kline.

A small reception will fol-low the ceremony in the Index Community Center next door to the church.

(pd)

Nickell, Oldham Wedding Vows To Be Spoken On Nov. 3

Randa and Shelbi Nickell, along with Britney & Tiffany Oldham, would like to announce the wedding of their parents Sonya Benton Nickell and Jody Brian Oldham. The wedding will take place 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at Blackwater Volunteer Fire Department in Ezel, Ky. All friends and family are invited to attend!

PersonalsEnjoying a four day trip to

the Smokies this past week were Anita Hunley and daugh-ter, Ruth Ann Hale, of Shep-herdsville, and Brenda Hol-brook. Mrs. Hunley and Mrs. Holbrook have been vacation-ing in the Gatlinburg area for several years and say this Fall is their favorite season.

Former residents Bettie Wrae Hammond and Ruth McLin, of Lexington, were in West Liberty Wednesday visit-ing with Bettie’s sisters-in-law, James and Maureen Elam, and Margaret Reed. Margaret was staying at the home of Anita Hunley for a few days. Before returning to Lexington, they stopped to see friends Lynn and Leatha Nell Nickell.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry L. Allen celebrated Anna Jean’s birthday a day early, in Lexington, on Sunday, October 21, with their three sons and families. Early in the afternoon they attended grandson, Beau Allen’s football game at Versailles. Beau is the son of Bill and Ingrid Allen, and is in fifth grade at Lexington Catholic Elementary. Perry and Robin Allen also attended the game. Later, the family gathered at The Ketch restau-rant for dinner and birthday cake. Attending were Hank and Charlette Allen and son, Chas, Perry and Robin Allen, Bill and Ingrid Allen, and son, Beau, and Henry and Anna Jean.

Mrs. Margie Foster was in West Liberty last Tuesday with relatives, whom she has been staying with in Mt. Ster-ling since her home, near the Methodist Church Parsonage, was destroyed by the tornado. They were having lunch at The Lemon Tree and Margie said she was hoping to build a small house here so she could return to West Liberty.

Merle and Gerleen Nickell enjoyed having three of their grandsons, James, Alex, and John Nickell with them last week until Friday, when their father came for them. They are sons of Tim and Yolanda Nickell, of Bowling Green. Their youngest son, Tim, is in Kindergarten. On Saturday, Merle and Gerleen, met with

five other couples, friends from when they lived at Ft. Thomas, at General Butler State Park for

Library CornerBest Sellers at the LibraryThe Casual Vacancy by J K

RowlingMad River by John SandfordWinter of the World by Ken

FollettGone Girl by Gillian FlynnThe Time Keeper by Bill

O’ReillyNo Easy Day by Mark OwenTotal Recall by Arnold

SchwarzeneggerKilling Lincoln by Bill

O’ReillyHow Children Succeed by

Paul ToughInto The Fire by Dakota

MeyerCheck the availabiligty of

books at: www.youseemore.com/mcpl.

Halloween Fun nightJoin us for our annual Hal-

loween Party on Friday, Oct. 26, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. There will be storytime, crafts, games, prizes, refreshments and costume contests!

Baptism at Grace Baptist ChurchSunday, Oct. 14

Evelyn Howard, of Caney, was baptized following morning wor-ship services at Grace Baptist Church, at Malone, on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 14. Grace Baptist Pastor, Bro. Mike Lindon, at right, performed the baptism.

Kentucky ChautauquaPerformance

Kentucky Chautauqua per-former Sandy Harmon will por-tray Lily Mae Ledford: Coon Creek Girl, on November 13, at 6:00 p.m. The performance will be held in the Library, everyone is welcome to attend. Ledford was a pioneer in bringing what she called “my music from the firesides and porches of our humble dwellings in the Ken-tucky mountains” to a national audience.

an overnight visit. The couples have kept this tradition for several years.