Barber granted shock probation

Toni G. Barber, incarcerated since Dec. 5, 2007, after being sentenced to seven years on one count of manslaughter and two years on one count of criminal abuse, was granted shock probation Friday by retired Senior Circuit Court Judge Lewis D. Nicholls.
The conditions of Barber’s release include an intensive 30-day drug rehabilitation program plus grief and depression counseling in Elizabethtown. Following her release from the facility, Nicholls has ordered Barber to perform community service work at the Hope Pregnancy Center in Morehead, maintain full-time employment or return to college, and attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings three times per week and participate in intensive out-patient treatments administered through Comprehend.
In addition, Barber is to establish a fund in the name of her deceased son, Kaleb Davis and to make annual donations to the fund in the amount of $1,000 for the next seven years, which is the number of years she was to serve in prison. She is also subject to random drug testing and home visits by her probation and parole officer. Barber's probation covers a five-year period.

Bear in Fleming County

A wandering hungry bear showed up Tuesday night at the home of David and Shari Roark, who snapped photos as the bear dined on garbage. The photo quality suffers, since the photographer did not want to take a chance on an open door.

FCHS graduation 2008

A sea of graduation caps filled the gymnasium of Fleming County High School Sunday afternoon, June 1, as 146 seniors received their diplomas. A full page of photographs is in the June 4 issue of the Gazette.

Crawford pleads guilty

A man accused of trafficking in drugs has entered a guilty plea in Fleming Circuit Court.

Billy Crawford, 53, denied a plea offer May 29, according to his attorney Tom Griffiths. However as the trial began Tuesday, June 3, Crawford entered a guilty plea to two counts of conspiracy to traffic pills and one count of possession of a handgun by a felon. Griffiths said the plea cancels three trials scheduled for Crawford. Because Crawford rejected the plea offer, it is up to Judge Stockton Wood to determine the sentence for Crawford.

“The judge gave a five minute speech announcing the plea,” Griffiths said. “He said Crawford had had a change of heart over the weekend.”

Crawford faces up to 20 years on each charge. The sentencing date has been set July 2, according to Griffiths.

Crawford was arrested last year in a drug bust near Ringos Mill, which resulted in three arrests and three indictments. According to Fleming County Sheriff Scotty Royse, members of the Fleming County Sheriff's Department together with members of the Buffalo Trace Narcotics Task Force arrested two people Aug. 2 for trafficking in controlled substances. Jason M. Grizzell, 28, of Waynesburg and Stephen M. Lewis, 24, of Carter County, formerly of Ewing, were both arrested

Officers intercepted the vehicle coming back from Florida with drugs from the Ft. Lauderdale, Miami area and seized a large quantity of Oxycodone and Xanax, a bottle full of Endocet, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The men also had several thousand dollars on them at the time of their arrest. The three were indicted by the Fleming County grand jury Aug. 3. According to the indictment, Grizzell was charged with one count of complicity to trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree when he transported Steven Lewis and the drug Hydrocodone, a Schedule II narcotic, so Lewis could sell the drug. The felony charge carries a penalty of five to 10 years imprisonment. Lewis was indicted on three counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree when he knowingly and unlawfully sold Oxycodone, a Schedule II narcotic, according to the grand jury.

Motorcyclist injured

Joseph Fite, 63, of Bunnell, Fla., was injured Sunday, June 1, when he swerved his 2006 Harley-Davidson to avoid a collision with an oncoming vehicle that crossed over the center line on Ky. 211 near Poplar Plains.

The bike slid approximately 74 feet on its side. Fite was airlifted to the UK Medical Center and is listed in critical condition. The accident is being investigated by Trooper Chad Bowling.

Motorcyclist injured

Joseph Fite, 63, of Bunnell, Fla., was injured Sunday, June 1, when he swerved his 2006 Harley-Davidson to avoid a collision with an oncoming vehicle that crossed over the center line on Ky. 211 near Poplar Plains.

The bike slid approximately 74 feet on its side. Fite was airlifted to the UK Medical Center and is listed in critical condition. The accident is being investigated by Trooper Chad Bowling.

Bernard signs with Berea

Fleming County High School Lady Panthers guard Beth Bernard signed to play college basketball for the Lady Mountaineers of Berea College. Shown at the ceremony May 29 in the FCHS library are, seated, L-R, Terry Bernard, Beth Bernard, and Lynn Bernard. Back row, L-R, assistant coach Robert Orme, Coach Christy Orme, Berea College assistant coach Tom Harkleroad, and assistant coach Gene Peterson. Full details will be in the June 4 paper.