Road condition update

As of 6 a.m. Dec.19, state road conditions are slick and hazardous in northeast Kentucky. Crews are plowing snow in all counties on highly-traveled Priority A routes and some B routes ... Highway District 9 snow and ice clearing activity:
Bath County – Snow 1-4 inches, eight trucks plowing, roads completely covered, temps 32.
Boyd County – Snow 2-4 inches, seven trucks plowing, roads completely covered, temps 32.
Carter County – Snow 2-4 inches, 11 trucks plowing, roads completely covered, temps 32.
Elliott County – Snow about 4 inches, six trucks plowing, roads completely covered, temps 33.
Fleming County – Snow 2 inches, eight trucks plowing, roads mostly covered, temps 32.
Greenup County – Snow 2 inches, seven trucks plowing, roads completely covered, temps 32.
Lewis County – Snow about 1.5 inches, 10 trucks plowing, roads mostly covered, temps 32.
Mason County – Snow about 1.5 inches, nine trucks plowing, roads mostly covered, temps 32.
Nicholas County – Snow about 1 inch, trucks plowing, roads mostly covered, temps 32.
Rowan County – Snow 3 inches, nine trucks plowing, roads completely covered, temps 32.
See route maps online http://transportation.ky.gov/d9/snow.htm

State highway crews ready for blanket of snow

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 18, 2009) — The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet today is prepared for the winter storm forecast to lay a blanket of snow across much of the commonwealth this weekend.

“We’ve been watching this developing storm for several days, and we’re prepared,” Acting Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock said. “Our crews are ready to work around the clock to keep the roadways in the best possible condition.”

Many crews began pre-treating roads Thursday, applying salt brine, which helps prevent snow and ice from bonding to the pavement. Pre-treating continued in several counties today and many crews will remain at maintenance facilities tonight in order to get snow removal equipment rolling as soon as possible.

The National Weather Service forecast Friday morning indicated that the heaviest snow accumulations were likely in eastern Kentucky.

Motorists should always use extra caution when driving in winter weather and remember that bridges and overpasses typically freeze before surface-level roadways.

Road conditions are described as follows:

• Wet pavement – Ice could form as temperatures drop.
• Partly covered – Markings may be obscured by snow, slush or ice.
• Mostly covered by snow, slush or ice.
• Completely covered by snow, slush or ice.
• Impassable – Conditions unsuitable for all but emergency travel.

Kentucky road condition information is available by dialing 511 or visiting online at www.511.ky.gov. 

During wintry weather, staffing in the Traffic Operations Center (TOC) is increased to aid in coordination and distribution of information throughout the state.  The TOC, which operates around the clock, keeps highway districts informed of weather and roadway conditions and of actions such as pre-treating, treating or removing snow.

The Kentucky SAFE Patrol – Safety Assistance for Freeway Emergencies – operates seven days a week on Kentucky interstates and parkways. SAFE Patrol drivers are equipped with blankets, shovels, reflective cones, auto fluids and other equipment to get motorists back on the road safely. Motorists can request SAFE Patrol by calling 1-877-FOR-KYTC (1-877-367-5982).

Mrs. Estvander

Lutie Faris Dudley Estvander, 95, passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home on Homestead Rd., Fort Wayne, Ind.  Born in Goddard, Lutie graduated from Flemingsburg High School and Morehead Teachers College in Ky. 

Lutie worked as a unit stock control supervisor and in bookkeeping with Montgomery Ward in Lexington, Ky. before transferring to Fort Wayne in 1959 to assist the opening of the Northcrest Wards store.  She retired from Wards in 1980 with 32 years of service. 

Lutie was a member of Forest Park United Methodist and the Deborah Club.  Lutie is survived by her daughter Emma (Joe) Ulle and granddaughter Liz (Todd) Austin of Fort Wayne, step children, step grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

She is preceded in death by husbands, Sam Dudley and Steven Estvander, 11 brothers and sisters, and grandson Stephen Lowery.

Funeral service 2 pm Monday at D.O. McComb and Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, 1140 Lake Ave. with calling one hour prior to service, Pastor Brenda Ginder officiating.  Calling also 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm at the funeral home.  Burial in Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Ind.  Memorials may be made to Hospice Home, Homestead Road.   To sign the online guest book, go to www.mccombandsons.com

Mrs. Fox

Edna Earl Mason Fox, 80, of Tollesboro died Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009, at her home.
She was born May 23, 1928, in Mason County, the daughter of the late Andrew and Joan Henderson Mason. She was the widow of Eugene Fox.
Mrs. Fox was a librarian and teacher for the Lewis County Board of Education for 30 years. She and her husband, Gene fought hard to keep the Tollesboro School open. She attended Morehead State University and was active in her community where she was a member of the Tollesboro United Methodist Church where she and Gene were married in 1949.
She loved flowers and in her later years she started oil painting. She was a member of the Eastern Star for many years, worked with the Tollesboro Lions Club and helped many of her friends and neighbors in Tollesboro. She and Gene built the Tollesboro Kentucky Food Store which was hit by a tornado, but still stands now as the Citizens Deposit Bank.

Survivors include a daughter, Sandy Skipper Trumbo of Austin, Texas; grandchildren, Krist Kennedy, Sabrina Fulmer and Michelle Adams; and great-grandchildren, Kriten Kennedy, Michael Kennedy, Allison Skaggs and Jaylen Skaggs.
She was preceded in death by a son, John Richard Fox; and a brother, Elmo "Buster" Mason.
Services are 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009, at the Barbour and Son Funeral Home.
Burial will follow in the Ebenezer Cemetery on Big Cabin Creek.
Visitation is 6-9 p.m., Saturday at the funeral home.
Mrs. Fox loved God and people and always wished she could do more. She will be missed by her community, her friends, her past students and her family.

Mrs. Thomas

Thelma Vesta Thomas, age 86, of New Lebanon, Ohio, passed away Monday, December 14, 2009, at the Middletown Atrium Hospital in Middletown, Ohio.

She was born March 9, 1923, in Rowan County, Kentucky, and was the daughter of the late David Harrison and Edith Rachel Roberts Thomas. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Beatrice Thomas and Grace Welch, and one brother, Leroy Thomas.

Her husband, Samuel Turner Thomas, preceded her in death on June 6, 1989.

Mrs. Thomas is survived by one son, Leslie Thomas of New Lebanon, Ohio; three daughters, Patricia Allen of Moraine, Ohio, Dorothy Pernell and husband James of Springfield, Ohio, and Mary Shultz and husband David of Boonville, Indiana; and one grandson, Nathan Shultz.

Other survivors include two brothers, Albert Thomas of Cowan Lake, Ohio, and Raymond Thomas of Farmers, Kentucky, and two sisters, Margie Gafford of Sadieville, Kentucky, and Bernice Staggs of Goddard, Kentucky.

Mrs. Thomas retired from Gearhart Cafeteria in New Lebanon, Ohio, and was currently volunteering at a food pantry in West Carrollton, Ohio. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, crocheting, and feeding the homeless.

Funeral services will be conducted 3 p.m. Saturday, December 19, 2009, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel with Pastor David Wilhoit, Lewis Street Praise and Worship Center, Middletown, Ohio, officiating. Burial will follow in Brown Cemetery.

Visitation is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, December 18, 2009, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals.

View or sign guestbook at www.northcuttandson.com

Mr. Justice

Ray Arlen Justice, age 86, of North Tolliver Road, Morehead, Kentucky, formerly of Salt Lick, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2009, at the Life Care Center in Morehead.

Born January 2, 1923, in Carter County, Kentucky, Ray was the son of the late Charles and Minnie Flannery Justice. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Madge Seidenschmit, and a niece, Mary Jo Wright.

His wife, Nita Gloria Flannery Justice, preceded him in death on November 9, 2002.

Ray is survived by three sisters, Ethel Rucker of Flemingsburg, Kentucky, and Edna Boggs and Hazel Combs, both of Dayton, Ohio, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Ray attended Webbville High School, was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, a retired employee of Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard in Baltimore, Maryland, and a Kentucky Colonel. Ray lived as a steward of the land and enjoyed horticulture, being outdoors, hunting, fishing, and digging ginseng and yellow root.

Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, December 19, 2009, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel with Brother Johnny Hatfield officiating. Burial will follow in the Webbville Cemetery at Webbville, Kentucky, with full military rites conducted by Morehead American Legion Post No. 126.

Visitation will be Saturday, December 19, 2009, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals.

Mrs. Hamm

Marian Harding Hamm, 81, of Flemingsburg, died Dec. 15, 2009.
She was born July 23, 1928, to the late Gertrude Carpenter Harding and William Estill Harding.
She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Earl Fant Hamm.
Mrs. Hamm was known for her endless hours of community service. She served on the Fleming County Hospital Board of Trustees (1989-1998), was a charter board member and volunteer for Hospice of Hope (1988-1992), a charter member of the Fleming County Hospital Auxiliary (1968-2007) and chairman of the Fleming County Hospital Christmas Bazaar and sewing group for many years. Mrs. Hamm was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Flemingsburg Chamber of Commerce in 1989, and Beta Sigma Phi's Lady of the Year in 1997, and a life long citizen of Fleming County.
Faith and church service were core values of Mrs. Hamm, who served as church treasurer, Deaconess and officer and morning leader of the Christian Women's Fellowship. In 2009 she was recognized as Deaconess Emeritus of Flemingsburg Christian. Church.
Mrs. Hamm is survived by their three children, Melinda (Mark) Thomas and Nancy (Jeff) Donovan of Fleming County and Earl F. "Chip" (Amy) Hamm Jr. of Louisville; six grandchildren, Chaeli (Steven) Thomas Glass, Elijah Wesley Thomas, Sarah Lyn Donovan, Adam Casey Donovan, Liam Anderson Hamm and Eva Katherine Hamm; and one great-grandchild, Jeremiah Scott Glass. She is also survived by her sister, Jean Harding McKee of Highland Heights, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great- nephews and other dear relatives and friends.
Services will be held at the Flemingsburg Christian Church on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009 at 11 a.m.
Visitation will be Friday from 5-8 p.m. at the Flemingsburg Christian Church.
Contributions may be made in memory of Marian Hamm to the Fleming County Hospital Auxiliary, The Flemingsburg Christian Church Scholarship Fund, and the Hospice of Hope.
Arrangements entrusted to the Denton-Workman Funeral Home, Flemingsburg.