Transportation Cabinet installs signal at AA Highway and KY 57

Governor Beshear ‘confident it will result in safer highway’

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Fulfilling a commitment made to Tollesboro residents this summer, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has installed a traffic signal at the intersection of KY 57 and the AA Highway in Lewis County, Gov. Steve Beshear announced today.

The new signal, which is currently in “flash” mode, is scheduled to become fully operational the week of Dec. 14.

The signal was approved as a highway safety measure following a public meeting at Tollesboro in which more than 100 residents, legislators and local officials voiced concerns about the AA and its intersection with KY 57, where a crash history includes multiple fatalities.

“Construction of the AA Highway provided an efficient and much-needed roadway across northeastern Kentucky,” Gov. Beshear said. “But safety issues developed on the AA at Tollesboro, and the need for a traffic signal became apparent.  I am pleased that we were able to take this action, and I am confident it will result in a safer highway.”

The AA-KY 57 intersection is now controlled for traffic approaching from all four directions. The new signal includes double-red beacons and reflective yellow backplates for better visibility.  New advance warning flashers east and west of the intersection alert motorists that the signal is about to change.

Local lawmakers who attended this summer’s public meeting welcomed the changes.

“With the benefits it’s poised to provide to thousands of residents each day, this new traffic signal is an example of one of our top priorities in the legislature – improved highway and community safety,” said State Sen. Robin Webb, D-Grayson, whose district stretches along the AA Highway from Bracken to Carter and Greenup counties. “We’re very pleased to see it become a reality.”

“It will make the intersection safer not only for Tollesboro residents but also for residents of the entire region,” said State Rep. Mike Denham, D-Maysville, who represents Fleming, Mason and Bracken counties. “We appreciate the Transportation Cabinet’s efforts in accomplishing this project.”

Cabinet engineers had previously undertaken a number of safety measures at the intersection, including overhead flashing beacons and oversized stop signs. Those safety devices were replaced by the new signal and its accompanying warning flashers. The new devices will complement other safety measures at the intersection, including dedicated left- and right-turn lanes and rumble “stripes” that warn motorists when they are about to cross the center line or run off the road.

Panthers whip Rowan in Kelly debut

Brian Kelly's first game as coach of the FCHS Panthers was a rousing 85-51 win over Rowan County in a game where Lake Kelly’s 1997-98 team that advanced to the state semifinals was honored at halftime.
Kelly’s Panthers were led by four players who scored in double figures . Preston Dugan had 25 points and six assists, Matthew Jolly had 21 points and six assists, Travis Taylor had 12 points and seven assists, and Dillon Hicks had 11 points and five rebounds.

Mrs. Patton

Shirley J. Patton, 63, of Flemingsburg died Tuesday morning at Fleming County Hospital. She was born in Dayton, Ohio on Oct. 7, 1946, to the late Robert E. and Bonnie Cross Mock. She was the widow of Roger A. Patton.
She is survived by two sons, Robert (Frances) Patton, of Fairborn, Ohio and Allen (Nikki) Patton of Flemingsburg; three sisters, Kathy (Clay) Collins of Maryville, Tenn., Peggy (Larry) Sexton of Fleming County and Mary (Ace) Dye of Flemingsburg; two brothers, Bobby (Vicky) Mock of Eufalala, Okla., and Danny (Barb) Mock of Dayton; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at a later date with burial in the Byron Cemetery, Fairborn, Ohio.
Arrangements by Boone-Nickell Funeral Home, Flemingsburg.

Denham files for reelection

State Representative Mike Denham announced today that he had filed his papers to seek re-election as State Representative for the 70th District, which includes Bracken, Fleming and Mason Counties. Denham resides in Maysville with his wife, Margaret.

Denham serves on the Appropriation and Revenue Committees, the Budget Review, and the Subcommittee on General Government. He is Vice-Chairman of the Banking and Insurance Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Agriculture and Small Business Committee, and Vice-Chairman of the Local Government Committee. He also serves on the Tobacco Task Force, the Economic Development Committee and is Co-Chairman of the Rural Issues Subcommittee.

Denham said, “It is an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Bracken, Fleming and Mason Counties

Mr. Applegate

Charles Edward “Buster” Applegate, 79, of 178 Foxport Road, Wallingford, passed away Saturday, Nov. 8, at the VA Medical Affairs Center in Lexington, Ky.

Mr. Applegate was born Dec. 1, 1920, in Lewis County to the late Mark and Alma White Applegate. He was a veteran of the Korean War, where he received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, and was a farmer.

He was married to Lucille Trumbo Applegate, who survives. He is also survived by a son, Timmy (Christina) Applegate of Mt. Carmel; grandchildren Amy Lynn Applegate, Jennifer Nicole Applegate, Carmen Marie Applegate, and Katie Dawn Applegate; brothers Ben Applegate of Tollesboro, Bobby Gene Applegate of Ind., and Fred Applegate of Beechburg; and a sister, Hazel Dietrich of Palm Coast, Fla.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Applegate was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Miller.

Visitation is Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 5-9 P.M. at Barbour & Son Funeral Home in Tollesboro. Funeral services are Thursday, Dec. 3, at 1 P.M. at the Funeral Home, followed by graveside services at Mt. Tabor Cemetery in Ribolt.

Pallbearers are Melvin Trumbo, Brent Trumbo, Edwin Hitt, Anthony Florence, Frank Combs and Mark Dillon.

Mr. Cox

Cleddith “Keed” Cox, age 82, of Maxey Flat Road, Hillsboro, Kentucky, passed away Monday, November 30, 2009, at his residence.

Born March 7, 1927, in Fleming County, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Walter Grider and Lou Ada Parish Cox. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Randall Paul Cox; four brothers, Willard, Oral, Blaine, and Stirl Cox; and one sister, Eddith Reynolds.

Cleddith is survived by his wife, Frances Luman Cox, whom he wed January 26, 1952; one son, Michael Wayne Cox and wife Angela of Maxey Flat; two daughters, Janice Cox Story and husband Michael, and Debbie Cox, all of Maxey Flat; daughter-in-law, Joyce Hopkins Cox of Maxey Flat; four granddaughters, Rebecca (Mike) McIntosh, Rachel (Skylar) Webb, Kristina (Adam) Hinton, and Alicia (Shane) Kiser; and five great grandchildren, Cameron and Micah Jo Hinton, Shelby and Jaden Webb, and Alexis McIntosh.

Other survivors include three brothers, Elbert Cox, Don Cox, and Walter Cox, all of Hillsboro, Kentucky; two sisters, Jewell Reeves of Middletown, Ohio, and Faye Gregory of Mansfield, Ohio; a host of nieces and nephews, other family, and many friends.

Mr. Cox was a cattle and tobacco farmer for 55 years. In his later years, he enjoyed growing sweet potatoes and pumpkins. He was a member of the Crain Creek Christian Church.

Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Wednesday, December 2, 2009, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Darry Cooper, Rev. Randy Hawkins, and Brother Gerald Saunders officiating. Burial will follow in the Hillsboro Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be his nephews.

Visitation is after 5 p.m. Tuesday, December 1, 2009, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals.

View memorial tribute or sign guestbook at www.northcuttandson.com

Mr. Hickerson

Jonathan Allen Hickerson, 26, of Flemingsburg passed away Friday as a result of a traffic accident near Grayson.

Mr. Hickerson was an employee of the Mason County Detention Center in Maysville.

He was born in Fayette County, Nov. 22, 1983, to Patricia Durham Hickerson of Flemingsburg and James (Nancy) Hickerson of Flemingsburg.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by a daughter, Shyla Bohn of Fleming County; a son, Jonathan Allen Hickerson Jr. of Fleming County; a brother, Joshua (Amber) Hickerson of Norton, Va.; maternal grandparents, Roy Durham of Flemingsburg and Lillie Thurman of West Union, Ohio; paternal grandmother, Beulah Mae Hickerson of Flemingsburg; girlfriend, Ashley Bohn of Fleming County; and step-sister,, Regina Williams of Lewis County.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Clyde Hickerson.

Services are 1 p.m., Tuesday at Boone-Nickell Funeral Home in Flemingsburg, with Rev. James Ray Hickerson officiating.

Burial will be in Fleming County Cemetery.
Visitation is after 6 p.m., today at Boone-Nickell Funeral Home.