Ohio County Times

Laura Kelley, a senior at Ohio County High School strikes an “attacker” during self-defense simulation at Hartford Christian Church. The three-day class put on by Western Kentucky University police officers taught techniques of how to fend off an attacker. Dustin Bratcher/Times-News photo

Self-defense class time well spent

By Sarai Phelps Times-News

intern For most girls college can be an exciting, yet very scary place. Rape and physical assault occur all the time. Fortunately for myself and 29 other Ohio County High School senior girls, we were given the opportunity to take a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) class this past week before heading off to our chosen colleges in the fall. Taught by the Western Kentucky Police Department, R.A.D. instructs girls on techniques that fend off aggressors and give them the time needed to get away. The teachers made it especially clear to us that the methods are meant only to give us a chance to run away if ever attacked. The first two days of the training, were spent in preparation for the third and final day. We were taught the basics, certain situations that we should never put ourselves in, and we learned the moves that were guaranteed to fend off any attacker. Special care was taken to exhibit circumstances that most people experience in college. The second day was more physical as we learned the moves we should use against our aggressors.

County files lawsuit against Hunsaker, ex-employees: Suit seeking $7,614.20 in sick pay

The county wants its “sick pay” back. That was the layman’s summarization of the three-page civil lawsuit filed last Thursday by county attorney Greg Hill. The lawsuit pits the Ohio County Fiscal Court against former Judge-Executive Wayne Hunsaker and two former county employees Carolyn Johnson and Teresa Clark. According to the lawsuit, the county is seeking reimbursement of $5,833.16 in sick pay paid to Johnson, who was the county’s financial officer, and $1,781.04 in sick pay from Clark, who worked as an office clerk. Johnson and Clark were terminated from their positions by Judge-Executive David Jones just before he took office in January. They received the payments on Dec. 28, the lawsuit said. The lawsuit also names Hunsaker as a “jointly liable” defendant, citing that he “authorized unlawfully and in violation of the Ohio County administrative code payments...” to Johnson and Clark.

Grand jury drops assault case against OCHS teacher

An Ohio County grand jury dismissed the criminal case against Bruce Raley, a PE teacher at Ohio County High School, for allegedly assaulting a student in October. Raley, 51, of Hartford was facing a fourth-degree assault charge, a Class A misdemeanor. The case was taken to the grand jury by the Kentucky State Police but dismissed on Friday because the “evidence was insufficient to support an indictment,” according to circuit court records. Raley, who has been a teacher at OCHS for 28 years, said he couldn’t give details about the incident or his status at the high school.

ATV crash injures at least three riders

Details from all-terrain vehicle accidents that involved at least three people on Tucker Hollow Road Saturday are still sketchy. Josh Lellie, whose age and address were not given, suffered a “severe head injury” and Bobby Stofer was found on the ground unconscious and reported to be in critical condition. The third rider, who was only listed as Lellie’s girlfriend, was also involved in the accident but no further details were given on her condition. Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Sparks was called to the accident site, which was on private property, by EMS at around 4:30 p.m.

State approves lagoon funds for Horse Branch

Editor’s note: At the time of the last Ohio County Board of Education meeting, the state had not approved the BG1 for the Horse Branch lagoon system. But prior to going to press this week, the newspaper learned that the state agreed to allow the funding. This story was written according to the minutes of the last public school board meeting in April. There will be more information about the lagoon funding and bid process in next week’s edition.

Two new principals were hired, preventive maintenance plans at Horse Branch Elementary were placed on hold, and the first step toward a new athletic multi-purpose building at Ohio County High was approved.