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Looking back at a hectic 2005
By JANIE SLAVEN
Record Staff Writer


    JANUARY
   � Sheriff Penny Perry lays off deputies Freddie Clark and Joe Horne, saying he cannot afford to pay them without funding promised by McCreary County Fiscal Court. The court ultimately scraps a plans for a county police force under threat of a lawsuit. Horne returns to the sheriff�s department as one of three officers paid by fiscal court.
   � The new Whitley City Elementary opens to students at the beginning of the spring semester.
   � The medical license of Dr. James �Scotty� Little is suspended when an investigation reveals problems with narcotic prescriptions. Just a month prior, Dr. John Patton was censured by the state licensing board.
   
   FEBRUARY
   � William Collin Lawson, 37, is found dead in a field outside his Pine Knot home. The murder has yet to be solved.
   MARCH
   � The United States Supreme Court hears arguments in McCreary County v. ACLU, the county�s appeal to post the Ten Commandments in the courthouse. Justices question how the display has changed since ACLU first filed suit in 1999 and ultimately rule that McCreary County�s display is unconstitutional.
   � The McCreary County Board of Education courts controversy as plans are announced to consolidate the district. Stearns, Smithtown and Eagle elementary schools close their doors for the last time in May (though Eagle�s facility is enjoying a resurgence as a community center operated by the Christian Appalachian Project).
   � County officials settle a lawsuit filed by Brewster Builders over the renovated McCreary County Courthouse for $30,000.
   
   APRIL
   � Victims are outraged when former Master Commissioner Charles King receives probation and is allowed five years to repay the $355,000 he stole in his official capacity.
   � U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves allows Terry Troxell�s case against McCreary County to continue in federal court. Troxell claims security measures at McCreary County Jail were not in place to prevent his being attacked by fellow inmates.
   
   MAY
   � McCreary County Fiscal Court approves an ordinance designed to restrict the establishment of adult businesses.
   � The McCreary County Jail begins housing female inmates after the state begins an investigation into the Whitley County Jail.
   
   JUNE
   � Pulaski businessmen purchase the Burger King/Taco Bell/BP store for $270,000. Plans are currently underway to reopen Burger King.
   � Rodney Vaughn and Jonathan Thacker are arrested in connection to an arson investigation. Both had just joined the South McCreary Volunteer Fire Department.
   
   JULY
   � The 4th of July holiday is marred by the death of Jonathan Bundukamara, 13, of Homestead, FL, who drowned while swimming in the Big South Fork at Blue Heron.
   � The McCreary County Board of Education renews Ray Ball�s contract as Superintendent for a third term. Later in the month, the board also approves a random drug screening policy based on Knott County�s.
   
   AUGUST
   � The first Blazin� Bluegrass Festival is held at McCreary Central High School featuring local headliner, Kentucky Wind.
   � The McCreary County Educational Development Foundation chooses a 100-acre site just north of Whitley City to develop a recreational park. The site, owned by the D.H. Campbell estate, is purchased for $425,000. The county is currently awaiting state approval for a $1 million grant to build a multi-purpose facility
   
   SEPTEMBER
   � Pamida announces plans to close its Whitley City store at the end of October after only five years.
   � Officials break ground at the new KY 92 industrial park, where a $1.4 million �spec� building is currently under construction.
   � Eagle voters soundly defeat a proposal to allow Eagle Falls Resort to offer wine and beer on its menu. Resort owner Jim Vance vows to take the referendum countywide.
   
   OCTOBER
   � Champions/UNITE launches a week full of activities geared toward reducing substance abuse. Schools, businesses and churches are asked to get involved.
   � Boyd �Can Man� Roberts is arrested in a drug raid but later pleads guilty on the same day he is indicted. The commonwealth�s recommendation of probation causes an outcry. Roberts is scheduled to be formally sentenced this month.
   
   NOVEMBER
   � Candidates line up for the 2006 Primary Election, which is expected to be the largest in Kentucky history. To date, more than 60 candidates have filed for local offices with some 20 percent filing for the sheriff�s race.
   � McCreary County Fiscal Court rejects an ACLU offer to settle the Ten Commandments case for a reported $500,000.
   � McCreary County Public Library Director Kay Morrow is one of only 27 librarians nationwide honored by the New York Times.
   � LeSportsac announces plans to close its Stearns sewing factory at the end of January. It means a loss of nearly 200 jobs for McCreary County.
   
   DECEMBER
   � The Daniel Boone National Forest�s Stearns Ranger District becomes larger when federal officials close the Somerset Ranger District on December 16.
   � Five suspects are arrested in connection with the shooting death of Morris Ray King.
   � Advance Auto Parts opens in Whitley City.









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