11-23 Page 1 11/23/11 12:56 AM Page 1 Wednesday, Thursday November 23-24, 2011 Harlan Daily Enterprise harlandaily.com OUR 108th YEAR — NO. 241 (606) 573-4510 4 SECTIONS — 62 PAGES 50¢ New test results show improvements ANDERS ELD while in school impacting admis- “We’re extremely proud of our benchmark, on the PLAN test, Staff Writer sion to college and scholarships. ‘‘This is the first district’s performance on which was given to all sopho- The EXPLORE and the PLAN EXPLORE this year. This is the mores at Harlan County High Harlan County Schools assis- portion in the new tests tell how your kid is going to first time we’ve ever exceeded the School, the district scored six tant Superintendent Brent Roark state accountability perform on the ACT when they national average. To do that was tenths of a point below the nation- presented results from recent stu- model.” dent testing among eighth- and are a junior,” said Roark. one of the goals we had. The rea- al average. tenth-graders in the district dur- Beyond impacting the individ- son we were able to do that is “That was a solid improve- ing a recent school board meeting. ual student, the test results also Brent Roark because the students took the ment for us. We look to build on carry significance for the school time, put the effort in, and had that next year. To have a score Back in late September all stu- Harlan County Schools dents in these two grades took the district as a whole. support from home. Hopefully we above the national average is a EXPLORE or the PLAN tests. “This is the first portion in the English, reading, science and can build on that,” said Roark. very obtainable goal. We have new state accountability model. He also took time to recognize met with the staff, and there are The former is given to the lower math. According to Roark, on the grade, while the latter is given to For the first year of the accounta- 16 students in the district that a couple of things we can do to EXPLORE test the district had a high school sophomores. bility model, the EXPLORE and had a perfect score on at least one boost these scores. These are real- “These tests are predictor tests PLAN results count on our average score of 15.7, which can of the assessed areas in the ly simple changes that have been for the ACT. The ACT is the most growth portion,” said Roark. be compared to the national aver- EXPLORE test. While the eighth- put in place and will take effect important test a student will take The two tests cover four areas; age of 15.5. graders exceeded the national beginning next year,” said Roark. ‘Seasons of Kingdom Come’ Man is awaiting trial in alleged rape, robbery case ANDERS ELD Special Judge Bowling Staff Writer urged him to get it done since the trial has already A jury trial is one been set for Dec. 28 and 29. month away in a case Simpson was arrested where the prosecution six days after the alleged believe that a man raped incident by officers with and robbed a woman in the City of Harlan over a year the Middlesboro Police ago. David Simpson, has Department, who located been behind bars since his him in an apartment in arrest in November of last Middlesboro, after a crimi- year. He is currently being nal complaint and arrest held on a $20,000 full cash warrant was issued by bond. Officer Jeff Owens at A Harlan County Grand Harlan City Police Jury indictment alleges Department. that Simpson, 23, of In other circuit court Baxter, on Nov. 2, forcibly news: Over 75 images will be on display Friday and Saturday at The Village Center Mall as part of the raped and robbed a victim. William Smith was “Seasons of Kingdom Come” photographic and historic exhibit celebrating the 50th Anniversary of In the indictment, he is sentenced to five years in Kingdom Come State Park. An exhibit opening reception is slated for Saturday at 1 p.m. charged with first-degree prison, which was probat- rape and second-degree ed for 90 days, after plead- robbery. ing guilty to the amended Exhibit celebrates the beauty of park Simpson has pleaded charge of convicted felon in not guilty to the charges. possession of a firearm. bers of the Cumberland Lions a collection of historical pictures JENNIFER McDANIELS He appeared in court last Jason Collett was Club who petitioned Frankfort in and documents curated by the Contributing Writer week requesting that the sentenced to three years, a 1961 to preserve the park for Network. Kentucky Department of prosecution turn over more sentence that will be pro- future generations to enjoy. “Perhaps no other park in our Parks Commissioner Gerry van medical records of the bated for the same length der Meer will be attending the Saturday’s reception is also State Park System provides such alleged victim from the of time on a charge of 50th Anniversary Reception for part of the opening of “Seasons of an inspiring panorama of our time after the alleged inci- receiving stolen property. Kingdom Come State Park. The Kingdom Come,” which is a pho- magnificent mountain vistas than dent. The defense also James Stevens was reception is being held in conjunc- tographic and historical exhibi- Kingdom Come State Park,” van wants to call a sexual sentenced to one year in tion with this year’s Festival of tion jointly organized by the der Meer said. assault expert to testify at prison, after pleading the Mountain Masters. He will be Harlan County Photography Southeast Kentucky the trial. guilty to the amended joined by KY State Rep. Rick Guild and the Harlan County Community and Technical “We don’t have any charge of convicted felon in Nelson on Saturday at 1 p.m. dur- Historical Network in celebration College, Martins Fork Lake, Tri- problems giving over rele- possession of a firearm. ing the reception as honors will be of the park’s 50th Anniversary. City Women’s Club and Harlan vant medical records. It The sentence will be bestowed upon current Kingdom The exhibit includes compelling County Fiscal Court are also con- may take us a little bit of served concurrently with a Come State Park Manager Rick landscape images contributed by tributing sponsors of the exhibit time to get them,” said prior six-year sentence Fuller and staff, as well as mem- members of the Guild, as well as opening and reception. assistant commonwealth from 2008 on three drug- attorney Jason Jackson. related charges. Festival of the Mountain Masters begins Friday Inside NOLA SIZEMORE Artisans on Saturday. Roxie “Arrow Ministries, of Jackson, Staff Writer ‘‘This time of the year is Fields, of South Carolina, and her Tenn., will be offering christian the best part of my job.” sister Frances Whitaker will also activities for the children to enjoy Christmas is one of the most Today’s be there demonstrating the art of during the event,” said Madon. important events of the year. High/Low: stained glass and basket weaving. “Gov. Steve Beshears is sched- Every year for the past 27 years Stacey Madon This is Roxie’s first year and we’re uled to participate in The 52º/30º Event Coordinator ✹ the Village Center Mall has host- excited to have her.” National Hall of Fame for ed the Festival of the Mountain with their unique ciders, award Food for the event will include Mountain Artisans induction of Masters the weekend after Index winning sauces, spices and jams. All American Concessions who honorees ceremony at 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving to open the holiday Editorial.............Page 4 prepare hamburgers and hot dogs Saturday. Inductees Connie season in Harlan County. Great Jared Sizemore, who was a big hit You & Yours......Page 5 for everyone to enjoy. Combs, California resident and preparations have been made for last year, will entertain the chil- Sports................Page 6 “We have Slow Smokin’ creator of The Waltons and this year’s event beginning on dren with his magic, juggling and Barbecue, a company that pre- Falcon Crest Earl Hamner and a Friday at 10 a.m. through 8 p.m. balloon animals. We have approx- Obituaries pares some of the best barbecue representative of the Queen of and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 imately 45 different booths set up Calla Saylor....................Loyall you have ever tasted,” said Country Music Loretta Lynn will Robert Welch II.............Harlan p.m. throughout the mall.” Madon. “They’ll also be offering also be on hand to accept their Christopher Hall..............Lynch “Everything is authentic Madon said also participating vegetable beef stew. We’ll have awards. There will be a photo Sam Orick.................Louisville appalachian hand crafts, nothing in this year’s event will be local Leona Hillerich..........Louisville funnel cakes, deep fried oreoes exhibit in the old Goody’s store antique or flea market,” said authors Pete and Barbara Vowell, Bonnie Kessinger......Louisville and things like that.” commemorating Kingdom Come Complete obituaries on Page 2 event coordinator Stacey Madon. Richard Wilson, Darla Jackson, The entertainment schedule State Park’s 50th anniversary. “Booths will include handmade Rosezelle Boggs-Qualls and for Friday will include on This time of the year is the best wood crafts, jewelry, candles, Pauline Harbor. Emersyn Noah at noon, Wolf part of my job — seeing old “We have 15 different demon- Christmas ornaments and deco- Creek Grass at 3 p.m. and the friends, making new friends and strators, which include Connie rations, clothes and so much Kudzu Killers at 6 p.m.