A1 LOG ONTO WWW.FLOYDCOUNTYTIMES.COM FOR ARCHIVE • GAMES • FEATURES • E-EDITION • POLLS & MORE Serving the citizens of Floyd County since 1927 INSIDE STORY WEATHER SPORTS ONLINE Growing in the Small chance of a NFL veterans Check us out online at garden... B4 storm. High of 82. instruct during floydcountytimes.com Low of 61. youth camp... B1 Vol. 87, Issue 49 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013 75 cents Two Floyd teens killed in Pike wreck Car carrying eight passengers at time of crash in stark contrast to friends’ public expressions of shock and remorse in the days after the wreck. then struck an earth embankment. Ralph B. Davis “I’m loving life a bit too much right [email protected] The vehicle had a total of eight oc- now,” Tipton said on Twitter, just cupants at the time of the crash, none VIRGIE — An early-morning acci- of whom were wearing seat belts. three-and-a-half hours before the crash. dent has left two Floyd County teens Newsome and passenger Alexandra KSP could not provide the identities dead. Payge Tipton, 18, of Harold, were of the remaining six passengers or an According to Kentucky State Police, pronounced dead at the scene by Pike update on their conditions. Jonathan Newsome, 18, of Teaberry, County Coroner Russell Roberts. KSP accident reconstructionist was driving a 1999 Mustang south A review of the victims’ social me- Bryan Layne is investigating the crash. on Route 3501 around 2 a.m., Friday, dia accounts provides a glimpse into Layne was assisted at the scene by when he failed to negotiate a left-hand typical young lives, filled with family, Trooper Ryan Hamilton, Trooper Nick turn onto Route 1469. The vehicle friends and celebrations that stand Hale and Transtar Ambulance. Johnathan Newsome Alexandra Payge Tipton Judge: Criminal drug element filling prescription void Jack Latta real progress in the war on [email protected] drugs. “It ebbs and flows,” Hall said. “It’s hard to say PRESTONSBURG — whether it’s getting worse, As state and federal agen- better or anything like that.” cies tighten their grips on However, Hall says recent pill pipelines, other serious work by state and federal drugs, with their own unique law enforcement communi- problems, are beginning to ties has tightened the grip see resurgence in Eastern on “pill mills” and interstate Kentucky, warned Floyd Dis- drug trafficking in prescrip- trict Judge Eric Hall, during tion medications. But Hall photo by Ralph B. Davis a meeting Tuesday of the warned, “Drug addiction is Gov. Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear lead a group of cyclists on an inaugural ride down the newly opened Communities Against Drug kind of like trying to grab a Dawkins Line Rail Trail. Addiction. hold of a wet bar of soap. You Hall was the guest speaker grab it and it squirts some- during Tuesday’s meeting of where else.” Drugs typically associated Communities Against Drug with urban areas may be Addiction (CADA), and making their way into Floyd Highway to health took time to discuss current County, Hall said, as the ease law enforcement concerns, of access and affordability of as well as the benefits of so many prescription narcot- drug court. ics has been choked off. He Governor, First Lady open Dawkins Line Rail Trail Hall said that it is tough said the vacuum created by to determine if the law en- a reduction in prescription forcement and judicial com- munities are making any See DRUG | A2 Ralph B. Davis way to prosperity. only half of the full project, with an- [email protected] “This Dawkins Line Rail Trail is other 18-mile section to be picked up also going to be an economic tool at Royalton and continuing another SWAMP BRANCH — Gov. Steve for Kentucky, attracting visitors 18 miles to Evanston, in Breathitt Johnson man pleads guilty Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear who will inject money into our local County. joined numerous state and local offi- economy,” Gov. Beshear said. “I was The trail runs through one of the cials Saturday morning to officially just talking before we started the pro- least healthy areas of the state, with to the murder of his parents open the first 18-mile section of gram with some folks from Paints- Magoffin County ranking 104th, the Dawkins Line Rail Trail before ville, that they’re already getting calls Johnson County ranking 108th, and William Blanton receives life a crowd of hundreds of onlookers, from Canada, Pennsylvania, lots of Breathitt County ranking 118th, out many with hiking boots, bicycles and other states, wanting to know about of the state’s 120 counties in the without the possibility of parole horses in tow. this trail, getting information, want- most recent County Health Rank- But while many were in atten- ing to come. And, folks, that’s what’s ings compiled by the Robert Wood Jack Latta dance to get a first workout on the going to happen.” Johnson Foundation and the Univer- [email protected] state’s largest rail trail, Beshear and The Dawkins Line Rail Trail is sity of Wisconsin Population Health other officials were quick to point built on an abandoned railroad bed, Institute. LOUISA — A Johnson County man pleaded guilty Fri- day to two counts of murder for the 2012 death of his out the Dawkins Line would not only running from just outside Paintsville The trail offers hikers, cyclists and be a footpath to physical fitness and at Hager Hill, and running to Royal- parents. road to recreation, but also a path- ton, in Magoffin County. And that is See HEALTH | A2 According to law enforcement officials, William “Wil- lie” Blanton, 30, of Oil Springs, entered a guilty plea to two counts of murder, tampering with physical evidence, and being a persistent felony offender. The charges all stem from the murder of Blanton’s parents, Larry and May Valley gets continued funding for Toyota bornlearning academy Sandra Blanton. According to his plea, agreed upon in Lawrence Circuit Court, Blanton will serve life in prison Jack Latta are providing funding to United Way of that more and more kids will have the without the possibility of parole. [email protected] Kentucky to expand the Toyota born- chance for everyday experiences to be- Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Tony Skeans says learning Academies. Through 2016, come learning opportunities and allow the deal worked out with Blanton was the best possible FRANKFORT — The success of Toyota bornlearning Academies will them to be better prepared for Kinder- result for the family and the community. “It’s a good res- May Valley Elementary’s first year in be established at 62 schools. The acad- garten,” said Webb. olution for the family going forward, and addresses the Toyota’s bornlearning Academy has se- emies teach parents and caregivers of Toyota bornlearning Academies are safety of the community.” cured it extended funding, representa- children from prenatal to five years old open to anyone in each community, not Skeans says that the death penalty was taken off the tives from Toyota announced this week. how to turn everyday moments into just those with children enrolled at the table after Amanda Fannin, Blanton’s girlfriend, gave as- According to officials, May Valley learning opportunities. schools. The 12 new elementary schools sistance to police in locating and recovering the bodies. Elementary will receive continue receiv- Floyd County Supt. Henry Webb said receiving funding this year are: Lacy El- According to Skeans, there are currently no charges ing funding from Toyota’s manufactur- Tuesday that we is pleased that Floyd ementary School (Hopkinsville), Foust pending against Fannin related to the Blantons’ deaths. ing operations in Kentucky to operate County Schools would continue to ben- Elementary School (Owensboro), Clark Johnson County Sheriff Dwayne Price says that deal to the Toyota bornlearning Academy efit from the bornlearning Academy. County Preschool (Winchester), Paris imprison Blanton for life is justice being served. launched in 2012. May Valley is one of “We’re excited about the bornlearn- Elementary School (Paris), Garth El- “This agreement fits the crime that was committed,” 21 schools – 12 of which are new this ing Academy being funded again for ementary School (Georgetown), Wingo Price said. “Willie will not get out of prison for the rest year – receiving funding for these early 2013-14, as 140 parents and caregivers Elementary School (Wingo), South of his natural born life. He will no longer pose a danger childhood education programs in the attended this past year,” said Webb. Heights Elementary School (Hender- to society.” state. Toyota announced the new school “About 65 percent of our children in son), J.A. Caywood Elementary School Sheriff Price said that every deputy in his department locations, as well as continued funding Floyd County aren’t in structured edu- (Edgewood), Campbell Elementary had a hand in bringing Blanton to justice. “The Blantons’ for Academies launched in 2012, as part cational or child care environments, and School (Raceland), Murray Elementary family and many citizens in the Oil Springs area, as well of a commitment to doubling its $1 mil- we want to see every child have every School (Murray), Highland Elementary as throughout the county, were a lot of help in getting a lion investment in early childhood edu- opportunity possible.” School (Waynesburg), and Trigg Coun- resolution.” cation in the Commonwealth. “The team is developing a plan to ty Primary School (Cadiz). Price also thanked the hard work by the Common- Toyota Motor Manufacturing Ken- include those who attended the first In addition to May Valley El- wealth’s Attorney’s Office to get the agreement. tucky, Inc.