July 2, 2009

Three from Powell charged in Clark robbery
By James Cook, Times Editor

A little bit of information and a lot of cooperation between law enforcement agencies helped to possibly solve a Clark County home invasion. Last Thursday, Powell County Deputy Robert “Rog” Mathews assisted the Clark County Sheriff’s Office in the arrest of three Powell County residents allegedly involved in a robbery and assault at Goff’s Corner.
Deputies arrested Danny D. Tharpe, 42; his wife, Angela S. Tharpe, 37 and Timothy R. Profitt, all of Clay City. They have been charged in the home invasion robbery and beating of Ray Gabbard. Gabbard, 86, who lives on Trapp-Goffs Corner Road just over the Powell County-Clark County line, was robbed and beaten back on June 8.
According to Mathews, Gabbard and Danny Tharpe had apparently gone to a parts store in Mount Sterling earlier on June 8. “It looks like he (Tharpe) may have seen that Gabbard has some money in his wallet,” Mathews said. “Apparently, later that evening or afternoon, Danny, Angela and Tim allegedly came to Gabbard’s home. Angela allegedly went to the door and asked to use the phone or something like that and when she got in, Tim came in.”
During this time while Danny allegedly stayed in the vehicle, the other two apparently assaulted and robbed Gabbard. “They beat the old man pretty good and may have held a knife on him according to some information we have,” Mathews stated.
Clark County deputies were able to develop some information they received and began to search for the suspects. “It looks like Danny was a suspect from the start,” Mathews said. After following up on a few more leads, warrants were issued for the three.
Profitt, who allegedly told Mathews and Clark County deputies he was involved, was arrested at the Ronald McDonald House in Lexington. “I think someone he knew just had a baby and that is where the Clark County deputies found him,” Mathews revealed. Profitt allegedly admitted he was involved to help get money for drugs, according to Mathews. In other reports, Clark County Sheriff Berl Perdue stated that some of the parties may have committed the crime to help cover court costs from a prior offense.
Danny Tharpe was arrested at a friend’s home on Brack Blythe Road in Clay City. Angela Tharpe was arrested at her home on Stokley Loop. All three were taken to the Clark County Detention Center. Angela Tharpe and Profitt have been charged with first degree robbery and second degree assault. Danny Tharpe, since he did not enter the home and apparently take part in the assault, was only charged with first degree robbery. A fourth person was detained by Clark County officials, but their name is not being released as they have not been charged.
The bond for all three has been set at $20,000 full cash.

AmVets to host Clay City
fireworks show this weekend
By James Cook, Times Editor
After a year hiatus, the firework show at the Clay City Meadows Park is back.
The”4th of July Patriot Days Celebration”will kick off at noon at the park, but with a few changes. With the exception of the food vendors, all other activities will be free to the public. That includes the fireworks show and the music.
“We decided instead of holding our annual Patriot Days in May and have the weather create problems again, to combine it with a fireworks show for the fourth of July,” AmVets Post #67 Commander Glenwood Hollon said. “In years past the weather would end up not allowing us to hold a really good Patriot Days and it was costly. So we decided to this instead.”
The event will begin at the park at noon as the Southern Pride Cloggers will provide the entertainment. At 1 p.m. SNAFU will perform and at 3 p.m. Bluegrass music will fill the air as Cornbread Jam will take the stage. After the Bluegrass music has begun, at 4 p.m. Shefton Cash and The East Kentucky Strangers will perform.
“We want to have a lot of music and entertainment for the community to enjoy,” Hollon said. The group, No Alibi will perform at 5 p.m. and the Jeffersonville Appalachian Travelers gospel group will sing. Other groups that will be performing are the Bluegrass Gospel Group and Johnny and the Mustangs.
There will be karaoke at the AmVets building which sets adjacent to the park. That fun will be going on from 1 to 5 p.m. All kids and adults are welcomed to try out their singing abilities.
“We are going to have inflatables for the kids, there will be various vending booths, lots of food and of course, the fireworks,” Hollon added. “I would like to thank everyone who gave money and time to make this possible.”
The event is being sponsored by the AmVets Post #67, Tanner Dodge and the City of Clay City. Other businesses have also donated to the cause. “We want this to be a community affair and let the community have fun,” Hollon said.

County to get high speed internet
By David J. Griffin, Times Editor

Two good things came out of the fiscal court meeting last week. One was the announcement of the internet highway speeding up in the county. But more importantly, the county’s budget for the next fiscal year has been approved and accepted by the state.
If you live in the county and have to wait for internet files to slowly download, your life is about to change. Last Friday, the Powell County Fiscal Court approved the second reading of an ordinance establishing a not-for-profit corporation known as the Breathitt, Estill, Lee, and Powell Regional Technology Authority, Inc.
Funds to establish the Technology Authority will come from the Local Government Economic Development Fund – Coal Severance Grant (LGEDF). An Interlocal Agreement between the named counties will be established. The technology project will assist the economic development of the County by providing broadband (DSL) technology for those residents who still have dial-up internet service.
In other business, the court approved the second reading of the 2009-2010 county budget. Judge Executive Darren Farmer submitted the document to the State Local Finance Officer for his approval before the special meeting of the court. State Finance Officer Junior Wright approved the budget on June 15, 2009. The total estimated receipts for the county will amount to $5,744,517. The budget was approved unanimously.
With no other business, the court adjourned. The next regular meeting of the court will be held on July 14, at 5 p.m. in the Judge’s office. All meetings are open to the public.