Darren Doyle, story: Joseph Barkoff, photos:
As the community shared mixed emotions last night at the return of PFC Thomas Franklin "Frank" Brooks, Edmonson County Schools followed suit today as each school in the district participated in ceremonies for the POW hero.

Kyrock Elementary hosted the processional from Patton Funeral Home first thing this morning in an outdoor ceremony. From there, PFC Brooks was transported to Edmonson County High School where ECMS and EC 5/6 Students combined along with friends, family, and military service and community members. From there, a similar ceremony was held at South Edmonson Elementary.

One unidentified visitor in the crowd said "you know, all these kids were just being kids, talking and laughing until that hearse pulled up. Then you could've heard a pin drop. They knew this was serious business."

Serious business, indeed. Veteran affairs, issues, and programs have never been taken lightly in Edmonson County, and today was the epitome of that notion amongst the schools.

"We have great students here in Edmonson County, and I've never been more proud of them than I was today," said Superintendent of Edmonson County Schools Brian Alexander.

"The amount of respect that they showed was simply amazing. We had over 1200 kids in our gym and they truly honored one of America's greats today. If they won every state championship out there, I couldn't be more proud."

Alexander credited each school, the administration, and faculty for the programs that were held today.

"We've always been patriotic, but this has renewed that here in our community," he said. "I personally want to thank our local VFW and Patton Funeral Home for allowing our schools to have part in such an occasion. Private Brooks gave the ultimate sacrifice at a time when the world was in peril. What an honor for us it was to have the opportunity to pay a small tribute to him. We also want to thank the Brooks family for their cooperation. Today was simply a phenomenal day."

Darren Doyle, story and photos: Alyssa Doyle, photos: Joseph Barkoff photos:
It was an emotional homecoming for family, friends, and the community of PFC Frank Brooks, whose remains were returned to Edmonson County this evening.

The transfer from the U.S. Army was made today at 5:35PM eastern time at the Louisville International Airport to the care of Patton Funeral Home, who transported the flag-draped casket all the way back to Brownsville with a processional lined with family and descendants.

Louisville area fire departments stood at attention on top of overpasses with flags waving and salutes as the processional traveled below. It was indeed enough to make the hair on one's arm stand up as well as wetting the eye.

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (Sept. 28, 2023) – A section of KY 3145 off Interstate 65 at Exit 30 in northern Warren County is temporarily closed. The section from U.S. 68 to U.S. 31-W is temporarily closed following a vehicle strike to the bridge over Commonwealth Boulevard.

The closure will be in place until the bridge can be inspected and any necessary repairs can be made. Exit 30 and the connector road remain open from I-65 to U.S. 68.

​Motorists need to use the interchange at U.S. 68 until the section of KY 3145 is reopened. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) crews are on scene as crash cleanup is ongoing and KYTC bridge inspectors have been notified.

Darren Doyle, story:
The Edmonson County community is currently preparing for the return of a true American hero, POW Private First Class Thomas Franklin "Frank" Brooks, who will be brought to his final earthly resting place in the Hill Grove Cemetery on Sunday, October 1st.

Businesses and homes all across the county are decorating with American flags and yellow ribbons as we all await the homecoming for Private Brooks, the first part of which is scheduled for Thursday, September 28th. While there has been a solemn mood when discussions of PVT Brooks arise, it is also followed with pride and celebration as the county anticipates his arrival.

Today, Edmonson County Judge/Executive Scott Lindsey issued an executive order for all flags to be lowered to half-staff beginning on Thursday at 10AM and remaining through Monday, October 2nd at 12PM.

Earlier today, we were contacted by Jeff Hastings of O'Fallon Illinois, CEO of a nonprofit group called The Flag Man Mission Continues. Hastings said "The Flagman’s Mission Continues needs help from the community of Brownsville Kentucky/ Mammoth Cave, Kentucky and surrounding communities to line the funeral route with up to 600, 3 x 5 flags on 10-foot poles to show respect to a fallen hero.  If you can carry 5-lbs and walk you can help! Should be able to accomplish this in about 2-3 hours with enough help."

He also provided the following information for anyone that wants to help with the displaying of the flagpoles:

• SET-UP Saturday, September, 30th, 2023 @ 9AM central time Location: Hill Grove Missionary Baptist Cemetery, 1900 Dickeys Mill Road, Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, 42259 
• TAKE DOWN Sunday, October 1st, 2023 @ 2PM Central Time Location: Hill Grove Missionary Baptist Cemetery Same location
• NOTES:

• We will need approximately 6 clean empty pickup trucks ( no trailers please) to transport some flags
• We will be bringing 600 flags, needed equipment and provide instructions for setting up and taking down flags
• Recommend wear gloves and walking shoes. Your own beverages, hydrate.
• Youth  groups, children (prefer over the age of 11) are encouraged to help. 
•There is no commitment or sign up, just show up either or both days if you can.  We need just as many people to take down the flags as we need to set them up.   

Hastings said anyone with questions please call or text him at 618-409-0323. You can find out more at theflagmanmission.org.

Hastings said the group provides this service for free, covering a 400-mile radius in nine different states. "We average 40-45 funerals a year, mainly active duty military that die while on active," he said.

According to Patton Funeral Home, his remains will transferred from the U.S. Army to Patton Funeral Home and family members at the Louisville International Airport at 5:35PM, eastern time.

A processional will follow from the airport on 31W to Elizabethtown, then I-65 to the Park City exit. The processional will then travel through Mammoth Cave National Park on HWY 70, then onto Main Street in Brownsville. Travel will then continue around the square at approximately 6PM where all citizens are encouraged to gather to wave American flags and yellow ribbons in his honor.

He will be then taken to Patton Funeral Home until the next morning, Friday, September 29th. The funeral home will transport him to Kyrock Elementary for a short ceremony of honor outside at 8:45AM. The procession will then travel to Edmonson County High School as students from ECHS, the middle school, and the 5/6 Center will combine for an approximate 30-minute program in the gymnasium with guest speakers.

All local officials, veterans, and the public are invited to attend the ceremony at ECHS, but they must check in with school officials upon arrival at the gym.

Upon completion of the ECHS ceremony, the procession will then travel to South Edmonson Elementary for a similar ceremony to that of Kyrock's.

There is no public visitation scheduled at the funeral home.

On Sunday, the funeral procession will depart from Patton Funeral Home at 10AM and travel to Hill Grove Missionary Baptist Church, located on Dickey's Mill Road, for a graveside memorial service at 11AM.

Darren Doyle, story:
Prisoner of War and local WWII hero Private First Class Thomas Franklin "Frank" Brooks is scheduled to be brought home to Edmonson County on Thursday, September 28th.

According to Patton Funeral Home, his remains will transferred from the U.S. Army to Patton Funeral Home and family members at the Louisville International Airport at 5:35PM, eastern time.

A processional will follow from the airport on 31W to Elizabethtown, then I-65 to the Park City exit. The processional will then travel through Mammoth Cave National Park on HWY 70, then onto Main Street in Brownsville. Travel will then continue around the square at approximately 6PM where all citizens are encouraged to gather to wave American flags and yellow ribbons in his honor.

He will be then taken to Patton Funeral Home until the next morning, Friday, September 29th. The funeral home will transport him to Kyrock Elementary for a short ceremony of honor outside at 8:45AM. The procession will then travel to Edmonson County High School as students from ECHS, the middle school, and the 5/6 Center will combine for an approximate 30-minute program in the gymnasium with guest speakers at approx 9:30AM.

All local officials, veterans, and the public are invited to attend the ceremony at ECHS, but they must check in with school officials upon arrival at the gym.

Upon completion of the ECHS ceremony, the procession will then travel to South Edmonson Elementary for a similar ceremony to that of Kyrock's.

There is no public visitation scheduled at the funeral home.

On Sunday, the funeral procession will depart from Patton Funeral Home at 10AM and travel to Hill Grove Missionary Baptist Church, located on Dickey's Mill Road, for a graveside memorial service at 11AM.

Darren Doyle, story:
Two men were arrested and face burglary and drug charges after a caller identified stolen items in one of the subject's vehicles, according to the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office.

According to the Sheriff's Office, a deputy responded to the call of a male in a black vehicle on Arthur Road on Sunday, September 17th with an item that was allegedly stolen the day before from a residence on Brownsville Road. 

The male subject was identified as Brandon Mayhew, (28) of Brownsville. The Sheriff's Office stated that Mayhew admitted to taking the item from the Brownsville Road residence and also admitted he had taken more items and was in possession of illegal drugs as well. Mayhew also said Chris Gable was also involved in the taking of the items, according to the statement from the Sheriff's Office. Law enforcement said they discovered a quantity of methamphetamine on Mayhew's person and discovered drug paraphernalia inside his residence. Stolen items were also allegedly found on the porch of the residence and returned to the owner, the Sheriff's Office said.

Mayhew was arrested and charged with:

• Burglary, 2nd degree
• Possession of controlled substance, first degree, second offense (meth)
• Criminal trespass first degree
• Drug paraphernalia buy/possess
• Theft by unlawful taking or disposition, all others $1,000 < $10,000

According to the Sheriff's Office, Chris Gable (38) of Bowling Green, was called in for questioning of his alleged role in the incident. The Sheriff's Office stated that Gable admitted to being at the Brownsville Road property at the time of the incident and identified the items as being stolen. The Sheriff's Office also said that Gable then refused to obey the officer's commands and was arrested.

Gable was charged with:

• Burglary, 2nd degree
• Resisting arrest
• Criminal trespass first degree
• Drug paraphernalia buy/possess
• Theft by unlawful taking or disposition, all others $1,000 < $10,000

Both were transported and lodged in the Hart County Jail, each on a $10,000 bond.

Darren Doyle, story:
A Brownsville man has been arrested for elderly neglect and abuse and is likely facing more charges, according to the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office told the Edmonson Voice that they received a complaint call In July from the family of Peggy Priddy, (75) now deceased, who said they believed Mrs. Priddy was being abused by her hired live-in caretaker Donald Anderson, (68) of Brownsville, after she was discovered in a non-responsive state at her residence in Bee Spring.

In a statement provided to the Edmonson Voice, the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office said "The conditions of the home and bedroom and sleeping area of the victim was in a deplorable condition and unfit for human life."

The Sheriff's Office also stated that hours after Mrs. Priddy was declared brain dead, her debit card was allegedly used by Anderson. Family members provided evidence of stolen checks and other debit card use they claim was by Anderson, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Anderson was arrested on September 15th and charged with Knowingly abusing or neglecting an adult and Knowingly exploiting an adult over $300.

The investigation is ongoing with multiple felony charges pending as well as other suspects involved in the case.

Edmonson Voice Report:
A former Park City, Kentucky mental health counselor was sentenced today to 8 years and 4 months in prison for receiving, distributing, and possessing child sexual exploitation materials.
 
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky and Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of the Homeland Security Investigations Nashville made the announcement.
 
According to court documents, Carl Anthony Puleo, 55, was sentenced to 8 years and 4 months in prison, followed by a 10-year term of supervised release, for one count each of receiving, distributing, and possessing child sexual exploitation materials. Puleo was also ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution. During an investigation, an HSI Agent downloaded child sexual exploitation materials from Puleo through a file-sharing network. There is no parole in the federal system.  
 
The case was investigated by HSI Bowling Green.
 
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jo E. Lawless prosecuted the case.
 
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.  For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

 story by Paula L. Ratliff:
 
U.S. Army Private First-Class and Edmonson County’s own, Thomas Franklin Brooks is coming home to Edmonson County.  Coming back to the hills and hollers and rocky terrain. Coming back to his family and friends. Back to Patriotism and pride and a community that has waited for his return for over 81 years.

And so, the welcome begins as the community prepares for his arrival and interment at the Hill Grove Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. CST. 

Anthony Madison, the owner of Madison’s Florist on Main Street stepped up in “Edmonson County fashion” and provided several large beautiful yellow bows for the family when they had their briefing meeting with the U.S. Army on August 23, 2023.   

The yellow ribbons perhaps brightened a dark moment as they had just learned the devastating information of his life.  
Madison is honored to have a small role in celebrating Frank’s return to Edmonson County and he will have yellow bows available at his florist.

The history of a yellow ribbon dates back to the English Civil War when the Puritan Army of English Parliament soldiers wore yellow ribbons.  It is believed that the Puritans brought this tradition to America from Europe by the English settlers. 
It is also believed that the tradition started based on a poem/song, “She wore a yellow ribbon” which appeared in various forms for at least four centuries.  It is about a woman waiting for her beloved to return.  Folklore says that during the Revolutionary War (1775-1783) women wore a yellow ribbon in their hair to symbolize devotion to a husband or sweetheart that served in the military.

Paintings from 1888 show US Cavalry with a yellow scarf around their necks, although this was not part of the official uniform, and they wore different colors, perhaps to cover their mouths and nose from the tremendous dust while riding. 
There was a popular song, “Round her neck, she wears a yeller ribbon” which tells of love between a woman and her soldier. The song had been around for an estimated four centuries prior to it being officially copyrighted in 1917.   The song inspired a John Wayne movie, “She wore a yellow ribbon” in 1949.

In 1961, a pastor used the symbolism of a “white ribbon” as a sign of forgiveness when a prodigal son, who had spent time in prison and disgraced his family, wanted to return home.  He wrote to his family and asked them to hang a white ribbon in the apple tree if he was welcome to come home.  As the train neared his hometown, he could see a white ribbon on nearly every branch as a welcome sign to come home.  This account was documented in Reader’s Digest 1961.

Similarly, in 1971, a newspaper columnist, Pete Hamill wrote an article in the New York Post called “Going home” where an ex-convict is watching for a yellow handkerchief tied to an oak tree.  He claimed to have heard this story in oral tradition. In 1972, Reader’s Digest reprinted “Going home.”  ABC-TX aired a dramatized version of the story, and a month-and-a-half later, Irwin Levin and L. Russell Brown wrote “Tie a yellow ribbon around the Ole Oak Tree.”  The authors had heard the story while serving in the military.

The song was recorded by Tony Orlando and Dawn in 1973 and was a huge hit in the US and UK selling over 3 million records in 3 weeks.   The song is about a man who has completed his time in prison and he asked his love to tie a yellow ribbon around the oak tree if he is welcome. 

More recently, during the Iran Hostage Crisis, the yellow ribbon was used as a symbol of support for the hostages held at the US embassy in Tehran.  In November, 1979, a committee headed by Susan E. Garrett of the Jaycees ladies service organization in Leitchfield, Kentucky organized a campaign to “Tie a Yellow Ribbon” around public trees; as well as, encouraging people to wear tied ribbons on lapels in support of the US hostages being held in Iran.  The ribbon symbolized the resolve of the American people to win the hostages safe release and they were prominently displayed when they were returned home in January 1981.

The yellow ribbon was prominent during the Gulf War and Operation Desert  Storm representing “support our troops” and “bring our troops home.”   

On September 11, 2001 when the planes were hijacked and deliberately crashed into the World Trade Centers, the Pentagon and the field in Pennsylvania and the Canadian Government enacted “Operation Yellow Ribbon” to land hundreds of flights in their country for security and protection purposes.  They provided food, healthcare, and shelter until all was safe to travel.  It was a gesture of support for all of our citizens who were in the midst of a war.

Today, the yellow ribbon represents other topics, but is most prominently associated with our troops and bringing them home.   

As we prepare for Brooks’ homecoming, the route from the airport to the funeral home is unknown at this time, but it is suspected that his remains will arrive at the Louisville International Airport, traveling to Park City, thru Mammoth Cave Park and into Brownsville.  The funeral procession on Sunday, October 1st will travel from Patton Funeral Home to the cemetery on Dickey’s Mill Road. 

Darren Doyle, story:
One of the few things discussed on the short agenda at the Edmonson County Fiscal Court meeting today was the possibility of taking two county positions and combining them into one, with a higher salary.

Longtime Parks Director A.B. Webb stepped down on August 31st from his role not long after Park Program Director John Kiernan also stepped down. With very few applicants for Kiernan's position, Judge Executive Scott Lindsey appointed a committee to look at all options available for each position.

District Two Magistrate T.J. Massey, who serves on that committee, said the group is currently leaning toward combining both the park director and the program director's positions, with an adjusted salary for the increased responsibilities.

One of the difficulties in the hiring of either position is the unclear job descriptions described. Both positions are a mixed bag of duties that have each increased annually since they were each created. Overall, the park director is mainly charged with overseeing mowing, maintenance, of all three county parks. The program director oversees the actual programs led by Parks and Rec, including youth sports and their respective boards, and holiday programs that include the Easter egg hunt, Freedom Fest, and Halloween in the Park, as well as others throughout the year.

Massey said the current budget would allow the county to contract all the mowing instead of in-house, which could actually be different mowing contracts for individual parks. This would free up the position for other duties. Judge Lindsey said the next step would be to finalize the full job description so the committee could complete their recommendation to the court, which Massey said would be done soon.


Bee Spring Farm Situation Update:
Judge Lindsey updated the court on the situation with the complaints shared from Bee Spring residents about an odor coming from a farm in the Oklahoma Road area, which is owned by Jonathan Blanton. Lindsey reminded the court that Blanton voluntarily stopped his solid waste operation where egg shells and culled eggs from Perdue Farms were being hauled in on Blanton's farm. Blanton told the Edmonson Voice he was using the material for fertilizer on his property, to which he had obtained a state permit.

Lindsey said all the material had been cleaned up and was no longer in use, except for some remnants that had been spread in a back field. Lindsey said Blanton told him what little odor was left would be gone completely after the next rain.

"I talked with several residents in the area and they said they are only smelling it lightly every now and then, depending on how the wind is blowing," Lindsey said. "I didn't smell anything on the whole farm except a little in the back field. The residents I talked to seemed to be satisfied with the situation."

He also said that the soil and water samples results have been returned, but not yet available to the public. He said he would share that information once available.

Sunfish-Round Hill Road, Willie Webb Road Updates:
District 6 Magistrate James Vincent updated the court about a meeting he has this week with a contracting company interested in rebuilding Sunfish-Round Hill Road. The botched road repair after it partially washed out during flooding over a year ago has rendered the road closed for months. Blame for the closed road has bounced around to and from individuals, departments, and various governments, and a Muhlenberg County man drowned after he drove his vehicle off the end of the closed road earlier this year.

Vincent said the contracting company will lay out their options for repairing the road. Judge Lindsey said he had also been in contact with an individual from Kentucky Emergency Management to determine other solutions for the road. He also said that a similar situation with Willie Webb Road in Brownsville has also caused problems for residents in that area. Repairs are said to be in the hands of the Corps of Engineers, who are also supposed to be solving the Green River intake problem, another local problem that has continued for months with no solution currently in sight.

Bus Route Update:
County Road Supervisor Joe Montgomery said 16 of the 28 roads that were listed at the last fiscal court meeting by Edmonson County Schools Transportation Director Lannie Deweese have been trimmed, mowed, or both. Deweese said the overgrown right-of-ways were forcing buses into oncoming traffic lanes on these roads and that the school system would have to drop them from routes if they weren't maintained.

Montgomery said several of the roads were state roads and would have to be maintained by the state, not the county. He also recommended all bus turnarounds need to be numbered with signage. Judge Lindsey said he would look into resources needed to number the turnarounds. Montgomery also added that in his opinion, all 28 roads were in shape for buses to safely travel. Deweese was also at today's meeting and thanked the court for their help.

The next fiscal court meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 25, 2023 at 9AM.

Darren Doyle, story: Madison Doyle, photos:
Crowd sizes at this year's fair were unlike any seen in recent years, according to newly elected Edmonson County Lions Club Fair Board Chairman Donnie Turley.

Turley helped lead the way in revamping this year's Edmonson County Fair, which had all but faded away in distant memory, post the Covid-19 pandemic.

The fair, which was in decline even before Covid, got a much needed facelift this year from a new and improved carnival company, which was overwhelmingly approved by the attending nightly crowds, according to Turley. Paradise Amusements was contracted for this year's carnival, which took a large financial commitment from the Lions Club--a risk they haven't taken in years. Turley described working them as "great."

"Their staff was all very professional and all the rides and concessions were very well maintained and clean," he said. "Nothing looked out of place and to my knowledge, all rides worked throughout the duration of the fair. No breakdowns like previous carnivals."

It was easy to tell that the rides at this year's fair were on a different level than the previous carnivals, which haven't even been set up at the fair since 2019. There were at least 4-5 rides suitable for adults and bigger kids, several medium-level attractions for all ages, and a whole selection for small kids as well as a midway full of carnival food and games. Turley said the feedback from the community was extremely positive.

"Everyone was so happy that we were able to bring back a carnival that was fun and safe for everyone. It was overwhelming the amount of support and positive comments we received."

Traffic was at a standstill in approximately two miles in both directions from the fairground gates on Saturday night for the demolition derby finale. There was no traffic control and several fair-goers said it took over an hour to drive just a few miles to the fairgrounds and then actually make it inside the gate. Edmonson County Judge/Executive Scott Lindsey, also a Lions Club member, said he estimated at least 3,000 attendees at the demolition derby alone.

Turley said that while rain knocked out the truck pull about halfway through on Tuesday's opening night, the rest of the crowds were steady and eager.

"We had a great opening night with the truck pull" he said. "I think that everyone was just so eager to get to finally come to the fair, plus we brought the truck pull back after not having one for so many years. But undoubtedly, the biggest night in our fair's history was Saturday for the demolition derby. We don’t have exact numbers for attendance but it was unreal how many people showed up."

The phrase "if you build it, they will come," rang true in Edmonson County for this year's fair. It was proof that people will pay a higher price for better quality. Admission was raised to $15 per person this year from the normal $10 that the fair has charged for many years.

The Edmonson Voice has covered and promoted the fair each year of our existence and has seen heavy criticism from the public when discussing all things fair-related. Public comment was much different this year, even including the Fair Day Parade, which saw many more decorated floats, like the ones seen years ago.

The Voice posted to Facebook the same traffic photo above of the line of traffic waiting to enter the fair on Saturday night and comments of support immediately came pouring in.

"We were there last night and had a great time with all the family," said Bridgette Hester on Facebook. "They had a great turnout and I was told that they would be back next year that the fair had had great attendance over the week. I’m so glad to hear this because it was such a huge event in my school days and I’d like for everyone to have the Edmonson fair memories like I have."

Dozens of similar comments on Facebook followed.

"This what will be talked about for years to come," said Hank and Sherry Vincent.

"Well, with this kind of turn out, the turn out all week, and the hard work that the Lions club has put into this fair, this should be the most lucrative fair they have had in years. Good for them!!!" said Wally Ritter.

There were also those that were critical of the fair, including Katherine Lindsey, who commented "Not worth the hassel [sic]. Not worth $15 to get a $10 funnel cake." Others also said it was overpriced for the attractions, but the majority of the comments and attitude was definitely positive.

"We had amazing support from local businesses as well as individuals that wanted to help," Turley said. "And not just local businesses, but from businesses from surrounding counties too. It was great."

He said another truck and tractor pull is scheduled for September 30th as a result of the rain out last week. Final details will be available soon.

"As for future plans, we hope to have a membership drive to get more people from the county involved that want to continue to see this get bigger and better," added Turley. "We hope to add an event for family night next year as well."

He also said plans for next year are already on the table with even more scheduled events in discussion.

To find out more about becoming part of the Edmonson County Lions Club, message them on Facebook, call 615-418-7715, email [email protected], or contact any Lions Club member.

Madison Doyle, story and photos:
Edmonson County's annual Fair Day was today, September 8, 2023. Below is a slideshow of everyone enjoying the fair day fun.

Madison Doyle, story and photos:
The annual Edmonson County Fair Day Parade was held this morning, September 8, 2023. The Edmonson County High School Cheerleaders won the award for Best Overall Float. The other winners were:
Roy Gibson: Best antique car
Kyrock: School Division
4H: Civic Division
Best commercial: Warnell's Pharmacy
Horse Drawn: CD and Shelia Lindsey
Horse: Hailey Michael

All floats and vehicles who participated in the parade are pictured in the slideshow below:

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
The crowd was rolling in steadily tonight at the Edmonson County Fair to check out the mud bog and the new and improved carnival.

Fair Board Chairman Donnie Turley said he was pleased with both the crowd so far and the new carnival.

"We're always glad to see this crowd out at the fair," he said. "We've heard a lot of good things about how people are enjoying the carnival. Both kids and adults. Our opening night with the truck pull had a great crowd. The rain hurt us a little but hopefully people will continue coming out through Saturday night. We appreciate all the support so far."

The annual Fair Day Parade is Friday, September 8th at 9AM and will be livestreamed on the Edmonson Voice. The mud run will be featured on Friday night with the finale on Saturday night with the demolition derby.

Friday Fair Day carnival activities will run from 10AM to 3PM. The Fair will reopen at 5PM on Friday night and go until 11PM with Saturday night opening at 5PM and running until midnight.

Admission is $15 per person, per night with those under 32 inches getting in free.

Edmonson Voice Report:
The Kentucky State Police Post 3 Bowling Green is asking for the public’s assistance as part of an ongoing missing person investigation.

KSP Post 3 was contacted on June 14, 2023, regarding a missing person in Edmonson County.  The initial investigation indicated Kayla Decker, 35 years old of Bee Spring, KY, was last seen on December 18, 2022 in the Bee Spring Community. She is described as a white female, 5’6” tall, 130 lbs., with blond hair and hazel eyes.

Anyone with information about the location of Kayla Decker is asked to contact KSP Post 3 at 270-782-2010.

The investigation is ongoing by KSP Detectives.

Edmonson Voice Report:
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced on Tuesday that U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Thomas F. Brooks, 23, of Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, who was captured and died as a prisoner of war during World War II, was accounted for June 20, 2023.
 
In late 1942, Brooks was a member of the Company D, 194th Tank Battalion, US Army Forces Far East, when Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands in December. Intense fighting continued until the surrender of the Bataan peninsula on April 9, 1942, and of Corregidor Island on May 6, 1942.
 
Thousands of U.S. and Filipino service members were captured and interned at POW camps.  Brooks was among those reported captured when U.S. forces in Bataan surrendered to the Japanese. They were subjected to the 65-mile Bataan Death March and then held at the Cabanatuan POW camp. More than 2,500 POWs perished in this camp during the war.
 
According to prison camp and other historical records, Brooks died Dec. 10, 1942, and was buried along with other deceased prisoners in the local Cabanatuan Camp Cemetery in Common Grave 917.
 
Following the war, American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) personnel exhumed those buried at the Cabanatuan cemetery and relocated the remains to a temporary U.S. military mausoleum near Manila. In 1947, the AGRS examined the remains in an attempt to identify them. Five sets of remains from Common Grave 917 were identified, but the rest were declared unidentifiable. The unidentified remains were buried at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial (MACM) as Unknowns.
 
In early 2018, the remains associated with Common Grave 917 were disinterred and sent to the DPAA laboratory for analysis.
           
To identify Brooks’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.
 
Although interred as an Unknown in MACM, Brooks’s grave was meticulously cared for over the past 70 years by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC).
 
A graveside service with full military honors will be held at Hill Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, located at 1900 Dickeys Mill Road, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259 on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. CST. There will be limited seating available and people are encouraged to bring a lawn chair. Parking arrangements and transportation have been arranged across the street from the cemetery. Media parking will be designated.

During the graveside service, his family will be presented with his honors:  The Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, POW Medal, Army Good Conduct medal, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and the Philippine Defense Medal.  Other presentations are expected and will be announced as available.
 
For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving our country, visit the DPAA website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or https://www.linkedin.com/company/defense-pow-mia-accounting-agency.
 
Brooks’s personnel profile can be viewed here.

by Paula Ratliff:
U.S. Army Private First-Class Thomas Franklin Brooks will be laid to rest near his childhood home in Edmonson County, Kentucky as the community honors his ultimate sacrifice, having died as a prisoner of war of the Japanese Army in the Philippines during WWII at the age of 23 on December 10, 1942.
 
Many of his family members attended a briefing by the U.S. Army on August 23, 2023 at the Edmonson County Library.  Mr. Jim Bell of the Past Conflicts Repatriations Branch provided an “Identification Briefing” which covered Brooks’ time in the military and the process by which he will be returned to Edmonson County.  The family is still waiting for an official press release from the government with final arrangements. 
 
“Frank” as he was known to family and friends, was stationed at Ft. Knox, Kentucky and was a member of the 192nd Tank Battalion, known as the “Harrodsburg Tankers.”  They were one of the first units sent to reinforce US forces in the Philippines, arriving November 20, 1941, eighteen days prior to the attack at Pearl Harbor.  His unit defended the islands, fighting in the “Battle of Bataan” until April 1942 when the US forces were surrendered.  Frank was wounded and hospitalized prior to being imprisoned in the Cabanatuan POW camp in Northern Luzon, Philippines in May 1942.  Approximately 2,700 died in the prison camp.
 
Many of his comrades who were captured when the Americans surrendered were forced to march the “Bataan Death March” to the POW camp.  It is estimated that 60,000-80,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war marched approximately 65 miles through tropical conditions, enduring heat, humidity and rain without adequate medical care, food or clothing.  It is estimated that over 650 Americans and 16,500 Filipinos died during the march. Frank survived his captivity for 8 months before dying on December 10, 1942, as a result of starvation and brutality at the hands of his Japanese captors.  He was buried by other US prisoners in a common grave with 8 other men.
 
After the war ended, US officials made multiple attempts to identify the men who had died as prisoners; however, they were unable to identify Frank and he was eventually buried as an unknown among the 17,000 graves of the American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines.  In 2014, family members submitted DNA samples to officials of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) in hopes that his remains could be identified.  In 2018, the remains were disinterred for the purpose of potential identification and the family was notified on June 20, 2023 that a positive identification had been made.
 
U.S. Army Veteran (retired) Gerald Carroll is a great nephew to Frank and was instrumental in corresponding with the Army and DPAA over the years, keeping hope alive that Frank would be identified and returned home.  “In 1948, Frank’s oldest sister, Cardelia Sanders passionately pleaded with the military to bring him home.  She wrote in a letter to the Quartermaster General, ‘I know you have a big job to attend to all this, but we do wish you could find his remains and ship them home as Mother wished it to be done.’  With Frank’s homecoming, we have honored the wishes of his parents and his family, we wanted to bring him home,” said Carroll.
 
Frank was the 7th of 12th children and is survived by 37 nieces and nephews and over 200 great nieces and nephews.  Of 6 men in the family of 12, 5 served in the military including Frank, Hubert, Easol, Almon and Ralph.  Our country owes a debt of gratitude to this family.
 
Frank loved his family and was known to come home often while he was stationed at Fort Knox, bringing friends with him to enjoy his family and home cooked meals.  During his service, he sent numerous letters and postcards home, several of which are carefully memorialized.  He was described as a strong and robust man providing a legacy of eternal greatness.
 
A graveside service with full military honors will be held at Hill Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery and the public is invited to attend.  There will be limited seating available; however, people are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.  Parking arrangements and transportation have been arranged across the street from the cemetery.  Additional details and times will be provided as soon as they are available.
 
He will be buried beside his parents, resting forever in a community that loved him and never relinquished the quest for his return.
 
A road sign was erected several years ago on Dickeys Mill Road, across from his homeplace and before the cemetery.  A yellow ribbon will be placed there to welcome him home.
 
During the graveside service, his family will be presented with his honors:  The Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, POW Medal, Army Good Conduct medal, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal and the Philippine Defense Medal.

Other presentations are expected and will be announced as available.

*article courtesy of Paula Ratliff

Edmonson Voice Report:
An expected traffic impact in the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 3 area for September 1st through September 8th includes at least one part of Edmonson County. 

The area affected includes KY HWY 70, (Mammoth Cave Road) mile point 12 to 18. Crews will be working on resurfacing this section of KY 70. Motorists should expect delays and lane closures. All work is subject to change.

Darren Doyle, story:
The Edmonson County Fair returns to the fairgrounds Tuesday, September 5th.

With an all-new carnival, the rides will begin this evening at 5PM, as well as Wednesday and Thursday, and will run unit 11PM.

Friday is the annual Fair Day and Parade, with Edmonson County Schools cancelling classes for the entire day. The Parade will start at 9AM with Fair Day activities running from 10AM to 3PM. The Fair will reopen at 5PM on Friday night and go until 11PM with the finale taking place for Saturday night, opening at 5PM and running until midnight.

Rides to start at 5:00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights and run till 11:00pm.  Friday is fair day so 10:00am to 3:00 pm and then back open again at 5:00pm till 11:00pm and Saturday from 5:00pm till midnight.

Admission is $15 per person, per night with those under 32 inches getting in free.

Click here for a full preview of this year's fair.