Bomb hoax called in at Walmart

ASHLAND, Ky. — A bomb threat was called in around noon Saturday at the Ashland Walmart, located on River Hill Drive.

Around 12:02 p.m., an anonymous caller, who is believed to be male, stated his name was Brian and that he had a bomb, according to information from the Ashland Police Department.

The caller stated that everyone needed to be out of the store in 20 minutes. The store was evacuated as a safety precaution. A sweep of the store was done by Walmart management and Ashland Police personnel. No suspicious objects or devices were found.

The store remained evacuated until well after the 20 minute timeline at which point the Ashland Police Department and Ashland Fire Department cleared the scene and business was resumed at the store.

Nitro Police named in wrongful death suit for jail suicide

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A lawsuit alleges the Nitro Police Department is responsible for the death of a Kentucky man who committed suicide while in custody.

Tracy Cooper filed a wrongful death suit against NPD in Kanawha Circuit Court. In her handwritten complaint filed June 7, Cooper, of Worthington, Ky., alleges NPD did not take the necessary precautions to prevent her ex-husband, Nelson, from hanging himself following his arrest two years ago.

Following Nelson’s death, Cooper said she approached an attorney about filing a possible lawsuit. The attorney, Cooper said, suggested she get another attorney.

Nevertheless, Cooper says the first attorney told her to “definitely get representation.” When she couldn’t, she file the suit pro se to avoid missing the two-year statute of limitations.

In her suit, Cooper says Nelson’s death was preventable.

“They [NPD] should have took [sic] them [the shoelaces] from him along with his belt. It they would of did [sic] their job, he would still be alive.”

Cooper seeks unspecified damages. The case is assigned to Judge Paul Zakaib.

— Lawrence Smith

West Virginia Record

Highlands Museum changes hours

ASHLAND, Ky. — During the summer months, the Highlands Museum & Discovery Center is going back to normal hours of operation.

Hours are returning to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday effective immediately with the exception of the first Friday of every month, in which the doors will be open until 8 p.m.

The museum is located at 1620 Winchester Ave. Admission is $5.50 for adults, and $4.50 for seniors, students and children. Members and children under 2 are free.

For more information, call (606) 329-8888, send an e-mail to info@highlandsmuseum.com or visit www.highlandsmuseum.com.

Gallahers to chair ‘Bid For Kids’ Sake’ to benefit BBBS

BELLEFONTE, Ky. —John and Stephanie Gallaher of the Gallaher Group will serve as honorary chairs of the 5th Annual Bid For Kids’ Sake to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Tri-State.

The event will be Friday at 7 p.m. at Bellefonte Country Club.

The silent and live auction will feature many items such as sports memorabilia, vacation packages, jewelry and more.

The event will be held in conjunction with Summer Motion.

For more information please call (606) 329-8799, (304) 522-2191 or (800) 971-2101.

84-year-old Huntington bridge gets demolished

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — An 84-year-old bridge in Huntington came down.

Officials with the state Division of Highways said Monday that the old 5th Avenue Bridge over the Guyandotte River was set to be demolished Friday.

Built in 1926, the bridge carried traffic from 5th Avenue to the city’s Guyandotte neighborhood. It’s been closed since 2007.

A new $3.8 million bridge is expected to open by September 2011.

Fairland student attends leadership training seminar

PROCTORVILLE — Tori Hutchinson of Proctorville recently attended the Ohio South Site of the Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership seminar May 20-23 at Dennison University. She represented Fairland High School and joined more than 190 high school sophomores from central and southeast Ohio. The conference seeks to teach young people how to think.

She was chosen to attend the seminar based on demonstrated leadership and potential for continued leadership growth. During the four-day event students participated in group leadership activities and panel discussions on issues ranging from entrepreneurship to diversity. They also completed a community service project and are encouraged to perform more community service.

She is the daughter of Philip and Cheri Hutchinson.

Former Symmes student earns music degree

PHILADELPHIA — Robert Ross II graduated May 20 with a master of music in Jazz studies from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Penn.

Mr. Ross is a graduate of Symmes Valley High School in Willow Wood. He received his bachelor’s degree from Morehead State University in Morehead, Ky.

He is the son of Robert and Teresa Ross of Patriot. He is the grandson of Freda Ross of Patriot and the late Freddie Ross and the late Donna and Henry Sheline.

Mr. Ross is pursuing a career in teaching and performing. He resides in Cincinnati.

Child Welfare Club presents Freshie Awards to students

IRONTON — With a focus on education, the Child Welfare Club presented Freshie Awards at Ironton High School and St. Joseph High School again this year.

To qualify for the award, the students must have a 90 percent or better average in all academic subjects and/or 85 percent or better in all weighted academic classes a the end of the next to last grading period.

These students met the requirements at St. Joseph High School:

Tanner Carte, Grant Geswein, Haley Glockner, Glennie Hopkins, Austin Leach, Eli Lewis, Hannah Martin, Ashley Priode, Mallory Rist, Nick Roach, Elizabeth Sutter, Maria Walters and Cecili Weber.

These students met the requirements at Ironton High School:

Brandon Barker, Tanner Dutey, Kelli Ferguson, Korey Kellogg, Andrea Kratzenberg, Sean Lawless, Karlee McMackin, Jordan McMaster, Alicia Murphy, Rebekkah Potter, Alexis Riggle, Molly Sergent, Kylie Thomas and Zachary Waddle.

Each student received a Freshie trophy.

Holzer Clinic in Jackson hits 10 years

Jackson — Holzer Clinic’s Jackson Campus recently celebrated the 10 year anniversary of its facility on 280 Pattonsville Road, Jackson.

The medical complex officially opened in June 2000 and has expanded over the 10-year existence at this location.

J.B. Finlay, Holzer Clinic Jackson Director of Operations, individually acknowledged 36 members of the staff who have remained with the clinic since its opening.

“It is our goal to provide friendly and compassionate care for our patients and their families. As a major healthcare provider in the community we are dedicated in our long-standing commitment to provide quality healthcare services. We are delighted to celebrate our 10-year anniversary with the community,” said Finlay.

“Holzer Clinic is proud to continue the commitment we began in 1977 to the Jackson County, Ohio community.”

Local student named to Milligan College Dean’s List

Milligan College, Tenn. — Milligan College named sophomore Laura Stewart, of Ironton, to the Academic Dean’s List for the spring 2010 semester. She is majoring in fine arts, with a concentration in photography.

The Dean’s List recognizes students who earn a grade point average of 3.5 or above for the academic semester.

Located in Northeast Tennessee, Milligan is a nationally recognized Christian liberal arts college offering a range of degree programs in the liberal arts and in professional fields such as business, nursing and education. Milligan offers more than 25 academic majors and three master’s degree programs.

To learn more about Milligan College, visit www.milligan.edu or call 800-447-5922.

U.S. 52 work to resume on Monday

LAWRENCE COUNTY — Contractors will return to U.S. 52 to complete minor finishing work following a four-lane resurfacing project between the 5.0 and the 11.84-mile markers.

Traffic will be maintained in one lane in each direction between the exits for S.R. 650 at Hanging Rock and S.R. 243 at Coal Grove.

‘Pictures in the Park’ series continues June 25

ASHLAND, Ky. — Bring the family for an outdoor showing of “Shrek” on Friday, June 25, at the Main Branch of Boyd County Public Library.

The showing is part of the Library’s Pictures in the Park series, sponsored this year by Community Trust Bank. A family movie is shown on the final Friday of each month through August on a 12-foot screen, just adjacent to the Reading Garden at Main, 1740 Central Ave.

The movie starts at dark – around 9:30 p.m. The Library closes at 5 p.m., so movie attendees should come to the side of the building. If the weather is bad, the movie will be shown the following Friday.

People need to bring their own chairs and blankets to the movie. Admission is free. Popcorn and drinks are provided. Anyone who brings in one of the Library’s “Pictures in the Park” direct mailers gets a free candy bar of their choice.

“Shrek,” rated PG, is the 2001 animated movie about a loveable ogre who, in order to regain his swamp, travels along with an annoying donkey in order to bring a princess to a scheming lord who wishes himself King.

Patrons helped library staff select this year’s movies. The rest of the schedule includes: “Hairspray” on July 30; and “Toy Story” on Aug. 27.

Outside groups can host movie showings inside the library, using the library’s license. For more information, contact Amanda Clark at (606) 329-0518, ext. 1140. For a full movie schedule, visit www.thebookplace.org.