Former insurance agent imprisoned

ASHLAND, Ky. (AP) —A former insurance agent from eastern Kentucky has been sentenced to five years in prison in what federal prosecutors called a Ponzi scheme.

Robert W. Rister of South Shore was also ordered to pay restitution of nearly $400,000. South Shore is about 25 miles northwest of Ashland.

The Independent of Ashland reported the U.S. Attorney’s office said Rister was sentenced Tuesday on his guilty plea, entered in May.

Rister was accused of taking more than $500,000 from clients by selling annuities — then persuading the clients to invest the money in different funds. Authorities say rather than reinvesting his clients’ money, Rister kept it for himself.

Court documents show Rister repaid more than $150,000, but it doesn’t count toward lessening his sentence because that occurred before the scheme was discovered.

OLBH to sponsor 5K run Oct. 1

RUSSELL, Ky. — Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital (OLBH) will sponsor its annual 5K Greenup Old Fashion Days Race Thursday, Oct. 1, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Greenup County Courthouse.

The run is part of the 44th annual Greenup Old Fashion Days. Race registration begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Greenup Christian Church Family Life Center, Main Street, Greenup, Kentucky.

Entry fee is $15 if received before Sept. 27 and $20 after. The first 150 entrants will receive a race t-shirt. Awards will be presented in each age category.

For more information or to register for the race, please call the OLBH CareLine at (606) 833-CARE (2273).

Museum looking for new docents

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The Huntington Museum of Art is looking for docents to work with its school program. There will be an open house Sunday, Sept. 13, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. to explain the program. A docent is someone who volunteers time to lead schoolchildren and museum visitors on guided tours.

No prior experience or background in art is required. If you like art of any kind, if you enjoy sharing your knowledge, and if you can spend 90 minutes a week getting a free art education, this could be the program for you.

Those interested in attending the informational open house and learning more about the HMA docent program should call Carol Bailey in HMA’s Education Department at (304) 529-2701; or send an e-mail to cbailey@hmoa.org.

Crochet club starts up

CHESAPEAKE — A new crochet club has started at the Chesapeake branch of the Briggs Library. It meets at 2 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. The next meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 15.

The club also meets at the South Point branch of the library. The next meeting there will be Sept. 8 The club is for beginners and experts.

Osteoarthritis lunch topic

ASHLAND, Ky. Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital will host a free luncheon concerning osteoarthritis featuring orthopedist Dr. Ralph Touma.

The luncheon will bece Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 11 a.m. on the fifth floor of Bellefonte Centre (1000 Ashland Drive) on the OLBH campus.

Touma’s topic will be treatment of osteoarthritis.

To RSVP for the free luncheon or to learn more about the Human Motion at OLBH, call the OLBH CareLine at (606) 833-CARE (2273).

Computer classes to be offered

FLATWOODS, Ky. — Flatwoods Public Library will offer free basic computer classes to begin Sept. 28.

There will be two classes on Mondays at 9 a.m. and Wednesdays at 1 p.m.

Classes will run through Oct. 28. Register by phone or come into the library to sign up. Classes will be one hour.

Central Park site of fest

ASHLAND, Ky. — LaborFest 09 will feature music, Cornhole games and door prizes starting at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7 at Central Park.

The event is sponsored by the city of Ashland and the Recreation Department.

See ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ at PAC

ASHLAND, Ky. — Gene Kelley and Debbie Reynolds will dance on the big screen at the Paramount Arts Center, Sunday, Sept. 13 at 4 p.m.

The film is this month’s Second Sunday movie series as Paramount brings 80 years of film classics to the Tri-state area.

Tickets are $4 each and on sale in our box office at 606-324-3175 option 2.

For more information go to www.paramountartscenter.com.

Nurse refresher course slated

PORTSMOUTH — Retired, laid-off and career-changed nurses are invited to regain confidence in the nursing profession by attending Southern Ohio Medical Center’s Nurse Refresher Course from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 24 and 25 in the Gibson Building on SOMC’s East Campus, 2201 25th St., Portsmouth.

The two-day program will allow participants to review fundamentals while discovering new technology with hands-on training.

Day one will consist of lectures on documentation, electronic medication records, fundamentals of nursing and an overview of equipment used throughout the hospital.

Day two will be held in the SSU/SOMC Simulation Lab, allowing participants to practice their renewed knowledge and skills in a simulated hospital setting.

Registration is required and can be made by calling the SOMC Workforce Development Department at 356-2733. Deadline to register is Sept. 22.