Chris Bunn in stable condition

Chris Bunn of Jackson has been upgraded from critical to stable condition at the UK Hospital in Lexington. He was seriously injured when his motorcycle collided with a truck last Sunday on Route 205 north of Vancleve. “He’s out of the ICU and into a private room,” said his father, Rev. John Bunn on Monday. “Chris is on a feeding tube, he has a lot of pain, but he’s aware of his surroundings.” Bunn told the Voice they hope Chris will be sent to Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital later this week. He also expressed gratitude to the people who’ve kept the family in their thoughts and prayers. “Chris has a long way to go. But prayer helps. We are overwhelmed by the prayers and the friendship of the community.”

$1 million grant for Watts waterline extensions

Outgoing Governor Ernie Fletcher announced on Monday a $1 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to the Breathitt County Fiscal Court for construction of 12 miles of waterline, two water storage tanks and a booster pump station to serve the Watts area of the county. According to the release from the Governor’s Office, “The residents of Watts currently use hand-dug and drilled wells as their source of water. Many of the area homes use expensive water softening systems that do not treat bacteria or filter out sulfur and iron. The project will serve approximately 237 customers.”

Johnson trial postponed

The trial of Stacey Johnson was expected to start last Friday in Stanton, but was postponed due to a death in the family of District Judge Kenny Profitt. A new trial date was expected to be set this Tuesday. Johnson, who lives near the Hardshell community, was arrested in late July after allegedly left her nine-month-old baby daughter, Joshlyn Deaton, on the steps of the Powell County Courthouse. She was charged with endangering the welfare of a minor, and public intoxication.

Who’ll play at Inauguration?

The Voice has learned that representatives from Governor-elect Steve Beshear’s office has contacted both Breathitt High School and Jackson City School, about the possibility of one of the bands playing at Beshear’s Inauguration next month. Beshear was quoted in the Lexington Herald-Leader saying “he wanted to have at least one band from all 120 Kentucky counties playing at his swearing in.” So far, no word on who that band will be from our County. The Governor’s Inauguration will be Tuesday, December 11th in Frankfort.