News from Sept. 22, 2005 issue

School board seeks tobacco ban
The Crittenden County Board of Education appeared poised Tuesday night to change its policy to prohibit tobacco use by employees on school grounds.

After much discussion, the board tabled the proposal, opting instead to first check on whether its healthcare policy includes assistance for smoking cessation.

Discussion over current policy, which prohibits employees from using tobacco inside district buildings, arose during a working session Sept. 6. During that meeting, the board gave its annual review of policies and some suggested changes or clarifications from the Kentucky School Boards Association. The use of tobacco by employees was not an issue recommended for review by the state, but instead was suggested by local board members.

Board chairman Phyllis Orr said the heart of the issue is the example teachers and staff set when students see them using tobacco.

Orr, a retired teacher, admitted to smoking but said she only did so in the designated area behind the building and out of the view of students.

Some school supervisors said during Tuesday's meeting that they have concerns about changing the tobacco policy. They are afraid the school system will lose employees if the policy is changed and tobacco completely prohibited on school grounds. Board members did not appear in favor of prohibiting the use of tobacco by the general public at outdoor sporting events.

"This is a tough issue when you are dealing with people's rights," Superintendent John Belt said. "But we are role models for students, we are watched by every student in the district, whether we are at the grocery store, at a ball game or in a parking lot."

Board member Bill Asbridge said he would not be in favor of a designated smoking area and thinks the policy is okay the way it stands currently.

"It should be all or nothing," Asbridge said, noting having a designated smoking area for employees would be a double standard.

If the board approves the policy change, violation would constitute insubordination and could result in termination of employment, Belt said.

Suspect damages police cruisers
A dozen charges were filed against a Morganfield man last Thursday night after authorities arrested him on what originated as a domestic violence complaint.

Crittenden County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Orr responded to a residence on Ky. 365, where Monty Hollis, 44, allegedly had an altercation with his wife and her daughter. Orr was transporting Hollis to the Crittenden County Jail when he became unruly in the back seat of his cruiser.

Orr called for back-up as he approached the Marion city limits. Hollis was repeatedly attempting to kick out a rear window, police reports said.

Marion police officers met Orr on the outskirts of town, where Hollis was shackled and put into a Marion police cruiser. Hollis again attempted to kick out out the rear window of the city cop car.

The total damage was estimated at $1,100 to both the sheriff and city police cruisers. It was the third time this year a Marion cruiser has been damaged by someone trying to kick out the rear window.

Hollis was taken to the Calloway County Jail and charged with trespassing, burglary, receiving stolen property, menacing and fourth-degree assault ­ charges that stemmed from the incident at the residence on Ky. 365 ­ disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, criminal mischief, alcohol intoxication and terroristic threatening.

Crittenden County Jailer Rick Riley said the suspect also damaged some plumbing inside the jail. Because of the incident Riley has requested that the county by two Taser guns and issue them to the sheriff's department. The Tasers could be used to help control unruly inmates in the future.