FLORENCE 75¢
RECORDER
Your Community Recorder newspaper serving Florence and Union
THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013
READY FOR THE FAIR A4 4-H members put hard work, humor and love into preparing animals for showing.
BECAUSE COMMUNITY MATTERS
Portion of U.S. 42 to be named for Kenny Price By Melissa Stewart mstewart@nky.com
FLORENCE — A portion of U.S. 42 in Florence is set to be named the Kenny Price Memorial Highway, in honor of the country entertainer and popular Boone Countian. The portion stretches from Interstate 75 to Mall Road. Price lived in that area and frequently traveled the road. A ceremony, unveiling the signage, will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, tentatively in the
parking lot at the White Castle on U.S. 42 and LaCresta Drive, Florence. The restaurant was one of Price’s favorite spots, according to Sen. John Schickel, who recalls seeing him there often, sipping coffee. “I remember meeting him and being starstruck,” said Schickel, who spearheaded the naming effort. The state senator had just joined the Florence Police Department in 1977 when he met Price at the White Castle. “Kenny Price is a Boone
County legend,” he said. “His success in country music is something many of us remember fondly. It’s important to recognize those people who have gone before us – those people whose shoulders we stand on.” Schickel said he hopes the memorial in Price’s name will honor “the indelible mark he left on Boone County and American culture.” Nicknamed the “Round Mound of Sound,” Price had a See PRICE, Page A2
The family of the late Kenny Price celebrate his induction into the Northern Kentucky Music Legends Hall of Fame June 2 at the Behringer-Crawford Museum. From left are Judy and Chris Price (the entertainer’s son), of Burlington, and Kristin Price, 20, of Florence. FILE PHOTO
Gunnery Sgt. Brandon Bailey, of Florence, served 14 years in the Marine Corps before retiring due to wounds received in Afghanistan. Currently, Bailey is sharing his story through various speaking engagements and serving veterans through various projects. FILE
Boone County Senior Center member and volunteer Evelyn Ganci, of Burlington, helps tag teddy bears for the American Legion Riders Boone Post 4. MELISSA STEWART/THE COMMUNITY RECORDER
Bikers, bears brighten children’s spirits
PHOTO
Retired Marine shares experience that inspires Told he wouldn’t walk, Bailey overcomes odds By Melissa Stewart mstewart@nky.com
FLORENCE — Saying that Brandon Bailey, 39, of Florence, is determined, may be an understatement. The retired Marine almost lost his life after being injured in 2009 while serving in Afghanistan. In fact, he did die, twice. Bailey gazes down at the words “Dead man walking,” deeply scrolled onto his right arm with dark green ink. “That’s why I have this,” he said pointing to the tattoo. “I flat-lined twice. One of the early reports of the incident said: ‘Five injured; one dead.’ I kept that report.” The incident involved a Taliban bomb blowing a 6-ton Humvee about138 feet in the air. The five other Marines in-
HEALTHY CHOICES Health coaches motivate people to live well. B1
This is what’s left of a 6-ton Humvee that crushed Gunnery Sgt. Brandon Bailey, 39, of Florence in Farah, Afghanistan. An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated, flipping the Humvee on its top. Six service members were injured. FILE PHOTO
side were ejected. Bailey’s uniform, however, caught onto the vehicle’s frame. The heavy war machine landed upside down and onto his pelvis, bend-
UNION NIGHT Community attends Florence Freedom game for a worthy cause. B7
ing his torso, like an envelope’s flap. His family was notified, but given few details. They weren’t even sure if he was alive. His mother, Debbie Vannarsdale, also of Florence, was left wondering: If he was alive, would he make it? He did. “Brandon is determined and stubborn,” Vannarsdale said. Surviving, however, was only the beginning of the battle. The blast and the weight of the Humvee had crushed Bailey’s pelvis. Other injuries included: crushed right hip; three breaks in his left; five fractured vertebra; three broken ribs; perforated bowel; ruptured bladder; severed urethra; and severe concussion resulting in short-term memory loss. At the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Bailey and his family received a dire prognosis. See MARINE, Page A2
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By Melissa Stewart mstewart@nky.com
The Boone County Senior Center transformed from an activities hub into a teddy bear assembly line as volunteers tagged and boxed 1,000 stuffed animals this month. The bears, purchased by the American Legion Riders Boone Post 4, based in Florence, will be donated to St. Elizabeth Florence for children who receive treatment at the hospital’s emergency room, outpatient services and inpatient facilities. “It’s satisfying work,” volunteer Evelyn Ganci of Burlington said as she punched a tag, identifying the donor, through a bear’s ear. Ganci is a member of the senior center located inside the R.C. Durr YMCA in Burlington. When she and other members were looking for service project ideas last year, Ganci suggested the Legion Riders’ Teddy Bear Run. The Teddy Bear Run to deliver the bears will be Saturday, Aug. 3. Registration starts at 10 a.m. at the Legion hall, 8385 U.S. 42, Florence; kickstands will be See BIKERS, Page A2
GET INVOLVED For more information or to make a donation, call 859-814-1564 or email rouseflor@aol.com.
Vol. 18 No. 48 © 2013 The Community Recorder ALL RIGHTS RESERVED