BIG BUST NETS LOTS OF COCAINE
BY CHRIS EVANS
Police say it's one of the biggest drug busts in years and perhaps one of the largest cocaine finds in local history.

Jerry Wayne Buie, 57, of Just-A-Mere Road faces various drug and weapon charges after state police seized thousands of dollars in cash and drugs late Monday night from Buie's home just off Ky. 120 about four miles east of Marion.

Responding to a complaint, Troopers Darron Holliman of Marion and William Braden of Webster County knocked on Buie's door about 10:30 p.m., Monday night. Holliman said the officers detected a strong smell of burning marijuana and asked Buie for permission to search the home. Buie initially denied them access, but the officers secured a search warrant a couple of hours later after the suspect turned over two handguns that were in the house.

"For officer safety, we asked him if there were any weapons in the house and he brought us the guns," Holliman said. "When we ran a background check it showed that he was a convicted felon so we obtained a search warrant."

At about 12:30 a.m., Tuesday morning, officers executed the warrant and found a variety of drugs, including processed marijuana, plants, pills and cocaine. They also seized $5,030 in cash, a .22 semi-automatic pistol and a .380 revolver.

Some of the charges against Buie are enhanced because of the presence of the guns. He faces trafficking charges in cocaine and marijuana, cultivation of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and resisting arrest.

Police think he was high when they took him into custody as he tried to kick one officer and put up enough resistance that they included it among the charges.

The trafficking in a Schedule II narcotic (cocaine) is a third offense charge for Buie, who has a lengthy criminal record mostly from Webster and Hopkins counties. Police say he served 36 months in prison following a 1993 drug conviction.

Holliman, Braden and a third trooper, Lloyd Ray, conducted a nearly two-hour search of Buie's residence. Taken into evidence was almost a half pound of processed marijuana, five small marijuana plants growing in Styrofoam cups and a plastic bucket, about 58 grams of cocaine mostly wrapped in small individual bags and what officers said was Valium, Loratab and Viagra pills. The six-inch high pot plants were found in an RV behind the home, Holliman said.

"This is one of the biggest busts in several years," the trooper added. "We don't find too much cocaine around here."

The white rock-size chunks and powder that police said was cocaine amounts to about $5,800 in street value based on a cost of $100 per gram, which they said is the going rate.

Police also seized a lock box which contained drug residue, two set of scales, a pill chopper and other paraphernalia.

Buie was lodged in Crittenden County Jail where he remained at press time Wednesday under a $7,500 bond.

McCONNELL'S WIDOW WOULD ACCEPT POST
Hayden McConnell's widow says she would accept an appointment to fill her husband's seat on the Crittenden County Fiscal Court at least until November when an election would decide a permanent replacement.

McConnell, 65, died last week of a massive heart attack. His death was a sudden shock to family and friends. Although McConnell had undergone open-heart surgery eight years ago, a test one week before his death indicated no serious problems, his wife Helen said.

Helen McConnell said Tuesday that she has discussed her late husband's magistrate post with local Republican leaders.

"I would fill it until November if appointed by the governor," she said. "But whether I would run for election, I just don't know right now. Hayden wouldn't want me to make a rash decision about that now and I don't want to either."

According to Kentucky statute, Gov. Paul Patton will appoint a temporary replacement to fill McConnell's magisterial position until a special election can be held in November. After the election, the winner would take office immediately. Executive committees of the county's two main political parties will each select candidates to be on the ballot this fall.

"I know what repairs Hayden had planned to do on some of the roads this summer because he had told me and I know how he felt about most of the issues. We talked about those things," said McConnell, who would have celebrated her 48th wedding anniversary in September.

Helen McConnell was employed at Potter and Brumfield from 1971 to 1989. She has also been instrumental in the everyday affairs of the family farm.

"I'm going to keep the cattle," she said. "Hayden always said I knew as much about cattle and hay as he did."
McConnell is the third local magistrate to die while in office in the past 10 years. Dick Jones and Donald Tabor were the other two. Gov. Brereton Jones appointed Jones' daughter, Dolly Tinsley, to temporarily fill his seat and Gov. Patton tapped widow Tina Tabor to sit on the county court until the next election.

Although it has been a common practice for the governor to give a family member first choice in such cases, this one is complicated by the fact that McConnell was a Republican and the governor is a Democrat. Local political observers say that might make a difference.

Bart Frazer, GOP chairman in Crittenden County, says the party hopes Gov. Patton follows past protocol and offers the position to Helen McConnell.

"We think it's the right thing to do under the circumstances," Frazer said.

Judge-Executive Pippi Hardin said he notified the governor's office this week about the vacancy on the fiscal court. He said there was no clear timetable for learning the governor's decision, but expects it within a week or two.

LaRUE WILL NOT BE RE-HIRED AS PRINCIPAL
Crittenden County High School principal Eric LaRue did not have his employment contract renewed for the 2003-2004 school year. Superintendent Fredericka Hargis will begin accepting applications for a replacement in the coming weeks.|

LaRue received a letter of non-renewal May 1, as required by law, from the superintendent. Hargis did not disclose reasons for the non-renewal, noting she is not at liberty to discuss specific personnel issues. LaRue's contract expires June 30.

Superintendents must notify employees within 90 days of the start of the next school year if their contract is not being renewed.

LaRue, who taught English 30 years at the high school, is in his first year as principal. He may choose to return to the classroom this fall. He was not available for comment Wednesday morning.

Superintendent Hargis will post the job opening within the next couple of weeks. She does not anticipate filling the position by July 1, the start of the next fiscal year.

Site based councils are responsible for interviewing principal candidates recommended by the superintendent. Hargis said the council elected earlier this month will not complete training soon enough to interview and hire a principal by July 1.

It is possible that the superintendent will hire an interim principal to serve in the school's top position until the school council receives its training and begins the interview process.