Producer: Tom Thurman
Videographer: Walter Brock
Audio: Arthur Rouse
Editor: Bruce Ogden

Warren Oates

A life of character

When character actor and Kentucky native Warren Oates died in 1982, our state lost one of its most distinctive artists. Although he was rarely given a leading role, Oates became one of Hollywood’s most dependable and recognizable talents during the 1960s and ’70s.

Born in 1928 in the old mining town of Depoy in Muhlenberg County, Oates went to high school and college in Louisville and served in the Marines. He headed to New York in the 1950s to pursue an acting career, then migrated to Los Angeles. Oates appeared in dozens of Westerns on film and TV, including several episodes of Gunsmoke.

His big breakthrough came with his role as one of the Hammond brothers in the 1962 Sam Peckinpah masterpiece Ride the High Country. That film began a long working relationship between actor and director. Oates played a member of an aging outlaw gang in Peckinpah’s classic Western The Wild Bunch in 1969 and had the starring role in the cult classic Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia in 1974.

We listen to some of the actor’s closest friends, relatives and admirers discuss his legacy, led by fellow Kentucky actor Ned Beatty.

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For more information:
• The United Schutzhund Clubs of America are dedicated to preverving the German shepherd’s working dog heritage through Schutzhund training.
• The Kennels of St. Francis in Verona can give you information about Vom Reichtal German shepherds.

Producer: Valerie Trimble
Videographer: Amelia Cutadean, Matt Grimm, David Dampier
Audio: Brent Abshear
Editor: Jim Piston

Championship dogs

The best in the world

It’s not every day that a crowd of top-dog athletes comes to town to prove their worth. We take you to Florence in Northern Kentucky for a prestigious worldwide Schutzhund competition, which tests the abilities of German Shepherd dogs in tracking, protection and obedience.

The World Schutzhund Trials for German Shepherd Dogs are the canine equivalent of the World Equestrian Games. Schutzhund means protection dog in German, and the program was developed specifically for the German Shepherd dog but is not restricted to that breed.

While many dog owners are familiar with obedience training, the protection phase of the Schutzhund competition tests the dog’s courage as well as agility. The exercises include a search of hiding places, finding a hidden person (acting as a human decoy), and guarding that decoy while the handler approaches.

There are over 200 local Schutzhund clubs in America, including one in Northern Kentucky. We talk with Troy Harden of Newport and Lyle Roetemeyer, president of the United Schutzhund Clubs of America, about their activities. A dog that performs well in Schutzhund work is often a good candidate for police work, and we visit with Dave Robinson, retired K-9 supervisor, Boone County Sheriff’s Department, to talk about the amazing potential of these dogs.

Watch This Story (7:00)

For more information:
• Mill Springs Battlefield Museum, 9020 W. Ky. Hwy. 80, Nancy, KY 42544, (606) 636-4045

Producer: Dave Shuffett
Videographers: Joy Flynn, Brandon Wickey, Dave Shuffett
Editor: Jay Akers

Victorious

Mill Springs Battlefield and Museum

Prior to January 1862 the Civil War wasn’t going so well for the Union. President Lincoln and his generals were plagued with surprising defeats—until a cold day in January in the Western theatre of Kentucky. It was a small battle in comparison to many but a mighty victory for the Union.

In the hills of Pulaski County, the Battle of Mill Springs brought a much needed win tor the Federals. The casualties were in the hundreds, and included Confederate Gen. Felix K. Zollicoffer, who was shot dead from his horse.

The Mill Springs Battlefield Visitors Center and Museum overlooks the battlefield where Union forces camped. The museum contains letters, diary entries and other materials to help guests learn about the soldiers who fought there. The building is located beside the Mill Springs National Cemetery, itself an historic site. Dave Shuffett takes us there.

Watch This Story (7:47)