EKB News

A WV man accused of murdering a Stopover man has accepted a plea deal from the commonwealth and entered a guilty plea to the charges. 30 year old Johnny Levi Prater of Newton was arrested in August in connection to the death of 35 year old Shane Hurley whose body was found in the tug fork river near Woodman Creek by an ATV Rider. Detectives believed that Prater intentionally killed Hurley by shooting him and placing his body in the river. Prater pleaded guilty to the murder charge this morning in front of Pike County Circuit judge Eddy Coleman. The Commonwealth Attorney’s office recommended a sentence of 20 years, which is the minimum he could receive on the charge. Formal sentencing in the case was set for March 9th at 10:00 am according to court officials.

Officers with Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement, The Kentucky State Police and the Pikeville Police Department partnered with the Pike County Health Department and Wal-Mart on Friday February 2, to educate parents on how to properly secure their children in various types of safety seats. The event was a precursor to the upcoming Child Passenger Safety Week which begins February 12th and runs through the 18th.

A Belfry man is behind bars this afternoon on charges that he threatened the life of an officer. 23 year old Gary B. Varney was taken into custody yesterday afternoon, after he allegedly caused a scene at the residence of Linda Varney. According to the arrest citation, Varney was extremely intoxicated and was causing problems. The homeowner requested that Varney be removed from the residence, which is when officers with the Kentucky State Police placed him in custody. Allegedly on the way to jail, Varney became disruptive and started hitting the cage in the cruiser with his fists and his head. The citation goes on to state that once in the jail, Varney made a reference to taking the officers weapon and shooting him with it, leading to charges of Criminal trespassing 3rd degree, criminal mischief 3rd degree and terroristic threatening 3rd degree. Varney was lodged at the Pike County detention center on a $5,000 dollar partially secured bond and is set to be released this evening. A pre-trial conference in the case has been scheduled for June 5th.

A coalition of advocacy groups said today that the state's retirement system is falling into financial peril and Gov. Ernie Fletcher should act "before we reach a crisis,” The groups, including the Kentucky League of Cities, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, said the spiraling cost of providing health insurance and pensions to retirees is a "train wreck waiting to happen." They have called on Fletcher to appoint a task force to recommend solutions and want lawmakers to spend the state's projected surplus shoring up the systems. Fletcher has already announced plans to appoint a panel to study the Kentucky Retirement Systems and has recommended spending at least $50 million of a projected $231 million surplus for the fiscal year that ends June 30.

A detention hearing was held yesterday morning in Pike County district court as two juveniles had their first court appearance after being accused of shooting several horses, killing three of them and wounding others. The Two high school students were charged Wednesday with criminal mischief and cruelty to animals as a result of the incident, which took place Thursday of last week. The hearing, held yesterday in front of Pike District Judge Darrell Mullins is granted to juveniles within 48 hours of them being taken into custody and allows a judge to decide whether those in custody will be released or held until their trial.
The Pike County Attorneys office had originally stated that it didn’t seem likely that the two would be prosecuted as adults; however a recently enacted law discovered by the County and Commonwealth Attorney’s office has lead officials to believe the two may be sent to adult court. According to the Statute, KRS 635.020 subsection 4, any child over the age of 14 who is in possession of a fire arm while committing a felony. Should a district court judge find that there is probable cause that the crime was committed through a preliminary hearing and sends the case to the grand jury; the grand jury will have the opportunity to indict the offender as an adult, resulting in the suspect’s prosecution in circuit court. A preliminary hearing date was unavailable however EKB news will continue to follow this story and keep you up date on all of the court proceedings.

A man will be facing several charges after being released from the hospital where he is currently receiving treatment for injuries sustained after a police chase came to an end with a single vehicle accident. According to the Pikeville Police department, an officer attempted to make a routine traffic stop on a vehicle traveling south bound on US 23 early on Thursday morning, when the vehicle refused to pull over.
Norman allegedly fled down US 23, turning on to US 460 towards Elkhorn when he was involved in a one vehicle collision.
According to police, Norman will be facing multiple charges after being released from the hospital as they took out warrants on him yesterday which included charges of fleeing and evading, wanton endangerment, driving under the influence and other traffic related charges. Norman was originally taken to Pikeville Medical Center and was later transferred to Cabell Huntington Hospital where he remains in fair condition.

Police have made an arrest in the case of an alleged horse murder in Elkhorn City. Pike County Sheriffs Deputies say seven horses were probably chased by a vehicle Thursday evening before they were shot. Three horses died from multiple gunshot wounds and four others were injured. Officers believe the suspects shot the horses with a .22 caliber gun and were chasing them in a vehicle. The horses are owned by an area woman according to deputies. Officers were notified Friday of the incident and made two arrests around 11 o’clock this morning. EKB news contacted the sheriff’s officer to obtain the details of the arrest however detectives working the case were on the scene and were unavailable for comment. Names of those apprehended today have yet to be released but we will have a full report tomorrow morning on EKB news.

*UPDATE: Police tell EKB news that the two arrested were juveniles. An interview with Pike County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Melvin Sayers detailing the gruesome manner in which these horses were slaughtered can be heard tomorrow morning on all of the stations of East Kentucky Broadcasting.

The Kentucky Intelligence Fusion Center today launched the “See Something, Say Something” statewide campaign; an effort aimed at improving crime prevention in Kentucky. The campaign urges citizens to report suspicious activity of any type to an anonymous toll-free tip line, 1-866-EYE-ON-KY (393-6659), or to local law enforcement tip lines. Things that state officials listed as suspicious activity include
People taking pictures or video of buildings, bridges or other locations; asking detailed questions about the schedules of public transportation; people seen loitering around non-public areas or watching a building for extended periods of time; Suspicious vehicles parked in unusual places or at unusual times.

A Louisville Millionaire some political observers thought might make a run for Governor, didn’t file candidacy papers before yesterday’s deadline, but did take aim at another high ranking republican from the bluegrass. Democrat Charlie Owen set his sights on US Senator Mitch McConnell yesterday stating that the people of Kentucky need to replace the senior senator. Owens’ not running for Governor and taking swipes at McConnell has lead some to believe that he may run against McConnell, who is up for re-election in 2008. Owen went through a laundry list of things he says that McConnell has done wrong on capital, including the piling up of a record national debt, while "doing nothing to fix a broken-down health care system" and failing to help the country keep up with the growing economies of China and India. When asked if he will enter the race against McConnell, Owen would only say that "if people in this state want to get serious, they better take note of some of this." McConnell's representatives declined to comment on Owen's charges.

The City of Pikeville and Pike County both received high honors yesterday during the fourth annual Roadside PRIDE Awards ceremony at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset. The city of Pikeville was awarded a 2nd Place trophy in the competition, which was held in October. The city competed against other cities with more than 3,000 residents and earned second place cleaning 42 miles of road. Pike County, for the second consecutive year, earned $1,000 for cleaning the most miles along a National Scenic Byway. The county cleaned 56 miles along U.S. 23. The pride program is an initiative started in 1997 by Congressman Hal Rogers providing government resources to local citizens as they work to clean up the region’s environment.

Two candidates entered the race for attorney general today, a day after the incumbent Attorney General Greg Stumbo announced he was taking a chance at higher office. Republican state Rep. Stan Lee of Lexington and Democrat Jack Conway of Louisville threw their names into an attorney general field that now tallies six - two Democrats and four Republicans. Stumbo, a Democrat in his first term, declared Monday he was foregoing a second term to serve as millionaire Bruce Lunsford's running mate. With hours left before today’s filing deadline, Lee announced his candidacy before filing the required paperwork making it official. Conway, who lost a tight congressional race to former U.S. Rep. Anne Northup in 2002, also filed Today.

Two candidates entered the race for attorney general today, a day after the incumbent Attorney General Greg Stumbo announced he was taking a chance at higher office. Republican state Rep. Stan Lee of Lexington and Democrat Jack Conway of Louisville threw their names into an attorney general field that now tallies six - two Democrats and four Republicans. Stumbo, a Democrat in his first term, declared Monday he was foregoing a second term to serve as millionaire Bruce Lunsford's running mate. With hours left before today’s filing deadline, Lee announced his candidacy before filing the required paperwork making it official. Conway, who lost a tight congressional race to former U.S. Rep. Anne Northup in 2002, also filed Today.

A Pikeville man is behind is behind bars and his brother is in the hospital after an alleged stabbing this morning. According to the Kentucky State police the incident started around 4:30 this morning after they received a call from Pikeville Medical Center regarding a stabbing that took place on Island Creek Road. Charles Worrix was admitted to the hospital as a result of an alleged stabbing by his brother 28 year old Timothy Worrix of Island Creek. Officers then responded to the Island Creek residence arresting Worrix on charges of assault 1st degree and tampering with evidence. Police also apprehended 26 year old Jill Roberts of Pikeville charging her with tampering with evidence. Charles Worrix was transported to the University of Kentucky Medical Center to be treated for his injuries.

A young couple was cited over the weekend after an officer with the Pikeville Police department caught them fornicating in the back seat of their vehicle. 19 year old Madeline D. Hall of Wise Virginia and 20 year old Joshua M. Adams of Volga were given written citations after Officer John Hunt of the Pikeville PD spotted the two in the back seat of car near the soccer field on Thompson RD. According to the citation, Hall was in possession of a revoked operator’s license and presented to it to the officer as if it was valid. Hall was charged with failure to surrender revoked operators license and possession of a canceled or fictitious license and both were charged with indecent exposure 2nd degree. In an ironic twist the two are scheduled for arraignment on February 14, in Pike County district court.

Authorities in Floyd County are asking for help from the public in finding a man suspected of robbing a local liquor store. Close to 11 o’clock Friday evening Police received a call from Newsome Wine and Spirits in the McDowell area with an employee stating that a male subject armed with a knife, wearing a green jacket and gray ski mask entered the store and demanded money. According to the clerk, the suspect left on foot with an undetermined amount of cash. A search of the area was conducted however police have yet to make an arrest and are looking to the public for clues. Anyone that may have information regarding the robbery is urged to contact the Kentucky State Police, who are being assisted in the investigation by Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement and the Floyd County Sheriffs office. The suspect was described as being around 5’8” and approximately 160 lbs. To report information to authorities you can call (606) 433-7711 or dial (800) 222-5555.

A wealthy businessman on Monday joined the already crowded Democratic race for governor, announcing his candidacy with a running mate who prosecuted Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher's hiring practices last year. Bruce Lunsford spent $8 million of his own money before dropping out of the last governor's race days before the primary. He also broke ranks with his fellow Democrats and endorsed Fletcher in the 2003 general election, but now says he considers that a mistake. Lunsford's running mate, Attorney General Greg Stumbo, led the investigation into the hiring practices of Fletcher's administration. Other candidates who have declared for the May 22 Democratic primary are state Treasurer Jonathan Miller, demolition contractor Otis Hensley, Lexington attorney Gatewood Galbraith, former lieutenant governors Steve Henry and Steve Beshear and House Speaker Jody Richards.