EKB News

Scattered power outages remain throughout the region today as a result of Tuesday's storms that included the first tornado in Harlan since weather records have been kept, said Meteorologist John Pelton of the National Weather Service office in Jackson. The Harlan twister was rated EF0, the minimum rating for a tornado, with top winds of 75 mph, Pelton said Friday. The tornado struck Harlan about 10 p.m. on Tuesday and stayed on the ground for three-tenths of a mile. There were no injuries reported as a result of the mountain tornado, according to the NWS.

One person pled guilty and another was sentenced on drug trafficking charges in Perry County Circuit Court yesterday according to Commonwealth’s Attorney Teresa Combs Reed. 55 year old Lester Collins, of Busy, pled guilty to two counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance before Circuit Judge William Engle III.
Collins sold methadone to a cooperating witness for $60 on September 12, 2006, and again on September 13, 2006 according UNITE Prosecutor Bruce Herald. The commonwealth recommended Collins be sentenced to 10 years, serving four in jail with the remainder probated for a period of five years. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 10. Judge Engle sentenced 27-year-old Cathy Maggard of Combs to five years on one count of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. According to UNITE, Maggard sold OxyContin to an undercover police officer in November of 2004.

If you missed part two of our interview with Bronze Star recipient Army LTC Roy Downey this afternoon then be sure to listen to our EKB Morning News Casts tomorrow to catch it! LTC Downey speaks on how our troops perceive the political climate here at home and talks in depth about some of the accomplishments of our military in the troubled Middle East region.

East Kentucky Broadcasting News had the very special honor today of speaking with Army LTC Roy Downey, who arrived back in Pikeville last night after spending close to 13 months over seas serving predominantly in Afghanistan. LTC Downey, who served with the 10th Mountain Brigade, 82nd Air Borne and the Army’s Third Infantry division, was the recipient of several high honors including a Combat Action medal and a Bronze Star. If you missed our news cast this afternoon you can hear the first of the two part interview with LTC Downey tomorrow morning on all the EKB Stations.

Heavy rain and strong winds moved through the region last night, giving an evening guard at a local mining company quit a scare. Shortly after 10 o’clock last night the island Creek Volunteer Fire Department was called to the Fools Gold number 7 mine owned by Central Appalachian Mining after receiving a report that a trailer had tumbled over a hillside and collapsed according to Randy Courtney Fire Chief of the Island Creek Fire Department.

The night watch man, John Daniels was treated on the scene and then transported to Pikeville Medical Center for further evaluation. Island Creek Fire Department was assisted on the scene by Pike County Emergency management as well as first responders from DHP ambulance service.