EKB News

Over 300 volunteers are working this week to construct two habitat houses at Robinson Heights. The 29 acre subdivision is located about a mile north of Coal Run.

The home that will be occupied by Jason and Jessica Herd is being constructed by the United Methodist Church Association Prestonsburg District. Over 250 members from 51 churches have gave a helping hand.

The home for Mark and Kim Howell is being constructed by female volunteers from around the region over seventy- five people have donated time thus far.

The new owners will be given keys to their new homes during a special presentation Saturday afternoon at 3pm.

West Virginia experienced its fifth mining fatality this past weekend. Robert D. Fraley, 53, of Boone County died in a mining accident this weekend. The fatality occurred at the Mountain Laurel Complex located at Sharples. The mine is owned by the Mingo Logan Coal Company, a subsidiary of Arch Coal. Fraley's body was found Sunday at the bottom of a 300 foot mine shaft. MSHA is still investigating the mishap.

The Academy for Mine Training and Energy Technologies at Southern West Virginia Community and Technicalm College will be making a monumental announcement concerning future plans for mine rescue and safety in West Virginia. The press conference will be held a t 11:00 a.m. in the Savas-Kostas Theatre.

Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin will be making the official announcement.

Groundbreaking Ceremonies will be held Tuesday morning at 10 am for the new Mullins School. The multimillion dollar facility will be constructed next to Pike Central High School. When the new school is built the current building that houses Mullins will be converted into an alternative school.

The Shelby Valley High School Marching Band captured the class AA Division and third place overall in a band competition this past weekend that was held in Hazard. Shelby Valley . Twenty-two bands from around the state competed.

Band Director Robert Scheeler told us that he is proud of his 29 members. Laurel County won the overall competition followed by Estill.

Two Shelby Valley High School Football players remain hospitalized at the University of Kentucky Hospital following last Friday’s serious single vehicle accident that occurred on Robinson Creek.

A spokeswoman at UK told us this afternoon that Anthony Damron is reported to be in good condition. Cory Mullins whom remains in ICU, has been upgraded from serious to fair condition.

Both students are juniors. The school held a special service this morning as both students and faculty came together and held a prayer service.

Also students at the school collected $350.00. The money will be used to make baskets for both the boys and there families.

Head football coach Kevin Saunders says that the accident has not just effected his program, but the football community of the region. The second year coach says that several coaches and players have contacted the school to offer get well wishes to both players.

Saunders added that Mullins and Damron are leaders both in the classroom and on the gridiron.

Timothy Neal Howard, 39, of McRoberts in Letcher County pleaded guilty in federal court with his invovment in a Floyd County multimillion dollar drug ring.

Howard pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine.

Howard is facing up to 10 years behind bars and he has agreed to forfeit more than $5,000 seized during a raid on his home.

So far 11 people have been arrested with their alleged involvement in the drug ring. They include Virgie residents Steve Tackett and Loucilla Thornsbury.

The Kentucky State Police say that two students that were behind a bomb threat at Sheldon Clark High School face 2nd degree terroristic threatning. The incident occurred Friday morning at 10:20 am. One of the students gave a note to a assistant principal, the student said that the found the note. The note said that a bomb was in the school and it would detonate at 10:50am. The school was evacuated no device was found. The KSP said that further investigaion led back to the student that found the note. A similar letter was found in his book bag. A second student was also involved. Bomb threats are no stranger to the school. Similar threats were maded against the school last year.

Cory Mullins and Anthony Damron remain patients at the University of Kentucky Hospital recuperating from injuries that they sustained in a serious single vehicle accident Friday evening at Robinson Creek.

According to a spokeswoman at UK, Mullins remains in serious but stable condition in the trauma ICU. Damron is listed in fair condition.

The two Shelby Valley High School students are members of the football team. Mullins and Damron are both juniors.