EKB News

The population in West Virginia grew by two-tenths of a percent in the year ending July 1st. Census Bureau estimates show the state increased population by 3,336 residents to 1.81 million.

This ranks West Virginia as the 45th fastest growing state in the nation.

Only two states lost population...Michigan dipped by three-tenths of a percent...Rhode Island had a decrease of four-tenths of a percent.

Nevada is the fastest-growing state, with a population increase of 2.9%, to 2.6 million.

Even though the fall fire season ended days ago, Foresters say several fires were reported, and most of them are in Pike County.

They believe the fires started because people were burning their Christmas garbage too close to the woods.

They tell us the fires are under control. Although there are no burning restrictions now, Foresters warn not to burn near the woods becanuse dry and windy conditions could cause more fires.

According to numbers released by the United States Energy Information Administration, coal production in Kentucky dropped by 5.2 percent in 2007.

Kentucky coal miners mined 110.8 million tons of coal.

Coal production in Virginia dropped by 10 percent, While production in West Virginia increased by nearly one percent.

Wyoming, the nation's biggest producer mined 433.1 million tons of coal.

Coal production declined nationwide by 1.4 percent.

The West Virginia State Fire Marshal is investigating two house fires that occurred this week at Beech Creek.

No was injured, however officials believe that the blazes are suspicious.

The Beech Creek Volunteer Fire Department responded to both fires.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear announced Thursday that at the current spending pace the state would run out of money before the end of June.

Beshear said the state has a budget shortfall of $434 million.

The governor says he will announce spending cuts next week.

The state's $18 billion budget for this fiscal year assumed revenue growth by 4.5 percent over the past year. The actual growth was .9%.

Last week Beshear rescinded pay raises that had been given to to members of the Kentucky Parole Board by former Gov. Ernie Fletcher.

Longtime Assistant Pike County Attorney Roland Case remains in serious but stable condition in the ICU unit of a Lexington hospital after becoming ill while visiting family members in Louisville on Christmas Eve.

Case checked himself into a Louisville hospital. He then was transported to Lexington.

Case is being hospitalized due to a ruptured gallbladder.

Case handles the affairs of the Pike County Fiscal Court.

An Elkhorn City woman pleaded not guilty to theft and drug charges Thursday morning in Pike County Circuit Court.

Pikeville City Police say that Stephanie L. Coleman was involved in a single vehicle accident Wednesday.

According to the police report, Coleman allegedly was driving her vehicle on the wrong side of the road before crashing into a concrete barrier. The accident occurred on Rt 3496.

Three passengers were in the vehicle. One had to be transported to a local hospital.

Coleman was allegedly in possession of drugs. She also admitted to stealing a license plate from her sister's vehicle.

Coleman faces several charges. Bond was set at $ 30,000.

The latest figures by the EIA indicated that despite coal production declining this past year in the United States, production actually rose slightly in West Virginia.

Coal production in 2007 fell by 1.4 percent nationwide.

West Virginia produced 148.2 million tons for a slight increase of 0.9 %. The Mountain State was the nation’s second – largest coal producer.

Wyoming is the leading coal producer in the U.S. with 433.1 million tons, that is an increase of 1.6 %.Across Appalachia coal production declined by 3.6 % to 364.6 million tons Coal production dipped in Kentucky by five percent.

U.S. coal producers faced weak demand from electric utilities and low coal prices for much of the year.

The Kentucky General Assembly convenes Jan 8th. It appears that residents in the 95th House District and the 30th Senate District won’t have representation for the first month of the legislative session.

Governor Steve Beshear is expected to announce a special election for both districts on Friday.

By state law , a special legislative session can occur on a Tuesday at least 35 days after the governor sets the date. If Beshear calls for the special election by Friday, the earliest that it can occur is 2008.

The 95th House district seat became vacant when (D) Brandon Spencer abruptly resigned. Attorney general Greg Stumbo says that he will run for the vacancy. The 95th House Seat includes Floyd County.

The 30th Senate Seat was vacated by Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo. That district includes Bell, Harlan, Leslie and Perry counties.

Governor Steve Beshear has called Kentucky's state budget situation "beyond serious". He has called a news conference for today in Frankfort.

He plans a message to the public next week about the situation. Some in state government have been advised to prepare for possible cuts.

The Directors of the Pikeville Homeless Shelter say the number of residents has doubled from what it was this time last year.

They say the major increase is among young men. They believe these young men are seeking help for their problems.

The Directors say they make sure residents have a job and a place to live before they leave the Shelter.

Kentucky Congressman Hal Rogers announced Wednesday $ 2.5 million dollars in additional funding for the Interstate 66 project. The proposed roadway would run through southern and eastern Kentucky.

The money would be used for continued planning and right of way acquisition in the Pike County and Somerset to London segments.

Since 1998, Rogers has secured over $ 90 million dollars in federal funding for I-66.

Candidates in Mingo County that are interested in running for public office are reminded that the filing period for the May 2008 Primary election will begin Jan 14th and run through Jan 26th.

The seats of William Duty and Mitchell Chapman are up on the bipartisan Mingo County Board of Education. The local board is not allowed to make major decisions of its own due to the state board being in local control.

The following county offices are up for grabs :Circuit Judge, Assessor, Prosecutor, Commission, Family Court Judge and all three county Magistrates

Workforce Kentucky has released the latest unemployment data for November.

The jobless rate fell in 106 counties including Pike and surrounding areas.


Pike 5.1 % = - .3%

Johnson 5.5 % = - . 2 %

Floyd 5.9 % = - . 3 %

Martin 6.7 % = - . 5 %

Magoffin 8.5 % = - .2 %

Clay County’s jobless figure of 9.2 % was the highest. Magoffin and Wolfe counties were third and fourth respectively

Woodford County had the lowest at 3.4 %.

Kentucky’s unemployment rate was 4.6 %.

A lawmaker in the West Virginia House of Delegates plans to introduce a bill next month that attracts more teachers to the Mountain State.

Delegate Larry Williams wants to introduce a bill that would exempt qualifying teachers from paying state income taxes when they work in areas of critical need. The state needs more teachers in math, science, world languages and special education.

Despite recent pay raises by the legislature, West Virginia has a tough time keeping qualified teachers inside its borders because educators can receive higher pay from neighboring states.

State Superintendent of Schools Steve Paine says that he supports the idea.

According to the Kentucky State Police nine people died on Kentucky’s roadways during the Christmas holiday period.

All of the fatalities were traveling in motor vehicles and four of the victims were not wearing seat belts. One of the fatalities was the result of alcohol. None of the accidents occurred in our listening area..

Thus far 842 people have lost their lives on Kentucky’s roadways during 2007. This is 59 fewer than reported for this time period in 2006.

29 indictments were issued by the November Pike County Grand Jury. The following are the list of names and charges. Remember an indictment doesn’t mean guilt, it is merely an accusation. Crimes range from flagrant nonsupport to theft by unlawful taking.

Stephen Varney, 28, Delbarton, WV : accused of receiving stolen property.

David Hicks, 34 , burglary second degree (class C felony), fourth degree assault( class A misdemeanor.

Nancy M. Blackburn, 52, Pikeville : theft by unlawful taking ( class D felony )

John W. Hall, 29, Pikeville : theft by unlawful taking ( class D felony )

James L. Blankenship, 39, Jefferson City, Tn : receiving stolen property ( class D felony), possession of controlled substance third degree ( class A misdmeanor ).

James Barnette III, 28, McRoberts : theft by unlawful taking ( class D Felony )

Amanda Mullins, 22, McRoberts : theft by unlawful taking {class D felony )

Both Barnette and Mullins are accused of stealing a coal truck belonging to Ronnie Long.

Michael Crager, 32, Wheelwright : flagrant nonsupport ( class D felony ) accused of not paying child support for six consecutive months.

Claude Mullins, 36, Flatgap : flagrant nonsupport ( class D felony ) accused of not paying child support for six consecutive months.

James E. Morris, 31, Naugatuck, WV : flagrant nonsupport ( class D felony ) accused of not paying child support for six consecutive months.

Ritchie Damron , 40, Regina : flagrant nonsupport ( class D felony) accused of not paying child support for six months.

Nathan Dunn, 36, Salem, VA : flagrant nonsupport ( class D felony) accused of not paying child support for six months.

Christopher Cline , 35, Falmouth : flagrant nonsupport ( class D felony ) accused of not paying child support for six months.

William T. Chaney, 35, Williamson, WV : flagrant nonsupport ( class D felony ) accused of not paying child support for six months.

Tracey Kelly, 29, Kenvir : flagrant nonsupport ( class D felony ) accused of not paying child support for six months.

William Allen , 35, Phelps : flagrant nonsupport ( class D felony ) accused of not paying child support for six consecutive

James R. Beatty , 55, Columbus, OH : flagrant support ( class D felony ) accused of paying child support for six consecutive months.

Robert G. Thornsbury, 30, Florence, S.C. : flagrant nonsupport ( class D felony ) accused of not paying child support for six consecutive months.

Ralph G. West Jr , 33, Dandridge, TN : flagrant nonsupport ( class D felony ) accused of not paying child support for six consecutive months.

Anthony J. Varney, 31, Kimper : flagrant nonsupport ( class D felony) accused of not paying child support for six consecutive months.

Kenneth Tackett, 28, Virgie, flagrant nonsupport ( class D felony ) accused of not paying child support for six consecutive months

Evaresto Valdelamer, 26 Williamson , WV : first degree robbery (class B felony ), criminal attempt to commit kidnapping ( class D felony )

Sherri D Wilkerson, 27, Williamson, WV : criminal facilitation to commit robbery first degree.

Valdelamar is accused of committing a robbery at the Super 8 Motel in South Williamson and is also accused of unlawfully restraining a female after committing the initial crime.

Wilkerson is accused of aiding Valdelamar in the robbery of the Super 8 Motel.

John M. King : flagrant nonsupport ( class D felony ) accused of not paying child support for six consecutive months.

Timothy Howell, 34, Stopover : flagrant nonsupport ( class D felony ) accused of not paying child support for six consecutive months.

Arick Parsons, 32, Mansfield, OH : flagrant nonsupport ( class D felony ) accused of not paying child support for six consecutive months.

Christopher Brian Norman, 29 , Dorton : flagrant nonsupport ( class D felony ) accused of not paying child support for six consecutive months.

Dwayne M. Justice, 37, Kathleen, FL : flagrant nonsupport ( class D felony ) accused of not paying child support for six consecutive months.

Kentucky drug task forces are facing serious budget restrictions. A bill slashing their funding has passed through Congress and President Bush is expected to sign it.

According to a task force spokesperson, the office budgets would cut by as much as 68%.

Operation Unite will not be affected by the bill. However, the cut could result in the loss of four to six agencies in Kentucky.

According to estimates from the Kentucky Narcotics Officers' Association, national funding for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program is expected to be cut from
$520-million to $170-million.

Hundreds of striking Kentucky and West Virginia nurses got a huge Christmas present this year.

The calls back to work will begin on Monday (12-31), and more nurses are scheduled to return by the end of the week. Patients say they're relieved the nurses will be back soon.

Paul Amburgey of Pike County entered a "not guilty" plea in Pike Circuit Court to charges of first-degree sodomy, incest and four counts of first-degree sexual abuse.

Amburgey is currently serving a 20-year sentence for raping an 8-year old girl who had been placed in foster care with he and his wife Dottie.


He also has been indicted for sexually abusing a different child, forced sexual intercourse and sexual contact with a child he knew to be a descendant.

Pikeville City Police responded to an armed robbery complaint at the Subway restaurant Saturday night.

Employees of Subway recognized the male subject as a former emplyee, and identified him a Michael R, Gannon.

Officers were led to Gannon's mother's residence at Carl D. Perkins apartment. They located Gannon at the home, and he was taken into custody without incidence. Gannon admitted to the robbery and an undisclosed amount of money from the robbery was retrieved.

Community leaders from the Fifth Congressional District were elected to the 2008 Board of Directors for Leadership Kentucky, the premier statewide leadership development organization in the Commonwealth.

Three are from Pike County...Karen Engle, President of Operation UNITE and Eastern Kentucky PRIDE...Donovan Blackburn, Manager, City of Pikeville...Darrell Maynard, Owner of SouthEast Telephone.

700 nurses represented by the Kentucky/West Virginia Nurses’ Association voted to approve a new contract from representatives of Appalachian Regional Healthcare.

The ratification ends a three month long strike.

The new contract begins immediately and runs through April 2011. Recall starts immediately with 350 nurses returning across the nine ARH hospital system by the end of January, and the remainder of the nurses be recalled by the end of March.

Terms of the contract have not been disclosed.