EKB News

Authorities continue to investigate fatal mobile home fire. The blaze occurred at 12:20 a.m. Saturday morning on Island Creek Road in Pikeville. Authorities have not identified the victim. When firefighters arrived on scene the mobile home was fully engulfed in flames.



Members from the Island Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Coal Run Volunteer Fire Department , State Fire Marshal, DHP Ambulance, Emergency Management and Kentucky State Police

Wednesday

6:30pm Allen Central 21-8 vs Johnson Central 12-18

8pm Phelps 20-6 vs East Ridge 16-12


Thursday

6:30pm Shelby Valley 23-4 vs Prestonsburg 9-18

8pm Paintsville 26-3 vs Belfry 16-14

Monday March 3rd


Johnson Central 22-6 vs Shelby Valley 19-11 6:30pm

Betsy Layne 17-9 vs Belfry 16-13 8pm


Tuesday March 4th

Pike Central 23-5 vs Paintsville 15 - 10 6:30 pm
Pikeville 17-9 vs Allen Central 8-17 8pm

According To Pike County 911 a single vehicle accident has occurred at the foot of Phelps Mountain. According to reports power lines have fallen around the vehicle. The Phelps Volunteer Fire Department is on route.

On the 54th day of the 60 day 2008 Legislative Session, the House and Senate observe what is commonly called, "cross over" day.
Simply stated, all Senate bills must be passed out of the Senate and voted upon by midnight on the 54th day, else the bills cannot be considered without a special resolution passed by two thirds of the members of each house. The same rule applies for the House of Delegates, that by the 54th day they must pass all House bills and send them to the Senate before midnight. During the last week of the regular session, each house considers the other’s bills. Thus, we are now only considering House bills for passage in the Senate and the House is only considering Senate bills.
The 54th crossover day this year was extremely productive for West Virginia and particularly Southern West Virginia. The Severance Tax Bill contained in Senate Bill 735 which I sponsored, was unanimously passed by the Senate Finance Committee and on the Senate floor Wednesday evening by a margin of 23 to 10.
This bill will pay fifty thousand dollars for every 1 million dollars of severance tax sent to Charleston by that particular county. For example, Mingo County pays approximately twenty-six million dollars in severance taxes from coal, oil, timber, gas and other minerals each year and thus, would receive $1.3 million in return. This money would go to improve the lives of those residing in the counties for such needs as infrastructure, recreational purposes and/or senior citizens.
Several other important measures were likewise passed this year including bills dealing with firemen and policemen’s pensions, deputy sheriff’s retirement, school employee’s personal leave, issuing tuition waivers for children and spouses serving in the National Guard and military services, mandating hunter-safety programs in public schools; and one that I am very proud of, establishing a Uniforms Incentive Plan pilot program for schools within our state.
The School Uniform Incentive Program will allow the first ten schools that apply to receive a grant of $10,000 each to establish a pilot program whereby school uniforms will be implemented in that school. As you know, with the current prices of clothing, groceries, gas and other necessities, I suggest it is past time that we adopt a School Uniform Policy whereby children will not have to compete with their peers regarding their clothing, and thus, there would be no distractions by some of the articles of clothing now being worn by certain individuals.
The cost of school uniforms will be drastically less expensive than a complete wardrobe, and will provide discipline, dedication to school work and relieve peer-pressure when it comes to certain types and brands of clothing worn by fellow students. Remember the military. The first thing that happens to you is an appropriate haircut and uniform. I hope you agree with this bill and if so, please let my office know and I will pass your decision along to the rest of the Senate.
Another important bill that passed on crossover day was a bill called the Castle Doctrine, and it simply relates to the use of reasonable force in defense of self, real and personal property. As they say, our home is indeed our castle and we should always have a right to bear arms and use reasonable force in defense of one’s self, family, real and personal property.
An important bill for the state was the establishment of a West Virginia Research Trust Fund whereby Marshall and West Virginia University will be endowed with fifty million dollars to attract and keep in the WV Workforce, top trained and educated individuals for the betterment of all aspects of life in West Virginia.
We also appointed an additional judge in three judicial districts, including two in the 6th Senatorial District, one each in Mercer and Wayne Counties. Mingo County was also in line to have an additional judge, but during consultation with Circuit Judge Michael Thornsbury, he indicated that he did not desire to have a second judge in the 30th Judicial Circuit.
We also authorized the school building authority to issue one hundred million dollars in bonds to be paid by the state excess lottery fund, providing some twenty-six million dollars for construction of schools in the Southern part of West Virginia.
We are considering passage of a bill relating to the threat of use of a firearm or other deadly weapon as an element of first degree robbery, a bill law enforcement officers fully support.
We have spent many hours leading up to the 54th day, and as we break for the weekend, more long hours lie ahead before the session adjourns at midnight on Saturday, March 8th.
I am very proud of many fine accomplishments thus far during this legislative session including the appropriation of thousands of dollars for the 6th Senatorial District - and particularly the passage of the Severance Bill.
"The roots of happiness grows deepest in the soil of service."
I am honored to be of service to the citizens of West Virginia and also pay a special tribute to my two fine house colleagues, Delegates Harry Keith White, House Finance Chairman and Douglas Steve Kominar who also know that happiness is the dividend of service.
I remind you to contact my office if you have any questions or comments regarding current legislation. You may reach me by calling 304-357-7870 or 7808.

More than 22,000 Kentuckians are diagnosed with cancer each year, and nearly 10,000 Kentuckians die from the dreaded affliction. It is a terrible human toll, but one that can be reduced through early detection and treatment. The Senate passed two bills this week aimed at making sure every Kentuckian is able to get the tests and treatment they need for some of the most common and deadly forms of cancer.

Senate Bill 96 would require all health insurance plans to cover colorectal screenings for those over 50, as well as anyone at increased risk. These preventive screenings, including colonoscopies, can detect colon cancer in its early stages, saving lives and money. Kentucky men have the highest rate of colon cancer in the nation, and Kentucky women are not far behind. Once this legislation is enacted, we are hopeful our citizens will take advantage of these opportunities.

Senate Bill 98, meanwhile, would make sure that all Kentucky women have access to breast and cervical cancer treatment. The bill allows Medicaid to cover cancer therapies for uninsured Kentuckians, even those not otherwise eligible for Medicaid.

As we continue to examine ways to help Kentuckians, we approved legislation that will help improve our veterans' access to benefits. Senate Bill 142 would create a database of programs available to veterans and their families. The bill would also create a database of information on veterans themselves so that eligible veterans could be contacted about programs for them. As it stands now, the state has no way of letting our veterans know directly about the benefits for which they qualify. As much as we have tried to expand their opportunities, they do no good if our brave men and women cannot take advantage of them. SB 142 would also increase the number of veterans' benefits field representatives and regional administrators to help make people aware of what is available to them.

This week's session came to a somber close with the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Prestonsburg School Bus Crash of 1958, still considered the deadliest highway accident involving children in the United State's history. Only the Carrollton school bus crash of 1988 equals the accident as the deadliest in the nation.

En route to school that cold, cloudy February morning, a school bus loaded with 48 students never arrived. The bus collided with a tow truck, swerved and hit a parked car, and then plunged into the icy water of the Big Sandy River. Twenty-six children, ranging in age from 8 to 17, and the bus driver died in what is still remembered as one of the deadliest school bus crashes in history.

The incident touched not only residents of Prestonsburg and Floyd County, but also residents across the Commonwealth. Because of this tragedy, we have enacted stiffer school bus regulations and have emergency and rescue squads across the state. After a search for children that lasted 69 days, Floyd County was prompted to establish the state's first emergency and rescue squad, which was recently honored with a national award.

Dustin May - Belfry
Jordan Hairston - Belfry
B.K. Farley - Belfry
Dillon Stiltner - Phelps
Charlie Hunt - Phelps
Michael Boyd Thompson - Pike Central
Tyler Hamilton - Pike Central
Jordan Friend - Piarist
Caleb Hoskins - Piarist

Phelps won championship by defeating Belfry 72-69

Holly Harris - Pike Central
A.D. Slone - Pike Central
Kayla Lowe - Pike Central
Shae Deskins - Belfry
Marissa Pruitt - Belfry
Kaitlyn Hall - Phelps
Jasmine Hall - Phelps
Robyn Warrix - Piarist

Pike Central defeated Belfry for the championship 70-52

Police in Morehead are offering $2,500 for information leading to the arrest of 23-year old fugitive Brandon McWain.

A Rowan County grand jury handed down indictments December 21, after police say on October 22, McWain and an accomplice..already incarcerated in the Rowan County Detention Center on a $75,000 full cash bond, invaded the homes of Dale Kelsy and Darlene Caskey.

Caskey was allegedly forced into a closet while her home was burglarized and set on fire. The two were indicted on charges of first-degree arson and second-degree burglary.

The Kentucky House of Representatives approved legislation causing people in positions of authority over children to face felony charges for having sexual contact of any kind with anyone under the age of 18.

The bill increases the statute of limitations on criminal charges to five years after a victim's eighteenth birthday, and, ups the penalty for those not reporting abuse to the proper authorities.

Kentucky State Police say 44-year old James R. Bevins of Pikeville was killed Thursday when he ran into the rear end of an 18-wheeler owned by Ramco Trucking Company.

Bevins was pronounced dead at the scene fy Floyd County Deputy Coroner Roger Rowe. The accident ocurred at Martin Hill on KY80 in Floyd County.

The Kentucky Fire Marshall's Office and the Kentucky State Polie are investigating a deadly house fire which ocurred just before 9:00am yesterday (Thursday). The fire happened in Millard, and firegighters discovered the unidentified body nearly two hours later.

The victim's body was sent to Frankfort for autopsy.

A trust fund and related program to cover burial or cremation costs for impoverished Kentucky veterans would be established under a bill that passed the House 95-0 today.

House Bill 227, sponsored by Rep. Charles Siler, R-Williamsburg, would establish the trust fund and related Indigent Veterans' Burial Program for veterans who qualify. The trust fund would be administered by the Kentucky Department of Veterans' Affairs.

"It ensures that no Kentucky veteran who has been honorably discharged would be without a proper burial," Siler said.

HB 227 does not include an appropriation, although it does allow the state, federal government and other public or private sources to contribute to the fund. The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.

Prisoners would be tested for HIV/AIDS at least 30 days before their release under a plan approved by the Senate today.

Senate Bill 50, sponsored by Senate Majority Caucus Chair Dan Seum, R-Louisville, would require the inmates and their spouses to be given the results of the test so that they could protect themselves in the future, Seum said. He added that 200 HIV-positive inmates are released from Kentucky prisons each year.

The bill, which passed 32-1, now moves to the House for its consideration.

The parents of Megan Williams say they are frustrated with Logan County Prosecutor Brian Abraham.

Megan, a black woman, was allegedly tortured by six white men and women at a Big Creek home last year.

Matthew and Carmen Williams says that they would like to see harsher penalties for those that have already pleaded guilty .

The family says that they are amazed that 49 year-old Frankie Brewster only faces 10-25 years in prison for her involvement. The Williams’ wants a life sentence. Prosecutor Brian Abraham says that with Brewster’s age her sentence could mean life.

Logan County Prosecuting Attorney Brian Abraham has received word that he has been called back up for active duty in the Army Reserve. Abraham will report to Fort Campbell, Kentucky on March 5th.

Abraham who is a Captain in the military does not know where his deployment will take him.

Abraham did not file for re-election.

When he was deployed over two years ago in Iraq he kept in contact with his office.

Robert Ilderton will take over as chief assistant.

Mingo, Logan and twelve other southern West Virginia counties received a FEMA grant from the Food and Shelter Program totaling $ 260,434. The announcement came from Congressman Nick Rahall.

Mingo County’s share will be $ 11, 331, Logan $ 14,924.

The Emergency Food and Shelter program funds can be used to supplement food, shelter, rent, mortgage, and utility assistance program for people with non-disaster related emergencies.

A Williamson man will be incarcerated for one year after pleading guilty to two counts of grand larceny.
John Acord must also pay a $1,000 fine.

The final section of US 119 in Pike County will officially open to traffic on Monday, March 3. Please watch for removal of the existing lane closures on the northbound and southbound lanes. This will indicate the official opening of the roadway.

“The speed limit is 55,” cautioned Danl L. Hall, PE, Chief District Engineer, “and there definitely will be a focus by law enforcement on this section of highway. We urge motorists to observe the speed limit and to make sure they and their passengers use their seatbelts.”

“We are excited about the opening of this final section of US 119 in Pike County,” said Mary Westfall-Holbrook, Construction Branch Manager for Highway District 12. “The trip from West Virginia to Pike County and all of Eastern Kentucky will be faster, safer, and more enticing than ever. However, motorists need to be aware that work will continue in this area. Northbound and southbound lane closures will remain in place until all of the median work is finished. Again, just be cautious as you drive through this section until you become familiar with the new road way.”

Paxton Weddington, Resident Engineer for the US 119 project, said that people have been “mostly patient,” although he pointed out that the contractor actually finished the work ahead of schedule. “It’s hard when people see new asphalt and what looks like a finished highway. They wonder why they can’t drive on it. There are dozens of other things that go into road-building besides leveling a road bed and putting down blacktop. In fact, if people are really interested in the road-building process, they can view a more detailed description at our website, http://www.planning.kytc.ky.gov/images/publicdiagram_new.pdf .”

Chief Hall said he is happy the road will be open to traffic and pointed out that this is a milestone in the road-building history of the United States as well as Kentucky . “This is an APD road, which means it is part of the Appalachian Regional Commission’s system of highway corridors that were first approved by the United States Congress in the late 1960s as part of a long-term effort to make Appalachia accessible to the rest of America – and to let our fellow citizens outside this region discover that some of the most beautiful country and most interesting people are Appalachian Americans.”

Hall said that a formal ribbon-cutting celebration will be held in the late spring or early summer, when the weather is more predictable.

Pike County will do its part to help celebrate a decade of Great American Cleanup initiatives as officials prepare for Commonwealth Cleanup Week beginning on March 23 and running until March 29.

Mike Lyons, Pike County Deputy Commissioner of Solid Waste, is hoping the weeklong effort will see many local citizens become interested and take part.

“I want to encourage volunteers and anyone who would be interested to join us,” Lyons said. “The more we have helping, the better the end results.”

The event was implemented by the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet (EPPC), with the Commonwealth Cleanup Week kicking off the national effort, which spans from March until May.

“The purpose of the cleanup is to provide Kentucky communities an opportunity to spring clean, recycle and promote responsibility,” added Lyons.

A number of agencies are involved in the cleanup across both Pike County and the rest of the state including county solid waste coordinators, Keep America Beautiful, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

A Boyd County jury has returned a guilty verdict for a woman found responsible in the death of a former Pikeville College baseball player.

Tracy Dawn Arthur was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter that resulted in the death of 23 year-old Travis A. Hall.

Arthur was driving impaired when the vehicle she was operating struck Hall’s vehicle head on in July of last year. The accident occurred in Boyd County.

The jury has recommended Arthur serve seven years. She would be eligible for parole after serving 17 months.

Arthur will be formally sentenced on March 12th.

A Johnson County business owner that pleaded guilty of emptying raw sewage into the Big Sandy River in Paintsville was sentenced to serve one year in prison and pay a fine of
$200,000.

David L. Bowling, owner of Dave’s Concrete Products and Septic Service was caught in 2006 on tape committing the offense.

A comprehensive effort to engage disinterested students in their education will be heard by the full Senate after passing a committee vote unanimously.

Senate Bill 32, sponsored by Sen. Jack Westwood, R-Crescent Spring, is focused on career and technical education. "These aren't dumb kids or slow kids. They're just bored," said Westwood of students who drop out because the curriculum doesn't seem relevant to their goals.

SB 32 would create a grant fund to help eligible schools create and expand programs for students interested in career and technical education programs, with donors receiving a tax credit. A separate fund would help pay for career guidance coaches to focus exclusively on students on a career path. A third fund would be aimed at broad-themed "career academies" that tailor their curriculum to a career area such as health sciences, engineering, or agribusiness, while a fourth would be used to build career and technical school facilities.

The bill had originally passed the Senate Education Committee, but was referred to Appropriations and Revenue after concerns were raised about its financial feasibility in tight budget times.

Legislation aimed at reforming Kentucky's public employee retirement systems to protect future state retiree benefits and shore up funding for retiree health insurance passed the House State Government Committee today.

House Bill 600, sponsored by committee chairman Rep. Mike Cherry, D-Princeton, was unveiled by Gov. Steve Beshear last week as a solution to the state's current inability to pay $20 billion in future retirement benefits to Kentucky's public employees. It includes several proposed changes to the state's retirement systems for state and county employees, teachers and classified school employees, including extending the years of service future state employees must work before they could retire and lowering the cost of living raises--or COLAs--state employees receive.

HB 600 now goes to the full House for its consideration.

The Treasurer's office would be eliminated as a statewide elected office under a proposed constitutional amendment passed by the Senate today.

If approved by the voters on the November ballot, the proposed constitutional amendment would also require that elections for Auditor and Attorney General be conducted on a non-partisan basis.

Senate Bill 14, sponsored by Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, would consolidate the Treasurer's responsibilities into other executive branch agencies. "This is an elected office that I believe has become obsolete," Thayer said. He indicated that the Finance and Administration Cabinet would be a likely candidate for the duties. The Treasurer's office has an annual budget of $3.2 million, he said, some of which could be saved through elimination.

The Kentucky State Senate recently remembered the late Christa Dawn Burchett on the floor of the senate and they also held a moment of silence in her honor.

Burchett the former 911 Director for the City of Paintsville .

Burchett was killed in a tragic accident on Jan 28th.

Burchett responded to a call for help from a young mother –to-be who had lost control of her car on an icy road near the Johnson-Magoffin County line. While assisting her, a tractor trailer loaded with coal slid on the highway struck and killed both women.

Thursday the ‘Help Is Here Express” will visit the Highlands Regional Medical Center in Prestonsburg.

The event will take place from noon until 2p.m.

The “ Help Is Here Express” supported by Montel Williams , is a traveling education center that travels across the country to raise awareness and educate people about the Partnership for Prescription Assistance. PPA also provides a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs , including more than 180 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.

Second time is the charm for the prosecution.

A Logan County jury found a Chapmanville man guilty in the death of his wife.

William Brennan was convicted of voluntary manslaughter.

Authorities say that three years ago Brennan killed his wife, Lisa, and then placed her body in the trunk of a car.

The first trial which was held last year ended in a hung jury

A Pike County resident pleaded guilty to a drug charge in Pike County Circuit Court.

Tonya Epling will serve five years probation after admitting that she was in possession of oxycodone.

Workforce West Virginia announced that the state’s jobless rate rose seven-tenths of a percent to 5.2 %. More than 6,000 residents lost there jobs in the month of January.

Workforce West Virginia attributes much of the increase to seasonal declines in both the goods-producing and service- providing sectors.

A recent meeting of the Kermit Town Council drew a capacity crowd. Nearly 100 residents from Jennies Creek addressed the governing body stating that they would like water service provided to there homes.

The residents brought a petition with over 200 names. Kermit Mayor Johnny Linville said that they support such an endeavor. County Commissioner David L. Baisden said that maybe county officials could arrange a town meeting in the future.

Pike County officials are hard at work exploring answers to what has become a waste disposal problem of “critical” stature, according to Pike County Judge/Executive Wayne T. Rutherford.

The county’s landfill, located at Ford Mountain, is closer each day to being filled to capacity in the coming years, prompting officials to start aggressive and focused moves toward finding solutions.

“We’re looking at all alternatives in regard to our solid waste landfill,” Rutherford said. “We have a problem and we’re fixing it.”

There are a number of options on the table, officials told Rutherford during a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 26. However, most of the options bring the pressures of both time and cost issues into the foreground.

“I have a lot of people who tell me this is one of the most important problems in the county,” said Ford Mountain Landfill Director Rex Lockhart.

Considering this, Rutherford, Lockhart, Deputy Judge/Executive John Doug Hays and Deputy Solid Waste Commissioner Mike Lyons, asked for more information Tuesday.

A bill that could lead to the importation of lower-cost prescription drugs from foreign countries for resale in Kentucky passed the House yesterday by a vote of 95-0.

Under House Bill 7, sponsored by Rep. Tom Burch, D-Louisville, the governor and the secretary of the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services would ask the federal Food and Drug Administration to report to them and state lawmakers on whether drug importation poses no additional risk for consumers and would lower the cost of prescription drugs. The Cabinet would be prohibited from creating a state drug importation program unless the FDA certifies the drugs' safety and low-cost advantage.


Rep. Scott Brinkman, R-Louisville, said the FDA provisions will ensure that any drugs that are imported are safe and low-cost.

"By voting for this bill, we are saying we are interested in lower drug costs, but we are also interested in preserving safety," said Brinkman.

HB 7 now goes to the Senate for its consideration.

Legislation aimed at improving job protection for state merit system employees passed the House 95-0 yesterday.

House Bill 134, sponsored by Rep. Mike Cherry, D-Princeton, is similar to legislation Cherry sponsored in 2006. Should the bill pass become law, it would create a new state employee mediation program to resolve workplace issues and require more former political appointees who become merit system employees to serve a one-year probationary period to eliminate the practice of "burrowing." The legislation also seeks to improve the employee suspension process, allow merit employees to seek nonpartisan elected office and limit comp time provided to political appointees.

HB 134 now goes to the Senate for its consideration

The FBI has issued a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of 52-year old Charley Hollen. He was born in Manchester, KY, and has family in southeastern Kentucky.

Officials say in 2000, he was charged with kidnapping and molesting a 10-year old girl in Seymor, Indiana, but fled the area.

Although Governor Beshear says he's looking at a cigarette tax increase as a last option for helping balance the budget, some lawmakers are pushing hard for a hike.

If passed, a bill on its way through the Kentucky Legislature could raise taxes as much as
70-cents per pack. They're hoping the raise would also deter teens from smoking.

Construction began Monday to replace the lower Johns Creek bridge. Transportation officials say the bridge was destroyed by overweight trucks carrying as much as 60 tons over it repeatedly.

The weight limit for the bridge was 13 tons. Engineers say the bridge construction will be completed in four to five months.

A head-on crash in the southbound lane of US23 near the Pike/Letcher line has left one person dead. The accident ocurred last night around 8:30pm, when, according to the Kentucky State Police, 61-year old Betty Jo Randolph of Bessemer City, North Carolina, was driving northbound in the southbound lane when she collided with another vehicle.

That vehicle was driven by Suzette Johnston of Beefhide Creek Road. A passenger in the Johnston vehicle, Quiton Johnston was eventually transported to the Pikeville Medical Center and then flown to Holston Valley Hospital.

Betty Jo Randolph was pronounced dead on the scene by Coroner Russell Roberts.

Pikeville City Commission update from Monday night.

The governing body approved a measure to purchase four new police cruisers at a cost of $ 98,183.76.


Honored the Pikeville High and Junior High cheerleading squads for there accomplishments this past year.

Awarded a bid to Ohio Valley Moving. The company will move the bathrooms in the Pikeville City Park from the middle to the back of the park. The bid was for $ 30,200.

Nearly two dozen Class I and Class II deputies with the Pike County Sheriff’s Department finished a year-long training workshop developed by Pikeville College on Saturday, Feb. 23.

Deputies classified as Class 1 and Class 2 serve the sheriff’s department by volunteering their time. Twenty-one of these officers graduated the Pike County Deputy Sheriff’s Informational Workshop.

Pike County Sheriff Charles “Fuzzy” Keesee says he couldn’t be happier with the addition of local training options.

“I feel the program that Pikeville College is offering to the Pike County Sheriff’s Department is of great help,” said Keesee. “To be able to get training of this caliber from our local law enforcement and educational professionals so our volunteers could have a better understanding of what is necessary to enforce the law in wonderful.”

Training began last March both in the classroom and in the field. Officers learned about criminal law and procedure, arrest procedures, search and seizure, the penal code, crime scene investigations, and many others aspects of law enforcement.

Pike County Judge/Executive Wayne T. Rutherford, who attended Saturday’s graduation and pinning ceremony, said the training program developed by the college is of great importance.

“These fine people are on the front lines of defense, just like our firefighters,” Rutherford said. “And many of them have other jobs and volunteer their time to this.”

Rutherford said preparation and training was a must for individuals offering their labor and commitment to such a vital function in our society.

“We need these people prepared and working at their best,” Rutherford added. “We should always keep in mind the good service they provide to our communities.”

Pikeville College Professor of Criminal Justice Kay Hardesty and the college’s Director of Safety and Security Allen Abshire, in coordination with the sheriff’s department, spent the last year devoting their time to the program.

Full-time paid officers attend the police academy in Richmond, according to Abshire, but Class I and Class II deputies have “little opportunity for training,” he said.

“Much of the classroom material was garnered from Kay’s criminal justice program here at the college so they were able to take advantage of college-level material,” Abshire said. “Before the classes began, we came up with a list of information we thought every officer should have and offered what we could in the time we had available.”

Guest lecturers also involved with the program over the course of the last year have included Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Ron Burchett, Steve Nunemaker, a deputy sheriff and firearms instructor, and Tolbert Ratliff, a deputy sheriff and drug recognition expert.

Keesee continued to praise the local push to see Pike deputies who volunteer their time receive training on level with that of other programs across the state, saying his department was “indebted and thankful” to the college for making it possible.

“The volunteer officers are a necessity to the sheriff’s offices across the state due to the lack of funding,” Keesee said. “We are indebted and thankful to Pikeville College for providing this program…it is an invaluable asset.”

Abshire says the program will continue as long as there are new officers in need of training.

A few months ago EKB reported that the Belfry Volunteer Fire Department was granted coal severance money and they also received some additional contributions so the department could add another fire truck to there fleet.

The truck was delivered to the department late Sunday afternoon.

BVFD Chief Nee Jackson says that the truck will be named “ Pirate” in memory of his father.

The new pumper will hold 1,000 gallons of water , and at full capacity the truck could pump up to 1,500 gallons of water per minute.


The cost of the truck was estimated at $ 277,000.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) is sponsoring an essay contest challenging Kentucky teenagers to learn more about HIV/AIDS and the impact the disease has on their generation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African-American and Hispanic youths, respectively, make up 60 percent and 17 percent of all HIV/AIDS youth cases (13-24 year olds) diagnosed from 2001 to 2005. Similar impacts can be observed in Kentucky’s African-American and Hispanic youths. While the two groups represent a small portion of the population, African-American and Hispanic youths represent 38.8 percent and 10.5 percent of living AIDS cases reported in Kentucky through Dec. 31, 2006.
“We’re sponsoring this essay contest in hopes of making young people more aware of the impact HIV/AIDS has on their communities and how they can contribute to the fight against it by becoming HIV/AIDS advocates for their generation,” said Sigga Jagne, manager of the HIV/AIDS branch in DPH.
The goal of the essay contest is to educate and inspire Kentucky’s minority youth to take action and help stop the increasing spread of HIV/AIDS among young people in minority populations. The contest is open to minority youths age 13 to 18 who live in Kentucky.
“We are looking for compelling essays that demonstrate the impact of HIV/AIDS on young people’s lives and how each young person, as an individual, can help others learn about the disease,” said Jagne.
Three finalists will be chosen to present their essays at the Eighth Annual African-American and Hispanic Youth Conference on AIDS on April 26 at the University of Kentucky Student Center. DPH will award prizes to the top three winners.
If interested, please review the attached essay requirements. All essay submissions must be postmarked by March 31, 2008. If you have any questions, please contact Michael Hambrick, HIV prevention coordinator, DPH/HIV/AIDS Branch, at 1-800-420-7431, ext. 3560 or e-mail Michael.Hambrick@ky.gov.
Entry Guidelines
1. Open to all African American and Hispanic/Latino youth, ages 13-18.
2. Contestants must reside in the state of Kentucky.
3. Essay should be no longer than one (1) page.
4. Essay must be typed and single spaced.
5. Essays must be submitted with the fully completed form below, indicating parental consent.
6. Essay finalists must be present during the 8th Annual African-American and Hispanic/Latino Youth Conference on AIDS at the University of Kentucky Student Center, 200 Avenue of Champions, Lexington, Ky., on April 26, 2008.
7. Prizes will only be awarded during the conference. Finalists must be present to win.
8. Essay submissions must be postmarked by March 31, 2008.

A West Virginia House Judiciary Committee has drafted three different pieces of legislation that would attempt to ease the financial burden of county governments that pay for the incarceration of prisoners to the Regional Jail Authority.

The first bill would allow counties to hire retired or former magistrates for up to six months to handle bail hearings when there elected magistrates are off duty.

The second would shift more of the cost to the state Division of Corrections for inmates who are convicted and sentenced.

The third bill requests the WV Supreme Court to commission a study of West Virginia’s incarcerations rates and costs.

Counties currently pay a rate of $ 47.50 per day to house inmates.

The regional jail fee has taken a hit on the budgets of all 55 counties.

Mingo County is one of only a handful of county governments that is currently debt free to the Regional Jail Authority.

Mingo County’s annual jail bill runs about $ 1.4 million .

It has been since 1994 that West Virginia lawmakers have had a pay increase. 2008 might be an election year, however legislators are asking taxpayers for an increase in pay.


The House will vote on a measure this week that would increase the pay for legislative leaders that work when they’re not in session.

The bill would call for the House speaker to be paid $ 150 and $ 50 for the party leaders in each chamber.

The bill would also hike travel pay . Lawmakers that are forced to stay in Charleston during the regular session would be paid $ 131 per day that would be an increase of $ 16 per day.

Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts Crit Luallen has released the first part of the annual statewide audit of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for fiscal year ending June 30, 2007.
The audit contains 65 findings that indicate significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls throughout state government. The second part of the audit, to be released in March, focuses on the state’s oversight of federal funds.
Part one of the state government audit, which expresses an opinion on more than $25.3 billion in expenditures, issues findings ranging from poor oversight of state-owned take home vehicle records to weaknesses in financial reporting, computer security procedures and bridge inspections. The full report can be found at www.auditor.ky.gov <http://www.auditor.ky.gov/>.
Findings and recommendations of note include:
· Finance and Administration Cabinet should strengthen policies and procedures relating to the approval and tracking of state-owned take home vehicles. “Finance was unable to provide the details of approvals granted to agencies upon our initial request.” Poor recordkeeping raises concerns as to whether the use of state-owned take home vehicles has been properly monitored by the cabinet. (Page 133.)
· The Transportation Cabinet should ensure that bridge inspections be performed in a timely manner. Transportation is responsible for inspecting bridges in Kentucky once every two years for structural damage. When auditors reviewed the 40 bridge inspection reports, they found 35 inspection dates that exceeded the two-year threshold for inspections. Additionally, the audit found that the district and central offices did not properly review the inspection reports: Of the 40 bridges inspected, 34 were not properly or completely reviewed. (Page 217.)
· The Finance and Administration Cabinet should improve multiple processing and control issues within the enhanced Management Administrative and Reporting System (eMARS). The 16 findings presented in this audit identify a diverse array of processing and control issues within the state’s financial management system. The findings relate to five broad areas: system assurance and reporting, logical security, data processing, system and data control configuration, and system operations. The most egregious findings were within the system assurance and reporting areas. (Pages 82-117.)
· Department of Revenue should immediately cease refunding interest on Omitted Intangible Tax. Revenue’s calculations have resulted in additional interest payments to taxpayers and the cabinet has not presented the auditor with any supporting documentation related to an Omitted Intangible Tax settlement to correct the problem. (Page 171.)

· Department of Revenue should adopt sound recordkeeping policies when reporting local property tax revenue. The agency should not include money that is the property of local governments in General Fund receipts in order to show a balanced budget or trigger surplus spending. (Page 174.)
· Department of Transportation should ensure management is aware of equipment purchase procedures. Transportation director and secretary’s office authorized a transfer of property to a county fiscal court without first declaring the property surplus or obtaining payment. “The MOA in this situation resulted in what would appear to be an advance of County Road Aid Funds.” (Page 209.)
“This 200-plus page audit takes a look at some real issues that need attention in the Commonwealth’s day-to-day activities,” Luallen said. “As with all our audits or special reports, they are a tool for agencies to use in tightening their policy and procedures. These guidelines will help state government run more efficiently and be more effective to our taxpayers.”
Federal law requires, in part, this annual audit by Luallen’s office of the state’s financial statements. This audit, also known as the Statewide Single Audit of Kentucky (SSWAK), is submitted to the federal government. The auditor’s office issued an unqualified opinion on the Commonwealth’s financial statements. Part one of the audit presents the related significant deficiencies and material weaknesses as required by auditing standards. Part two of the audit, scheduled for release in March, will provide the auditor’s report on the Commonwealth’s compliance and internal control over federal programs.

According to emergency officials a two vehicle accident has happened on US 23 at Robinson Creek.

The accident occurred at the flashing lights. We have been told that traffic is moving very slowly in the south bound lanes.

Motorists could experience delays.

Preliminary statistics* indicate that ten people died in nine separate crashes on Kentucky’s roadways from Monday, Feb. 18 through Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008.

Nine of the fatalities were traveling in motor vehicles and two of those victims were not wearing seat belts. One of the fatalities involved a pedestrian and one was a result of the suspected use of alcohol.

One double-fatality crash occurred in Laurel County on Kentucky 80 East. Single fatality crashes occurred in Butler, Christian, Grant, Jefferson, Leslie, Ohio, Warren, and Washington counties.

Through Feb. 24, preliminary statistics* indicate that 97 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2008. That is three less than reported for this time period in 2007. Of the 84 motor vehicle fatalities, 60 victims were not wearing seat belts. There have been 4 motorcycle fatalities and two of those were not wearing helmets. A total of 21 fatalities have resulted from crashes involving the suspected use of alcohol. Nine fatalities have been pedestrians.

Courtesy : Kentucky State Police

Jerry Deaton, 32, a former WYMT-TV reporter and radio personality, died Saturday afternoon. He died from complications associated with lupus.

Deaton was the Cumberland Valley Bureau Chief for WYMT-TV for much of 2003.

At the time of his death, he was employed at the Laurel County Detention Center.

This year's legislative session reached the halfway mark this week, a milestone marked by the first bill to pass both chambers being sent to the governor for his signature.

House Bill 168, if signed into law, will give returning military service members a 90-day grace period to renew their expired driver's licenses. We have heard stories of soldiers coming home only to be ticketed for driving on an expired license. The transition to civilian life is difficult enough already and we hope this eases the burden.

It is appropriate that the first bill to reach Governor Beshear's desk will make life less stressful for our returning military. The last few years have produced a groundswell of legislative support for our military and veterans. We hope the House will concur with several other bills we have passed for our military men and women, including income tax relief for military families.

Also during the week's work, we had two bills directed at members of the military and their families pass out of Senate committees. Senate Bill 150 would permit the surviving spouse of a former Kentucky National Guard member or a retired veteran to keep special license plates assigned to that member or veteran. Senate Bill 163 authorizes the military family assistance trust fund to be used for educational expenses by Kentucky members or veterans who lost a limb while on military duty.

We also took a significant step toward saving tax payer dollars with Senate Bill 100. More state contracts are being written each year that spell out specific items to be used in construction — a particular type of doorknob or light bulb, for instance, even down to the brand or product number. But listing exact items makes it far too easy for costs to rise way above what they should or could be. SB 100 would allow the state to use equivalent products -- much like generic drugs -- if they are essentially the same but cheaper, saving taxpayers money.

As I mentioned, this year's session has reached its mid-point. Traditionally, the first half of each session is spent with the Senate focusing on Senate bills and the House considering its own legislation. As the days march on, we will start considering more House bills and focusing on the state budget.

The pace will be increasing as we head toward the last few weeks of this session, so your voice and opinion are more important than ever. Be sure to call our Legislative Message Line at 1-800-372-7181 or e-mail me atray.jones@lrc.ky.gov.

Logan Fire Chief Scott Beckett says that the fire last Thursday at the Briarwood Suites Apartment Complex at Yuma has been ruled as arson.

Beckett says that the Fire Marshal’s Office believes that the fire began in a linen room.

Five people were hurt including two firemen.

The building is a total loss. Around 50 people lived in the building.

Firefighters from eleven different departments from both Logan and Boone Counties battled the blaze.

Due to the cancellation of legislative activities two days last week because of bad weather, the veto recess scheduled to start at the beginning of April has been pushed back one day. The recess is now scheduled to begin on April 2.

The final days for bills to be introduced in the House and Senate have also been moved back one day. March 4 is now the last day for new House bills and March 6 is the last day for Senate bills to be introduced.

The session is still scheduled to end on April 15.

A copy of the revised 2008 session calendar can be viewed here.

Several residents pled guilty last week in the Floyd County Circuit Court System.

Brad Hall, 30, of North Carolina : singe count of theft by unlawful taking.

Michael Blocker, 40, of Ivel, : two counts of fraud in obtaining controlled substance prescriptions. Two counts of possession of a forged prescription.


Irvin Marsillett, 57, of Auxier: single count of second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

Kevin Coburn of Garrett : second –degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

Scott Tackett of Melvin : first degree possession of a controlled substance

Each year, Gov. Joe Manchin honors outstanding individuals, organizations and businesses for extraordinary service to their communities through his Governor’s Service Awards.
Nominations for the Governor’s Service Awards, annually coordinated by the West Virginia Commission for National and Community Service, are now being accepted. The awards recognize West Virginians who display enduring commitment for the betterment of the state through volunteerism.
“West Virginia is blessed to have an abundance of citizens at every age level who have made a positive impact in our state,” Manchin said. “I encourage West Virginians to take the time to nominate an outstanding individual, organization or business that displays enduring commitment for the betterment of the Mountain State. Without these nominations, we will miss a wonderful opportunity to honor those who give so much and expect so little in return.”
Recipients of the Governor’s Service Awards will receive recognition from Gov. Manchin in a special banquet at the state volunteerism conference, "Faces of Leadership," in Charleston on July 16, 2008. Volunteer West Virginia Inc. will also use private funds to donate $500 to a West Virginia charitable organization of the recipient’s choice. The organization must be a registered 501c3 in good standing with the Secretary of State.
“Volunteers are not just the heart of activities; they are also the heart of each community,” Manchin said. “This is our opportunity to recognize those who have made the greatest mark across our state.”
Nomination forms are available on the West Virginia Commission for National and Community Service web site, http://www.volunteerwv.org/, or by calling (800) WV-HELPS. Nominations should be postmarked by April 3, 2008.

It is the right of every citizen to have an adequate sewer system and the residents of the Big Creek area saw steps taken Friday to ensure they share in this basic need.

Officials were on hand Friday at Bevins Elementary School to announce a new sewer project that will eliminate more than 80 failing septic systems in the area.

And there’s an added environmental bonus, as well, according to Pike County Judge-Executive Wayne T. Rutherford.

“This project will provide public sewer service to this area and at the same time permit the waters of Big Creek to return to their natural, unpolluted state,” Rutherford said. “We hope this project serves as a model for future public and privately funded projects in Pike County.”

The project is a cooperative effort between both private and public agencies including the Pike County Fiscal Court, Mountain Water District, PRIDE, Sidney Coal Company and the Big Sandy Area Development District.

PRIDE is contributing a $396,000 grant and an additional $40,000 to the Elkhorn City Wastewater system. Sidney Coal, a subsidiary of Massey Energy, has already given $243,000 toward the project.

I. Call to Order
II. Minutes: Consider approval of the minutes from the Special Called Meeting and the Regular Meeting on January 28, 2008.
III. Business from the Floor
IV. Payment of Bills
V. Old Business
A. Big Sandy Area Development District.
B. Main Street Update
C. City Engineer’s Reports
Consider request to award bid for the construction of the Lee Avenue Extension project.
D. City Attorney’s Reports
Consider first reading of an ordinance finally annexing to the City of Pikeville 163.95 acres extending the corporate limits into US23 North Pike/Floyd line.
Consider first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 50 “Waste Management” transfer station drop fees.
Consider first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 53 “Water” wholesale water rate increase date.
E. Police Department Update
F. City Manager’s Report
Consider request to award bid to move bathroom in City Park to Ohio Valley Moving for the amount of $30,200.
Consider request to adopt a proclamation honoring the PHS Varsity and Jr. Varsity Cheerleader squad.
Consider request to approve amendments to City Personnel policy 4.5 Absenteeism & Tardiness.
Consider request to approve amendments to include new city Personnel addition labeled as 4.18 Vehicle Use Policy
Consider request to approve “Agreement for Legal Services” and authorize Mayor to sign for work on the industrial hospital bond issue on the City of Pikeville behalf.
Consider request to award bid of 4 new police cars from Bruce Walters Ford in the amount of $98,183.76.
Consider request to adopt resolution for the purpose in support of an application for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant through GOLD in the amount of $75,000 for Bob Amos park improvements.
Consider request to accept Land and Water Conservation Fund grant through GOLD in the amount of $75,000 for park improvements which is a 50/50 grant funding and authorize the Mayor to sign and execute all required documents necessary for application and approval.
Consider request to cancel next regular schedule meeting to be held March 10th 2008 and to reschedule a special meeting if necessary.
Consider request to hire Jennifer Hubbard to position of 911 Dispatcher at starting rate contingent upon her passing the remaining pre employment testing.
Consider request to reject bid for ambulance and re-bid with new specs.
Consider request to re-appoint Bill Blackburn to Vacant Property review board April 2008 to a new 4 year term ending April 2012.
Consider request for a closed session for purpose of discussing Economic Development, personnel and legal issues.
VI. Consent Items:
1. Tuesday February 26th 2008 Legislative Reception in Frankfort
2. March 8th through 12th NLC Congressional Conference in DC
VII. Adjournment

FRANKFORT - The Kentucky School Boards Association today recognized Senator Johnny Ray Turner, D-Drift, with the 2008 KIDS First Award.
The award was established to honor local and state leaders who work on behalf of Kentucky's public schools. Given annually to a Kentucky senator, representative, superintendent and school board member, the recipients exemplify the efforts of advancing the needs of children in the public policy arena.
"As an educator for 28 years, education has always been my top priority while serving in Frankfort," said Turner, who taught and coached in Floyd, Johnson and Magoffin counties. "It is an honor to be recognized for the work that I do, but I don't do it for recognition, I do it because education needs a champion. The education of our children is important for our future and it is our teachers who impact them with knowledge."
Floyd County Board of Education Chairman Jeff Stumbo nominated Turner for his work on behalf of schools statewide and particularly in eastern Kentucky. Stumbo said that Turner has sponsored successful legislation that has made schools safer, improved drug abuse prevention and expanded affordable housing opportunities for certified school employees.
"Senator Turner is deserving of this award. He understands the challenges faced by teachers and the needs in the classroom. He is always seeking opportunities where the state can assist local school districts to positively impact education," said Senator Ed Worley, D-Richmond, Senate Democratic Floor Leader.
Turner, who represents Floyd, Breathitt, Letcher and Knott counties, has been a member of the State Senate since 2001. He currently serves on the Appropriations and Revenue, Education, Health and Welfare, State and Local Government, Rules and Committee on Committees.