EKB News

Six families voluntarily left there homes Friday evening as water poured out of an abandoned mine forcing a section of Route 194 to be closed for several hours.

The problem occurred at the former Berkeley Energy Mine which is located off of Route 194 at Grapevine. The force of the water brought down trees and mud along the roadway.

The underground mine has been idle since 1995.

No one was injured.

Authorities say that a wet seal giving way was the cause of the blowout.

The families were allowed to return to there homes.

No property damage was reported.

No one matched all the number in Wednesday night's Powerball drawing, but, two ticket holders in Kentucky won $200,000 each when they matched five numbers, but not the Powerball number.

One ticket was purchased from Speedway gas station on Nicholasville Road in Lexington and another in Garfield.

Winners have 180 days to claim their winnings.

Christa Burchett, former Paintsville EMT Director who was killed in the line of duty after being hit by a coal truck, will be honored nationally, when her name will be added to the National EMS Memorial Service's Tree of Life in Roanoke, Virginia on May 24.

Her name, agency and date of death will be engraved on a bronze oak leaf and she will be honored in the Memorial Book, containing a biography, photos and agency patches.

The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Douglas C. Combs, Jr., a circuit judge in Perry Copunty, who was convicted of mail fraud in November, should be suspended from practicing law until further notice.

Combs was sentenced to six months in prison and a $3,000 fine after he admitted to hiring temporary employees as substitute court reporters that were used instead to work on his personal business.

Fourteen firefighters from the Dorton and Sycamore Volunteer Fire Departments were on the scene for over an hour Thursday evening as a fire totally destroyed the vacant Mike Anderson Store Building .

The fire spread to a nearby house. Authorities say that the fire was stopped while in the roof. Damage was estimated at $ 5,000. The store building has been vacant for over a decade.

While on scene the fire crew said that a power line caught fire and fell into a tree.

The fire remains under investigation.

Two eastern Kentucky residents are listed in serious condition at the UK Hospital in Lexington after a motorcycle struck a pick up truck head on.

The accident occurred Thursday afternoon on Route 321 in Floyd County near Highlands Regional Medical Center.

The driver of the motorcycle Terry McCutcheon of Betsy Layne and his passenger Tamara Weddington of Pikeville were airlifted from the scene.

According to the KSP McCutcheon crossed the center line and struck a truck that was being driven by Curtis Reed of Tomahawk.

Reed was not injured.

The incident remains under investigation.

A Man High School student suffered minor injuries after he drove his pick up truck into a brick building which formerly housed Mike & Bill’s Gas Station at Mallory, West Virgina. The accident happened Thursday morning as the student was driving to school.

The teen suffered minor injuries.

Authorities believe that the minor fell asleep at the wheel.

West Virginia’s jobless rate for the month of March dropped three tenths of a percent to 5.3%. Unemployment figures for Mingo and surrounding counties dropped slightly.

Mingo down three tenths to 5.5 %.

Logan three tenths of a percent to 5.3 %.

Boone four tenths to 4.8 %

Wyoming one tenth to 5.9 percent.

Wayne five tenths to 6.1 percent.

The highest rate was found in Calhoun at 9.7 %

The lowest Monongalia 3.5 %

West Virginia State Supreme Court Justice Larry Starcher announced that he won’t recuse himself from a case that involves Massey Energy.

The company wanted Starcher to step down from the $ 240 million appeal case against Wheeling – Pitt Steel.

Massey cited Starcher’s negative comments geared toward CEO Don Blankenship for the reason.

Based on the strength of soaring coal prices Massey Energy reported a first quarter profit increase of 28.5 percent from the same time period one year ago.

Massey announced that it earned $ 42 million in the first three months of 2008.

After a decade as chief justice and nearly 22 years as a justice of the Supreme Court of Kentucky, Chief Justice Joseph E. Lambert has decided to leave the court and join the Senior Judge Program. His resignation will be effective June 27, 2008.

"We have made great progress in the last decade to improve Kentucky courts and make them more responsive to the needs of Kentucky’s families and children," said Chief Justice Lambert. "As with any individual’s efforts, however, there comes a time to move on.

"I believe it’s a mistake to remain for too long in a high-level position in government," he said. "When I became chief justice, it was with the full intention of serving only two four-year terms. However, due to a massive number of judicial elections in 2006 and due to significant changes in the makeup of the Supreme Court at that time, I felt a duty to stay through the period of transition. I’m happy to say that the Court of Justice continues to operate smoothly and this is an appropriate time for me to move on to other professional opportunities."

Chief Justice Lambert, 59, was first elected to the Supreme Court in 1986 from the 27 southeastern Kentucky counties of the 3rd Supreme Court District. He was subsequently re-elected in 1994 and 2002. He become Kentucky’s fourth chief justice in October 1998 by a vote of his fellow justices. Chief Justice Lambert was later re-elected to two additional four-year terms as chief justice, in 2002 and in 2006.

Mingo County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Sparks says that the recent grand jury handed down a record 49 indictments, 29 of which were drug indictments.

Sparks added that the accused were apprehended Thursday by a collaborative effort of the Williamson Police Department, Mingo County Sheriffs Department, West Virginia State Police and the Pike County Sheriffs Department.

Forty – six of the defendants were arrested.

The following is a list of names and the charged that have been brought against them.

Remember an indictment is only an accusation.


Pamela Massey – elder abuse
………………………………………………..

Dallas Texas Maynard

Count I : first degree robbery

Count II : grand larceny
………………………………………………………

Jimmy Darrell Maynard

Count I : first degree robbery

Count II : grand larceny
………………………………………………………

Paul Mills

Count I : burglary

Count II : three counts grand larceny

Count III : attempted grand larceny

Count IV : three counts of conspiracy.
…………………………………………………….

James Michael Newsome

Count I : entry building other than dwelling

Count II : conspiracy

Count III : petit larceny
……………………………………………………….

Randy Dale Sheppard

Count I : entry building other than dwelling

Count II : conspiracy

Count III : petit larceny
…………………………………………………………..

Gary Dean Simpson

Count I : delivery of a schedule III controlled substance ( hydrocodone )
Count II : delivery of scheduled IV controlled substance ( carisoprodol )
………………………………………………………………………………..

Dustin Ray Waller

Count I : manufacture of schedule I controlled substance ( marijuana )

Count II : possession of schedule I controlled substance ( marijuana ) with intent to deliver.
…………………………………………………………………………………..\

Dwight Lamar Warren

Count I : Malicious Assault

Count II : conspiracy malicious assault
……………………………………………………………………………………..

Robert Jerome Warren

Count I : malicious assault

Count II : conspiracy malicious assault
……………………………………………………………….

Sealed Indictment – distribution of schedule I controlled substance within 1,000 feet of school by person 18 years of age or older.
…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Sealed Indictment

Count I : two counts delivery of schedule III controlled substance ( hydrocodone )

Count II : two counts conspiracy delivery of schedule III controlled substance ( hydrocodone)
………………………………………………………………………………………….

Sealed Indictment

Count I : delivery of schedule IV controlled substance ( phentermine )

Count II : conspiracy delivery of schedule IV controlled substance ( phentermine )

Count III : two counts delivery of schedule III controlled substance ( hydrocodone )

Count IV : two counts conspiracy delivery of schedule III controlled substance ( hydrocodone )

Count V: delivery of controlled substance ( aprazolam )
………………………………………………………………………………………

Sealed Indictment

Count I : delivery of schedule III controlled substance ( hydrocodone )

Count II : delivery of schedule IV controlled substance ( alprazolam )

Count III : conspiracy delivery of schedule III controlled substance (hydrocodone )
……………………………………………………………………………………………….

Sealed Indictment

Count I : delivery of schedule IV controlled substance ( phentermine )

Count II : conspiracy delivery of controlled substance (phentermine )

Count III : two counts of controlled substance ( hydrocodone )

Count IV : two counts conspiracy deliver of controlled substance ( hydrocodone)

Count V : delivery of controlled substance ( alprazolam )
………………………………………………………………………………………

Sealed Indictment

Count I : delivery of controlled substance ( cocaine )

Count II :conspiracy to deliver controlled substance ( cocaine )

Count III: delivery of controlled substance ( hydrocodone )

Count IV : conspiracy to deliver controlled substance ( hydrocodone )
……………………………………………………………………………………

Sealed Indictment

Count I : two counts of distribution of oxycodone within 1,000 feet of school by person over 18 years of age.

Count II :conspiracy deliver oxycodone
………………………………………………………………………….

Sealed Indictment

Count I : delivery of controlled substance ( cocaine )

Count II : delivery of controlled substance ( hydrocodone )
………………………………………………………………….

Sealed Indictment

Count I : distribution of ( oxycodone ) within 1,000 feet of school by person 18 years of age or older.

Count II : conspiracy to deliver oxycodone
……………………………………………………………………………………….

Sealed Indictment

Two counts distribution hydrocodone within 1,000 feet of school by person 18 years of age or older.
…………………………………………………………………………………………

Sealed Indictment

Count I : two counts delivery of schedule controlled substance.
…………………………………………………………………………………………

Sealed Indictment

Count I : delivery of controlled substance ( cocaine )

Count II : delivery of controlled substance ( cocaine )
…………………………………………………………………………………………

Sealed Indictment

Count I : two counts delivery controlled substance ( cocaine )
………………………………………………………………………………………..

Sealed Indictment

Count I : delivery of controlled substance ( hydrocodone )

Count II : conspiracy to deliver controlled substance ( hydrocodone )

Count III : delivery of controlled substance ( alprazolam )

……………………………………………………………………………

Sealed Indictment

Delivery of controlled substance ( cocaine )
…………………………………………………………………………….

Sealed Indictment

Count I : two counts delivery of controlled substance ( hydrocodone )

Count II : two counts delivery of controlled substance ( hydrocodone )
…………………………………………………………………………………

Sealed Indictment

Count I : possession of controlled substance ( cocaine ) with intent to deliver

Count II : possession of controlled substance ( marijuana)
………………………………………………………………………………..

Sealed Indictment

Count I : two counts delivery of controlled substance ( hydrocodone )

Count II: delivery of controlled substance ( cocaine )
……………………………………………………………………………………

Sealed Indictment

Count I : two counts delivery of controlled substance ( hydrocodone )

Count II : delivery of controlled substance ( alprozolam )

Count III : delivery of controlled substance ( methylenedioxymethamphetamine)
………………………………………………………………………………………..

Sealed Indictment

Delivery of controlled substance ( hydrocodone )

Conspiracy to deliver hydrocodone
…………………………………………………………………………………………

Sealed Indictment
Two counts to deliver cocaine
……………………………………………………………………………..

Sealed Indictment

Count I : delivery of controlled substance ( aprazolam )

Count II : distribution of controlled substance ( hydrocodone ) within 1,000 feet of school by person over 18 yoa.
……………………………………………………………………………………

Sealed Indictment

Count I : Delivery of controlled substance (cocaine ) intent to deliver

Count II : distribution of controlled substance ( cocaine )

Melissa and Jeremy Brown , siblings that are originally from Warfield appeared in federal court Thursday they are both accused of robbing a bank in Barboursville and Charleston.

Melissa and Jeremy Brown were ordered by a judge to be incarcerated without bond until their next court appearance.

The Brown’s face robbery charges of the First Sentry Bank located in Barboursville.

Although the suspects haven’t been formally charged with the hold up of the Citizens National Bank on Kanawha Boulevard, according to a police statement the two admitted to police that they are responsible.

Melissa, is now a teacher at Stonewall Jackson Middle School. She is a 1998 grad of Sheldon Clark High School where she was an honor student and cheerleader.

Jeremy is a 2002 graduate of Sheldon Clark where he was also an honor student and a basketball standout.

A house fire late Wednesday night destroyed the home of a local doctor.

A total of 16 firefighters from Belfry and Turkey Creek were on the scene for over three hours battling a fire that destroyed the home of Dr. Vellayan.

The family was home at the time. Everyone made it out safely.

Three firefighters suffered minor injuries.

Dr Vellayan is a well known physician that practices at South Williamson ARH.

The Belfry Fire Department was called out again early Thursday morning as the fire rekindled.

The cause of the blaze is unknown at this time.

A Johnson County grand jury did not return an indictment on a Martin County man that was involved in an accident that killed Erica Brown, 23 of River her unborn child and thirty – three year old Christa Burchett, the 911 Director for the City of Paintsville.

Leslie Spence of Tomahawk was driving his tractor trailer on icy roads on Jan 22nd near the Johnson – Magoffin line. The rig ran off the road striking both Brown and Burchett.

A Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement officer cited Spence for driving too fast for road conditions and two counts of equipment not being in safe working condition.

The panel said that there was not enough evidence to issue an indictment .

The person said that they believed weather played the major factor in the deadly crash.

Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mongiardo was present for Wednesday's ceremony at the Kentucky State Police Post 9 in Pikeville.

Over the past forty years, the Post in Pikeville has lost nine troopers in the line of duty, or, while serving as troopers. Those men and their families were remembered for the sacrigices they made as a memorial with names of each fallen trooper was unveiled as a reminder to everyone of what they gave to keep the community safe.

The Marshall University Board of Governors approved a tuition hike of $ 119 per semester for all full time undergraduate resident students beginning next fall.

Tuition and fee increases of $ 219 for metro and non resident students were also approved.

A Johnson County man agreed to a plea bargain rather than going to trial to face a murder charge.

Staffordville resident George Maynard Jr pleaded guilty to second degree manslaughter.

Authorities say that Maynard killed Timothy Ward of Wittensville by hitting him over the head with a glass bottle.

The commonwealth is recommending a prison sentence of five years.

Presidential Candidate Sen. John McCain (R, AZ) made a campaign stop in Inez, KY yesterday. Hear his opening statement HERE. This mp3 file is about 14MB and may take a while to open, depending on your connection. You can also "right-click" on the link and save the file.

Authorities identified the Pike County coal truck driver who died after his truck accidently ran over him.

Authorities say Kenneth Mounts pulled over along US 119 at Buckley’s Creek and got out of the rig.

The truck apparently started to roll and Mounts attempted to jump back into the cab to apply the brakes.

He wound up falling and was then hit and pinned under the truck.

A Phelps man was apprehended late Monday night, after he led authorities from the Pikeville Police Department and the Kentucky State Police on a high speed chase that began on US 119 at Buckley’s Creek and ended at Burning Fork Hollow. Police successfully crippled the vehicle by deploying spike strips.

Adam C. Gearles was charged with fleeing and evading, first degree possession of a controlled substance, second degree possession of a controlled substance, wanton endangerment , driving while DUI suspended and resisting arrest.

Authorities found in the vehicle a plastic vial containing cocaine, along with prescription drugs and several open alcohol containers.

The 26 year-old remains in the Pike County Detention Center on a $ 25,000 full cash bond.

A Mingo County man remains in critical condition following surgery at Cabell Huntington Hospital.

35 year-old John Hensley of Delorme suffered serious head and chest injuries from a motorcycle crash that occurred late Monday night on Route 49 near Matewan.

The accident remains under investigation by the Mingo County Sheriffs Department.

Members of the Mingo County Sheriffs Department arrested Williamson resident John “ Daddy Rat “ Davis. He was taken into custody Tuesday morning. A cash bond was set at $ 80,000.

Davis was on parole from two previous drug convictions. He allegedly sold cocaine and clonazapam from his home to drug informants over the last two months.

Davis tested positive for cocaine. Upon entering the dwelling authorities also found drug paraphernalia.

Davis was charged with one count of delivery of cocaine and one count of distribution of a controlled substance.

The Pike County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office says two individuals have entered guilty pleas .

Barry Miller of Jonancy pleaded guilty to third degree rape and first degree fleeing and evading. The commonwealth has recommended Miller serve five years.

Christopher Holbrook of Elkhorn City entered a guilty plea to third degree burglary. The 24 year old admitted he stole a motorcycle from the garage of a residence. Holbrook will serve three years in prison. Holbrook is currently serving a seven year prison sentence in South Carolina on another charge.

An unidentified male was critically injured late Monday night when he was thrown from his motorcycle on Route 49 near Delorme.

While lying in the roadway the male was struck by a vehicle causing additional injuries.

The patient suffered extensive head and chest trauma.

It was unknown the extent of his injuries.

The male was transported via helicopter to Cabell Huntington Hospital

Reports from Mingo County an unidentified male suffered serious injuries when he lost control of the four wheeler he was operating and it flipped on top of him.

The accident occurred late Monday night at Marrowbone Creek.

The person was transported via helicopter to Holsten Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, Tennessee where he is being treated for a head injury and a fractured right leg.

According to finance reports for the third consecutive month Senator Barack Obama has raised more money in West Virginia than his counterpart Senator Hilary Clinton.

In March Obama raised $ 46,000 compared to Clinton’s $ 30,200.

However Clinton overall remains the cash leader in the state as her campaign has raised $ 370,000 that is nearly three times ahead of Obama.

West Virginia’s Primary is May 13th.

According to AAA, West Virginia’s average gasoline price jumped another nickel to a new record of $ 3.62 per gallon.

The average price of regular unleaded in Mingo County as of Monday was $ 3.60. As you travel north to Logan County motorists are paying any where from $ 3.65 - $ 3.71 per gallon.

Oil prices have soared to a record of $ 117 a barrel.

The Mingo County School System hit the jackpot Monday as it was awarded $ 16.3 million dollars by the School Building Authority for the construction of a new high school scheduled to be built on top of a mine reclamation site near Varney.

The state SBA in all dished out $ 88 million in grants for construction.

The Mingo County grant was the largest.

The county said that it needed additional funding because the cost of materials had risen.

The state gave the county $ 16 million dollars a few years ago.

The project has been delayed in getting started for two years because of court cases.

The state board of education has control over the local BOE.

The new school in which officials are hoping to have opened in the fall of 2010 will close Williamson, Burch, Matewan and Gilbert High Schools and also force the closure of the vocational school.

Martin County employees worked feverishly Monday sprucing up the Old Courthouse as the region is preparing to play host to Republican Presidential nominee John McCain.

The Arizona Senator will participate in a town hall meeting Wednesday morning at 11:15a.m.

A spokesperson for the McCain camp told us that the senator will give an opening comment then he will take questions from the public.

The event is being held in the second floor court room of the Old Courthouse.. The public is invited to attend free of charge.

The forum is expected to last 90 minutes.

Former President Lyndon Johnson paid a visit to Martin County 40 years ago as he began his war to fight poverty.

The town hall meeting will be aired live on 93.1 WDHR.

Applications are available for Pikeville College’s annual Science & Math Day Camp. Registration is open to students who will be enrolled in the fifth through the eighth grade in the upcoming 2008-2009 school year.

The camp is open to students entering the fifth and sixth grades the week of July 7-11, and open to students entering the seventh and eighth grades the week of July 14-18. The activities each week generally run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily, with the exception of check-in on the first day and a daylong Friday field trip. The cost for this year’s camp is $50, which covers all expenses, including camp food, a T-shirt and the field trip.

Information and application packets are now available and may be accessed at http://www.pc.edu/camp.asp. All application paperwork, including the parental permission slip, behavior and medical information forms, computer access request, permission waiver, a photo/video release and the registration fee must be received before camp reservation can be confirmed. Incomplete applications cannot be processed until all materials are received. Some forms require the camper’s signature as well as the signature of a parent or legal guardian.Application packets may be returned at any time to Lacey Ross in the Math & Science Division Office located in Pikeville

Preliminary statistics* indicate that eleven people died in ten separate crashes on Kentucky’s roadways from Monday, Apr. 14 through Sunday, Apr. 20, 2008.

Nine of the fatalities were traveling in motor vehicles. Six of the victims were not wearing seat belts.

One fatality involved a motorcycle that occurred in Hardin county. The motorcyclist was exiting the Natcher Parkway onto southbound I-65 when he lost control of his Harley Davidson motorcycle with sidecar. After the motorcycle lost control, it struck a semi-truck before coming to a rest. Those on the motorcycle included a man, his son and the man's girlfriend. The man and his son walked away uninjured but the woman was killed in the crash. None of the victims were wearing helmets.

A fatal ATV crash occurred in Warren county and the driver was not wearing a helmet.

Single-fatality crashes occurred in Bracken, Carter, Graves, Leslie, Lyon, Warren and Whitley counties. A double-fatality crash occurred on KY 210 in Taylor county.

The fatality in Bracken county was the result of a motor vehicle collision with a railroad train on Mary Ingles Highway in Mt. Olivet.

Through April 20, preliminary statistics* indicate that 209 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2008. This is 17 fewer than reported for this time period in 2007. Of the 175 motor vehicle fatalities, 115 victims were not wearing seat belts. Of the 13 motorcycle fatalities, eight were not wearing helmets. Twenty pedestrians have been killed. A total of 43 fatalities have resulted from crashes involving the suspected use of alcohol.

Citizens can contribute to highway safety by reporting erratic drivers to the Kentucky State Police toll-free at 1-800-222-5555. Callers will remain anonymous and should give a description of the vehicle, location, direction of travel and license number if possible.

Pikeville City Police performed a traffic stop in the Speedway parking lot and subsequently arrested two individuals.

Chad D. Bartley and Lisa S. Boylen gave consent to officers to search their vehicle. Found were seveal loaded firearms, including a 12-gauge shotgun. Also, a large quantity of Schedule II narcotics, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and illegal distilled spirits were found.

The two said they had intended to traffic in narcotics within the city limits of Pikeville. Bartley's place of residence was given as Nebo, North Carolina.

A Logan County man was placed under arrest and is accused of stealing copper from AEP.

Robbie D. Tichenor of Blair is accused of stealing 400 feet of power lines ffor the copper. The lines were valued over $ 1,000. The lines were found behind his residence.

The Coalfield Community Action Partnership will receive nearly $ 250,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The money will go toward several programs such as head start, weatherization program, transportation , home management skills training, nutrition education and home rehab.

After a three month investigation the Mingo County Sheriffs Department arrested Dwight Justice and charged him with felony drug charges.

The 32 year old Kermit resident is accused of selling hydrocodone to several informants from his East Kermit residence. Police also found diazetam and oxycontin inside the home.

Police say Justice is linked to drug operations in Kentucky , Tennessee and Florida.

Bond was set at $ 60,000

A teenage girl has come forward and told authorities that a Lincoln County man has sexually molested her for several years.

State police say that they have apprehended 45 year old Clinton Combs.
The accused is from Harts. Authorities say that Combs was a close friend to the alleged victim’s family. They also say that several more victims are expected to come forward.

Combs’ son Danny is in legal hot water. He is set to go on trial in August . He’s accused of holding Megan Williams captive in a home last summer for about a week.

28 year-old Tyrone Brown will spend three more years as an inmate at the Big Sandy Federal Prison in Martin County.

Brown admitted to hiding a sharpened six inch piece of steel in his shoe.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) officials have notified Gov. Steve Beshear and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet that the commonwealth will receive a $481,124 federal grant to encourage seat belt usage.
“The safety administration has recognized our solid commitment to saving lives on the commonwealth’s roadways,” said Gov. Beshear. “We are very appreciative of that recognition. We are also fortunate to have professionals in the Office of Highway Safety who are dedicated and resolute in their determination to get everyone to buckle up.”
“This funding is a shot in the arm for our campaigns that encourage and enforce seatbelt usage,” said Transportation Secretary Joe Prather. “Our 2008 ‘Click It or Ticket’ campaign is just around the corner. We are also preparing to launch a new statewide information blitz to encourage the public to buckle up. This is a very timely grant.”
The 2008 Occupant Protection Incentive Grant Program was reauthorized by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), to encourage states to implement and enforce occupant protection programs and laws.
Funds are awarded to states that meet at least four of six criteria. Kentucky met five: a seat belt use law for all occupants, a primary seat belt law, special traffic enforcement programs, a child passenger protection education program, and a child passenger protection law.
“We are confident that future reductions in highway crashes, injuries and deaths in Kentucky will result from the programs you are implementing,” said James F. Portis, Jr., NHTSA deputy administrator, in his letter of notification to the governor. “The actions that you, the Kentucky Legislature and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety have taken to address this serious problem are to be commended.”
Fatalities on Kentucky highways decreased in 2006 and 2007 and are occurring at a still lower rate thus far in 2008.
“We are moving in the right direction, but we still have a long way to go,” said Boyd Sigler, director of the cabinet’s Office of Highway Safety. “We will continue to work tirelessly in our efforts to save lives on Kentucky highways.”

Attorney General Jack Conway issued the following statement regarding his cybersafety legislation:

“The response from citizens, prosecutors, law-enforcement officers and members of the General Assembly to House Bill 367 was tremendous. This bipartisan legislation that would have protected Kentucky kids from online predators, which had passed the House by a vote of 94-0, was not passed during the final hours of the 2008 General Assembly, despite assurances from members of the Senate that it would receive a floor vote. I am disappointed for Kentucky families that this legislation, which would have brought our laws up-to-date with changes in technology, did not make its way to Gov. Steve Beshear’s desk for his signature. I will continue to push for this legislation in every corner of our Commonwealth to ensure its future passage.”

House Bill 367
Would have prohibited registered sex offenders from using social-networking websites that are frequented by minors, like MySpace and Facebook;
Required that sex offenders update their email addresses and online identifiers with the registry;
Created a searchable database of registered sex offender email addresses;
Amended Kentucky’s stalking statute to include cyberstalking;
Clarified that is a crime for a person to transmit live sexually explicit images of themselves to minors over the Internet; and
Would have allowed prosecutors and police to seize personal property, such as a computer or car, that had been used in the commission of online sexual offenses against children.

In addition to the cybersafety legislation, Attorney General Conway has pledged to create an Internet Crimes Unit that will soon be operational. The group will investigate crimes committed online, from scams to solicitation of minors

Frankfort, KY; Rep. Ancel Smith, (D-Leburn) and Rep. Leslie Combs, (D-Pikeville), announced that the state budget that the Kentucky General Assembly passed last week will include $2.5 in coal severance money for sewer and water concerns throughout Letcher County and millions more for economic development projects.

Coal severance tax revenue is used for basic improvements throughout coal-producing states in Kentucky.

"Letcher County residents will greatly benefit from these water and sewer projects I was able to provide in the state budget," said Rep. Smith. "They will also improve our county's economic development potential, while enhancing the quality of life for all of our children and families.

"I am very proud that we were able to include these projects in the budget considering the difficult financial strains our state is operating under," said Rep. Combs. "Providing clean drinking water and access to sewer lines to all of Letcher County is one of my legislative priorities and these projects will bring Letcher County one step closer to that goal."

Letcher County water and sewer project s include:

$250,000 - City of Whitesburg - Wastewater Plant Project
$400,000 -Letcher County Fiscal Court - Cane Branch/McPeaks Branch
$850,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Red Star/Hallie Water Project
$100,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Sewer Extension - Burdine #2 Bottom
$750,000 - Letcher County Water and Sewer District - Red Star/Ulvah/Hallie Waterline Extensions

In addition, Rep. Smith and Rep. Combs included several economic development projects in the state budget for Letcher County including:

$50,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Appalachian Area Early Child Care Development Center
$25,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Appalshop
$100,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - ARH Women's Center
$150,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Blackey Community Center
$40,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Campbell's Branch Fire Department Extension
$15,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - City Police Departments
$10,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Cowen Community Action Group
$70,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Fields Cliff Water Line Extension
$200,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Fire Training at Neon
$200,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Fish Pond Lake
$15,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Fleming/Neon Bridge Construction
$40,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Fleming/Neon Tim Hall Park
$50,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Fleming/Neon Water Line Upgrades
$20,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Hemphill Community Center
$250,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Highway 119 - Mayking/Payne Gap Water Project
$500,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Highway 160 - Premium Water Project
$150,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Kingdom Come School
$1 million - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Knott County Interconnect/Hway 1410 Water Project
$300,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Letcher County Animal Shelter
$30,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Letcher County Clerk's Office
$20,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Letcher County Coal Miner's Museum
$100,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Letcher County Community Centers
$100,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Letcher County Domestic Violence Center
$200,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Letcher County Fire Departments
$200,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Letcher County Health Department Purchase
$100,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Letcher County Libraries
$125,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Letcher County Park Lights
$250,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Letcher County Parks and Recreation
$50,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Letcher County Planning Commission
$30,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Letcher County PVA's Office
$200,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Letcher County Sanitation Department
$300,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Letcher County Senior Citizens Centers Improvements and Operations
$60,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Letcher County Sheriff's Department - Operations
$50,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Letcher County Tourism
$50,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Letcher County Veterans Museum - Operations and Improvements
$100,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Little Shepherd Amphitheater
$750,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Millstone Water Project
$500,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - Pert Creek/Pine Creek/Cram Creek Water
$50,000 - Letcher County Fiscal Court - World War II Monument

"We have so many worthy organizations and institutions in need throughout Letcher County and I am pleased that this funding will support them," said Rep. Combs.

"These projects will allow Letcher County to keep moving forward on many fronts - education, health care, tourism, and public safety - and I'm very proud that I was able to get these in the budget," said Rep. Smith.

Frankfort, KY: Rep. Leslie Combs, (D-Pikeville), and Rep. Keith Hall, (D-Phelps), today announced that more than $3.1 million in coal severance money for sewer and water concerns throughout Pike County and millions more in economic development, public safety, infrastructure, and education projects will be coming to Pike County in the next two years, thanks to work they did on the state budget.

Coal severance tax revenue is used for basic improvements throughout coal-producing states in Kentucky. The coal severance tax is 4.5 percent levied on every ton of coal mined in Kentucky. Legislators work hand-in-hand with local county officials in targeting projects for the coal severance dollars.

"These water and sewer projects will provide clean drinking water and access to sewer lines throughout Pike County, improving the quality of life for our families and children," said Rep. Combs.

"Using coal severance money for these kinds of infrastructure improvement is exactly what it is intended for - to make our communities more livable and economically attractive to outside businesses looking to relocate," said Rep. Hall.

Water and Sewer Projects coming to Pike County:

$100,000 - City of Pikeville - Telemetry Equipment
$1.4 million - Mountain Water District - Long Fork Road - Virgie - Indian Creek Area Sewer Project
$1.3 million - Mountain Water District - Short Line Water Extensions
$200,000 - Mountain Water District - Telemetry Equipment
$150,000 - Mountain Water District - Waterline Extensions

In addition, Pike County will see these economic development projects:

$100,000 - City of Elkhorn City - Elkhorn Art Center
$50,000 - City of Elkhorn City - Elkhorn City - Police Vehicle
$9,000 - City of Elkhorn City - Elkhorn City Heritage Council
$20,000 - City of Elkhorn City - Elkhorn City Heritage Council - White Water Park
Feasibility Study
$75,000 - City of Elkhorn City - Elkhorn City Housing Development Corporation
$15,000 - City of Elkhorn City - Elkhorn City Park - Pool
$4,500 - City of Elkhorn City - Elkhorn City Railroad Museum - Equipment, Operating, and Improvements
$15,000 - City of Elkhorn City - Elkhorn City Renaissance Program - Equipment, Operating, and Improvements
$40,000 - City of Elkhorn City - Elkhorn City Senior Citizens - Room
$100,000 - City of Elkhorn City - Elkhorn City Water Lines - Repair, Replace, and Restore $400,000 - City of Pikeville - Bill Lykins Creek Water Project
$300,000 - City of Pikeville - Bob Amos Debt Service
$325,000 - City of Pikeville - Bob Amos Park - Improvements
$180,000 - City of Pikeville - Buckley Creek Sewer Extensions
$200,000 - City of Pikeville - City Streets - Improvements
$350,000 - City of Pikeville - Hambley Field Debt
$880,000 - City of Pikeville - Marion Branch Economic Development - Construction
$220,000 - City of Pikeville - Marions Branch Sewer Project
$250,000 - City of Pikeville - North Mayo Trail - Fire/Police Station
$5,000 - City of Pikeville - Pikeville Artisan Center - Operation and Maintenance
$200,000 - City of Pikeville - Police Vehicles
$100,000 - City of Pikeville - Thompson Sewer Project
$2.85 million - Mountain Water District - Belfry - Pond Area Sewer
$400,000 - Mountain Water District - LMI Service Connections
$800,000 - Mountain Water District - Smith Fork Sewer Phase II
$400,000 - Mountain Water District - Sycamore/Lower John's Creek Water Project
$200,000 - Mountain Water District - Various Short Line Extensions
$400,000 - Mountain Water District - Water Treatment Plant - Upgrades
$45,000 - Pike County Board of Education - Belfry - Athletic Complex - Equipment, Operating, and Improvements
$3,205 - Pike County Board of Education - Belfry Middle School - Operating
$3,866 - Pike County Board of Education - Belfry YSC
$1,577 - Pike County Board of Education - Bevins Elementary School - Operating
$1,475 - Pike County Board of Education - Blackberry Elementary School - Operating
$3,561 - Pike County Board of Education - Dorton Elementary School - Operating
$45,000 - Pike County Board of Education - East Ridge High School - Athletic Programs
$6,919 - Pike County Board of Education - East Ridge YSC - Operating
$8,904 - Pike County Board of Education - Elkhorn City Elementary - Operating
$6,411 - Pike County Board of Education - Feds Creek - Operating
$2,391 - Pike County Board of Education - GF Johnson - Operating
$3,460 - Pike County Board of Education - Johns Creek - Operating
$1,679 - Pike County Board of Education - Kimper Elementary School - Operating
$5,546 - Pike County Board of Education - Majestic Elementary School - Operating
$3,968 - Pike County Board of Education - Millard Middle School - Operating
$2,646 - Pike County Board of Education - Mullins - Operating
$4,426 - Pike County Board of Education - Phelps Elementary School - Operating
$90,000 - Pike County Board of Education - Phelps High School - Athletic Field Improvements
$70,000 - Pike County Board of Education - Phelps High School - Phelps History Center - Equipment, Operating, and Improvements
$100,000 - Pike County Board of Education - Phelps High School Athletic Field - Improvements
$7326 - Pike County Board of Education - Phelps YSC - Operating
$4,528 - Pike County Board of Education - Pike Central - Operating
$45,000 - Pike County Board of Education - Pike Central High School - Athletic Complex - Equipment, Operating, and Improvements
$45,000 - Pike County Board of Education - Pikeville High School - Athletic Programs
$4,070 - Pike County Board of Education - Robinson Creek - Operating
$3,663 - Pike County Board of Education - Runyon Elementary School - Operating
$3,866 - Pike County Board of Education - Shelby Valley - Operating
$4,478 - Pike County Board of Education - Southside Elementary School - Operating
$2,035 - Pike County Board of Education - Virgie Middle School - Operating
$300,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Appalachian Hospice, Inc.
$25,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Belfry Hope - Operations
$75,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Black Gem Park Project
$140,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Dorton Community Center - Construction
$20,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Dorton Fire Department
$275,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - East Kentucky Expo Center - Operations and Maintenance
$150,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Energy Research Center - Feasibility Study
$200,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Fire Department - Equipment, Operations, Improvements
$100,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Fishtrap ATV Trail
$100,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Greasy Creek Park Project
$74,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Hatfield and McCoy Park at McCarr
$10,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Joe's Creek Community Center
$50,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Kentucky Hope Incorporated - Operations
$200,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Kimper Building Operation - Improvements
$135,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Kimper Fire Department - New Trucks
$50,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - KY HOPE - Equipment, Operating, Improvements
$10,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Long Fork Fire Department
$30,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Phelps Fire Department - Building Expansion
$25,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Phelps Help - Operations
$70,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Phelps History Center - Operations -
$900,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Pike County Recreational Department
$200,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Pike County Sheriff - Vehicles
$25,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Pikeville HOPE - Operations
$200,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Pikeville Medical Center - Juvenile Drug Treatment Program
$40,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - PRIDE Program
$100,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Senior Citizens - Equipment,- Operations, Improvements
$10,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Senior Citizens Program - Equipment, Operating, and Improvements
$20,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Shelby Creek Volunteer Rescue Squad
$10,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Shelby Valley Fire Department - Long Fork Station
$100,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Technology Infrastructure
$50,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - Turkey Creek Fire Department - Equipment and Operations
$50,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - US 23 at Robinson Creek Exit onto Collins Highway North, Lighting and Exit Improvement
$200,000 - Pike County Fiscal Court - West Care of Pike County at Lookout - Female Drug Treatment - Operations and Maintenance

"I know this was a lean budget year, but I believe that we were able to spread the funding around so that much of the fiscal need in Pike County was met," said Rep. Combs. "Education, tourism, environmental programs, public safety, health care and infrastructure projects will all benefit from this budget and I'm very proud of that fact."

"Living in a rural area, we understand the value that these projects will bring to Pike County," said Rep. Hall. "And I know that every one of these dollars will be maximized to the fullest as Pike County works together to move our beautiful region of the state forward in the coming years."

Gov. Joe Manchin today appointed Randy Huffman as cabinet secretary for the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. Huffman, currently DEP’s deputy cabinet secretary and director of the Division of Mining Reclamation, is a 21-year veteran of the agency. Huffman will succeed Stephanie R. Timmermeyer in DEP’s top post. Timmermeyer announced her plans to leave state government last month.

The governor believes the appointment is important to the agency, because it will maintain consistency in the day-to-day operations and services.

“Randy’s technical background has served him well as the agency’s mining director for the past three years. His background and knowledge of the internal workings of the agency make him an obvious choice for this position,” said Manchin.

“As we move forward with our energy policy in this state, I will be relying heavily on Randy and the DEP to ensure that we are doing so in a way that protects our natural resources for future generations. Secretary Timmermeyer recommended Randy as a person that could step into the position seamlessly, and I agree.”

Huffman, a West Virginia native, has served in a number of leadership positions at the agency through his career, including manager of the Pollution Prevention and Open Dump Program, the Landfill Closure Assistance Program, and the Office of Administration. He has served as the deputy cabinet secretary and as the director of the Division of Mining and Reclamation since 2005. He has a mining engineering technology degree from the West Virginia Institute of Technology and a master’s of business administration degree. Huffman also serves as a squadron commander in the West Virginia Air National Guard’s 130th Airlift Wing in Charleston.

Huffman will take over as head of DEP beginning May 1st, with Secretary Timmermeyer choosing to officially resign her post at that time now that the search for her replacement is complete.

On April 17, 2008, Brent Carlton Conley, age 48, of Sandy Hook, Ky., was arrested by the Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Section as the result of a joint investigation with the Knoxville Police Department as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Conley was charged with unlawful use of electronic means to induce a minor to engage in sexual activities, possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor and distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor. He was lodged in the Carter County Detention Center under a $150,000 bond. The investigation is continuing.