EKB News

Gas prices have hit an all time high in Mingo County as motorists are paying between $ 3.75 to $ 3.90 for regular unleaded and over $ 4.00 for premium

Detective Eddie Crum of Kentucky State Police Post # 9 in Pikeville was named 2007 KSP Trooper of the Year. The ceremony was held in Frankfort.

Crum is an 18 year veteran of the KSP.


Thirty nine other troopers and four private citizens were also recognized.

Gov. Joe Manchin today announced additional recommendations of 10 projects totaling more than $5 million in grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Investment Program.
“These projects represent a comprehensive approach that will address many of our economic and community development needs. We are pleased to have such a strong commitment from ARC and our local partners to ensure that we continue to grow our economy and provide a brighter future for West Virginia,” Governor Manchin said.
The West Virginia Development Office administers the state’s ARC program, which is a partnership of federal, state, and local participants providing financial and technical assistance for economic development and infrastructure projects.
Projects recommended for ARC funding include:
AREA DEVELOPMENT
STATEWIDE West Virginia Development Office $350,000 Consolidated Technical Assistance The West Virginia Development Office, with ARC funding assistance, will continue the Consolidated Technical Assistance program. The grant allows the West Virginia Development Office to employ staff for the purpose of providing technical assistance to ARC applicants and grantees, monitoring and administering ongoing projects, updating the West Virginia Development Plan, and maintaining a project information system.
STATEWIDE West Virginia Division of Culture and History $200,000 West Virginia State Museum Education ProjectThe project will assist with the development of an educational curriculum for the new West Virginia State Museum, and provide computers and lab-related equipment for the museum’s education centers. This project will increase learning opportunities for students statewide, enhance tourism, and improve the quality of life for all of West Virginia’s citizens.
PLEASANTS COUNTY Union Williams Public Service District $508,875 Pleasants County Industrial Center Sewer UpgradeThe project will upgrade and expand the wastewater collection system at the Pleasants County Industrial Center, increasing economic opportunity in the region by allowing future growth at the Industrial Center to take place. The project provides services to four existing businesses at the Center and facilitates the creation of up to 150 new jobs.
STATEWIDE Workforce West Virginia $250,000 Competitive Improvement Program The project will provide training and consultation services to small and medium-sized firms in West Virginia to increase their competitiveness. The project will address a unique need for which no other funding sources are available. The results of these services will be a greater number of companies that are increasing the range of their market and market share, and a commensurate increase in the number of jobs retained or created.
MULTI-COUNTY Advantage Valley $100,000 Entrepreneurial League System® The project will provide training through an intensive coaching process for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses beyond the start-up phase. This project will enhance economic growth and expand job opportunities for business owners and residents in an eight-county region.
MULTI-COUNTY Canaan Valley Institute $96,811 Wastewater Solutions for West Virginia’s Small Communities The project will provide assistance with the management, planning, and installation of decentralized, on-site wastewater systems in a three county region in southern West Virginia. This project will serve 20 customers who currently rely upon inadequate treatment systems or discharge directly into local streams.
DISTRESSED COUNTIES:
McDOWELL COUNTY City of Welch $1,200,000 Welch Sewer Lines Contract 7C Woodmont Neighborhood The project will replace wastewater collection lines that are deteriorating along Virginia Avenue and the Woodmont neighborhood of Welch and bring it into compliance with a consent decree mandating the phased replacement of the city's sewer collection lines. The project will serve 51 customers.
LINCOLN COUNTY Branchland-Midkiff Public Service District $1,500,000 Tenmile Waterline Extension Project The project will extend water service for the Tenmile Creek Road, Upper Tenmile Creek Road, Plumb Branch, and Bearwallow Branch areas of Lincoln County. Currently, residents in the project area rely upon wells and cisterns that fail or must haul water from an off site source for consumption. The project will serve 154 customers.
BRAXTON COUNTY Braxton County Commission $1,500,000 Sugar Creek PSD Phase 1 Waterline Extension The project will extend water service to residences in the Tague and Wilsie areas of Braxton County. Currently, the residents in the project area rely upon wells and springs that provide poor quality of water. The project will benefit 125 customers.
REGIONAL INITIATIVES:
MINERAL COUNTY: Mineral County Development Authority $25,000 Mineral County Broadband Project The project will create a master plan for the installation and operation of a broadband communication infrastructure for Mineral County. This plan will address the current and future needs of residents and businesses in the county, increasing economic development and improving the quality of life for the county and region.

Williamson Fire Chief Jerry Mounts has confirmed that Former President Bill Clinton will speak Friday afternoon at 12:45 p.m. in the engine room at the Williamson Fire Department.



Mounts told us that he is expected to speak for 90 minutes.



West Virginia's primary is next Tuesday.

The West Virginia State Police say the two bodies found in a wooded area in Wayne County are believed to be those of a southern Ohio couple missing since mid March.

Searchers found the couple’s vehicle Tuesday near Dunlow. The bodies of Willard and Patty Frye were discovered nearby.

Authorities say that there were no signs of foul play.

The elderly couple had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Dunlow is located 19 miles north of Mingo County.

Allevard Sogefi, an Italian auto parts maker, is planning to add 65 jobs to its West Virginia manufacturing plant located in the Wayne County community of Pritchard.

The production of engine filter systems should begin by the end of next year.

The jobs will come by 2010 as part of a seven million dollar expansion plan.

The Mingo County Commission adopted a resolution to contact Governor Joe Manchin by letter asking what the criteria is for a one million dollar loan that the governor has offered to the county for the construction of a dirt race track which would be located at Twins Branch.

Commissioner Greg Smith says that the county wants to make sure that the loan wouldn’t effect investors. Smith says that the private sector that has committed money to the seven million dollar project didn’t want to be responsible for paying the loan.

The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded the Mingo County Airport Authority $ 3.3 million in funding for the construction of the new Mingo County Airport. Construction of the new airport is scheduled to begin in the Fall.

The money should be enough to construct a runway, taxiway and a hanger.

The airport will be located at Varney.

The 15th Annual Cedar Coal Fair runs through Friday at the Pikeville College Gymnasium.

The fair is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

524 students from eastern Kentucky participated, breaking last year’s mark of 452.

Over 4,000 people have attended this year’s event.

A Floyd County man that is accused of gunning down his next door neighbors while there children were at home was indicted by a Floyd County Grand Jury.

The Grand Jury returned six indictments on 45 year –old Barry Hall, of Prestonsburg.

Hall has been charged with two counts of capital murder and four counts of first degree wanton endangerment.

Hall is accused of gunning down Lisa Tackett and her husband Alan Tackett.

According to police, Hall and the Tackett’s had been involved in a long standing feud.

William Burrell an inmate at the Big Sandy Federal Prison in Martin County has agreed to plead guilty to his involvement in an assault on three prison guards.

Burrell will be sentenced in federal court on July 23rd.

The incident happened in September of 2007.

Two other inmates were also involved and convicted.

The Big Sandy Federal Prison in Martin County remains under lockdown as officials continue to investigate a shooting.

Prison officials say two inmates were attacking another prisoner and they wouldn’t stop after guards tried to break them up. When a warning shot was fired the bullet hit an inmate.

That inmate continues to recover at a local hospital.

A Pike County woman is lodged in the Pike County Detention Center on a $ 5,000 full cash bond.

33 year –old Rosetta Kendrick of Pikeville is accused of attacking 43 year –old Veronica Little of Virgie with a knife.

Little was transported to Pikeville Medical center in which she sustained several puncture wounds.

The assault happened Wednesday afternoon at the victim’s home located at Anderson Fork of Virgie.

Kendrick has been charged with first degree assault and. first degree burglary

Kentucky State Police partnered with NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Cale Gale and RoadLoans, a leader in online automotive financing to provide a Teen Safe Driving Rally at Gallatin County High School on May 7, 2008. Cale Gale, driver of the No. 33 RoadLoans Chevrolet, was the keynote speaker at the event.

Gale, a rookie driver, shared the parallels of his inexperience and need for awareness and safety on the closed circuit race track versus the inexperience of teen drivers on the open road. Parents were also invited to share in the Teen Safe Driving Rally to understand their responsibility in educating their student drivers. At the end of the rally, each student was provided a safe driving pledge that they could sign with their parents recognizing the importance of safe driving.

“It’s hard to believe that the leading cause of death among teenagers is not a disease, but a car,” said Gale. “Through the support of RoadLoans and the Kevin Harvick Inc. team, we are able to bring a program like the Teen Safe Driving rallies to various areas with a high potential for teen fatalities due to reckless or careless driving.”

KSP Troopers, Gale and student volunteers utilized Fatal Vision® goggles during the program to show students how alcohol impairment affects their driving skills. The goggles simulate impairment levels of blood alcohol content of .08 and .15. Troopers had Gale and students perform simple tasks like dribbling a basketball back and forth to show how alcohol can impact mobility skills.

Captain Tim Lucas, Commander for KSP Highway Safety Branch shared the stage with Gale challenging students to ‘drive like their life and the lives of others depended on it’.
“These students have a unique opportunity to make a real difference,” said Lucas. “They can help influence on-the-road driving behaviors and save lives on Kentucky’s highways. It’s a very worthwhile goal that will require dedication and effort on their part, but it’s worth it if they save even one life. It could be their own, their best friend, a neighbor or a family member.”

In 2007, there were 3,191 collisions, 836 injuries and 10 fatalities involving teen drivers in northern Kentucky counties. One out of four motor vehicle collisions involve a teen driver, according to the American Automotive Association.

Gallatin High School principal, Roxann Booth served as Emcee for the event and was encouraged by the message that both Gale and KSP provided.

“It is imperative that our students are educated in safe driving. They need to be instructed by using real life examples and getting safety information from experts like Cale Gale and the Kentucky State Police,” said Booth.

RoadLoans and Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) are partnering with several state police agencies, highway patrol departments and school districts to carry out the Teen Safe Driving awareness rallies in an effort to reduce deaths among teens and increase education about safe driving.

“Teaching kids at an early age about the dangers of driving will help minimize accidents in the future,” said Chris Goodman, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of RoadLoans. “We all have teenagers in our lives who we care about, and are continually looking for ways to get such important messages across. We hope that hearing from a rookie racecar driver like Cale Gale will give teens some insight into the racing world and help them take to heart the message that, whether it’s the open road or a closed circuit race track, driving always requires attention and safety.”

About Kevin Harvick Inc.
Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), established in 2001, is a 70,000 sq. ft. facility located in Kernersville, N.C. KHI houses two full time Truck Series teams: the No. 33 Camping World/Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Chevrolet Silverado driven by three-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday as well as the No. 2 American Commercial Lines/RVs.com Chevrolet Silverado driven by three-time Truck Series champion Jack Sprague. KHI is also home to the No. 33 Camping World/RoadLoans.com/Rheem Chevrolet driven by two-time Nationwide Series champion Kevin Harvick, Ron Hornaday and Cale Gale and the No. 77 Rheem/VFW Chevrolet competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. 2008 marks KHI’s fifth year of full-time competition in NASCAR’s elite divisions. Please visit www.kevinharvickinc.com for more information.

About RoadLoans:
RoadLoans, based in North Richland Hills, Texas, is a leading direct-to-consumer auto finance company that simplifies the financing of a new or used vehicle through its online application process. RoadLoans specializes in new and used vehicle loans, consumer-to-consumer purchases and opportunities to refinance existing loans for customers with all types of credit, and is especially proud of its history of helping people with less than perfect credit. Since June of 2000, RoadLoans has carried out its mission to educate and empower people through the auto buying process and has helped tens of thousands of consumers purchase or refinance the car, truck or SUV of their dreams. The company’s focus on customer service earned it the Lending Tree Customer Service
Excellence Award every year the award was presented since 2002. For more information, visit http://www.roadloans.com/ or call (888) 276-7202.

The news department of East Kentucky Broadcasting would like to thank everyone that subscribes daily to our news and also to everyone that goes to the website.

EKB continues to hit record growth on both subscriptions and visitors.

The news department works hard to let everyone know what’s happening on the local level in eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia as well as state news.

To contact the news department via email : ekbnews@radio.com

Better service and creating jobs is the goal of one hospital in the Kanawha Valley.

Highland Hospital in Charleston says it is planning a $ 38 million expansion that will add over 200 jobs over the next six years.

The nonprofit psychiatric hospital plans to construct three buildings , including a $ 15 million replacement for the existing facility.

The project would increase the number of beds from 56 to 170.

It is less than a week from West Virginia’s Primary Election. The Mountain State’s 28 delegates are in play.

The Clinton’s will be making several campaign stops across the state Thursday.

Hilary is expected to speak at 10:15 am Thursday morning on the front lawn of the Capitol.

Bill Clinton is expected to speak the same day in Mercer County, Philippi, Sutton, Fayetteville, and Lewisburg.

The Clintons’ daughter Chelsea, plans to speak this evening at Shepherd University.

A spokesperson with the Social Security Office in Williamson and Logan say that they have received several complaints from residents stating that they have received phone calls asking them to give there banking information so they could receive a new medical card.

One Logan County woman became suspicious when the caller asked her if she had direct deposit.

Most of the complaints are coming from the elderly.

Officials warn to not give out your banking information over the phone.

A Johnson County man, Robert Dean Delong, is in fair condition following surgery at a Huntington Hospital after being stabbed twice with a knife in his home early Tuesday morning .

The alleged culprit, 29 year old Jeffrey A. Hunter, is being held at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center on a $ 50,000 full cash bond.

According to the Kentucky State Police, the two Van Lear residents had been arguing for several hours.

The incident took place at approximately 5:30 a.m.

A Pike County teenager remains in stable condition in ICU at a Huntington Hospital after injuries that he sustained in an ATV accident Monday night at Raccoon Road.

According to the Kentucky State Police 16 year old Brian Adams of Regina was seriously injured when the ATV that he was operating hit a vehicle head on. The driver Clarence Harris of Raccoon wasn’t injured.

According to the accident report the teen wasn’t wearing a helmet.

A Pike County man was killed in a two vehicle accident that occurred on Route 319 at Hardy Tuesday morning.

According to the Kentucky State Police 34 year old Jack Stacy of Belfry was killed when the vehicle that he was operating crossed the center line and struck another vehicle.

The driver of the other vehicle Sherman Lester of Hardy was treated and released from a local hospital.

Both men were wearing a seatbelt.

Around 30 law enforcement and first responders met Tuesday with state homeland security officials to discuss funding.

Adam Edelan Chief of Homeland Security for Kentucky says that the purpose of the meeting was to make sure that officials have the adequate training and equipment to do there job.

The meeting was held at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg.

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear announced Tuesday that he will request $ 400,000 in funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission to be used for the permanent installation of a hands on interactive energy exhibit to be placed inside of the East Kentucky Science Center in Prestonsburg.

The estimated cost for the exhibit is $ 750,000. The state has pledged $ 100,000. The Pikeville Rotary Club gave a $ 5,000 donation.

The governor said that getting kids interested in math and science at a early age is vital for the commonwealth’s future.

The EKYSC attracts 10,000 visitors annually.

The Mingo County Airport was among seven statewide to receive federal funding from the Federal Aviation Administration. The airport will receive $ 3.3 million to be used for renovations.

The largest grant awarded was $ 4.5 million for the Tri – State Airport in Huntington

Governor Steve Beshear has proclaimed May 4-10 Drinking Water Week in Kentucky. “Drinking Water Week provides an opportunity for all of us to consider the immense value of a safe, reliable water supply in our lives and in our communities,” said Governor Beshear. “It creates jobs, attracts industry and investment and provides for the health and welfare of citizens in ways ranging from disease prevention to fire suppression. My administration is working diligently to keep our water safe for consumption and to extend the availability of clean water to all our citizens.” The Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet, which oversees public water suppliers, expressed its appreciation for the men and women who work to provide safe drinking water to residents and visitors in Kentucky. “In Kentucky we have some of the highest quality water in the world and much of the credit goes to the local water treatment plants for their outstanding compliance records,” said Donna Marlin, manager of the Division of Water Drinking Water Branch. “We often take water supply for granted until it is threatened, either by drought, water main breaks or some other event. Public water systems in Kentucky face increasingly complex challenges, yet, overall, they have an extraordinary compliance record.” Water systems in Kentucky are required to regularly sample water for many different contaminants following federal and state limits. A state-approved laboratory analyzes these samples and reports the results to the division. For more information about drinking water, visit http://www.water.ky.gov/dw/.

PIKE COUNTY – In honor of an upcoming proclamation naming May, 2008 as Older Americans Month, Pike County has several activities planned at senior citizen centers.

Those events and dates are as follows:

May 14 – Elkhorn City Senior Center will hold a luncheon and health fair.

May 15 – Marrowbone Senior Center invites all those interested in attending picnic at Fishtrap Lake. There will also be a health fair at this event.

May 21 – A luncheon and health fair will be held at Pikeville and Shelby Valley Centers.

May 22 – Blackberry, McCarr and Belfry Senior Centers will host a picnic to be held at Blackberry Park.

May 23 – Organizers are planning a cookout at the Phelps Senior Center.

On the heels of a successful horse ride last season, organizers are ready to once again open trails for the Spring South Lake Trail Horse Ride at Fishtrap Lake on May 10.

The event will be the 10th annual of its kind.

The ride will begin at 10 a.m. at Lick Creek Park and will conclude at approximately 6 p.m., according to members of the South Lake Trail Ride Committee.

In addition to the basic ride attraction, which is free to anyone wishing to attend, there will also be food, beverages and entertainment available.

Among the items guests can enjoy will be soup bean, catfish, fried chicken, potatoes, as well as a barbecue station that will feature barbecue pork and beans. Organizers will be capable of serving between 275 to 300 people.

The large array of food that will available to guests will be provided by Greg May with Utility Management Group (UMG).

Two teenage girls were transported via helicopter Monday night after injuries that they sustained in an ATV accident.

According to authorities the mishap took place at the old Kermit Coal Mines located on Burning Creek.

We were told that both of the girls are 14 years of age.

Their injuries are non life threatening.

One of the girls suffered a broken leg.

They were transported to Cabell Huntington Hospital.

The Kentucky State Police remains on the scene of a ATV accident that occurred shortly after 8 :00 p.m. The accident happened about 6 miles up Raccoon Road.

The Johns Creek Volunteer Fire Department responded to the call.

By a vote of 77 – 19, West Virginia University’s Faculty Senate demanded Monday that President Mike Garrison resign in the wake of a degree scandal involving Governor Joe Manchin’s daughter.

Faculty discontent and outrage has grown since an independent panel concluded two weeks ago that administrators gave Heather Bresch a masters degree in business that she didn’t earn.

Several donors have withdrawn monetary gifts to the institution .

Garrison says that he won’t resign.

Shelbi Johnson a seventh grade student at Logan Middle School has been invited to attend the upcoming Presidential Inauguration in Washington next year.

The invitation came from the managing director of education for the Presidential Youth Inaugural.

The 12 year –old was invited because she attended the Junior National Young Leaders Conference.

Earl Ray Tomblin, the longest-serving Senate president in West Virginia history, will be the featured speaker at Marshall University's 171st commencement, Marshall President Stephen J. Kopp announced today.Commencement begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 10 at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena in downtown Huntington."As both an alumnus and a respected state leader, President Tomblin is well deserving of this honor, the highest that Marshall University can bestow," Kopp said. "He has built an enduring legacy of outstanding leadership and public service as president of the West Virginia Senate. We thank him for his dedication to the citizens of West Virginia and for being a part of this year's commencement."

Tomblin, a native of Chapmanville in Logan County, has been president of the Senate since Jan. 11, 1995, having since been reelected six times. He began his legislative career in 1974, the same year he graduated from West Virginia University. He earned his Master of Business Administration from Marshall in 1975."Marshall University has honored me with its invitation to address the 2008 graduating class at its commencement exercises this year," Tomblin said. "I am particularly proud of the fact that this comes at a time when the Legislature gave its approval for the 'Bucks for Brains/Bucks for Jobs' program which will have a tremendous impact on future MU graduates."As an alumnus, it is also especially gratifying to be able to return to campus in a much different role. It is my great hope that the few words I will offer on this important day will have a significant effect on the graduates, and that they will consider committing themselves to lifetime careers in West Virginia. Our state needs their energy and intellect if we are to make the progress to which Marshall and our state government are also committed."Tomblin has held just about every major Senate post, including Chairmanship of the Senate Finance Committee. During his legislative service, he has sponsored several important legislative initiatives including the School Building Authority, the state's Rainy Day Fund, tort reform, ethics reform, coal mine safety legislation and more recently, the 'Bucks for Brains/Bucks for Jobs' program.Tomblin began his career as a public school teacher, while also developing private business interests. A devoted family man, he is married to the former Joanne Jaeger, a distinguished Marshall alumna who serves as president of Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College. Their son Brent will be a senior next year at Sen. Tomblin's alma mater, Chapmanville High School.Recognized nationally as one of the country's most capable and knowledgeable legislative leaders, Tomblin has held a number of important positions including those of chairman of the Southern Legislative Conference and chairman of the Council of State Governments.

Mingo County has been assigned another state trooper. Les Boytek a five year veteran of the WVSP has been assigned to the Gilbert Detatchment. Boytek comes from Lincoln County. Eight troopers are now working in Mingo County.

A Gilbert man is in the Southwestern Regional Jail charged with sex abuse by a parent or guardian.

Keith Morley is accused of distributing and exhibiting sexual materials to a minor.

A Carter County Circuit Court Judge has ordered the triple murder trial of Robert Drown be held in Johnson County.

Judge Rebecca Phillips says that the Johnson County courthouse is ideal to hold the high profile trial because of the security and there is a jail next door.

Drown is facing the death penalty in the murders of Jennifer Ison and her two daughters Shannah and Marissa. The house was set on fire. The alleged offense took place in May of last year.

The trial is scheduled to begin on December 1st.

A Floyd County resident wanted on drug trafficking charges faces additional charges after a sizeable quantity of drugs was found at his residence on Friday, May 2.
Jimmy Adams, age 56, of KY 680, McDowell, was arrested on a Floyd County indictment warrant by an Operation UNITE detective and two deputies with the Floyd County Sheriff¹s Office.

The warrant, issued after a six-month investigation, charges Adams with one count first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and two counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

After Adams¹ arrest, a search was conducted at the residence.
Police discovered approximately 777 pills a variety including Xanax, Methadone, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Diazepam and Klonopin with a street value of $8,300. In addition, police recovered $3,200 in cash and a handgun.

Adams was lodged in the Floyd County Detention Center.
Additional charges resulting from the search will be presented to the Floyd County Grand Jury at a later date.

Three Pike County residents received probation for various drug offenses.

Edith Holbrooks of Rockhouse admitted that she was in possession and selling hydrocodone. She was placed on five years probation..


James and Victoria May of Turkey Creek admitted to selling hydrocone.

James May was placed on five years probation.

Victoria May was placed on three years probation.

Preliminary statistics* indicate that fifteen people died in twelve separate crashes on Kentucky’s roadways from Monday, Apr. 28 through Sunday, May 4, 2008.

Ten of the fatalities were traveling in motor vehicles and five of those victims were not wearing seat belts. There were three double-fatality motor vehicle crashes that occurred in Bullitt, Greenup and Livingston counties.

There were two ATV fatalities and both of those victims were not wearing helmets. The fatalities occurred in Knott and Magoffin counties and one was the result of the suspected use of alcohol. One pedestrian fatality occurred in Pulaski county. A bicycle fatality was reported in Jefferson county.

A bus crash occurred in Pendleton county, killing sixteen year old Daniel Wood of Falmouth. The crash occurred on Ky. 22 at Ballinger road when a dump truck crossed the double yellow line hitting the side and back of the bus.

Single-fatality crashes occurred in Christian and Lyon counties.

Through May 4, preliminary statistics* indicate that 236 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2008. This is 37 fewer than reported for this time period in 2007. Of the 193 motor vehicle fatalities, 126 victims were not wearing seat belts. Of the 17 motorcycle fatalities, eleven were not wearing helmets. Twenty-two pedestrians have been killed. Three fatalities involved ATV’s and one involved a bicycle. A total of 46 fatalities have resulted from crashes involving the suspected use of alcohol.

A Pike County grand jury returned indictments on eight people Monday afternoon.

The most notable indictment was Barry Miller, 30, of Pike County.

Miller has been charged with three felonies, first degree sex abuse, first degree sodomy and first degree rape.

Miller is accused of engaging in sexual activity with a minor less than 12 years of age. The alleged offense took place over a three month period in 2006.


Rita Thornsberry, 45, of Garrett

Theft by unlawful taking. The accused allegedly shoplifted more than $ 300 in merchandise from JC Penney’s.
……………………………………………………………………………………………

Penny Denise Young , 35, of Varney

Attempt to obtain a controlled substance by fraud.

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

Joseph Caines , 27, of Varney

Daniel T. Caines, 32, of Varney

Two counts of receiving stolen property.

The duo are accused of stealing copper.
……………………………………………………………………………………..

Rick Smith of Feds Creek

Tammy Smith of Feds Creek

Theft by Unlawful Taking.

The accused allegedly took household items from a residence.
…………………………………………………………………………..


Hershel Ray Baker , 63, of Mouthcard

Receiving Stolen Property

Baker allegedly stole a water collection tank and a submersible pump from a residence.

More Kentuckians are registered to vote than ever before in Kentucky, according to figures released by Secretary of State Trey Grayson and the Kentucky State Board of Elections. In total, 2,857,231 citizens will appear on Kentucky’s voter rolls for the May 20th primary election. That compares to the previous record, set in the 2007 general election, which totaled 2,840,898. There were 2,795,013 citizens registered to vote in the 2007 primary election and 2,706,593 in the 2004 primary, the most recent comparable election cycle.

“While I am disappointed that Kentucky did not see dramatically increased registration figures as was seen in many other states this election cycle, I am encouraged that Kentucky has set a new voter registration record,” stated Secretary of State Trey Grayson. “It is my hope that Kentucky voters will become more engaged in the primary election races and that this increase in registrations will lead to a larger turnout on Election Day.”

The registration totals are a net increase of 16,333 voters from those who were registered to vote in the 2007 general election, increasing the voter rolls by 0.58%. In comparison, voter registration figures increased by a net of 28,725, or 1.04%, from the 2006 general election to the 2007 primaries.

Registration figures continued to show little change in the percentage of male and female voters with females representing nearly 53% of the registration population and males representing 47%. In terms of party registration, Democrats, Republicans, and “others” increased their number of registered voters by 0.82%, .25%, and .27% since November of 2007, respectively. Democrats increased their voters by 13,259 to 1,629,845. Republicans increased their voters by 2,577 to 1,040,438. “Others” increased their voters by 497 to 186,948.

Democrats were the only designation to increase their percentages of the Kentucky voter rolls as they now comprise 57.04% of Kentucky voters. That is an increase of 0.14% since the 2007 general election. Republicans and “Others” saw their percentage decrease from 36.53% and 6.56%, respectively, in the 2007 general election to 36.41% and 6.54% for the upcoming election, a decrease of 0.12% and 0.02%, respectively.

Compared to the 2004 primary election registration figures, there has been a net increase of 150,638 in total voters, or 5.57%; 49,321 in Democratic voters, or 3.12%; 89,183 in Republican voters, or 9.38%,;and 12,135 “other” voters, or 6.94%. Democrats, Republicans, and “Others” represented 58.40%, 35.15%, and 6.46% of the electorate in May of 2004, respectively. Since May of 2004, the percentage of the electorate has changed -1.36% for Democrats, 1.26% for Republicans, and 0.08% for “Others” as compared to current percentages of Kentucky registered voters.

Secretary Grayson noted that the election’s focus now shifts to getting people to the polls on Election Day. “Now that the registration books are closed, we must work diligently to see that every registered Kentuckian votes in the May 20, 2008 primary.”

Grayson encouraged citizens to utilize the Voter Information Center (VIC) on the State Board of Election’s website to confirm their voter registration status, determine whether they are eligible to vote in the primary, and to locate their polling place. For complete registration statistics and additional election information or to access the VIC, please visit http://www.elect.ky.gov/.

A Magoffin County man was killed Sunday evening in an all terrain vehicle accident.

The Kentucky State Police say that 51 year old David Stephens of Salyersville was killed when the ATV he was operating ran off the roadway onto the embankment and then flipped the machine back onto the roadway. Stephens died from massive head injuries.

The accident happened on Big Pricy Creek Road.

Voters across Kentucky have begun casting ballots for this year’s election. While not all Kentuckians can head to the polls before Election Day, Kentucky law does provide opportunities for some voters to cast absentee ballots before the May 20, 2008 election.

“Kentucky law provides Kentucky voters with a number of opportunities to cast a ballot,” stated Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson, the Chief Election Officer of the Commonwealth. “I hope that all citizens will plan for Election Day accordingly, and if they need to cast an absentee ballot, will take the appropriate steps to do so.”

Most county clerks’ offices across the Commonwealth have already begun in-house absentee voting, where voters actually vote on voting machines similar to those used on Election Day. All county clerks’ offices must allow in-house absentee voting at least twelve working days before Election Day. The actual start date for this voting may vary depending on whether the offices open on Saturdays. Voters will have until May 19, 2008 to cast an in-house absentee ballot.
Voters might also be eligible to apply for a mail-in absentee ballot. Those applications are available from voters’ respective county clerks’ offices and must be received during office hours in those offices by May 13, 2008. After receiving an approved application, county clerks will mail a ballot to the respective voters, and voters will have until 6:00 p.m. local time on Election Day to return their ballots to the county clerk.

There are a variety of reasons why a voter might request to cast an absentee ballot, including:
• Advanced age, disability, or illness • Military personnel, their dependents, and overseas citizens • Students who temporarily reside outside the county • Other voters who temporarily reside outside of Kentucky, such as a vacationer • Voters incarcerated but not yet convicted • Voters’ employment takes them out of the county all hours the polling place is open • Voters who will be out of the county on Election Day • Military personnel confined to base who learn of it within seven days or less of an election• Voters who have surgery scheduled that will require hospitalization on Election Day, and the voter’s spouse• Pregnant women in third trimester• Election Officials

Voters are restricted as to whether they can use in-house absentee voting or mail-in ballots according to their reason for casting an absentee ballot.

Grayson also reminded voters that with the start of in-house absentee voting, electioneering laws are now in effect for the building in which the absentee voting is located. Electioneering is prohibited inside in-house absentee voting locations during the hours in which absentee voting is being conducted. Electioneering materials shall not be affixed to the interior or exterior of any in-house absentee voting location during that time as well. For more specific rules about electioneering, citizens are urged to contact their local board of elections or the State Board of Elections.

Several people were recently indicted by a Floyd County grand jury.

An indictment is only an accusation.


Keith Robinson, 26, of Langley

Second degree rape ( Class C Felony )

Robinson is accused of engaging in sexual activity with a minor under the age of 14.
………………………………………………………………………………...................................................


David Robinson, 26 of Prestonsburg

Use of an electronic communications system to procure a minor to commit a sexual offense ( Class D Felony )

Robinson is accused to solicit sex with a minor by using a computer or cell phone.
……………………………………………………………………………………..............................................

Ricky Frasure , 50, of Craynor

Count I : Trafficking in a controlled substance in the second degree

Count II : Possession of drug paraphernalia

Count III: Trafficking in marijuana.
……………………………………………………………………………….....................................................
.
Gary Hamilton, 34, of Teaberry

Two counts of first degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
………………………………………………………………………………................................................
.
Teresa Hall, 46, of Ivel

Count I : Trafficking in a controlled substance.

Count II: Trafficking in marijuana.
……………………………………………………………………………………....................................

Elizabeth Ousley, 33, of Prestonsburg

First degree trafficking in a controlled substance
………………………………………………………………………………….............................

Linda Fletcher, 47, of Naugatuck , WV

Second degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
………………………………………………………………………………….......................

George Adkins, 60, of Grethel

Count I : Two counts of first degree trafficking in a controlled substance

Count II: Single count of persistent felony offender.
……………………………………………………………………………….........................

Rono Hamilton, 28, of Teaberry

First degree trafficking in a controlled substance
…………………………………………………………………………………….

Heather Bailey, 24, of Salyersville

Count I: First degree trafficking in a controlled substance

Count II: Single count of trafficking in Marijuana.
……………………………………………………………………………………

Richard Sturgill Jr, 31, of Columbus, OH

Count I: First degree trafficking in a controlled substance

Count II: Trafficking in marijuana.
……………………………………………………………………

Kimberly Ousley, 48, formerly of Johnson County was apprehended in Michigan and jailed in lieu of a $ 500,000 bond as she is accused of attempting to hire an undercover cop to kill her husband , 53 year-old Tracey Ousley.

Tracey Ousley was notified of the plot to have him killed . Tracey was staying in Floyd County to take care of his terminally ill father.

Kimberly Ousley has pleaded not guilty.

Records show that she doesn’t have a criminal history.

If convicted she could face life in prison.

Authorities say that the body of a woman found in her vehicle late last week perished from a self inflicted gun shot wound.

The discovery was made on 22 Mine Road near the Mingo / Logan line.

Authorities did not release the identity of the woman.

We were told that the victim was a Logan county resident in her late thirties.

Deputies from the Mingo County Sheriffs Department made three drug arrests late last week in the Taylorsville area.

Earnest Dale Hinkle, Rachel Hinkle and Bubby Hurley are all accused of pushing hydrocodone.

Earnest Hinkle was on parole for a previous drug related conviction. If convicted Hinkle could face life in prison on the three strikes you're out policy.