EKB News

Pike County Circuit Court Judge Steve Combs followed a reccomendation of a jury and sentenced Billy Reed to serve 10 years in prison after he was convicted of second degree man slaughter after he slammed his vehicle into the motorcycle being driven by Ronnie Church of Belfry. Reed was impaired on drugs when the incident happened in January on US 119 at the Town Mountain Road intersection. Reed has to serve 20 percent of the sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Three people remain hospitalized at two separate hospitals following a single vehicle accident that happened Thursday evening on U.S. 23 near Long John Silver’s.

A spokesperson for the Pikeville Police Department said the driver of the vehicle James Williamson is listed in serious at the University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington.

Crystal Puckett is also a patient at UK Hospital. Her condition is listed as critical as she sustained serious head and abdominal injuries.

Veginia West is a patient at Cabell – Huntington Hospital . She is listed in critical condition with multiple fractures.

The vehicle was traveling south . Both West and Puckett were ejected from the vehicle.

The accident remains under investigation.

A Floyd County man will be in Pike County District Court on August 14th. 20 year old Josh B. Biliter of Harold has been charged with theft by deception and first degree forgery.

Biliter is accused of forging his name on two checks and getting money from an account in the amount of $ 2,238.96. The transaction occurred at the Pikeville Citizens National Bank.

A Pike County grand jury handed out several returned several indictments this week. An indictment is only an accusation.


Smitty Thacker, 37, of Regina : first-degree promoting contraband. Accused of smuggling items dangerous items into a detention center.
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John Douglas Ratliff, 25, of Lick Creek : receiving stolen property. Knowingly received a stolen saddle in value of less than $300.
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Brittany Ratliff, 23, of Lick Creek : second –degree criminal possession of forged instrument. She was in possession of a forged check in the amount of $ 70.00.
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James Duncan , 21, of Pikeville : possession of firearm by convicted felon.

Eric G. Bailey, 24, of Van Lear

Possession of drug paraphernalia, second degree trafficking in a controlled substance, third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, second degree persistent felony offender.
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Shawn Harrison, 25, of Mouthcard : receiving stolen property. Charge stems from a stolen truck.
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Randy Church, 26, of Jenkins

Eddie Collins , 33, of Jenkins

Emillee Yonts, 21, of Jenkins

Gregory L. Smith, Jr, 26, of Cumberland

Receiving stolen property. Received stolen copper in value of over $ 300
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Alisha R. Stanley, 28, of Martin : possession of controlled substance, first-degree
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John C. Maynard, 22, of Pikeville : first degree fleeing or evading police and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants with aggravator.

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Maxwell Tackett, 40, of Robinson Creek : second degree criminal mischief.
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Johhny D. Fitch , 37 ,of Betsy Layne

Leta Jo Griffith , 37, of Ivel

Veranda Steele , 39 , of Betsy Layne

Two counts of theft by unlawful taking. Possessing stolen merchandise in value of over $ 300 from J. C. Penny.
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Ethan Taylor , 34, of Breaks, VA : fourth degree assault.
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Gary Shannon Thacker, 29, of Shelbiana

Michael John Robinson , 28, of Shelbiana

Stealing mining cable in value of more than $ 300.
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Chistopher W. Combs , 35, of London

John W. Baker, Jr , 24, of Somerset


First –degree criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools

Damaging or destroying several soda machines belonging to Pepsi-Cola.
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Matthew B. Comer , 19, of Dwale

possession of burglary tools, third degree assault, fleeing or evading police, receiving stolen property, first degree criminal mischief and possession of marijuana.
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Jon B. Pugh ,23, of Pikeville

Jeremy Parsons, 22, of Pikeville

First degree possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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Vickie L. Morton ,51, of Elkhorn City

Second offense operating a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants.
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Christopher Kelly , 31, of Pilgrims Knob ,VA :

Third degree burglary. Theft by unlawful taking, first degree criminal mischief.
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Jeremy Collins, 25, of Pikeville

Second degree burglary. Accused of breaking into a residence.
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Samuel Justice, 41, of Pikeville

Possession of firearm by convicted felon.
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Rex Sanders , 53, of Shelby Gap

First-degree trafficking in controlled substance and second degree trafficking in a controlled substance. Accused of selling methadone and zanex.
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Juan Tyler Riddle, 29, of Homer Michigan

Failing to properly register relative to sex offender list.
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Joseph Caines, of Pikeville

Receiving stolen property
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Angela H. Ray, 32, of Phelps

First degree promoting contraband
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Michael Mullins of Virgie

Theft by deception and two counts of theft by unlawful taking.

Three people pleaded guilty to drug charges in Mingo County Circuit Court.

Roger Thomas Young pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine.

Gary Edward Chapman pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing hydrocodone.

Christopher Aaron Marcum pleaded guilty to distributing marijuana.

Mingo County Circuit Court Judge Mike Thornsbury set sentencing for September 8th.

Christmas came early for one Mingo County man. 29 year old Lucas Lee Gravely of Gilbert had a 2-15 year prison sentence suspended recently by a Logan County Circuit Court Judge. Gravely now must serve 5 years probation including four months on home confinement. Gravely was responsible for tampering and stealing mine equipment from a Logan County underground coal mine.

Gravely must pay $ 12,000 in restitution , keep a job, pass random drug tests, can’t possess a weapon or drink alcohol.

Two people were sentenced Thursday by Mingo County Circuit Court Judge Mike Thornsbury.

Rocky and Richard Asbury were sentenced to one to three years after pleading guilty to distributing Oxycodone.

An Island Creek man is out after posting a $ 20,000 surety bond after he was arrested on the parking lot of the Pikeville Speedway. 27 year-old Justin Conway was charged with improper registration, receiving stolen property and obscuring the identity of a machine.

A member of the Pikeville Police Department pulled over Conway who was operating a 2005 Nissan truck. When the officer ran the vehicle information , the vehicle came back under a different tag and vin number and a different owner. It turned out that the truck was reported stolen a few days earlier.. Conway must appear in District Court on August 26th.

Two Pike County men have a August 14th date in Pike County District Court after they were arrested Wednesday along Route 194 at Kimper after allegedly stealing eight highway grates.

A bond of $ 5,000 each was set for Lorenzo Yascone and Charles D. Thacker. Yascone remains in jail.

A spokesperson for the Kentucky Department of Highways told us that this is not a new problem of people stealing grates in hopes in cashing in the metal. They say however it becomes a safety issue.

Pike County authorities say that metal theft is at an all time high.

GAPS Program Designed for Agricultural Community
Warm weather means harvest time for a host of delicious fruits and vegetables, encouraging Kentuckians to add more produce to their diets.
With the added emphasis on agriculture, popularity of farmers’ markets and recent concerns related to foodborne illness and food contamination, the Kentucky Department for Public Health wants to assure the public of its critical role in Kentucky farm production and post-production processes that help to ensure a safer food supply.
“Public health is committed to protecting foods that are grown, manufactured and distributed in the commonwealth,” said William Hacker, M.D., DPH commissioner. “Through the Good Agricultural Practices (GAPS) program, we are able to work directly with the agricultural community on food safety issues.”
DPH follows GAPS, best practice guidelines designed by the produce industry, to help farmers apply food safety controls that, if implemented, can significantly reduce the risk of product contamination. The focus of the program includes monitoring the microbial quality of irrigation water supplies; farm worker hygiene; equipment sanitation; fertilizer application; careful consideration of land use in areas near or adjacent to food crops; and harvest equipment sanitation.
In 2007, DPH began working to promote the GAPS message to the farming community in response to the growing popularity of farmers’ markets throughout the state. The department spearheaded a multi-agency GAPS task force that consisted of the Kentucky Food Safety Branch, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and other stakeholders. The mission of the task force was to develop a voluntary GAPS education program for Kentucky farmers' market growers and producers. Task force partners have conducted training across the commonwealth. More than 800 farmers' markets vendors have completed the voluntary GAPS education component, which includes a farm practices self-assessment as well as a GAPS education component.
“Kentucky is a leader in assembling this statewide voluntary educational program, to help further assure the safety of our grown food. Expectations are high that most - if not all - of our farmers’ markets vendors will eventually have signed on to complete this valuable food-safely training and on-farm GAPS assessment," said Guy Delius, acting director of the public health protection and safety division. "With consumer expectations for safe, locally-grown produce at an all-time high, the Kentucky Department for Public Health is pleased to be able to assist our local producers in this effort.”

Attorney General Jack Conway today issued a warning to Commonwealth Credit Union members who received a recorded message on Wednesday claiming that their credit cards had been suspended.
"This is a scam," General Conway said. "Our investigators have received several complaints and confirmed with representatives from Commonwealth Credit Union that this is a hoax and may be an attempt to compromise members' accounts."
The message asks people to call a phone number. When callers dial the toll-free number, they are then instructed to enter their credit-card numbers to reactivate the accounts.
"Do not respond to this message," General Conway warned. "Commonwealth Credit Union has informed our investigators that it will never make calls to members asking for personal information."
Members and non-members of Commonwealth Credit Union have reported receiving calls on their cell, work and home phones.
For more information about identity theft prevention, visit www.ag.ky.gov/idtheft.

Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML), a department within the Kentucky Energy and Environmental Cabinet, has announced it will partially fund a study to determine which areas of Pike County possess the greatest potential for mine blowouts, as soon as funding from additional sources can be secured.

Pike County Judge/Executive Wayne T. Rutherford first contacted the AML after mine blowouts earlier this year in Virgie and Grapevine occurred within weeks of each other.

“We felt as a court we should seek this funding,” Rutherford told residents of Grapevine when they came to a Pike County Fiscal Court Meeting in June to ask for help shortly after the blowout incidents occurred.

“Something has to be done about these hidden threats,” said Judge Rutherford. “This (two consecutive mine blowouts) is nothing new. Millions of gallons have accumulated in deep mines and threaten the well-being of residents all across this county.”

AML Director Steve Hohmann said in a letter to Judge Rutherford that the best way to proceed with an investigation of Pike County’s potential mine blowout areas would be to first conduct a pilot study to determine whether a larger, more comprehensive study of the county is feasible, productive or reliable. The pilot study will investigate three contiguous U.S. Geological Survey quadrangles in Pike County which have been heavily impacted by deep mining and have documented reports of past mine blowouts.

“We believe the best way to proceed is to conduct a “pilot” study of a limited area in Pike County provided that a source of funding in addition to AML can be found,” Hohmann wrote. He said the AML would attempt to locate the additional funding by contacting other agencies.

The reason the AML requires additional funding before it can perform the study is because the department can only fund a study for mining that occurred “pre-law,” or prior to 1982. Because the pilot study planned for Pike County by the AML will study mining which occurred both before and after 1982, the AML must secure funding from other sources.

Hohmann said once additional funding is secured, the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet will begin the process of selecting an engineering firm to conduct the study.

A Pike County man pleaded guilty of being in possession of Oxycontin. 40 year-old Mickey Newsome of Little Robinson Creek will spend 18 months in jail. He was charged with first degree possession.

A months-long undercover investigation into drug trafficking in the Wheelwright community of Floyd County has led to the arrest of five individuals.
The investigation, a combined effort by Operation UNITE and the Kentucky Attorney General¹s Department of Criminal Investigation, centered around illegal trafficking in a variety of prescription narcotics.
On Wednesday afternoon, August 6, law enforcement officers from four departments went to the residence of 57-year-old Russell Johnson on Route
306 in Wheelwright to serve a seven-count arrest warrant. Officers located Johnson across the street at Russell¹s Game Room, a small store and amusement center that he operates.
After Johnson¹s arrest a search was conducted at both his home and store.
More than 300 prescription pills a variety of controlled substances including Oxycodone, Methadone, Hydrocodone, Alprazlam and Diazepam and approximately $1,900 in cash was discovered in the store.
While in the area, police set up a traffic checkpoint along Route 306. As a result, two individuals also wanted in conjunction with the investigation were located and arrested.
Two other suspects from the investigation were spotted at a nearby residence and were also arrested.
Participating in Wednesday¹s operation were officers from UNITE, Department of Criminal Investigation, Wheelwright Police Department, and Floyd County Sheriff¹s Office.
Those arrested and lodged in the Floyd County Detention Center were:
€ Russell Johnson, age 57, of Highway 306, Wheelwright, four counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, two counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, and one count third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
€ Tammy Johnson, age 30, of Highway 306, Wheelwright, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
€ Arlie Miller Jr., age 57, of Highway 306, Wheelwright, two counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
€ Mark Randall Smith, age 40, of Highway 306, Wheelwright, three counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, one count second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
€ A.W. Stanley Jr., age 38, of Branham Heights, Wheelwright, one count second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

Pike County resident Randy Courtney was named the President of the Kentucky Firefighters Association. The ceremony was held recently in northern Kentucky. Courtney has served as vice president for the last three years. His term as president will be for one year. He also serves as the President of the Pike County Firefighters Association and Fire Chief of the Island Creek Volunteer Fire Department. Courtney says that Pikeville will play host to the four day state conference which will be held next August. That event attracts more than 600 firefighters from across the state. It is believed that Courtney is the first Pike Countian to serve as state president.

Natural gas customers in West Virginia will more than likely pay higher costs this winter. All of the natural gas companies in the state have filed new rate increases.

The largest company Mountaineer Gas which services Mingo ., Logan and surrounding counties has requested rates for the upcoming winter that are 42 percent higher than last winter. The request includes the 28 percent increase that went into effect in July. One consumer advocate says that this is the highest rate increases since 2005.

Operation UNITE says that 23 law enforcement agencies will split $ 325,000 in state and federal asset funds forfeited from illegal drug activity. In our area the Pike , Martin , Johnson, and Magoffin County Sheriff Departments and the Prestonsburg and Whitesburg Police Departments will receive funding.

Congressman Hal Rogers will present the checks at 4p.m. on August 18th at London.

The Kentucky State Police say that one of the two people that were shot during a drive by shooting at a residence at Allen earlier this week died this morning. The victim was identified as 30 year-old Sally Vance of Prestonsburg. An unidentified male that was also shot was treated and released from a hospital. The police are still looking for the person or persons that are responsible .

The Kentucky Department of Education says that 70 percent of all school districts across the commonwealth met there goals in the yearly progress report in the no child left behind .

The only school district in our region that failed to meet 100 percent of there goals was Martin County. The district scored a 77 percent. They failed to meet there goals in CATS testing and math and reading with student with disabilities.

Only six schools in our area failed to meet 100 percent of its mandated goals.

The lowest was South Floyd High School ( 58 % ). Low test scores in math for all students, white students, students with disability, free or reduced lunch students in mathematics and reading students with disabilities.

Letcher County Central scored a 67 percent. Low math scores for all students, white students, students with disabilities , and math students on free/reduced lunch.

Jenkins High School scored a 70 percent. The three goal that were not met: lo math scores for all students, white students and math students on free/reduced lunch.

Belfry scored a 90 percent. The only goal that was not met math students on reduced/free lunch.

East Ridge High School scored a 90 . The goal that was not met low CATS score.

Betsy Layne scored a 92 percent. Low math scores for students on free/reduced lunch

21 year-old Timmy Rose of Belfry will spend 10 years behind bars after he pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary, Rose entered the plea in Pike County Circuit Court.

A Pikeville woman had her probation revoked and now she must serve extra jail time after she admitted to two counts of passing bad checks.

26 year old Misty Haney must serve two years that will run concurrent to her previous sentence of three years. Haney was serving probation on similar charges.

A Draffin man was sentenced to serve five years in prison after he pleaded guilty to trafficking marijuana while in possession of a firearm. Billy Joe Anderson entered the guilty plea in Pike County Circuit Court.

Two Pike County men that were accomplices entered a guilty plea in Pike County District Court to one charge of third degree burglary.

David Bowling of Pikeville 41 years of age will serve three years in prison. 41 year-old James Bowling of Elkhorn City will serve one year that is to run consecutively from a previous offense.

A Pikeville man entered a guilty plea to one charge of third degree burglary in Pike County Circuit Court.

28 year-old Toby Collins must serve a five year prison sentence

A sergeant with the Kentucky State Police entered a not guilty plea in Pike County District Court to charges of public intoxication, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Timothy Wayne Moore , 32 of Leburn, Kentucky was arrested late last month after leaving a concert in Pikeville.

According to the Pikeville Police Department the 10 year veteran of the KSP allegedly was staggering down the street , Moore allegedly yelled an obscenity at an officer. Moore then walked to his vehicle sat in the passenger seat, the report stated that when officers followed him to the vehicle he ordered his wife to drive off she complied with police when they told her to stop the vehicle. After authorities were going to place Moore under arrest he would not come out of the vehicle. Moore had to be physically removed from the vehicle.

Moore is due back in court on October 16th. He works out of Ashland.

Gov. Steve Beshear today signed an executive order directing the Transportation Cabinet to immediately develop and implement an emergency regulation authorizing the use of low-speed electric vehicles on Kentucky’s roadways.
“Kentuckians, like all Americans, are hard hit by record-high gas prices,” Gov. Beshear said at a news conference announcing the order. “These tough times call for creative solutions, and I believe allowing Kentuckians the option of using an electric vehicle is one of those solutions. Electric vehicles may help ease the burden on the pocketbooks of hard-working Kentucky families, as well as reduce their carbon footprint.”
“In addition, my administration will also aggressively pursue any economic development opportunities to recruit manufacturers and the jobs that come with this growing field,” the Governor added.
Following a recent review of low-speed electric vehicles ordered by the Governor, the Transportation Cabinet reported that under certain conditions, such vehicles can operate safely on Kentucky’s highways.
“We’re in favor of new and innovative transportation technologies,” Transportation Secretary Joe Prather said. “We will work diligently to develop and implement standards to ensure safe operation of these vehicles on Kentucky roads.”
The executive order calls on Secretary Prather to immediately develop and implement the standards for authorizing the use of Low Speed Electric Vehicles upon Kentucky’s roadways; defines a low-speed electric vehicle; and identifies rules under which a person may operate these vehicles.
The executive order also calls on Secretary Prather to report to the Governor by Dec. 1, 2008, any recommendations for legislation, additional regulation, or other policy and procedures needed to facilitate the safe use of low speed electric vehicles in Kentucky.
In addition, the Cabinet for Economic Development and other state and local agencies are currently engaged in efforts designed to retain and recruit major manufacturers of low-speed electric vehicles.

The Kentucky State Parks are now offering 10 percent off lodging and camping rates for current and former members of the military.

“This is our way of saying thanks for your service,” Parks Commissioner Gerry van der Meer said. “We’re very proud of our soldiers and want them to know they’re welcome at our state resort parks and campgrounds.”

The discount is good for lodge rooms, cottages and campgrounds any time of the year, based on availability. To get the discount, guests will need to show some proof of service such as discharge papers, military ID or VFW member card, at check in.

The Kentucky State Parks have 17 resort parks that have lodges and cottages. The resort parks have restaurants, gift shops, hiking trails, picnic areas and recreational activities such as boating, fishing, golf and tennis. The parks also have 31 campgrounds, all with water and electric hookups at improved sites. Many of the resorts and campgrounds are near state park historic sites.

Kentucky State Police officials say taser gunes will help protect the lives of their troopers, so they're spending $170,000 so more troopers can have them, and, in turn, protect others.

The say the non-lethal device shoots 50,000 volts of low current and each one issued will have a memory card in it. The say it will stop a suspect for five seconds, giving officers time to get control. It automatically shuts off after five seconds.

Tractor Supply district managers say their business is growing, and they think eastern Kentucky is the best place to expand.

They're setting up stores and offices in Pikeville, Paintsville, Morehead, Louisa and possibly two other cities. They say their Pikeville store, which recently opened, has exceeded sales and profit expectations.

FRANKFORT, Ky.) - Preliminary statistics* indicate that 16 people died in sixteen separate crashes on Kentucky roadways from Monday, July 28 through Sunday, August 3, 2008. Twelve of the fatalities involved motor vehicles and nine of those victims were not wearing seat belts – the seat belt status of one victim has not been determined. Motor vehicle crashes occurred in Allen, Bath, Boone, Christian, Floyd, Franklin, Grant (2), Graves (2), Jefferson and Magoffin counties. Three of these crashes involved the suspected use of alcohol.
There were two ATV fatalities and both victims were not wearing helmets. The first ATV crash occurred in Perry county. The preliminary investigation indicates that the operator of the ATV, Donnie Stacy, age 14 of Chavies, attempted to pull onto the highway from a parking lot and pulled into the path of a passenger car. The operator of the passenger car slowed and attempted to avoid the collision but was unsuccessful and the two collided. The operator of the ATV was ejected and pronounced deceased at the scene by the Perry County Coroner’s Office. The second crash occurred in Pike county when Police say Billy Jones, age 42, was riding his ATV on Kentucky Route 195, Marrowbone Creek Road, when his ATV dropped off an embankment. Jones was thrown from his ATV and died from his injuries. The suspected use of alcohol was a factor in this crash.
A fatal motorcycle crash occurred in Calloway county and the victim was not wearing a helmet. A pedestrian fatality occurred in Madison county and alcohol was a factor in that death.

Through August 2, preliminary statistics* indicate that 441 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2008. This is 68 fewer than reported for this time period in 2007. Of the 340 motor vehicle fatalities, 209 victims were not wearing seat belts. Of the 50 motorcycle fatalities, 30 were not wearing helmets. Thirteen people have been killed in ATV crashes and 12 of those were not wearing helmets. Thirty-six pedestrians have been killed. A total of 85 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.

Work will begin this week on a project to replace the deck and make repairs to the bridge carrying the Hal Rogers Parkway across KY 80 and Big Creek at milepoint 55.97 in Perry County.

During this project, traffic will be reduced to one 11-foot lane on the bridge and will be controlled by signals 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Drivers should be alert for lane shifts and tapers approaching the project area.

Motorists should expect delays in this area during the project and should plan their trips accordingly. Law enforcement officers will be present to enforce applicable traffic laws within the work zone.

The contractor has 30 working days to complete the project once work begins. Working days do not include days when the weather is inclement, or when other factors beyond the contractor’s control preclude work on the project. All work must be completed by Nov. 30.

A Logan County man faces 10-40 years in prison after he was found guilty of second degree murder. A jury took four and a half hours to convict Mark Gilman of Omar of killing Mary Pelfrey in January of 2006. Authorities say that Gilman brutally beat Pelfrey to death with a stick and then set her corpse on fire. Gilman will be sentenced on August 28th.

Children in West Virginia that are entering kindergarten are required to take two extra vaccination shots before they can begin their education.

Children entering a state approved pre-kindergarten are required to be vaccinated against pneumonia, hepatitis A and HIB.

Now the state is requiring students to be vaccinated for hepatitus B and chicken pox

Attorney General Jack Conway today announced that his office, which administers Kentucky’s Child Victim’s Trust Fund, is awarding almost $130,000 in grants to 12 non-profit organizations in Kentucky to help prevent sexual assault and provide medical exams for children who have been sexually abused.
“I appreciate the work that these organizations do on a daily basis and know they will utilize these funds to help prosecute individuals who harm Kentucky children and provide valuable educational information to help keep our children safe,” General Conway said.
The Women’s Crisis Center, Inc. in Covington is the recipient of the Child Victims’ Trust Fund 2009 Prevention Program Education Grant. The grant of $30,443 will fund local child abuse prevention programs.
The recipient of the Child Victim’s Trust Fund 2009 Statewide Prevention Education Grant is the Center for Women and Families in Louisville. The $10,895 grant will help fund the center’s “Focus on Respect” program, which is a statewide education initiative.
Recipients of the Child Victims’ Trust Fund 2009 Child Sexual Abuse Medical Examination Reimbursement Program grants include:
Organization
City
Grant Amount
Lincoln Trail Advocacy Support Center
Elizabethtown
$3,000

Big Sandy Children’s Advocacy Center
Pikeville
$6,000

Buffalo Trace Children’s Advocacy Center
Maysville
$5,625

Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass
Lexington
$3,000

Family and Children First
Louisville
$36,000

Hope’s Place Children’s Advocacy Center
Ashland
$7,500

Kentucky River Children’s Advocacy Center
Hazard
$3,375

Lake Cumberland Children’s Advocacy Center
Jamestown
$6,000

Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center
Bellevue
$8,250

Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) will be hosting a regional transition fair for students with disabilities on October 17, 2008 at the BSCTC Prestonsburg campus. Students will submit resumes for judging, as one of the activities.

The College will award a one semester tuition waiver for the winner of the resume writing contest. The KY Regional Interagency Transition Team (RITT) invites all interested persons to call Janie Beverley at 606-886-7359 or email janie.beverley@kctcs.edu for more information on the contest. Information will also be distributed to area high schools by RITT representatives.

Janie Beverley, Disabilities Coordinator for BSCTC, said, “ A transition initiative of this magnitude on behalf of students with disabilities is a “first” in eastern Kentucky, and will be modeling western Kentucky’s very successful prototype. Brenda Combs is the consultant who is leading this initiative, and I belong as a member representing BSCTC. This is going to be a big event for this region.”

Billy L. Jones , 42, of Rockhouse ( Pike County ) died Saturday night after he was involved in an ATV accident. Jones was traveling north on Marrowbone Creek Road when suddenly his ATV dropped off the roadway ejecting him. Jones later died at a Tennessee hospital. The victim was not wearing a helmet.

Gov. Joe Manchin today awarded 24 local Solid Waste Management grants totaling $340,000 to assist local Solid Waste Authorities with litter control and recycling efforts across the state.
Administered by the Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB), the SWMB Grant Program is designed to assist local Solid Waste Authorities in the job of properly managing solid waste within their respective counties or regions.

Projects awarded funding include:

Barbour
$20,000
Barbour County Solid Waste Authority Funds will assist with financial examination, insurance, utilities and wages.

Brooke
$20,000
Brooke County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist with financial examination and recycling trailer pulls.

Boone
$18,000
Boone County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist the purchase of containers and advertising.

Cabell
$10,000
Cabell County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist with a commercial grade bagging system.

Calhoun
$16,000
Calhoun County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist with utilities, repairs to recycling center,

bailing wire, shipping costs, wages and a ladder.
Doddridge
$1,300
Doddridge County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist with an educational conference.

Greenbrier
$10,000
Greenbrier County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist with a roof for the recycling facility.

Kanawha
$10,500
Kanawha County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist with displays and wages.

Lincoln
$20,000 Lincoln County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist with clean up costs and wages.

Marion
$6,500
Marion County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist with contract services and conference attendance.

Mason
$18,858
Mason County Solid Waste Authority Funds will assist with equipment maintenance, advertising, promotional expenses, travel, wages and office supplies.

McDowell
$9,000
McDowell County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist with advertising, educational conference attendance, event sponsorships and promotional expenses.

Monroe
$16,000 Monroe County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist with financial examinations, insurance, fuel, transportation costs and recycling supplies.

Morgan
$17,000 Morgan County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist with financial examination, utilities, insurance, advertising, educational conference, wages, contracted services, vehicle maintenance and transportation costs.

Pocahontas
$6,800
Pocahontas County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist with an educational conference, cage trailers and signs for trailers.

Putman
$10,000
Putman County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist with cleanup related expenses, public education and an e-cycling event.

Ritchie
$10,280
Ritchie County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist with financial examinations.

Roane
$19,980
Roane County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist with financial examinations, insurance, rent, accountant fees and wages.

Tucker
$15,000
Tucker County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist with leachate treatment cost.

Tyler
$17,000 Tyler County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist
with fuel and wages.

Webster
$17,350
Webster County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist with an educational conference, travel, promotional material, utilities, wages and costs associated with the installation of a restroom.

Wetzel
$13,000
Wetzel County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist with vehicle maintenance and wages.

Wayne
$20,000
Wayne County Solid Waste AuthorityFunds will assist with fuel, insurance, financial examinations and wages.

Wirt $17,424
Wirt County Solid Waste Authority Funds will assist audits, educational conference and wages.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will soon conduct a comprehensive study to determine the best way to reduce flooding in Meta.

This Flood Damage Reduction Study will design a solution for reducing 100-year flood damages in the Meta Cut-Off area and will cost approximately $140,000 to complete. Funding for the study will be provided by the U.S. Government, the Governor’s Office of Local Development (GOLD) and the Pike County Fiscal Court.

The U.S. Government, through the Public Assistance to States program, will provide $70,000 to the Corps of Engineers for the cost of the plan. GOLD will provide $45,000 and the Fiscal Court will provide $20,000 of in-kind contribution, along with $5,000 cash.

“Developing this plan is the first step in solving Meta’s flooding problems, which residents have had to endure for decades. We appreciate that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Governor’s Office for Local Development recognize and are helping to fix the flooding problems in the Meta area,” said Judge Rutherford.

“This study will design a flood control plan for the Meta/Johns Town area that will work,” said Pike County Flood Plain Coordinator Jimmy Kiser. “I’ve been trying for the last ten years to get this (study) to happen,” he added.

Kiser stressed, however, that while completion of the flood reduction study was necessary for the county to apply for construction funding, the funding currently received is only for planning. The county must attain additional money to construct whatever solution the study identifies.

The Meta community is located in a 25-year flood plain. The Johns Creek floods the area frequently, because the creek flows through the community in a pattern similar to a horseshoe. According to records of long-time Meta residents, the community has experienced at least 20 flood events since the catastrophic flood of 1977.

Once the study has been conducted, the Corps of Engineers will know the best way to alleviate the flooding problems in Meta. The study will include:
· mapping areas of the Levisa Fork Basin
· site visits by technical specialists
· updating existing geological models of the area
· using technology to develop optimal channel configuration for Johns Creek above the Cut-Off
· providing written reports documenting study conclusions and recommendations with profiles and exhibits.