EKB News

The Kentucky State Police in Pikeville has told us that a two vehicle accident has happened on US 23 in Floyd County on Holiday Inn Hill. We have confirmed that one person has been seriously injured. All four lanes of US 23 are closed. Motorists need to seek an alternate route.

A $100,000 cash bond has been set for suspected drug dealer, 64-year old Howard shepherd of Perry County.

Officials say they found 600 pills and a half pound of marijuana when they arrested him in Cornettsville following a six month investigation. He's charged with several counts of trafficking.

Three plead guilty to various charges in Pike County Circuit Court.

Jimmy Conley pleaded guilty to being in possession of oxycontin. The plea deal calls for Conley to serve one year behind bars.

Barry Kinney pleaded guilty to third offense DUI and three counts of drug possession. The deal calls for Kinney to serve three and a half years and be put on probation for four years.

Jackie Chatman pleaded guilty to two counts fraudulent use of a credit card. Chatman must serve five years probation and pay $ 18,000 in restitution.

Bond has been reduced from $500,000 to $100,000 for Steven Crum, 32, and now a grand jury will decide if he should be charged with murder.

Crum admits he shot Harrison Butcher, 42, of Kermit, West Virginia, but says it was a hunting accident, not a murder. He says the sun was in his eyes when he shot toward an area where he thought there were turkeys. Being a felon, he says he panicked and left quickly when he heard what sounded like a human gasping and asking for help.

His wife implied Butcher accidentally shot himself when she called 911, but the bullets did not come from Butcher's gun.

Thomas Bartley, Jordan Holbrook, Christopher McPeek and Janelle Ratliff appeared in court Wednesday to plaead "not guilty" after being accused of breaking into Virgie Middle School.

McPeek and Ratliff are charged with receiving stolen property. Next court date is set for February 13.

Susan Witherspoon has entered a guilty plea in Federal Court in Pikeville. Investigators say she helped her husband, Desmond Greene, escape from the Big Sandy Federal Penetenitary in Martin County, before returning him in an attempt to get medical help before his death.

She's scheduled for sentencing on December 16.

A local student, elected officials and business were honored today during PRIDE’s annual Envi Awards program. The awards ceremony, which was held at the Forum in Hazard, was recorded for broadcast on WYMT-TV at 7 p.m. ET on Nov. 17.
Pikeville High School senior Don Combs won one of five Green with Envi Awards, which spotlight conservation projects that PRIDE would like to spread. Combs launched a multi-school recycling program run by students.
He recruited 5 high schools that are competitive in sports to cooperate for the environment. He lined up contributors to provide recycling bins, storage sheds and other materials. PRIDE encourages other students to follow Combs’ model.
Pike County Judge-Executive Wayne T. Rutherford and the Pike County Fiscal Court shared a Green with Envi Award for an innovative, forward-thinking project. They have finalized an agreement to build a $200 million plant that will convert municipal waste into ethanol. This is an environmentally-friendly solution to waste disposal, with the added benefits of creating 150 jobs and strengthening the domestic fuel supply. Rutherford accepted the award with Roger Ford, Pike County Energy Director.
SouthEast Telephone Company (SETel) won the region’s Unsung Hero for dedicated service toward fulfilling the PRIDE mission. The Pikeville-based company supports PRIDE volunteers by donating thousands of bottles of water. The staff cheerfully tows a big grill to feed volunteers across the region, from the Spring Cleanup Kickoff at Cumberland Falls to the Fish Trap Lake Cleanup in Pike County. Bambi Phillips accepted SETel’s Unsung Hero Award.
"I congratulate all our finalists and winners for your achievements,"
said Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-5), who co-founded PRIDE. "You have earned special recognition among a remarkable class — the thousands of students, volunteers, elected officials and business owners who make a difference day after day with PRIDE. I also want to thank those people at home who show personal responsibility for our environment."
Rogers said that 262,955 volunteers have donated 947,798 hours to PRIDE cleanup and education efforts since 1997. In that time, 2,714 dumps have been cleaned up, and 535,485 students have enjoyed hands-on environmental learning projects.
In addition to Rogers, special guests were former NFL and UK Quarterback Tim Couch and Paul P. Bollinger, Jr., Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Energy and Partnerships. Musical guests were the 23 String Band and the Rhythm Express Cloggers.
The event was made possible by SI International, Kentucky Association of Highway Contractors, Whayne Supply and Republic Bank & Trust Co.
The PRIDE Envi Awards are presented annually to honor the individuals and organizations who excelled at pursuing the PRIDE mission — Personal Responsibility In A Desirable Environment. PRIDE is an environmental cleanup and education initiative in 38 counties of southern and eastern Kentucky. It was founded by Congressman Rogers and James E. Bickford, the former Kentucky Secretary of Environmental Protection.

On 11/10/08 at approximately 8:35am Kentucky State Police Trooper Jackie Pickrell and a vehicle operated by Mandi Sumner of Vicco, Ky. collided on HWY 15 in the Jeff Community of Perry County.
Preliminary investigation indicates that Trooper Pickrell was traveling North on Hwy 15 when the vehicle operated by Ms. Sumner pulled from the shoulder of the roadway attempting to make a u-turn into the path of the trooper. Trooper Pickrell attempted to avoid the collision by steering her vehicle into the median, but the two vehicles still collided. Sumner was transported to the Hazard ARH for treatment and Trooper Pickrell was not injured. Safety belts were in use at the time of the collision. The investigation is continuing by Sgt. Raymond Engle.

On 11/09/08 at approximately 6:53pm Kentucky State Police Post in Hazard received a call of a single vehicle accident on HWY 931 in the Sand Lick Community of Letcher County.
Preliminary investigation indicates that a vehicle operated by Charles Gross of Whitesburg had dropped off the edge of the roadway into a ditch and overturned. A passenger in the vehicle Amanda F. Smith, age 28 of Neon, Ky. and Mr. Gross both were transported to the Whitesburg ARH for treatment. Amamda Smith was found to be pregnant and due to injuries both her and the unborn child were pronounced deceased at the hospital. The operator was treated for his injuries and released. Charles Gross was arrested for Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs (Aggravated Circumstances) 1st Offence, Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree 1st Offence, Prescription Controlled Substance Not in Proper Container, Murder, and Fetal Homicide 3rd Degree and lodged in the Letcher County Jail. No safety belts were in use at the time of the collision. The investigation is continuing by Det. John Griffith and Tpr. Brandon Thomas.

Preliminary statistics* indicate that twenty-two people died in nineteen separate crashes on Kentucky roadways from Monday, November 3 through Sunday, November 9, 2008. Twenty-one of the fatalities involved motor vehicles and fifteen of those victims were not wearing seat belts. Five of these crashes involved the suspected use of alcohol. Motor vehicle crashes occurred in Bullitt, Carroll, Clark, Clay, Edmonson, Floyd, Grant, Grayson, Henderson, Jefferson, Knox, Letcher, Marshall, Russell, and Trigg counties.
Three double-fatality crashes occurred in Butler, McCracken and Rockcastle counties.

There was one pedestrian fatality in Jefferson county.

Through November 9, preliminary statistics* indicate that 681 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2008. This is 69 fewer than reported for this time period in 2007. Of the 516 motor vehicle fatalities, 325 victims were not wearing seat belts. Of the 84 motorcycle fatalities, 51 were not wearing helmets. Twenty-four people have been killed in ATV crashes and 22 of those were not wearing helmets. Fifty-two pedestrians have been killed. A total of 143 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.

A Logan County man was arrested by the US 119 Drug Task Force Team for allegedly attemting to sell cocaine in exchange for $ 800.

Walter Elmore 26 , of Cora has been charged with one count of delivery of a controlled substance.

Rod Moore of Hardy pleaded guilty late last week to one count of animal cruelty and one count of storing pesticides improperly. Moore was given 30 days probation and fined $ 300.

Moore was accused of poisoning six dogs and three cats.

At the time of the crime animal cruelty in Kentucky was a misdemeanor

Mingo County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Joe Smith arrested two suspects and charged them with felonies.Varney resident James Ray Hinkle is currently lodged in the Southwestern Regional Jail on $20,000 bond and charged with nighttime burglary and grand larceny. Smith stated that the defendant allegedly broke into the residence of Roy Tiller on Sept. 21 and stole two laptops as well as five handguns valued at $6,000. Hinkle is accused of taking the laptop to Dingess where he gave it to Smith’s second arrest, Sara Workman. The laptop was recovered and identified by Tiller.Workman is also lodged in Southwestern Regional Jail on a $6,000 bond. She is charged with breaking and entering other than a dwelling and grand larceny.Police say on Nov. 5 the defendant allegedly gained entrance into a business owned by Charlene Perdue through the backdoor. While there, Workman is accused of stealing $2,812 worth of merchandise.
Smith was assisted with this arrest by Dep. S. M. Smith.


Story courtesy of Pamela Scott Johnson, Staff Writer For Williamson Daily News.

The murder trial of a Lawrence County man has been postponed until February 3rd in Wayne County Circuit Court.

Bobby Frazier of Louisa is accused of stealing a truck from a Boyd County car dealership, driving the vehicle across the state line into West Virginia while he was impaired, which resulted in an accident that killed four people.

The accident happened on Big Sandy Road near Kenova back in April.

Frazier, the only survivor in the crash, spent a week in the hospital.

Frazier remains in jail on one million dollars bond.

A Mingo County man was seriously injured and had to be airlifted to a hospital after a two vehicle accident involving a coal truck happened early Saturday morning on US 119 near the Midnight Lane exit. The accident blocked the south bound lanes for nearly two hours.

A former temporary firefighter for the Kentucky Department of Forestry was arrested Friday after he had been charged with setting forest fires in the community of Hellier.

Christopher C. Little, 30, of Hellier was arrested Friday by the Kentucky State Police. Little remains in the Pike County Detention Center on a $ 5,000 full cash bond.

In an unrelated incident. The division of forestry says that a forest fire in the small community of Grapevine appears to be arson. No homes are in danger. The fire has burned over 500 acres.

If you can give authorities any information about who set the fire, call the Arson Hotline at 1-800-27-ARSON. You could earm a $ 1,000 reward if your info leads to a conviction.

Elkhorn City, Ky.—Pike County Judge/Executive Wayne T. Rutherford, Pike County District Three Magistrate Leo Murphy and Pike County Social Services Commissioner Carol Napier presented a $35,000 check to Elkhorn Senior Citizen Center Director Sarah Blackburn.

The money was given to the center by Pike County Fiscal Court through coal severance funding, and it will be used to build an exercise room onto the center.

“This money will be put to good use. The Elkhorn City Senior Citizen Center already improves the health of its members nutritionally, by feeding balanced meals, and mentally, by providing a place to socialize. Soon, it will improve its members’ physical health as well,” said Pike County Judge/Executive Wayne T. Rutherford.

“We’re so excited! We’ve been waiting for this money and now it’s here, and we can’t wait to get our exercise room finished so we can start our exercise program,” said Blackburn. She added that any additional money left over from building the room will be used to buy exercise equipment.

“I’m glad to be able to help get the (Elkhorn Senior Citizen) Center the money for an exercise room. I know this money will lead to better health for our citizens, many of whom have arthritis and other ailments that are greatly helped by exercising,” said Murphy.

“I really appreciate all that the Judge and the Magistrates do for our senior citizens program. This money will allow us to expand the Elkhorn Senior Citizens Center so the seniors will have a room to exercise, which is so important to their wellbeing,” said Napier.

The seniors at the Elkhorn City Senior Citizens Center are very excited about the money, said Elkhorn Community Center member and Big Sandy Area Development District Elkhorn City Representative Sammy Sanders.

“I feel the money will be well used and the addition to the center will be well utilized, once it is completed, for exercise and entertainment purposes. In addition, the room will also have a storage closet, which the center greatly needs. We all really appreciate the Judge, and Leo (Murphy) and the Fiscal Court and everyone else involved in getting us this money,” Sanders said.






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FRANKFORT, Ky. – In the wake of both Ford and General Motors announcing new earnings numbers with billions in losses, Gov. Steve Beshear today renewed his call for the President and Congress to move quickly on a stimulus package that includes the automotive industry.
“Today's earnings and sales reports paint a sober picture of an auto industry in distress as it struggles desperately to overcome the impact of a credit crisis and dramatic drop in consumer confidence,” Gov. Beshear said.
Ford Motor Co announced further cuts this morning as it reported losing $129 million in the third quarter.
The automaker, which has two manufacturing facilities in Louisville, will shave 10 percent more white-collar employees from its payroll, reduce its product-development and engineering budget, and continue to implement production cuts to pare inventories in line with the worst auto sales market in decades.
At the same time, General Motors Corp, which has a manufacturing facility in Bowling Green, reported a net loss of $2.5 billion, an adjusted loss of $4.2 billion and burned through $6.9 billion in cash in the three-month period ended Sept. 30.
“These third quarter results make it increasingly clear that under these extraordinary conditions, the industry cannot continue its progress alone,” Gov. Beshear said. “Our nation's competitive strength and the economic health of families, communities, and states throughout our country are at stake, which requires us to act now to support our nation's automakers.”
Gov. Beshear recently signed a letter with governors from other auto-manufacturing states, urging Congress to help the industry by continuing to make moves to free up more capital to prop up credit markets, which have been frozen in the wake of the financial crisis.
In addition to freeing up credit markets, though, Gov. Beshear said the automotive industry needs to direct financial help to preserve those industries and their jobs.
Kentucky has 461 motor vehicle-related facilities, employing some 85,000 people. The Commonwealth is now the third largest producer of automobiles in America, behind only Michigan and Ohio. Kentucky now produces more cars than any state in the South.
“The automotive industry is critical to Kentucky. It’s critical to America,” Beshear said. “Time is not our friend, though, when it comes to preserving these jobs and vital industries. I urge the Congress to move as quickly as possible to preserve these jobs and critically important businesses.”

The Kentucky Division of Water (DOW) has lifted the water consumer advisory for Letcher County following analysis of samples taken of the raw and finished water at the Whitesburg and Letcher County water systems. The DOW consulted with the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) to reach the decision. The produced water has been cleared for drinking and all other uses. The decision to lift the advisory was made after laboratory results of additional water samples taken Wednesday indicated the water did not exceed personal exposure limits or drinking water standards.As water use resumes, consumers are advised to flush pipes for several minutes if they detect an unusual odor to the water. If the odor persists, they should contact their water company for assistance. As a precaution, food and drinks prepared with water produced prior to the consumer advisory being issued should be discarded. The advisory was put into place Saturday following the discovery of waste petroleum seeping into the North Fork of the Kentucky River from a site approximately one mile above the plant’s raw water intake. The Kentucky Environmental Response Team was activated to respond to the emergency. Cleanup efforts at the site of the petroleum seepage are continuing and an investigation is underway. “Every precaution has been taken to protect the public from harmful contaminants,” said Sandy Gruzesky, DOW director. “Considering the nature of the pollutant source, it was appropriate to suspend water production and distribution until test results demonstrated the problem was solved and no contaminants remained in the water.”Guy Delius, director of the Division of Public Health Protection and Safety at DPH, said he supported the decision to lift the advisory.“We worked with the Division of Water and the Division of Environmental Services to review the sample results and remove this advisory as quickly as possible,” said Delius. “Our first priority has always been the health of our citizens.” . The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through the Safe Drinking Water Act, has established pollutant-specific criteria for public water systems. When a problem is detected, immediate testing and retesting requirements go into effect along with public notification that consumption has the potential of serious adverse effects on human health as a result of short-term exposure.A consumer advisory is issued when there is a possibility that consumption of water produced by a water treatment plant may be harmful to human health. Contact the Whitesburg Water Works at 606-633-7310. Contact the Letcher County Water District at 606-633-8550.