Saturday, March 28, 2009
Former U.K. Coach Leaves Fans With Mixed Feelings But Has No Regrets
The dismissal of former U.K. coach Billy Gillispie has left fans with mixed feelings, but he says he has no regrets. Tulsa-based attorney Stuart Campbell says he will have to disagree with U.K. president Lee Todd and U.K. Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart, who after dismissing coach Billy Gillispie, voiced confidence that U.K. would not have to pay anything close to the $6 million buyout spelled out in a memorandum of understanding that served as a coaching agreement. Todd acknowledged the view merely reflected an interpretation of the memo, but Campbell notes U.K. had answered media requests for the contract by producing the memo Barnhart and Gillispie signed when the hire was made two years ago. Gillispie answered questions Saturday (today) at Lexington's Marriott Griffin Gate complex, as he spoke warmly of his time as U.K. coach. He spoke of his expectations of next season at U.K., saying, with prized recruits, the team could win big. When asked if he felt he had been treated fairly he commented, "It makes no difference. I'm not a woe-is-me kind of person---No hard feelings here." When asked about his willingness to go to court, Gillispie replied he didn't know all the details and was not ready to say, but he considered the memo a contract. It is a formal contract," he said. "Just a short version."
# posted by Homer Owens @ 4:02 PM
Friday, March 27, 2009
Indiana Escapees Who Allegedly Stole Guns In Ky. Arrested In Nebraska
A multi-state search for Indiana prison escapees, 49 year old Christopher Marshall, 59 year old Jerry Sargent and 31 year old Bobby Cockerell, ended when they were captured Thursday evening in Alliance, Nebraska. The men, who escaped from the Branchville Correctional Facility the preceeding Friday, March 20th. , were captured after they abandoned their disabled, stolen vehicle following a 60 mile high speed chase, with speeds reaching up to 100 mph. Once stopped from spiked tires, the men attempted to run, and one tried to carjack a vehicle at gunpoint. Police believe the guns were stolen from a home in Sanders, Kentucky, about 65 miles east of Louisville.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 10:32 PM
Men Charged With Forcing Sexual Acts At Knifepoint
Brett Combs, Jared Fields, Phillip Riddle and Ora Walker, all of Hazard, are expected to be arraigned Monday on charges of sexual abuse, sodomy, unlawful transaction with a minor and kidnapping. Hazard police, who arrested the men, ages 18 to 21, say, on more than one occasion between January and mid- March, they forced a 16 year old male victim to perform sexual acts while at knifepoint. The men were arrested Thursday night. A $100,000 bond was set for each.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 10:03 PM
Cats Scratch Gillispie
University of Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart informed Billy Gillispie Friday afternoon, after two years in Lexington, he is no longer the head Wildcats basketball coach. Gillispie finished his U.K. coaching career with a 40-27 record. The Wildcats finished this season 22-14 and missed the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1996. Barnhart commented, moving in a different direction is in the best interest of the program. He also said fans deserve a coach who understands U.K. is not just another coaching job. Although Barnhart admitted Gillispie is a good coach, he said the chemistry just wasn't the right fit.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:19 PM
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Drug Trafficking Arrests Put Williamson High On Lockdown
While West Virginia State Police and Williamson City Police were in the process of executing 14 sealed indictments handed down by the March Mingo County Grand Jury Wednesday, they spotted Chester Woods, whom they arrested without incident. Law enforcement were at the intersection in front of Williamson High School when they discovered Woods. School principal, Johnny Branch, immediately initiated standard safety procedures and placed the school on lockdown until notified by police it was safe to dismiss students. Operation G2 netted 14 drug trafficking arrests.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 10:22 PM
Pike County School Bus Wreck May Have Been Caused By Wet Conditions
Three ambulances were called to the scene Thursday (today) when a Pike County school bus, carrying around 60 children, ran off the road and into a ditch along Route 1499 in the Feds Creek community. Kentucky State Police report, around 8:00 A. M., the driver allegedly moved the bus to the far right of the road to make way for an oncoming coal truck and went into a ditch, scraping the side of a rock wall for about 175 yards. About twenty students, who were headed to East Ridge High School and Feds Creek Elementary, were taken to Pikeville Medical Center where they were treated for minor injuries. Police say wet conditions and a muddy road could have contributed to the crash.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 10:08 PM
Former Magoffin County Deputy Judge Executive Pleads Guilty
Former Magoffin County Deputy Judge Executive Walter Edward Hardin of Salyersville pleaded guilty Wednesday to a federal charge that he used a computer to attempt to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. He was charged after chatting online with an undercover Kentucky State Police officer posing as a 15 year old girl. Hardin traveled to Lexington to meet the girl in October 2008. Child pornography images were found on his computer at his office. Sentencing is set for June 22nd.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:58 PM
Former Clay County Circuit Judge To Remain Jailed
Thursday (today), U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Wier sided with prosecutors who argued on Monday that former Clay County Circuit Judge Russell Cletus Maricle tried to influence witnesses and could do it again, if freed. Wier ordered Maricle remain jailed until his May 19th. trial, saying he has no confidence he would protect the judical process, if released. Maricle is charged in federal court in London, along with seven other Clay County officials accused of rigging elections.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:46 PM
Governor Signs School Waiver Into Law
On Wednesday, Governor Steve Beshear signed into law a measure to allow waivers for school days missed due to Hurricane Ike and the severe winter ice storm in January. House Bill 322 allows boards of education to request waivers from the commissioner of education for up to 10 disaster days missed. Martin, Magoffin and Johnson counties say they do not plan to use all 10 days. Johnson County is applying for 4 days, allowing them to end the year on May 29th.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:37 PM
Ky. Governor Pleased With 2009 General Assembly
As Kentucky lawmakers wrap up a legislative session, Governor Steve Beshear says he's pleased with what they've done, pointing to the passages of measures, including tax increases on alcohol and tobacco products. He say, however, he is disappointed that his economic incentive plan to provide tax relief to expanding Kentucky businesses did not pass. Beshear called the 2009 session one of the most productive in anybody's memory.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:26 PM
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Ky. Governor Urges House To Act On NASCAR Legislation
Governor Steve Beshear is urging House Democrats to suspend their internal rules and take up proposed legislation to lure a NASCAR Sprint Cup race to the Kentucky Speedway in Gallatin County before the 2009 General Assembly session ends this week. House Speaker Greg Stumbo says, regardless of legislative action, a Sprint Cup race in Kentucky may not happen any time soon. Stumbo says there are concerns that indicate such a race may not be allowed until litigation is resolved involving Kentucky Speedway interests and NASCAR, who says it has not received a request from Speedway Motorsports, Inc. to move one of its Sprint Cup dates to Kentucky. Speedway says it has submitted such a request.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 4:43 PM
Federal Grant Audit Questions $1.8 Million Management
Kentucky Auditor Crit Luallen has referred the second volume of Kentucky's annual statewide audit for the fiscal year ending June 30,2008 to the state Attorney General's Office, the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The audit found the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management failed to properly oversee a $1.8 million federal Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program grant for ten counties. Kentucky expended $7.4 billion in grants in the 2008 fiscal year.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 4:24 PM
Mingo County Grand Jury Indicts Dingess Man On Underage Sex Charges
The Mingo County Grand Jury has indicted 61 year old Lewis Allen Sheppard of Dingess and charged him with three counts of engaging in sexual contact with three victims, less than 12 years of age, in April 2007. Thirty one year old Misty Adkins of Duncan Fork, identified as a parent or custodian of two of the minors, is charged with gross child neglect, creating a substantial risk of serious bodily injury or death.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 4:14 PM
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Perry County Audit Sent To Attorney General
State Auditor Crit Luallen has referred Perry County's 2006 audit to the state attorney general after a review found that County Clerk Haven King's official bank account had a deficit of $21,473. In an audit released Tuesday (today) Luallen stated an accurate receipts ledger wasn't maintained, and 131 instances, totaling $11,298 in which personal property tax receipts were not recorded in the ledger, were found. Also not recorded were other licensing fees and taxes of nearly $8,600. Luallen says it was impossible to spot irregularities since too many people shared various duties of collecting, recording and depositing. More than $10,000 in checks were cashed out of office funds to former employees and third parties.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:36 PM
Highway Fatalities In Kentucky Drop To Seven Year Low
According to Transportation Cabinet records, those killed on Kentucky's highways dropped to a seven year low in 2008. Records indicate there were 826 fatalities last year, the lowest total since 2000, when the death toll was 823. In 2008, fatalities had declined for the third consecutive year.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:25 PM
EPA Cracks Down On Mountaintop Mining
The federal Environmental Protection Agency indicated Tuesday (today) that it is cracking down on mountaintop removal coal mining. EPA says it has considerable concern regarding the environmental impact mountaintop mining has on habitats and streams. The agency has sent letters to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that challenged permits requested by the mines. EPA says it will review mining permits using the best science and following the letter of the law. The action leaves permit requests in limbo.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:12 PM
KSP Search For Armed Robber
Kentucky State Police are searching for a male suspect who robbed the Cardinal Country Store in Stanville at gunpoint around 9:30 P.M. Monday night. Police say he entered the Floyd County store wearing blue jeans, a dark-colored sweatshirt, and, while concealing his face, pointed a firearm at the clerk and demanded cash. He then fled on foot with cash and cigarettes. If you have information, call the KSP Post in Pikeville or contact the Floyd County Sheriff's Dept.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:59 PM
Knott County Man Killed In Single-Vehicle Accident
Kentucky State Police report 48 year old Paul Dotson Jr. of Dema was traveling Monday on Highway 1091 in the Topmost community of Knott County when he lost control of his vehicle, went into a ditch and overturned. Alcohol is a suspected factor. Dotson was pronounced dead at the scene.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:53 PM
Monday, March 23, 2009
Kentucky Included In Multi-State Manhunt
A multi-state manhunt is continuing for three inmates from the Branchville Correctional Facility in Indiana who escaped Friday. Kentucky State Police say Monday (today) they assaulted, bound and held three people at a home in Sanders, in northern Kentucky, while stealing ten guns, cash and clothing. One of the residents was flown to a hospital in Louisville. Agencies in Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia and as far away as Missouri have been alerted to watch for the escapees.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 10:26 PM
Big Sandy Region Forest Fires
Forest Rangers say twenty three fires are burning in the Big Sandy region, with many appearing to be arson. They believe someone intentionally set a 500 acre blaze in Johnson County early Monday morning. Crews believe an ATV rider set fire in four different locations on top of Hargis Mountain, and they spread into one big fire. Authorities say, if someone is caught setting fires, they will face charges. They want to remind you to not burn debris before 6:00 P.M. If you have information on arson fires, call 1-800-27-ARSON.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:46 PM
Mingo County Man Charged After Allegedly Shooting Worker
The Mingo County Sheriff's Department dispatched a SWAT team to the home of 64 year old Virgil Sipple Monday (today) after he allegedly shot 38 year old Bill Mullens twice in the chest. The shooting occurred just before noon in the Newtown area near Matewan when Virgil Sipple and his brother, Ernie Sipple, engaged in an argument over the ownership of scrap metal Ernie had hired Mullens to move on his property. Mullens was flown to St. Mary's Hospital in Huntington, where he was listed in stable condition. Virgil Sipple was charged with two counts of malicious wounding and four counts of brandishing.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 6:09 PM
Withdrawal Order Issued For Knott County Mine
Monday (today) the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration announced it had issued a withdrawal order to Double A Mining Inc. , banning production at its underground No. 4 mine in Knott County. Regulators say Double A had failed to pay a total of $313,820 in health and safety fines for more than 360 safety violations, and the operator of the mine hadn't paid a penalty payment since August 2004. This is the first time MSHA has shut down a mine over unpaid health and safety fines. Miners were ordered off the job last week.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 4:00 PM
