Saturday, June 20, 2009
Harlan County Residents Oppose A&G Mining Permit
Some Lynch (Harlan County) residents say, while they're certainly not opposed to mining, which is what their towns were built on and several families rely on, there's a responsible way to mine coal. Residents met Thursday at a permit conference hosted by the Kentucky Department of Natural Resources to discuss a mining permit application filed by A&G Corp. People say they're concerned about the company's practices and their proposed strip mine on Looney Ridge, located on Black Mountain above Lynch. The Department of Resources says it has 65 working days to review the permit, but residents of Lynch say it's not just their town that will hurt if the permit is granted.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:16 PM
Friday, June 19, 2009
Court Date Pushed Back For U.K. Lawsuit
Attorneys for the University of Kentucky and former coach Billy Gillispie have agreed to push back the deadline involving a lawsuit filed against the university by Gillispie seeking $6 million, claiming breach of contract and fraud. The university claims a formal contract was never signed, and Gillispie was operating under a year-by-year "memorandum of understanding. The deadline has been pushed back to June 26th.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:38 PM
Kentucky Senate President Predicts Slots Bill Will Fail
By a 52 to 45 vote, Friday, the House passed the expanded gambling bill to allow video lottery terminals at racetracks in Kentucky. Senate President David Williams says, if the bill makes it to the Senate by 4:30 P.M. Monday, he will send it to the Senate Committee, where he feels it will get a fair hearing before being voted down.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:19 PM
Drug Roundup In Bell County
An eight months investigation of drug activity in Bell County resulted in the arrest of twelve (12) individuals. Bell County Sheriff Bruce Bennett starting picking up the alleged drug dealers on Friday around 8am.
The targeted number of drug dealers was twenty-two (22). Bennett said the roundup would continue as the goal was to remove dealers from the county.
The targeted number of drug dealers was twenty-two (22). Bennett said the roundup would continue as the goal was to remove dealers from the county.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 5:16 AM
Thursday, June 18, 2009
New Troopers Assigned To KSP Post 9 In Pikeville
KSP Post 9 in Pikeville has added five new troopers from the 34 which recently were presented diplomas after completing a twenty-three week training cycle which began January 4th. in a class that consisted of fifty-five cadets. The training included more than 1,000 hours of classroom and field study. This brings a total of 928 troopers serving the Commonwealth.
Assigned to Post 9 are:
Cassandra Mullins, 25, of Hindman...to serve in Floyd County
Jacob Stinnett, 27, of Hardinsburg...to serve in Pike County
Jamie Rose, 31, of Millard...to serve in Pike County
Adam Douglas Hall, 22, of Printer...to serve in Martin, Magoffin and Johnson counties
Eric Caldwell, 30, of Hyden...to serve in Martin, Magoffin and Johnson counties
Assigned to Post 9 are:
Cassandra Mullins, 25, of Hindman...to serve in Floyd County
Jacob Stinnett, 27, of Hardinsburg...to serve in Pike County
Jamie Rose, 31, of Millard...to serve in Pike County
Adam Douglas Hall, 22, of Printer...to serve in Martin, Magoffin and Johnson counties
Eric Caldwell, 30, of Hyden...to serve in Martin, Magoffin and Johnson counties
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:25 PM
South Floyd High Hosts UNITE Program
On Tuesday, June 23rd., a free basketball camp, taught by former U.K. star Jeff Sheppard, is coming to the South Floyd High School in Floyd County. It is one of five regional Operation UNITE Shoot Hoops Not Drugs clinics planned for this summer. The three hour program will teach school-age kids fundamental basketball skills, while teaching them the importance of staying off drugs.
The camp begins at 4:00 P.M. To register, arrive thirty minutes early.
Other regional camps will be held in Wolfe, Morgan, Clay and Bell counties.
The camp begins at 4:00 P.M. To register, arrive thirty minutes early.
Other regional camps will be held in Wolfe, Morgan, Clay and Bell counties.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:15 PM
Flooding Hits Dorton Area Of Pike County
Another round of storms passed through parts of Pike County again Wednesday morning, washing out roads, damaging homes and destroying water lines in the Dorton area.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:11 PM
Stumbo Says Slots Could Help Schools
In an effort to persuade lawmakers to support his racetrack slots bill, House Speaker Greg Stumbo has upped the amount of revenue he wants to spend on new buildings and equipment for public schools. Stumbo says $1.34 billion in slots revenue could be used for school projects which would include a $130 million science research center for the University of Kentucky. He says it's not vote buying, but adding schools could bring the 51 House votes needed to pass the slots bill.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:02 PM
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Re-Trial Date Set For Mingo Couple
An October 27th. trial date has been set for George "Porgy" Lecco and Valerie Friend, both from Mingo County, who were convicted and sentenced to death in 2007 for the 2005 murder of federal drug informant Carla Collins. The couple will be re-tried in federal court after the original verdict was overturned because of misconduct by a juror who failed to disclose he was being investigated for child pornography. Friend and Lecco entered not guilty pleas Tuesday.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:24 PM
Mingo County Shooting Leaves One Man Dead
Forty-five year old Randall Luther of Marrowbone (Mingo County) was taken into custody Tuesday evening and charged with first-degree murder. Authorities say, around 7:00 P.M., Luther shot and killed his neighbor, 72 year old Freddy Brewer. Brewer's wife told sheriff's deputies there was no argument or anything to provoke the killing. Authorities are continuing to investigate.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:17 PM
Rutherford Asks For Extension Of Disaster Declaration
Pike County Judge Executive Wayne Rutherford has asked to extend the incident period of President Obama's May 29th. disaster declaration to include residents who received damage during last Thursday's flooding. Residents in those affected areas may report damages by calling the Pike County Office of Emergency Management at (606) 432-0210.
As of Monday, May 15th., FEMA had awarded more than $9 million to residents in Breathitt, Floyd, Magoffin, Owsley and Pike counties. Nearly $3.6 million in housing assistance and $304,525 in other needs assistance had been awarded to 1,505 Pike County residents who suffered losses during the May 9th. flooding.
As of Monday, May 15th., FEMA had awarded more than $9 million to residents in Breathitt, Floyd, Magoffin, Owsley and Pike counties. Nearly $3.6 million in housing assistance and $304,525 in other needs assistance had been awarded to 1,505 Pike County residents who suffered losses during the May 9th. flooding.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:59 PM
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Family Smoking Prevention And Tobacco Control Act Hailed By Kentucky Health Groups
Thanks to President Obama's signature on the "Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act," tobacco products will soon include a complete list of ingredients, and tobacco manufacturers will no longer be allowed to sell candy and fruit-flavored cigarettes.
The law puts tobacco products under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration. Kentucky health groups say this is an enormous victory for public health, and it will go a long way toward saving lives and preventing kids from smoking.
The tobacco industry had opposed the bill, saying the law's requirement to disclose product ingredients is a violation of trade secrets. Those in favor of the bill say it will ensure consumers are fully informed about health effects and will virtually eliminate advertising which appeals to youth.
The law puts tobacco products under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration. Kentucky health groups say this is an enormous victory for public health, and it will go a long way toward saving lives and preventing kids from smoking.
The tobacco industry had opposed the bill, saying the law's requirement to disclose product ingredients is a violation of trade secrets. Those in favor of the bill say it will ensure consumers are fully informed about health effects and will virtually eliminate advertising which appeals to youth.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:03 PM
Severe Storms Pass Through Southeastern Kentucky
According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, a line of severe storms swept through parts of southeastern Kentucky Tuesday afternoon, resulting in downed trees and power outages in counties including Pulaski, Wayne, Laurel and Whitley. Residents in Pulaski, Clay and Bell counties reported sightings of what appeared to be funnel clouds. Several tornado warnings were issued as the storms moved through, but there were no confirmed reports of tornados touching down.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:54 PM
Two Die In Fiery Parkway Crash
Thirty-nine year old Richard Napier and 48 year old Jimmy D. Baker died Monday afternoon in a fiery crash which occurred just before 3:00 P.M. on the Hal Rogers Parkway in Clay County. Authorities say a Dodge pickup, driven by Napier, was headed east, three miles east of Manchester when it crossed the center line and collided head-on with a westbound tractor-trailer tanker truck, causing both vehicles to become engulfed in flames. The accident occurred between Manchester and Big Creek.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:42 PM
Martin Residents Consider Building A Flood Wall
Many Martin residents suffered extended damages from the May flooding, and, now, a relocation plan which started in the city nearly a decade ago is currently underway. Some residents, however, say the plan only protects about one-third of the town. They say it has been nine years and nearly $40 million has been spent on the project, but the plan is failing miserably and will continue to fail.
Some residents think there may be a better solution. One Martin business owner is urging city leaders to set aside the relocation plan and construct a flood wall which would protect the town. He says this would cover the distance of one mile and save millions of taxpayer dollars.
Some residents think there may be a better solution. One Martin business owner is urging city leaders to set aside the relocation plan and construct a flood wall which would protect the town. He says this would cover the distance of one mile and save millions of taxpayer dollars.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 6:55 PM
Monday, June 15, 2009
Flooding In Perry County
Between 5:30 A.M. and 6:00 A.M. Monday morning, waters began to rise, causing flash flooding in parts of Perry County. The flooding affected between 12 and 25 homes in the Bulan and Hardburly communities, but, with the exception of a two-story house which was knocked off its foundation, most homes can still be inhabited. Firefighters waded through high waters to rescue people from their homes.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:44 PM
School Contracts Signed For Mingo County
Two major school projects in Mingo County are now officially underway. Mingo County School Superintendent Dwight D. Dials recently signed contracts to repair and restore Gilbert Elementary and Gilbert High School, both suffering flood damage during the May flooding. Contracts total $2.6 million. In another action, Dials confirmed finalizing contracts for the Mingo Central High School, totaling $35 million. The new school building will contain 173,000 sq. ft. and will be located on a 75 acre site.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:35 PM
Judge Rules Kentucky Abandoned Property Law Unconstitutional
U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves has ruled Kentucky's abandoned property law is unconstitutional, and the law violates the Constitution's due process clause. Reeves says the state was using the provision to raise money rather than unite citizens with lost goods. In 2006 and 2007, Kentucky lawmakers passed laws saying a traveler's check is considered abandoned after seven years, shortening the waiting period from fifteen years, and allowing the state to more quickly seize and cash them. Reeves' ruling marks the second time in three years the law has been struck down.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:21 PM
December Bear Hunting Becomes Fair Game In Kentucky
According to a survey of state wildlife, the black bear population in states east of the Mississippi River is drastically rising. The survey found human-bear encounters have become more frequent in 18 states. In 2008, a reported 1,300 were struck by vehicles. Conservation officers say the bears and encounters are no longer rare in Kentucky. They say the bears seem to have lost some of their fear of humans, although some would still rather run than fight. Pushed by the state League of Sportsmen, in January, Kentucky officials opened a hunting season for bears in an effort to reinforce the animals' fear. For two days in December, bears will be fair game for hunters, making Kentucky one of twenty-eight states allowing it.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:09 PM
Expanded Gambling An Issue For The General Assembly
No one knows whether a law allowing expanded gambling in Kentucky will evolve from the General Assembly session which began Monday (today), but it's predicted that slots will steal the spotlight. The dozen states which already have racinos prove that , although slots don't necessarily save the horse industry, such places can rake in billions of dollars. Legislators and economists from those states report that some bring in big bucks, while others are less profitable than predicted and can bring problems. House leaders said Monday (today) that the House Committee would hopefully begin hearing testimony on the proposal on Wednesday, and a vote could come as early as Thursday. Attorney General Jack Conway says the measure does not need a constutional amendment.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 6:55 PM
Juvenile Steals Church Bus...Ends Up At McDonald's
The craving for a Big Mac could be what sent a young boy to juvenile court. An 11-year old was at the Carr Creek State Park with his family when he hijacked a church van, causing a Fish and Wildlife official to begin a pursuit down Highway 15N, which became a 20 mile chase through Knott and Perry counties, where Hazard police got involved.
The church van entered the parking lot of McDonald's on East Main St. where it struck six vehicles and police fired several shots into the tires, before bringing the vehicle to a complete stop. The matter has been turned over to the juvenile court.
The church van entered the parking lot of McDonald's on East Main St. where it struck six vehicles and police fired several shots into the tires, before bringing the vehicle to a complete stop. The matter has been turned over to the juvenile court.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 6:50 AM
