Thursday, August 06, 2009
Cult Follower To Be Released From Prison
On August 16th., 60 year old Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, follower of cult leader Charles Manson, is set to be released from the Federal Medical Center Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas, after serving more than 30 years behind bars. The, then-26 year old Fromme, was imprisoned in West Virginia in the 1980s after being convicted of aiming a semi-automatic pistol at President Gerald Ford in an attempt to assassinate him in September 1975 in Sacramento, California. Fromme escaped from the women's prison in Alderson, West Virginia in 1987, but she was arrested two days later just a few miles away from the prison.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:26 PM
Coal Run Village Police Department Gets COPS Grant
U.S. Congressman Harold "Hal" Rogers has announced that, through the COPS Hiring Program, the town of Coal Run Village has been awarded a $143,370 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The grant will be used to keep police on the job, while bolstering safety efforts in Pike County.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:19 PM
Old Governor's Mansion To Hold Public Tour
The Old Governor's Mansion in Frankfort, which has recently undergone needed restoration, is scheduled to open for public tours from September 19th. through October 3rd.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:12 PM
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Floyd County Police Make Drug Bust
Officers in Prestonsburg have arrested 32 year old Jimmy D. Epling after they say they observed him conducting a drug transaction. During a search of his home on Willow Street, police found OxyContin, marijuana, other drug paraphernalia and more than $4,000 in cash. Also arrested were 34 year old Mike Smith and 20 year old David Flanagan. Officers believe Flanagan was transporting OxyContin from Detroit, and Epling and Smith were selling it in Kentucky. Officials say Smith was also wanted in Michigan, as well as Pike and Fayette counties in Kentucky for drug trafficking.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:10 PM
Despite Sexual Allegations...State Extends Contract For Otter Creek
Despite sexual allegations against at least five workers at the Otter Creek Correctional Center in Wheelwright over the last three years, the state has agreed to extend, for 60 days, its contract with Corp. of America. The state has had a contract with CCA since 2005 to house up to 476 female inmates and is continuing to negotiate a two-year extension. The state claims its assessment is that it's more effective to rectify the situation at Otter Creek than to find alternative forms of incarceration. Kentucky State Police will present one case of alleged sexual abuse to a Floyd County grand jury this month.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:57 PM
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Motorcycle Accident Kills Pike County Man
Sixty-two year old James Justice of Dry Fork was riding his motorcycle on Dry Fork Road of Shelbianna (Pike County) Monday morning when he lost control and was ejected when the motorcycle overturned. Justice was pronounced dead at the scene.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 2:50 PM
Pikeville College Appoints Interim President
While Pikeville College continues a national search for a new permanent president, the Pikeville College Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Boyd R. Buser, vice-president and dean of the School of Osteopathic Medicine, to serve as interim president. Buser, who has been with the school since 2007, will continue as dean of the osteopathic school, and he has told the board he is not interested in pursuing the position as permanent president.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 2:41 PM
Teco Coal Announces Cutbacks
Teco Coal has announced that, due to decreasing demand for coal, the company has been forced to make cutbacks in production at their Clintwood-Elkhorn Mines in Pike County and at their operation in Hurley, Virginia, resulting in the layoff of 38 workers.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 2:35 PM
Harlan County Demolition Contractor Enters Bid For Governor
Harlan County demolition contractor Otis "Bullman" Hensley Jr. has filed notice with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance that he will be raising campaign funds as a candidate for the 2011 Democratic gubernatorial race. Hensley has listed Richard Robbins, a coal miner from Evarts, as his running mate. This marks his third attempt in the bid for governor.
Governor Steve Beshear recently chose Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson as his running mate. Lexington attorney Gatewood Galbraith will be running as an independent candidate and has chosen political consultant Dea Riley of Frankfort as a running mate.
Governor Steve Beshear recently chose Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson as his running mate. Lexington attorney Gatewood Galbraith will be running as an independent candidate and has chosen political consultant Dea Riley of Frankfort as a running mate.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 2:20 PM
Monday, August 03, 2009
Pike County To Receive Funds For Road Repairs
Pike County Judge Executive Wayne Rutherford says drivers aren't filling up their gas tanks as much as they once did, and, with revenues down, funds for county road projects are not keeping up with needed road repairs. He says the county doesn't want to just patch pot holes and do minimal paving, an idea shared by Pike County Road Department Director Frank Hatcher. In response, Governor Beshear and Transportation Secretary Joe Prather have implemented a one-time local stimulus plan in which Pike County will receive an estimated $450,000, part of nearly $21 million that will be distributed throughout Kentucky's 120 counties.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:17 PM
Perry County Woman Dies Following House Fire
Kentucky State Police report firefighters responding Monday (today) to a call at the home of 56 year old Jane Carter in the Chavies community of Perry County found her in the living room of the burning home. She was taken to Hazard Applachian Regional Hospital, where she died. Police say there is no evidence of foul play.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:11 PM
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Corbin Shooting Results In Death
Kentucky State Police say a shooting around 9:50 P.M. Friday night at the Rootbeer Stand, located on 18th. St. in Corbin, resulted in the arrest of 55 year old Larry Wilson of Williamsburg, who's charged with murder and wanton endangerment. Police say, during an altercation, Wilson shot 38 year old Todd Carter of Woodbine in the chest, while another shot hit a parked car, barely missing a young girl.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:19 PM
Man Pleads Guilty To Lesser Charge In Knox County Murder
A September 25th. sentencing date has been set for Douglas Mabe, who pleaded guilty Friday after prosecutors reduced his murder charge to first-degree manslaughter. Investigators say Mabe fatally shot Bill Mills, whose body was found in the parking lot of the West Knox Elementary School December 24, 2004.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:12 PM
Cap And Trade Protest Held In Knott County
More than 5,000 people gathered Saturday in Knott County, including some who flew from Washington D.C., to take part in a protest against the proposed Cap and Trade bill which is now in Congress. Representatives Hubert Collins and Jim Gooch and Senator Brandon Smith were among those who spoke at the rally. Local politicians say the Cap and Trade would fine places that burn coal, which would lead to job cuts, mines being closed, increased nationwide energy costs and severe risk to the local economy. Supporters say they know they need to burn coal cleaner, but a way has not yet been developed to do that. They say they're ready to take their message to Washington.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 6:56 PM
Johnson County Families Sue Coal Company
Alleging property damage to their homes by blasting and other mining activities, Carl and Billi Butcher and Ronnie and Irene Gamble, all of Hager Hill (Johnson County) have filed a lawsuit against Johnson-Floyd Coal Company. In response to the suit filed by Kirk Law Firm, Lexington attorney Susan Maines asserts the coal company is not responsible.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 6:48 PM
Center For Autism Opens In Prestonsburg
Thursday, Kentucky's first autism center, the Highlands Center for Autism, opened in Prestonsburg. Dr. Shelli Deskins, program director, says the programming is individualized to each child. Right now there are four students in the program, but doctors say they hope to expand soon.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 5:12 PM
