Monday, September 07, 2009
Otter Creek Could Face Other Suits..As Former Chaplain Goes To Trial
A review of sexual-incident reports dating back to 2006 at Otter Creek Correctional Center in Wheelwright has revealed at least one alleged sexual assault was not reported to the state by Corrections Corp. of America. State prison officials confirm CCA failed to report an allegation against Randy Hagan, the prison's former chaplain who is scheduled for trial September 21st., after pleading not guilty.
One inmate has filed a lawsuit against CCA and the state after being assaulted by Kevin Younce, who has an outstanding warrant for his arrest after being convicted in absentia. CCA has asked the case be dismissed. Lawyers expect to file other suits in coming weeks.
One inmate has filed a lawsuit against CCA and the state after being assaulted by Kevin Younce, who has an outstanding warrant for his arrest after being convicted in absentia. CCA has asked the case be dismissed. Lawyers expect to file other suits in coming weeks.
Hardin County Woman Fatally Struck By Train
Kentucky State Police report 61 year old Wanda Murray of Upton (Hardin County) was pronounced dead after stepping into the path of an oncoming train near her home on Quarry Road Saturday afternoon. The train's engineer says he saw Murray and attempted to stop the train, but his efforts failed when the train continued moving after emergency stop equipment was deployed.
Perry County Man Charged With Murder
Forty-nine year old Eugene Bradley Barger was arrested Monday (today) and lodged in the Kentucky River Regional Jail in Hazard after being charged with one count of murder. Kentucky State Police say he fatally shot his brother, 45 year old Richard Earl Barger, while the two were engaged in an argument.
State Park Clerk Bound And Robbed
Kentucky State Police are investigating an armed robbery which occurred Monday morning at the Natural Bridge State Resort Park. Guests who were checking out found the front desk clerk tied up an hour after being robbed at gunpoint. The clerk says, around 3:00 A.M., two men entered the lodge and took more than $6,000 cash.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Stumbo And State Considering Contract At Otter Creek
Justice Cabinet Secretary J. Michael Brown says, unless Corrections Corp. of America hires a female security chief and maintains a security staff that is at least 40% female, Kentucky will not renew its contract for the Otter Creek Correctional Center in Wheelwright. Brown outlined the conditions in a letter sent Thursday to House Speaker Greg Stumbo, who is seeking a state takeover of the prison. Stumbo says it's clear professionalism is severely lacking on the part of CCA, who is being paid taxpayer dollars to perform its duties, and rape and sexual assault allegations are casting Kentucky in a poor light nationwide.
KSP Investigating Deadly Shooting In Knott County
When Kentucky State Police arrived at a home in the Topmost community of Knott County, after receiving a call around 1:57 A.M. Saturday morning, they discovered 29 year old Heather Tackett was dead from a single gunshot wound. Her husband, 26 year old Mack Tackett, was taken to Holsten Valley Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition. Police believe Tackett shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself, shooting himself in the face.
Illegal Dogfighting Ring Busted In Pike County
The issue of illegal dog fighting has been forefront in the public conscience for the last two years, what with the Michael Vick case. Now, it becomes a reality here in Pike County. Over the weekend, a dog fighting ring was discovered and several dogs were rescued from this barbaric form of sport. The dogs have been lodged in the Pike County Animal Shelter, some in terrible condition...one may have to be put down. An investigation is underway, and County Attorney Howard Keith Hall and Pike County Sheriff "Fuzzy" Keesee have announced there will be consequences and arrests for this type of activity.
Pike County Fiscal Court Requests Traffic Control Study
Following an initiative voiced by Senator Ray Jones, the Pike County Fiscal Court has requested a traffic control study, from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, be conducted for an intersection near Shelby Valley High School. This location has been the scene of numerous vehicle accidents, some resulting in death. Over 700 students and staff use the intersection, in addition to 26 school buses, 150 residents of the Carl D. Perkins Apartment Complex, 40 units of the Douglas Apartments, a senior citizen's center, a church and patients, visitors and staff of the Parkview Nursing Home. The Pike County Fiscal Court now awaits response from the Kentucky Transportation Department.
Friday, September 04, 2009
Georgetown Man Gets Ten Years
Timothy Brown of Georgetown has been sentenced to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution after pleading guilty in June to second-degree manslaughter, abuse or neglect of an adult, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, endangering the welfare of a minor and 8 counts of theft of more than $300. Brown was charged in the 2008 death of his disabled sister, 31 year old Penny Brown, whose mummified remains were found in the trunk of his car. Investigators say he acted out of greed when he killed his sister, cashed her checks after killing her and placed her body in his car.
Fairground Fires Considered To Be Arson
Fire investigators say a three-alarm-fire Tuesday morning at the Kentucky State Fairgrounds is being investigated as arson. The likelihood that the fire was intentional came after it was discovered that a minor fire broke out at the grounds Monday afternoon but was put out and failed to be reported. Early Tuesday morning, four barns were destroyed and others suffered damage, estimated to be more than $1 million.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
KSP Report Deadly Pike County Accident
Kentucky State Police report 23 year old Stephen Balo was driving a dirt bike east on State Route 460 at Draffin in Pike County Wednesday night when he was hit by a car driven by Deborah Ratliff, causing Balo to collide with another vehicle. Balo was flown to Johnson City Memorial Hospital, while his passenger, 22 year old Eric Hatfield of Elkhorn City was pronounced dead at the scene, after both men were thrown from the dirt bike.
Kentucky's First Swine Flu Death Confirmed
Thursday (today), at the Governor's Pandemic Influenza Summit in Frankfort, Kentucky health officials confirmed the state's first swine flu death. It was announced that a Lexington woman in her 50s with significant underlying health conditions had died Monday, becoming Kentucky's first death from H1N1. Health officials are recommending people get both the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine.
Magoffin County Couple Indicted After Causing Mistrial
A Magoffin County Grand Jury has indicted 64 year old Gladys Allen and 18 year old Jarred Allen on charges of jury tampering and retaliating against someone participating in legal process. Charges stem from alleged threats to jurors and Commonwealth's Attorney Graham Martin during a trial last month for Chester Allen on charges of sodomy first-degree, which resulted in the judge declaring a mistrial.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Otter Creek Corrections Officer Faces Felony
A Floyd County Grand Jury has indicted 54 year old Charles Prater of Hueysville, a former corrections officer at Otter Creek Correctional Center in Wheelwright. Prater was charged with first-degree rape after being accused of forcibly raping a female inmate on June 13th. , making Prater's charge the first to be a felony. Since 2006, five corrections officers have been accused of misdemeanor sexual abuse charges at the prison. Four have been convicted, while the fifth is scheduled for trial this month.
Work Release Escapee Captured
Kentucky State Police captured 25 year old Anthony Puett, a Pike County Detention Center escapee, just before midnight Wednesday in the Shelbianna area after he escaped Tuesday while on work release in Peyton Creek in the Millard area of Pike County.
Stabbing Leaves Morehead Man In Critical Condition
Kentucky State Police responded to a stabbing at Bluestone Road in Morehead just before 10:30 P.M. Tuesday night. Authorities arrested 30 year old Jason D. Branham of Winchester and charged him with first-degree assault after he allegedly stabbed 34 year old Michael D. Ritchie of Morehead. Ritchie was taken to St. Claire Regional Medical Center before being flown to U.K. Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.
Kentucky To Receive Millions In Drug Settlement
Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway has announced Kentucky will receive approximately $5.4 million as part of a health care fraud settlement from criminal and civil lawsuits filed against drug giant Pfizer. Nine lawsuits were filed against Pfizer alleging the company paid kickbacks to doctors and health care professionals to use Pfizer products while the company marketed drugs for use not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Floyd County Blasting Nets Fine For Contractor
The Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement has fined Austin Powder Company $10,000, while citing them for the unsafe use of explosives and a "flyrock" incident caused by unsafe practices. Last week, a Friday afternoon blast sent a 9 ft. high, 4 ft. wide and 6 ft. deep boulder downhill into the home of Billy Tussy on Caney Fork Road in Martin of Floyd County, knocking it off its foundation and severely damaging the rear of the home. The site was licensed to Frasure Creek Mining.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Kidnap Suspect Released After Pleading Not Guilty
Twenty-three year old Scott Blackwood was released fromthe Pike County Detention Center on a $40,000 cash bond after pleading not guilty to charges including attempted kidnapping. Blackwood was arrested Saturday at the Pikeville Wal-Mart after allegedly traveling from Oklahoma to meet with a female juvenile he met via Internet. When Blackwood arrived at Wal-Mart with plans to take the girl to Oklahoma, he was surprised when a decoy vehicle contained police officers.
Fire Destroys Barns At Kentucky Fairgrounds
On the second morning after the closing of the Kentucky State Fair, a three-alarm blaze at the fairgrounds was reported around 2:08 A.M. Tuesday (today). While the first Louisville Fire and Rescue unit arrived at 2:13 A.M., just five minutes after the fire was reported, and the blaze was under control shortly before 3:00 A.M., four barns were completely lost, a fifth sustained heavy damage and three had minor damage.
Kentucky Schools Gear-Up For Swine Flu
As the school year begins, state health and educational officials are alerting school districts of the expected return of the H1N1 swine flu and are urging officials to be prepared to take action against increased flu activity. The state Department of Public Health is reminding Kentuckians to stay aware of new developments associated with the flu and to focus on practicing good health habits. Some school health coordinators say their schools are prepared, but there should be more focus on what to do when a school is closed for an extended period of time due to the flu. Officials say the educational process on how to handle the situation is important in helping to reduce the number of cases and may prevent long term disruptions in schools. Having a comprehensive plan could help keep down spreading of the virus.
