Thursday, September 10, 2009
Wet/Dry Vote In Coal Run
A November 3rd. vote has been set for a restaurant-only Local Option Election for the city of Coal Run. A supplemental petition was filed containing 24 signatures by registered voters who voted in the last general election, after the original petition, containing 211 signatures, 70 that voted in the election. Ninety-four valid signatures were enough to certify the petition.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:51 PM
New Mingo County School Construction Progresses
Installation of various utilities has slowed work on the new multi-million dollar Mingo County Central High School which is scheduled to open for the beginning of the 2011-2012 school term, consolidating Williamson, Matewan, Gilbert and Burch high schools. But, the general contractor, Neighborgall Construction, says workers are continuing to make good progress.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:37 PM
Former Pike County Sheriff Volunteer To Appear In Court
Elkhorn City Councilman and former Pike County Sheriff Deputy volunteer 41 year old Johnny Stewart is scheduled to be in court September 16th. after being charged with impersonating a peace officer. Stewart was arrested last Friday after allegedly pretending to be a sheriff's deputy and telling someone in Elkhorn City he was investigating a case and threatened to arrest the person. Pike County Sheriff "Fuzzy" Keesee says Stewart was dismissed eight months ago after conducting himself in a manner unbecoming of a police or sheriff's deputy.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 6:59 PM
Letcher County Accident Results In Death
A two-vehicle head on collision on U.S.119 in the Mayking community of Letcher County Wednesday afternoon resulted in one death and left a child in critical condition. Forty-one year old Cherie D. Taylor of Whitesburg was killed, while her passenger, 4 year old Lydia Gernert, was airlifted to Holsten Valley Medical Center. Nineteen year old Brittney Bates of Thornton and her two passengers were taken to Whitesburg Applachian Regional Hospital. Officials today said the child transported to Tennessee was improving.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 6:48 PM
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Red Cross Opens Satellite Office In Pikeville
People in Pike County no longer have to travel for Red Cross training. Wednesday, the Big Sandy Red Cross officially opened a new satellite office in downtown Pikeville, making CPR training and other volunteer classes more convenient for Pike County residents. There are also plans to begin a Junior Red Cross Chapter in the near future for those who are 14 to 21 years of age.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:46 PM
Prescription Help Bus Visits Pikeville
With an economy that's shaky at best, for Kentucky families it's sometimes a case of pay the bills or get the meds. America's pharmaceutical research companies are now offering help to those who are uninsured or struggling financially. Wednesday (today), "The Help Is Here Express" arrived at Pikeville Medical Center to act as a clearinghouse for Eastern Kentuckians to find out if they qualify for free or discounted medicines. Those who do, could have access to more than 2,500 brand-name and generic medicines. The two hour visit by "The Help Is Here Express" was enthusiastically attended.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:35 PM
"Adopt-A-Highway" Cleanup Program Gearing Up
It's time for "Adopt-A-Highway" groups to do what they do so well. Volunteers will be out in force September 20-26th. to tidy up roadways in Highways District 12 which includes, Lawrence, Johnson, Martin, Floyd, Knott, Pike and Letcher counties. The "Adopt-A-Highway" program was established in 1988. Concerned volunteer groups clean approximately 8,000 miles annually in Kentucky.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:24 PM
KSP Citizen's Police Academy Scheduled To Begin
Now the average citizen can learn first-hand the many things associated with the Kentucky State Police. Beginning on Thursday, October 8th., the KSP will operate a Citizens Police Academy. The ten week course will conclude on December 10th., and will meet on successive Thursdays from 6:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. The Academy will hold classes at Prestonsburg High School. Anyone 18 years of age or older living within the KSP Post 9 area is welcome to apply. There is no cost to attend.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:56 PM
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Elkhorn City Gets Grant For Sewer Project
Congressman "Hal" Rogers announced that the Eastern Kentucky PRIDE Organization awarded $174,939 to Elkhorn City for city sewer improvements. The funding will be used to construct sanitary sewer lines, a new pump station and three manholes. The project will correct repetitive drainage issues near a local bank inElkhorn City.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:56 PM
Meta Double-Kwik Attracts Robbers
There appears to be something at the Meta Double-Kwik that strongly attracts robbers. Once again, Kentucky State Police are investigating an armed robbery which took place around 7:00 P.M. Monday. Troopers say, this time, a man wearing light-colored blue jeans, a green hoodie and work boots entered the store armed with a small pocket knife and demanded cash., before escaping on foot, headed towards Kimper. Robbers seem bent on keeping this place a real hotbed !!
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:46 PM
Hazard Business Owner Offers Reward
Albert Gould, the owner of Skybox, a popular restaurant in Hazard, is offering a $1,000 reward after discovering someone broke into the facility, stole money from vending machines, broke the pilot light on the stove, turned on the gas and attempted to set the business on fire with a handmade explosive.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:26 PM
Kentucky Reports Ten Labor Day Fatalities
Preliminary statistics indicate, from August 31st. through September 7th., 27 people died on Kentucky roadways in 26 separate crashes, 10 occurring during the official Labor Day holiday period, which ran from 6:00 P.M. September 4th. through 11:59 P.M. Monday, September 7th. Eight non-holiday crashes involved the suspected use of alcohol, while 5 of the holiday crashes were attributed to the possible use of alcohol. Through September 7th., 534 deaths have been reported from traffic-related accidents on Kentucky highways, 5 fewer than this period in 2008.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:16 PM
Danville Woman Arrested Following Kidnapping Report
Responding to a call just before 11:40 P.M. Monday night regarding a possible kidnapping, Danville Police went to the home of Leslie McPherson on West Walnut Street. Officers say, when they arrived, they discovered McPherson heavily intoxicated, along with Jane Turk and James White who were in McPherson's home also heavily intoxicated. McPherson's underage child was placed in the custody of social services. While attempting to place McPherson under arrest, she tried to flee.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:59 PM
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.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:31 PM
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.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:25 PM
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.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:20 PM
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.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:13 PM
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.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 5:53 PM
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.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 5:43 PM
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.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 5:32 PM
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.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 5:15 PM
