EKB News

KENTUCKY....
U.S. District Judge Thomas B. Russell of Paducah has given preliminary approval to a settlement between Countrywide Financial Corp. and up to 17 million people whose detailed financial information was exposed during a security breach, including anyone who obtained a mortgage and anyone who used Countrywide to service a mortgage prior to July 1, 2008. Under terms of the settlement, Countrywide, now owned by Bank of America, would give free credit monitoring. A fairness hearing is scheduled for July 19th in Louisville.

KENTUCKY....
Former Kentucky state Auditor Edward B. Hatchett, who served from 1995 to 2003, has been chosen to head the Kentucky Association of Counties after a search committee chose him from four finalists to replace Bob Arnold, who resigned in September after KACo's spending became the subject of public scrutiny. The committee will formally recommend Hatchett to the full KACo board at a special meeting Monday. KACO provides services and lobbying for counties, sells insurance to local governments and finances their projects.

KENTUCKY....
Kentucky State Police Trooper Jeff Senters, based at the London post, says, when he conducted a traffic stop on Muddy Gap Road in Clay County Thursday, he discovered twenty-five year old Ryan Revis of Manchester had a methamphetamine lab in his pickup truck. After finding chemicals used to make meth, Senters arrested Revis on charges of first degree manufacturing of meth and first degree possession of a controlled substance and lodged him in the Clay County Detention Center.

KENTUCKY....
Kentucky State Police say a fatal shooting which occurred in Hardin County on Christmas day involving two officers with the Radcliff Police Department ended tragically for a Tennessee man. According to police, 39 year old Thomas Everett of Elizabethton was being pursued by police in Vine Grove after receiving a report that he and his girlfriend failed to pay a bar bill. Authorities say, after Everett crashed his vehicle, he stole a police cruiser and sped away, striking a police officer. He was then followed to John Hardin High School where he stopped the car after getting a flat tire. As officers approached the vehicle, they say he appeared to be brandishing a pistol, resulting in Everett being shot multiple times. On Saturday, investigators revealed the pistol was a fake weapon. The officers have been placed on administrative leave while the investigation is ongoing.

KENTUCKY....
Lots of Kentuckians will soon be able to learn more about their ancestry as they take a step back in time. Kentucky land, census and marriage records from the late 1700s to the 1900s are being prepared for public inspection after Deputy Fayette County Clerk Linda Potter learned from a magazine article that a volume of land patents containing the names of the commonwealth's earliest settlers called the "Doomsday Book" had been moved to Frankfort in the early 1970s. The books were found in government archives in Frankfort and the Fayette County clerk's storage area. They are being indexed to make information easier to find and documents are being scanned for microfilm or computer viewing and should be complete in about two weeks.

KENTUCKY....
The Kentucky Public Service Commission reports that more than 14,000 homes and business remained without power Saturday after a powerful snowstorm hit eastern Kentucky one week earlier. Officials say, although this number is down from a high of more than 100,000 originally reported, they will continue to strive to restore power to everyone affected. Outage numbers from the PSC do not include municipal utilities.

WEST VIRGINIA....
A planned trip to West Virginia turned into tragedy on Christmas Eve for one family. Arkansas police report Salvation Army major Philip Wise, formerly of Weirton, W.Va., was fatally shot Thursday while picking up his wife, Cindy, who was formerly from Charleston, at the organization's community center in North Little Rock. Authorities say two male suspects approached Wise's vehicle, and one demanded money and shot him as his children, ages 4, 6 and 8 years witnessed the incident. The Wises were preparing for a trip to West Virginia to visit family members for the holidays.

WEST VIRGINIA....
The unthawing from last week’s snow storm caused a rock slide Thursday on W.Va. Route 49 near Williamson, injuring Peggy Kinder and Daisy Nowlin, both of North Matewan. Falling rock trapped the elderly women in their vehicle, pushing them off the road and nearly off the mountain, causing them personal injury, as well as damage to their vehicle. Mingo County Director of Emergency Mangement Jared Fletcher says work will begin Monday, December 28th, to remove fallen rocks, with work expected to take approximately 10 days.

WEST VIRGINIA....
Earlier this week police arrested 29 year old Mark Alan Parsons after he admitted to stealing more than $2,000 from the the UPS Store on MacCorkle Avenue in South Charleston where he was employeed. Authorities say, after Parsons told them it appeared the store had been broken into, investigation and several inconsistencies in Parsons' statement led them to determine he himself had taken the cash. When confronted, Parsons confessed and led them to his Ohio Street home, where he gave the officers the remaining cash. Parsons was charged with felony grand larceny.

WEST VIRGINIA....
Karin M. Losh, the mother of 18 year old James Roberts, formerly of Eleanor, has filed a lawsuit seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages against Tennessee-based Teton Transportation Inc. and D&L Leasing LLC, along with truck driver, 57 year old Breazeale W. Norris of Indianapolis. The suit alleges Norris was drunk on November 21st when he rear-ended a 2005 Hyundai Elantra that was waiting to turn left at the exit-ramp stoplight at W.Va. 34, sending it straight through the intersection and onto the on-ramp on the other side of the road. James Roberts, who was sitting in the passenger seat, died from his injuries at Charleston Area Medical Center General Hospital. Norris remains in Western Regional Jail awaiting trial on charges of DUI causing death, leaving the scene of an accident causing death, three counts of DUI causing injury, three counts of leaving a scene causing injury and DUI involving a commercial vehicle.

WEST VIRGINIA....
Fifth Third Bank of Cincinnati has filed a lawsuit alleging The Apostolic Life Church located at 350 Staunton Avenue in Guyandotte, West Virginia defaulted on the unpaid portion of a loan and falsified documents to make it look as if the balance was paid in full. According to the lawsuit, church leaders entered into a $900,000 loan agreement in May 2001 and then renewed it at least three times before the bank placed a lien on the property in February 2009. Fifth Third claims church leaders filed a "notice of correction" in September 2009 transferring ownership of the property from those named by the bank to the church and its leaders, and, a month later, filed documents releasing it from the loan. The bank is seeking more than $752,900 in remaining principal, interest, late fees and legal costs, but church leaders say they're confident the church will be cleared of any wrongdoing.

WEST VIRGINIA....
While most were preparing early Friday morning to enjoy a nice Christmas dinner, two people in Cabell County were on their way to the Western Regional Jail.

Thirty year old Wayne Alan Leadman was incarcerated around 2:55 A.M. charged with felony escape, two counts of breaking and entering and four counts breaking and entering into an automobile, along with misdemeanor petit larceny and drug possession.

Fifty-five year old Jeffrey Nicholas was incarcerated around 3:25 A.M. charged with felony fleeing while driving under the influence, two counts of misdemeanor destruction of property, two counts of misdemeanor leaving the scene of an accident, no insurance and misdemeanor driving under the influence.

WEST VIRGINIA....
It appears, while some drivers were slowed by bad weather, one bus driver arrived three hours behind schedule Monday night at a bus station in Charleston. Greyhound Bus Lines officials say they want to apologize to 45 passengers who were abandoned on a bus with no heat The bus line is offering free travel vouchers after passengers heading to Columbus and Detroit were told around 8:00 P.M. another driver would arrive within the hour, but no one showed up before 11:00 P.M. Greyhound has apologized for the inconvenience, calling the incident unacceptable, and says it plans to conduct an internal investigation.

WEST VIRGINIA....
Fifty-four year old Charles E. Hatcher of Louisville was recently arrested in Kanawha County after troopers found a weapon inside his vehicle during a traffic stop on Interstate-77. Trooper Malcolm Napier says, when he stopped Hatcher, he spotted a black semi-automatic pistol protruding from under the driver's seat. Hatcher acknowledged he was a convicted felon and that he didn't have a concealed weapons permit. Police say a review of Hatcher's criminal history revealed multiple felony convictions for several armed robberies, an attempted rape and a burglary, all in Kentucky. Troopers say he is a registered sex offender in Kentucky and was on supervised release at the time of the incident.
　

WEST VIRGINIA....
A February 22nd trial date has been set for five Kenyans involved in an alleged multimillion-dollar scam that hit government officials in at least four states, including the West Virginia State Auditor's Office. Each pleaded not guilty Monday to charges including conspiracy, wire and mail fraud and laundering money. All five were arrested in Minnesota last month and held without bail, citing the international scope of the case and the alleged use of a phony passport and other forged documents. The indictment claims the scheme reaped more than $3.3 million from West Virginia, Massachusetts, Kansas and Ohio, while around $700,000 from West Virginia ended up in Kenyan bank accounts. The Internal Revenue Service and Secret Service continue to investigate.

WEST VIRGINIA....
The U.S. Attorney's office has requested a guilty plea hearing for Clark Diehl, Charleston business owner of Wallpapers in Stock. Federal prosecutors say he is expected to admit that, in order to keep a contract with the state of West Virginia in 2005, he bypassed the state's competitive bidding process and submitted bogus bids to make it appear that other companies had sought the contract involving the General Services Division. Diehl is also charged with tax evasion after allegedly underreporting his 2002 income by more than $63,300, along with mail fraud.

WEST VIRGINIA....
The West Virginia State Police, along with detectives from the Parkersburg and Vienna police departments, are investigating nearly $8,000 in drug forfeiture money missing from the Wood County Sheriff's Office. According to the West Virginia Auditor's Office, the money was kept in an evidence room and used as a petty cash fund instead of being deposited into a bank account. The report reveals the last entry of the fund's activity was listed in a log book on January 6, 2005.

WEST VIRGINIA....
While thousands were hoping their power would be restored in time for Christmas, officials with American Electric Power say the snowstorm wasn't all that kept them busy. Copper thieves, especially in parts of Boone and Logan counties, are stealing wires and conductors from downed lines, and some thieves are even going as far as to climb the poles to take the wiring. If you have information on the thefts, you're urged to call AEP's security hotline at:
866-747-5845.

KENTUCKY....
As part of a nearly $1.4 billion nationwide program to keep offering services for the homeless, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says the federal government has awarded nearly $16.5 million in homeless grants for Kentucky, money needed to keep 98 homeless assistance programs operating throughout the state. The funding is being awarded through HUD's Continuum of Care programs, and officials say they're providing quick renewal of grants to prevent an interruption in federal assistance.

KENTUCKY...
Better than Indiana, West Virginia, Illinois and Ohio...Kenucky experienced a 7% rise in population as older workers retiring opened the oppportunity for younger workers to come into the state for employment. According to the Census Bureau, the Commonwealth added at least 82,000 individuals, as more residents moved in than moved out. Between 2003 and 2007, the state had a net population boost of 62,000. Kentucky now has 4.31 million citizens.

KENTUCKY...
Did Kentucky Power Company do enough to prevent the electrical outages experienced in Letcher County? A grand jury will consider that question. Letcher County Commonwealth's Attorney Edison Banks II said he is initiating the course of action based on complaints from local residents in Letcher County. The controversy centers around the contention that Kentucky Power doesn't do enough to keep electrical line rights-of-way cleared of trees. Banks said he would turn the complaints over to a grand jury when it convenes January 7.

Ronn Robinson, a spokesman for Kentucky Power, said the outages were a result of the winter storm and nothing more. At least 7000 customers lost power in Letcher County. Judge-Executive Jim Ward joined in the call for improvements.

KENTUCKY...
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged to keep fighting efforts to pass a massive health care bill even as Democratic leaders declared victory Thursday after an early morning vote on the Senate version of the legislation.

McConnell suggested that public sentiment might yet help turn the tide on health care reform. "This debate was supposed to produce a bill that reformed health care in America," he said. "Instead, we're left with party-line votes in the middle of the night, a couple of sweetheart deals to get over the finish line, and a public outraged."

KENTUCKY...
Good news for more than 32,000 Kentucky individuals. With the signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by President Barack Obama, the filing deadline for benefits is now extended to February 28. Benefits are increased by $25 per week.

Under the new law, people receiving unemployment benefits will continue to be enrolled in the next available benefit program through the end of February. Claimants do not have to apply for the extension.

KENTUCKY...
Eugene "Blue" Jones who spent his life in the Upper Lick Fork area of Rowan County, was discovered in his overturned pickup truck. According to the Rowan County Coroner, Jones was a drowning victim. Jones was an avid outdoorsman and it is believed he was on his way to checking traps in the area. The 69-year old was discovered by a family member.

KENTUCKY....
House Speaker Greg Stumbo has sent a letter urging Governor Steve Beshear not to consider furloughs of state employees as a way to balance the state budget. The idea has not been well accepted by House lawmakers, and Stumbo has described it as unfair and imprudent to ask state workers to take on additional tasks for less money, while saying furloughs would translate into reduced government services and a loss of morale, offsetting any financial savings.

KENTUCKY....
Attorney General Jack Conway has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a Kentucky Supreme Court ruling that would allow convicted sex offenders to live where they choose, including near schools or daycare centers, without restrictions. The General Assembly, in 2006, prohibited sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school, preschool, public playground or licensed daycare. The legislature applied the new law retroactively to sex offenders convicted before 2006, but, on October 1st, the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled the retroactive application of the law is unconstitutional because it creates a new punishment for people who already have been convicted and sentenced. A month later, the court denied Conway's request to stay its decision while he appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

KENTUCKY...
Things are moving smoothly concerning power restoration in Pike County. Maybe not as fast as wished, but, nevertheless it appears progress is seven to ten days ahead of predictions made by the Pike County Office Of Management Services. A shelter previously open at Pike Central High School has been closed and the people sent to Shelby Valley High School. In all, about 100 individuals were being served at Pike Central. The shelter at Belfry High School also was closed today (Tuesday). Along with the shelter at Shelby Valley, the Phelps High School, Phelps/Freeburn Senior Center and the Gulnare Volunteer Fire Department are continuing to house people displaced by the storm.

KENTUCKY....
The Kentucky Public Service Commission reports more than 46,000 power outages remain after a weekend snowstorm in eastern Kentucky in which Pike County recorded the most customers without electric power Tuesday morning, with 15,703, followed by Floyd County with 5,831 and Letcher with just over 5,000. The Kentucky Division of Emergency Management says 3,570 residential and business connections were without water, and 18 counties have so far declared a state of emergency. Twenty shelters remain operating in 11 counties. The Public Service Commission said, as of 11:00 A.M. EST Tuesday, a total of 46,495 customers were without power. Kentucky Power Company reported that about 42,000 outages were in its service area. Outage numbers from the PSC do not include municipal utilities.

KENTUCKY....
Kentucky Power continues to assess outage cases and restore power. More than 1,300 employees are working on restoration efforts, including more than 625 linemen, 130 assessors and 100 tree trimming professionals from outside the company. Restoration crews have restored power to more than 36,000 customers, returning more than 45 percent of the customers originally impacted by the storm to service. Work will continue until all customers have power restored. At this time, the company estimates it will be as late as Sunday, December 27, before all of its customers are returned to service. The vast majority of customers will have their power restored before that date, however. Kentucky Power now offers the following, outage restoration estimates :

Ashland District: 95% complete, Midnight, Thursday, 12/24

Hazard District: 95% complete, Sunday, 12/27

Pikeville District: 95% complete, Saturday, 12/26

Paintsville District: 95% complete, Midnight, tonight

Whitesburg District: 95% complete, Sunday, 12/27

South Williamson District: 95% complete, Saturday, 12/26

Kentucky Power appreciates the patience and understanding of its customers as it works to restore power as safely and soon as possible. (Kentucky Power Press Release)

KENTUCKY...
Heavy snow covered much of Kentucky Power´s service territory Friday and Saturday causing extensive damage to power facilities and leading nearly 80,000 customers to lose power. Wet, heavy snow brought down trees and tree branches across power lines and damaged utility poles.

Ashland District, KY: Boyd, Carter, Greenup, Lawrence Counties
Hazard District, KY: Breathitt, Knott, Leslie, Perry Counties
Paintsville District, KY: Johnson, Magoffin, Morgan Counties
Pikeville District, KY: Floyd, Pike, Knott Counties
South Williamson District, KY: Morgan, Pike Counties
Whitesburg District, KY: Letcher County

Kentucky Power continues efforts to assess outage cases and restore power. By the end of today, the company is expected to have approximately 1,200 employees working on restoration efforts, including more than 620 linemen, 130 assessors and 110 tree trimming professionals from outside the company. Yesterday, restoration crews restored power to approximately 10,000 customers and have returned 25 percent of the customers originally impacted by the storm to service. Work will continue throughout the day and until all customers have power restored. At this time, the company estimates it will be as late as Sunday, December 27, before all of its customers are returned to service. The vast majority of customers will have their power restored before that date, however. Kentucky Power now offers the following outage restoration estimates:

Ashland District: 95% complete, Midnight, Thursday, 12/24
Hazard District: 95% complete, Sunday, 12/27
Pikeville District: 95% complete, Saturday, 12/26
Paintsville District: 95% complete, Midnight, Monday, 12/21
Whitesburg District: 95% complete, Sunday, 12/27
South Williamson District: 95% complete, Saturday, 12/26

Kentucky Power appreciates the patience and understanding of its customers as it works to restore power as safely and soon as possible. (Kentucky Power Press Release)

KENTUCKY...
The Pike County Health Department is issuing a consumer advisory concerning protection of frozen or refrigerated foods in residential freezers and refrigerators affected by the electrical power outage resulting from the December 18, 2009 snow storm. DO NOT open your freezer or refrigerator to check contents as cooling-loss occurs rapidly and safe storage time will be reduced. Cover these appliances with blankets or other insulating materials to reduce cooling loss. Modern refrigerators will maintain safe food temperatures without electrical power for two to four hours if kept closed. Beyond that time, any foods which are not ready to eat or which cannot be fully cooked before eating that contain meat, fish, poultry, eggs, or milk should be discarded to prevent food borne illnesses. Unopened freezers will maintain foods at safe temperatures for two to four days depending on freezer size and whether full or partially full, although thawing will occur. If power is restored during this time period, transfer thawed foods to the refrigerator and use promptly; if power is not restored, use only ready-to-eat foods or foods which you are able to cook immediately, which have not been contaminated by leakage of other thawed foods, otherwise food should be discarded.
For Further information call the Pike County Health Department, Environmental Section
606-437-5500 Ext. 541.

KENTUCKY...
757 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2009. This is 39 less fatalities than reported for the same time period in 2008. 342 of those victims were not wearing seat belts. A total of 158 fatalities have resulted from crashes involving the suspected use of alcohol. Citizens can contribute to highway safety by reporting erratic drivers to the Kentucky State Police toll-free at 1-800-222-5555. Callers will remain anonymous and should give a description of the vehicle, location,direction of travel and license number if possible. These statistics are still preliminary as KSP waits for all local lawenforcement agencies throughout the state to report any crashes and fatalities that may have occurred in their areas. Crash data for this report is generated from the Kentucky Fatality Analysis Reporting System(FARS).

KENTUCKY....
Pike County Judge-Executive Wayne T. Rutherford says, although many employees of Pike County’s government worked full days over the weekend to aid in any way possible in regard to the widespread power and water outages, special needs situations continue to remain rampant around the county. . Rutherford says no department has worked as diligently as Pike County Emergency Services. Doug Tackett, Pike County Emergency Management Director said. “We have a lot of roads and a lot of trees and a limited amount of people,” but his department is concentrating on people who are stranded without power and require special needs. Tackett says, “We have four-wheel drives and ATVs and if someone is stranded we are doing everything we can to get to them and get them what they need.”

KENTUCKY....
Following weekend power outages, about 6,000 more Pike County residents had their power restored Monday morning, but Doug Packett, Emergency Management Director for Pike County, said 16,000 to 18,000 residents remained without power in the County.

Kentucky Power Company continue efforts to restore power to customers following a major winter snow storm that dumped wet, heavy snow across the entire region Friday and Saturday. At the height of the storm, one of the worst in the company's history, almost 80,000 customers lost electricity service. Kentucky Power estimates it could be as late as December 27 before every customer is returned to service.

Report all downed power lines to Kentucky Power at 1-800-572-1113, or, notify local emergency or law enforcement officials immediately.

KENTUCKY....
For parts of Kentucky, Old Man Winter brought an early white Christmas beginning Friday and running through the weekend.

On Saturday, Governor Steve Beshear declared a state of emergency when as much as 16 inches of snow fell in some places in Eastern Kentucky, causing heavy, wet snow toppled trees and downed power lines to leave 107,000 homes without power. Sunday afternoon, that number was down to about 87,000 in 26 counties.

Beshear toured eastern Kentucky Sunday to assess the damage caused by the winter storm, making stops in Pike, Letcher and Perry counties. He vowed his support while promising to work hard to try to restore power in time for families to return to their homes by Christmas. Beshear says his administration is tapping all its resources to address the needs of those impacted and will continue to do so until this disaster is resolved.

The Lexington area received less than an inch of snow by Saturday night, but areas east of Interstate 75 were hit much harder.Officials say the heaviest snow fell around Pikeville, Manchester and Jackson. In Pike County, some places received a foot of snow, leaving utility crews working furiously to restore power to 35,000 residents. The office of Pike County Judge-Executive Wayne T. Rutherford said the number of people without power was down to about 29,000 in the county by Saturday evening, and, as of mid-afternoon Sunday, 23,851 houses in Pike County remained without power.

Water was being distributed to roughly 10,000 people without running water, but the number was expected to increase.

Red Cross officials set up shelters at Belfry High School and Pike Central High School in Pike County. The National Guard was deployed to the area to assist with helping clear trees and restoring power. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says, although state road crews and contractors were mobilized to plow roads, and continued plowing even through the nights, most interstates and main highways were cleared, but fallen trees still blocked some roads in Pike, Knott, Breathitt and Perry counties. In Pike County, road crews were hampered by the loss of power at their maintenance buildings, but their efforts were not stopped.
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　

WEST VIRGINIA....
As a strong winter storm began hitting the states of West Virginia and Kentucky Friday, Governor Joe Manchin (W. Va.) and Governor Steve Beshear (Ky.) both declared a state of emergency for each state on Saturday.
The West Virginia Turnpike Authority shut down the south bound side of the West Virginia Turnpike Friday evening when multiple accidents occurred, keeping it shut down while drivers were stuck in their cars. Just before 2:00 P.M. Saturday, the West Virginia Department of Highways shut down the north bound lanes at the 48 mile marker to give the National Guard access to stranded drivers on the south bound side. Guard members delivered food, water and supplies to those stuck in the traffic jam. At 3:25 P.M., the WVDOT issued a news release stating that the West Virginia Turnpike will remain closed "until further notice." It was re-opened at 9:30 P.M.
While the Turnpike was not the only affected area of traffic, snow covered area roads created traveling problems for other motorists. Saturday, both northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 64 between Charleston and Beckley were shut down until further notice. In southern West Virginia, roads were either closed or virtually impassible. Emergency crews worked both Friday and Saturday nights in an attempt to rescue hundreds of stranded motorists and to get them to shelters.

Take practical steps to keep you and your loved ones safe during a power outage.

Unplug major appliances to protect them from a power surge when power comes back on.

Leave a light turned on so you know when power is restored.

Refuel heaters, lamps, and generators outside, and stay away from any flames or sparks. Wipe up fuel spills immediately.

Contact power company if you're using a generator -- this protects you and power company line workers as they work to restore power. .

Never operate lanterns, heaters, or fuel-fired stoves without proper ventilation.

Never burn charcoal indoors. It releases poisonous carbon monoxide.

Avoid downed power lines or sparking equipment.

Never remove debris that's within 10 feet of a power line.

Prevent children from carrying candles or oil lamps.

KENTUCKY...
The Pikeville District of Kentucky Power...Pike, Floyd and Knott Counties...continues to have the largest number of customers without power with 25,000+. The heavy, wet snow has tumbled trees, power lines and cross arms, causing widespread outages.

KENTUCKY...
Heavy snow covered much of Kentucky Power´s service territory Friday and Saturday causing extensive damage to power facilities and causing nearly 80,000 customers to lose power. Wet, heavy snow brought down trees and tree branches across power lines and damaged utility poles, cross arms and other electricial facilities throughout the service area. The weather has also made travel and access to some areas difficult Kentucky Power continues to work around the clock to restore power. Emergency crews have begun to arrive in the Pikeville area...some from as far away as Michigan and Louisiana. National Guard troops will be in place later today (Sunday).

Governor Steve Beshear will tour areas of east Kentucky devastated by the winter storm that swept through our region late Friday and Saturday. The Governor will arrive at 10a, landing at Pike Central High School. Afterwards, he will travel to the Belfry and Phelps area to further assess the damage.