Saturday, July 10, 2010
Tennessee Prosecutors Seek 77 Years For Kentucky Woman
KENTUCKY....
Tennessee prosecutors have filed a sentencing memorandum in Knox County, Kentucky asking that 22 year old Vanessa Coleman, of Lebanon, Ky. be sentenced to the maximum possible punishment of 77 years in prison after being convicted earlier this year as an accomplice in a January 2007 kidnapping, rape and murder of 21 year old Channon Christian. Coleman was acquitted of charges related to similar crimes committed against Christian's boyfriend, 23 year old Christopher Newsom. Tennessee prosecutors
have asked that the sentences on each charge be served consecutively, which would add up to a maximum of 77 years. Sentencing is set for July 30th.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 10:16 PM
Funeral Set For Former Wildcat
KENTUCKY....
Funeral arrangements have been set for former UK basketball star Melvin Turpin who died Thursday at the age of 49. There will be a public visitation on Monday from 3:00-7:00 P.M. at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home on Harrodsburg Road in Lexington. His funeral will not be open to the public. The Fayette County coroner says Turpin died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his Lexington home. Turpin was a popular starting center for the UK team during the early 1980s. He was picked sixth in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Washington Bullets and immediately traded to Cleveland. Turpin also played professional basketball for Utah before his pro career ended after five seasons.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:44 PM
Prestonsburg Man Convicted
KENTUCKY....
After about 10 hours of deliberation, jurors in U.S. District Court in Lexington returned convictions Saturday morning against 40 year old Christopher Cello Smith of Prestonsburg and his brother, 54 year old Michael D. Smith of Lancaster. Christopher Smith was convicted on seven counts of mail fraud, while Michael Smith was convicted on one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and 11 counts of mail fraud. Prosecutors say Michael Smith, the president of Target Oil and Gas Co. in Albany, who owns a controlling interest in Kentucky Indiana Oil and Gas, based in Danville, and other co-defendants used false statements and misrepresentations to lure individuals into investing more than $12 million in Target Oil during 2003-2008 and then returned about $538,000 in royalties to the investors. Each faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced in October.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:39 PM
Stanton Man Indicted
KENTUCKY....
Jerry D. Rogers Sr., 53, of Stanton was indicted last week on two felony counts for allegedly soliciting two girls, ages 8 and 10, online for sex. Rogers was arrested in June when Kentucky State Police detectives foiled his plan to meet the girls at Peddlers Mall in Winchester in hopes of taking the children to a hotel for sexual intercourse. Police said they were contacted by a woman who had developed a relationship with Rogers online, but was suspicious about his interest in children. Detectives took over communication and posed as the woman, and later as one of her juvenile daughters before they set up a meeting with Rogers. He was indicted on two felony counts of use of an electronic communications system to procure a minor or a peace officer posing as a minor to commit a sexual offense.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:34 PM
London Couple Indicted
KENTUCKY....
Seventy year old Charles Edward Polly and 40 year old Ann Marie Smith of London have each been indicted. Polly is charged with growing at least 100 marijuana plants with intent to distribute and illegally possessing eight firearms, including three shotguns. Smith is charged with misrepresenting her living arrangements with Polly and receiving $65,642 in Supplemental Security Income benefits to which she was not entitled.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:31 PM
Paul Says Drug Problems Are Local Concern
KENTUCKY....
While attending a meeting in Louisville last week about cutting federal spending, Republican U.S. Senate nominee Rand Paul was asked if he supported Operation UNITE. Paul responded by saying local communities should address and pay for the costs associated to drug abuse and addiction in their areas. Paul's position on drug interdiction is being rejected and considered unrealistic by some officials actively engaged in the fight against drugs in eastern Kentucky. Officials say the drug problem in the region is severe, and cities and counties already hard-pressed to pay for other services can not afford additional costs to fight drugs and treat addicts. Paul said, if he is elected, he would vote to keep Kentuckians' tax dollars at home to deal with issues instead of sending the money to Washington, D.C. where part stays there, part is wasted and part goes to political cronyism. Paul's campaign manager, Jesse Benton, says Paul is deeply concerned about drug abuse, but, as he does with many issues, he favors local solutions over federal control.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:27 PM
Kentucky Retirement Fund Shaky
KENTUCKY....
Financial adviser Jim Voytko, president of R.V. Kuhns & Associates, Inc., has told members of the legislature’s Program Review and Investigations Committee that, if contributions remain inadequate and investments sag, Kentucky's state pension fund could run out of money in 2019. The Kentucky Retirement Systems covers 330,000 state and county employees and retirees. In the past decade the fund has realized investment returns of 3.59 percent, about half its goal which is 7.75 percent per year. Likely, by 2018, the fund will pay out nearly half of its assets every year for retiree benefits. Over the last two decades, the General Assembly sweetened retirement benefits for state workers, many of whom could leave after 27 years with a lifetime pension and free health insurance but failed to put enough money in the pension fund to honor its obligations. Lawmakers discussed whether cutting retirement benefits to existing state workers and retirees should be an option, but Kentucky law forbids such cuts. The Kentucky Association of State Employees has pledged to sue if benefits are reduced.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:55 PM
Kentucky Announces Furloughs
KENTUCKY....
Kentucky has become the latest state to impose mandatory unpaid days off for government workers. Personnel Secretary Nikki Jackson has sent letters to state workers saying the six furlough days, which will save about $24 million, have been instituted in a way intended to minimize the impact on government services. Jackson said the furlough plan will prevent 413 state employees from being laid off. Jackson said both hourly and management employees will be furloughed, including Governor Steve Beshear and his top executives. Beshear and his senior staff have already taken voluntary 10 percent pay reductions to help balance the budget. Under the Kentucky plan, all state offices will be closed the Friday before Labor Day weekend, the Friday after Veterans Day and the Friday leading into the Memorial Day weekend. In addition, state workers will be furloughed one day in each of three months... October, March and June. Jackson says furloughs are certainly preferable to mass layoffs, something other states are expecting.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:53 PM
PSC Criticizes Kentucky Power Company
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KENTUCKY....
The Kentucky Public Service Commission has released a report criticizing Kentucky Power Co. for not clearing power line rights of way blamed for a widespread power outage during a snowstorm in December 2009. The agency said untrimmed trees growing near power lines in outlying areas around Pikeville and Hazard led to a major outage in which residents lost power for several days. Kentucky Power, a subsidiary of American Electric Power, received permission last month for a 12.5 percent rate increase in part to cover the cost of clearing all distribution line rights of way regularly, no matter where they're located.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:48 PM
Union Accepts AK Steel Contract
KENTUCKY....
Union workers at AK Steel's Ashland Works have voted 511 to 53 to accept a new contract which will serve as a three-year extension to the current contract that was set to expire on September 1st. The contract includes a $1,500 lump sum bonus every year for the next three years, a $1 an hour wage increase and no health coverage changes for active or retired steelworkers. The tentative agreement also includes a company pension contribution increase and a top economic security package for junior service employees. Ashland Works agreed to invest more than $30 million in blast furnace and other upgrades. Nearly 1,100 AK Steel Ashland Works employees come from three states, as do the contracting companies who supply the plant.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:46 PM
MSHA Dismissing Massey Complaints
WEST VIRGINIA....
The Mine Safety and Health Administration says it's dismissing Massey Energy's complaints about allowing government and union officials to tour the company's Upper Big Branch Mine. MSHA says it set up Thursday's visit to the mine at the request of CEO Don Blankenship who skipped the tour when investigators declined to let him visit the suspected starting point of the April 5th explosion. Instead, MSHA says the company sent out a statement complaining the visit could destroy evidence. MSHA says Massey representatives joined government and labor officials who toured other parts of the mine. Massey criticized a tour by United Mine Workers Union President Cecil Roberts and what Massey calls "political appointees" from MSHA.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:44 PM
South Charleston Man Sentenced
WEST VIRGINIA....
Forty-two year old Carveen B. Torbert of South Charleston has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin within 1,000 feet of a public school and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Torbet pleaded guilty in January after agents seized approximately one ounce of heroin and a .32 caliber revolver during a search of his home in February 2009. Torbert admitted he obtained the heroin in Detroit with plans of distributing it in the South Charleston area.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:43 PM
WVU Student Sentenced
WEST VIRGINIA....
West Virginia University student Keith "Josh" Jackson was sentenced in Charleston Friday to the maximum of one year in jail after pleading guilty in February to DUI causing death. Police say Jackson, his friend, 19 year old William Albert "Willy" Shuman, and Greg P. Jones had been out drinking and celebrating after graduating from George Washington High School in June 2009. Jackson was driving when his vehicle slammed into a rock wall before crossing the road and landing in Davis Creek, killing Shuman.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:42 PM
Fatal Accident In Lavalette
WEST VIRGINIA....
A fatal accident occurred Friday morning in front of the Camp Creek Plaza in Lavalette in Wayne County. Authorities say 19 year old Jesse Hughes was driving his vehicle when he crossed the center line and hit a car driven by James Hayden, who is in his 70s. Hughes died at the scene, while Hayden was taken to a local hospital.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:40 PM
Computer Executive Convicted
WEST VIRGINIA....
Ohio computer executive, 41-year-old James Larry Hymer, has been convicted for misleading investigators about a scheme involving public funds intended to bring broadband Internet service to rural areas of West Virginia and Ohio. Prosecutors say he misled a government auditor checking up on a $3.3 million U.S. Department of Agriculture loan issued to Sequelle Communications Alliance Inc. in 2002 and of lying to investigators in 2007. Three others, Heidi Laughery, the project's CEO, Alan Michael McPeek, its chairman of the board, and subcontractor Scott Truslow have pleaded guilty to charges related to the misappropriation of more than $2.4 million, mostly to form a new company designed to market Sequelle's "Internet in a box" concept nationally. A sentencing date for Hymer has not been set.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:38 PM
Lottery Commission Says Casinos Will Survive
WEST VIRGINIA....
This week, Pennsylvania began offering table games at three of its casinos including The Meadows in Washington County, and, by the middle of this month Pennsylvania will have nine casinos offering table games. The Meadows is located less than 50 miles from Mountaineer and Wheeling Island casinos in West Virginia. The West Virginia Lottery Commission says it's unclear if Pennsylvania will be able to raise the stakes, and it's hard to predict to what extent people will cross the border. The Commission predicts its operations will definitely survive, but there's a big difference between surviving and making a profit. Commission members say they'll watch, wait and take action if necessary to make sure Wheeling Island and Mountaineer remain top notch gambling establishments.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:36 PM
West Virginia State Trooper Honored
WEST VIRGINIA....
The West Virginia Association for Justice has presented its 2010 law enforcement award to West Virginia State Police Trooper Cpl. Dennis L. Cayton of Weston, recognizing him for his persistence in solving a murder case. Thirty-two year old Shawn Stewart of Walkersville was killed by a shotgun blast that struck his face. Cayton investigated the shooting death of Stewart which occurred in April 2009, and concluded that the hunter's shooter approached the victim, then left the scene without assisting him. Robert L. Tobias, 59, of Millersburg, Pennsylvania was convicted as the killer and is serving a prison term. In presenting the award, the association cited Cayton's "diligence and tenacity."
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:33 PM
Frontier Communications To Provide High-Speed Internet
WEST VIRGINIA....
After becoming West Virginia's largest phone company on July 1st, Frontier Communications has started to expand high-speed Internet across the state. Frontier technicians have identified areas where transmission cables need to be connected, and engineers have reviewed construction plans. By next week, some neighborhoods in West Virginia are expected to have access to high-speed broadband for the first time. Frontier CEO Maggie Wilderotter was in Charleston Friday to meet with company employees to let them know Frontier is going to spend millions to bring high-speed Internet to 85 percent of its customers within three years.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:32 PM
Kanawha County Hiring Probation Officers
WEST VIRGINIA....
Kanawha County Prosecutor Mark Plants has stepped up indictments significantly. Kanawha County will hire two more probation officers, the first expansion of that staff in 27 years. The new officers could be on the job within a month. Their addition will bring the number of adult probation officers in Kanawha County from 10 to 12. Plants said probation officers are doing 75 percent more criminal pre-sentence reports, which are required by judges before defendants are sentenced. The Supreme Court also approved an additional secretary for the probation department.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:31 PM
Friday, July 09, 2010
Cocaine Found In Lightbulb Shipment
KENTUCKY...
Jefferson County Sheriff Deputies are charging two Louisville men for receiving a shipment of cocaine hidden in a package of light bulbs. The box of light bulbs had more than 12 pounds of cocaine inside. Deputies say Quirino Castro, 31, and Daryll Works, 44, planned to sell those drugs that were received in a package from Brownsville, TX. Castro's citizenship is in question and deputies want a high bond due to the amount of cocaine seized.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:12 PM
Conway Versus Paul
KENTUCKY...
Kentucky's U.S. Senate race has been fairly quiet between the two candidates since the May primary as they focus on fundraising. The candidates met in public face-to-face for the first time since winning the nomination. Both spoke at the joint summer convention for Kentucky County Judge Executives, Magistrates, & Commissioners and answered questions. Republican Rand Paul touted his conservative values and tried to connect his opponent with the Obama administration, while democrat Jack Conway allied himself with a powerful Kentucky republican.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:10 PM
Arraignment Set For Alleged Slayer Of Eight
KENTUCKY...'
Arraignment is scheduled for Monday for a Louisville man facing charges stemming from eight deaths as well as other crimes. A grand jury indicted 39-year-old Ricky Lewis Kelly in a string of cases dating back to April 1996. Louisville Police Lt. Barry Wilkerson says Kelly has been in prison on unrelated charges since 2006, but has been brought to Louisville. Kelly was also indicted on one count of kidnapping, first-degree robbery, trafficking in a controlled substance, first-degree assault and persistent felony offender. Police declined to comment on Kelly's relationship to the victims, saying the investigation is ongoing. Wilkerson said police are also looking into whether Kelly is tied to any other unsolved slayings.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:09 PM
Shooting In Leslie County
KENTUCKY...
The Kentucky State Police, responding to a fight complaint in the Chappell community of Leslie County, found Clayton Nantz and his son, Monroe Nantz arguing. Both of the men had firearms. As KSP troopers approached the men, Clayton Nantz pointed a handgun at them. One of the officers fired on Nantz, wounding him. Nantz was placed under arrest and transported to the Mary Breckinridge Hospital where he was treated. He was then transferred to the Leslie County Detention Center where he was charged with attempted assault, first degree. The case remains under investigation.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:07 PM
PSC To Look At Licking Valley Electric Co-op
KENTUCKY...
The Kentucky Public Service Commission has scheduled a hearing later this year for Licking Valley Rural Electric Cooperative Corp., an eastern Kentucky utility that is accused of failing to report a major power outage last winter. Kentucky law requires electric utilities to report any outage that lasts longer than four hours and affects more than 500 customers. The PSC has scheduled a hearing for Aug. 24 for Licking Valley to explain why it shouldn't be penalized for not reporting the outages on Dec. 18-19, 2009. A PSC spokesman said at least 9,000 Licking Valley customers lost power during a snowstorm.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:05 PM
Nunn Wants Evidence Disallowed
KENTUCKY...
Attorneys for a former Kentucky lawmaker accused of killing his ex-fiancee are asking a judge to disallow evidence found on a hard drive that they claim was obtained through an improper police search. During a hearing Thursday, Steve Nunn's attorneys cross-examined law enforcement witnesses about the computer drive that once belonged to Nunn. A police detective said a search of the drive was halted after an image of child pornography was found on it. Most of the two-hour hearing focused on whether the hard drive was abandoned property or should have required a search warrant. Witnesses testified it was given to authorities by Nunn's friend, who received it from the former lawmaker the night before Amanda Ross was shot to death at her Lexington apartment.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:04 PM
Turpin Death An Apparent Suicide
KENTUCKY...
Mel Turpin, an All-American center dubbed "The Big Dipper" who led Kentucky to the Southeastern Conference championship in 1984 and played in the NBA, has died. He was 49. Police and the coroner were called to his North Lexington house on a personal injury call. They found Turpin dead. Coroner Gary Ginn told reporters that Turpin had committed suicide, but would not say how. He also would not say whether Turpin left behind a suicide note. The 6-foot-11 Turpin was an All-American and All-Southeastern Conference player for the Wildcats from 1980-84.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:03 PM
Sypher Denies Charges
KENTUCKY...
The woman charged with attempting to extort $10 million from University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino has denied the charges in a brief filed shortly before her trial. Karen Cunagin Sypher's attorney, James Earhart, filed a five-page trial brief Thursday. The brief details the charges against Sypher, as well as the elements prosecutors must prove to convict her and includes a single sentence saying she denies the charges. Opening statements are set to begin in the trial July 26, with jury selection on July 12 and 13
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:01 PM
Mountain Authors And Craftsmen To Attend Harlan Festival
KENTUCKY...
Eastern Kentucky authors will be signing books and meeting with fans this weekend.
The third annual Harlan County Festival of Mountain Authors and Craftsmen of the Arts is scheduled for today in Harlan. The event begins at 11 a.m. and lasts until late afternoon. Some authors expected to be there include Clark Bailey and Darla Jackson. The event also features poetry readings, music and dancing.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 6:59 PM
Manchin Announces Special Legislative Session
WEST VIRGINIA....
Governor Joe Manchin has announced he will call a special legislative session Thursday, July 15th to allow lawmakers to address the succession process necessary to deal with filling the vacant seat left by U.S. Senator Robert Byrd. Secretary of State Natalie Tennant said earlier that state election laws would not allow a special election until 2012, but Attorney General Darrell McGraw overruled that decision Thursday. Tennant agrees the Governor has the power to call a special election and has recommended doing so this November. Manchin says there must be clarity in the law to prevent risking judicial intervention. An early Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of 500 likely voters says Governor Manchin is the early leader in hypothetical match-ups... showing Manchin would receive 53 percent of the vote and Second District Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito 39 percent. The survey says Manchin would outdistance former Secretary of State Betty Ireland 65 percent to 26 percent.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:45 AM
Massey Energy Buys Marmet Dock
WEST VIRGINIA....
To cut transportation costs, Massey Energy has bought the Marmet Dock on the Kanawha River from Kanawha River Terminals. The acquisition is part of a plan to focus on sales of metallurgical coal to foreign steelmakers. Massey says the dock has state-of-the-art equipment, storage for 300,000 tons of coal and the capability of loading up to 7 million tons annually, while it is also close to several Massey operations in southern West Virginia. Massey says the dock will allow the company to ship more coal via barge than rail and to reach export vessels more efficiently.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:47 AM
Putnam County Fair Begins
WEST VIRGINIA....
Saturday's opening of the weeklong Putnam County Fair, which will be held at the Ernest Page Jr. Fairgrounds in Eleanor marks the 32nd year for the fair. The event runs from Saturday to Saturday, and more than 30,000 people are expected to attend. The fair includes carnival rides, live bands, and "miss" pageants, and organizers expect the 4-H shows to be big crowd pleasers. Boys and girls ages 9 to 21 will don clean button-up shirts and blue jeans to show their prized livestock. Beef cattle, lambs, hogs, dairy goats and meat rabbits will be shown and sold this week. A livestock auction for those that win their respective competitions will be held July 16th at 7:00 P.M.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:43 AM
St. Albans Man Drives Victim Into Chain Link Fence
WEST VIRGINIA....
Police say 36 year old Jerry Lane Means of St. Albans was driving his vehicle this week on First Avenue when he stopped and began arguing with Terry Wayne Martin. The altercation escalated to the point where Means left the location with Martin following on foot. Means stopped before the intersection and Martin approached the front of his vehicle. Means then put his car in drive and struck Martin with the front of the vehicle, landing him on the hood. Then Means drove north on First Avenue swerving to the left and partially driving through a chain link fence while Martin remained on the hood. He then backed out of the fence and across the roadway, where Martin slid off. Means, who was arrested and charged with one count of felony malicious wounding, told the sheriff's department he intended to "brush" Martin's leg with the vehicle to chase him away.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:35 AM
Pagans Members Accept Plea Deals
WEST VIRGINIA....
Pagans Motorcycle Club member, 30 year old Corey Charles "Mohawk" Hinkle of Charleston, pleaded guilty this week to one count of aiding and abetting obstruction of justice. He admitted that, while acting on orders from national vice president Floyd "Jesse" Moore of St. Albans, he removed a large container of clothing Pagans had commandeered from another motorcycle club from the Pagans' clubhouse in St. Albans in February 2009, while he knew federal authorities were investigating the Pagans and collecting evidence against them. Under a plea deal, Hinkle will receive a maximum sentence of one year and one day when sentenced October 28th. The charge comes with a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Pagan member, 52 year old Kirk Norman "Razor" Dean of Dunbar, entered into a pre-trial diversion with prosecutors agreeing to drop an assault charge pending against him, if he performs 1,000 hours of community service and stays out of trouble for one year. Dean allegedly confronted someone wearing a rival motorcycle club's T-shirt and, using the threat of violence, coerced him into surrendering the T-shirt.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:23 AM
Groups Want Blair Mountain Battlefield On National Register
WEST VIRGINIA....
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, Sierra Club and Ohio Valley Environmental Council want the Blair Mountain Battlefield returned to the National Register of Historic Places.The battle in which at least 7,500 coal miners marched from Marmet over Blair Mountain, trying to organize non-union mines in Logan County, was fought in August 1921 along a 15-mile ridgeline between Boone and Logan counties. It was the largest armed conflict in U.S. labor history. The miners battled with a force of 3,000 law officers, many of whom worked for coal companies. The National Register of Historic Places in Washington, D.C., removed Blair Mountain Battlefield from the National Register on January 6th. The three groups intend to file a lawsuit in U.S. District Court before September if the site is not returned to the National Register. A large portion of Blair Mountain Battlefield has been acquired by mining interests who intend to undertake mountaintop-removal mining activities within the site, and the environmental groups say less than a majority of owners submitted valid objections to the National Register listing.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:16 AM
Parkways Authority Considering Pay Tolls
WEST VIRGINIA....
Earlier this year, state lawmakers approved a measure allowing the West Virginia state Parkways Authority to operate more toll roads. Plans are in motion toward installing pay tolls on U.S. 35 which would affect drivers in Mason and Putnam counties. State transportation officials have spent $453 million with roughly 14 miles now open to traffic and another nearly 8 miles under construction, but they still need about $240 million to build a 14.6-mile stretch of new four-lane highway between Buffalo and Henderson and can't finish without tolls. The state wants to finish the project by 2013, and no tolls would be collected before then. Two public meetings are scheduled for next week...one is set for Monday from 4:30 to 7:30 P.M. at the Mason County Courthouse. The other is the same time Tuesday at the Putnam County Courthouse. If approved, the toll road would cover 32 miles of U.S. 35, from just south of Henderson in Mason County to W.Va. 34 in Putnam County.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:11 AM
West Virginia Drilling Company Files Bankruptcy
WEST VIRGINIA....
Falling Waters-based Geological Technologies Inc., a West Virginia drilling and blasting company, estimates it owes up to $10 million to as many as 199 creditors. This week, the company filed for bankruptcy protection in federal court in Martinsburg while it restructures its debt. The company estimates assets of up to $10 million and has sued several creditors while aiming to prevent creditors from suing owners Robert Adams and Benny Mitchell to collect the company's debts. Lawyer Chip Magee Jr. says Geological Technologies plans to continue operating as it restructures and customers shouldn't notice any difference. GTI operates in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 7:06 AM
Study Favors PATH Proposal
WEST VIRGINIA....
New studies supporting a proposed 275-mile PATH power line from West Virginia across Virginia to Maryland have been filed with the West Virginia Public Service Commission and will be filed with regulators in Maryland and Virginia, Ohio-based American Electric Power and Pennsylvania-based Allegheny Energy say the aim is to convince regulators to approve the Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline, or PATH, which would send more electricity from coal-rich West Virginia to the East Coast. Part of the new information comes from grid operator PJM Interconnection which Allegheny and AEP say found PATH the best fix for overloading that's expected to start in 2015. The projected cost of the line has risen to $2.1 billion from $1.8 billion, but Allegheny and AEP officials say they're confident PATH will be found to be absolutely necessary to maintain a reliable electric system. Opponents argue the line would only serve to continue the use of coal for electrical generation.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 6:52 AM
West Virginia Lottery Sets Bid
WEST VIRGINIA....
The existing 10-year limited video lottery licenses for retailers and operators will expire June 30, 2011. The West Virginia Lottery Commission has set a $5,000 minimum bid for a new license with 5,000 licenses being made available in the first round of bidding, which begins August 2nd and continues until 11:00 A.M. October 18th. By law, the Commission must complete the bidding process by next summer, the 10th anniversary of limited video lottery play. Lottery Director John Musgrave says minimum amounts and the number of available licenses for future bids haven't been set.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 6:47 AM
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Police Chase Ends In Crash
KENTUCKY...
Police say a Fort Campbell soldier being chased by police crashed into another car and critically injured the driver. Montgomery County Sheriff's spokesman Ted Denny told WSMV-TV that the woman in the other car was taken in critical condition to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Authorities started following a sports utility vehicle on Wednesday after drivers on Interstate 24 said it was weaving in and out of traffic. Deputies and Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers followed the vehicle until it crashed into another car on Highway 79 North. The driver, 26-year-old Joseph Pergram, fled the scene but was later caught by police. He was charged with driving under the influence, reckless endangerment, aggravated assault and vehicular assault and is being held in jail on a $90,500 bond.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:32 PM
24-Hour Initial Surface Miner Class
KENTUCKY...
July 13, 2010...5:00p.m.
Pikeville Campus, Room 212 North, Big Sandy Community and Technical College
Note: Students are encouraged to pre-register for this class due to limited
seating. For more Information or to register, please contact Dennis Mayo at 606-218-2944
July 13, 2010...5:00p.m.
Pikeville Campus, Room 212 North, Big Sandy Community and Technical College
Note: Students are encouraged to pre-register for this class due to limited
seating. For more Information or to register, please contact Dennis Mayo at 606-218-2944
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:30 PM
Pike County Chamber Of Commerce Tribute
KENTUCKY...
In Memory of Randy Jones,
The Pike County Chamber wishes to acknowledge the fond memory of Randy Jones. Through his work at East Kentucky Broadcasting, Randy was an instrumental voice for the Pike County Chamber of Commerce. He was always willing to help. He truly cared for his community and for the people of Pike County. He loved Hillbilly Days for the purpose of helping the children of the Shriner's Hospital. He had a heart of gold.
To his family, his wife Paulette and son Austin, we offer our prayers. The day that Randy Jones passed from this life, Pike County, eastern Kentucky, and the entire region lost one of its most instrumental citizens.
May God Bless the Jones family. We will not forget him.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:25 PM
Seniors Celebrate July 4 In Pikeville City Park
KENTUCKY...
Pike County Judge-Executive Wayne T. Rutherford talks to a member of the Pike County Senior Citizens during the Pike County Senior Citizens Fourth of July Lunch in the Park last Friday. Music and free lunch was provided.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:21 PM
Watch Your Animals Closely
KENTUCKY...
It is supposed to be the hottest spell in three to five years, and that is all the reason to keep a close eye on the animals that may be in your care. It is a must to monitor their health and well-being during the stifling temperatures and high humidity. Fresh water is essential and not causing them to sit on hot concrete or walk on hot asphalt is an irresponsible thing to do. Get them shady areas to lay in.
House pets do not have the natural ability to seek out a cool spot to rest like zoo animals do. Therefore, it is important for owners to monitor their pet's activity throughout the day so they do not overheat. Keep in mind how long you keep your pet in the car when you are out running errands. A car heats up to 110 degrees in just 10minutes on an 80 degree day, so you can only imagine how hot your car will get when temperatures soar into the nineties.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:19 PM
Former Chairman Of Democrat Party In Perry Co. Set To Enter Prison
KENTUCKY...
Chester Jones, the former chairman of the Perry County Democratic Party, will report to a prison camp next week after a judge denied a motion to allow him to remain free on bond while he appeals a portion of his probation report. Jones, also a former school board member and circuit clerk, was sentenced in May to serve 12 months in prison for his part in a vote buying scheme during the 2008 general election. He was alleged to have submitted a fraudulent campaign finance report to cover up the use of $7,500 in state Democratic Party funds to buy votes in the days prior to the election. Jones was also a candidate for county school board at the time.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:18 PM
Toler Creek Man Faces Drug Indictment
KENTUCKY...
A Toler Creek man arrested in 2007 in one of the largest drug busts in Floyd County history at that time has now been indicted in federal court in Pikeville on drug related charges. Julian Irick Jr., 49, formerly of Toler Creek, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of distributing a variety of prescription drugs and also of money laundering in connection to the alleged drug operation. Hydrocodone and Xanax were the drugs involved. In addition, Irick will face a count of money laundering in connection with a safe deposit box at the Community Trust Bank in Pikeville which contained $127,500. The indictment claims Irick used the safety deposit box to make cash deposits from drug sales.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:16 PM
Bribery Charges In Pulaski County
KENTUCKY...
Five people have been indicted on bribery charges for allegedly trying to pay the Pulaski County prosecutor to release a convicted drug dealer. Attorney General Jack Conway announced the indictments Wednesday. Charged were 64-year-old Everett Hyden, 63-year-old Noble Hampton, 44-year-old Virginia "Carol" Hampton, 62-year-old Walter Creekmore and 44-year-old Darmus "Bubby" Dalton. They face one count each of complicity to bribe a public servant. The charge carries up to 10 years in prison for each defendant. The Somerset Police Department investigated the case, alleging that the five acted together in May and June to collect and deliver $20,000 to Commonwealth Attorney Eddy Montgomery as a bribe. Montgomery notified police of the bribery attempt.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:15 PM
Alleged Embezzler Pleads "Not Guilty"
KENTUCKY...
A Frankfort woman, accused of taking $40,000 from a nonprofit child care agency she worked for, has pleaded not guilty to embezzlement. 39-year-old Mary Tincher entered her plea on Wednesday to a charge of felony theft of more than $10,000 by deception.
Investigators say Tincher electronically transferred funds belonging to Child Developement Centers of the Bluegrass in Lexington to her own account over seven months. Tincher declined comment after her arraignment Wednesday. Tincher was released from jail on bond.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:13 PM
Gas Service In Elam Threatened
KENTUCKY...
Natural gas service to Morgan County customers of Elam Utility Co., Inc. is scheduled to end on Monday, July 26 because of Elam’s failure to pay its wholesale gas provider. The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold a meeting in West Liberty next week to explain the situation to Elam’s customers and to inform them of their options in the event that the gas supply to Elam is disconnected. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Thurs., July 15, in the academic building auditorium of Morehead State University at West Liberty. Elam has about 410 residential and commercial customers in Morgan County. The wholesale gas supplier is Columbia Gas Transmission Co. Columbia says that, as of late June, Elam owed it about $688,000.
Natural gas service to Morgan County customers of Elam Utility Co., Inc. is scheduled to end on Monday, July 26 because of Elam’s failure to pay its wholesale gas provider. The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold a meeting in West Liberty next week to explain the situation to Elam’s customers and to inform them of their options in the event that the gas supply to Elam is disconnected. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Thurs., July 15, in the academic building auditorium of Morehead State University at West Liberty. Elam has about 410 residential and commercial customers in Morgan County. The wholesale gas supplier is Columbia Gas Transmission Co. Columbia says that, as of late June, Elam owed it about $688,000.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:12 PM
Elk Viewing Tours
KENTUCKY...
Elk were reintroduced to Kentucky in 1997 as a restoration project by the
Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife. From 1997-2003 approximately 1513
elk were transported into Kentucky. Currently the estimated elk population
in Kentucky is quickly approaching 10,000 elk. Jenny Wiley State Resort Park is sponsoring elk tours at a cost of $25/person and $15/children 12 and under. This fee includes your transportation via van to the viewing sites and continental breakfast. They also offer Tour Packages that include lodging.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:10 PM
Internet Sting Nets Sex Offender
KENTUCKY...
James H. Moore age 57, of Mt. Olivet, Ky. was arrested by as a result of a joint Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) undercover operation with Lexington Police
Department. Moore communicated with an undercover officer over the Internet posing as a fourteen year old girl. He solicited the undercover officer for sexual relations and traveled to a pre-arranged meeting location in Lexington, Kentucky. He was charged with unlawful use of electronic means to induce a minor to engage in sexual activities and lodged in the Fayette County Detention Center on a $3,000 bond. The investigation is continuing.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:06 PM
