05-13-10 Former Cincinnati Doctor Gets 4 Years. Connected To Floyd County Drug Ring
Naramore pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute methadone and other drugs for members of the drug ring who traveled to doctors in Cincinnati and Philadelphia and to get prescriptions.
21 other people, mostly from Floyd County, were part of a ring headed by Timothy Wayne Hall.
05-13-10 Former Circuit Judge Nick Frazier Appointed To Jail Board
Former Johnson Circuit Judge Steven Nick Frazier was named to the
Big Sandy Regional Detention Center Board of Directors by the Johnson County
Fiscal Court earlier this week, after having been nominated by
Judge-Executive Tucker Daniel.
News 05-13-10 Beshear Calls Special Session To Begin On May 24
Governor Steve Beshear issued the call Wednesday for a special session of
the Kentucky General Assembly beginning on May 24th, bringing legislators
back to Frankfort to pass a budget.
Beshear said, upon calling the special session, "As governor and elected
leader of this state, I refuse to sit quietly by and watch our families be
deprived of the services and programs that they need."
The General Assembly deadlocked during the regular session last winter over
the demand for borrowing money for construction projects, as proposed by the
Speaker Greg Stumbo led House and the refusal to go along with the
construction borrowing by the David Williams led Senate.
The governor's proposed budget received favorable responses Wednesday from
top lawmakers in both the house and the senate.
05-13-10 Dorton Named To Board of American Folklife Center
Jean Dorton of Paintsville was approved by the U.S. Senate Tuesday to serve
on the Board of Trustees of the American Folklife Center of the Library of
Congress, according to published reports.
The American Folklife Center was created by Congress in 1976 and is made up
of representatives of the federal government, the heads of the major arts
and culture federal institutions and the director of the center, as well as
private citizens selected by Congress.
Dorton is a graduate of Prestonsburg Community College and Morehead State
University. She also serves on the Kentucky Arts Council, the Pikeville
College Board of Trustees.
05-12-10 Eleven Die On KY Roadways
Eleven people died in eleven separate crashes on Kentucky roadways from Monday, May 3 through Sunday, May 9, 2010.
One pedestrian involved fatal accident occurred in Johnson County.
Eight of the crashes involved motor vehicles and five of those victims were not wearing seat belts. The suspected use of alcohol was a factor in one of the crashes.
Two fatal crashes involved motorcycles and both victims were wearing helmets.
Through May 9 224 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2010. This is 58 fewer fatalities than reported for the same time period in 2009. There have been 188 motor vehicle fatalities in Kentucky and 98 of those victims were not wearing seat belts.
05-11-10 Pikeville College To Borrow $25 Million To Expand Medical School
The building will face Hambley Boulevard and Sycamore Street and will include lecture halls, a gross-anatomy laboratory and 12 specialized examination rooms for clinical skills training, as well as a new campus cafeteria.
05-10-10 Isom Man Dead, Passenger Injured In Letcher County Crash
Marty Dixon, of Isom, was killed Monday night when he lost control of his vehicle on Route 1103 in Hallie in Letcher County, went over an embankment and slammed into a tree, according to Kentucky State Police.
Dixon was dead on arrival at Whitesburg ARH. A passenger in his vehicle was admitted to Whitesburg ARH. The extent of his injuries were not disclosed by police.
Both Dixon and his passenger were wearing seat belts.
05-10-10 Likely KY Voters Favor Expanded Gambling, Disapprove of General Assembly
Only 26% of likely voters give Kentucky legislators a failing grade on the legislative session concluded last month. 61% disapprove of the performance of the General Assembly and 13% were unsure, according to a poll released by the Lexington Herald Monday.
45% of likely voters in the same poll believe that Gov. Steve Beshear's proposal to expand gambling at racetracks is a good way to balance the budget, while 30% disagree. 25% had no opinion.
The governor is expected to call a special session of the General Assembly this month to address the budget crisis.
05-10-10 Rand Paul May Not Support McConnell As Repuclican Leader In Senate
Front-runner in the U. S. Senate Republican primary, Rand Paul, said in a televised debate with his opponents Monday night that he may not support Senator Mitch McConnell for leader of the Republicans in the Senate.
Paul said, "I'd have to know who the opponent is and make a decision at that time."
His chief Republican opponent, Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson, said he "would proudly cast a vote for Sen. McConnell," who took the unusual step of endorsing Grayson in the May 18 primary.
South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, who has endorsed Paul, is considered a potential opponent for McConnell as Republican leader.
05-10-10 Revenue Shortfall Worsens As Collections Dip Below Forecasts
Kentucky budget director Mary Lassiter released figures Monday that show revenue receipts dropped 5.4 percent in April over the same month last year, which indicates the budget shortfall may increase by $30 million or more in the current fiscal year.
Revenues for April were $782 million compared to $826.7 million in April 2009. There has been no revenue growth over the previous year in 14 of the last 16 months.
In December, the Consensus Forecasting Group called for a decline in revenues of 2.7 percent for the fiscal year, which ends June 30th. However, In the first 10 months of the fiscal year revenues dipped 3.6 percent.
05-08-10 Gas Prices Up In KY, Nationally
05-08-10 Kentucky Kingdom Will Not Open This Year
As a result of the bankruptcy last year of Six Flags Corporation, Kentucky Kingdom Theme Park was left without an operator and won't be opening this year, but Kentucky State Fair Board officials hope to reach a deal with a new operator for the park this summer and reopen next year, according to published reports.
The loss of Kentucky Kingdom this year will cost more than 800 summer jobs as well as a loss of business for Louisville restaurants and hotels.
Fair Board President Harold Workman told Louisville officials Thursday that he has solicited six companies and expects as many as half of them to send proposals for operating the park soon.
Workman wants an agreement of 30 or more years for running the park.
Six Flags abandoning the park in February.
05-07-10 Former Superintendent May Files Suit Against Lawrence Board For Discrimination
05-07-10 Preliminary Hearing In Murder Case of James Sparks, Case Sent To Grand Jury
05-06-10 Drown Gets 5 Life Sentences In Carter County
Robert Lee Drown, the West Virginia man who murdered Jennifer Ison, 31, and her daughters, Shannah, 10 and Marisa, 3, and then setting their home on fire, in May 2007, was sentenced Tuesday to five life terms in Carter Circuit Court, according to published reports.
Drown, by entering a plea agreement, avoided the possibility of the death penalty by pleading guilty, had he gone to trial.
05-06-10 KY Rebels To Have Monument At Vicksburg
After more than 144 years, Kentucky Confederate veterans who fought in Vicksburg during the Civil War will have a monument dedicated to them. The newest addition to the Vicksburg National Military Park will be dedicated Saturday.
Former Gov. Paul Patton commissioned the Kentucky Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans in 1999 for the erection of the monument, which stands 9 feet tall and features the Kentucky Confederate coat of arms.
05-06-10 DeMint endorses Paul over Grayson
Coming just a day after the endorsement of Sec. of State Trey Grayson by Senator Mitch McConnell, considered the leader of the "establishment Republicans", South Carolina Republican Sen. Jim DeMint endorsed Tea Party movement favorite Rand Paul in Kentucky's U.S. Senate race, Wednesday.
DeMint, a staunch conservative, has been mentioned as a challenger to McConnell as leader of Republicans in the Senate.
"I'm endorsing Rand Paul because he's a true conservative who will stand up to the Washington establishment," DeMint said. "Rand has been running on the issues that matter since the beginning of this campaign. He's a strong advocate for balanced budgets, he wants to end the culture of earmarks, he supports term limits, and he's 100 percent pro-life. Rand is exactly the kind of leader Americans are looking for right now", said DeMint.
Sen. Jim Bunning, who presently holds the seat, has endorsement of Paul.
05-05-10 One Robber Remains At Large In P-Burg Pawn Shop
05-04-10 Syper Trial Laid Over To July
The trial of a Karen Sypher, the woman charged with trying to extort $10 million from University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino and of lying to the FBI., has been laid over to July, according to published reports.
U.S. District Judge Charles R. Simpson III issued the order on Tuesday, changing the trial date from June 1st, after both defense attorneys and prosecutors agreed to the delay.
05-04-10 McConnell Endorces Grayson
U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell has endorsed his hand-picked candidate for Senate,
Secretary of State Trey Grayson, Tuesday, according to published reports.
Grayson faces five Republicans, including political outsider Rand Paul, in
the May 18 primary for the right to run for the seat of the retiring Jim
Bunning. Bunning, 78, retired under pressure from McConnell and other
Republican leaders.
The Grayson campaign planned to begin airing a television ad Tuesday
featuring McConnell.
McConnell said Grayson has "a proven conservative record" and "understands
that Kentuckians are his first responsibility."
The winner of the Republican primary will probably face Lt. Gov. Daniel
Mongiardo or Attorney General Jack Conway, who are the two leading
candidates among five Democrats running.
05-03-10 Governor Declares State of Emergency in Wake of Flooding
Governor Steve Beshear confirmed Monday that he issued an executive order, effective May 1, 2010 declaring a state of emergency in response to the severe storms and flooding that hit Kentucky over the weekend.
There have been four confirmed deaths attributed to this latest storm system in Madison, Barren, Allen and Lincoln counties. Forty-one counties and 15 cities have issued emergency declarations either in writing or verbally. These numbers are likely to increase as recovery efforts continue.
Gov. Beshear was in contact with President Barack Obama Monday. He was also in contact with officials from the federal Department of Homeland Security about the Commonwealth's storm recovery efforts.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials have closed approximately 400 roads across the state and dozens more remain partially obstructed due to water, mud or rock .
The Kentucky National Guard, the Division of Water, local and state emergency management and emergency services are all assisting with the effort.
05-03-10 Floyd County Pleads Guilty TO Sex W/ 13 Year
Tracy Elizabeth Click, 39, of Spradlin Branch in Prestonsburg, was arrested and plead guilty last week on charges she had sexual relations with a 13-year-old boy on April 1st, according to Floyd District Court records.
Click allegedly engaged in sodomy and harassing communications with the boy. She has already entered into a plea agreement in which she admitted to the charges.
She was released from jail last Wednesday and, as part of her plea agreement, was given a suspended one-year sentence with three years of probation to follow. She will be required to enter a long-term treatment program for no less than 120 days.
The mother of the victim also agreed to the plea deal.
05-03-10 Dr. James Dotson Reverses Course... Withdraws Support
05-03-10 Davis Branch Woman Charged W/ Murder
Donna Wheeler, 52, of Davis Branch, was arrested Friday night after she allegedly shot and killed James T. Sparks, 52, of Paintsville, outside her home on Davis Branch in Johnson County, according to Kentucky State Police.
Witnesses reportedly told police that Wheeler shot Sparks in the back as he was walking away from her home. Sparks was reportedly a former boy friend and apparently their relationship was a stormy one.
Johnson County Sheriff's officers stated that they have responded to multiple complaints concerning Wheeler and Sparks in the past.
Wheeler was lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center on a $1 million dollar cash bond.
05-03-10 Floods & Weather Kill Two In KY, Roads Close, Families Evacuate
Flooding in central Kentucky resulted in the deaths of two people Sunday as
roads were closed and evacuations were conducted and officials were
concerned that a dam in Metcalfe County might collapse, according to
published reports.
Kentucky Emergency Management officials reported one death in Barren County
and another in Madison County.
The Mountain Parkway was closed in both directions at mile-marker 16 between
Clay City and Stanton for several hours, but the eastbound lanes reopened
shortly after 6 p.m. The parkway remained closed to westbound traffic in
Powell County late Sunday.
Portions of Interstates 64 and 65 and the Mountain and Bluegrass parkways
were closed for parts of the day on Sunday- as were many other roads - as a
storm system dumped as much as 9 inches of rain in the state during the
weekend.
05-03-10 Storm system impacts traffic during early hours Monday
HIGHWAY DISTRICT 12 – May 3, 2010 – Storms blew into Eastern Kentucky from the west in the early morning hours on Monday, impacting traffic in several areas of Highway District 12’s seven counties.
Pelting rain hit Lawrence, Johnson, and Martin counties first, but preliminary reports indicate more damage in Knott and southern Floyd counties.
Although the rain moved on toward Virginia around 7 a.m., water continued to rise for several more hours in the Big Sandy River and its tributaries. Winds which accompanied the precipitation downed power lines in southern Floyd County, leaving the Minnie Maintenance facility and surrounding homes and businesses without power during the morning and early afternoon.
Reports of mudslides and high water on state roads began in the middle of the night and continued until mid-morning. Those roads most affected included:
Lawrence County – Several roads were completely shut down due to high water: KY 201 at Blaine and Cherokee; KY 1494 and KY 3396, both a mile points zero to one; and KY 1 in two places: between mile points four and five and near the Carter County line.
Johnson County – KY 689 suffered a break in the highway, closing one lane at the Joe’s Creek community. Several mudslides were also reported in the county and KY 40 and KY 201 were closed briefly due to high water.
Martin County – KY 292 was partially blocked between mile points four and five and also near the Pike County line. KY 2032 was down to one lane between mile points three and four.
Knott County – KY 550 on both ends of Hindman made getting difficult in the early morning hours. Slides were reported on KY 1088 at Yellow Creek Road and KY 1087 at Ball Branch Road. In addition, KY 1098, KY 3391, and KY 899 were blocked Monday morning by rising water.
Floyd County – A rockfall blocked one lane on Buckingham Mountain, KY 1091. KY 7 and KY 1086 at Wayland were closed due to high water. KY 122 between Wheelwright and Weeksbury was down to one lane because of water on the road and the same highway had numerous culverts stopped up and some trees down.
Mud Creek Road in Floyd County, KY 979 (Eula Hall Highway), suffered several driveway washouts; water and debris made driving hazardous in dozens of places along the highway.
Letcher County – KY 160 was partially blocked near Kingdom Come School. KY 1811 between mile points zero and one got high water early in the morning, and a mudslide was reported on KY 699.
Pike County – KY 468, Big Creek Road, was partially blocked by water. A couple of mudslides were reported along KY 194 near Majestic, but the road was not blocked. However, KY 1373, Beaver Creek near Elkhorn City, was blocked by a slide and KY 2059 near Phelps was closed due to high water.
Also in Pike County, KY 805 was partially blocked by two or three small slides. Washouts occurred on KY 3227, Stone Coal Road; KY 2061, Cowpen Road; KY 1384, Hurricane Creek; KY 195, Marrowbone Creek; and KY 197, Elkhorn Creek.
“Our crews responded quickly and worked diligently to clean up the messes left behind by mudslides, rock slides, and receding floodwaters,” said Chief District Engineer Kevin Damron. “Thankfully, we did not have the devastation we had Mother’s Day weekend last year. Compared to the rest of the state, it appears that District 12 escaped extensive damage from this storm system.”
04-28-10 WV Sex Offender Takes Plea Deal For Life W/Out
04-28-10 Prosecutors Do Not Object To Continuance For Sypher
04-28-10 Navagation Rock Ordered Returned To KY
Ohio Officials have agreed to return the 8-ton boulder, known as Indian Head Rock, to Kentucky, according to published reports.
The removal led to criminal and civil action by officials in Kentucky to have the rock returned.
A U.S. District Judge has ordered the return of the bolder, which has numerous carvings of initials, names and a crude face, and which is considered a historic artifact. It had been used as a navigation marker for boats traveling on the Ohio River for over 100 years.
The rock was removed from the river and taken to Portsmouth, Ohio, three years ago.
04-27-10 New Traffic Pattern On Mtn Parkway Near Camption
On Tuesday May 4th all traffic on the Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway will be shifted to the new bridge crossing Swift Camp Creek near Campton Lake, in the vicinity of the construction project near Exit 43.
Between the new bridge and the interchange at Exit 43, eastbound traffic will shift to one lane in the new eastbound lanes of the four-lane highway, and westbound traffic will use one lane on the old roadway, which is slated to become the westbound lanes.
Two-way traffic will be maintained on the new Swift Camp Creek bridge while the old structure is demolished and a new one built in its place.
The speed limit in this construction zone is 45 mph. Electronic message boards will be in place to caution drivers of the traffic pattern change.
Inclement weather between now and May 4 may delay the traffic pattern change.
04-26-10 U.S. Department of Education Approves Another $176 Million For KY Schools
04-26-10 Mongiardo Fights Back With New TV Ads
04-26-10 Estates of Men Killed By Tractor Trailer Last Month Bring Suit Against Driver
The estates of the two men killed last month when a tractor-trailer driven by Arthur Davis, 44, of Blackwood, SC struck and killed them, have filed suit against Davis and others for their wrongful deaths, according to published reports. Paul Williamson, 20, of Harold, and Kevin D. Jones, 32, of Dorton, were both killed when Davis allegedly ran over them while they wereworking beside U.S. 460 at Mouthcard on March 29th. Davis was also charged with Reckless Homicide and other charges in connection with the accident.
04-26-10 Derrick Millar Sentenced To 3 Years In Fleming County
04-25-10 Widow of Floyd Madgistrate Appointed To His Seat
04-25-10 Governor Lobbies For End of Budget Impasse
In what appeared to be a comment closer to the position of Senate President David Williams than to House Speaker Greg Stumbo, Gov. Steve Beshear urged lawmakers Friday to avoid raising taxes or adding big amounts of debt when he calls them back into special session in an attempt to break the budget deadlock, according to published reports.
The governor's comments came after a two-hour meeting, which he described as "productive', in his office last Friday.
leaders.
Beshear said he will call the special session soon in hopes of avoiding a partial government shutdown when the next fiscal year begins in July.
04-22-10 Feds conduct surprise inspections of 57 coal mines
According to a press release Wednesday, The Mine Safety and Health
Administration conducted surprise inspections on 57 coal mines last weekend,
most of which are in Kentucky and West Virginia. 275 mine inspectors fanned
out into the coal fields in what were described as "raids" of alleged
"problem mines", according to published reports.
Eight of the mines belong to Massey Energy Co., the operator of the Upper
Big Branch mine in West Virginia where 29 miners were killed in a mine
explosion earlier this month.
A spokeswoman for the agency that information on what safety citations were
issued is still being compiled.
04-23-10 Energy Star Rebates Are Now Offered By Kentucky
The Kentucky Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program got underway on the
40th anniversary of Earth Day Thursday.
The rebates are funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA),
with each state eligible for funding based on its population. Kentucky's
share of the federal money is approximately $4 million.
Rebates are offered on a first-served basis on 16 ENERGY STAR appliances,
including clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, room air
conditioners, water heaters, central air conditioners, air source heat
pumps, geothermal heat pumps, gas furnaces and gas boilers.
Kentuckians may apply for a rebate by visiting www.KYappliancerebates.com
or by calling the toll-free number 877-813-3669.
04-22-10 Paintsville Baseball Legend, Charlie Adkins Dead At 67
Legendary Paintsville Tiger Baseball Coach Charlie Adkins, 67, died Wednesday of cancer. Adkins coached Paintsville to over 800 victories during his 34 year tenure as coach of the Tiger baseball team.
Under Adkins the Tigers reached the final four five times, and won the state championship in 1990 and were the runner-up for the state championship in 1989.
The funeral is Saturday at 11:00 AM at Tom's Creek Church at Nippa.
04-22-10 Rate of Unemployment Increases In Only 61 of 120 Counties
Unemployment rates rose in 61 Kentucky counties between March 2009 and March 2010, indicating a slowing in the growth in unemployment, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training.
Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate — 20.8 percent. It was followed by Jackson County, 19 percent; Menifee County, 18.7 percent; Bath County, 17.4 percent; Powell County, 16.9 percent; Grayson County, 15.9 percent; Edmonson and Wolfe counties, 15.8 percent each; Lewis County, 15.7 percent; and Morgan County, 15.6 percent.
Fayette County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 8 percent, followed by Woodford County, 8.3 percent; Boyd County and Calloway counties, 8.7 percent each; Madison County, 8.8 percent; Oldham County, 9 percent; Franklin and Rowan counties, 9.1 percent each; and Jessamine, McCracken and Warren counties, 9.2 percent each.
04-21-10 Burglar Arrested After Entering Paintsville Taco Bell
04-21-10 Gov. May Include Charter Schools On Special Legislative Session Agenda
Gov. Steve Beshear said Tuesday that he is putting charter schools
legislation on the agenda for a special session of the General Assembly to
address the budget stalemate.
Kentucky failed in its attempt to receive federal education grants in the
"Race to the Top" competition, and the state's lack of charter schools was
one of the stumbling blocks.
Legislation to give local school boards the option of creating charter
schools passed the Kentucky Senate in the General Assembly session just
concluded, but failed in the House.
Education Commissioner Terry Holliday has stated that he is not optimistic
about Kentucky's chances of landing a "Race to the Top" award without
legislation to create charter schools.
State launches project to share health information
Kentucky is set to launch the first phase of the Kentucky Health Information
Exchange, a project which will allow doctors and other medical providers
access to patients' medical histories, prescription data and diagnostic test
results, Gov. Steve Beshear said Tuesday in a Frankfort News Conference.
The first phase of the program applies only to Medicaid patients and is
expected to reduce duplicative tests and treatments.
Six medical providers, including Appalachian Regional HealthCare, Central
Baptist Hospital, Pikeville Medical Center, St. Joseph Hospital, Trover
Medical Clinic in Madisonville, University of Kentucky Hospital and the
University of Louisville Hospital are participating in the program.
04-20-10 Morgan County Crash Kills Morehead man, Injures 2
04-19-10 Body found Under Burning Vehicle In Elliot County
Kentucky State Police are investigating the death of an unidentified man whose body was found under a burning vehicle on KY Route 504 Sunday in Elliott County.
The man’s badly burned body partially underneath the vehicle,according to the KSP.
The victim’s body was taken to the state Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for an autopsy and Identification.
04-18-10 Palin Draws Large Crowd In Louisville
Former Alaska Governor and Republican Vice Presidential Candidate, Sarah Palin, appeared in Louisville Friday night before an enthusiastic crowd of over 16,000 women attending an evangelical Christian women's conference in Louisville Friday night, according to
the Associated Press.
She spoke about turning to God after learning she would have a child
with Down syndrome, saying that "choosing life may not be the easiest path, but it really is the right path."
Palin asked the women to provide a "prayer shield" to strengthen her against what she said was "deception" in the media.
04-18-10 Breathitt Co. Boy Killed When 4-Wheeler Hits Tree
Justin C. Henson, 17, of Jackson lost control of his 4-wheeler
last week and crashed into a tree, according to published reports.
Henson was airlifted to the U K Medical Center in Lexington, where he died Thursday.
Police say they don't know if Henson was wearing a helmet because he was removed by medical personnel before officers arrived.
04-18-10 Former Lewis County clerk Pleads Guilty To Theft, Official Misconduct
Shirley Hinton, 74, of Vanceburg, pleaded guilty in Lewis Circuit Court Friday to charges of to charges of theft, filing false tax returns and Official Misconduct in her job as County Court Clerk, according to public reports.
The commonwealth recommended a sentence of six years, probated for six years, conditioned upon Hinton paying fines, costs, taxes and making restitution to the county totaling approximately $29,000 dollars, which she did Friday before leaving the courthouse.
She will be sentenced formally in Carter Circuit Court on May 21st.
04-15-10 Kentucky Unemployment Rate Drops In March To 10.7%
Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 10.7 percent from 10.9 percent between February and March, according to a press release from the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training Thursday.
March 2010’s jobless rate is .6 percentage points higher than the 10.1 percent rate recorded in March 2009.
However, the employment gains are inflated the hiring of Census workers by the Federal Government and by employees at a major manufacturer returning to work after a temporary layoff.
The national jobless rate remained at 9.7 percent from February to March, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
04-15-10 Fire Destroys Van Lear Apt. Building
Six families were homeless Wednesday night after a massive fire at the Fannin Apartments in Van Lear.
The fire started around 5:30 p.m. and quickly spread throughout the building.
Several people received minor injuries escaping the flames, including two people who we were told had to jump from the second story.
Six fire departments battled the fire, but the 12-unit building was destroyed.
The cause of the fire is under Investigation.
04-15-10 Bunning Endorsing Rand Paul To Succeed Him In Senate
In a stunning political development Wednesday, U.S. Senator Jim Bunning, a family friend of the Secretary of State Trey Grayson, announced that he is endorsing Dr. Rand Paul to replace him in the U. S. Senate.
Bunning, who was once considered Grayson's political mentor,
said,
“In the United States Senate, Kentuckians need a strong, principled conservative to stand up to the liberals and establishment politicians that run Washington.
Kentucky needs a conservative who will say no to bailouts, stop the government takeover of our economy, end wasteful spending, and bring down our national debt. And Kentucky’s families need a conservative who believes in traditional values and the rights of the unborn. In 2010, there is only one such conservative running for the United States Senate -- Dr. Rand Paul.”
04-5-10 New Law Seeks To Standardize Course Work, Descriptions Between KCTCS & State Universities
04-13-10 Budget Still Possible, But Time Just About UP
House and Senate leaders attempted again Tuesday to reach a deal on the budget, but no compromise was reached, leaving just Wednesday and Thursday to finalize the budget and vote.
Some in the House and Senate say a deal could still be brokered Wednesday in time for both chambers to vote on a budget by midnight Thursday, the end of the legislative session.
Earlier on Tuesday, Gov. Steve Beshear said he remained hopeful that House and Senate leaders would be able to approve a state budget before the midnight April 15 deadline.
If a deal is not inked Wednesday, Gov. Steve Beshear would have to call a special legislative session before the next fiscal year begins on July 1.
04-13-10 Knott County Coal Mine Operator Pleads Guilty To Safety Violations In Fed. Court
Alger B. Jent, 57, of Kite in Knott County entered a guilty plea Tuesday in U. S. District Court in Pikeville to three of four counts of violating mine safety laws in June 2008 in a coal mine near Jenkins in Letcher County, according to published reports.
Jent installed roof bolts that were too weak and too short in the CSA Mining No. 2 mine near Jenkins, according to an indictment that followed a Mine Safety and Health Administration investigation.
A fourth count for installing bolts that were too far apart was dismissed.
04-11-10 Boating Fatality On Paintsville Lake
Paul Robinson, 68, was killed Saturday when two boats collided on Paintsville Lake. Both Robinson and his wife, Nancy, were thrown overboard during the collision, but Robinson's own boat struck him in the head, knocking him unconscious, according to published reports.
Authorities have not determined who was at fault in the accident.
Rescue units from several counties responded to the accident and conducted a search for Robinson's body.
After his body was recovered he was pronounced dead by Johnson County Coroner J. R. Frisby.
Robinson's body was sent to Frankfort for an autopsy.
04-11-10 Citizens National Bank Robber Apprehended In Lawrence Co. Ohio
Allen Scott Williams, 38, of Westwood, in Boyd County, was arrested
in a motel in Lawrence County, Ohio late Friday night and charged with robbing the Ashland branch of the Citizens National Bank last Christmas Eve, according to the Boyd County Sheriff's Department.
Williams allegedly entered the bank on Blackburn Ave wearing a blue and orange jacket and showed a handgun to a teller and demanded cash. He got away with the money and fled down an alley behind the bank.
04-10-10 Kentucky State Police Seek Fugitive In Ashland
The Kentucky State Police are searching for Marvin Sean Hogsten, 37, of Sherwood Drive in Ashland in connection with a receiving stolen property charge.
Investigators requested the public's assistance Friday in their search for Hogsten.
Police reported that they have been investigating Hogsten for several months.
He is alleged to have been in possession of a stolen 2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon which was allegedly stolen from Kentucky Automotive group in Grayson last December.
The KSP located the vehicle on April 8th at the residence of a Hogsten family member in Ashland. The vehicle was recovered, but Hogsten could not be found.
Hogsten is not considered armed or dangerous.
04-09-10 Two Arrested For Drugs At El Rancho
Bobby J. Daniels, 32 and Gary L. Sublett, 39, both of Paintsville were
arrested Wednesday on a variety of charges by Paintsville Police Officers
after they allegedly observed a drug transaction next to the Paintsville
Park and Playground.
Officers allegedly approached Daniels and Sublett and an unidentified
female in the park. When officers approached them the subjects fled, with Daniels and Sublett running and the woman escaping in a vehicle.
The men were apprehended at El Rancho apartments. They were allegedly in possession of drugs and intoxicated.
Both Daniels and Sublett were arrested and charged with possession of controlled substances as well as fleeing and evading police. The investigation continues and additional charges are pending.
04-09-10 Man Apparently Dies of Drug OD On 6th Street
Another fatal drug overdose has apparently occurred in Paintsville.
Paintsville 911 received a call reporting an unresponsive male at 753 6th Street Thursday morning, according to the Paintsville Police Department.
Paintsville Police and EMS personnel were dispatched to the scene and discovered a 42 year old male who was apparently deceased.
The man, who was not identified in the Paintsville Police Dispatch, was pronounced dead at the scene by Johnson County Coroner J.R. Frisby of a probable drug overdose.
The body was sent to the Kentucky Medical Examiner in Frankfort for an autopsy and toxicology testing.
Since the beginning of 2010 there have been 9 fatal overdose related deaths in Johnson County. The incident remains under investigation by Paintsville Police and Johnson County Coroner J.R. Frisby.
04-08-10 New Law Allows Kentucky Pharmacists To Give Vaccinations
Governor Steve Beshear recently signed House Bill 427 into law, which allows Kentucky pharmacists to give vaccinations to adolescents and teens age 14-17 with a parent or guardian’s consent.
Previously pharmacists in Kentucky could only administer vaccinations to those under the age of 18 with a prescription.
The Kentucky Pharmacists Association, which supported passage of the new law, says it will now be easier for pharmacists to provide immunizations to teens and allow more access to vaccines.
Kentucky joins more than 30 other states that currently allow pharmacists to immunize children.
04-07-10 Pikeville Mine Safety Manager To Head Investigation Into WV Mine Disaster
Norman Page, the manager of the Mine The U. S. Labor Department's Mine Safety and Health Administration's Pikeville Office will lead a special team of experts investigation the Upper Big Branch South Mine explosion that killed at least 25 coal miners in Lincoln County West Virginia earlier this week.
The team will evaluate all aspects of the accident, including possible causes and the mine operator's compliance with federal health and safety rules.
04-07-10 Williams And Stumbo Considering Last Minute Compromise On Budget
House Speaker Greg Stumbo said Wednesday that he and other top House Democrats have offered to compromise with the Senate on the state budget and reduce the number of public works projects to be funded by borrowing money.
The number of jobs created by construction projects would be reduced from 25,000 to 10,000.
The deadline for a budget will come on April 26th, the last day before the legislature adjourns. If no agreement is reached some state services would be shut down and the governor would probably call a special legislative session.
Senate President David Williams responded to Stumbo by letter saying the latest offer will be reviewed promptly.
04-07-10 Four Die In Lee County Wreck
Alan Marcum, 35; Ronnie Herald, 32; Sabrina Daluisio, 25, all of Beattyville; and Jeremiah Freeman, 28, of Booneville were killed Wednesday when the vehicle in which they were traveling ran off of Ky. 11 in Lee County south of Beattyville and slammed into a tree, according to the Kentucky State Police.
The vehicle, driven by Marcum, ran off the roadway and into a ditch; then into the parking lot of the Bobcat Drive-in restaurant and hit a vehicle, then sideswiped a utility pole, then became airborne and traveled 150 feet down an embankment and then hit the tree.
All four victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver in that second vehicle was not hurt Police said that excessive speed was a factor.
04-06-10 Fire Officials Issue Strong Warning Of Forrest Fires
Kentucky forestry officials warned Tuesday of an increased risk of fire due to a combination of low humidity, low fuel moisture and windy conditions, according to a news release from the Kentucky Division of Forestry.
The extreme fire conditions have prompted the National Weather Service to issue a red-flag warning that's in effect until Tuesday evening for 33 counties in eastern Kentucky.
The forestry division and firefighters have been battling fires all over the state during the past several days.
The division says that during fire season, which ends April 30, it is illegal to burn any flammable material in or within 150 feet of any woodlands or brush-lands except between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
04-06-10 Prosecutors To Seek Death Penalty For Steve Nunn
Prosecutors announced Tuesday that they will seek the death penalty for Steve Nunn for the murder of Amanda Ross last Sept, when the Fayette County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office filed a "Notice of Aggravating Circumstances" and "Notice of Intent To Seek Death Penalty" in Nunn's trial.
Nunn, 57, was found "competent to stand trial" by a Fayette Circuit Court Monday.
Nunn is alleged to have shot and killed his former girlfriend, Amanda Ross, in front of her Lexington home last Sept. 11th.
He was under a domestic restraining order requiring him to stay away from Ross at the time.
04-06-10 Bridge repairs to result in lane closures on Mountain Parkway in Powell County
FW: NEWS RELEASE: Bridge repairs to result in lane closures on Mountain
Parkway in Powell County Beginning Wednesday, motorists using the Bert T.
Combs Mountain Parkway in Powell County can expect lane closures and possible delays as work begins on two bridge repair projects.
The first project will take place in the parkway's eastbound lanes near mile marker 32, just prior to Exit 33 at Slade. After that project is complete, work will move to the westbound bridge at the Clark County line near mile marker 12.
04-06-10 Court Finds Steve Nunn Fit To Stand Trial
A Fayette Circuit Court judge ruled Monday that Steve Nunn, 57, former state representative and son of former governor Louie B. Nunn is competent to stand trial in murder of Amanda Ross of Lexington, who was gunned down, allegedly by Nunn, last Sept. 11th.
Ross was Nunn's ex-fiancée and was under a restraining order requiring him to stay away from Ms. Ross.
Nunn was evaluated by a team of psychiatrists and social workers from Jan. 25th to Feb. 17th.
04-06-10 Rand Paul To Visit Paintsville Tuesday
The United States Senate Campaign of Dr. Rand Paul is scheduled to roll into Paintsville Tuesday evening, April 6th at around 5:00 PM, as Paul completes a tour of our area.
The candidate is expected to visit Pikeville Tuesday afternoon and then head to Paintsville for his 5:00 PM appearance at the Historic Sipp Theatre on Main Street in downtown Paintsville. He is expected to spend the night in Paintsville and then head to Ashland Wednesday morning for more campaign appearances.
04-06-10 Senior Citizens Warned About Medicare Scam
Senior citizens received a warning from the Consumer Protection Division of the attorney general's office Monday about fraudulent phone calls asking them for personal information so that new Medicare cards may be issued. The caller claims to represent Medicare or the Social Security office and asks the consumer to verify or provide information, such as a Medicare number. The calls are being received in Kentucky and other states.
Senior citizens should never give out any personal information over the phone: including date of birth, Medicare or Social Security number, policy numbers, credit card numbers or bank account information.
04-03-10 Prestonsburg Woman Indicted For Mail Fraud
Pamela Allen, 52, of Prestonsburg. owner of Sly Branch Energy, a company which operated a coal mine in Floyd County and a trucking company named Altrite, was indicted Thursday in Federal District Court on mail-fraud charges, according to a press release from the U. S. Attorney's Office.
The indictment alleges that Allen committed Mail Fraud by under-reporting monthly payroll information and the number of coal miners working for her to Kentucky Employers Mutual Insurance from May 2004 to May 2005, thereby defrauding the company and paying less than she owed for workers' compensation insurance.
She was also accused of failing to carrying workers' compensation insurance on employees of Altrite Trucking and falsely reporting some of the miners who were actually working for Sly Branch as employees of Altrite, thereby paying no workers' compensation on those workers.
04-02-10 Paintsville Woman Arrested After 911 Call That She Made
Jamie R. Tackett, 25, of Upper Street in Paintsville was arrested Thursday after making a 911 call to report that her husband had allegedly stolen her pain pills; then called again and reported that she had found her pills and everything was Okay.
The 911 dispatcher advised police that the female was possibly under the influence and also possibly had small children in the residence with her, so. officers continued to the scene to investigate further and check the welfare of the children.
Upon arrival officers found Tackett to be under the influence and she had her two small children in the residence with no one else to supervise them.
She produced several prescriptions including Oxycodone, Soma and Xanax that had been obtained from a pain clinic in Floyd County earlier that day and over half of all the medication was allegedly missing.
She was arrested on two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and trafficking in controlled substances 1st, 2nd and 3rd degrees and lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.
The Kentucky Department of Protection and Permanency were notified and the children were placed with other relatives.