Kentucky News

Childers Pleads Not Guilty To Murder

2012-02-10T20:43:00.000-08:00

{Pikeville, Kentucky}...David Wayne Childers appeared in court in Pikeville Friday afternoon, where he pleaded not guilty to murder in connection to the death of Pike County Sheriff's Deputy James Thacker. Police say, on January 23rd, Childers' SUV crossed the center line on US-460 and hit Thacker's cruiser head on. Thacker died at the scene. Police say they found drug paraphernalia in Childers' vehicle. A grand jury indicted Childers on murder and persistent felony offender charges. Judge Steven Combs ordered Childers held without bond, but said he will consider bond if the defense attorney files a written motion. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for April 27th.

Shots Fired In Hazard

2012-02-10T20:35:00.000-08:00

{Hazard, Kentucky}...Officials at the Hazard Police Department are investigating after they responded to reports of several shots fired at the Hazard Village shopping center. Police say someone was shot at while in their car and driving through the parking lot. No injuries were reported. Police have not yet released the names of any suspects or victims in this shooting.

Mistrial Declared In Floyd County Case

2012-02-10T20:34:00.000-08:00

{Prestonsburg, Kentucky}...Police say, in August 2008, Chris Newsome, Ivan Gunnels, Stephen Jervis, Matthew Ritchie, and Kevin Woods severely beat fellow Floyd County Detention Center inmate Terry Fisher nearly to death. Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jordan Turner told the court that Fisher walked into the cell a normal, healthy man, but, after being harassed and tortured for 72 straight hours, he left on a stretcher, permanently destroyed. Defense attorneys argued there was not sufficient physical evidence to support the charges and questioned the credibility of eyewitnesses, whom they claimed “got deals” to testify for the commonwealth. One such person named by the defense was Larry Thomas Adkins, 30, of Pikeville, who had previously also been charged with complicity to first-degree assault, but is not being tried with the others. Opening statements began Thursday, but it all ended in a mistrial Thursday evening after a jail guard said something on the stand the jury should not have heard. A status conference is scheduled for next month.

Two Arrested In Hazard Thefts

2012-02-10T20:33:00.000-08:00

{Hazard, Kentucky}...Police have arrested 28 year old John Scruggs and his cousin 19 year old Joshua Sizemore and charged them with theft after they allegedly stole more than $2,000 worth of quarters from Hall’s Coin Laundry in Hazard on different occasions. Video shows one man standing outside while the other goes to each machine, which he opened with a self made key. It also shows one man's attempts at trying to break into the gaming and vending machines. Bill Hall says the thefts have cost him more than $3,000, both in changed locks and stolen money.

Delayed Fatality In Letcher County

2012-02-10T20:27:00.000-08:00

{Hazard, Kentucky}...On February 4, 2012 Kentucky State Police in Hazard received a 911 call of a two vehicle collision on Hwy 7 in the Isom community of Letcher County. Preliminary investigation indicates 44 year old Lisa M. Gibson of Jeremiah lost control of her vehicle, crossed the center line and struck a vehicle operated by Claude Eldridge. Gibson was ejected from her vehicle during the collision. She was transported to Whitesburg ARH and then transferred to Holston Valley Medical Center. On February 8th, Gibson was pronounced dead at 10:00 p.m. at Holston Valley Medical Center.

Huge Bust In Pike County

2012-02-09T20:33:00.001-08:00

{Ashcamp,Kentucky}...On Thursday, February 9th, Detectives with Kentucky State Police Post 9 and DE/SI East, conducted three search warrants in the Ashcamp community of Pike County. Detectives conducted the searches as a result of an 18 month investigation where the subjects involved had been trafficking prescription Oxycodone pills. The search warrants resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of Oxycodone and Xanax pills with an estimated street value of over $1,000,000. Detectives also seized approximately $80,000 in cash, as well as several firearms that were found in the residences. KSP Detectives were assisted on scene by Detectives with Operation UNITE as well as agents from the FBI. This case remains under investigation by KSP Detectives and federal indictments are pending.

Sentencing Set In Pike County Case

2012-02-09T20:32:00.001-08:00

{Pikeville, Kentucky}...In May 2011, Millard Thornhill of Hatfield was found dead inside his burned trailer. Police say Thornhill was shot to death before his home was set on fire. Jeffery Lowe, Randy Thomas, Cynthia Ryan, and Shannon Turner were indicted on murder and robbery charges. This week, Randy Thomas and Shannon Turner both took plea deals, while murder charges were dismissed. Wednesday, Randy Thomas told the judge he was not the person who killed Millard Thornhill but admitted he was involved in a plot to rob him. Tuesday, Shannon Turner was declared competent for trial and pleaded guilty to robbery. The commonwealth’s attorney recommended a ten year sentence for both Thomas and Turner. They will be sentenced in March. Jeffery Lowe is serving a twenty year sentence. Cynthia Ryan is serving a ten year sentence.

Senator Johnny Ray Turner Receives Education Award

2012-02-09T12:05:00.001-08:00

{Frankfort, Kentucky}...Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Johnny Ray Turner, D-Prestonsburg, has received the second annual Paul Patton Education Advocacy Award from the Kentucky Valley Education Cooperative Board of Directors. Senator Turner was honored for his efforts on behalf of public education in the eastern Kentucky Region while serving in the General Assembly. "As an educator for 28 years, education has always been a top priority while serving in Frankfort," said Senator Turner, who serves on the Senate Education Committee. A retired educator, Senator Turner has sponsored successful legislation to give fair treatment to teachers and other school personnel for the time they work.

Invitation To UNITE Pike Meeting

2012-02-09T12:01:00.001-08:00

{Pikeville, Kentucky}...The UNITE Pike Coalition meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 14, 2012, on
Valentine's Day, in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church of Pikeville at 12:00 noon. Lunch will be provided. Please feel free to bring a guest. Our guest speaker will be Steve Collett, a Clay County resident, whose life has been totally transformed, as seen in the documentary "An Appalachian Dawn." We know, once any type of a problem has been identified and the more we learn about the problem, the more equipped we are to solve it. Who better can give us direction and insight than one who has been there?

We look forward to seeing you. Your presence is important to the coalition, and we
sincerely thank you for giving your time and services as we work together to make
our communities and county safe and drug free.

Sincerely,
Roger Wagner, Superintendent
Pike County Schools

Knott County Meth Lab Busted

2012-02-09T11:56:00.001-08:00

{Hazard, Kentucky}...Kentucky State Police Post 13 in Hazard along with DESI East and the Knott County Sheriff's Department responded to a complaint at 313 Hickory Withe Road in the Fisty community of Knott County in reference to a possible meth lab. Preliminary investigation led police to 7 individuals at the scene in a small pull along camper trailer. Police obtained consent to search and located meth precursors in the camper trailer.

Arrested were:
Ellis Ritchie, 37 of Fisty
Daniel Ramey, 33 of Fisty
James Mosley, 23 of Fisty
Michael J. Smith, 31 of Fisty
Elsie Collins, 22 of Fisty
Chrystal Ritchie, 28 of Fisty
Tamara Mosley, 19, of Bulan

All were charged with Manufacturing Methamphetamine 1st and Unlawful Possession of Meth Precursors and lodged in the Kentucky River Regional Detention Center. DESI East removed the hazardous materials for proper disposal. The investigation is continuing by Tpr. Joe Dials.

Pike County Declares Highway State Of Emergency

2012-02-08T20:55:00.001-08:00

{Pikeville, Kentucky}...Pike County has declared a state of emergency for two winding highways that carry a high volume of coal trucks. The Pike County Fiscal Count unanimously passed the measure for Kentucky 194 and Kentucky 632 Tuesday. Magistrate Hilman Dotson, who requested the declaration, said it could help the county get the highways included in the state's 6 year road plan for widening. Dotson says the number of coal trucks on the narrow roads is creating a traffic hazard.

Jones Drafting Copper Theft Bill

2012-02-08T20:54:00.001-08:00

{Frankfort, Kentucky}...In a letter sent to Senator Ray S. Jones II, D-Pikeville, on January 31st, Pike County Judge-Executive Wayne T. Rutherford encouraged him to introduce legislation during the current legislative session that will increase the penalty for those convicted of stealing copper to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Jones says he is drafting legislation that would make it a felony if, while stealing copper, an individual disables 911 communications, interferes with communication with medical providers or causes loss of power for healthcare providers. Rutherford and Jones agree thieves are stealing copper in an attempt to continually support their drug habits. Rutherford says there must be harsher laws against these vandals.

Knott County To Hold Wet/Dry Election

2012-02-08T20:53:00.003-08:00

{Hindman, Kentucky}...Knott County voters will decide this year if they want to allow alcohol sales. Judge Executive Randy Thompson says a petition had more than the 675 signatures needed to put this issue on the ballot but voters will have to wait until April 10th to make their choice. Thompson says you must get twenty five percent of the voters who voted in the last general election, and there were roughly 2,400 registered voters who exercised their privilege to vote in the last election. Thompson says the election will cost the county around $25,000.

Martin Sues Floyd County Fiscal Court

2012-02-08T20:53:00.001-08:00

{Prestonsburg, Kentucky}...The city of Martin has sued the Floyd County Fiscal Court, claiming the court owes them nearly $60,000. Martin city officials say the county used their wastewater treatment plant for wastewater from the county landfill and did not pay part of the contract. County officials say they ended the contract and owe them nothing. The contract shows the City of Martin and Floyd County Fiscal Court had an interlocal agreement for the city's wastewater plant to handle waste from the county landfill, and the contract expired at the beginning of 2010. The two sides worked out a new agreement in February 2011. A few months later, the county cancelled the agreement allegedly due to the higher rate and claimed the treatment plant was polluting Floyd County waterways. An investigation into the the city of Martin’s water treatment plant shows multiple violations since November 2005 for polluting the waters of Floyd County. City officials say the county knew about the problems, and it should not be an issue in the lawsuit which is scheduled for a hearing Friday.

Johnson County Man Pleads Guilty

2012-02-08T20:52:00.001-08:00

{Paintsville, Kentucky}...Sentencing is scheduled for March 2nd for Clayton Clouse Jr., 40, of Thelma, who pleaded guilty Friday to rape, sodomy, and assault charges. Police say Clouse approached two 12 year old girls on 6th Street in Paintsville on June 6, 2011 and took them to an area called "Hanging Rock" where he attacked them.

Paintsville Woman Denied New Trial

2012-02-08T20:51:00.001-08:00

{Paintsville, Kentucky}...Alice Stambaugh, 66, of Paintsville, was denied her motion for a new trial last Friday in Johnson Circuit Court after she was found guilty of second degree manslaughter in the death of her infant grandson. Stambaugh was sentenced to five years. She says the court erred in not allowing her to introduce as evidence a two-page list of documents she felt shed guilt in the matter on her daughter, Heather Stambaugh, who is also facing trial in April regarding the child’s death.

Martin County Murder Sent To Grand Jury

2012-02-07T20:52:00.000-08:00

{Warfield, Kentucky}...Police in Martin County say 26 year old Billie Evans was driving on Route 292 in Warfield Saturday morning when he lost control of his vehicle, crossed the center line, and slammed into a tree, killing his passenger, 21 year old "Bubby" Irvin Spaulding. The arrest citation says Evans failed field sobriety tests and admitted he had been drinking vodka earlier in the day. Evans is charged with murder and DUI. Tuesday morning, Evans waived his preliminary hearing, and the case went to the grand jury. Bond is set at $100,000.

Public Forum Focuses On UPike

2012-02-06T19:19:00.001-08:00

{Pikeville, Kentucky}... The National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, the consultants asked by Governor Steve Beshear to study whether UPike should become a state university, held an on campus public forum Monday to gather input. Some University of Pikeville students told the panel they have a hard time paying the 17,000 dollars in tuition, and making UPike a state school and reducing tuition would help. UPike President Paul Patton said that would enable more people to stay in the region and grow the economy. Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Director Brad Hall said having an affordable four year university in Pikeville would create a trained, educated and skilled work force for future industry. Several Eastern Kentucky Judge-Executives say they are opposed to using coal severance funds to make UPike a state school. Pike County Judge-Executive Wayne Rutherford and Knott County Judge-Executive Randy Thompson were the only ones to speak at the forum. They told the panel they are in favor of it. Those conducting the study say they will be objective and consider all opinions from all parts of the state as part of the study which will take five weeks.

Tanker Overturns In Pike County

2012-02-06T19:18:00.001-08:00

{Robinson Creek, Kentucky}... Kentucky State Police say a tanker hauling nearly 43,000 pounds of Ammonium Nitrate turned over into a creek on Kentucky 3415 in the Robinson Creek community of Pike County Monday, leaking a powder substance, which was a premixed fuel and Ammonium Nitrate blasting agent, into the creek. Police say 58 year old Karl Ashley lost control of the tanker on Little Robinson Creek Road. As a precautionary measure, Emergency Management Services evacuated a one-half mile area around the spill until they could get it cleaned up.

Meeting To Discuss Goff Curve

2012-02-06T19:17:00.001-08:00

{Millard, Kentucky}... A public information meeting about upcoming highway improvements to Goff Curve at Millard is set for Friday, February 17th, from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. at Millard Middle School. Last year, QK4 was hired as design consultant on the project. John Michael Johnson, Project Manager for Highway District 12, and Interim Chief District Engineer Mary Holbrook will have right-of-way plans and other drawings that show what the improvements will be. They will also explain the road-building process that is required by both state and federal laws as well as the Federal Highway Administration guidelines that apply to US 460. The next steps are right of way acquisition and utility relocation. In addition, graves from a small family cemetery will have to be moved before any construction can begin.

Amis...Superintendent Of The Year

2012-02-06T19:16:00.001-08:00

{Louisville, Kentucky}...In Louisville this past weekend, Perry County Schools Superintendent John Paul Amis was named Superintendent of the Year by the Kentucky School Board Association. Each candidate up for consideration must have served as a superintendent for at least five years and meet certain criteria ranging from budgeting to leadership.

Woman Sentenced On Robbery Charges

2012-02-03T20:52:00.000-08:00

{Pikeville, Kentucky}...Cynthia Ryan was sentenced Friday in Pikeville to 10 years in prison after she pleaded guilty earlier to robbery charges, while murder charges against her were dismissed. Police say Ryan, Jeffrey Lowe, Randy Thomas and Shannon Turner robbed and shot Millard Thornhill last May 19th and then set his trailer in Hatfield on fire. Jeffrey Lowe was sentenced to 20 years in January on manslaughter and robbery charges after agreeing to a plea deal in December that dropped the original murder charge. Randy Thomas and Shannon Turner are awaiting trial.

Pikeville Fires Suspected To Be Arson

2012-02-03T20:51:00.000-08:00

{Pikeville, Kentucky}...A vacant home on Poplar Street is the fifth suspected arson case in Pikeville in less than a year. Firefighters say, when they arrived at the house early Thursday morning, flames were at least ten feet in the air, even burning the overhead power lines. Holly Day and Eric Clifton, who live next door, say they were walking their dog when the fire started, and they saw someone rumbling in the bushes, but they just thought it was homeless people. It took firefighters four hours to put out the flames. Since April, four vacant homes have burned on Fife Fork. Pikeville Police are asking anybody with information to call them. Robert Lindsey with the Pikeville Fire Department says, if whoever is responsible is found, they will be indicted and his department will seek the maximum penalty it can by law.

Man Who Abused Toddler Sentenced

2012-02-03T20:49:00.000-08:00

{Van Lear, Kentucky}...Nineteen year old Dustin Crum was sentenced Friday to five years in prison after being convicted of second degree criminal abuse. Crum was arrested last July after deputies were called to a home in the Van Lear community after getting a tip, and found a one-year-old child with bruises and injuries on its body.

Man On Parole Busted For Drugs

2012-02-03T20:01:00.001-08:00

{Marrowbone, Kentucky}...A Pike County man on parole has been busted for drugs. Pike County Sheriff Charles “Fuzzy” Keesee says police had reason to believe Michael O. Bartley was selling drugs when they went to his home in Marrowbone and found nearly $5,000 hidden behind a washing machine, along with various types of pills, syringes and cocaine. Bartley, his mother Givelene Bartley, his sister Whitney Bartley, and her boyfriend, Christopher Adkins, were all arrested and charged with drug trafficking.