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Cause of death ruled homicide in structure fire
BUSY — The deaths of two people found in a house fire in the Busy community of Perry County last week have been ruled a double homicide by the state medical examiner’s office. The Avawam Fire Department responded to the fire in the early evening of April 19 on Couchtown Road, later contacting Kentucky State Police (KSP) after two bodies were found at the scene. Both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene by the Perry County Coroner’s ...
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The Roy G. Eversole School on Broadway. (photo by Cris Ritchie | Herald file)
Police give the all clear after school placed on lockdown
HAZARD – An elementary school in Hazard was temporarily placed on lockdown Friday morning after a man was reported nearby carrying what appeared to be a firearm. Police have since given the all clear after the firearm was determined to be an air gun. Deputy Chief Joe Engle said the Hazard Police Department received a call at 7:50 Friday morning from a parent reporting that the man, later identified as 19-year-old Joshua Turner of Hazard, wa...
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Men enter pleas for Huddle House theft
HAZARD – Two men originally charged with robbery pleaded guilty to lesser charges this week during an appearance in circuit court. Brandon D. Combs, 31, of Red Fox, and 25-year-old Randall K. Mullins, of Hazard, were indicted in September 2012 on allegations that they threatened an employee of the Huddle House in Hazard during the course of a theft on June 5, 2012. According to police at the time, Combs and Mullins were eating at the rest...
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<p>photo by Cris Ritchie | Hazard Herald</p><p>Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Grimes led a roundtable discussion in Hazard Wednesday on civic engagement. Pictured from left to right: Rep. John Short, Secretary Grimes, Rep. Fitz Steele, and Sen. Johnny Ray Turner.</p>
Grimes holds discussion on civic engagement
HAZARD – Civic engagement represents an important aspect of building a better future, and Kentucky has some work to do in that regard, according to Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Grimes. Secretary Grimes led a roundtable discussion Wednesday at Hazard Community and Technical College, which included a panel of several local leaders in politics and community development. According to a recent report her office issued on the civic health o...
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McConnell to discuss coal legislation during Hazard visit
HAZARD — Senator Mitch McConnell will visit Pike and Perry counties next week in order to bring awareness to the loss of coal mining jobs in Kentucky. McConnell will introduce the Coal Jobs Protection Act, which is aimed at what he called the Environmental Protection Agency’s burdensome regulations. The legislation, sponsored by Ohio Rep. Bill Johnson and officially called the Coal Miner Employment and Domestic Energy Infrastructure Prote...
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Kentucky Power's Big Sandy plant near Louisa. (photo by Cris Ritchie | Herald file photo)
PSC will take comments on retirement of Big Sandy plant
HAZARD – The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) will host a public meeting in Hazard next month regarding Kentucky Power Company’s proposal to retire its Big Sandy generating plant in Louisa. The meeting will allow the public an opportunity to comment on the proposal, which would result in Kentucky Power purchasing a 50 percent interest in Ohio Power Company’s Mitchell power plant in West Virginia for approximately $536 million. The e...
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Fiscal court amends livestock ordinance
HAZARD — The Perry County Fiscal Court met last week to discuss amending an ordinance concerning livestock in the county. Alma Napier, a resident of Bulan, had voiced concerns and a complaint to the court at a previous meeting about her neighbors who were housing upwards of 50 chickens and numerous dogs in their yard which was very close to her house. The only ordinance the county had regarding the proximity animals could be to a neighborin...
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<p>One of many workshops that were conducted Saturday at Appalachia&#8217;s Bright Future conference.</p>
KFTC hosts Appalachia’s Bright Future conference in Harlan
HARLAN — This past weekend Kentuckians for the Commonwealth (KFTC) hosted a conference, Appalachia’s Bright Future, in Harlan. The purpose of the gathering was to have an organized conversation about the opportunities and challenges within the state and region and how to effectively build the next economy here in Eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia. Ada Smith, a member of KFTC, moderated discussions from a panel of guests on Saturday mo...
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photos by Tony McGuire | Hazard Herald
Autism event raises awareness and funds for local group
HAZARD – April is Autism Awareness Month in Perry County, and members of a local support group are working to help families learn more about the range of disorders that now affect one in 88 children in the United States. The Autism Support Group of Perry County hosted its fourth annual walk on Saturday to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), which include three types of identifications such as Autism, Asperger Syndrome, an...
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High school improves ACT scores with peer tutoring
Hazard High School (HHS) has implemented a new strategy concerning ACT and PLAN test scores — and it seems to be working well. Donald Mobelini, principal of HHS, presented the school’s Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) I to the Hazard Independent School Board at its monthly meeting on Thursday, which included the new strategy. “They (the state) measure your growth from your PLAN test, which you take as a sophomore, to your ACT ...
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<p>Photo by Amelia Holliday</p><p>KY Highway 80 will be under construction until June 1.</p>
Perry highways undergo rehab projects
HAZARD — Besides the normal excuses for being late for work, school, or any other daily engagement, Perry Countians have had the added excuse of road work in the last month since major roads in the county have been undergoing construction projects. H. B. Elkins, public information officer for the Kentucky Department of Highways for District 10, which includes Perry, said the reason for all of this road construction now is because the state ...
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On the record: Cases filed in Perry County
Contract Cases Capital One Bank vs. Teresa B. Muncy LVNV Funding, LLC vs. Sophia Smith Asset Acceptance, LLC vs. Patricia Sizemore Capital One Bank vs. Samantha Hill Donna Sharp Inc. vs. Creative Colors Inc., et al Domestic Cases Deborah Vitatoe vs. Paul Vitatoe Felony Cases Commonwealth vs. Calvin Estep YOB: 1986 Burglary, second degree Commonwealth vs. Jeffrey Wayne Feltner YOB: 1967 Possession of controlle...
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<p>Deputies with the Perry County Sheriff&#8217;s Office recovered several solar-powered lights and wind chimes apparently stolen from graves at the Resthaven Cemetery in the Jeff community. Authorities are asking anyone who might recognize the items to positively identify them.</p>
Police recover items stolen from cemetery
JEFF – Police in Perry County are investigating after several items were apparently stolen from graves at the Resthaven Cemetery. Kenneth Hall is the cemetery’s owner, and said he learned of the theft this past weekend. The missing items included solar-powered lights and wind chimes, Hall said, adding that the thefts were reported to the sheriff’s office this week. Deputies received a tip in the case, and the items were later recovered an...
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<p>A crowd of people marched past Hazard High School Sunday during the annual March for Babies.(photos by Cris Ritchie | Hazard Herald)</p>
Teams in E. Ky. raise $75,000 for March of Dimes
It was the best feel-good moment of the week in Hazard Sunday afternoon when hundreds of walkers joined together in support of the smallest citizens of the Kentucky River Region by participating in March for Babies to benefit the March of Dimes. The Hazard Daniel Field was packed with strollers, families, and teams to celebrate raising $75,000 to help babies be born healthy. Special guests at the day’s events included the 2013 Ambassador Fa...
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Board did not press for school breaks, principal says
HAZARD – No school board members have ever approached Perry Central Principal Neal Feltner about reinstating a break at the school. That’s according to Mr. Feltner, who appeared before the board Thursday to deliver his monthly report. Three of the board’s members — John C. Combs, Charlene Miller, and James Ritchie — have vehemently denied allegations that they had attempted to interfere with the school’s academic recovery by pressuring Mr. ...
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<p>photos by Cris Ritchie | Hazard Herald</p><p>A local housing organization is moving forward with plans to develop the property on Broadway where the first public high school in Hazard was built in 1912. The condition of the building, which remains on the property but has stood vacant, has deteriorated for the past few years.</p>
Public gives input on future of old school property
HAZARD – One of Hazard’s oldest existing structures remains on tap for demolition, though its removal from the streetscape will make room for up to five new houses on one of the city’s most historic streets. The old school on lower Broadway was built in 1912 and became the first public high school in Hazard. Thirteen years later, a new high school was added on Baker Street, while the school on Broadway became a grade school. During its life...
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Lawyer plans appeal of man’s rape conviction
HAZARD – The attorney for a Scuddy man convicted of first-degree rape says he will seek to have the conviction overturned. A jury convicted 31-year-old Stephon Slone and recommended he serve 20 years in prison during a jury trial in Perry Circuit Court earlier this week. Attorney David Johnson said the evidence against his client was insufficient for a conviction, and he will file a motion requesting Circuit Judge William Engle to set aside...
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<p>Police located several pills while arresting Hazard resident Ashley Huff on Wednesday. (photos courtesy of Hazard Police Department)</p>
Police make arrests in separate investigations
HAZARD — Two people were arrested Wednesday by officers with the Hazard Police Department as part of separate ongoing investigations. Ashley N. Huff, of North Main Street, was arrested and charged with second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and trafficking within 1,000 feet of a school, according to an HPD press release issued Wednesday evening. Police say Huff was also carrying several legend drugs along with the drug suboxone...
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<p>photo by Amelia Holliday | Hazard Herald</p><p>The shopping center in Allais caught fire Saturday afternoon, leaving the structure badly in disrepair.</p>
Shopping center fire leaves questions about building’s safety
A fire in an abandoned shopping center in the Allais community of Hazard has left the building badly in disrepair. Hazard Fire Department received the call about the fire on Saturday at 2:51 p.m., Sam Stacy, Hazard fire chief, said. “When they got there was smoke and flames coming out of the building, the storefront right beside where the grocery store was,” he said. The store front had at one time been apparently used as a consignment ...
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<p>photos by Cris Ritchie | Hazard Herald</p><p>Deputies with the Perry County Sheriff&#8217;s Office, along with a team from the Kentucky State Police, responded to the scene of a suspected active meth lab Wednesday morning in Bonnyman.</p>
Police locate suspected meth lab in Bonnyman
BONNYMAN — Deputies with the Perry County Sheriff’s Office made their second meth-related arrest in as many days after discovering an active meth lab Wednesday morning. Authorities arrived at the residence on Harveyton Road while following up on a tip and attempting to serve an arrest warrant, said Chief Deputy Tony Eversole. Several people were located inside the residence who informed deputies the subject they were attempting to contact w...
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Rock slide slows traffic
Workers with the state highway department were on the scene of a rock slide on Highway 15 in the Jeff community Wednesday morning that closed both northbound lanes. Several boulders had been dislodged from the hillside above the road, though crews had begun removing the rocks at approximately 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. Police were on the scene directing traffic, and no injuries have been reported. Photos by Cris Ritchie
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<p>Gov. Steve Beshear announces Hazard Community and Technical College is the first Kentucky recipient of the ACT College and Career Readiness - Career Preparedness Award. Shown at left is Dr. Terry Holliday, Kentucky Commissioner of Education. On right are HCTC President Dr. Steve Greiner and other award recipients.</p>
HCTC chosen for Ky. Dept. of Education Award
Hazard Community and Technical College has been chosen as the first Kentucky recipient of the ACT College and Career Readiness – Career Preparedness Award. Four awards were presented Monday, April 15 in Frankfort by Governor Steve Beshear and Education Commissioner Terry Holliday recognizing exemplary college and career readiness efforts of an employer, a community college, a district or school, and a student. HCTC President Dr. Steve Greiner...
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<p>Stephon Slone</p>
Perry man found guilty in rape case
HAZARD – A Perry man accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl was found guilty of first-degree rape Tuesday in a trial that started last week. Stephon Slone, 31, of Scuddy, was indicted in October 2012 after allegations surfaced that he forced the girl to engage in sexual intercourse inside a residence in the Scuddy community in February 2011. With the addition of a charge of persistent felony offender, he faced a possible life sen...
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Hazard commissioners vote to raise water rates
HAZARD — Those in the area who use Hazard city water will be seeing a slight increase in their bill next month after the Hazard City Commission voted to approve a water rate increase for their customers at their monthly meeting Monday night. Hazard’s water rate is the second lowest in the area for inside and outside municipal rates, at $8.87 and $12.79 respectively. The increase, of 50 cents more per 1,000 gallons used, would add one dollar...
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KRADD votes to help make region work ready
HAZARD — The Appalachian Teaching and Leadership Network (ATLN) has started a new initiative to help improve and grow the local economies in Eastern Kentucky. ATLN has teamed up with the Kentucky River Area Development District (KRADD) and the Big Sandy Area Development District, along with the 13 counties in the ATLN service area, to help the area become a Kentucky Work Ready Community. Ron Daley, Hazard Community and Technical College’s...
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Ky. Power makes first step to diversify power
HAZARD — Kentucky Power announced last week its filing of a Renewable Energy Purchase Agreement (REPA) with the Kentucky Public Service Commission for approval to purchase energy from a biomass energy producer planning to build a plant in Perry County. According to a press release from Kentucky Power, the REPA would be for a 20-year period to purchase approximately 58 megawatts of electricity from an ecoPower biomass power generating facili...
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<p>The March of Dimes March for Babies Committee continues work this week on their annual walk, scheduled this year for Sunday, April 21 at Hazard&#8217;s Daniel Field.</p>
March of Dimes walk set for Sunday
The March of Dimes March for Babies Committee is actively making plans for the upcoming walk to be held on Sunday, April 21 at the Hazard Daniel Field. The March of Dimes will celebrate its 75th Anniversary this year and its ongoing work to help all babies get a healthy start in life. About 4 million babies are born in the United States each year, and the March of Dimes has helped each and every one through research, education, vaccines, an...
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