Fatcow Icon
News
Four charged with fraud in obtaining public benefits
HAZARD – Four people were indicted in separate cases last month on allegations that they defrauded the government out of thousands of dollars in benefits. Reva S. Hall, 45, of Hazard, is charged with incorrectly reporting her household income in order to receive public benefits from December 2010 to January 2012. According to the indictment, Hall was overpaid more than $21,000 in monetary assistance during that time period. Her bail was set...
full story
These stills, taken from surveillance video of Wednesday's robbery at the Apple Market on East Main Street, show the perpetrator as he entered the store just before 4:30 a.m. The image on the right shows the man as he brandished a firearm. (Click the image to enlarge the photos.)
UPDATE: Man charged with early morning robbery
HAZARD – One person was arrested Wednesday and charged with the early morning robbery of a business on East Main Street. Authorities responded to the Apple Market after a call was made reporting the robbery at 4:30 a.m., noted Hazard Police Chief Minor Allen. The clerk on duty reported that a male subject had entered the store approximately five minutes before, demanded cash from the register and brandished a firearm. Allen said the man, de...
full story
Burglar breaks into restaurant, nothing taken
HAZARD – A fast food restaurant in Perry County was burglarized early this week, and police say the break-in could be related to others in the region. Officers with the Hazard Police Department responded to the Hardee’s on Highway 15 just past midnight on Tuesday, receiving the initial call at 12:39 a.m., said Captain Jason Duff. “Upon arrival, officers noticed some damage to the front door, and noticed that the telephone lines had been c...
full story
Man indicted on meth making charge
HAZARD – A Perry County man was indicted on charges that he was making methamphetamine after police say they found precursors and equipment to manufacture the drug inside his residence. Deputies arrested 49-year-old James Ritchie in March at his home in Slemp. According to the arrest citation, police responded to 22 Ritchie Hollow after receiving several complaints about possible meth making activity in the area. After given permission to s...
full story
<p>photo by Amelia Holliday | Hazard Herald</p><p>The Vicco Fire Department responded to the fire Tuesday afternoon, but were unable to save the residence.</p>
Flames destroy house near Vicco
A house fire in the Vicco community of Perry County left neighbors fearing for their own home. The Vicco Fire Department responded to the fire at 650 Montgomery Creek Rd. Tuesday afternoon, just before 2 p.m. The fire was fully involved, according to dispatchers. Neighbors said the house had not been lived in for about five years. The Herald will update this story as more information becomes available.
full story
Shirley Lewis (left) and Kim Lewis, both residents of Fort Branch in Perry County, say their community is in desperate need of city water. Shirley is pictured above holding a water filter from her home, clogged with sediment. Kim is holding a Mason jar filled with tap water from her sister's home. (photos by Cris Ritchie | Hazard Herald)
Perry community in need of city water
FUSONIA — Studies have shown for years that drinking water is good for a person. But what if drinking your water meant drinking water you wouldn’t even put in your dog’s bowl? This is what residents in a community in southern Perry County have had to contend with for the last three years. “We desperately need water,” said Tony Lewis, a resident of Fort Branch and the former Perry County PRIDE coordinator. Lewis, who suffers from asbesto...
full story
<p>Photo by Amelia Holliday</p><p>Sen. Mitch McConnell stopped at Whaynes Supply in Hazard on Monday afternoon to talk to supporters in the community about his plans to introduce The Coal Jobs Protection Act. Before taking the stage, McConnell spoke briefly with ARH President and CEO Jerry Haynes.</p>
McConnell makes stop in Hazard in support of coal
In the last year, coal jobs have been on the decline in the region. U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell stopped on Monday at Whayne Supply in Hazard to announce his plans to introduce The Coal Jobs Protection Act, legislation aiming to put a time limit on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for decisions on permit applications for coal mine operations. “This EPA has turned the coal permitting process into an illegitimate back-...
full story
On the record: Cases filed in Perry County
Contract Cases iRent vs. Glenda Martin iRent vs. Deborah L. Williams, et al Midland Funding, LLC vs. Jessica Walker Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Center vs. Jimmy Ray Miller World Finance Corporation vs. Carol Ison World Finance Corporation vs. Marshall Herald LVNV Funding, LLC vs. Charley Jones First Financial Credit, Inc. vs. William Glen Fugate Capital One Bank vs. Melissa B. Knight Capital One Bank vs. Jennifer...
full story
<p>photo by Cris Ritchie | Hazard Herald</p><p>Perry County Deputy Elmer Fugate looks on as Deputy Kevin Day logs evidence seized during the bust of an alleged meth lab in Bonnyman on April 18.</p>
Officials seeing an uptick in meth production
HAZARD – Meth labs have been on the rise in Kentucky for the past three years, with more than 1,200 discovered by authorities in each of the past two. A very small amount of those illegal operations were found in Perry County, though this year could be different. As of April 30, police have already located at least five meth labs in Perry County, including two utilizing the so-called one-step method. “It was a lot more in the western coun...
full story
Job fair for out-of-work miners, spouses set for May 3
Out-of-work coal miners and their spouses will have the opportunity to apply for jobs and connect in-person with more than a dozen area employers at a regional job fair coming to Hazard. Hiring Our Miners Everyday—the H.O.M.E. program—will host a job fair on Friday, May 3 starting at 9 a.m. at the Kentucky Career Center Perry County JobSight, located at 412 Roy Campbell Drive in Hazard just past Whayne Supply. A variety of employers will ...
full story
Court presented with budget for next fiscal year
HAZARD — The Perry County Fiscal Court held a special called meeting Wednesday afternoon for the presentation of the next fiscal year’s budget. Perry County’s budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year includes road, jail, general, and several other county items. According to the budget, the county has borrowed no money for the for the coming fiscal year, and will, therefore, have nothing to pay back. Appropriations for the budget are listed as...
full story
<p>Photo by Amelia Holliday</p><p>Attorney General Jack Conway spoke to freshmen and sophomore students at PCC on Thursday as part of hi Keep Kentucky Kids Safe program, warning of the dangers of prescription drug abuse.</p>
Conway warns of prescription drug abuse to keep kids safe
HAZARD — As part of his Keep Kentucky Kids Safe program, Attorney General Jack Conway talked to students in Perry and Pike counties on Wednesday and Thursday about the dangers of abusing prescription drugs. Joined by Dan Smoot, vice president of Operation UNITE, a non-profit corporation that educates the community about and helps fight the drug epidemic in Kentucky, Conway shared stories with the students from parents who had lost their chi...
full story
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 ...
full story
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...
full story
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...
full story
<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...
full story
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...
full story
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...
full story
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...
full story
<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...
full story
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...
full story
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 ...
full story
<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 ...
full story
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...
full story
<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...
full story
<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...
full story
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. ...
full story
Weather
Sponsored By:

Lottery
Sponsored By:

Stocks
Sponsored By:

Gas Prices
Sponsored By:

Featured Businesses
Recipes
Sponsored By: