Latest / Eastern Kentucky Newspapers / Hazard Herald - 5.31.26

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Hazard Herald - 5.31.26 · Eastern Kentucky Newspapers

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Speaker 1: And now we turn to the reading of the Hazard
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Herald for news in Hazard and Perry County. Your reader
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today is Eric Everett and will be again with the
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online edition dated May twenty seventh, twenty twenty six, which
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the publishers have donated to the Radio I as a
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reminder Radio I as a reading service intended for people
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who are blind to have other disabilities that make it
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difficult to read printed material. And in today's top story,
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several races drive higher turnout in Perry County primary election.
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Perry County saw a higher percentage of voters in the
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May nineteenth primary, which featured the federal, state, and local races.
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According to the Kentucky Board of Elections, twenty eight point
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seven percent of Perry County's eighteen thousand, three hundred ninety
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seven voters turned out to the polls, compared with twenty
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one point eight percent in twenty twenty two, the last
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year in which the county races appeared on the ballot,
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with Democrats and Republicans both filing in several key races.
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November's general election will also feature several key races in
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the race for Perry County Judge Executive incumbent Scott Alexander
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won the Democratic nomination, taking seventy one percent of the
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vote over Harlan Campbell, who got seventeen percent of the vote,
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and Ellis Hall, who got twelve percent. Alexander win sends
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up a general election showdown with former Judge executive Denny
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Ray Noble, who won the Republican nomination with fifty nine
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percent of the vote over Kenneth Hall, who garnered twenty
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nine percent of the vote, and Lemuel Rashier, who got
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eleven percent of the Republican votes. In a statement on
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his Facebook page, Noble said he appreciates all those who
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supported him in the race. Winning the Republican primary was
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a big step, but there's still more work ahead, Noble
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said in the statement. With your continued support, I believe
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we can make a real difference and help Perry County
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move into a better direction for our family and future generations.
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In a brief statement on his Facebook page, Alexander also
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thanked as supporters, thank you Perry County for the big
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win tonight. Alexander said on to November, let's keep moving
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and make Perry County proud. With the current sheriff Joe
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Ingall opting not to run this year. The primary also
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set up a November general election decide who will take
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his seat. In that race, Sean White won the Democratic
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nomination with fifty percent of the vote over Jesse Day,
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who got forty one percent of the vote, and James
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BigGAN Jewel, who got nine percent of the vote. In November,
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White will face Republican nominee Donald Don Miller, who won
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with thirty five percent of the vote over challenges Richard
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Stidham Junior, who got thirty two percent of the vote
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and R. J. R. Rowland, who got twenty two percent
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of the vote, and Billy Ray Campbell, who got twelve
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percent of the vote. In the race for the Republican
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nomination for State Senate in the thirtieth district, incumbent Brandon D.
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Smith one handily in Perry County with seventy seventy three
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percent of the county's votes over Billy Wesley, who got
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twenty seven percent. The race was closer with all counties
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votes involved, with Smith winning at fifty four percent over
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Wesley's forty six percent. Barring a write in challenge in
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November General, Smith will retain his office. In a statement,
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issued on his Facebook page. Smith thanked those who voted
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for him for trusting him to continue to serve the
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thirtieth district. Thank you to Team Smith who put their blood,
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sweat and tears to support our belief. Smith said in
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a statement. Thank you to my family, all six of
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my beautiful children and my wife for standing by my side.
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Incumbent Donald happy MOBLINI won a reelection in the non
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partisan race for mayor, garnering seventy three percent of the
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vote over James logan Field's who got ten percent, Christian A. Mcgilton,
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who got nine percent of the votes, and Howard Summer,
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who also got nine percent and on our next story.
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Indictment charges murder in teen's ATV crash death. A Perry
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County grand jury has indicted a Vico man in charges
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in connection with a teenager's death in a February ATV crash.
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Court documents show that on May twenty second, the grand
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jury indicted Noah Back twenty sixth Lower Bible Avenue on
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charges of murder third degree, on lawful transaction with a
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miner and providing a motor vehicle to a drunk. The
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indictment relates to the death of sixteen year old Emmy
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Lynn Clark, who investigators have said was the passenger in
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a February twenty eighth ATV crash. Back Oopolice said it
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was a passenger in the adv at the time of
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the crash, according to the court documents, provided alcohol to
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the sixteen year old girl who was driving the ATV. Clark,
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according to Perry County Sheriff Joe Engel, was found not
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to have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs
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at the time of the crash. The girl who was
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allegedly driving Engel told Asard Harold was charged with the
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UI in connection with the crash. Sheriff's investigation l T
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Lieutenant Stephen Eldridge testified in a preliminary hearing on March
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thirty first, that the alleged driver of the ATV had
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a blood alcohol level of point zero five to two.
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According to the indictment, Back committed murder when he wantonly
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engaged in conduct creating a grave risk of death by
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providing alcohol to an intoxicated person and facilitating said persons
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operation of a motor vehicle, thereby causing the death of
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Emmy Lynn Clark. Back is currently set to be sentenced
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September second in a federal case in which he pleaded
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guilty to the charge of transportation of a miner with
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intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. The charge, according
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to court document, carries a potential prison sentence of ten
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years to life with a term of supervised release of
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five years to life to follow. Back remains lodged in
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the Laurel County Correctional Center. Next up, apparel Read Legal
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Aid wins appeal protecting coal miner's access to medical care.
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Apparel Read Legal Aid announced in a statement May twenty
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second that the organization has won an important appeal that
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strengthens access to legal representation for coal miners disabled by
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black laws disease. In Sparks versus Locust Grove, the US
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Department of Labour's Benefits Review Board ruled that what a
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coal company challenges a miner's medical treatment, it must also
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pay the attorney's fees and costs required to defend that care,
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the statement said. The statement said the decision addresses a
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long standing problem in black lung cases, miners have often
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been forced into adversarial hearings or medical treatment even after
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winning their benefits claim. While attorneys who successfully defend that
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care were denied payment for their work without fee awards.
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Many lawyers cannot afford to take these technical and time
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intensive cases. According to the statement, very simply this is
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a matter of denying due process and access to justice
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for coal miners disabled by black lung says Evan Smith,
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advocacy director at apparel Read Legal Aid. The case arose
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from the claims of two Kentucky miners, Ricky Sparks and
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Donald Markham, while their federal black lung claims were pending.
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The Department of Labor paid intim medical benefits through the
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Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. After the miner's awards became final,
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the department sought reimbursement from the coal companies, which refused,
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creating the risk of significant overpayment claims against the miners.
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Both coal miners were represented by a solo practitioner in
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Martin County, leon Leonard Stayton, who helped develop medical evidence
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to explain the miner's medical care. Stayton won the case
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for his claimants, but the judge determined that he could
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not be paid for his significant work or out of
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pocket expenses. And I apologize for mispronouncing the legal aide's
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proper name, which is Apple Red Apple read Legal Aid,
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The statement said, filled a consolidated appeal to address the broader,
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systematic issue black lung billings and treatments disputes are highly complex,
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and federal law prevents attorneys from charging miners directly. When
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judges deny fees. Even after successful representation, access to council
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is undermined for miners who needed most, the statement said.
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The importance of this victory for coal miners and their
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families is reinforced by a report from the U. S.
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Government Accountability Office released just this week. It found that
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many miners recognize that federal black lung medical benefits are
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more valuable than the monthly benefits that the program provides. However,
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miners are afraid to use their interim medical benefits because
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they may be responsible for paying them back. The report
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also found out that miners and focus groups described positive
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experiences with legal representation, but that most claimants do not
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have attorney, underscoring the importance of access to council and
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cases like Sparks. This decision is a meaningful step towards
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both access to the justice and health justice for coal
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miners who depend on black lung benefits for medical care.
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The statement said. Next sheriff man killed in surface mine
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accident at Chevez. An accident on a surface mine as
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Chevez claimed in the life of a Perry County man.
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According to Perry County Sheriff Joe Engele, Perry County nine
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one one was notified by KSP despatch that EMS was
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needed on the surface mine as Chevez due to an
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accident involving a mechanic, said Ngele. According to Angele, the
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victim was identified as twenty four year old Preston Pallard
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of Dice. A caterpillar mechanic, was working underneath a nine
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nine two G loader performing maintenance when a part of
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the machinery fell, causing him to lose his life. Angele
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said he was pronounced dead at the scene by the
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Perry County Coroner's Office. Engele also expressed condolences to the
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family of the victim. My heartfelt prayers go out to
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his family, who is my longtime neighbor and friends, said Engele.
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And In this week's obituaries, Rose Ambrose Rose Ambrose, sixty six,
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a Bussy, died Tuesday May nineteenth, twenty twenty six, as
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the hazard I r Age. Jeffrey Pratt Jeffrey Stephen Pratt,
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forty five died Sunday May seventeenth, twenty twenty six. James
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Smith James Bruce Smith seventy five Avawam died Saturday, May
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twenty third, twenty twenty six at his residence. And Joyce
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Smith eighty two sun died Sunday May twenty fourth, twenty
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twenty six, and from Perry District Court several charged in
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Perrie District Court. Charges were filed against several recently in
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Perry District Court. The charges include misdemeanor cases Daniel Jet
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twenty three of Grove Heights, Lady Lake, Florida, alcohol intoxication
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and third degree criminal trespassing, Ricky Combe's thirty seven of
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ten Mile Creek Road hazard, alcohol intoxication, menacing and second
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degree orderly conduct. Daniel Jet twenty three of Grove Heights,
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Lady Lake, Florida, alcohol intoxication, menacing, two counts, second degree
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disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and third degree terroristic threatening four counts.
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Jesse Fugate twenty six of Groundhog Hollow Road, Bulan, third
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degree fleeing or evading police public intoxication and possession of
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drug paraphernalia. Daniel Mason mclareness twenty two of Hardsbury Road,
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Boulan watercraft violation. Jaden Henson eighteen of Kentucky four to
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seventy six rowdy residence fishing without a license or permit.
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Paul Baker sixty of Kentucky eighty Ebawam resident fishing without
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a license or permit. Matthew Lee Wooton thirty six of
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Baker Street, Comb's resident fishing without a license permit. Menacing alcohol,
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intoxication and drinking in public and felony cases. Mark Keen
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fifty six of Rourke Lane, Vico Fugitive from justice and
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on an editor's note, the above list reflects people who
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are charged to Perry District Court. The charges against them
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are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until
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proving guilty. And in our next story, the wk Kellogg
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Foundation awards Sore two hundred thousand dollars grant Shaping our
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Appalachian Region set in a statement on May twenty first
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that a new two hundred thousand dollars grant from the
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wk Kellogg Foundation will help the organization continue building pathways
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that connect Eastern Kentuckians to the meaningful careers, purpose driven work,
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and long term economic opportunity. The investment, according to the statement,
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will support the continued growth of sore's Eky Talent network,
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including enhancements to the eky Job Board and expanded outreach
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through the Eky Remote Initiative. Together, these programs will help
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connect job seekers with employers while strengthening workforce participation across
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the region, the statement said. For SORE, the statement said,
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workforce development is about more than filling jobs. It's about
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helping people rediscover belief and what is possible for themselves,
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their families, and their communities. People across Eastern Kentucky want
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the opportunity to build a better future, said doctor Reed Atkins,
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Executive director of SORE. This investment helps us continue creating
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pathways to employment while strengthening the system that connects people
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to opportunity. When someone finds meaningful work, it changes more
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than their income. It restores confidence, purpose and help for
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what comes next. The funding, according to the statement, will
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help so improve workforce tools and technology, strengthen employer to
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candidate connections, increase visibility of job opportunities, across the region
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and expand outreach into communities where many residents remain disconnected
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from employment resources. For more information on SORE, visit sore
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ky dot org. And flood proof windows are coming to Buckhorn.
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The Perry County Board of Education approved a major infrastructure
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project during a special meeting on May twenty first, authorizing
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a four million dollar initiative to replace windows and doors
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at the Buckhorn High School with flood resistant materials. According
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to Steel school officials, the project is intended to help
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protect the faculty from future flood damage while meeting requirements
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tied to federal reimbursement funding. Finance Officer Jody Magrid said
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the work had been anticipated for some time. This project
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has been long awaited, and that's the flood proof windows
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and doors. We'll have a meeting here at the central
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office with the contractors in a few days, said Maggard.
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Maggot explained the scale and specialized nature of the replacement materials,
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noting the project involves more than standard construction upgrades. Some
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people might ask why it's a four million dollar project
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to replace windows and doors, said Maggrid. These windows are
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one by one square and weigh nearly thirty pounds that
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will be every window. Maggart add added that the upgrades
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are tied directly to federal requirements connecting to flood recovery funding.
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This is a requirement from FEMA on behalf of their reimbursement.
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He said, I wish everyone could see this class That
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project will start during the summer and it will continue
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into the next school year. According to Magrid, crews will
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work in phases in an effort to minimize disruptions to
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the classroom and daily operations. This will be a one
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day installation per room, so they will do one room
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at a time and move on down until completion, Magrid said.
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And Nicholas Jamerson is kicking off Levitt A m P Whitesburg.
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One of Kentucky Music Hall of Fame's newest members, Nicholas Jamerson,
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is bringing his solo work to Whitesburg on June fourth
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to open ten weeks of free, family friendly music at
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the Mountain Heritage Stage. According to a statement from the
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organizers of the Levitt A m P. Whitesburg Music Series,
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Nicholas was born into a musical family in eastern Kentucky,
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where gatherings were full of guitars and songs the statement said.
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My grandmother always had a camera rolling, which taught me
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early in life that it's worth document, he said. That's
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what I try to do through songwriting, turn ordinary moments
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into something meaningful. Starting out with piano in choir as
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a child, Jamison added guitar, banjo, and mandolin to his
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repertoire along the way. After college, he co founded the
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band A Sunday Best with Chris Bentley and has released
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dozens of records between them and his solo work and
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his band. Over the last thirteen years. Music has taken
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me places I never dreamed of, like Ryman and the
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Grand Old Opry, he said. But more than anything, it's
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a way for me to honor places and people and
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to help others feel seen and proud of where they
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come from. These days, in addition to his own music,
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Jamerson is working to mentor the next generation, helping other
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writers find their voice through projects like Sleeping in the
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Woods Songwriter's Festival. With a voice rooted in tradition and
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a pen sharpened by experience, Jamerson invites listeners to walk
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with him through the shadows to it something honest and eternal.
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The statement said. Mount Sterling native Meg Allen opens the
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music at six thirty pm. Nicholas Jamerson and the Morning
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Jays take the stage at seven thirty pm. The Whitesburg
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Farmers Market opens from six pm to eight pm. The
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Levitt Amp Whitesburg Music Series continues each Thursday evening frough
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August with award winning national acts performing music from multiple genres.
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All concerts are family friendly and free to the public.
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Everyone is welcome. For more information, visit www. Cohencommunitycenter dot org.
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The Leavitt Amp Whitesburg Music Series is supported in part
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by the Levitt Family Foundation, which partners with change makers
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and nonprofits to strengthen the social fabric of communities in
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America through free, live music and outdoor public spaces. The
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statement said. Presenting high caliber talent and a broad array
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of music genres and cultural programming, Levitt Concerts are welcoming
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inclusive destinations where people of all ages and backgrounds come together,
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the statement said. In twenty twenty six, the Levett Family
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Foundation is supporting over nine hundred free concerts in ninety
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plus towns and cities across the country, bringing joy to
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over a million people. According to the statement, In addition
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to supporting free concerts. The foundation is dedicated to advancing
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vibrant music music ecosystems through partnerships, field building initiatives and research.
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Levitt dot org. The Levitt Amp Whitesbread Music Series is
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a of the Cowing Community Center with partners the City
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of Whitesburg, the Mountain Heritage Festival Committee, Lecher Tourism, Whitesburg
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Farmers Market, Apple Shop, and Caine Kitchen. And in our
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final story today, the Upike Dental School readies to begin
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first term. The Tanner College of Dental Medicine at the
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University of Pikeville will see his first cohort of dental students,
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with classes starting after an orientation program on June first.
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Even though the construction of the permanent dental education building
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is still in its initial stages, Upike is ready for
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new students with a temporary location at two o one
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Carrolin Avenue, the former site of the Appalachian News Express.
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According to Tanner College of Dental Medicine Dean Jill Keaton,
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d M, d MS, this cohort will have an educational
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expl experience that is second to none. Keaton said the
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response by prospective students to the new dental college was phenomenal.
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The inaugural class at the Tanner College of Dental Medicine
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was seat fifty four students. TCDM received fourteen hundred and
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ninety nine applications for those positions. We are excited to
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welcome these students into Tanner College of Dental Medicine, Keaton said,
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oral health is extremely important to overall health. We the
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university recognized there was a tremendous need that was not
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being met. This has been a monumental initiative that was
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the vision of the leadership of the University of Pikeville
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to address a long standing need for oral health care providers.
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She continued, we have seen what an impact the Kentucky
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College of Osteopathic Medicine has made in the region, along
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with the Kentucky College of Optometry. Dental is a wonderful
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component of that overall vision. She said. The new dental
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college was made possible by the generous and transformative twenty
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five million dollar donation to the University of Pikeville from
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the Tanner family to establish the new dental school. Keaton
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said that Tanner College of Dental Medicine will address a
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critical shortage of oral health care providers in Eastern Kentucky
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and Central Appalachia. Over the past three decades, we have
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seen a decline in the number of dentists who have
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been serving or providing care to patients. Here in Eastern Kentucky.
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We've had patients who have waited months for dental care,
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who have traveled multiple hours one way to see a
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certain dental specialist. Even the curriculum itself is designed to
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graduate new dentists into the marketplace faster than other dental colleges.
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We are the fourth dental school in the nation to
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be approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation for three
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year curriculum models. She said, this is allowed by the
25:01
Commission because we will have the same number of hours
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as a conventional four year program. Actually, we will have
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more hours than many four year programs. The program will
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be delivered and sequenced in three calendar years instead of
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four academic years. Keaton explained students will have all of
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the national holidays that are observed. They will have two
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weeks off at the end of December and have a
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week of spring break, but they will be here during
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the summer. She said this model will be much better
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for both the students and the community. It will save
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the students one year of tuition costs and enable them
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to enter the work force a year early, which is
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a huge advantage. Keaton said. Secondly, we know that they
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we are going to be a safety net for providing
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patient services, and we didn't want to close our clinics
25:51
during the summer and leave our patients with difficulty access
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and care. The clinics, she referenced, will be open to
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the public. What is thrilling about the University of Pikeville's
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mission and the Tanner College of Dental Medicine is there
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are so many opportunities to improve the lives of so
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many people on so many levels, Keaton said. We will
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be able to provide services to people at a minimal
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cost who so desperately need access to care. She said,
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t D is t c d M will offer its
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students the latest technological advancements available for their education, which
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will also translate into better health care outcomes for their patients.
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And this concludes the reading of the Hazard Herald for
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to Day, which is donated to the radio y by
26:42
the publishers. Please stay tuned for continued programming. Thank you
26:46
for joining me and on behalf of everyone here at
26:49
the radio. I This is Eric Everett, wishing you a
26:52
wonderful day.