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Hazard Herald - 1.25.26 · Eastern Kentucky Newspapers

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Speaker 1: We now turn to the reading of the Hazard HEROLD
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for news in Hazard and Perry County. Your reader today,
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as Anne Marie, will begin with the online edition dated
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January twenty one through twenty seven, twenty twenty six, which
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the publishers have donated to Radio I as a reminder.
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RADIOI is a reading service intended for people who are
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uplined or have other disabilities that make it difficult to
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read printed material. Our first article, Perry County Sheriff's Office
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charges three with drug trafficking and separate investigations. Three people
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have been charged with trafficking and drugs, including methamphetamine and fentanyl,
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during separate investigations by the Perry County Sheriff's Office. According
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to an arrest citation written by W. Chris Jones, on
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January fifteenth, he was traveling on Harveyton Road Bonnyman when
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he passed in eighteen. Jones wrote that he turned and
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followed the vehicle for a few miles before contacting driver
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Ronnie Eas fifty seven of First Creek Lane Bodyman, who
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did not have his license on him. Jones wrote that
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he learned that NIE's driver's license was suspended and gained
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consent to search Nice. During the search, Jones wrote he
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found a baggie that contained almost ten grams of suspected methamphetamine.
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Nice was lodged in the Kentucky River Regional Jail on
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charges the first degree trafficking in the controlled substance greater
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than or equal to two grams of methamphetamine, driving on
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a suspended license, and a traffic charge. The other two
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arrests occurred on January eighteenth, according to court documents, when
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Jones and Deputy Mullins went to a residence at Blue
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Sky Drive to serve in dykemat warrants, including one on
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Lindsay King thirty seven and another on Tiffany Little thirty two.
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Upon arrival at the residence, Jones wrote, both King and
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Little were placed in custody and he asked King if
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he could search your vehicle. King, the citation said, told
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Jones that she would save him the time that there
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was methemphetamine inside the vehicle. Upon search of the vehicles
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and the residents, Jones wrote the deputy's founder's whole of
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more than sixty grams of suspected methemphetamine more than three
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grams of suspected fetanyl baggies, scales, and a meth pipe,
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as well as a loaded glock handgun. The indictment warrants
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charged both King and Little with several counts, including first
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degree trafficking in a controlled substance greater than are equal
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to two grams of methamphetamine. King was also charged with
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a new count of first degree trafficking in a controlled
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substance greater than or equal to two grams of methamphetamine,
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while Little was charged with first defense trafficking and a
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controlled substance car finale or fentanyl derivatives, Enhanced first degree
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trafficking in a controlled substance or greater than the equal
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to two grams of methamphetamine, first offense, Enhanced first degree
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possession of a controlled substance unspecified, First offense possession of
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drug paraphernalia, and third degree possession of a controlled substance unspecified.
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Both were lodged in the Kentucky River Regional Jail. Fiscal
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Court hears updates on trails recreation projects. The Perry County
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Fiscal Court received updates on ongoing trail development and outdoor
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recreation initiatives during its regular meeting in January thirteenth, with
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officials outlining projects aimed at improving connectivity, recreation, and economic
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growth across the county. Perry County Judge Executive Scott Alexander
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said the court is preparing to consider future actions related
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to trail expansion and potential partnerships, including the possible use
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of an abandoned rail line. We're going to discuss a
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resolution on the intent. That's not saying we are. We
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have to enter into negotiations first, said Alexander. Then Braman,
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director of Trails with the Perry County Department of Outdoor Recreation,
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provided an overview of recent and ongoing projects throughout the county.
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When we're not doing trails, we're doing flood mitigation things
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like that, said Braman. As far as trails go, we
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are finishing with our third RTP, a personalized plan that
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fits the patient's lifestyle granted the park, which includes an
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overlook that expands our half marathon course. It also provides
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equipment for more downhill biking courses so we can get
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more races in the future through the bolence that the
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growing trail system is already supporting school athletics and community events.
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Harry and Central Cross Country team is now doing two
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events a year of bringing in fifty to one hundred
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spectators plus the students coming to the race. He said,
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it's the first time they've ever had an outdoor cross
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country course to compete on, so that's wonderful for the kids.
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We're going to do a small little track around the
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Cold Fire Department as a part of a brand which
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with the play area over there. We're going to redo
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the salt path that was washed away and destroyed by
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the flood. The sports plex, the property that's not being
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used for the actual sports plex, we're putting in a
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multi use trail around the perimeter of it, he continued,
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because we have about of hundred extra acres that's not
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going to be used for that project, so we're going
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to maximize that footprint. And we're also working with the
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ATV community to provide other non motorized up options. When
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people come in without ATVs, we can give them something
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else to do in the Leatherwood area Cornetsville area. Robin
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said one of the most significant opportunities moving forward involves
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improving connections between communities. Rails and trails. He said, they're
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huge because they connect communities. Connectivity is really what we're
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trying to do with the city and county through the
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League of Cities project is connect communities, schools to shopping,
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just safe places for people to walk and ride their
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bikes and won't move back and forth. The abandoned CSX
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line that we're looking at will help us do that.
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It will help us connect the town of Hazard all
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the way to HCTC campus. He continued, connectivity. It's an
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easy way to get people out and get people out,
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and that's what we need in this community. The other
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part is the emergency response. It's not just something we
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can use for quality of life, it's also something we
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can use in emergencies to provide evacuations and supplies. Additional
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programming and recreation efforts were highlighted by Desi jerrol, chair
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of the Perry County Pathfinders and director of Waterways and
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Outdoor Programs with the Department of Outdoor Recreation. We held
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two five cas this past year. Both were very successful,
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said Jerrold. We plan to bring another trail five K
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back this year as well. We also plan on doing
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a summer river clean up with volunteers from the community,
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and we also plan to continue to run our summer
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Chayak Trail as well. Martin Luther King Day celebrated in Hazard.
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The life and legacy of Martin Luther King Junior re
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celebrated in downtown Hazard on Monday, January nineteenth with the breakfast, ceremony,
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and march hosted by Southeast Kentucky African American Museum and
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Cultural Center as part of a community of observance of
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MLK Junior Day. The event began with a complimentary full
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breakfast prepared by volunteers at First Presbyterian Church, followed by
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a program featuring remarks from s E. K Yaa, mcc
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executive Executive Director Emily Hudson, of monologue honoring Harriet Tubman
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performed by Susan Adams, a recognition ceremony highlighting historical and
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current Black educators lived by the run Up Hoggins Shepherd,
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and a keynote actress delivered by Chris Campbell, director of
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the Hazzard Perry County Boys and Girls Club. Campbell said
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the day was intended to honor King's impact while reflecting
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on the continued pursuit of justice and equality. So today
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was celebrating an amazing man, one who shaped the culture
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in America, Campbell said, he conquered injustice, and we're here
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to celebrate that. Today. We're having a breakfast and we're
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going to march and try to symbolize some of his greatness.
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Campbell said he was honored to speak during the observance
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and emphasized the importance of education in King's legacy. It's
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an honor to have the opportunity to speak here today,
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he said, to represent Black America and the opportunity to
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represent fairness and justice. I came to give information. I
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think one of his greatest tools was that he gave
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people information. He informed the people on how to do
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certain things. He has so many accomplishments, Campbell said. King's
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messages remain relevant today. It's important that we remember him
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each year, said Campbell. It's important to remember that we're
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still fighting for equality and justice to this day. It's
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about informing yourself. Education was a big part of his ideology,
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and I think we inform ourselves. If we inform ourselves,
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we can make a big change. Following the breakfast and program,
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attendees gathered at Hazard City Hall and march down Bain Street,
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concluding the observance with a post march celebration and reception
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at Consolidated Baptist Church. Three Kid's Closet opens in Airport Gardens.
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The Hazard Perry County Chamber of Commerce, along with Red
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Blood Financial Alternatives, held a grand opening with the ribbon
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cutting ceremony for the new permanent office location at eight
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twenty five High Street on January fourteenth. The event brought
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community partners, local officials, and nonprofit leaders to celebrate Red
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Bud's expanded presence Hazard, Kentucky. Appalachian Regional Healthcare has announced
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in the statement the launch of its new Lifestyle Medicine
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service line. Lifestyle Medicine, the statement said, is a patient centered,
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evidence based program designed to help individuals build sustainable, healthy
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habits that can prevent, manage, or even reverse chronic health condition.
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Launching Lifestyle Medicine is a major step forward for the
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communities we serve, said Read it from AARH service line director.
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This program gives patients the tools, education, and support the
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need to make meaningful changes in their health. It represents
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arh's commitment to compassionate care and innovative approaches that improve
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quality of life. Many chronic illnesses like high blood pressure,
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heart disease, type two. Diabetes and obesity are influenced by
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daily habits and involving nutrition, physical activities, sleep, stress, and
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social support. A r h's lifestyle medicine program, the statement
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said focus is on improving these root causes to help
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patients achieve lasting health improvements. The program is built onund
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six core pillars whole food, plant forward nutrition, regular physical activity,
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restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of rep risky substances, and
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positive social connections. During their first visit, the patients can
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expect to meet one on one with the lifestyle medicine
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provider to discuss their current health goals and daily routines. Together,
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they can develop a personalized plane that fixed the patient's lifestyle.
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Follow Up care may include in person visits, phone check ins,
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or telehealth appointments. Insurance is accepted and referrals are welcome
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but not required. The statement said, Lifestyle medicine is designed
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to compliment, not replace, a patient's existing care. The team
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works closely with primary and specialty providers to ensure coordinated
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whole person support. At ARH, we believe good health isn't
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just about treating illness. It's about creating a life where
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you feel strong, capable, and connected, said Ali Davidson, ar
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aprn ARH lifestyle medicine provider. Our goal is to help
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patients build habits around food, activity, rest, and stress that
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not only manage disease, give them a real chance at
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long term wellness. Kentucky lawmaker proposes criminal charges for adults
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who groom children. Adults who groom children for sex would
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be subject to criminal charges under a bill proposed in
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the Kentucky General Assembly, closing a legal gap that let
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certain perpetrators go unpunished. House Bill four proposes a range
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of charges for adults eighteen and older who roomed children
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with an intent to entice, course, solicit, or prepare the
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minor to engage in sexual conduct with a person or
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another person. Up until now, lawmakers enforcement has had to
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wait to charge groomers until they specifically solicited or assaulted
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a child. Lewis Kelly, the Commonwealth's attorney in Boom and
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Galton Counties, said during a Wednesday press conference, crimes are
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very specific, and sometimes it's hard to create laws that
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capture all the behavior that we would like to deter.
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Kelly said, recently, we found a big gap in behavior
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that doesn't rise to the level of an actual sexual
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solicitation or doesn't result in a sexual touch or self,
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but nevertheless clearly inappropriate and clearly designed to believe to
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such things. Sponsor Representative Marianne Procter our Union said she
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wants to stop any pedophile from hurting and manipulating children.
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I would love it if we get one hundred percent
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of them, she said. House Speaker David Osborne our Prospect
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told reporters Wednesday that the bill is clearly a priority.
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I think anything that we can do to protect the
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kids in the Commonwealth is a good thing, he said.
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What's in the bill? The bill has two tiers for
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both adults who groomed children under the age of fourteen
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and those in positions of authority or position of special trust,
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such as coaches or teachers who groom children under the
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age of eighteen. The first tier is a Class A
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demeanor unless the minor is younger than twelve years old,
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in which case is a Class D thiony. According to
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the bill, for those intrusted positions, grooming a minor is
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a Class D felony, unless the miner is younger than twelve,
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in which case it is a Class C felony. The
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bill lays out exceptions for lawful or legitimate communications, including
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teaching curriculum on human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases, the
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use of a traceful communications system by a school district employee,
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the diagnosis or treatment of a minor by a health
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care provider in a health care facil facility age, appropriate
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conversations about puberty and human sexuality with a minor by
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the miner's parents or guardian, communicating with a minor to detrain,
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determine if the miner is dependent, neglected, or abused, any
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conversation with a miner that is part of a person's
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job related duties. It has been well crafted to not
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criminalize good faith and perhaps innocent discussions between adults and miners,
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even if perhaps misguided. Kelly said, this has a high
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burden on law enforcement and a high burden on prosecution
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to make sure we are targeting people who should know better,
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who shouldn't be doing this and are clearly doing it
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for inappropriate reasons. The bill requires at least two instances
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of grooming behavior before charges could be brought. It's got
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to be a pattern of behavior, Proctor said, there's some
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things you just see see when you see it. So
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this is a high barer. This is an intent bill.
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You've got to prove intent. Should Kentucky codify this proposal
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into law, Proctor said Kentucky would be one of thirteen
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states with similar statutes. Why does this legislation matter? Shannon Moody,
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Kentucky Youth Advocates chief officer of Strategic Initiatives, told The
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Lantern that grooming is often subtle and rooted in a
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facade of kindness that can confuse children, and she said
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it often leads to abuse. We see a lot of
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individuals who target kids with difficult home life, and especially
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kids who maybe feel lonely or isolated movie set. There's
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a lot of perpetrators who identify children with histories where
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they're not feeling connected to an adult and see that
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as an opportunity. Grooming does not just harm children during
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a childhood's movie set. It can set them up for
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a pattern of unhealthy relationships throughout their lives. One of
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the things that would worry me if somebody's experienced grooming
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and that behavior year is being normalized, is that it
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starts to normalize bad relationship patterns that you think are
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okay Mody said, there's a potential for increased likelihood of
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experiencing domestic violence or intimate partner violence. It could open
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the door for somebody to not really understand that that
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treatment is not okay and understand what normal relationships should
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look like. Kentucky has higher rates of domestic violence than
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the national average. Forty eight percent of Kentucky women will
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experience intimate partner violence or stalking, compared with forty seven
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percent nationally. The Lantern has reported about fifty two percent
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of men in Kentucky will also experience this, which is
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higher than the national percentage of forty four percent. The
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definition of grooming behavior is vague because it is subtle
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and varied. Mode said, that's what's kind of scary about that.
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She said, it sometimes happens before you even know it.
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Jordan Turner, the Bunk County attorney, said, grooming looks so
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different when we're talking about victims who are children versus
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victims who are adults. State law already covers behavior that
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targets adult Kentuckians, she said, such as stalking and harassment.
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Grooming children looks like building relationships, being kind, making children
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trust you. She said, I think the fact that we
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are calling this out and we are naming it is
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a big success at this point. Kentucky reports first positive
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measles case in twenty twenty six. The Kentucky Department for
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Public Health announced in a statement January fifteenth that an
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unvaccinated Jasmin County resident has tested positive for measles. This
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is the first confirmed case of measles in a Kentucky
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residence since July twenty twenty five. This personal was exposed
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to measles when an out of state traveler who was
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infectious visited Fayette County between December thirty first and January second.
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The statement said this resulted in the community exposures first
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announced by the Lexington Fayette County Health Department on January nine.
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This case of measles, this statement said, is not related
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to community exposures between December twenty eighth through the thirtieth
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in Grant County, which were linked to a different out
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of state visitor. Public health officials are investigating additional community
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exposures to measles as a result of this Jasmine County case.
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Information about measles and public exposures can be found on
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the Kentucky Department for Public Health Measles website. BEASLS is
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a serious and contagious virus that has been that has
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seen a resurgence in the recent years, said doctor Stephen Stack,
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Secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
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We continue to urge family to take these risks seriously
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and to protect themselves and their communities by getting the measles,
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mumps and Rebella MMR vaccine. The statement said. The Kentucky
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Department for Public Health is supporting the Lexington Fayette Community
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County Health Department and other local health departments as they
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contact individuals believed to have been exposed to measles. This
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is the opinion page. It's entitled resident not allowed to
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speak at Fiscal Court meeting. I recently attended a Perry
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County Fiscal Court meeting, prepared to ask questions about road safety,
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infrastructure priorities, and man used decisions that directly affect local families.
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I was not allowed to speak. At first, I assumed
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this was simply health things worked, that citizens could attend
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meetings but had no voice. Many people believe that I
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did too, But after reviewing the Perry County Code is
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published on the County's official website. I learned something important.
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The rules state that citizens present at the court meeting
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may speak on any subject being considered by the court.
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That language is clear. It doesn't say at the Court's discretion,
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it doesn't require prior approval, It doesn't limit comment to
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certain agenda items. It simply says citizens may speak. The
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same provision allows the judge executive to limit comments that
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become repetitive or unruly, which makes sense, but limiting comment
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is not the same as prohibiting it altogether. That raises
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a reasonable question. If the county's own published rules allow
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citizen comment, why were citizens not permitted to speak. This
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isn't about disruption or disrespect. It isn't about politics. It's
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about procedure and transparency. The meeting agenda included major decisions
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involving road funding, land land acquisition under the Rails to
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Trails Act, surveillance camera installation, large bond payments, and multiple
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administrative contacts tied to a home buy out program. These
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are serious, long term decisions involving public money and public safety.
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This is from Angela Hatton in Hazard The Thought of
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the Week by Chaplain Gary Sloan, Doctor Gary sloan at
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yahoo dot com. God wants us to be successful. He
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wants us to be all we can be. There is
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nothing wrong with having nice things, as God says, God
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wants us to be happy. However, remember that all those
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nice things have been gifts from God. He allowed us
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to have those things. But as he give, if he
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can also take away, and he will if we ever
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forgot to be appreciative to him and the credit for
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them goes to him. So pay things forward? Has God
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forwarded things to us through things to This concludes the
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reading of the Hazard Herald for to Day, which is
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donated to Radio I by the publishers. Please stay tuned
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for continued programming. Thank you for joining me and on
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behalf of every one here at Radio I. This is
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Amory wish he knew a very good day.