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News

<p>Ronald Wright appears in court via closed circuit television. Wright is charged with the murder of Famer Halbert.</p>

PRESTONSBURG — The McDowell man charged with murder following the shooting death of Famer Halbert last week finally appeared before a judge Thursday
PRESTONSBURG — The McDowell man charged with murder following the shooting death of Famer Halbert last week finally appeared before a judge Thursday, dressed in prison orange via camera from the Floyd County Detention Center. Ronald Wright, 64, of Printer, appeared no worse for wear Thursday, as he was arraigned in Floyd County District Court. Wright is currently charged with the murder of Halbert and the attempted murder of Halbert’s wife,...
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County hits bottom in health rankings
While it has poor showings in just about every measurable health statistic of the past decade, Floyd County hit a new low Wednesday, when it was ranked dead last in overall health among the state’s 120 counties. The county received the bad news with the release of the latest County Health Rankings, compiled annually by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. Eastern Kentucky as a who...
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Governor’s Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership coming to Prestonsburg
LEXINGTON – The Governor’s Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership is seeking public school parents to attend an institute in Eastern Kentucky in the fall of 2013. This institute will provide leadership training and support to parents to help them become advocates for improved education in their schools and communities. It will be conducted at the Jenny Wiley State Park, Prestonsburg, Kentucky on Aug. 16-17, Sept. 27-28 and Oct. 25-26,...
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Pike man indicted for rape, attempted murder
PIKEVILLE — A case that had shocked the Tug Valley area earlier this month was presented to the 2013 Pike County Grand Jury when they convened last week for consideration of indictments. According to Commonwealth Attorney, Rick L. Bartley, a true-bill was returned against Jonathan Thornsbury, 20, of Sidney, after jurors heared testimony from troopers with Post 9 of the Kentucky State Police (KSP) regarding his arrest on brutal, sexual assau...
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McDowell shooting case goes to grand jury
PRESTONSBURG — Loretta Wright appeared in Floyd District Court Tuesday for a preliminary hearing following the shooting death of her brother-in-law, Famer Halbert, last week. Loretta Wright kept her head down and her eyes closed through most of Tuesday’s testimony, as Kentucky State Police Det. Jason Dials relayed to the court the events surrounding Halbert’s death. According to Dials’ testimony, Ronald and Loretta Wright had come by the ...
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Seven killed on state roads last week
Preliminary statistics indicate that seven people died in seven separate crashes on Kentucky’s roadways from Monday, March 11, through Sunday, March 17. One single-fatality, motor vehicle crash each occurred in Allen, Bell, Casey, Christian, Pulaski and Trigg counties. The victims in Allen and Christian counties were not wearing seat belts. The crash in Pulaski County involved the suspected use of alcohol. One pedestrian was killed in Jef...
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<p>“Very Worst Thing” director Michael Crisp, left, and editor Andrew Moore say they have been surprised by their continuing need to update their film as more information becomes available.</p>

Updated bus crash film shows at Strand
PRESTONSBURG — There were three firsts when “The Very Worst Thing” was shown in Prestonsburg for the fifth time over the weekend. Friday’s showing marked the first time a Floyd County audience had the opportunity to watch the documentary about the 1958 bus crash that killed 27 people since newly-discovered home movies and a computer simulation of the crash were added to the film. Director Michael Crisp said the home movie footage, in part...
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Eastern Kentuckians more aware of overdose deaths
LOUISVILLE — New results from the Kentucky Health Issues Poll (KHIP) show many residents are aware of Kentucky’s drug overdose problem. Almost half (44 percent) of Kentucky adults know that overdose is the leading cause of unintentional deaths in the Commonwealth. Drug overdoses overtook motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of unintentional deaths in Kentucky back in 2010. “An estimated 16 Kentuckians each week die from unintentiona...
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BSACAP issuing garden seed vouchers
Big Sandy Area Community Action Program (BSACAP) will be issuing garden seed vouchers – to be used to purchase seeds/plants – to eligible households from April 1 through April 5 or until funds are exhausted. The vouchers provide an excellent opportunity for people to supplement their income by means of a vegetable garden that will supply fresh produce for eating and canning. Household eligibility for the Garden Project is determined by fede...
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<p>Coroner Greg Nelson says groups like Communities Against Drug Addiction are beginning to have an impact, as the number of overdose deaths was cut in half from 2011 to 2012.</p>

Coroner says community drug efforts showing results
PRESTONSBURG — Coroner Greg Nelson told those attending the monthly Communities Against Drug Addiction luncheon that the efforts of groups such as theirs have helped to bring down the number of overdose deaths in Floyd County. During the meeting, held at noon, Tuesday, at the Floyd County Health Department, Nelson noted that drug overdose deaths peaked in 2010 and 2011, with 43 and 46 deaths, respectively. In 2012, however, the number dropp...
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SASW to host blood drive at MSU Prestonsburg
PRESTONSBURG — Morehead State University at Prestonsburg’s Student Association of Social Workers in conjunction with the Kentucky Blood Center will host a blood drive on Tuesday, April 2, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The event will take place in room 131 of the Postsecondary Education Center, 6 Bert Combs Drive in Prestonsburg. Participants will have a chance to win two tickets to Taylor Swift’s The Red Tour at Rupp Arena, Saturday, April 27. B...
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Supterintendent completes doctorate
Floyd County Supt. Henry Webb finished the final leg of his formal education last week when he completed a doctorate in education. Dr. Webb followed an education tract which focused on P-12 Administrative Leadership. While obtaining his degree, Dr. Webb maintained his full time role of superintendent of Floyd County Schools, participated in numerous leadership training opportunities and conducted research focused on improving student achiev...
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<p>Rebekah Allen, Kristen Daniels, Emily Ann Hall, Rachael Hall, Nicholas Hites, Lauralee Johnson, Christi Rose and Kristyn Watkins were honored as finalists of the $1,000 Democratic Women’s Club scholarship Monday night. In addition to each finalist receiving a $25 token gift, he or she will also receive guidance from a club member whose background closely matches his or her chosen goal.</p>

Democratic Women honor scholarship finalists with guidance
PRESTONSBURG — The Floyd County Democratic Women’s Club honored the eight finalists of the group’s annual $1,000 scholarship Monday night, by providing each of them with a $25 token gift and something even more valuable — guidance for their future lives. Members of the club will be serving as mentors to each of the finalists this year. To ensure they get the most out of the opportunity, each student was matched with a club member whose back...
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One injured in US 23 accident near Prestonsburg
PRESTONSBURG — Weather conditions are being blamed for a two-vehicle accident Monday, on U.S. 23 near Prestonsburg, which slowed traffic and sent one person to the hospital. According to Prestonsburg Fire Chief Bobby Carpenter, a Ford Mustang driven by female whose identity has not yet been released was traveling north on U.S. 23 Monday around 2:00 p.m. when the vehicle hydroplaned across the road and collided with a box truck which was tra...
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Sheriff John K Blackburn's mugshot, after being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in Powell County.

UPDATE: Sheriff charged with DUI in official vehicle
STANTON — Floyd County Sheriff John K. Blackburn found himself on the other side of law enforcement in Powell County Sunday night, after being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Blackburn, 62, of Prestonsburg, who currently serves as president of the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association, registered a .202 on a breathalyzer — more than twice the legal limit — and was arrested in Powell County Sunday night, after other motorists r...
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