FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (WMDJ) – Funding has been secured to breathe new life into Thunder Ridge Racing and Entertainment Complex after sitting dormant for nearly a decade.

On Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that the Floyd County Fiscal Court, on behalf of the Big Sandy Area Development District, is seeking to purchase the 54-acre tract for the purpose of developing the property into the Thunder Ridge Industrial Business Park.

The project will see $5 million in total funding for development, with $2 million approved in state funding.

The funding is through the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI), which is overseen by the Cabinet for Economic Development. The initiative provides funding for local communities statewide to increase investment in site and building upgrades to attract future job creation and economic growth.

Floyd County Judge Executive Robbie Williams says once final approval of Abandoned Mine Land funding is given, the Fiscal Court will purchase the land from R & J Development and move forward with developing the site in the next three to four months.

Murray Sinclaire, the original owner of the Thunder Ridge property and part of Appalachian Racing, sold the 54-acre track to R&J Development 2017.

In 2022, Floyd County Judge Executive Robbie Williams, along with Congressman Hal Rogers announced $3 million in funding from the Abandoned Mine Lands grant to help for the purpose of site development.

The AML grant funding is still waiting for final approval.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) – The University of Pikeville has announced a new healthcare clinic coming to Floyd County.

UPIKE board chairman Terry Dotson has donated the former home of Worldwide Equipment on KY Route 1428 in Prestonsburg to the university, which will be remodeled to create the Appalachian Center for Preventative Medicine.

UPIKE has also been awarded a $2 million POWER grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission.

According to a news release, 475 students will rotate through the 25,000 square foot space each year, to get hands-on experience while serving patients in the region.

FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (WMDJ) – A Floyd County man has died following a single-car accident in Grethel.

The accident happened early Wednesday morning on KY Route 979.

Authorities believe Ken Tackett, 59, of Beaver, likely suffered a medical emergency, causing his vehicle to leave the highway, striking a tree.

Tackett was pronounced dead at the scene.

FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (WMDJ) - Early in-person, no excuse absentee voting will begin this week across Kentucky.

Early voting begins Thursday, October 31st through Saturday, November 2, 2024. Please bring your identification. Any resident registered to vote in Floyd County can vote at the following locations:

Wilkerson Stumbo Convention Center at Jenny Wiley State Park

Floyd County Community Center in Martin

Floyd County Clerk’s Annex Office at McDowell and Betsy Layne.

Times to vote are 12 noon until 8 p.m. each day. The traditional general election will be Tuesday, November 5th with precinct polls open 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. 

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) – Special Judge Eddy Coleman has denied a motion for bond reduction against accused Amber Spradlin murder suspect Michael “M.K.” McKinney III.

Attorneys for McKinney argued last week for a reduction in the bond that the defense claimed was, “excessive” considering that M.K. did not pose a threat to the community and was not a flight risk due to the results a pretrial risk assessment.

In his motion, Coleman stated that, “While the Court has given due consideration to the pretrial risk assessment, the Court believes it does not account for the circumstances of this indictment.”

McKinney’s bond will remain at $5 million full cash with condition of home incarceration with GPS tracking.

The next trial date is set for February 2025.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) – Eleven candidates filed the necessary paperwork before last Friday’s deadline to become official write-in candidates for the vacant 29th District Senate seat left open with the passing Johnnie L. Turner last week.

Gov. Andy Beshear officially endorsed Knott County native Justin Noble over the weekend, proclaiming the Democrat will be, “focused on supporting public schools (and) ending the teacher shortage.”

The eleven candidates eligible for election are:

• Craig Blackburn, Willie Crase, Tanner Hesterberg and Paul Williams of Floyd County.
• Leonard Hendrickson and Justin Noble of Knott County.
• Valerie Isom Horn and James Tyler Ward of Letcher County.
• John Clem, Andrew Thomas Saylor of Harlan County.
• Scott Madon of Bell County.

Secretary of State Michael Adams predicts this will be one of Kentucky’s largest voter turnouts ever this Election Day. More than 130,000 Kentucky voters requested absentee ballots.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) – The city of Pikeville will cap off the town’s 200th anniversary with the Pikeville 200 Gala, taking place on Saturday, December 21st.

The formal event will be held starting at Appalachian Wireless Arena and will be an elegant evening filled with celebration, recognition and music for 500 guests.

This year’s gala will highlight Pikeville’s past 200 years.

Tickets and reservations are available at www.apparts.org or by calling (606) 262-4004. Single tickets are $125. Table of 8 $880.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) – A Prestonsburg man was arrested earlier this month after he allegedly tortured a cat.

Floyd County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Mendoza Perz, 20, at the Burchett Trailer Court following a complaint that a man was attacking a cat.

Deputies were provided video evidence by a witness of the attack and took Perz into custody on one felony count of torturing an animal.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) – Special Circuit Judge Eddy Coleman says he’ll decide on a bond reduction for Amber Spradlin murder suspect Michael "M.K." McKinney III no later than Monday.

In a pretrial hearing held today, Coleman heard arguments from both sides of the case concerning McKinney’s risk of flight or being a threat to the community.

Defense attorney Steve Romines indicated that his side was ready to post a $1 million property bond or a half-million bond cash bond (10% of current $5 million bond), arguing that McKinney presents zero risk to the community and is not a flight risk based on pretrial risk assessment.

Romines showed evidence that McKinney has no prior arrest record and only has a single speeding ticket for traveling five miles above the posted limit. 

Prosecutor Brent Turner countered pretrial risk assessments were, “concocted in Frankfort many years ago by people whose goal it is to keep everyone out of jail, so the state doesn’t have to pay for it.”

Turner also argued that there is ample evidence that McKinney is unstable, hears voices in his head.  Turner also indicated that McKinney has, “a pretty thick stack of medical health records” and that McKinney has instances where he, “cannot control himself or his anger.”

McKinney’s bond is currently set at $5 million. If Coleman rules in favor of a bond reduction, McKinney could be released on home incarceration, yet not in the same home as other defendants as his father Dr. Michael McKinney or Josh Mullins, who are currently free on bond and home incarceration.

Meanwhile, both sides indicated that it could be another year before DNA results are conclusive to possibly be used as evidence in the case. Turner indicated that the state forensics laboratory, which handles all testing for every law enforcement agency in the state, is understaffed and backlogged with cases.

Turner told the court that the prosecution wanted to submit 30 items, yet the lab would only accept 10 initial items to be tested.

Romines argued that based on the time frame of returning evidence and pretrial risk assessment, the rule of law should be followed by allowing a bond reduction.

“As long as we may have to wait to get evidence back. If he’s sitting in jail that entire time, that’s a miscarriage of justice, because it’s not his responsibility to do this testing and may put us in a position to ask for a speedy trial. Which puts the court and everybody in a very difficult position to go to court without certain evidence, some of which could be exculpatory, but that’s a risk we have to take if we have to wait a year or more to get back evidence,” Romines said.

The next hearing in the case has been set for February 27th, 2025.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) – In the wake of the untimely death of Kentucky State Senator Johnnie L. Turner (R-Harlan) this week, candidates have emerged quickly to form a write-in campaign with less than two weeks remaining before the November general election.

One candidate, however, has already been ruled ineligible.

The Kentucky Secretary of State’s Office has ruled that Republican Randy Thompson of Knott County cannot run as a write-in candidate based on KRS statute 117.125, subsection 1.

“Any candidate for city, county, urban county, consolidated local government, charter county government, or unified local government office who is defeated in a partisan or nonpartisan primary shall be ineligible as a candidate for the same office in the regular election.”

Thompson challenged Turner in the May primary election and lost, thus ruling him ineligible.

Meanwhile, Floyd County businessman Willie Crase has filed the proper paperwork and will be eligible to hold office if elected by write-in vote.

This will be the second election for Crase, who ran as a Democrat and lost to Independent Robbie Williams in the race for Floyd County Judge Executive in 2022.

Candidates have until Friday, October 25th to file as a write-in candidate for the general election.

Turner passed away earlier this week due to complications from a lawn mower accident in September. No one can be appointed to finish his term because his term officially ends this year.

Tuner didn’t have any opposition on the ticket for 29th District Senate Seat as there wasn’t a Democratic nominee and Independent challenger David Suhr dropped out of the race earlier this month.

HARLAN COUNTY, Ky. (WMDJ) - Kentucky State Senator Johnnie L. Turner, of Harlan, has died following complications from a lawn mower accident. 

Turner served in the House from 1999 until 2002. He was elected to the Senate in 2021. Turner represents Senate District 29, which includes Bell, Floyd, Harlan, Knott and Letcher counties.

He won the May 2024 primary and was running unopposed for the November 2024 election.

Senator Phillip Wheeler announced the passing of Turner and released a statement, “Eastern Kentucky and the 29th Senate District have suffered an irreparable loss, a loss even more deeply felt by Johnnie’s friends and family. Please keep Johnnie’s wife Maritza, his children Yazmin, Susie, and Johnnie, and his grandchildren in your thoughts and prayers.”

Johnnie L. Turner was born on Christmas Eve in 1947 and was one of 11 children, growing up in Harlan County before attending Red Bird Mission School.

Turner served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969 in the Panama Canal Zone, where he met the love of his life Maritza to whom he was married for more than 50 years. Turner attended Union College and graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law.

Turner practiced law for 46 years and served in the legislature twice. He served in the Kentucky House from 1999-2002. He was elected to the Kentucky State Senate in 2020. 

Turner suffered injuries as the result of a tragic lawn mower accident on September 15, 2024.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) – Voters in Floyd County will be considering statewide issues, a choice for 95th State Representative and local city races when the voting process begins later this month.

Two changes to the state constitution will be on the ballot.

Constitutional Amendment 1 ask if you, “are in favor of prohibiting persons who are not citizens of the United States from being allowed to vote in Kentucky.”

The more controversial Constitutional Amendment 2 ask if you’re in favor of, “giving parents choices in educational opportunities for their children by enabling the General Assembly to provide financial support for the education costs of students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are outside the system of common (public) schools by amending the Constitution of Kentucky.“

Simply put, voting in favor of Constitutional Amendment 2 would allow the General Assembly to send public funding to private schools.

Voters in Floyd County will be considering one local issue concerning medicinal cannabis. Voters will find the question, “Are you in favor of the sale of medicinal cannabis at a license dispensary and the operation of other cannabis businesses in Floyd County?” Voters will choose yes or no.

As for individuals on the ballot, the race for 95th State Representative is familiar with incumbent Democrat Ashley Tackett Laferty facing Republican challenger Brandon Spencer.

In the race for State Senator, Republican incumbent Johnnie L. Turner is on the ballot against Independent challenger David Suhr, who announced last week he was pulling out of the race.

Those officially running unopposed include Harold “Hal” Rogers for U.S. Representative, Commonwealth Attorney Brent Turner and Circuit Court Clerk Douglas Ray Hall.

Two local school board races are receiving attention as District 4 Floyd County School member Keith Smallwood is facing challengers Gary Blankenship and Hayes E. Hamilton. In District 5, Steven Slone is facing challenger Jenny Buck.

The city of Prestonsburg will have a three-way battle for mayor with Rick Hughes, who was appointed to the position in the spring, facing Danny Martin and David Gearheart. Eight winners for city council will rise from 12 candidates: Robert Allen, Joe Marson, Ezalee Pigman, Jeanette Music, Brittainy Branham, Harry Adams, Josh Turner, B.D. Nunnery, Heather Ousley, Bethany Pennington, Kaye Willis and Todd Daniels.

The city of Wheelwright will have eight choices to fill four seats on the city commission. Those candidates are Clark “Douglas” Thornsbury, Mike “Bub” Tackett, Andy Wayne Akers, Bill Newsome, Clarissa Parker McKinney, Dana McCown, Bobby Wayne Akers and Sam Little.

The city of Martin has seven candidates to occupy six seats. The candidates for city council are Gary V. Akers, Bonita Compton, James “Jim” Reynolds, April Gayheart, Bobby Sherman Dingus, Harold Case and Charles Justice.

City Commissioner elections for Allen and Wayland didn’t have enough candidates running to create a choice as each race features three candidates for four seats.

Voters across the commonwealth will choose between former President Donald J. Trump on the Republican side against Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for President. Kentucky voted overwhelming for Trump in the 2016 and 2020 election and doesn't figure to differ in 2024.

Tuesday, October 22nd was the last day to request an absentee ballot. Mail-in absentee ballots must be received by 6 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

In-person excused absentee voting runs October 23rd to the 25th and Oct. 28th to the 30th.

Many voters continue to embrace early in-person voting as a option, rather than casting a ballot on the traditional election day. Early in-person voting will begin October 31st and continue through November 2nd. The locations for early in-person voting in Floyd County are Wilkerson Stumbo Convention Center at Jenny Wiley State Park, Floyd County Community Center in Martin, Floyd County Clerk’s Annex Office at McDowell and Betsy Layne. Times to vote are 12 noon until 8 p.m.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) – The KY Public Service Commission has rejected a proposed rate increase submitted by Southern Water and Sewer District.

The PSC says Southern Water filed outdated data of water usage in 2022, when the district should’ve filed the most recent data available from 2023 to validate an increase.

In a ruling filed on October 11th, Southern Water can file an amended application with correct historical data, reissue customer notices of proposed increases and show proof of those changes within 45 days to the PSC.

If approved, the proposed increase would raise the average residential bill from $60 to more than $75 a month.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) – Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers announced Friday the acquisition of $30.2 million to help support Eastern Kentucky’s efforts to rebuild from natural disasters and boost economic growth in the region.

Twelve recipients in eight counties are receiving the funds as part of the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program.

The Floyd County Fiscal Court will receive $500,000 for the installation of drainage controls, a sanitary sewer and access to parking areas on a site adjacent to U.S. 23 to recruit new businesses.

The Floyd County Area Technology Center was selected to receive $812,000 to repair damage from mine drainage, as well as repairs to tile, plumbing and lighting within the building.

Knott County received $1.7 million to develop a new general store, 1,750 zipline, bathhouse and a 10,000-square-foot lodge to be built at Mine Made Adventures Park.

The University of Pikeville was selected to receive $5 million for Phase 1 construction of a football stadium and soccer facility at Bear Mountain in Pike County. Once completed, the facilities will host regional athletic contests, concerts and community events including Hillbilly Days, and will serve 195 students.

At SOAR last week, the Governor celebrated the $40 million Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration federal award to Shaping Our Appalachian Region to connect Eastern Kentucky residents to resources and training for good jobs.

MOREHEAD, Ky. (WMDJ) – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) visited Morehead State University’s Space Science Center on Thursday to announce a federal earmark totaling nearly $10 million in Community Project Funding to broaden the region’s highly competitive deep space network.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) – Pikeville Police are searching for the owner or driver of a truck they said was involved in a hit-and-run incident recently.

Authorities say a blonde woman was seen driving a maroon pickup with black rims and bumper trim involved in a crashed at Funtime Inflatables on Town Mountain Road last Saturday night.  

If you have any details, please contact Pikeville Police at 606-437-5111.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) – Prestonsburg City Police say they’ve arrested Kenneth Kyle Greer, who led authorities on a high-speed chase last weekend through two counties.

According to a statement, Prestonsburg PD acted on a tip that Greer was sighted on the passenger side of a white Buick with temporary tags driving through town.

Officers located and attempted to pull over the vehicle, which failed to yield, making a turn at the Floyd County Justice Center and being cut-off by police.

Greer was taken into custody without incident.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) – The attorney for the man accused of murdering Amber Spradlin is seeking to have his client’s bond reduced.

Attorney Steve Romines filed a motion Tuesday in Floyd Circuit Court to have the $5 million cash bond for M.K. McKinney reduced, citing examples of other defendants receiving lower bonds for similar charges and claiming McKinney is not a flight risk.

Dr. Michael McKinney and Joshua Mullins, who are each facing eight counts of tampering with physical evidence, are currently out of jail on home incarceration.

Romines argues that there is no physical evidence or witness statements tying M.K. McKinney to the murder and claims the entire case is based on circumstantial evidence.

Romines futher claims that Spradlin’s friend Roy Kidd, who accompanied her to Dr. Michael McKinney’s home the night of the murder, should also be considered a murder suspect.

According to the motion, Kentucky State Police testified under oath to the Grand Jury that Spradlin was upset and disturbed at Kidd’s, ‘drunken belligerent behavior’ and felt he ‘embarrassed’ her in front of her employer. KSP further testified that Spradlin was so angry at Kidd that she had to be separated from him, which prompted the initial 911 call asking for law enforcement’s help in controlling Kidd.

A pre-trial conference for the defendants is scheduled for Oct. 24th.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) – Gov. Andy Beshear announced Wednesday that the state will put the final section of the Mountain Parkway expansion project on the fast track, thanks to a $116.3 million federal grant.

The grant will help to complete the nearly $300 million construction project for the final piece of the parkway, a nearly 13-mile stretch of new construction known as the “Magoffin-Floyd” segment, which is currently under development. The segment will extend the parkway from Salyersville to Prestonsburg.

Currently, the Magoffin County “central” 5.7-mile segment is set to open before the end of 2024. An 11-mile stretch in Wolfe County is set to be completed by 2027.

Once the project is finished, Kentucky will have 400 continuous miles of four-lane, high-speed highway connecting Pikeville to Paducah.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) – A Pike County man was arrested Monday after he allegedly shot his mother then barricaded himself inside a home prompting a standoff with Kentucky State Police.

Troopers were called to a residence on Old Wagner Station Road in Coal Run, where they attempted to contact the subjects inside the residence.

59-year old Alex Yuhas of Pikeville began making threats towards law enforcement and KSP Special Response Team was activated.

Following several hours of negotiating, Yuhas turned himself over to authorities.

Yuhas is accused of killing his mother, 75-year-old Paulette Mullins of Pikeville. According to an investigation, Mullins suffered a fatal gunshot wound following a domestic altercation with her son.

Mullins was pronounced deceased at the scene by Pike County Coroner’s Office. Mullins’ body was sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

Yuhas was arrested and lodged in the Pike County Detention Center on charges of Murder-Domestic Violence, Terroristic Threatening, and Assault 3rd Degree.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) – Johnson County has been awarded $4.7 million in federal grant funding to create a new pedestrian shared use path project along KY Route 321 connecting downtown Paintsville to the shopping plaza areas and schools.

Gov. Beshear presented the funding to Johnson County Judge/Executive Mark McKenzie last week.

The 0.9 mile, 8-foot wide, paved and lighted path will begin near 123 Café and the bridge to Paul B. Hall and stretch to Mayo Plaza.

“Thank you, Gov. Beshear, for supporting us and showing what can happen in our communities,” said Judge McKenzie. “Our goal every day is to strive to improve the quality of life for our residents. And this project represents a tremendous step forward in our community’s infrastructure, connectivity and safety.”

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet administers the federally funded Transportation Alternatives Program. The program supports non-motorized forms of transportation to improve connectivity, accessibility, safety and equity in communities.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) – Authorities are still searching for Kenneth Kyle Greer, who led officials on a high-speed chase across two counties Saturday night.

Officials say Greer led officers on a chase that began south of Pikeville on U.S. 23 to Floyd County at speeds over 100 mph.

Greer eventually led authorities to Cow Creek, striking another vehicle and then leaving the scene on foot, evading police.

Prestonsburg City Police have impounded his truck and they say Greer is wanted for multiple warrants and for operating a vehicle on a suspended license. If you know of his whereabouts, you’re urged to contact 911. You are advised not to approach Greer.

EASTERN, Ky. (WMDJ) – Following several weeks of students being arrested on charges of terrorist threatening in Floyd County Schools, the Floyd County Attorney’s Office and the Floyd County District Judge’s Office have joined forces with the Floyd County School District to deliver critical education and awareness initiatives to students across the district.

Assistant County Attorney Meka Hall Castle and District Judge Tyler Green are in the process of visiting every school, engaging with students and offering valuable insight into the consequences of their actions and the importance of making responsible decisions.

The presentations are part of a district-wide effort to ensure students understand the potential legal ramifications of poor choices and the impact these decisions can have on their futures. Both Castle and Green have emphasized the importance of making informed, positive choices as students navigate the challenges of adolescence.

At least seven incidents have occurred over the last few weeks resulting in juvenile students being taken into custody and charged with second degree terroristic threatening.

EASTERN, Ky. (WMDJ) – A instructional aide at Duff-Allen Central Elementary was arrested Monday on alcohol intoxication charges while on school grounds.

Neil Allen, 40, of Hueysville, was taken into custody by Floyd County Sheriff’s deputies after colleagues reported Allen for suspected intoxication during school hours.

Following an investigation, deputies discovered an open container with alcohol and empty cans of beer in his vehicle.

Floyd County Schools issued a statement saying this matter is being taken very seriously and is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all students and staff.

FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (WMDJ) – The city of Prestonsburg has a new fire chief.

Longtime member Celina Thomas was appointed to the position this week after decades of service to the department. She becomes the first female fire chief of the department. 

Thomas began as a volunteer in 2008 and later took on a full-time role with the department in 2003.

Mayor Rick Hughes says Thomas has the knowledge and experience, along with the support of the department to take on this position.

Thomas will take part in an official pinning ceremony for her new position Monday evening at the Mountain Arts Center at 6:30 p.m.

FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (WMDJ) – Yet another school threat has been addressed by authorities and Floyd County Schools.

This is at least the seventh such threat resulting in an arrest of a Floyd County student over the past few weeks.

On Monday, Floyd County Schools, in coordination with the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, addressed an incident at John M. Stumbo Elementary School in which a juvenile student made a threat and has been charged with Second Degree Terroristic Threatening and taken into custody.

Authorities say a juvenile student made implicit threatening statements to another student.

No firearm was discovered on school property, and no students or staff were in any imminent danger during this incident.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) – A teenager has been arrested following a weekend shooting in downtown Pikeville.

Pikeville City Police responded to the city parking garage just before 4 a.m. Sunday morning after it was reported that several shots had been fired. After arriving, Officers discovered everyone involved in the incident had fled the scene.

Later, Officers were alerted that a gunshot wound patient was being treated at Pikeville Medical Center. Following a brief investigation and interviews, Officers located the shooting suspect and took them into custody.

Authorities say the gunshot victim is in stable, but critical condition.

No other details have been released as the investigation is ongoing.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) – A teenager has died following a two-vehicle accident in Floyd County Sunday night.

The crash happened at 9:29 p.m. on KY Route 114 near the entrance to Owens Street just passed Prestonsburg Elementary School.

According to Kentucky State Police, Keith Anderson was operating a 2010 Honda Insight when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt being operated by Kenny Auxier. Both drivers, Anderson and Auxier, were transported to medical facilities for treatment.

17-year old Kayla Elam, of Salyersville, a passenger with Auxier, was transported to a nearby hospital where she later died from her injuries.

Elam was a student at Magoffin County High School.

The accident is still under investigation by Kentucky State Police.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s District 12 Highway Department is sending assistance in the form of manpower to areas of North Carolina affected by last week’s historic flooding.

The team from District 12 will embark on a two-week flood response mission, led by the district’s Safety Coordinator and U.S. Navy veteran James Bowens, and Knott County Superintendent I, Matt Helton.

They along with 10 Highway Technicians and mechanics from Knott and Letcher counties are taking trucks and heavy equipment, along with the knowledge and experience they have from years of flood recovery work in eastern Kentucky to help those in need.

Many on this crew were personally affected by the historic flooding in our area just two years ago.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) – A new welding and pipe fabrication facility is coming to Floyd County.

95th State Representative Ashley Tackett Laferty has announced that Louisville-based Infinity Design & Construction Group will set up shop in Floyd County, bringing jobs with wages of $41.50 per hour plus unionized healthcare and pension benefits.

According to their company website, Infinity has been serving the commercial and industrial piping industry since 2013. 

Rep. Laferty says she’s excited to help bring this established company's newest location to the mountains and confident that its success will show others throughout the Commonwealth that Eastern Kentucky is the place for their next big success story.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for October 28th, across from the Community Center in Martin.

MARTIN, Ky. (WMDJ) – Donations are being accepted for those affected by last week’s epic flooding in East Tennessee.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Martin will be accepting on Friday from 6:30-8:00 p.m. and Saturday, 8-10 a.m.

Items needed include: shovels, cleaning supplies, hygiene products, baby wipes/diapers and formula, shovels, sheets/blankets, paper towels/toilet paper, plastic storage bins, toys and clothing.

All items will be delivered to Newport, Tennessee.

If you have questions, please call (859) 638-9021.

PAINTSVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) – The KY Apple Festival returns this week in downtown Paintsville.

Carnival rides open Wednesday at 5 p.m. and will also be open on Thursday evening 5 until 10 p.m.

The official opening ceremony will be Friday at 8:30 a.m. followed a full day of fun, including an arts & crafts tent, flea market, food, with music beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Heading Friday night’s performance will be Nashville recording artist Jason Michael Carroll, famous for his 2007 hit song, “Alyssa Lies” and his 2009 smash, “Where I’m From.”

There will be a car show Saturday starting at 8 a.m until 2 p.m. followed by more music and headliners Ricochet to close out the festival at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday’s parade will start at 2 p.m. in downtown.

For a full list of events, visit WMDJFM.com.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) – The last day for Kentuckians to register for this year’s election is vastly approaching.

Kentucky residents must register to vote by October 7th.

You can register to vote by mail by sending a Voter Registration Application to the Floyd County Clerk’s office or by going in-person to submit an application.

You can also register to vote online at the state’s election website: vrsws.sos.ky.gov/ovrweb/govoteky

After registering, voters who cannot be physically present to cast their vote on Election Day can request a mail-in or absentee ballot. Kentucky has three days of early, no excuse in person voting: Thursday, Oct. 31, Friday, Nov. 1, and Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.