PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) – The city of Pikeville is gearing up for the return of Winterfest beginning this Saturday.

The start of Winterfest with coincide with Small Business Saturday.

Shoppers can pick up a red bag at The Shoppes at 225 starting at 11 a.m. and register to win prizes. The biggest spender will win $200 and the person shopping at the most places will be eligible to win $200. 

The Winterfest Ice Skating Rink will open at 11 a.m. There will also be horse carriage rides and Shriner’s Mini-Train rides for kids, along with a “Santa Dash” walk starting at 6 p.m. followed by the lighting of the Christmas tree in the Pikeville City Park at 7 p.m. 

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) – The Star City is ready to shine again as the Archer Park Christmas Lights begin Thanksgiving evening.

One million Christmas lights will shine bright starting at 6 p.m. The lights will be on nightly for folks to enjoy beginning at dark through 10 p.m. each evening.

Also tomorrow, there will be a drive-thru Thanksgiving Dinner giveaway at the Mountain Arts Center starting at 11 a.m.

WAYNE COUNTY, W.Va. (WMDJ) – The Martin County community is mourning the loss of a 19-year old student, who died following a traffic accident early Tuesday.

Kennadi Mollett was a standout athlete at Martin County High School and a freshman at the University of Pikeville where she was a cheerleader.

Mollett was killed in a crash on U.S. 52 in southern Wayne County, W.Va., yesterday after her vehicle was struck by a large truck.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the accident.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) – A Floyd County business was among 36 selected during Monday's first medical cannabis dispensary license lottery.

Gov. Andy Beshear has announced the results as applicants were selected to receive licenses through a random number generator.

BSRKY APP LLC of Martin was selected for a license. The business, which doesn’t have a physical location, is owned by Molly Willwerth of Louisville, KY.

Two licenses were also awarded to ventures in Pike County – Kentuckyzen and Reed KY Dispensary.

Medical marijuana sales will become legal in Kentucky on January 1st.

FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (WMDJ) – A Pike County man was arrested Friday and charged with felony counts of terroristic threatening and assaulting a police officer after he allegedly made threats to shoot people at the VA Clinic in Prestonsburg.

Officers spotted Robert S. Maynard, 57, of Belfry, traveling U.S. 23 after being notified by the clinic that Maynard told staff members, he intended to bring a gun to the facility and shoot people.

Maynard had to be tasered several times by deputies before finally being brought down during a traffic stop at Ivel.

Deputies discovered a loaded .38 caliber revolver in the vehicle Maynard was a passenger in during the arrest.

Maynard was charged with terroristic threatening, assaulting an officer, alcohol intoxication and disorderly conduct.

FRANKFORT, Ky (WMDJ) – A Magoffin County man has been sentenced to 10-years in prison for possession and distribution of child sex abuse material and a sexual crime against an animal.

Kent Simpkins, 43, of Salyersville, pleaded guilty Friday to seven felony counts and will receive a 10-year sentence. As conditions of the plea, he will be a lifetime registrant on the Kentucky Sex Offender Registry and receive five years of post-incarceration supervision.  

Following a cyber tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), law enforcement searched Simpkins’ IP address and social media. They found multiple images of minors involved in sexual acts, numerous animal sex videos and a video of Simpkins involved in a sexual act with the family’s dog. 

The Kentucky State Police Electronic Crimes Branch investigated the case.

Simpkins will be sentenced on March 6, 2025.

PRESTONSBURG Ky. (WMDJ) – Kentucky State Police is asking for the public’s help as part of an ongoing missing person investigation.

KSP in Pikeville was contacted on November 16, 2024, in reference to a missing Pike County man. The initial investigation indicated that Michael Fogleman, 26, of Virgie, was last seen on November 12, 2024, in Prestonsburg. He is described as a white male, 6’0” tall, 188 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information about her location is asked to contact the KSP Pikeville Post at 606-433-7711.

NASHVILLE – Johnson County native Chris Stapleton was the most decorated winner at this year’s CMA Awards ceremony Thursday night.

Stapleton captured three awards, including the honor of “Male Vocalist of the Year”. It’s the eighth time Stapleton has captured the top vocalist award.

Stapleton’s hit, “White Horse” was named “Single of the Year” and “Song of the Year”. Stapleton co-wrote the song with Dan Wilson.

Stapleton performed three songs during the ceremony, including a duet with George Strait, “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame”.

Morgan Wallen was named “Entertainer of the Year.”

Lainey Wilson took home honors for “Female Vocalist of the Year” and “Music Video of the Year” for the song, “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.”

Texas native Cody Johnson won “Album of the Year” for his latest release, “Leather.”

Old Dominion captured “Vocal Group of the Year” while legendary duo Brooks and Dunn was named “Vocal Duo of the Year” for the first time since 2009.

Other winners included Megan Moroney for “New Artist of the Year” and Ella Langley/Riley Green’s duet, “you look like you love me” won “Musical Event of the Year.”

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) – Following another successful Jenny Wiley Festival last month, tourism officials are now discussing the future of the annual event, including a possible change in location.

Officials floated the idea of moving the annual October festival from downtown Prestonsburg to Archer Park during this month’s Prestonsburg Tourism Commission meeting.

City mayor Rick Hughes has questioned how the event will accommodate the carnival next year since construction of the new Veterans Administration clinic will be underway in 2025 where the carnival has set up in previous years.

With the addition of the new stage at Archer Park to better accommodate musical acts, the idea of moving the festival may become a reality. 

Hughes says closing South or North Lake Drive is not an option and if the festival stays in downtown, the carnival would most likely be setup on side streets. 

The Jenny Wiley Festival committee will have final say of a possible location change.

McDOWELL, Ky. (WMDJ) – The Floyd County Sheriff’s department is searching for two suspects who attempted to break into a convenience store early Monday morning.

The incident took place around 2:15 a.m. Monday at the McDowell Stop N’ Shop.

Two individuals wearing hooded clothing and covering their faces were caught on surveillance camera attempting to enter the business, causing damage to the property.

If you have any information that leads to the identification and arrest of these individuals, you’re urged to contact the Floyd County Sheriff’s department at (606) 886-6171. You can always remain anonymous by calling the tip line at (606) 949-2020 or text a tip to (606) 477-8477.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) – Three people were arrested on drug and gun charges in Prestonsburg on Sunday.

Deputies arrived at Hillside Center Drive searching for a suspect when they discovered drugs inside the home.

Greg Crace, 60, and Jessica Brown, 43, were both arrested after deputies discovered a bag of meth in their possession.

Deputies later found Tiffany Clifton, 28, attempting to hide under a mattress. She was arrested on fugitive warrants for drug possession.

All were lodged in the Floyd County Detention Center.

FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (WMDJ) – Officials are asking for the public’s assistance in locating the next of kin of a deceased Floyd County man.

Roy Carroll, 70, was found deceased in a room he was renting at the Alpike Motel in Ivel on Friday. Officials believe he is possibly from the Printer area.

If you are a family member or can assists in helping officials contact the next of kin, please call Floyd County Coroner Greg Nelson at (606) 794-8168.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) – An eastern Kentucky native is returning home to perform during Hillbilly Days 2025.

Floyd County native Dwight Yoakam will be the headlining entertainer during Hillbilly Days on Saturday, April 26th, 2025 at Appalachian Wireless Arena in Pikeille.

The Mavericks will also be appearing as the opening act.

Tickets go on sale Friday, November 22nd at 10 a.m. at the Community Trust Bank Box Office and Ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices range from $49.50 to $149.50 each.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) – A former Floyd County Schools employee entered a guilty plea on amended charges of first-degree rape and sodomy of a former student, stemming from incidents that took place over two decades ago.

John Martin, was indicted by a grand jury in March and accused of sexually assaulting a former student between 1995 and 1997.

Martin accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to sexual misconduct, and was sentenced to 12-months probation and 24-months of no contact with the victim or any other minor.

Floyd County Schools released a statement saying Martin's employment was terminated Thursday.

EASTERN, Ky. (WMDJ) – There’s a new spelling champion in Floyd County.

Kylie Howell, a sixth-grade student from John M. Stumbo Elementary, has been named the 2024-2025 Floyd County Spelling Bee Champion. 

Competing against the top spellers from schools across the district, Kylie demonstrated her exceptional spelling skills and to secure the title. 

Kylie spelled the word, “asterisk”, to capture the crown.

Lauren Griffith, an eighth grader from Adams Middle School, was the runner-up.

School Champions Listed Below:

• Adams Middle School – (Champion) Lauren Griffith – 8th Grade (Runner-Up) Peyton Yates – 6th Grade

• Allen Elementary – (Champion) Scarlett Messer – 5th Grade (Runner-Up) Salem Newsome – 8th Grade

• Betsy Layne Elementary – (Champion) Ayslin Campbell – 4th Grade (Runner-Up) Lydia Roberts – 4th Grade

• Duff-Allen Central Elementary – (Champion) Gauge Hall – 6th Grade (Runner-Up) Siara Coleman– 8th Grade

• John M. Stumbo Elementary – (Champion) Kylie Howell – 6th Grade (Runner-Up) Kadence Jones– 7th Grade

• May Valley Elementary – (Champion) Payton Buckley – 6th Grade (Runner-Up) Alivia Borders– 4th Grade

• Prestonsburg Elementary – (Champion) Michael Case – 5th Grade (Runner-Up) Samuel Dixon– 4th Grade

• South Floyd Elementary – (Champion) Joshua Newsome – 8th Grade (Runner-Up) Aubree Roop – 5th Grade

HI HAT, Ky. (WMDJ) – A pair of second graders at South Floyd Elementary are being recognized as heroes after coming to the aid of a fellow classmate last week.

Keaton Johnson and Bennett Johnson, sprang into action when they noticed a friend choking on a piece of hard candy and successfully performed the Heimlich maneuver, helping one of their friends.

The incident happened during class when the boys saw their friend beginning to choke.

South Floyd Principal Rady Martin praised the boys’ maturity and quick action, while Floyd County Schools Superintendent Larry Hammond called the boys, “true role models” for their compassionate action.

Both boys will be honored at the next scheduled Board of Education meeting on November 25th.

COAL RUN VILLAGE, Ky. (WMDJ) – A Floyd County woman has been arrested following a shoplifting incident at Rural King in Coal Run Village.

Summer Adkins, 41, of Martin, was taken into custody Saturday by Pikeville City Police.

At the time of her arrest, Adkins had multiple outstanding warrants, including two for failure to appear in court in Floyd County and four warrants for failure to appear in Pike County, along with being a persistent felony offender.

In addition to these warrants, she now faces additional charges of tampering with physical evidence, providing false information, third degree possession of a controlled substance and shoplifting.

Adkins is currently being held in the Pike County Detention Center.

ALLEN, Ky. (WMDJ) – There will be a special dedication ceremony of the new veteran’s cemetery in Floyd County on Veterans Day Monday.

The Floyd County Fiscal Court invites the public to the dedication of the Willard Kinzer Veterans Cemetery at 11 a.m.

The cemetery is located near Stumbo Park at Allen.

KNOTT COUNTY, Ky. (WMDJ) – Kentucky State Police are searching for a Knott County man for failure to comply with the sex offender registry.

KSP Post 13 in Hazard is searching for tips leading to the arrest of 38-year old Antonio Kimberlin of Pine Top.

Kimberlin is listed at 6’0, 180 lbs. with black hair, brown eyes. If you have information about his location, you’re urged to contact Kentucky State Police at (606) 435-6069.

FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (WMDJ) – Voters in Floyd County ratified resolutions to allow for the sale of medical cannabis this week.

Voters overwhelming chose to approve the measure by a wide 6,648 vote margin, while voters in Prestonsburg approved the measure 1,034 to 424 in the city limits.

Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday that all 106 cities and counties that had medical cannabis on the ballot voted to allow medical cannabis businesses to operate in their communities.

MADON WINS 29TH STATE SENATE RACE

Pineville Mayor Scott Madon has won the overall write-in vote for 29th District State Senate with a total of 6,825.

With all counties reporting: (Bell, Floyd, Harlan, Knott & Letcher)
1. Scott Madon - 6,825
2. Willie Crase - 2,892
3. James Tyler Ward - 2,006
4. Tanner Hesterberg - 1,908
5. Justin Noble - 1,844
6. Leonard Hendrickson - 1,266
7. Valerie Ison Horn - 1,238
8. Craig E. Blackburn - 722
9. John Clem - 443
10. Paul Williams - 152
11. Andrew Thomas Saylor - 106

Willie Crase captured the highest vote total in Floyd County with 1,896, followed by Tanner Hesterberg with 1,138 votes. Those totals pushed both candidates into the Top 4, however those numbers were not enough to eclipse Scott Madon's overall total.

FLOYD COUNTY 29TH STATE SENATE RESULTS:
1. Crase - 1,896 
2. Hesterberg - 1,138
3. Blackburn - 679
4. Madon - 558
5. Noble - 523
6. Hendrickson - 187
7. Williams - 138
8. Ward - 97
9. Horn - 48
10. Clem - 3
11. Saylor - 2

FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (WMDJ) – The lone Democratic state representative in Eastern Kentucky has held on to her seat as incumbent Ashley Tackett Laferty held off GOP challenger Brandon Spencer in Tuesday’s general election.

For the second consecutive election, Tackett Laferty defeated Spencer 10,721 votes to Spencer’s 8,330 to retain her seat as 95th State Representative.

Tackett Laferty has now been elected to represent Floyd and Pike Counties for four-consecutive terms.

Spencer, who served as 95th State Representative for one term previously from 2006 to 2008, slightly tightened his margin of defeat in 2024 from 2022, closing the gap from a 2,885 deficit to losing by 2,391 votes.

Tackett Laferty decisively won her home county of Floyd by a nearly 3,000 vote margin, yet lost to Spencer in select precincts in Pike County by 528 votes.

FLOYD COUNTY ELECTION RETURNS 2024

(Unofficial Totals with 42 of 42 precincts reporting)

STRAIGHT PARTY VOTE:

Republican 3,118

Democratic 1,262

Kentucky 73

Libertarian 25

Total Votes: 4,478

PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT OF U.S.

REP – Donald Trump/J.D. Vance 12,326

DEM – Kamala Harris/Tim Walz 3,061

KEN – Jill Stein/Samson Kpadenou 40

IND – Robert F. Kennedy/Nicole Shanahan 163

LIB – Chase Oliver/Mike Ter Maat 46

29th DISTRICT STATE SENATOR

REP – Johnnie L. Turner 6,053

IND – David Suhr 1,334

Write-In Totals: 5,604 (will be counted out late)

95th STATE REPRESENTATIVE

DEM – Ashley Tackett-Laferty 9,004

REP – Brandon Spencer 6,085

MAYOR CITY OF PRESTONSBURG

Rick Hughes 849

David A. Gearheart 461

Danny W. Martin 206

PRESTONSBURG CITY COUNCIL

Top 8 Elected

1. Heather Ousley 977

2. Robert Allen III 896

3. Josh Turner 866

4. B.D. Nunnery 855

5. Harry Adams 822

6. Kaye Willis 798

7. Brittainy Branham 750

8. Bethany Pennington 601

9. Joe Marson 577

10. Jeanetta Music 423

11. Todd Daniels 330

12. Ezalee Pigman 268

MARTIN CITY COUNCIL

Top 6 Elected:

1. Bonita Compton 53

2. James “Jim” Reynolds 48

3. Charles Justice 48

4. Gary V. Akers 47

5. April Gayheart 47

6. Harold Case 45

7. Bobby Sherman Dingus 42

WHEELWRIGHT CITY COMMISSION

Top 4 Elected:

1. Mike “Bub” Tackett 193

2. Bill Newsome 179

3. Dana McCown 140

4. Clarissa Parker McKinney 115

5. Andy Wayne Akers 109

6. Clark “Douglas” Thornsbury 106

7. Bobby Wayne Akers 99

8. Sam Little 97

FLOYD CO. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 4

Keith Smallwood 1,489

Hayes E. Hamilton 749

Gary Blankenship 369

FLOYD CO. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 5

Steven B. Slone 1,644

Jenny Buck 1,208

MEDICINAL CANNABIS – County

Yes 10,530

No 3,882

MEDICINAL CANNABIS – City of Prestonsburg

YES 1,034

No 424

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 1

Yes 8,910

No 5,284

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 2

Yes 4,917

No 5,284

PRECINCTS REPORTING: 42 of 42.

TOTAL BALLOTS CAST: 15,809

VOTER TURNOUT:  56.45%

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) – Voters in Floyd County are deciding whether to allow the operation and sell of medicinal cannabis products within the county and the city of Prestonsburg.

Voters across the county would have noticed a question that asked, “Are you in favor of the sale of medicinal cannabis at a licensed dispensary and the operation of other cannabis businesses in Floyd County.”

Voters in Prestonsburg were also asked a separate question concerning medicinal cannabis sales within city limits.

Earlier this month, the state awarded 26 medical cannabis licenses through a lottery system. No county in the Big Sandy area was awarded a license.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) – Kentuckians broke records for early-voting last week as voters took advantage of the three-day no-excuse, early voting opportunities.

Secretary of State Michael Adams said over 790,000 Kentuckians have already voted in the 2024 Presidential General Election ahead of Nov. 5. That’s more than twice the number of voters to cast ballots early in 2023.

Polls on Tuesday open at 6 a.m. statewide and close at 6 p.m. local time.