PIKEVILLE, KY (WMDJ) - A Pike County woman has died following a two-vehicle crash Friday afternoon.

It happened around 3:30pm on Chole Road in the Pikeville community. Investigarots say 36 year old Jessica Goble was driving a Cadillac when her car crossed the center line and struck a Chevrolet pickup drive by Eddie Wolford. Goble was taken to a nearby hospital, where she later died from her injuries. The crash remains under investingation by Kentucky State Police. 

WARFIELD, Ky. (WMDJ) – Troopers are asking for the public’s assistance as part of an ongoing missing person investigation in Martin County.

Earnest Dingess, 73, of Warfield, was last seen leaving his residence on Dingess Road on Wednesday morning. He’s described as a white male, 5’11”, 190 lbs. with blue eyes. He is diabetic and requires insulin.

If you have an information about his location, you’re urged to contact Kentucky State Police at (606) 433-7711.

FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (WMDJ) – A tentative agreement between school bus drivers and the Floyd County School System has been reached following an organized ‘sick out’ by drivers Tuesday morning.

The Floyd County Education Support Professional Association (FCESPA), the local affiliate of the Kentucky Education Association, has released a statement saying members of the FCESPA will review the tentative agreement and hold a ratification vote for approval in the coming days.

Tuesday morning, Floyd County Schools released a statement saying bus drivers and the school system began on August 20^th to discuss reworking an agreement formerly approved in 2021 under former Superintendent Anna Shepherd with minimal changes.

One of the sticking points was the payment for “no rider” jobs – where drivers are scheduled to transport students for an extracurricular activity and paid, even if the trip was cancelled. Under the new agreement, drivers will receive one hour of pay if a trip is canceled without a least one hour’s notice and extracurricular trip pay will reflect the hours worked or requested.

Floyd County schools say drive pay is not being reduced and driver scheduled hours remain the same as either 5-hour or 7-hour employees.

** UPDATED STORY (2:44 p.m.) **

FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (WMDJ) – School bus drivers in Floyd County organized a “sick-out” on Tuesday morning, with 32 drivers calling in sick, resulting in a shortage of drivers and many children missing classes.

According to a statement from Floyd County Schools, bus drivers and the school system began to discuss reworking an agreement formerly approved in 2021 under former Superintendent Anna Shepherd with minimal changes.

One of the sticking points is the overtime pay for drivers and payment for “no rider” jobs – where drivers are scheduled to transport students for an extracurricular activity and paid, even if the trip was cancelled. Under the new agreement, drivers will receive one hour of pay if a trip is canceled without a least one hour’s notice and extracurricular trip pay will reflect the hours worked or requested.

Floyd County schools say drive pay is not being reduced and driver scheduled hours remain the same as either 5-hour or 7-hour employees.

Floyd County school bus drivers make $28,000 per year base salary, not counting overtime or extra-curricular trips. Floyd County Schools has been advertising the need to hire more drivers, with a starting pay of $17.33 per hour.

ORIGINAL STORY...

FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (WMDJ) – School bus drivers in Floyd County organized a “sick-out” on Tuesday morning, with at least 27 drivers calling in sick, resulting in a shortage of drivers and many children missing classes.

According to sources, bus drivers and the Floyd County School System have been engaged in negotiations for a new contract with little or no resolution.

One of the sticking points is the overtime pay for drivers and defining the type of pay drivers receive for, “no rider” jobs – where drivers are scheduled to transport students for an extra-curricular activity, yet no students ride the bus or the driver is told their trip is not necessary.

Floyd County school bus drivers make $28,000 per year on salary, not counting overtime or extra-curricular trips.

Missy Salyers of the KEA is preparing a statement on behalf of drivers to be released later today. Floyd County Schools released a statement this morning kindly asking parents and guardians to make arrangements to transport their children to and from school today.

Floyd County Schools has been advertising the need to hire more drivers, with a starting pay of $17.33 per hour.

Today is known as, “High Attendance Day” across all schools in Kentucky.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) – A Pike County man has been arrested on murder charges stemming from the death of man earlier this year.

Kentucky State Police responded to a call on March 1^st at a home in Hellier, where they discovered 45-year-old Brent Wooten of Elkhorn City, lying deceased near Allegheny Road with an injury to his left side.

Following an autopsy, investigators determined foul play was involved.

After an investigation, Brandon Blackburn, 44, of Pikeville, was arrested Monday and charged with murder, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and being a persistent felony offender.

FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (WMDJ) – A Floyd County man has been indicted on multiple charges following a domestic violence case.

According to a grand jury indictment, James Burchett, faces charges of strangulation, unlawful imprisonment, and assault stemming from an incident in early July. The indictment states Burchett intentionally caused physical injury to his wife, restricted her ability to leave their home and chocked her unconscious, creating a risk of serious harm.

An arrest citation says Burchett accused his wife of infidelity, claiming she had men hidden in their apartment. Troopers reported that the victim alleged Burchett hit her, bit her and held a knife to her throat, refusing to let her leave.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) – A Floyd County man charged with murder over six years ago will have his trial delayed indefinitely.

Wesley Glenn Martin, 46, of Wayland, was arrested in February 2019, after the body of Jordan Tackett was discovered buried in a shallow grave on Martin’s property.

Ned Pillersdorf, the attorney for Martin, asked for a continuance in the case because he’s part of another murder trial in Perry County which was scheduled on the same day as Martin’s trial, which was Monday, September 8^th.

A hearing will be held on October 2^nd to discuss options for a new trial date.

FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (WMDJ) – Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt is warning residents of a fraudulent letter being distributed falsely claiming to represent county tax collection.

The letters falsely claim to be from the sheriff or County Clerk’s office and refers to tax collections. The letters also claim to be part of a Tax Processing Unit, Internal Processing Service or Floyd County Public Judgment Records.

None of these offices exist in Floyd County.

Sheriff Hunt urges residents to not respond or send any payment to these entities. If you have questions, contact the Floyd County PVA or Sheriff’s office.