LONDON, Ky. (WMDJ) - Former Floyd County Schools bus driver Andrew Lewis is asking a federal judge to release him under strict supervision while he awaits trial on a charge of attempting to entice a minor into illegal sexual activity.
 

In an October 5th motion, defense attorney Stephen W. Owens asked the court to reverse or modify an earlier detention order.
 

Proposed restrictions include home detention, GPS monitoring, no internet-capable devices, no contact with the alleged victim and no employment requiring contact with minors.
 

Owens argues those conditions would adequately protect the community. The motion also cites Lewis’ lack of a prior criminal record and strong family and community ties.
 

Lewis previously pleaded not guilty. A judge has yet to issue a ruling on the request.

Previous Coverage can be found here.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) – A Lexington man faces drug trafficking and other charges after allegedly fleeing Floyd County deputies on October 3rd.
 

According to the arrest citation, deputies investigating a tip attempted to stop Franklin Jamar Brooks, 30, on Old Middle Creek Road after observing a turn signal violation.
 

The citation alleges Brooks fled, forcing a deputy to move out of his path to avoid being struck, before continuing onto KY 114 at high speed.
 

During the pursuit, Brooks allegedly threw bags from his vehicle, scattering a gray substance a deputy suspected was carfentanil.
 

Deputies stopped Brooks using a rolling roadblock. A deputy reported deploying a Taser after Brooks allegedly resisted being removed from the vehicle.
 

Brooks was charged with aggravated trafficking in carfentanil/fentanyl derivatives, three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment involving a police officer, first-degree fleeing or evading police, and a turn signal violation.
 

He was taken to the Floyd County Detention Center.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) – Kentucky recorded 12,380 new voter registrations in September, its highest monthly total since 2024, according to Friday's news release from Secretary of State Michael Adams.

 

The state’s voter rolls grew by a net 7,323 after officials removed 5,057 registrations, mostly belonging to deceased voters.

 

Independent and third-party registration posted the largest net gain, adding 2,610 voters. Democratic registration increased by 2,486, while Republican registration grew by 2,227.

 

Republicans account for 48 percent of Kentucky’s registered voters, with approximately 1.63 million. Democrats represent 41 percent, with about 1.37 million. Nearly 389,000 voters are registered under other affiliations, mostly independent, accounting for the remaining 11 percent.

 

Other removals included voters who moved out of state, duplicate registrations, felony convictions and people who voluntarily canceled their registrations.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) – Attorneys for former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines are asking a higher court to block a second mental health examination scheduled for Oct. 14.

 

In a petition for a writ of prohibition, Stines’ attorneys argue he has already undergone a court-ordered criminal responsibility evaluation through the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center.

 

The defense claims prosecutors have not identified any problems with the original examination and are instead seeking another evaluation because they disagree with the first examiner’s opinion.

 

A judge previously granted the Commonwealth’s request for another evaluation, finding the request reasonable and supported by good cause.

 

Stines’ attorneys argue requiring another examination would unnecessarily infringe on his Fifth Amendment rights. They are asking the court to vacate the order allowing the examination or, alternatively, allow the Commonwealth’s expert to review the existing KCPC materials without personally examining Stines.

 

Stines is charged with murder in the 2024 shooting death of Letcher District Judge Kevin Mullins.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WMDJ) – Paintsville native and former Kentucky basketball standout John Pelphrey is returning to Lexington to join head coach Mark Pope’s staff.

 

A University of Kentucky men’s basketball spokesperson confirmed Friday that Pelphrey will serve as the program’s director of player development, a non-coaching support position.

 

Pelphrey starred at Paintsville High School before playing for Kentucky from 1987 to 1992. He became one of the four seniors remembered as “The Unforgettables,” helping rebuild the Wildcats program following NCAA sanctions.

 

Pelphrey scored 1,25.7 points during his Kentucky career and had his No. 34 jersey retired. He is also a member of the UK Athletics Hall of Fame.

 

The 58-year-old most recently served as head coach at Tennessee Tech. He has also been a head coach at South Alabama and Arkansas.

 

Pelphrey officially begins his new role Friday as Kentucky opens the 2026-27 basketball season with Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena. Friday night's event begins at 7 p.m. and can be seen on SEC+.

LOUISA, Ky. (WMDJ) – A Lawrence County man was arrested Tuesday evening after deputies say he ran from them while they were responding to a home on Spencer Branch Road.

 

According to an arrest citation, deputies were called to the home concerning a man with active warrants who was reportedly damaging property.

 

Deputies say Kenneth McKinster, of Louisa, ran out the back door when they arrived. A deputy pursued him approximately 200 feet before McKinster stopped in a neighboring yard and was taken into custody without further incident.

 

Authorities also served McKinster with an outstanding warrant related to an incident in January. The citation alleges McKinster damaged drywall inside his mother’s home and threatened to kill her.

 

McKinster was charged with third-degree fleeing or evading police, second-degree criminal mischief and third-degree terroristic threatening.

 

He was taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WMDJ) – A Pike County man has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for possession of child pornography.

 

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky, 35-year-old Charles Hopkins, of Virgie, was sentenced Tuesday to 80 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell.

 

Federal authorities say the investigation began in May 2025 after law enforcement received a tip that sexually explicit material involving a child had been uploaded to Hopkins’ internet-based Verizon cloud storage account.

 

Investigators later seized and searched Hopkins’ phone, where they reported finding additional child pornography.

 

The FBI conducted the investigation, and the case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative.

 

Under federal law, Hopkins must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence. He will also be under federal supervision for 15 years following his release.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) – Nearly $957,000 in federal disaster funding has been approved for communities in Floyd, Pike and Johnson counties to reimburse costs associated with severe weather and flooding in February 2025.

 

The funding is part of more than $21.9 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursements announced Wednesday by Gov. Andy Beshear's administration.

 

Floyd County Fiscal Court will receive $168,056.94 for repairs or replacement involving embankments, shoulders, riprap, culverts, railroad rails and cribbing. The City of Allen will receive an additional $139,065 for asphalt road surface repairs.

 

Pike County is receiving three separate awards totaling $539,008.11. The projects include repairs to road surfaces and bases, bridges, embankments, shoulders, riprap, culverts, railroad rails and cribbing.

 

The City of Paintsville will receive $110,656.82 for repair or replacement of the foundation at its recreation center.

 

All of the local awards are tied to FEMA disaster declaration DR-4860, issued following the February 2025 severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides. FEMA records show the disaster ultimately included Floyd and Pike counties among areas eligible for federal assistance.

 

The four local governments are receiving a combined $956,786.87 in federal funding.

PAINTSVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) – A Johnson County woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of forging deeds to property owned by members of her family.

 

The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 24th Judicial Circuit announced the case in a news release issued Wednesday, Sept. 30.

 

According to the release, Rebecca Ratliff was sentenced Sept. 11 in Johnson Circuit Court after being convicted on two counts of second-degree forgery.

 

Prosecutors said Ratliff forged the signatures of two family members on two property deeds and later filed the documents with the Johnson County Clerk’s Office, transferring the property into her own name.

 

The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office said family members discovered the transfer and contacted Kentucky State Police.

 

During the investigation, prosecutors said Ratliff admitted to forging the signatures on the deeds.

 

In addition to the 10-year prison sentence, Ratliff was required to sign deeds transferring the property back to its rightful owners.

 

The case was investigated by Kentucky State Police.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) – Attorneys for Dr. Michael K. McKinney II are asking a Pike Circuit Court judge to keep evidence involving two alleged prior incidents concerning his son, M.K. McKinney III, out of trial.

 

If the judge allows the evidence, the defense is asking that Dr. McKinney receive a separate trial.

 

The motion was filed Tuesday in response to prosecutors seeking to introduce evidence of two earlier alleged incidents involving M.K.

 

According to the defense filing, one incident involved M.K. allegedly producing a knife and threatening people in the basement of Dr. McKinney’s residence. The filing says Dr. McKinney told his son to calm down and drop the knife.

 

The defense argues Dr. McKinney was trying to de-escalate the situation and was not accused of criminal or wrongful conduct in connection with the incident.

 

The second alleged incident also involved M.K., but the defense says Dr. McKinney was out of town and was not present.

 

Attorneys argue that allowing jurors to hear about the two incidents could unfairly affect how they view the case against Dr. McKinney.

 

The defense says jurors could hear about the alleged prior conduct and then conclude Dr. McKinney knew his son was capable of committing the homicide he is now charged in connection with, and that he later acted to protect him.

 

Attorneys argue that would make it difficult for jurors to consider the cases against father and son separately.

 

If the judge allows the evidence against M.K., the defense is asking for Dr. McKinney’s case to be tried separately.

 

If both requests are denied, attorneys are asking the court to limit how the prior incidents can be discussed in front of the jury and to instruct jurors that the allegations cannot be used to determine Dr. McKinney’s guilt.

 

The motion is a request from the defense and has not yet been ruled upon.

MARTIN, Ky. (WMDJ) — Two people were killed Tuesday morning in a three-vehicle crash on Kentucky Route 80 in Floyd County.

 

According to a news release from Kentucky State Police, the crash happened around 8:27 a.m. in the Martin community.

 

KSP’s preliminary investigation indicates Kimberly Akers was driving a 2017 Chevrolet SUV eastbound on KY 80 when her vehicle crossed the median and struck a 2024 Mazda SUV driven by Andrea Conn.

 

The impact caused Conn’s vehicle to strike a 2017 Ford van driven by Caleb Sizemore.

 

Akers and Conn were both pronounced dead at the scene by the Floyd County Coroner’s Office.

 

Kentucky State Police Post 9 and other local first responders assisted at the scene.

 

The collision remains under investigation by Kentucky State Police.

 

 

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WMDJ) – Funeral services for Kentucky State Trooper Hayden Phillips will be held Sunday, Oct. 4, at E.A. Diddle Arena on the campus of Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green.

Phillips is remembered by colleagues as hardworking and polite, with a good sense of humor. He also coached his son’s soccer team. Phillips worked for the Glasgow and Russell Springs police departments before joining Kentucky State Police in 2023.

 

Services begin at noon Central time, or 1 p.m. Eastern, with burial to follow at Glasgow Municipal Cemetery, according to Kentucky State Police.

 

Phillips was killed while conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 65. Authorities arrested 51-year-old Emonnie Branch, of Portland, Tennessee, about four hours later. Branch was denied bail in a court appearance on Tuesday.

 

Gov. Andy Beshear has ordered flags at state buildings lowered to half-staff Sunday in Phillips’ honor. He also asked Kentuckians to keep Phillips’ wife, Jordan, and their three children in their prayers.

*Image courtesy of Kentucky State Police.

KITE, Ky. (WMDJ) — Kentucky State Police is investigating a deadly shooting in the Kite community of Knott County that resulted in a murder charge.

 

KSP Post 13 received a report of a shooting around 9:39 p.m. Monday along the 13000 block of KY-7.

 

Troopers and emergency personnel arrived and found 55-year-old Terry Short, of Kite, outside an apartment suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

According to KSP, the preliminary investigation indicates an altercation occurred between Terry Short and 44-year-old Robert Short, also of Kite. Police say a firearm was discharged during the altercation, striking Terry Short.

 

Robert Short was taken into custody at the scene and lodged in the Kentucky River Regional Jail on one count of murder.

 

An autopsy has been scheduled with the Kentucky Office of the State Medical Examiner.

 

The investigation remains ongoing.

UPDATE (6:56 PM) — Kentucky State Police has issued the following statement, "KSP has canceled the 'Blue Alert' for the trooper-involved shooting. A suspect has been taken into custody by the Louisville Metro Police Department. We thank them for their dedication and all law enforcement who assisted with this effort.”

 

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WMDJ) — Kentucky State Police is mourning the loss of a trooper killed during an attack on Interstate 65 in Warren County Monday.

KSP says Trooper Hayden Phillips, Unit 369, was killed while patrolling I-65 near Smiths Grove. Phillips was assigned to Post 3 in Bowling Green and joined Kentucky State Police in 2023. 

 

KSP identified the suspect as Emonnie Branch, described as a Black male with dreadlocks. He is believed to be traveling in a blue-gray Honda Civic with Alabama temporary tag TN018596. Branch should be considered armed and dangerous, and anyone who sees him or the vehicle is urged not to approach and to call 911. A picture of the vehicle can be seen below.

KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. said Phillips' dedication to duty and commitment to the Commonwealth will not be forgotten.

The investigation and search remain ongoing.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) — A Pike County man is facing multiple charges after Pikeville Police say he pointed a loaded gun at people and fired a shot across a downtown street.

 

According to a police citation, 20-year-old Jayden Jackson, of Canada, allegedly pointed a loaded firearm at others on Caroline Avenue before firing a live round, creating what police described as a substantial danger of serious physical injury.

 

Police also allege Jackson had taken the loaded firearm into an establishment where alcoholic beverages were sold and was under the influence of alcohol. 

 

Jackson was arrested on charges including first-degree wanton endangerment, menacing, alcohol intoxication in a public place, first-degree disorderly conduct, possession of a loaded firearm in a room where alcoholic beverages are sold, and discharging a firearm across a public road. 

 

Police are reviewing video evidence as the investigation continues.

STANVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) — Two men are facing felony drug trafficking charges following an investigation Saturday afternoon in Floyd County.

According to citations from the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy was pulling into the Cardinal Mart on US 23 in Stanville when he reported smelling marijuana coming from a white SUV.

The deputy recognized 21-year-old Logan Ross, of Blackey, sitting in the back seat and confirmed that Ross had active warrants. A search of Ross allegedly uncovered suspected marijuana and methamphetamine.  

Police say 55-year-old Christopher Saylor, of Harold, was sitting in the front passenger seat with a grocery bag between his feet. Investigators reported finding multiple bags of suspected methamphetamine, approximately $900 in cash, a syringe containing clear liquid, suspected Xanax pills and drug paraphernalia.    

Both men were charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance involving two grams or more of methamphetamine.

The Native American Indians who walked this land long before us never judged a person by their stature but always by their ‘spirit.’

 

This past Saturday with the help of Johnny Ray Turner and Keith Casebolt, we had our Almar drive-in Theatre T-shirt giveaway in downtown Martin.

 

We had well around 200 vehicles pass through while we gave away free Almar t-shirts; however, that is not my message.

 

As we met each of you, this is what we saw, your bodies have aged, through the years of your Almar days and memories. Your eyes say ‘yes’ I am older, but my heart and soul are still young. You cherish your memories of those days and the ones you have shared them with.

 

As I looked into your eyes I’ve never seen or felt such love, warmth and compassion. Turning to Johnny Ray he smiled, nodded and said, ‘this is the cream of God’s crop’ and you are.

 

On that Saturday we were in the presence of ‘the best folks in the world and they came from the hills and hollers we call home.

 

The event was flawless, thanks to especially Sandy Kay and our staff and special thanks to the City of Martin and their fire department

.

Looking into your faces and eyes, seeing you and feeling your special spirit challenged me to be and do better.

 

Thank you for who and what you are and that is ‘the best folks in the world.’

 

The LORD is more pleased with you than you can ever imagine.

 

Wear that Almar T-shirt proudly.

 

You are loved,

 

Dale McKinney

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) – Kentucky has created a new state office to support musicians, venues, festivals and music businesses while celebrating the commonwealth’s musical heritage.
 

Gov. Andy Beshear announced the Governor’s Office of Music on Friday at Bourbon & Beyond after signing an executive order establishing it.
 

Kentucky’s musical heritage includes artists such as Loretta Lynn, Chris Stapleton, The Judds, Dwight Yoakam and Ricky Skaggs to name a few.

 

A new website, kymusic.ky.gov, includes the Kentucky Music Industry Directory. Artists, venues, festivals and music businesses are encouraged to register to connect with others across the state.
 

Sebastian Kitchen, deputy secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, will serve as executive director.
 

The state also plans to offer a “Kentucky: Sounds Like Home” license plate celebrating Kentucky’s music legacy.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) – Kentucky’s fall forest fire hazard season begins October 1 and continues through December 15, bringing seasonal restrictions on outdoor burning.

 

During that period, state law generally prohibits burning flammable materials in or within 150 feet of woodland or brushland between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. The law includes an exception when the ground is covered with snow.

 

The Kentucky Division of Forestry reminds residents to check for local burn bans and other restrictions before burning, even during evening hours.

 

Residents should clear vegetation for 10 feet around burn piles, keep fires small and have water and a shovel nearby. Never leave a fire unattended, and stay until it is completely extinguished.

 

Anyone whose burn pile starts a wildfire may be responsible for the cost of putting it out.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) — Kentucky is joining a multistate effort calling on the Federal Communications Commission to strengthen rules aimed at stopping illegal robocalls and phone scams.

 

Attorney General Russell Coleman announced Friday that Kentucky joined attorneys general from across the country in asking the FCC to require stronger screening and monitoring of companies that originate and route phone calls.

 

The group is asking the FCC to require providers to collect and verify more information about companies using their networks, strengthen enforcement of STIR/SHAKEN caller ID protections and establish penalties for providers that fail to follow the rules.

 

According to the Attorney General’s office, Americans received more than 29.6 billion scam robocalls and texts last year and lost nearly $2 billion to those scams. The office says more than 380 million robocalls have been placed to Kentucky residents so far in 2026.

 

Coleman said the calls can expose consumers, particularly vulnerable residents, to scams and fraud.

 

Kentuckians can reduce unwanted telemarketing calls by registering their home or wireless numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry. Kentucky’s No Call List has been maintained through the national registry since 2007.

PAINTSVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) — Two men were arrested Wednesday evening after Paintsville Police assisted a Magoffin County sheriff’s deputy in serving outstanding warrants.

 

According to the Paintsville Police Department, officers assisted Deputy N. Watson around 6:44 p.m. September 24 in locating Matthew Joseph, who was wanted on outstanding indictment warrants.

 

Police said investigators learned Joseph was staying at the Budget Inn in Paintsville. Officers made contact with him at a hotel room and took him into custody without incident.

 

While at the room, officers also identified Jessie Craft and learned he had multiple outstanding warrants.

 

During the investigation, police said officers recovered a bag containing approximately 5.46 grams of a white crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine. Officers also reported finding scales, small baggies, syringes and smoking pipes.

 

Joseph and Craft were both arrested and taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.

 

The Paintsville Police Department did not specify in its release whether additional drug-related charges had been filed against either man.

SALYERSVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) — Four people are facing multiple charges following an early morning traffic stop in Magoffin County where deputies say suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found inside a vehicle with an 18-month-old child.

 

According to arrest citations, Howard T. Lemaster, Steven Darrell Vanhoose, Ashley Renae Salmons and Sheana Crum were arrested following the September 25 stop on KY 2020.

 

Deputies reported finding multiple baggies and containers believed to contain methamphetamine and fentanyl, along with digital scales, drug paraphernalia and syringes.

 

All four are charged with trafficking-related offenses. The citations also list charges including endangering the welfare of a minor, tampering with physical evidence and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

 

Authorities said CPS was contacted and the child was taken to Paintsville ARH for evaluation before being released to another family member.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) — Unemployment fell across the Big Sandy region in August, according to preliminary labor force estimates released by the state.

 

The Big Sandy Area Development District recorded an unemployment rate of 6.1%, down from 7.3% in July and 6.4% in August 2025. The region had a civilian labor force of 45,588, with 42,792 people employed and 2,796 unemployed.

 

All five Big Sandy counties saw unemployment decline from July. Floyd County posted the region’s lowest rate at 5.5%, followed by Johnson County at 5.7%, Pike County at 6.1%, Magoffin County at 7.6% and Martin County at 8.5%.

 

Kentucky’s statewide unemployment rate was 4.3% in August, down from 5.2% in July. The figures are not seasonally adjusted and remain preliminary.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) — Kentucky officials are calling on Congress to increase federal black lung benefits, an issue affecting thousands of coal miners and families across Appalachia.

 

According to a news release from the Governor’s Office, Gov. Andy Beshear sent a letter Thursday to Kentucky’s congressional delegation urging support for the Support Our Minors Act.

 

The legislation would increase monthly black lung disability benefits to account for inflation and establish annual cost-of-living adjustments going forward. The Governor’s Office says a single miner currently receives $794 per month, compared with more than $1,200 if benefits had kept pace with inflation.

 

Several Eastern Kentucky communities have already passed resolutions supporting increased benefits, including Pike, Magoffin and Letcher counties, along with the cities of Hazard, Jenkins and Whitesburg.

 

Kentucky has more active recipients of federal black lung benefits than any other state, according to the Governor’s Office.

STAFFORDSVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) – Firefighters battled an overnight fire at Conley Tire on KY 40 West Thursday morning.
 

According to Oil Springs Fire and Rescue, crews were dispatched around 1:19 a.m. and arrived to find the main building fully engulfed, with a collapsed roof and downed power lines.

 

Low water pressure initially hampered firefighting efforts. Crews shuttled water to the scene and requested increased system pressure while multiple departments worked to contain the flames.

 

Firefighters battled the main building fire from outside while another crew entered the workshop building to fight fire there.

 

The fire was brought under control around 3 a.m. and fully extinguished by 7 a.m., allowing KY 40 to reopen.

 

Oil Springs received assistance from W.R. Castle, Rockhouse, Paintsville and North Magoffin firefighters. The department’s newly purchased ladder truck also responded.

 

The department’s statement did not provide a cause or information about injuries.

Picture courtesy of Oil Springs Fire and Rescue.