Federal judge throws out suit in election case



A U.S. District judge on Monday quickly dismissed a document filed by a man accused of running illegally for Letcher Commonwealth’s Attorney. Ellis Leonard Keyes, who is not a licensed attorney, filed a 36-page document in federal court last Friday attempting to have a judge dismiss a suit brought in Letcher Circuit Court to have him removed from the ballot. […]

Hotel roof collapses, but isn’t expected to stop work



The timing was impeccable, though unintended. One day before Whitesburg City Council was to award a contract for structural engineering services for the 98-year-old Daniel Boone Hotel building, downtown workers heard glass shatter. Then there was a crash. Finally, there was a bigger crash. The front quarter of the hotel roof collapsed, taking the third floor, the second floor and […]

Man charged with assault, kidnapping



Police have arrested a Rockhouse man on charges of kidnapping and assault for allegedly holding a neighbor prisoner for more than five hours and beating him, while accusing the neighbor of spying on him. A large contingent of state troopers and sheriff ’s deputies arrested Joshua Reynolds, 29, of Ministry Lane, during a traffic stop near his home on Monday. […]

Theft, meth cases top latest indictment list



A Letcher Grand Jury has charged three people in connection with the theft of one motorcycle, and two more men with the theft of another motorcycle. Matthew Ison, Pamela Mays and Ryan S. Eldridge were indicted on charges related to a motorcycle stolen from Ken Sexton on or about February 8. Ison, 27, of 447 Johnson Fork Rd., Premium, and […]

UK’s Maci Morris is a shining star

Vaught’s Views

Vic Schaefer thought Mississippi State had a good defensive plan to stop Maci Morris, Kentucky’s leading scorer. He felt like the Bulldogs, who finished Southeastern Conference play unbeaten and are considered the team to beat for the national title, made Morris work for any shot she got. Yet in Sunday’s regular-season final, Morris still went 8-for-15 from the field and […]

Struttin’ Time:

Hunting license goes up after all

There’s no more wondering if Struttin’ Time is right, or has Steve lost his mind. The senior/disabled hunting license in Kentucky is now officially $12. I have had several calls, texts, and messages on Facebook from my old retired friends, such as my lifelong friend Robert “Bob” Adams of the Letcher area. “Steve,” he asked, “what is the Kentucky Department […]

Gabby’s Fishing Fever

How to drive feeding crappie crazy

Well, it has finally warmed up some and the weather has calmed down and fishing will start getting better. I have had reports of some crappie being caught on some lakes. Crappie are some of the first fish to become active in the early spring and will remain fairly active in colder weather also. As the water warms, the crappie […]

Man held after girlfriend OD’s



An Ermine man is being held under a $30,000 cash bond on synthetic drug trafficking charges after his girlfriend allegedly overdosed. James Smith, 22, of Licking Rock Branch on Craft’s Colly, was arrested Monday after his girlfriend had been taken to the emergency room and placed on a ventilator after being found unresponsive. Kentucky State Police Detective Scott Caudill wrote […]

Pension answer? Keep what we have and keep it funded




The issues surrounding our public retirement systems are complex, but there is a simple answer for those asking what we should do: Keep what we have and fund it. The truth is, these systems have served Kentucky well for decades. They provide a more secure retirement for those who teach our children, keep us healthy and safe and maintain our […]

Political Cartoon