WSIP NEWS
(Scott Ratliff-News Director)

Five Wanted on Drug Indictments

Police need your help in locating five people indicted by a Boyd County Grand Jury on drug charges. The five were indicted back on August 2.

Ashland Police say they need to find:

  • Amber Sammons, 27, of Ashland who was indicted on one count of 1st degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
  • Kirk Coleman, 28, of Ashland is charged with two counts of 1st degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
  • Michael Newman, 26, of Ashland was indicted on one count of trafficking in a controlled substance within 1000 yards of a school.
  • Richard A. Church, 28, of Ashland is charged with one count 1st degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
  • Chad Elledge, 39, faces two counts 2nd degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts can call 911 or the APD's silent witness at 606-329-1771.

Coal Supporters Plan Washington Rally

Supporters of Kentucky's coal industry are planning a rally in Washington to highlight its importance to the nation's energy supply.The Kentucky Coal Association, the Federation for American Coal, Energy and Security, or FACES of Coal, and some citizens groups will hold the rally Sept. 15 at Russell Park on Capitol Hill. Organizers say the rally will draw supporters from West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Ohio. A statement from FACES of Coal says the rally will celebrate the American coal miner and the contribution coal and coal mining make to the nation.

Kids Count Data shows more eastern Kentucky children live in poverty

New Kids Count Data released shows more eastern Kentucky children are living in poverty. According to statistics, at least two in five children live in poverty in eleven counties in E. Ky. In Magoffin County ,School Officials say the number of children living in poverty is increasing due to the sluggish economy. Kids Count Data shows in Magoffin County, almost half of the children now live in poverty and statistics show the percentage of Magoffin County students receiving free or reduced-price meals at school has doubled in the last ten year’s, now 86 percent of students get the meals.  According to the Kids Count Data shows statewide more 277,000 children receive SNAP, the former food stamp program. That's a 56 percent increase this decade but one Kentucky Youth Advocates thinks will make an economic difference, but many officials believe more technology in schools will also help fight poverty in the long run and could take years to reduce the poverty level. Kentucky Youth Advocates say families struggling should take advantage of other programs like the earned income tax credit or the special supplemental program for women, infants, and children.

State police are searching for robbery suspect

According to a press release from the Ky. State police in Pikeville, Police  are searching for a man who robbed a Pike County motel at knifepoint and the crime was caught on surveillance video. State Police officials say on Friday, a man came into the Super 8 in South Williamson wearing a flannel shirt over his face and latex glove and the clerk says he had a knife and demanded cash. The man got away with a small amount of money, before running out of the store. Witnesses said he ran across a railroad bridge into West Virginia. The suspect is described as five foot four inches tall with shaggy brown hair. If you have any information about this crime, you are asked to contact the Ky. State Police in Pikeville.