Minutes from the Tuesday Paintsville City Council Meeting

The Paintsville City Council met in a regular called meeting on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at the Paintsville Recreation Center. The meeting got underway with the approval of the minutes from the special called meeting of March 21, 2013. City Council members also approved the monthly department reports from the Police, F.D. Amblance, 911, Emergency management, utilities and the treasurer and they also approved to pay the monthly bills. Before the business meeting began, Mayor Bob Porter and council recognized newly named Paintsville Tourism Director Wendy VanHoose and Mayor Porter told those present that there would be a meeting Thursday at 5PM at City Hall with a group of students from Virginia Tech, who partnering with the division of forestry. The students will be planning some improvements for area's of downtown Paintsville for a beautification project.  After opening announcements, business got underway as scheduled. First item discussed was the 2nd reading of the ordinance updating pay/classification plan. Cost of living raised a little to 1.7408%. This item was approved by council. Next, council members heard from Todd Meade, chairmen of the Paintsville Tourism. Mr. Meade informed the council that Paintsville Tourism wanted to get a loan for the purchase of new gold carts to replace the old ones at the Paintsvile Golf course. Under the bylaws of Tourism, city council members need to grant permission by signing UCC forms for Tourism to get such a loan, wich they did. Under no circumstances will the city of Paintsville or the city council be responsible for any money with this loan. This loan will be through Paintsvile Tourism and will be there responsibilty to pay back.  Finally, Mayor Porter proclaimed the month of April as spring clean-up month. The mayor encouraged every citizen in the city to participate in this program on April 18th. He asked everyone who could to meet behind city hall on that morning for clean up.With no further item's to discuss the meeting adjourned.

Minutes from the Johnson County Fiscal Court Meeting 4-8-13

The Johnson Co. Fiscal Ct. met in regular session Monday, April 8 @ 4:30 pm in the meeting room of the Johnson Co. Courthouse in downtown Paintsville. Eight (9) items were listed on the agenda to discuss on the evening. The meeting began in normal fashion with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, the approval of the minutes from the previous meeting on March 11, 2013 meeting and the court approved to pay the monthly bills. The court also approval to transfer $40,000 from the general fund to the jail fund. First item on the agenda was Darrell Blair with Wells & Company CPA office, who was there to discuss the Fiscal Court's Audit and overall, Blair told Judge Daniel and the commissioners that they should be commended for the way they use taxpayers money. Blair said the county is very responsible and Johnson County Fiscal Court was in much better shape than most others counties in the surrounding area. There was a point of discussion between Judge Daniel and Blair, when Blair attempted to explain some issues with the Sheriff's dept and the use of money the court sometimes help supplement to the Sheriff's dept. Blair stated that the Sheriff dept. employees overtime time sheets need to be verified by the court, to which Judge Daniel strongly disagreed with Blair. Daniel said that Sheriff Price was an elected official and is capable of verifying time sheets. Blair also suggested that the court stop giving the Sheriff's dept.extra money because it inflates the Sheriff's budget. Judge Daniel thanked Darrell Blair for his work, but wanted it to be known that he did not agree with all of the statements that Blair gave on the night. The commissioner's approved the audit report. 

Next the court approved to advertise for blacktop, as well as approving the county's road aid agreement resolution. The court then approved the MOA resolution which alloes Judge Daniel to work with Paintsville Utilities to help get water lines extended to areas of the county that doesn’t have good drinking water and to build a pump station and extend water lines in the Redbush area off KY-172, as well as extended water lines through Powell Addition into Van Lear. The final item discussed on the night was to approve the county giving some money to the senior citizens center. Judge Daniel said the center needs an additional $1000 to help with the added electrical expenses. In all, the center will receive about $46,752.00. The commissioners approved Daniels request.

Three Men Charged with Drug Trafficking in Magoffin Co.

Three people face drug charges following an Operation UNITE investigation into prescription pills being brought into Magoffin County from Ohio. Elliot Gipson, 32, and his wife, 39-year-old Erma Gipson, both of Lima, Ohio, were arrested by UNITE detectives on Monday, April 8, and charged with third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. The couple was out on bond for unrelated charges brought by the Magoffin County Sheriff’s Office several months ago, said Keith Napier, Big Sandy Task Force manager for UNITE. Salyersville resident Melissa Wheeler, 33, was subsequently arrested by Magoffin County sheriff’s deputies and charged with third-degree conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance. The arrests came following a month-long investigation into reports of Xanax being regularly brought into the county for illegal distribution, Napier said. “They were bringing 200 to 300 pills twice a month into the community.” As a result of their investigation, UNITE detectives were able to set up a controlled purchase of pills on Monday in the parking lot of a local fast-food restaurant. “We recovered a quantity of Xanax packaged for sale and approximately $4,800 in cash,” Napier said, noting they “were finishing up a three-day trafficking binge and preparing to head back to Ohio. Shortly after the arrests, sheriff’s deputies were able to launch a secondary undercover operation that resulted in Wheeler being arrested when she showed up to purchase pills from the Gipsons. All three were lodged in the Johnson County Detention Center. For more information about Operation UNITE visit their website at www.operationunite.org.

6 Eastern Ky. Residents Plead Guilty to Defrauding Medicaid and Social Security

Six eastern Kentucky residents pleaded guilty to defrauding state and federal benefit programs out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. According to reports, Diana Lynn Rice, 66, of Webbville, Ky., Ila Jean Rose, 57, of Olive Hill, Ky., Granvell Windfred Ramey, 73, of Catlettsburg, Ky., Junia Kay Ratliff, 66, of West Liberty, Ky., Randall Dale Ratliff, 74, of West Liberty, Ky. and Linda Lou Tackett, 73, of Grayson, Ky., pleaded guilty to the charges Monday. The six, pleaded guilty, in separate cases, to charges related to SSI fraud. One of the women also pleaded guilty to an additional charge of aggravated identity theft. In their plea agreements, the defendants admitted they fraudulently obtained benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA), and in some instances from the Medicaid Program, by concealing and intentionally failing to disclose their true living arrangements and financial resources. As far back as 1998 in one case, some of the defendants lied to SSA agents, telling the agents that they had divorced or separated from their spouses when in fact they were living together and sharing living expenses, according to a news release. Collectively, the defendants defrauded the SSA and the Medicaid Program out of nearly $450,000. Had the defendants’ provided the SSA with their true living arrangements and financial resources, the defendants would have either been ineligible for SSI and Medicaid benefits or their eligibility would have been greatly reduced, according to the release. SSI is an income assistance program designed to provide financial assistance to elderly and disabled individuals who meet the program’s eligibility requirements. Kentuckians who are eligible for SSI also qualify for benefits under the Medicaid Program. The investigation was conducted by the SSA, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Nasson represents the U.S. Attorney’s Office in this case. Sentencing dates have not been announced. Supplemental Security Income Fraud carries a maximum of five years in prison upon conviction. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two years in prison upon conviction.

Jury Selection Underway in a Pike County Murder Trial

Jury selection is underway in the murder trial of the man charged with killing Jesse Church back in June. Everett Paul Norman, 39, of Draffin, is charged with one count of murder. Norman's trial began Monday morning in Pike County Circuit Court. Kentucky State Police say that Church, 30, of Harold, was killed during a shooting at Norman’s residence. Norman was arrested at the scene. There has beenn no word on a motive in the murder. No further information has been released.

Family of a Magoffin Co.Man Supected in a Murder Says He Did Not Commit the Crime

Family members of a Magoffin Co.man accused of murder, say he was framed, but investigators believe they have the right  man. Police say Daniel Hackworth shot and killed 49-year-old, Donnie Allen, back in January. Officials say they found Hackworth inside Allen's home with a gun and Allen's body in the yard. Family members and Hackworth's defense attorney say he had no motive to harm Mr. Allen. Public Defender Myles Holbrook explains, "There are very credible allegations that people in the community wanted to bring harm to Mr. Allen...Daniel Hackworth was not one of those people." Hackworth has entered a not guilty plea. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 17th.

KSP Searching for Rowan Co. Man

According to a news release from the KSP, a warrant of arrest for Arson 2ND Degree has been issued for Gene A. Glover of Morehead, Kentucky in connection with an ongoing investigation of two separate structure fires on U.S. 60 East in Bath County, Kentucky. The fires occurred in the early morning hours of March 20, 2013. Mr. Glover’s whereabouts are unknown at this time. Mr. Glover has connections to Olive Hill, KY, Morehead, KY and Lexington, KY. Anyone with information concerning Mr. Glover’s location or information concerning the fires is asked to contact the Kentucky State Police Morehead Post at (606) 784-4127. 

Three Juveniles Charged In Arson At Powell County Playground

The latest arson fire happened March 28 at Stanton's city park. The first fire was a port-a-potty set fire a few weeks before at Stanton Park, and then the next day another fire set to the playground in Clay City. Luckily, firefighters were able to get to it quickly and knock it out. Police said the latest fire was extremely suspicious because of how quickly the fire caught. The mulch in this playground is actually made out of tire rubber and should not have gone up as fast. Stanton's mayor says it cost $50,000 to build the park and it's going to cost thousands more to replace. The three juveniles have been charged with arson, criminal mischief and burglary. Officials say they believe the juveniles are responsible for all of the park arsons.

Man Charged with W.Va Sheriff Murder was Banned to Own Firearms

According to a W.Va prosecutor involved in the case against a man accused of gunning down Mingo Co. W.Va sheriff Eugene Crum, says the suspect was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. Mingo County Prosecutor Michael Sparks declined to say where 37-year-old Tennis Melvin Maynard bought the gun. But Sparks says "it appears that the system didn't work." Sparks also declined to elaborate on why Maynard was barred from owning a gun. But Maynard's father has said his son had mental problems and had previously been in an institution. Sheriff Eugene Crum was fatally shot April 3 as he ate lunch in a downtown Williamson parking lot.

JCSO Conducts Safe School Program

According to a news release from Johnson Co. Sheriff Dwayne Price, on Tuesday, April 9th, 2013 the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, as part of our Safe School program, joined forces with Paintsville City Police and Johnson Central High School today and conducted a search of the school.  Prestonsburg Police Department provided a K-9 unit, handled by officer Aaron Blevins. The dog was used to search the lockers and common areas of the school.  At this time no drugs or contraband was located on the school grounds.  The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office worked with Johnson Central High School Principal Noel Crum to bring this program to the school system. “This is just a part of our effort to make the schools safer for the students and staff of our school system” said Sheriff Dwayne Price.  “I feel this will help show people that want to bring drugs and other dangerous items into our school that we mean business and it will not be tolerated.”  “The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office has been doing programs in our elementary, middle and high schools for some time now and we feel the message is getting across to the students.  We have other programs planned for the school right up until school is out for the summer.   We feel the programs we provide are the best way to reach the students, and they seem to enjoy the classes put on by Deputy Tim Clark.”  

Governor Vetoes House Speaker's Medicaid Bill

Gov. Steve Beshear has vetoed a bill sponsored by House Speaker Greg Stumbo that would have set up a process to resolve payment disputes between medical providers and Medicaid managed care organizations. The measure would have set up an appeals process in the Department of Insurance to speed up resolution of payment disputes. Beshear told reporters at a Capitol press conference the bill could have led to excessive costs to state government and interfered with contracts with doctors, hospitals and the managed care groups. Stumbo had proposed the legislation because of complaints that Medicaid payments weren't always being made promptly. Beshear said a review found that most claims over the past year had been approved and paid.

Analysis – Ryan Budget Big Cost for KY

BEREA, Ky. - An in-depth analysis of the budget recently passed by Republicans in the U.S House shows it would lead to substantial funding cuts in Kentucky. The report claims the budget authored by Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan would cut funding to the state and local governments by $3 billion over the next ten years. According to Jason Bailey, director of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, it would "sacrifice" programs that protect people's basic needs. "Education, social services, work-force development and training," he listed. "Things like Title 1; Head Start; housing; Women, Infants and Children program. You know, law enforcement is also affected," Bailey added. The state-by-state report comes from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Supporters argue the Ryan plan is necessary to reduce the federal deficit. But, Bailey pointed out that it also includes big tax cuts for the wealthy, at the expense of programs crucial to a poor state such as Kentucky. "We're in the need of these investments in education, infrastructure and human services, the kinds of things that the federal government helps us pay for," Bailey said. "So, it's a question of priorities and a question of values. And, in a state like Kentucky, where we have so many needs, it's all the more important that we protect the investments that we have." One of the report's authors, Michael Leachman, director of state fiscal research for the Center, said the Ryan plan would reverse a very cost-effective expansion of Medicaid. Leachman claimed the program would be slashed by nearly a third in ten years, compounding a state's burden. "The funding levels would fall further behind state needs each year," he declared. "And Medicaid's already a lean program; it costs much less per beneficiary than private insurance does." Leachman said another big cost shift would come in public education, where states have already cut back because of the recession. "States would have to further reduce their spending on K-12, or come up with their own money, or some combination of both of those things." The report is at goo.gl/vlq2J.

The WSIP Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Radio-thon Starts Today

The Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Radio-thon is underway at WSIP and will also be held on Friday, April 12. We encourage you to give us a call today or tomorrow and Become a Partner in Hope! Just $20 per month for a year, you can help the Children and Families at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. This will be our 8th year hosting this event. Last year Thanks to our loyal listeners and their generosity, our 2012 radio-thon raised a total of $33,204 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. We also encourage anyone, if you have a little extra time, to stop by our radio station on Main Street in downtown Paintsville and volunteer your time to help answer the phones and help make our 2013 event a success! You can call the Appalachian Wireless toll free # @ 1-800-942-8731 to become a Partner in Hope or to donate whatever you can afford or want to do. On behalf of WSIP and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Thank You and we look forward to another great Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Radio-thon on New Country 98.9 FM WSIP.