WHITESBURG, Ky. — A judge has ordered former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Mickey Stines to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, after his attorney announced he would pursue an insanity defense in his upcoming murder trial. Stines, 44, of McRoberts, is charged with capital murder for the Sept. 19 shooting death of Letcher District Judge Kevin Mullins while the two men talked in the judge’s chambers. The shooting was captured on security cameras, leaving no doubt as to who pulled the trigger. But last month, Stines’ attorney asked to present “expert evidence relating to a mental disease or defect or mental condition […]

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UPDATE: Kentucky State Police has announced that Whitaker has been found safe. ORIGINAL STORY: HAZARD, Ky. — Police are asking for the public’s help locating a missing man. Donald “Ryan” Whitaker, 38, of Hazard, was reported missing by his family on Thursday. He was last seen Thursday, March 6, in Hindman at the Knott County Central High School gymnasium, but associates say they had verbal communication with him until March 11. Whitaker is described as 6 feet, 1 inch tall and 165 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen waearing gray pants and a black shirt […]

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After the February severe storms and floods, homeowners may have questions or concerns about how to remove storm debris from their private property. Here are some tips that may be helpful. Debris includes, but is not limited to: Please be aware that snow-related activities, including road clearing, are not considered debris operations, as snow is not considered a form of debris. Removing debris can be a challenging job. As homeowners, you may remove debris or hire help through insurance settlements. You may also get help removing storm debris from citizen volunteers, the private sector and voluntary organizations. Local governments often […]

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FRANKFORT, Ky. – FEMA Individual Assistance is available to Kentucky renters, including students and homeowners in Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Simpson counties with losses from the February flooding and severe storms. Federal grants can help pay for temporary housing. The initial rental grant is for a one-month or two-month period and can be reviewed for further assistance. Renters may also qualify for a grant for uninsured essential personal property losses and other disaster-related expenses. These may include: How to Apply The deadline to apply for assistance is April 25.   For an […]

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WISE, Va. – The man who admitted killing a Big Stone Gap police officer in 2021 has received a second 100-year sentence for the crime. Michael Donivan White, 36, originally of Cross, South Carolina, was sentenced Thursday in Wise County Circuit Court for the first-degree murder of Officer Michael Chandler. Early on the morning of Nov. 13, 2021, Chandler responded to a call to conduct a welfare check at a known drug house on Orr Street. While attempting to flee the scene, White fired his gun at the officer eight times, hitting him once in the wrist and once in […]

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