7.13.25

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now we turn to the reading of the Hazard Herald
for news of Hazzard and Perry County. I'm lee Townshend.
We began with the online edition dated July tenth, twenty
twenty five, as a reminder Radio Ezer Reading service intended
for people who are blind or have other disabilities that
make it difficult to read in printed material. Independence Day

(00:23):
celebrations led up Downtown Hazard with a full day of festientities,
kicking off with the beloved annual fish Fry and rowlumes
crowd favorites like the Lawnmower Race, hot dog eating contest,
and a spirited Fruit by the Foot challenge for kids.
The evening featured musical performances by the Children's Community Choir

(00:44):
and local band Midlife Crisis capped off with a Dazlon
Firewaks display that brought the crowd to its feet. After
thirty one years, Downtown Vicky Mob lotted with Road and
World Title and Hazard. For more than three decades, Mobile
has been a familiar face in downtown Hazard, greeting customers

(01:04):
with a smile and steady presence at the fast Lane
Discount Tobacco on Monday, July seventh, per Loyalty and longevity
were recognized in a way she never expected at the
end of Main Street, a bobly constructed road now barns
her name, Vicky Way. The tribute was unveiled in an
impromptuous surprise visit from city and county officials, including Perrytown

(01:28):
and Judge Executive Scott Alexander and Hazard Mayor Donald Happy Mobilini,
who gathered beside the Debacco store to honor Noble's contribution
to the downtown community. But the surprises didn't stop their
mobile busily moved. Was also named a Duchess of Hazard,
a ceremonial title awarded by Mayor Moboleini in recognition of

(01:51):
her years of service and dedication. It's amazing to have
someone who works downtown for thirty one years, said Mobilini.
She knows everybody be in through her store. She seen
the transformation of downtown over the years, and she's been
a part of it now. She's very loyal to downtown.

(02:11):
Noble first moved to Perry County from New Jersey when
she was just fifteen years old. Over the years, she
became a fixture of the local business scene, forming connections
with generations of customers. They had a different store back then,
she recalled, I got to see so much of the
community to come through here. This is amazing. I'm so surprised.

(02:31):
I can't believe this. This is made by whole year.
One dead, one charged after shooting at Vibery by Justin Begley.
A teenager is facing a motor charge as the Perry
County Sheriff's officers continuing to investigate a failed shooting that
the courage July seventh in the Viper community. According to

(02:52):
Sheriff Joe Ingle, a sixteen year old male was accused
of shooting sixty three year old Wallace Cordnet, killing him.
Ten year old male juvenile shot sixty three year old
Wallace Cornet of Robert Basheer Road and Viper at close
range with a shotgun, killing Cornett. Ingle said in a
statement the shooting took place at one fifty seven pm

(03:14):
at Middle fourth of Macy's Creek. Ingle sid the sixteen
year old has been charged with one count of murder.
He said. The victimb will be sent to the Kentucky
Medical Examiner's Office in Frankfurt for an autop seed tomorrow
morning by the Perry County Corner's Office the Perry County
Corner was on the scene Monday, and officials say details

(03:36):
will be released as the investigation continues. The alleged shooter
will attend to here in Tuesday, July fifteenth in district
court to determine whether they will stand trial as an
adult or a minor. According to County Attorney der Gorg George,
domestic incident crash lead to fellowy charges against a Hazard Name.

(03:59):
A Hazard Name is facing several charges, including felling an
assault after an incident on June thirtieth, according to an
arrestaur market by Perry County Sheriff's Deputy Chris Jones. On
June thirtieth, Kentucky State Police Post thirteen Dispatch received a
call reporting an injury vehicle crash. While en route, dispatch

(04:20):
ad guys that Garrick Lewis, thirty five, of North Maine,
Hazard was the driver of one of the vehicles and
that he had been in a domestic violence incident with
his girlfriend, warrant said. Jones wrote that he arrived at
the scene of the crash on Tippeki four point fifty
one at the bottom of Moonlight Hill and spoke with

(04:40):
the driver of the other vehicle, who told the deputy
that a silver car had been coming off the hill
and she had slowed down to let the driver die.
At that point, the warrant said, the driver of the
other vehicle, later identified as Lewis, intentionally hit the victims vehicle.
The warrants said the driver and passenger of the vehicle
the Louis hit were both transported by an ambulance to

(05:03):
Hazard ay Are to be treated for injuries. While Jones
was on the scene of the crash, he wrote in
The Wall, he was flagged down by a woman on
Moonlight Hill who told the deputy she was Lewis's girlfriend.
The woman told Jones that Lewis, who was drunk, had
come to the residence where she was and wanted her
to go in his car with him. He Wart said, However,

(05:25):
the woman demanded to be able to drive, to which
Lewis agreed. Thorn said as Louis began hitting her repeatedly
in the face and head and cut off her shirt
with a knife. As soon as they pulled out of
the residence. Jones wrote that the officers with the Hazard
Police Department followed a vehicle believed to be Louis's off
North Main Street near an apartment that had a sign

(05:48):
that said Louis. Jones, Norman said, knocked on the door
and the man came to the door, but advised he
was not Lewis, instead identifying Louis as a man who
was in the apartments slump over a chair. Louis was
arrested and transported to Hazard, a RIH, where he requested
medical attention, Jones wrote. While at the hospital, Lewis began

(06:08):
complaining that the handcuffs were hurting him, but Jones checked
to make sure they were not, at which time Louis
began yelling. Said the deputy physically assaulted him before running
toward the door of the emergency room. Jones wrote that
he grabbed Louis boy the arm and told him to stop,
at which time Louis fell to the floor and screamed
that his arm was hurting. The warrant was served against Louis.

(06:31):
On July sixth, the court records showed a man charged
with endangerment after firing pistol and downtown. A Hazard man
is facing various charges after police said he shot a
firearm downtown in the vicinity of Juveniles. According to an
arrest citation. In the early morning hours of July fifth,

(06:51):
h p D received the report of a man who
had discharged the firearm in the vicinity of several juveniles
at the Walk to Town a carpet complex. Upon arrival,
the citation said, officers made contact with multiple witnesses who
stated that a man named Darren Banks went to the
basketball court and discharged the firearm approximately five or six

(07:13):
times in the direction of Plum Street and the Labeca area.
The citation said. Witnesses further stated that Banks, fifty nine
of Gregory Branch Road, Hazard, had angled the firearm in
that direction before firing. The citation set officers were able
to locate several spent showcasings during a search of the area.

(07:35):
After making contact with Banks, the citation said off Banks
told officers he fired the gun, but claimed he did
not intend to harm anyone. Banks, the citation said, told
the officers he knew where his bullets were going and
they were not going to hurt anybody. The citation set
officers retrieved the firearm after Banks directed them where it

(07:56):
was located. Banks, the citation said, was forbidden to be
in possession of a firearm since he is a convicted
fellow Banks was lodged in the Kentucky River Regional Jail
on charges of first pavilion degree wanting engagements, second degree
disordered a conduct, and possession of a handgun by a
convicted felon. Students from around the world compete in the

(08:19):
first Run for the Robots Tournament at the Kentucky Horsepark.
More than fifty robotics teams from across the United States
and six other countries gathered June twenty six through twenty
eight for the inaugural run for the Robots Tournament at
the Kentucky horse Park, part of the International First Tech
Challenge program. According to the organizers with the Challenger Learning

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Center at h CTC, the three day competition was hosted
by Kentucky First Robotics and brought together students in grades
seven through twelve to showcase their skills in engineering, programming
and teamwork and a high energy, fast paced environment. A
total of fifty six teams from across the globe, including

(09:04):
from Romania, Kazakhstan, Lodloga, Brazil, China, Vietnam, and the United States,
participated in the event. Competing in the alliances. The students
were tasked with scoring points using robots they had built
and programmed themselves. Each round featured two segments, an autonomous

(09:24):
period where robots operated independently on a pre written code,
and a driver control period where students took command of
machines in real time. This event wasn't just about robots,
said Jackie Calder, first senior mentor and robotics program coordinator
at the Challenger Learning Center. It was about investing in

(09:46):
the future. We believed that starting young people early in
robotics is helping to shape the high tech workforce of tomorrow,
especially for Eastern Kentucky, where opportunity and innovation are deeply needed.
Six Kentucky was represented by sixteen including students from Floyd
on Golfin County, supported by the Challenge or Running Center

(10:07):
of Kentucky and Appalachian Wiless. Teams included Team twenty four
to ninety nine MC Magic of Saldersville, Team twenty seven
six sixty one Floyd County, and Team twenty six one
eighty seven the Circuits of Saldersville. According to organizers, the
competition emphasized not only technical ability, but also personal growth

(10:31):
through the values of gracious professionalism and collaborative problem solving.
Students designed their robots using the range of techniques and
materials from machine toluminum to three D printed components, gaining
hands on experience that lays the groundwork for careers in
fields such as additive manufacturing and others down industries. The

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annual Sparkler five K, hosted July by the Perry County
Department of Outdoor Recreations saw it's the hardest turnout since
its inception. According to organizers, was sixty eight participants, gathering
at the Art Station in downtown. Keith Adams took first
place overall in the men's division, while Vile Felner won

(11:17):
the women's division. Then Bailey and Ariona Bailey claim first
in the boys and girls one hundred fourteen categories. Ali
Bryant was awarded the best costume from the opinion page.
A Scam and a Strange Law by Jeff Vanderback Besides
the normal nonsense in life, firefighter, ambush, rotten politics, big

(11:40):
beautiful bshid, he stays behind the wall, coward confesses to
killing Odaho students, and of course nasty weather. I feel
it's important to tell you about a scam that I
encountered and a law that is well stupid. At our office,
we received a call from someone claiming to be an
AEP report presentative. The person left a message stating that

(12:03):
we needed to call an eight hundred number and pay
our bill online where they were going to cut off
our power. I called my local AP contact and he
told me they never call people about late payments. They
will send notices through the mail. Needless to say, we're
in good shape with that EP and that call is
a scam. The representative I spoke with said that if

(12:26):
AAP customers having questions, they should call their main number
and they will have all the answers they need. That
number is sixty one four seven one six one thousand,
sixty one four seven one six one thousand. I hate
scammers and think they should be boiled in scump here.

(12:47):
While our illustrious government is lodging everything, they should look
at how to stop these sign balls. And I mean
that in a very Christian way. There's a new law
that's clear as mud as it pertains. ATVs. Kentucky, especially
Eastern Kentucky, has miles of trails for ATV riders. People
from all over the country have come and continue to

(13:09):
enjoy the spectacular mountains and the beauty that this region
offers through off road vehicle riding known as adventure tourism.
Ike County has worked tirelessly at getting trails ready with
the Hillbilly Trail System. Jerry Atkins, who's been in charge
of the trail system, has taken this project to a

(13:30):
level that opp to many people could have. The new
law that took effect allows ATVs to be driven on
some roadways. However, like all laws, there are flaws. If
you're on the trails and need to get gas or
want to stop at a restaurant, the new law allows
the driver to use public roadways to excess places of commerce.

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The caveat is there are some requirements. The requirements include
the driver must have a valid driver's license. It's unclear
if you need this special license like you do with
a motorcycle, or if a standard driver's license is permissible.
The vehicle needs to be inspected by a certified inspector
who will verify the vehicle is roadworthy. The vehicle needs

(14:13):
to have insurance, and it can only be operated in
certain areas. It is where it gets more sticky. The
operator needs to have the ATV registered and be able
to show proof of paid tax on the unit. If
you're trying to increase tourism, what happens if an operator
from the state that has no at V requirements wants

(14:35):
to ride on the roads and gets caught. No one
seems to have an answer other than well, we don't know.
In the code, there appears to be no rules or
requirements for out of state users other than the ones
mentioned earlier. Stands the tax speed, which represents another legislative focath.
You would think the state would encourage out a state

(14:55):
adventure tourists, eving Yankees to enjoy the trails, and not
force a crazy tax law on it. In order to
get to register in ATV indet it street legal, you
have to have a title, insurance, and proof of residence
in the state of Kentucky. The same process is for
a call or a truck. So the ambiguity of the
law will have law enforcement officers scratching their heads in

(15:18):
a quandary as to what to do when they encounter
an out of state guver with no proof of paid tax. I'nically,
the law, which I guess is there to make this
endeavor safer, has no requirement for the use of a
helmet one. I hear there's supposed to be yet another
ruling on this issue for clarification. Why can't the lawmakers

(15:41):
just mind their own They have business, They just have
a way of screwing up everything. If you own an
ATV in eive a ride on the roadway for access,
take your chances. I guess if you want to get
caught up in a useless legal jargon that's supposed to make
your life better, go to KRS and visit SB sixty

(16:01):
three Street Legal Special Purpose Vehicles or SLSPD. For sure,
you can't find a fair trip Page Twelvey twenty seven
of the big Beautiful Bill. I'm sure there's nonsense in
there about that as well. You may need some bid
old fashioned unshine to help you cipher through all of
that mess. Yes, call them all lawmakers and the governor

(16:27):
agreed SB one eighty one is necessary. We will make
sure it's clear and effective. Lends Tishar Kentucky Senator, sixth District.
Now that the Senate Bill one eighty one is in effect,
having passed one hundred and thirty seven to zero and
then signed into law by the governor, in equal lawmakers

(16:49):
have received questions about its implementation and overall necessity. The
law requires school staff and volunteers to use traceable district
to proved platforms for direct communication with students, tools of
parents and access, and monitor their parents prefer alternative forms
of communication they may be in by providing written consent

(17:13):
carefully written to protect students. This law applies equally to teachers, staff, coaches, volunteers,
and family members. It ensures that if a boundary is crossed,
a process is in place to investigate, informed parents and
hold individuals accountable. This bill is deeply personal for victims

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like Ashland Nation and families like those from Anderson County,
who bravely share their stories during committee and advocated for
stronger protections for students they experienced not only garnered widespread attention,
but also played a pivotal role in shaping this law,
establishing stronger boundaries and preventing future harm. Unfortunately, these experiences

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represent only a fraction of what occurs. The Kentucky Department
of Education reported one hundred thirty five educator sexual misconduct
cases between twenty twenty three and twenty twenty four. This
excludes cases involving other staff and volunteers. A separate study

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found that seventy percent of offenders use technology or social
media to access students Beyond these conducts. SB one eighty
one also addresses the broader issue of grooming students away
from their families and values clash with those in authority.
Despite concerns, the law's intent is widely supportive. Students and

(18:44):
teachers deserved to learn and work an environment grounded in
trust and integrity. I remain committed to working with education
professionals to achieve this goot. Here are of the obituaries.
Barbara and Mark seventy nine, Blacks Creek, got Wednesday July second.
Elng Jene Hostins Howard eighty seven of Jackson by Thursday

(19:07):
July third. Harold Hugh Williams seventy seven of Herd Borland, Sunday,
July sixth Reached Colin seventy five by Tuesday July first.
Anna Marie Holland sixty six of oceans By, Maryland, previously
from Cobbes, Wednesday July second. Denver Dale Halwell seventy four,

(19:33):
Slimp died Wednesday July second. Virginia sup Crouch eighty three
died Tuesday July first, Gary L. Jet sixty seven, Hazard
died Tuesday, July first, and Atlanta Denise Roberts sixty six
Monday July seventh, a Perry County man spacing a fellow

(19:57):
charge after he allegedly used a hand on to threaten
personnel with the store from which he was accused of stealing.
According to an arrest citation, on June twenty fifth, Hazard
police were dispatched to Walmart in reference to a male
chop armed with a handgun. The citation said that Walmart
personnel reported that an individual ultimately identified as Nathan Bush

(20:21):
twenty five, of sam Campbell Branched, Bonnyman had been observed
concealing automobile lights in his pants pocket after removing them
from their original packaging, then passing the all points of
sale without paid. When he asked to return the merchandise,
the citation said, Bush told the Walmart Personnell he had

(20:42):
a gun and showed what appeared to be the handle
of a handgun. Bush got it in a vehicle then
and left the scene. Perry County Sheriff's deputies made contact
with Bus. She was armed with a handgun on July fourth,
the citation said, and was transported to the Hazard Police
Department for questioning. Vish was identified from photos, the citation said,

(21:04):
but denied any questions related to the incident and did
not want to speak further with officers. Vish was lodges
in the Kentucky River Regional Jail a charge of first
degree robbery. Spectrum awards fifteen thousand to Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky.
Spectrum announced in a statement of July ninth that it's

(21:25):
awarded fifteen thousand dollars Spectrum Digital Education Grant to the
Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky and Total Spectrum is awarding one
point one million to fifty five nonprofit organizations that worked
to expand access to digital tools, skills, training, and resources
in the community's spectrum serves. Since launching in twenty seventeen,

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Spectrum Digital Education has committed more than eleven million dollars
to support two hundred and four community based nonprofits across
spectrums forty one and state service area. Effort underway to
prevent proposed ARC funding cuts. A group of more than
eighty individuals and organizations have written a letter to members

(22:11):
of Congress asking that they continue funding the Appalachian Regional
pomission in the face of President Donald Trump's proposal that
the organization received ninety three percent less funding in twenty
twenty six. According to the statement from Appalachian Voices, the
President's discretionary voted funding proposal released in late May call

(22:34):
for moving ARC funding from two hundred million in recent
years to fourteen million for fiscal year twenty sixteen. In
mission years, Appalachian has built an incredible momentum toward a
multi industry economy that provides good jobs that take good
care of the communities around us. The ARC has been

(22:57):
instrumental in driving forward this Productions to its programs pose
a risk to innovative initiatives in the workforce development, community
revitalization and America Made Resilient energy, The letter notes, according
to the statement, that ARC has supported many aspects of
Appalachian life, including infrastructure, workforce development, housing, and education throughout

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its sixty year history. ARC is an example of the
federal government at its best, a federal entity running coordination
the state and local officials, responsive to the needs and
insights of the people that serves, and adaptable to the
changing circumstances on the ground. The letter continues, We've urged

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members of Congress to stand up for the people of
Appalachia and fund the Apalachian Regional Commission in alignment of
previous years. Levels for fiscal year of twenty twenty six
included in designers of state and local government officials from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia,
and West Virginia, and businesses and organizations throughout the Appalachian region,

(24:09):
including the Appalachian Citizens Law Center, Apple Shop, Mountain Association,
and Eastern Kentucky Community Land Trust. Appalachian Voices has offices
in Boom, North Carolina, Charlottesville and Lyles County, Virginia, and Knoxville, Tennessee.
Relief from drug industry middlemen installed in Kentucky as independent

(24:32):
pharmacies struggle. Kentucky's independent pharmacies, facing ongoing financial pressure, had
hopeful relief from the new law meant to give them
more clown against prescription drug industry middlemen known as pharmacy
benefit managers or PBMs. Most pharmacies were just hanging on

(24:53):
for Senateville one eight eight, said independent pharmacist Rosemary Smith
Firm II. The twenty twenty four legislation sponsored by Senator
mix Wisse, Republic of Campbellsville meant to strengthen state regulations
at PBMs. The new law, passed with overwhelming support by

(25:14):
the legislature and signing the law by Governor and in
the share last year, takes aim at the role of
PBUs and commercial health plans, such as those purchased by
individuals or provided by employers. About a year later, at
Stall of the sheer's Department of Insurance claiming that can
enforce parts of it because of a conflict with federal

(25:36):
law that regulates commercial insurance plans. As a result of PBMs,
national companies, some owned by pharmacy chains, including CBS, the
nation's largest, continue to control a significant portion of the
prescription drug market, said Smith, co founder of the Kentucky
Independent Pharmacist Alliance. Its a system totally controlled by the PBMs,

(26:02):
it said on its website. The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association,
which represents PBMs, defends the industry. It argues that PBMs
improve efficiency and save consumers' money through processing prescription claims,
negotiating drug crisis, and reimbursing pharmacies. Pharmacy benefit companies PBMs

(26:25):
are your advocates in the healthcare system working to lower
prescription drug costs for patients and payers, it said, but
the PBM industry has come under fire from consumer advocates
at the state and federal level. Last year, the Federal
Trade Commission released a scathing report suggesting that PBMs are
profiting inflating drug costs and squeezing mainStreet pharmacies and critics,

(26:52):
including laws that sate. Senate Inventory leader argued PBMs continue
to squeeze small pharmacies by slashing payments and steering business
away from community gruge stores to their own chowing stores
or mail order of houses. Frustrated by what he said
is the state's failure to enforce portions of this bill,

(27:12):
lies is asked Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman for an
opinion on whether the Masuring Administration is correct in claiming
it's restricted by federal law. This concludes the reading of
the Hazard Herald. Please stay tuned for continued programming. Thank
you for joining me, adding on behalf of everyone here
at Radioli. This is Lee Townshend, Missing you a good day.