8.31.25

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Now we turn to the reading of the Hazard Peril
for news of hazard in Perry County Humbley Townshend. We
begin with the online edition dated August twenty seven, twenty
twenty five. As a reminder, radioized or reading service intended
for people who are blind or have other disabilities that
make it difficult to read printed material. Perry School Board

(00:23):
votes to keep tax rates unchanged. The Perry County Board
of Education opted Tuesday, April nineteenth to hold the line
on tax increases, voting to keep the property tax rates
study at fifty four point eight cents per one hundred
dollars of assess value, despite Finance Officer Jody Magrit's recommendation

(00:44):
to consider a small increase that would have generated nearly
half a million dollars in additional revenue for the district.
Board members said the decision was made out of concern
for residents already burdened by the rising costs of living.
This is the time frame of the year when everyone
talks about setting tax rates, said Magrid. All school districts

(01:07):
are having the same conversation. We receive reports that tell
us if we take the compensating tax rate or the
four percent tax rate the amount we would receive annually.
So it's our turn tonight to determine the rate, and
we have to do that within a certain timeframe. Magaret
explained that Perry County's rate of fifty four point eight

(01:30):
cents per one hundred dollars of assess value is among
the lowest in the region. We are way down compared
to most schools, he said. We're at fifty four point
eight cents, Jenkins Independent being the highest at eighty seven
point one sense, and everybody else falls in between that. Pike, Leslie, Floyd, Bell, Letcher, Knot, Clay, Breathet, Hazard,

(01:54):
and Harlan County. Our average property value right now according
to the Census forty five thousand, two hundred and sixty
one dollars. Groundbreaking marks started Black Gold Plaza redevelopment by
Justin Begley, more than three years after plans were first announced.
Local and state officials joined representatives from Drinkard Development and

(02:17):
the Hazard Pree County Economic Development Alliance on August nineteenth
for a groundbreaking ceremony at Hazard's Black Goal Plaza. The
sixteen point five million dollar redevelopment project will bring new
retailers such as hobby Lobby, TJ Mix and five below
to to site. Perry County Joes executive Scott Alexander called

(02:41):
the event a milestone for the community. It's a great day.
We're excited and you're starting to see things happen and
all the work it's taken to make these things happen,
and we're incredibly thankful. Alexander said, this is an amazingly
great day for this community and for Appalachia. To create
retail space in today's market is hard and tough to do,

(03:04):
but yet our citizens want places to go. Even with
online markets making it hard, it's still happening. I'm so
excited to stand here today to see this project come
to life for the community. Alexander emphasized the wide range
of support that helped make the project possible. So many

(03:25):
people have played amazing roles in this development, he said.
We always work great together with our federal partners. Senator McConnell,
Congressman Rogers, Senator Smith, Representative Fugett have all played roles
in this development and do a whole lot for this community.
Our magistrates have played a role with these developments as well,

(03:47):
and it's just been a big community development I want
to thank this community for giving us the opportunity to
do things like this. It's an exciting day and more
and more of these developments are coming. Mayor Donald Happy
Mobolini said. The project also howgh lighted the community value
of existing drinkerd properties. Just like Scott said, this is

(04:09):
amazing for our town, Mobolini said, We're already appreciating everyone involved.
This is amazing. Our little area over here was dying,
but it served a purpose. Had mister Drinkard not had
the JC Penny building during the floods, we would have
never had a place to house supplies and distribute everything.

(04:30):
So we really need retail space, but we also needed
that building more than anything in the world. Mobileini added,
the Drinker Development has been a long standing partner to Hazard.
They've always invested in the community and been a community partner.
He said. They started the Village Lane shopping center in
nineteen eighty two and started this one here in nineteen

(04:53):
eighty six, which is almost forty years to the date.
We couldn't ask for a better community partner than mister
to make the trip down here today just for this.
He is remarkable and we will never forget him and
are very thankful. Zach Lawrence, executive director of the Hazard
Perry County Economic Development Alliance, said the groundbreaking symbolize years

(05:17):
of work beginning to show tangible progress. This is one
of my favorite days, Laurence said. This is when we
finally start to see things happen. We get to put
the announcement out and get people excited for what's to
come and all that's happening. We're here now and you
see the walls going up and it's coming along pretty fast.

(05:38):
I want to thank Drinkard team for being literally invested
in us for forty years and now for reinvesting in
the community and believing in it. It's great to see
an influx of private capital in this community. This is
a great sign that things are going the right way
and for what's to come. This is big for partnerships

(05:59):
with future retailers and industrial clients to come to the community.
So I'm excited to see what's to come. So we're
just thankful for the Drinker Development Company for believing in Hazard.
The event also recognized Roy Drinker one hundred and five,
who attended the ceremony. According to local officials, Drinkard is
the oldest living US Marine seventy first Civic Knight honors

(06:24):
community leaders. The Hazard Pirie County Chamber of Commerce celebrated
at seventy first Civic Night on August nineteenth, recognizing community
leaders and organizations for their service. The evening, which featured dinner, entertainment,
and a lineup of awards, was led by Master of
Ceremonies Steve Hinsley. It was an honor to have Roy

(06:45):
Drinker attend the event at age one hundred five and
the oldest living US Marine in attendance, said Executive Director
of Hazard Pirie County Chamber of Commerce Betsy Clemens. Mister
Drinkard has developed shopping centers here and Hazzard and has
helped support our area for over forty years. Honorees of

(07:06):
the evening included Man of the Year Bill Betson, Zoni,
Woman of the Year, Jennifer Weeber, Young Man of the Year,
Zach Lawrence, Young Woman of the Year, Jordan Bogus, William D. Gorman,
Humanitarian Award Minor Allen Appalachian Arts Partner of the Year Dewey,

(07:26):
and doctor Danielle Magard Bocook. In addition, eighth CTC President
Doctor Jennifer Lyndon presented Educational Leadership Award to Barry Martin,
CEO of Primary Care Centers of Eastern Kentucky. Clements said
special recognition was also given to local educational leaders for

(07:46):
their contributions. Hazard Independent School District Superintendent Sondra Comb's, Ferry
County School District Superintendent Kent Campbell, and Hazard Community and
Technical College President doctor Jennifer Lynn Begley named news editor
of the Hazard Herald. Justin Begley of Hazard has been

(08:06):
named the news director of the Hazard Herald. A native
of Knoxville, Tennessee, who grew up in London, Begley began
his reporting career at The Painsful Herald before coming to Hazard.
Outside of spending time with my son, my passion has
always been writing. I love journalism, and I've truly enjoyed
working for Appalachian newspapers for the past three years. Begley said,

(08:30):
I also enjoyed my time with The Painsful Herald while
living in Johnson County, but after visiting Hazard and Perry
County a few times to cover stories, I fell in
love with the area. It wasn't just the unmatched natural
beauty that drew me in but also the sense of
community and the people who call it home. He's proud

(08:51):
to work for the newspaper. I'm proud to work for
the Hazard Herald and to cover news for this community.
He said. It's an honor and a privilege to help
records some of the history of this area and the future,
and to be a dependable voice that our readers can
count on. Begley has a fourteen year old son who
considers his pride and joy and enjoys photography and mountain biking.

(09:15):
He said he considered Hazard to be home. I came
to Hazard for work, but it quickly became my home,
he said. I'm humbleton now serve as the news editor
of the paper, with great colleagues, excellent mentors, a supportive family,
and a welcoming community. I honestly couldn't ask for much more.

(09:35):
To reach Begley with news tips or information, you can
call six O six four three six five seven seven one.
Labor Day closings. In observance of Labor Day on Monday,
September first, several businesses and government offices in Perry County
will be closed or have altered schedules. Federal and state

(09:58):
offices All federal and state governmental offices will be closed.
Perry County administrative offices, in alignment with the state closing guidelines,
administrative offices will be closed. The Perry County Courthouse will
be closed, All banks will be closed. Post office will
be closed on Labor Day, with regular delivery starting again

(10:20):
on Tuesday. Trash collection will not be effected. Pickups will
proceed as normally scheduled on Monday. In municipal offices, most
will be enclosed in observance of the holiday. All closed
offices and businesses are expected to resume their regular hours
on Tuesday. The hazard Perry County Chamber of Commerce held

(10:43):
a ribbon cutting ceremony with local officials for the grand
reopenings of the hot Mess Express and Talons on Maine,
both owned and operated by Stephanie Callahan. Perryman charged with
unlawful transaction with a minor. A Perry County man is
facing a misdemeanor charge of unlawful transaction with a miner

(11:05):
following a recent incident. According to a warrant ob pain
by Perry County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Stephen Everidge, in the
early morning hours of August seventeenth, the Sheriff's office was
notified by the family of a seventeen year old girl
that she was missing. The girl of the warrant said
told her mother she was going out with friends on

(11:27):
August sixteenth. When family members did not find her, later,
they tracked her phone to a location in the woods
at Middle Fork River Road. A person told the girl's
family member that the land where the phone was showing
located was owned by the Amos family and there was
a cabin there. Average responded and received mission to go

(11:47):
on to the land to search for the girl. Average
rote that when Amos was asked to come out of
the cabin, the deputy was able to see inside and
saw a foot of a bed and two sets of
feet beside each other. The man inside, later identified as
John Yuncy Amos of cam Johnson Branch Road, Buckhorn, was

(12:08):
seen getting out of the bed and putting on a shirt,
pants and shoes. Average rote that he asked that Amos
send the girl out, but that he didn't have to
come outside, and Amos sent her out. Average wrote that
he interviewed the girl, who said no sexual activity had
taken place, but said she had drank alcoholic beverages while
in the cabin. The girl of the warrant said told

(12:30):
the deputy that Amos had given her the alcohol and
that Amos knew how old she was. The girl, average
rote told him she was at the cabin willingly. Amos
was arrested on a charge of third degree unlawful transaction
with a minor and lodged in the Kentucky River Regional Jail.
HCTC hosts forty seventh annual Fire School. Training Hazard Community

(12:55):
and Technical College hosted the forty seventh annual Fire School
in aberration with the Mountain Firefighters Association in the Kentucky
Fire Commission August twenty second through twenty fourth. According to
a statement from HCTC, institutions like ours are all about
supporting the communities we serve. We're a convener bringing people, resources,

(13:19):
and expertise together. Eight CTC President and CEO doctor Jennifer
Lindon said hosting this annual fire school is one way
to live out that commitment standing beside the first responders
who give so much of themselves in service to others.
Each year, firefighters an emergency personnel from across Kentucky attend

(13:41):
the fire School to complete training sessions focused on numerous
topics including active shooter preparation, basic firefighting, steals, flammable liquids
and gases, mental health, first aid, rescue safety, and vehicle
accident response. The training sessions allow firefighters an emergency personnel

(14:03):
to learn about various topics and simulation formats, equipping them
with the background, experience and knowledge necessary to respond to
incidents across their communities. HCTC, according to the statement, prioritizes
economic and workforce development with its Workforce Solutions Unit, providing
training and learning experiences for professionals across sectors, including public service.

(14:29):
The Fire School event is a collaborative effort in this
operational area. We're honored to host the forty seventh annual
Fire School and to stand beside the first responders who
protect our communities every day, said doctor Kiva Miller, hctc's
Dean of Community, Workforce and Economic Development. Providing this free

(14:50):
training is one way we can give by equipping our
hometown heroes with the skills and support they deserve. Perryman
charge with distribute of obscene matter to manners. A Perry
County man is facing a misdemeanor charge. After allegedly having
his minor children text adult women on his behalf to

(15:10):
ask for inappropriate pictures. According to the warrant in the case,
Perry County Sheriff's Deputy Chris Jones was contacted by the
Care Cottage regarding forensic interviews being conducted with juveniles there.
Jones wrote that he obtained a copy of the interview
in which one of the juveniles said his father, identified

(15:31):
as Randy Summer Junior, thirty nine, of Ponderosa Pine Lane Study,
had asked him to start texting women on his behalf
because Sumner was dyslexic. The child, the warrant said, told
interviewers that his father had asked him to ask the
women who were his father's age for inappropriate pictures. The

(15:54):
child said that if the woman did not respond, his
father had a message another one, the warrant said. Jones
wrote in a warrant that a second child also said
Sumner had him text women for inappropriate pictures, and that
more than twenty women had sent photos of themselves naked
while he was texting. Sumner was charged with distribution of

(16:15):
obscene matter to minors duo facing criminal abuse charges. A
hazard couple is facing fell in the abuse charges after
a two year old child was found with a broken
arm and bruises consistent with abuse earlier in the year,
according to Hazard Police. According to court documents written by

(16:36):
Hazard Police officer Tyler Pigman, on January sixteenth, officers were
dispatched to Hazard Arh in regard to a two year
old child who was being treated there for a broken
arm and bruising on his head. Upon arrival, Pigman said,
a Child Protective Services worker told them there appeared to
be signs of abuse. The child's mother, Lambert, twenty five,

(17:01):
of Kentucky Boulevard, told social workers that the child had
suffered the injuries in a fall the day before. A
doctor at Rih, Pigman wrote, said it was not common
for a child that size to fall and break his arm,
and the injury was more consistent with fully developed person. Lambert,

(17:22):
according to a warrant, told police that her boyfriend, Justin Mullens,
who had been living in the home for three months
and watching the child for a week and a half,
had said he heard a thump from the child's room
on January fifteenth and thought the child had thrown the toy.
Lambert told officers during an interview January seventeenth that Mullins
had picked her up early for work and they took

(17:44):
the child to a clinic, but left after waiting in
the lobby as the child began using his arm again.
Pigman wrote that he later received records from the University
of Kentucky Healthcare ya A Child Protective Services that said
the child's multiple areas of bruising are more consistent with
child physical abuse and the absence of clear history his

(18:07):
arm fracture is highly concerning for inflicted injury. Pigman wrote
that given the chinnel's symptoms at the time of evaluation
that no care was given until the next day, the
situation is consistent with the finding of abuse. Lambert, according
to a warrant, knew of the child's injury but did
not seek medical attention until instructed to do so. Both

(18:30):
Mullens and Lambert were arrested on August eighteenth and charged
with felony first degree criminal abuse. Perry County Sheriff Ingall
announces retirement effective January. Perry County Sheriff Joe Ingle announced
August twenty first he'll retire at the start of next year.
Ending nearly three decades of service and law enforcement. I've

(18:53):
notified the Kentucky Pension Authority that the County Judge Executive
that I will be retiring as sheriff beginning Jedianuary first,
twenty twenty six. Ingall said. He noted that twenty twenty
six is an election year, which means voters will choose
the next sheriff. In the meantime, the County Judge will
appoint someone to serve out the remainder of Ingall's term.

(19:16):
The remaining months of my term is selected by the
County Judge. Ingall said, I have personally recommended that retired
Deputy Jeff Richie filled the remainder of my term. Jeff
is capable, seasoned, and shares the same values as me
and has expressed he has no intention of running for office.
This would give no one an advantage in the election.

(19:37):
In the end, it's not my decision who will finish
my term. Reflecting on his career, Ingall said his retirement
marks the culmination of decades in public service. Next year
will mark my twenty ninth year as a law enforcement
officer first responder in this county. He said, I purchased
one year of retirement several years ago that I needed

(19:59):
to use it's time to help the people of this
county in another row. What that is will be determined
with prayer, conviction, and what's best. The Lord has always
let me know on his time. Four charged in alleged
jail house assault at KRRJ. Four men are facing charges

(20:20):
after allegedly assaulting a fellow inmate at the Kentucky River
Regional Jail. According to court documents written by k RRJ
Sergeant Jeff Walker, on August twenty fourth, he was running
the control room when the call button in one of
the cells was pushed and he could hear yelling in screaming.
KRRJ Deputy Morgan Lttle then notified Walker that he needed

(20:43):
assistance at that cell. The citation said after opening the door,
one of the inmates came out of the cell bleeding
from the face and was taken to the medical staff.
The citation said, Walker wrote that the inmate ultimately had
to be transported to Hazard RI for treatment. Walker wrote
that upon investigation, four inmates admitted to assaulting demand all

(21:07):
four Buddy Ambergee thirty four of Jeff Justin Lewis thirty
two of Lewis Hall Road Hazard. Michael Jones thirty seven
of Hillside Lane, Louisville, and Daltontombe's twenty four of Big
Branch Road Hazard were charged with second degree assault of felony.
Walker wrote that the inmates were placed on lockdown following

(21:28):
the incident. From the opinion page Bad and Good by
Jeff Vanderbeck. In recent days, we've published some disturbing stories
regarding incidents that allegedly happened in Perry County. On a
good note, the Economic Development Alliance announced a new retail
center that will create jobs in Perry County and increase

(21:49):
the much needed tax base. First the good news, the
Hazard Economic Development Alliance, which is a spin off of SORE,
announced a private public partnership up on a shopping center
where major retailers will be opening our groundbreaking was held
and construction should start soon. This project is the culmination

(22:11):
of a relationship between a business with a long history
in the community and the city in county leadership. This
is great news for the local people and the economy.
Now the bad news. In several separate incidents, we discovered
that a couple has been accused of abusing their child
we posted that on social media and people are rightfully outraged.

(22:35):
And yet another separate incident, a man was charged with
distributing obscene material to minors, and again the community was outraged.
Here's where we need to clarify two separate incidents and
allegations and wind false information is spread on social media,
rumors fly. Additionally, when there are attempts to hide or

(22:56):
delay accurate information from sources to qualified news out it's
like the hazard herald that fuel remains the rumor mill.
I will attempt to set the record straight. There were
two separate allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct. The
first alleged incident was of a thirty five year old

(23:16):
man who was arrested on a charge of unlawful transaction
with a minor. Allegedly, when the police investigated the incident,
they discovered this man getting out of bed and found
a seventeen year old girl in the cabin as well.
He was charged with a misdemeanor and he allegedly gave
alcohol to a minor. The police report stated the girl

(23:39):
was in the cabin willingly and now it's up to
the investigators and the family to pursue any additional action.
The accused apparently has a strong family heritage in Perry
County that was also checkered. We will report as details
become available. In a separate incident, several days after an
alleged incident happened, Roy G. Eversol's school sent out a

(24:03):
very limited statement saying that employee had been suspended pending
an investigation where an incident happened. By releasing a statement,
it tells me that an incident did in fact happen,
but because there are no further details, we can't speculate.
The statement came after rumors started, which enabled people without

(24:24):
the proper information to jump on the guilty in public
opinion bandwagon, and frankly, that's the problem with getting late
and limited information. The community was and is too eager
to nail people when all focs are not available. All
we know now is that there is an investigation. We
don't know if a former lawmaker's relative was involved, like

(24:48):
people are saying. We can't confirm any of the rumors
at this time. What we do know is that this
incident is being kept very quiet. If we find out
the truth, we will have to reported again. It's now
to the family and the investigators to pursue any additional action,

(25:08):
and I promise that facts are hidden or if influential
people are trying to hide an investigation but protect family members,
we will find them out at every turn. This nonsense
needs to stop, and we need respectable people in our schools.
Celebrating the strength and spirit of Kentucky Workers by Senator

(25:29):
Brandon Smith, State Senator, thirtieth District. As Labor Day approaches,
we pause to honor the hard working Kentuckians whose dedication
and resilience power our communities from classrooms to construction sites,
farms to factories, public offices to private enterprises. Our workforce

(25:51):
is the backbone of the Commonwealth. Labor Day is a
time to reflect on the contributions of workers across the
nations and generations who built this country with strength and resolve.
Let us continue that legacy by valuing work, supporting families,
and creating opportunities in every corner of Kentucky. Kentucky's workforce

(26:15):
is among the Bluegrass's greatest assets, and the core of
our multi year record breaking economic investments are workers that
private industry needs in order to thrive. Here are the
obituaries Boning by sixty nine of Hazard died Wednesday, August twentieth.
Welland Burns eighty two died Tuesday August nineteenth. Marcia and

(26:39):
Frank's eighty two of Hazard died Thursday August twenty first.
Dorris Bowen seventy one of Miami's Burg, Ohio by August
twenty fourth. Paula Gay Crutcher's twenty sixty three of aba
WAM died August twenty first. James Kirby brown On sixty

(27:00):
sixth of Ico died Tuesday August nineteenth. Melody Praeder fifty
died Friday August twenty second. Charles William Hendrickson eighty of
Hazard died Saturday August twenty third. Roger Lee Shephard eighty
two of Happy died on August fifteenth, and Rick Wooten

(27:23):
sixty four of Krypton died Tuesday August nineteenth. This concludes
the reading of the Hazard Herald. Please stay tuned for
continued programming. Thank you for joining me and on behalf
of everyone here at RADIOI. This is Lee Townshend, wishing
you a good day.