Ashland, Ky – An Ashland daycare is facing a lawsuit that accuses staff of abusing a three-year-old boy in their care. The suit targets the Child Development Center Corporation in Boyd County and nearly 10 employees. Court documents say that in August 2024, a teacher restrained the toddler and forced classmates to line up and spit on him as punishment for spitting on a table. The lawsuit calls the incident “shocking and appalling,” and says the alleged abuse was captured on surveillance video that was described as too graphic for the child’s parents to watch.

 

Johnson County, Ky – A Johnson County woman was injured Friday when a tree limb crashed through the roof of her family’s home and struck her as she slept.  Emergency crews responded to the scene on Witten Lane on Dec. 19, where the woman suffered a deep laceration after being hit while lying in bed. Paintsville EMS treated her injuries at the home and transported her to an ambulance, while Paintsville–Johnson County Emergency Management worked with the property owner to ensure the family had a safe place to stay.

 

Prestonsburg, Ky – Court records show that bond was posted Thursday in Pike Circuit Court for M.K. McKinney. His bond was recently revised by Special Judge Eddy Coleman, a decision that prompted a protest by Spradlin’s supporters earlier this week. Officials at the Floyd County Detention Center confirmed that McKinney was released from custody Thursday afternoon. McKinney and his co-defendants, Dr. Michael McKinney and Josh Mullins, are scheduled for a pretrial conference on Feb. 26, with the trial currently set to begin May 11.

 

Letcher County, Ky – A status hearing for former Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines was abruptly adjourned Thursday after Special Judge Christopher Cohron said issues came up before the proceeding. Stines is charged with the September 2024 murder of Letcher County Judge Kevin Mullins and was brought from the Leslie County Detention Center to the Letcher County courthouse, where the killing happened. Cohron said concerns discussed in his chambers must be resolved first and promised to reset a date for pending motions, including a change of venue and a request to set bond.