Hazard, Ky – A Hazard woman is facing DUI and felony wanton endangerment charges after police say she caused a serious injury crash on Ky. 80. On February 4, Hazard Police Officer Christopher Caudill responded to a two‑vehicle wreck and reported that 44‑year‑old Jessica Combs smelled of alcohol and had slurred speech and glassy, bloodshot eyes. Investigators say Combs pulled into oncoming traffic from a stop light, seriously injuring the other driver, and court records show she has a prior DUI conviction out of Clay County.
Letcher County, Ky – Former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines is asking a judge to take the death penalty off the table in his murder case. His attorneys filed a motion February 9 requesting a hearing to determine whether he has a serious intellectual disability or serious mental illness under Kentucky law. The motion cites state statutes that bar execution for defendants who qualify and require courts to make that decision before trial. Stines is charged with murdering District Judge Kevin Mullins in a 2024 shooting inside the judge’s chambers at the Letcher County Courthouse.
Pikeville, Ky – Kentucky State Police arrested Joshua and Tiffany McCoy after troopers found copper wire in the back of a pickup on U.S. 23. AT&T had alerted dispatch that cameras showed someone stealing wire from phone lines, and troopers soon stopped a white Chevrolet matching the description. Investigators say Joshua McCoy first claimed he found the wire on the side of the road, but an AT&T representative at the scene had video of the theft and estimated the loss at about three thousand dollars. Both were taken to the Pike County Detention Center, and Joshua McCoy is charged with felony theft by unlawful taking over one thousand dollars.
Floyd County, Ky – At its February 3 meeting, the Floyd County Animal Shelter board heard several updates on the new shelter and ongoing projects. Fiscal Court Grants and Special Projects Director Missy Allen said construction on the new building across from the current shelter should begin next week, once there’s a warm, dry day to level the site, dig footers and pour concrete all at once. Board member and veterinarian Dr. Kate Webb reported the shelter’s new website, floydcountyanimalshelter.org, is now live and accepting donations.