Perry County, Ky – Two more people are behind bars in a Perry County murder case. Deputies say 27‑year‑old Ryan Huff was found shot to death outside an apartment building in the Darfork area Tuesday morning. Danny “Blue” Asher was arrested earlier this week and charged with murder. Now, 49‑year‑old Brian Smith of Locust Street in Hazard is also charged with murder, and 37‑year‑old Maranda “Kat” Connor of Hazard is charged with hindering apprehension. Sheriff Joe Engle says Smith and Connor were arrested in Leslie County on unrelated charges, and deputies say more arrests are possible.
Letcher County, Ky – Special Judge Christopher Cohron will stay on the Shawn Mickey Stines murder case. Stines is the former Letcher County sheriff charged with murdering District Judge Kevin Mullins in the judge’s chambers last September. Defense attorneys wanted Cohron to step aside after learning he sat next to Mullins at a judicial conference a week before the shooting. But on Friday, Cohron refused to recuse, saying their relationship was only professional, and he could be fair.
Floyd County, Ky – Three people have been sentenced in separate drug cases in Floyd County. Floyd Circuit Judge Johnny Ray Harris sentenced 57‑year‑old Roy Gipson of Limestone Branch, Salyersville, to 12 years in prison on two cases, after he pleaded guilty to aggravated fentanyl trafficking, meth trafficking and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Also on February 19, Harris sentenced 42‑year‑old Basel Moore Jr. of McDowell to 10 years for first‑degree meth trafficking under a plea deal that led to other charges being dismissed. And 52‑year‑old Malcom Wallen of Garrett was given a total of five years for two counts of first‑degree meth trafficking, in line with recommendations from Commonwealth’s Attorney Brent Turner’s office.
Frankfort, Ky – House Bill 368, filed January 14, would require Kentucky to observe U.S. standard time year‑round starting October 21, 2026, if it becomes law. The measure is sponsored by Representatives Steven Doan, Josh Calloway, Kim Banta, Emily Callaway, John Hodgson, Marianne Proctor and T.J. Roberts. Federal law lets states stay on standard time permanently, and Hawaii and most of Arizona already do not observe daylight saving time. Similar bills have been filed in recent years, but none have cleared the General Assembly.