Paintsville, KY – Update on original story that was published on July 13th, 2023 – A doctor out of Paintsville who was charged with five counts of unlawful drug distribution is now in federal court as he is on trial for the drug charges. Dr. Loey Kousa was also charged with two counts of lying in connection with healthcare benefits and two counts of healthcare fraud. According to the indictment, Dr. Kousa allegedly wrote prescriptions for opioids to patients who didn’t have a legitimate medical reason for the opioids. He would also have patients return for unnecessary medical tests. The trial is being held in London and is currently underway. UPDATE: Dr. Loey Kousa was found not guilty of all counts (1-9) of the Indictment by a jury of his peers. IT IS ORDERED that the Defendant is acquitted, discharged from any supervision or conditions, and any bond is exonerated as to Counts 1-5, Counts 6 and 7, and Counts 8 and 9.
Johnson County, Ky – Paintsville Police say they were called Friday afternoon about a woman passed out in a vehicle outside a daycare on Stafford Avenue. Officers say 52‑year‑old Sandra Goble was found in the driver’s seat of a Toyota Camry with the keys in the ignition. Daycare staff told police she came to pick up her grandson, who had not been enrolled there for about two years. Police say Goble refused parts of a field sobriety test, showed signs of impairment and resisted as officers took her into custody. A search of the vehicle turned up drug paraphernalia and a loaded syringe, and a field test indicated the substance was methamphetamine. She was taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center and charged with first‑offense DUI, disorderly conduct, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest and first‑degree possession of a controlled substance.
Hazard, Ky – Two Knott County residents were killed Sunday in a crash involving a Kentucky State Police SUV in Hazard. Troopers say a Post 13 unit was responding to an emergency in Knott County, heading east on KY 80, when a westbound vehicle tried to turn left onto Perry Circle Road and pulled into its path. The vehicles collided at the intersection. The trooper suffered serious but non‑life‑threatening injuries and was flown from Hazard ARH to UK Hospital. The Perry County Coroner identified the victims in the other vehicle as 69‑year‑old Edward Dewayne Reynolds of Mallie and 50‑year‑old Christa Slone of Leburn. The crash remains under investigation by KSP’s Critical Incident Response Team.
Floyd County, Ky – A Jefferson County man is facing charges after police say he assaulted first responders at the scene of an injury crash in Stanville. Trooper Jacob Williams with Kentucky State Police says he was called March 21 to a wreck on U.S. 23, where a seriously injured woman fled to a nearby apartment. Responders say a man from her vehicle blocked the staircase and refused to let them reach her or allow officers upstairs. The man, identified as 46‑year‑old Donald Clark of Louisville, allegedly came at responders aggressively, kicking a firefighter and headbutting Trooper Williams before being taken into custody. No one was injured, and Clark was lodged in the Floyd County Detention Center.
Prestonsburg, Ky – Kentucky homeowners can now apply for grants of up to ten thousand dollars to strengthen their roofs against severe weather through the new Strengthen Kentucky Homes program. The state‑funded effort, backed by five million dollars from the General Assembly, helps eligible homeowners install fortified roofs designed to better withstand high winds and hail and potentially lower insurance costs. Roofs must meet Fortified standards set by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. To learn more or apply, visit S‑K‑H dot K‑Y dot gov.
Floyd County, Ky – A Pike County man is facing DUI and wanton endangerment charges after a single‑vehicle crash in Floyd County. Prestonsburg Police say Officer Kaden Conn was called March 19 to a wreck on U.S. 23 at Holiday Inn Hill and found the driver, 68‑year‑old Joe M. Stanford Jr. of Pikeville, smelling strongly of alcohol. Witnesses later showed Conn video of Stanford’s vehicle swerving through the median, into oncoming lanes and then into a rock wall. Stanford was taken to Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center, where police say a blood test was conducted. He was cited to court for first‑offense DUI with aggravating circumstances, first‑degree wanton endangerment and a traffic violation.