Johnson County, Ky – A Lawrence County man is facing multiple charges, including second‑degree assault, after a series of incidents in Johnson County. Deputy Darvin Marsillett says 31‑year‑old Dallas T. Cantrell of Martha was reported May 13 for trying to fight someone and was stopped in a Ford F‑150 matching the suspect vehicle. The deputy says Cantrell smelled strongly of alcohol, refused field sobriety tests, and threatened to fight him and a Paintsville officer. Cantrell allegedly became combative, tried to kick the deputy, and later tried to kick out a cruiser window before officers used OC spray. Marsillett later learned Cantrell had tried to run over one person and ran over another person’s foot. Cantrell was taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, charged with DUI with aggravating circumstances, resisting arrest, second‑degree assault, wanton endangerment and several other offenses.
Ashland, Ky – Kentucky State Police are investigating a fatal crash that happened around 8:30 Sunday night in Ashland. The crash occurred near the intersection of Winchester Avenue and 25th Street and involved a pickup truck and a motorcycle. The motorcycle’s driver, a man, and his female passenger were both pronounced dead at the scene. Officials say both were wearing helmets. Agencies assisting included Ashland Fire Department, Ashland Police and Boyd County EMS. The victims’ identities are being withheld until family is notified, and the crash remains under investigation by Kentucky State Police.
Johnson County, Ky – The Johnson County Fiscal Court has voted to rename the playground in Thealka as the Tucker Daniel Park and Playground, honoring former Judge-Executive Roger T. “Tucker” Daniel. Judge-Executive Mark McKenzie said county leaders had been looking for a way to recognize Daniel’s years of service and his role in keeping the county fiscally sound and prepared for the future. A resolution noted that Daniel served as judge-executive from 1998 to 2018 and credited him with work on roads, water and sewer projects, public facilities, and support for fire departments, seniors and veterans, as well as youth programs and civic groups.
Hazard, Ky – A former Kentucky River Regional Jail administrator has pled guilty to charges tied to the theft of thousands of dollars from the jail and the Kentucky Association of Counties in Hazard more than a decade ago. Officials report Tim Kilburn pled guilty to three misdemeanor counts of official misconduct and one count of abuse of public trust. Court documents say he took cash from workers’ compensation checks and about ten thousand dollars from jail accounts for personal expenses. Kilburn will repay thirty thousand dollars as part of a plea deal and faces up to five years in prison, with his next court date set for June twenty-fifth.