Magoffin County, Ky – A Magoffin County man is headed back to prison after admitting he failed to register as a sex offender. Prosecutors say 42‑year‑old Phillip Harmon of Salyersville pleaded guilty in January. Court records show Harmon was convicted of rape in Scioto County, Ohio, in 2008 and served a 10‑year sentence. In his plea agreement, he admitted moving from Ohio to Magoffin County in 2021 without updating his sex offender registration. On Thursday, a judge ordered Harmon to serve 18 more months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervision.

Paintsville, Ky – A Paintsville official says the city did not know about past concerns involving Officer Michael Bell when he was hired in March. Bell, a former Grayson officer, is featured in YouTube videos by “The Civil Rights Lawyer” that question his role in two arrests there and alleged civil rights violations. Public Safety Director Darrell Preston says Bell’s record with the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council and his personnel file were clear, and prior departments reported no issues. Preston says Bell is on a six‑month probation and will face the same discipline as any other city employee if he violates policy.

Prestonsburg, Ky – Prestonsburg Tourism’s executive director is stepping down next month. Lauren McCoart says she will leave her position for a new job, with her last day set for June 12. In an email to tourism commission members, McCoart called her time in Prestonsburg “nothing short of wonderful” and said the decision was difficult, but she plans to remain in the area and not move from Prestonsburg. McCoart, a Van Lear native and former assistant director of Pikeville Tourism, was hired as Prestonsburg’s executive director in March 2024. She says she hopes a new director can be hired quickly and has already posted the job opening on the Visit Prestonsburg Facebook page.

Pikeville, Ky – A Pikeville woman is facing a felony assault charge after troopers say an argument led to a stabbing injury. Kentucky State Police say 23‑year‑old Heaven Renee Hall’s boyfriend reported she cut his hand with a knife during a domestic dispute at a home on Davis Road early May 24. Trooper T. Spurlock wrote that he later found the victim walking along the road with blood on his left side and a laceration near his left pointer finger, which the man said was from Hall. Hall allegedly told troopers she cut him after asking him multiple times to leave the house and said the knife was on a keychain in her car.   She was charged with second‑degree assault, domestic violence, and taken to the Pike County Detention Center, while the victim was treated at Pikeville Medical Center.