Salyersville, Ky – A Magoffin County man is facing a felony assault charge after Kentucky State Police say he attacked his ex-wife over the weekend. Troopers responded to a reported domestic disturbance Saturday on Wright Upholstery Road, where the victim was found with a severe head wound and multiple bruises. Investigators say 53-year-old Brian Pennington struck the woman with a wooden object before assaulting her. Pennington was later stopped on the Mountain Parkway and taken into custody. He’s now charged with second-degree assault and is being held at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.
Letcher County, Ky – Kentucky State Police are investigating a motorcycle crash that claimed the life of a Letcher County man. Troopers say the crash happened Wednesday evening on Route 1103 at Linefork when 67-year-old Charles Bentley’s motorcycle left the roadway and struck a tree. Bentley and his passenger were airlifted to Johnson City Medical Center, where Bentley later died from his injuries on Friday. Police say both riders were wearing helmets. An autopsy has been scheduled, toxicology results are pending, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Paintsville, Ky – A Morgan County man is facing drug charges following a traffic stop in Paintsville. Police say officers stopped a Ford Explorer on U.S. 23 Sunday night, and a K-9 alerted to the vehicle. Investigators say they recovered suspected methamphetamine from 66-year-old Tommy Joe Davis as he exited the SUV, along with another suspected controlled substance inside the vehicle. Davis was arrested and charged with trafficking in a controlled substance and possession of methamphetamine. He is being held at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.
Martin County, Ky – A Pike County man has been charged with assault following a property dispute that turned violent near the Martin County line. Kentucky State Police say an argument between neighbors escalated when 27-year-old Robert Blankenship Jr. allegedly struck Ethan Marcum with his vehicle after arriving at the scene. Marcum suffered a knee injury and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Witnesses told troopers Marcum’s account matched what they saw. Blankenship Jr. was arrested and charged with second-degree assault and lodged in the Pike County Detention Center.