PIKE COUNTY, KY – A Pikeville couple faces multiple charges after a trailer wheel came off their truck on U.S. 23, crashing through the windshield of an SUV and injuring its passengers. Police say Jarrad Wayne Hicks, 41, tried to flee the scene, later found with suspected drugs, and his wife Cara Nicole Hicks allegedly helped hide the truck. Both were arrested for leaving the scene and other offenses. The injured SUV occupants—a child and an adult—were treated at Pikeville Medical Center.

 

LETCHER COUNTY, KY – A Letcher County man, Lawrence Eugene Halcomb, was sentenced Wednesday to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to the 2023 murder of Vanessa Halcomb and her unborn child in Linefork. Halcomb admitted to the killings and accepted a plea deal, sparing the victim’s family from a trial. Commonwealth’s Attorney Matt Butler says the sentence ensures Halcomb will never return to the community. Halcomb was previously charged with arson and endangerment in 2012.

 

ROWAN COUNTY, KY – The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to find 50-year-old Jonathan Ploof. He was last seen on August 3rd near Burger King and Walmart in Morehead. Ploof had been camping in Daniel Boone National Forest and does not have a vehicle. He’s known to walk along the highway. If you have any information, please contact the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office immediately.

 

AUXIER, KY – A Floyd Circuit Judge has ruled that Larry Johnson, accused of killing Steven Adkins near the Auxier bridge in April, will not see his $1 million bond reduced. Johnson’s attorney argued evidence shows Adkins struck Johnson before the shooting and had meth in his system, but prosecutors said nothing materially changed in the case. Johnson remains jailed, with the next hearing set for November 20th.