Pikeville, Ky – Pikeville Mayor Jimmy Carter says he is withdrawing from next year’s non-partisan mayoral race, after reflecting on his family over Thanksgiving. Carter first won the office in 2014 and has been re-elected every term since. He recently filed to seek another four-year term, but says stepping aside now is best for the city and for his own long-term plans. He says the decision lets him focus on his duties through 2026, while making room for new leadership and ideas.

 

Hindman, Ky – Two people were hospitalized after a Kentucky State Police cruiser collided with a passenger car on Tuesday evening in Knott County’s Hindman community. The crash happened around 5:19 p.m. on KY-80 East. Trooper Anthony Bersaglia, driving from Post 13 to his garage for cruiser maintenance, rear-ended Debroah Wallen’s vehicle. Wallen and her juvenile passenger suffered possible minor injuries and were taken to Hazard ARH. Bersaglia was unhurt. KSP is reconstructing the incident.

 

Inez. Ky – Deputies in Martin County arrested a 36-year-old Inez man after a reported domestic assault just before midnight on November 28th. A woman at the home told deputies Michael Roy Harmon hit her in the face four or five times and pulled her hair during an altercation. She said the assault busted her lip and blackened her eye. Deputies reported she had visible injuries and found loose hair in the area. Harmon was charged with fourth-degree assault, domestic violence with minor injury.

 

Pikeville, Ky – Special Judge Eddy Coleman has ordered felony mediation in the Floyd County case tied to the death of Amber Spradlin. The trial is currently set for May 11, but Coleman has asked former Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. to mediate. In felony mediation, a neutral third party helps the sides explore a possible resolution, but any final decision is up to the parties. Attorney Mark Wohlander, who represents Spradlin’s family, said on December 3 the family is open to mediation but only if certain conditions are met before any resolution.

 

Inez, Ky – Martin County Sheriff John Kirk is urging fiscal court members to act on what he calls a growing hazard along New Route 3: feral horses being drawn to salted roads. He told magistrates he’s getting calls about horses tearing up yards and standing in traffic and warned that “somebody is going to get killed” if they are not removed. Kirk said he has corrals, trailers and hay and is willing to help round up the animals but needs the court’s authorization and volunteers to safely corral and relocate them.