Perry County, Ky – A Perry County woman is facing a charge after police say two children were living in filthy conditions. On December eleventh, troopers assisting with a search warrant at a home on Peters Fork Road in Bonnyman reported a strong odor of raw sewage, drug paraphernalia and a marijuana cigarette, along with large amounts of garbage and dog feces inside. Social services took the children into protective custody, and 28-year-old Victoria L. Harris of Bonnyman was charged with endangering the welfare of a minor.
Debord, Ky – A Martin County man is behind bars after deputies say stolen propane tanks from a Dollar General led them to a burn pile and fake money. Sheriff John Kirk was called just before five a.m. on December tenth about two people in a maroon truck taking propane tanks and a storage cage from the Dollar General in Debord. He later found the truck on Davella Road, along with five full tanks, fourteen empty tanks, the cage, and forty-nine-year-old Lonnie Jude. Deputies say Jude was burning plastic-coated copper and clothing, which violates state air-quality rules, and had a dozen fake one-hundred-dollar bills. He remains in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.
Louisa, Ky – A Louisa woman is facing major drug charges after a raid on her home in Lawrence County. Police say 66-year-old Rita Faye Napier was arrested early Friday morning, after officers seized more than 100 grams of heroin, 22 grams of fentanyl, digital scales and plastic baggies from her residence. Napier is charged with aggravated trafficking in heroin and fentanyl and possession of drug paraphernalia. Because of the amounts involved, each trafficking count carries 10 to 20 years in prison, with lengthy parole requirements if she’s convicted.
Hazard, Ky – In August, Kentucky Power proposed raising electric rates by 14.9 percent for residential customers and up to 15 percent for businesses. The plan is drawing scrutiny, and Public Service Commission chair Angie Hatton recently spoke about how regulators balance consumer costs with utility needs. Hatton said Kentucky Power serves difficult, mountainous terrain, making infrastructure costly, and acknowledged the company already has the highest electric rates in the state, so customers are understandably worried. She said the PSC must keep rates as low as possible while still ensuring reliable service. Kentucky Power has requested an informal conference on a possible settlement, and the PSC is holding public comment meetings, including one Thursday at 5 p.m. at the Perry County Courthouse in Hazard.