Pikeville, Ky – A Pikeville man is behind bars, charged with kidnapping and fleeing police after a pair of frightening incidents earlier this month. Police say 38‑year‑old Richard May chased a woman near Scott Avenue on January 9, hit her from behind and took her backpack. Later that day, the victim called 911 from the bathroom at a Double Kwik on Bypass Road, saying May was chasing her once again. A warrant was issued, and officers arrested May Saturday after a brief foot chase. He faces kidnapping, wanton endangerment, fleeing police and other charges.

 

Lawrence County, Ky – A Lawrence County oil well operator has been indicted on a federal Clean Water Act charge. Joshua Ferguson of Martha is accused of dumping brine water from oil production into the Left Fork of Blaine Creek on September 3, according to a federal indictment returned Thursday. If convicted, he faces up to three years in prison and a fine of between $5,000 and $50,000 for each day of the violation. A judge has ordered Ferguson to appear in federal court in Ashland on February 12th.

 

Pike County, Ky – One Pike County food pantry is starting over after a fire destroyed its building and supplies. Pastor Tim Coleman of Guiding Light Community Church says crews responded Monday afternoon to a fire at the Guiding Light Food Pantry, calling the damage a “total loss.” He says the cause is still under investigation but is asking the community to pray as the outreach has “lost everything” and needs a new building. The pantry sits on separate property from the church, which was not damaged. Donations to help rebuild can be mailed to Guiding Light Food Pantry, PO Box 125, Regina, KY 41559, and Coleman says they plan to continue serving the community as they are able.

 

Prestonsburg, Ky – A 15-year-old Floyd County student has turned her private reflections into a published Christian devotional. Prestonsburg High School sophomore Carli Artrip wrote “Finding God Between the Pages” from what began as personal journal entries and poems about her faith, saying she felt led by God to start writing and then “the words just started flowing.” She hopes the devotional encourages readers to notice God in everyday life and reminds young people they are not too young to live out and share their faith. The book is now available on Amazon and at Lighthouse Christian Bookstore in Coal Run, with hopes of expanding to more local stores soon