Floyd County, Ky – A Floyd County man is charged with misdemeanor wanton endangerment after deputies say he was intoxicated while caring for his 18‑month‑old child. Deputy Austin Branham wrote that social services requested a welfare check March 2 at the Schoolhouse Hollow home of 38‑year‑old Shane D. Burchett, where deputies noticed an overwhelming smell of marijuana and a pipe in plain view and within the child’s reach. Burchett allegedly showed signs of intoxication during sobriety tests and admitted to smoking marijuana while the child was in his care. He was taken to the Floyd County Detention Center on a charge of second‑degree wanton endangerment.
Greenup County, Ky – Crews responded Wednesday afternoon to a fire at Greenup County High School in Eastern Kentucky, according to the Lloyd fire chief. It was contained in one classroom after the school’s maintenance supervisor knocked down most of the flames. No one was injured, and everyone was quickly evacuated. The fire, reported just before 2:30 p.m., started on a second‑floor ceiling and is believed to have been caused by an extension cord. Multiple area fire departments and Greenup County emergency agencies responded.
Perry County, Ky – Rumors and questions are circulating online after 16-year-old Emilynn Clark died in a UTV crash in Perry County on Saturday. Sheriff Joe Engle says investigators; the school district and social services are “turning over every stone” to find the truth. So far, no arrests have been made, but another 16-year-old girl who deputies say admitted to driving the side-by-side has been cited and given a court date, with blood test results pending. Investigators are also looking at possible adult involvement with underage minors and alcohol, including incidents involving volunteer boys’ basketball coach Noah Back, and say serious charges are expected.
Paintsville, Ky – The former operator of a Paintsville clinic has been convicted on federal drug charges. Prosecutors say Jeremy T. Bryson, who ran Appalachian Family Medicine, was found guilty of conspiring to illegally distribute controlled substances, six counts of unlawful distribution, using another person’s DEA registration, and a money-laundering charge tied to buying a Dodge Ram pickup. Between 2021 and 2022, investigators say he ran the pill scheme through the clinic; he’ll be sentenced June 2.
Martin County, Ky – A Martin County man has been sentenced for his role in a Huntington drug network. Prosecutors say 28-year-old Kody Harless of Tomahawk admitted having nearly 5 grams of fentanyl to sell and told investigators he was part of a conspiracy to move meth and fentanyl from Huntington back into Kentucky in 2023.In federal court in Huntington, Harless was sentenced to 106 months in prison. He is one of 27 people indicted in the case, 23 of whom have now pleaded guilty.