SEVEN SUSPECTS ACTED AS "CRIME SYNDICATE" INVOLVING THEFT RING ROBBING VENDING MACHINES THROUGHOUT PIKE COUNTY, EAST KY.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- An investigation that was conducted during the last five weeks by the Pikeville Police Department resulted in seven people from three different states facing felony charges in connection with a string of vending machine thefts.

Law enforcement officials said it took investigators in several eastern Kentucky counties to solve the case.

A Pike County, Kentucky grand jury indicted the group on multiple counts for engaging in organized crime, for taking actions together in as a "criminal syndicate".

The grand jury in Pike County indicted Charles D. Perkins, 24, Jordan R. Lemaster, 23, and Alyssa L. Roberts, 27, of Louisa, Seth A. Rigsby, 29, of Martha, Carl Marcum, 28, of Fort Gay, West Virginia, and Amber D. Ely, 30, and Lori Birt of Columbus, Ohio (formerly of Webbville, Ky.).

Pikeville Police said the seven engineered a scheme to steal money from older-model vending machines in Pike County and surrounding counties.

According to Pikeville Police Department Detective Bruce Collins, “They said that they didn't want to tear up the machines as they were doing this because if they tore up the machines, the people who own the vending machines would repair them or replace them and they wouldn't be able to get back into them.”

The Pikeville Police worked with Kentucky State Police and the Louisa Police Department to catch the seven indicted suspects. They say tips from the public and social media helped them identify the suspects.

Charles D. Perkins has an extensive criminal record over the past decade, with a double digit number of arrests on numerous charges in eastern and central Kentucky counties. Perkins was taken into custody Thursday July 7, on the day of his indictment, by deputy Deskins of the Pike County Sheriff Department, where he remains incarcerated at the Pike County Detention Center.

Alyssa L. Roberts is gaining a notorious reputation, as her Pike County indictment marks the second time in the last several weeks she has been indicted on a felony charge while being part of a criminal gang. In May she was indicted on a charge of manufacturing methamphetamine 1st Degree, while acting with the assistance of a total of TEN other Louisa residents. She was arrested by the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department on May 16 on the indictment. She later posted a $20,000 bond. Alyssa Roberts was arrested again by the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department on June 29 for a bench warrant stemming from fines involving a separate arrest December 1, 2015 on charges of • OPERATING MOTOR VEHICLE UNDER/INFLUENCE ALCOHOL/DRUGS/ETC. .08 - 1ST OFFENSE, • LICENSE TO BE IN POSSESSION, • NO REGISTRATION RECEIPT, • FAILURE TO PRODUCE INSURANCE CARD, • DRUG PARAPHERNALIA - BUY/POSSESS. Roberts served a contempt of court sentence for the charges on April 15, 2016, but failed to complete the guidelines of her sentencing . Alyssa Roberts was also charged for a new manufacturing methamphetamine 1st Degree on her June 29 arrest. She now remains in custody at the Big Sandy Detention Center in Paintsville.

Jordan R. Lemaster has been arrested seven times in Lawrence and Boyd counties since December 2011, mainly on minor criminal offenses.

Seth A. Rigsby was arrested by the Louisa Police Department on June 1, 2010, on a felony charge of 2nd Degree Assault, which is a Class B felony, punishable by 5 to 10 years to prison; a charge implying he may have been involved in a stabbing or serious injury of someone during a physical altercation.

Amber Ely, while her address was listed in the indictment as being from Columbus, Ohio, is a native of Louisa. When she was picked up by Louisa Police on a bench warrant charge on May 8, her address was also listed as Columbus. but when she was arrested on June 15, 2016 by the Kentucky State Police, on a warrant out of Campbell County, Ky on a failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge, her address was listed as being from Louisa. The warrant from Campbell County was for an arrest on May 30, 2015, on charges of possession of a controlled substance, 2nd Degree-drug unspecified, and also possession of drug paraphernalia. In the Campbell County arrest, her address was listed as being from Webbville (Lawrence County). She posted a $500 bond exactly one year earlier from her Louisa arreston May 8, 2015. Amber Ely was arrested on unknown charges in Columbus, Ohio, along with another earlier arrest in Columbus on unknown charges on March 14, 2015.

Lori Birt, Like Amber Ely, Lori Birt has her address listed in the indictment as being from Columbus, but Birt is also originally from Lawrence County, hailing from Webbville, and having graduated from Lawrence County High School. Lori Birt may be a 'newbie', for she apparently has no known criminal record.

Carl Marcum, a Fort Gay native, has been arrested twice in Lawrence County, once on August 26, 2015 by Louisa Police for violating a Kentucky EPO/DVO; and again on February 11, 2016 by Louisa Police on a bench warrant charge.

Hours are 8 am to 11 pm 7 days a week; rest of store to reopen as early as 4 weeks...

A manager at Louisa Wal-Mart's SuperStore said this morning that the grocery, deli, pharmacy and health & beauty sections are now open from 8:00am till 11:00 pm seven days a week.

"We are opening new parts of the store as quickly as we can get the trucks in and stock the shelves, she said. "The official date for the reopening back to the 24 hour schedule is four to eight weeks, but we think we can make it in four."

The popular store has been closed since a small tornado hit ground and caused considerable damage to the facility both inside and out last weekend. 

City has $25,000 in delinquent tax bills due, second notice to be sent...

LOUISA, Ky. -- The July meeting of the Louisa City Council covered very little new business, but included some productive discussion concerning various issues. 

The meeting began with approval and discussion of old business, including the second reading of the Ordinance to Establish the Meeting Date and time for the Louisa Public Utilities Board.

For New Business, the City approved the Adoption of the Updated FIVCO hazard mitigation plan, which Mayor Slone explained, the city must have one on file to be eligible for FEMA assistance in the event of a disaster. 

Discussion was made on the issue of delinquent city property tax. City Clerk, Kathy Compton,  provided details of the City’s outstanding unpaid tax bills. Totals for the past 2 tax years were nearly $25,000 in unpaid taxes. 

Lengthy discussion of the delinquent tax issue was determined that a delinquent tax letter be sent as a first step, as Council and Compton estimate that a large amount of the outstanding amounts were just overlooked and could be paid with a reminder.

The city will take further enforcement action as necessary pending results of the delinquency letters. 

Council also discussed the fact that some residents of Lock avenue near Lockview Park are complaining of park patrons being in the park at late hours of the night causing an alleged noise problem, mostly basketballs bouncing and some yelling and fighting. 

Council Member Ronald Cordle said “ I think we need to try to address this issue with less impact as possible.” 

Police Chief Greg Fugitt, advised that "most of the late hour patrons of the Park are there to use the free wifi from the pool and charge their phones at the shelter". 

A park closing time was discussed, which would require an ordinance.

However, as a first step it was determined that the lights and power at the park shelter and city pool wifi would be shut off at a specified time. 

"Council discussed the issue and agreed that we turn off electric at all shelters and Internet from the pool by timer from 12:00am - 8am during the summer Memorial Day to Labor Day,  and 10:00pm-9:00am in winter months," Mayor Slone said. " The new park sign going up soon will have the hours of operation and rules of conduct on it."

Slone said the council hopes these steps will make the park less desirable to stay there into the early hours of the morning. Council will re-assess the issue at a later date to determine if further action is needed. 

Mayor Slone also discussed some street issues that the city needs to address at some point, Including severe flooding on Grant St. as well as a cave-in on Pike Street, near the intersection of Rice St.

Slone said city maintenance workers think they can redo the drainage system on Grant St., using city employees and resources, which would cost significantly less than hiring an outside contractor.

However, he also advised that the Pike Street cave-in, was on a scale too large for the equipment the city owns, and would likely need to be contracted out. 

LAWRENCE COUNTY ARREST LIST JULY 6 - 14, 2016

From 12:01 A.M. July 6, 2016 to 11:59 P.M. July 14, 2016; 115 arrested individuals were brought into the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville, Kentucky. Out of the 115 arrested individuals brought to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in the nine day period of July 6 thru July 14, FIFTEEN arrests were from Lawrence County. 

The number of people booked each day from July 1 thru July 5 at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville was as the following: WEDNESDAY-JULY 6: 16, THURSDAY-JULY 7: 9, FRIDAY-JULY 8: 25, SATURDAY-JULY 9: 5, SUNDAY-JULY 10: 10. MONDAY-JULY 11: 10, TUESDAY-JULY-12: 9, WEDNESDAY-JULY 13: 20, THURSDAY-JULY 14: 11.

THOSE ARRESTED INCLUDE:

Bobby Jordan, 62, of Lomansville, Kentucky; was arrested on July 6, 2016 at 6:04 P.M., by a deputy of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with: • SEXUAL ABUSE - 3RD DEGREE.

Charles D. Perkins, 30, of Louisa, was arrested July 7, 2016 at 7:18 P.M., by patrolman officer Hunter James of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • SERVING WARRANT (FOR OTHER POLICE AGENCY); for a warrant for indictment on organized crime charges out of Pike County, Kentucky.

Jessica Holder, 26, was arrested July 7, 2016 at 9:51 P.M., by an officer of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING OR DISPOSITION SHOPLIFTING UNDER/$500.

Bethla F. Stump, 34, was arrested July 7, 2016 at 9:58 P.M., by an officer of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING OR DISPOSITION SHOPLIFTING UNDER/$500.

Shannon W. Pennington, 44, of Painstsville, Kentucky; was arrested on July 8, 2016 at 9:00 A.M., by a deputy of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with: • DRIVING DUI SUSPENDED LICENSE - 2ND OFFENSE.

Ian K. Vanhorn, 24, of Martha, Kentucky; turned himself in July 8, 2016 at 5:39 P.M., to the Lawrence County Sheriff Department to serve a jail sentence with: CONTEMPT OF COURT LIBEL/SLANDER RESISTANCE TO ORDER.

Travis M. Dingess, 44, of Fort Gay, West Virginia; was arrested on July 8, 2016 at 1:32 P.M., by deputy Chuck Jackson of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with:  • RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY UNDER/$500.

James Z. Howard, 32, of Louisa, was arrested on July 12, 2016 at 5:40 P.M. by officer Billy Slone of the Kentucky Department of Corrections Division of Probation and Parole, and was charged with: • PROBATION VIOLATION (FOR FELONY OFFENSE).

Cole Frederick May, 32, of Martha, Kentucky; turned himself in July 13, 2016 at 12:13 P.M., to the Lawrence County Sheriff Department to serve a jail sentence with: CONTEMPT OF COURT LIBEL/SLANDER RESISTANCE TO ORDER.

Bryan A. Bowen,  23, was arrested July 13, 2016 at 3:15 P.M., by sergeant Ed Cordle of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING OR DISPOSITION BICYCLES UNDER/$500, • CARRYING A CONCEALED WEAPON.

William Robert Holder, 26, was arrested July 13, 2016 at 6:07 P.M., by patrolman officer Steve Wilburn of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • SERVING BENCH WARRANT FOR COURT.

Larry Gene Ratliff, 54, was arrested July 13, 2016 at 8:24 P.M., by patrolman officer Steve Wilburn of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • OPERATING MOTOR VEHICLE UNDER/INFLUENCE ALCOHOL/DRUGS/ETC. .08 - 1ST OFFENSE.

Christopher A. Caldwell, 42, of Fort Gay, West Virginia; was arrested on July 14, 2016 at 10:40 A.M., by a deputy of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with: • KNOW FRAUDULENTLY USE ID CARD OR ELECTRONIC CODE FOR BENEFITS.

Todd Fitzpatrick, 21, of Louisa, as arrested July 14, 2016 at 6:15 P.M., by patrolman officer Steve Wilburn of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • SERVING TWO BENCH WARRANTS FOR COURT.

Jason Maynard, 23, of Louisa, as arrested July 14, 2016 at 7:21 P.M., by patrolman officer Steve Wilburn of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: CHARGES UNKNOWN.

Popular Blaine resident killed while working on vehicle

WEBBVILLE, Ky. -- A local man was killed after a vehicle that he was working on accidentally fell on him near Webbville Saturday morning at around 8:00 A.M.

According to a release, Ferguson was trapped underneath the car and was pronounced dead on the scene due to the injuries he sustained. 

Josh was a resident of Blaine, Kentucky all of his life and was the son of David Michael & Tina Ferguson.

He worked as a mechanic at Louisa Tire & Auto. The entire community is mourning the loss of this young man and prayers continue to pour out as the news spreads. 

The accident is being investigated by the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department. 

See funeral arrangements on Lazer Funeral Notices section HERE.

Tina Jackson appointed to national council on disabilities

Overcoming one obstacle after another and inspiring many along the way, Tina Jackson, a disability rights advocate from Louisa, has been inducted into the Self-Advocate Leadership Circle of the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities. 

At 18 months old, Jackson was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and has overcome adversity with her determination that everyone deserves equality. She is an active advocate for herself and others throughout the state of Kentucky. The Self-Advocate Leadership Circle was established in 2014 to recognize those, such as Jackson, who show hard work and commitment to speak up for their rights and the rights of others with disabilities. Jackson was awarded this honor on June 16 at the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities' annual conference in Washington, D.C.

"I am extremely humbled and I know more people do what I have done," Jackson, who cannot physically speak, said via text message to the Bowling Green Daily News. "I was born with a lot of life challenges and a lot of highs and lows. This induction makes me feel that the work I have done to overcome my challenges has mattered and been recognized and may help others not to give up."

In previous years, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities sent applications to all 56 developmental disabilities councils asking if they were interested in submitting their top self-advocate for the Outstanding Self-Advocate Leader of the Year Award. Donna Meltzer, CEO of NAACD, said that they started the Self-Advocate Leadership Circle when they began receiving so many wonderful applicants for the award and wanted those people directly involved in their organization.

"We recognized that there was a wonderful group of people out there," Meltzer said. "As a national organization that is all about promoting the full inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we believe very strongly in the fact that people with disabilities should be a part of everything that we do."

Meltzer said there is no one particular set of responsibilities the members of the circle have, but what they have is an expectation to use their voice and better the organization. The circle was created to be an integrated part of the organization, not separate. Several members have served on the board of directors, the district planning committee and the annual conference planning committee. All members collaborated to work on a handbook called "The Art of Impact," a reference for self-advocates, new and experienced. Meltzer said she looks forward to working with Jackson.

"I have every belief that if she was submitted by her council and all the great folks there who work with her, that she’ll be an outstanding advocate for us and a real asset to everything that we do," Meltzer said.

For four years, Jackson served as a member of the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities, a group of 16 governor-appointed members. This council is composed of individuals with disabilities, family members of those with disabilities and representatives from major Kentucky agencies that serve people with disabilities. Jackson resigned from the council in 2014 to become site manager of the community initiative. Marylee Underwood, executive director of the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities, said Jackson is a creative and dedicated leader.

"She has worked tirelessly for decades and has rarely been given recognition," Underwood said. "She’s not the type of person who really seeks recognition, so it was really a pleasure to see that people were recognizing the value of her work."

In the 1980s and '90s, Jackson worked in the fields of social work and medical records. It was during this time, her physical condition became worse due to a series of seizures and strokes. For the past 30 years of her life, she has experienced tube feedings, the inability to physically speak and increasing visual issues. 

Problems with eating and drinking brought about the invention of, a now patented, assistive device called The Jackson PEG Tube Stand, created by her husband, Mark Jackson. She now sells the device to assist others in regaining independence after having a percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy feeding tube put in place. Jackson said all she does could not be possible without the love and support of her husband. 

"We work together and do for each other, but he has paid the higher price for my activism," Jackson said. "Giving up his work to be with me. He has been and will be an essential part of everything I do."

Through this next chapter as a member of the leadership circle and all of her activism, Jackson said it is important to her to be visible in the disabled community, especially to young people.

"I remember growing up and not seeing elderly disabled out being involved in the community," Jackson said. "Now that I am 60, I want to be able to be that person young people can see as active and involved, even with my many limitations.”

Equality for everyone is important to Jackson, who has been active in women's rights and racial equality as well. She said it's important for every single person to speak up on equality, social justice and inclusion. One topic she said her energy will be directed toward is cuts to home care for the disabled.

"I am concerned about inclusion in our society," Jackson said. "I am concerned about our country's government and the proposed changes in care for the disabled. We have made many positive changes with the registry of caregivers and the ABLE Act, but much is left to do."

By Hunter Frint
Bowling Green Daily News

LAWRENCE COUNTY ARREST LIST JULY 15 - 21, 2016

From 12:01 A.M. July 15, 2016 to 11:59 P.M. July 21, 2016; 98 arrested individuals were brought into the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville, Kentucky. Out of the 98 arrested individuals brought to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in the nine day period of July 15 thru July 21, 11 arrests were from Lawrence County.

The number of people booked each day from July 15 thru July 21 at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville was as the following: FRIDAY - JULY 15: 23, SATURDAY - JULY 16: 13, SUNDAY - JULY 17: 7, MONDAY - JULY 18: 8, TUESDAY - JULY-19: 17, WEDNESDAY - JULY 20: 13, THURSDAY - JULY 21: 17.

Brian Thompson, 43, of Louisa, was arrested July 15, 2016 at 9:25 P.M., by patrolman officer Hunter James of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • SERVING WARRANT (FOR OTHER POLICE AGENCY).

Inline image 2

Brayn A. Bowen, 23, of Louisa, was arrested July 16, 2016 at 3:04 P.M., by sergeant Ed Cordle of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING OR DISPOSITION SHOPLIFTING UNDER/$500.

Inline image 6

Roger Blackburn, 32, of Louisa, was arrested on July 17, 2016 at 2:00 A.M., by Lawrence County constable Paul Wells, and was charged with: • OPERATING ATV ON ROADWAY, • RECKLESS DRIVING.

Inline image 3

Amber Justice, 31, of Huntington, West Virginia; was arrested on July 17, 2016 at 11:55 P.M., by deputy Dwayne Bowen of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with: • ALCOHOL INTOXICATION IN A PUBLIC PLACE (1ST & 2ND OFFENSE).

Inline image 4

Fred A. McConnell, 39, of Chesapeake, Ohio; was arrested on July 17, 2016 at 11:55 P.M., by Lawrence County constable Paul Wells, and was charged with: • ALCOHOL INTOXICATION IN A PUBLIC PLACE (1ST & 2ND OFFENSE).

Inline image 8

Edric Ball, 27, of Kermit, West Virginia ,was arrested July 19, 2016 at 2:03 A.M., by patrolman officer Julius Musick of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • SERVING WARRANT (FOR OTHER POLICE AGENCY).

Inline image 9

Shawn A. Fitzpatrick, 31, of Louisa, was arrested on July 19, 2016 at 2:48 P.M., by deputy Dave Wallen of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with: • SERVING TWO BENCH WARRANTS FOR COURT.

Inline image 2

Angela N. Smith, 27, of Louisa, was arrested on July 20, 2016 at 5:40 P.M., by deputy Mason Keefer of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with:
• PUBLIC INTOXICATION-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(EXCLUDES ALCOHOL), • FUGITIVE FROM ANOTHER STATE - WARRANT REQUIRED.

Inline image 1

Arthur Stevens, 32, of Louisa, was arrested on July 21, 2016 at 12:40 A.M., by deputy Mason Keefer of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with:
• ASSAULT, 4TH DEGREE (DOMESTIC VIOLENCE) MINOR INJURY.

Nathaniel F Houston mugshot picture
Nathaniel F. Houston, 21, of Louisa, was arrested July 21, 2016 at 4:52 P.M., by patrolman officer Steven Wilburn of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • LEAVING SCENE OF ACCIDENT-FAILURE TO RENDER AID OR ASSISTANCE, • FAILURE OF OWNER TO MAINTAIN REQUIRED INSURANCE/SECURITY, 1ST OFFENSE, • IMPROPER REGISTRATION PLATE, • NO REGISTRATION PLATES, • INSTRUCTIONAL PERMIT VIOLATIONS.

Wilma Shadd mugshot picture

Wilma Shadd, 64, of Harts, West Virginia; was arrested on July 21, 2016 at 8:10 P.M., by deputy Dwayne Bowen of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with: TRAFFICKING IN CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, 2ND DEGREE, 1ST OFFENSE - (<20 D.U. DRUG UNSPECIFIED SCHEDULE 3),• POSSESSION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE 1ST DEGREE 1ST

Lawrence County, Big Sandy region should get in on 'what's hot'

...Others say why -- I say why not?  --  Robert F. Kennedy

LOUISA, Ky. -- Man, it's hot. And it's getting hotter every summer!

And as we wrote a few weeks back in the editorial section one of the best new businesses going on these days fits right in with that trend. Solar energy, both producing it and making the solar panels that catch the sun's power are hot right now. Maybe it's because I wrote about it being a good idea for Lawrence County and the rest of the mined out Big Sandy region to get in on the new solar industry growth, but it seems like there are more and more stories out there about it all the time.

I picked a few from just today's statewide news feed from the Kentucky Press Association. Just from today there are three very good examples of what is going on in our state which currently uses coal (from other states and countries)and natural gas for most of our energy needs.

But 'Things are a changin' as Bob Dylan once wrote and sang.

And with the vast wastelands of stripped mountaintops and valley fills what better place to cover with solar panels since nothing much else will grow there anymore? There is plenty of labor available and students to train to make solar panels in small factories that could and should be located right here where the hills rise above the landscape and are excellent recepticles for the sunlight.

Granted, there is not as much money to be made in doing this as there was in digging and stripping coal out of our mountains, but there is a much better and longer future and we wouldn't be poisoning the air with pollutants from the smoke stacks we have breathed from for a century now.

It is worth thinking about as many other Kentucky areas already are. Why should we spend state and federal monies on training our laid off miners for jobs that aren't there like we have always done? These dollars have been mostly wasted because our workers always go back to coal mining when another cycle comes around and conversley there is nothing to train them for that currently exists as far as industry goes. They get trained and then move away.

The UK Community colleges in our area led by Dr. Davin Stephenson are preparing for a future not based on coal production --  but instead on fiber optics that is an intergral part of the communications industry creating a giant highway through the mountains for high speed internet which will allow thousands of men and women to work from home on their computers and for technology companies that do not have major transportation needs to be created. A $127 million facility is already approved and nearing the building stage to train our miners and students in our high schools.

Why not couple this with another fast moving industry and build solar panels to use on our mine sites?

We have an econimic development department now, so maybe they could check it out.

Here are the three articles I mentioned in today's Kentucky newspapers:

East Kentucky Power unveils plans for Clark solar facility

By Fred Petke
The Winchester Sun

East Kentucky Power Cooperative has filed an application with the Kentucky Public Service Commission to build a 60-acre solar energy facility in Clark County. 

The proposal calls for the utility to install 32,000 photovoltaic panels on property next to its offices on U.S. 60, EKPC spokesman Kevin Osbourn said. Once complete, the panels could generate 8.5 megawatts of energy. 

The estimated $17.7 million project could be completed in less than two years, pending PSC approval, Osbourn said. 

“It will depend entirely on regulatory approval,” he said. “If it is approved, we hope to complete it by the end of next year.” 

Osbourn called it one of the largest such projects in Kentucky, which would be visible from Interstate 64. 

Funding is expected to come from New Clean Energy Renewable Energy Bonds with federal incentives to offset interest, the utility said in a statement. 

Retail customers can receive credits on their monthly bills if they buy a $460 license for a portion of the solar facility’s generating capacity, Osbourn said. The licenses will be valid for 25 years, according to the utility. 

Osbourn said the the program will be comparable to rooftop solar panels for customers. 

The solar facility is also part of a plan to diversify its energy-generating capabilities as well as offer a renewable option for customers. 

“Retail members of our owner-member co-ops will be able to voluntarily participate in a renewable energy program that is competitive with rooftop solar,” EKPC Vice President of Power Supply David Crews Sr. said in a statement. 

While the facility is the first for EKPC, it is not the first in Kentucky. 

Earlier this year, LG&E and Kentucky Utilities opened the E.W. Brown Solar Facility, a 10 megawatt, 50-acre solar site in Mercer County. That project, which became operational in June, will involve 44,600 panels. It was approved by the Kentucky PSC in December 2014. 

The Mercer County site includes a hydroelectric plant, three coal-fired generating units and seven natural gas-fired turbines. 

According to the Kentucky Solar Energy Society, Berea Utilities also opened a solar farm with 120 235-watt panels. Fort Knox also has a 10,000-panel, 2.1 megawatt solar facility.

Harrison County land being assessed by solar panels business

By Mary Meehan
Lexington Herald-Leader

Hundreds of acres in Harrison County are being assessed for what could be the largest solar farm in Kentucky.

Geenex, a solar company based in Charlotte, N.C., is looking at 600 to 1,000 acres, said Garnett Furnish, executive director of the Cynthiana/Harrison County Economic Development Association.

Founded in 2012, Geenex built its first project in Halifax County, N.C., in 2014.

Kentucky currently ranks 45th out of 50 states for use of solar and hydro power. Less than 1 percent of the nation’s solar and hydro power is generated in the commonwealth.

Company officials have been in the area surveying, and preliminary plans have been cleared by Harrison County’s planning zoning, Furnish said. The next step is a ruling by fiscal court.

The proposed $50-million solar farm could increase the area’s tax base if the land is taken out of agriculture use, Furnish explained. Commercial and industrial use are taxed at a higher rate, he said.

It’s unlikely that the company would add any substantial amount of jobs, but some workers may be needed to do basic maintenance on the panels, he added.

At the proposed size, the solar field will be by far the largest in Kentucky, said Donald Colliver, director of the Kentucky Industrial Assessment Center at University of Kentucky.

Kentucky’s current largest field is 50 acres in Mercer County with 44,600 panels, Colliver said. It became fully operational in June. A field the size proposed for Harrison County generates about half as much energy as a standard coal fire plant. The Berea Solar Farm has 246 panels. It opened in 2012.

Kentucky still ranks near the bottom of all states –– for all renewable energy production, at 2.4 percent, and solar is barely noticeable at less than 1 percent of all electricity consumed, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Geenex did not respond to the Herald-Leader’s request for comment.

Report calls for shut down of Owensboro power plant

By Steve Vied
The Messenger-Inquirer

Both units of the Elmer Smith Station coal-fired power plant owned by Owensboro Municipal Utilities should be retired sooner rather than later, and the utility should invest in renewable electricity generation. Converting the Smith plant to natural gas should also be avoided.

Those are the main recommendations coming out of an analysis of the Smith plant conducted by an organization dedicated to sustainable energy production and reducing dependence on coal. The study, produced by the Cleveland-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, was done at the request of the Ohio River Valley chapter of the Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign.

Among other findings, the study written by IEEFA Director of Resource Planning David Schlissel, claim that the Smith plant is long past its prime and will continue to be a financial drag on OMU customers, who are being forced to subsidize the sale of energy produced at the plant and sold on the open wholesale market. It encourages OMU to follow through on its stated plans to shut down Elmer Smith Unit 1 in 2019 and urges closure of Unit 2 by 2022 at the latest.

"Tens of millions of dollars of new investment will be needed to keep the plant running and, using the utility's own analyses, shows that retail rates will increase by 20 percent by 2018 and 80 percent by 2025 if both units at Elmer Smith are not retired," Schlissel said.

The analysis was presented to the Owensboro City Commission at its meeting on Tuesday. It calls for OMU to avoid any commitment now or in the near future to building a new new natural gas plant, or investing in one in the face of declining costs for wind and solar resources. Purchasing power from the wholesale market, including power produced by natural gas, is an option OMU should consider, the study said.

The study also recommends that OMU analyze the costs and benefits of investing in solar and wind capacity.

"Our findings show that the facility is long past its prime, that it cannot compete with other sources of generation, and that, as a result, ratepayers In Owensboro are needlessly subsiding a large portion of the cost of the power from Elmer Smith that is being sold to wholesale customers," Schlissel wrote.

Aloma Dew, a Sierra Club representative and local environmentalist, read a statement to the City Commission that was prepared by Mary Cupp of the Pennyrile chapter of the Sierra Club that calls on OMU to "Make wiser decisions to solve the serious problems caused by our current way of generating energy."

"Owensboro residents cannot be expected to continue to shoulder the high economic costs of operating these antiquated coal-fired power plants that one, rely on an unstable fuel supply; two, lead to poor health and high health care costs due to pollution of air and water from its extraction and combustion; and three, have residential customers subsidize the cost of electric power sold below production cost to wholesale customers outside the Owensboro market," Dew said.

This article contains some opinions of its author...

CIRCUIT COURT DOCKET 

Salyers Sentenced to 15 Years For Complicity To Manufacture Meth, Slone sentenced to 12. Webb is in court once again waiting to see if the Commonwealth will seek the death penalty for the double murder that occurred in Blaine in April. 

Stephen Salyers, 47 pled guilty to the following charges: Complicity Manufacturing Methamphetamine, 2^nd or greater offense. (Amended from Class A to class B) Sentenced to 15 years. Complicity to Possess Drug Paraphernalia, sentenced to 12 months. The following charges were dismissed: Complicity Trafficking in a Controlled Substance 1^st degree, Complicity 1^st Degree Possession of CS/Cocaine, Persistent Felony Offender. Final sentencing will be held on August 23, 2016.

Christopher Caldwell, 43 Was present for arraignment on Fraudulent Use of ID Card of Electronic Code for Benefits. Defendant will remain on bond and pre-trial is set for August 23, 2016.

Jessie Caudill, 32 Defendant filed a Motion for Shock Probation. Motion was denied.

Sharon King, 52 Was present on charges of Complicity Tampering with Physical Evidence. Charge was dismissed without prejudice based on plea of William King.

William King, 57 Pled guilty pursuant to Alford plea. Offered 1 year of Supervised probation with a diversion. Final sentencing will be held 8–23–16.

Robert Locklear, 44 Charged with Flagrant Non Support, trial date set for 11- 14-16.

Jamie Slone, 39 Pled guilty on the following multiple  charges: Complicity Manufacturing Methamphetamine, 1^st offense ( 10 years) Complicity Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (5 years) Complicity 1^st Degree Possession of CS/Cocaine (3 years) Complicity Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (12 months) Persistent Felony Offender was dismissed and all charges on that case ran concurrent. On the second case:  Bail Jumping (2 years) to run consecutive with the first. All together, Slone will do 12 years. Final sentencing will be held on 8-23-16.

Randall Thompson, 53 Was present to face charges of Receiving Stolen Property under $10,000, a

hearing has been set for 8-12-16.

Michael Wilks, 40 Was present on a Probation Revocation Hearing, probation was revoked and Wilks was remanded to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.

Matthew Caudill, 34 Was present on a motion to reduce bond, defendant was given a 10% of the $5000.00, dropping his bond to $500.00. 

William Clift, 28 Was present for a pretrial conference on charges of Theft By Failure To Make Required Property

Rodney Fletcher, 45 Was present for a pretrial conference on Complicity Trafficking In a Controlled Substance, 2^nd degree, 1^st offense (drug unspecified) next court date is 8-23-16.

James Moore, 65 Was present for a pretrial conference on charges of Failure to Comply With Sex Offender Registration and Persistent Felony Offender, next court date is set for 8-23-16.

Jason Short, 37 Was present on charges Complicity Manufacturing Methamphetamine, 1^st offense and Persistent Felony Offender, on a second case he was present on charges of Fleeing or Evading Police, 1^st degree, Wanton Endangerment-1^st degree, and Persistent Felony Offender. His next court date is set for 8-12-16.

Stanley Webb Jr,. 48 Was present for his pretrial conference on charges that stem from the double murder of two of his family member’s back in April. He is charged with 2 Counts of  Murder and Theft by Unlawful Taking. Webb is scheduled back in court on 8-23-16. 

Bobby Wellman, 33 Was present on charges of Flagrant Non Support and Persistent Felony Offender, 2^nd degree. Defendant’ next court date is set for 8-12-16.

Larry Wilbur, 54 Charged with Fraudulent Use of ID Card of Electronic Benefits was present, and his next court date is set for 8-12-16.

'HOMETOWN BOY'

Columbus, Ohio --  I recently caught up with Louisa native and former Lawrence Co. Star baseball player Chandler Shepherd who is playing for Triple A Pawtucket as they traveled to Columbus for a four game series with the Clippers at Huntington park. where I was fortunate to get the interview posted below. Pawtucket could be the last stop for Shepherd, 23, on his way to Boston and his ultimate dream of pitching in the Major Leagues.

As a reliever you never know when they will get to pitch and I was lucky enough on Thursday night to see Shepherd take the mound in a 4-4 game in the 8th inning and all he did was throw the 8th, 9th and 10th innings allowing zero runs, giving up one hit, two walks, one of those intentional to give his team a chance to win in extra innings. The Paw Sox ultimately fell 5-4 in 14 innings.

On the season before Monday night's game with Rochester, Shepherd has thrown in 8 games for the Paw Sox with a 0-0 record. He has pitched in 14 and 1/3 innings, 2.51 era, 4 runs, 1 save and 7 strikeouts on the season.

L to R Bo Brumfield, Chandler Shepherd, Jeff Cyrus and Jeff Cyrus near the locker room before Sunday afternoon's game.

Shepherd had about 25 family and friends make the trip to Columbus for the series which is the closest his team gets to Louisa in the International league.

Chandler with Proud Sister Chelsea

Shepherd is the youngest on the active Pawtucket roster and is well on his way to pitching in the Big Leagues one day soon.

Shepherd walking off after three scoreless innings of relief for Pawtucket.

He is an humble individual with his head on straight with only big things ahead of him in the future. He treated me and my family with class while we were in Columbus.

I also want to thank Joe Santry of the Columbus Clippers and all of the people that I came in contact with whether it was in the press box, ushers, or vendors at Huntington Park. They treated a visitor with open arms and showed me hospitality at its finest.

Shepherd signing an autograph for a young Red Sox fan.

--BO BRUMFIELD

***********************************************************

Pawtucket Reliever and Louisa native Chandler Shepherd

(LAZER INTERVIEW BY BO BRUMFIELD)

"The Mindset coming out of the bullpen it's a little bit different in a tie game you're just trying to get the guys back in the dugout in order to score some runs and get the win," said former LCHS baseball star after a Triple A game with the Pawtucket Red Sox in Columbus, Ohio. "We played in extra innings at home with Columbus and I pitched in that game as well." I came in after Owens and actually gave up a three run home run that tied the game and it turned into 16 innings." I am definitely getting familiar with the hitters now, you get to know them when you have pitched to them four or five times." 

"All of our guys behind the plate are great. You can still be aggressive with your pitches when a guy is setting over at third or maybe in scoring position because I trust all of my catchers, but you can't think about that because when you start taking your foot off the brakes and take a step back you're not on the attack anymore." The walk with a base open is not necessarily a bad thing it puts a double play back in." Bottom line if the guy gets to third he doesn't score its okay he hasn't scored a run unless he crosses Home Plate. At that point in time I wasn't worried. You can't elevate the ball up in the zone and give a guy a chance to hit one in the gap that's the issue that comes into play. You're just looking for hard contact on the ground something down at the bottom of the strike zone, something they get the barrel on top of the ball and chop it into the ground and get a double play." 

"Catcher Dan Butler really worked with me on that sequence It's not always the pitcher we also need our catchers to help us get out of those jams."

I knew in previous outings I hadn't pitched more than three innings. Was I going to go more?  "I don't know.  "Could I have? Absolutely," says Shepherd. "When you walk off the field you fully expect to go back out to the mound." You're not out until the manager comes up and shakes your hand. Once he does that its time to root for the next pitcher going in and try to get a win." 

"I don't necessarily pay attention to my individual numbers. It's nice when people bring it up because I know what level I am at and the talent the hitters bring when they step in the box." Shepherd said. "Its a reminder that maybe I do belong here and maybe I do have the stuff to compete here at a higher level and maybe the next level as well." If I am doing my job as a reliever then my numbers are going to speak for themselves." It's about winning and if your team is winning then everyone's numbers are going to be good and that's definitely a number I look at more than my individual stats." 

"The jump from Double A to Triple A has been the most difficult or where I could tell the biggest difference in play between the levels because half their lineups have been in the big leagues and have seen the best arms in baseball."

With that being said, they are going to hit mistakes and they're not going to swing and help you out with pitches and help you out if you miss out of the zone." They are really disciplined hitters which obviously makes it harder for the pitcher.  From Double A to Triple A my strikeout numbers have definitely went down a lot. It's about getting outs. A strikeout counts the same as a ground out. You have to be really locked in and fine tune your craft. Chandler said. "It's not just throwing a baseball it's actually pitching."

"It's definitely going back to when I was as a kid, My father, grandfather, uncle, and coaches I had growing up taught me you're not just throwing the ball to a spot you're not just throwing it over the plate. It has helped me through high school and college and I have always been able to command the ball in the zone."  Now it is commanding the ball in the zone with three or four pitches, mixing up both sides of the plate. It is almost like a "chess game" with the hitter.  That's something I have been talking personally to the veteran pitchers on our team when I am not pitching.  I spoke with Casey Janssen whose got 9 or 10 years in the big leagues out of the bullpen. I talked to to him about four innings one night.  Chandler said, "Janssen told me that everyone knows everthing about you and you know everything about the hitters." Scouting reports know everything about you these days." 

"The guys are awesome. When I got called up I was a little nervous. You're walking into a new clubhouse and the guys on this team were very welcoming when I showed up which is awesome and helped me to be myself." When that happens it makes it easier on the field." There is always someone I can learn from and being the youngest guy here there are things that I do differently and it's good to get together and talk with the guys about how I would pitch this hitter or how someone else would pitch in order to get the out." I had known some of the guys from Spring Training. Most of the guys here are from Big League Camp and I actually had the opportunity to go over and pitch in big league games in Spring Training."  I got to be around most of the guys and it made it easier when I got called up to Pawtucket." 

"The season is long and the hardest part about playing is being away from my family and not getting to see them that much, It's tough being so far away and they can't come and watch as much as they want."

It was great to be this close to home and see familiar faces in the crowd." I got to come home for two full days and got to sit and relax during the All-Star Break and just spent time with my family. I would have loved to have made it out to the field and saw everyone but the timing just wasn't right." I really do love it when I get to come home and spend time with the teams and see Coach Feltner and those guys." They are always really welcoming when I come back home and giving me a place to work out. If I see some of the younger guys I can help out it's always great and I enjoy it."

"I still maintain relationships with Coach Feltner, Coach Holt, and Dixon. I take a lot of pride in being a Bulldog." Once you are a Bulldog you are one forever.  I like going home and knowing that purposefully or not that I am making an impact on the guys there." That means more to me than anything just because I was there, I was one of them.  It's just a good feeling,  I like being the guy they can look up to and hopefully                                                                                                     setting a good example for them. You can be from anywhere. Louisa, Kentucky you got the best coaches around right there, They're awesome." 

"Every time I pitch, just a simple text message means a lot to me. It nice people are paying attention. You sit down after a game and you have like 20 text messages. It's not just my family.  It's coaches, teachers, everybody. I enjoy it a lot." 

"I want to thank everyone in Louisa for the support and encouragement they have given me.  Coach Dixon always told me "Keep working harder than everybody else."  It sounds different now. I keep telling my cousin Trey Dotson that 'You may not be the best but just keep working harder than everybody else and maybe you will be'.  I love saying that to kids." 

 ****************************************************

 'OH, what a night'...for LC 911 dispatcher

LOUISA, Ky. -- The 24 hours that surrounded July 22nd was not an ordinary shift for one dispatcher at the Lawrence County 911 call center in Louisa.  It was a night she'll never forget. But it shows just how important it is for our 911 dispatchers to be trained properly and have a personality that can work well under pressure. 

The first night a call came in to 911 dispatcher Kelli Fugitt that a lady was in labor, Mrs. Fugitt, wife of Louisa Police Chief Greg Fugitt,  called and dispatched the ambulance and after being transported she later gave birth.

The next day, the call center was again operating business as usual when an incoming call at 6:55 PM from the Right Fork of Laurel Rd.

Dispatcher Fugitt was on duty once again and the caller relayed that a baby had been born, yet the placenta was still in the mother. She and her husband were driving on 201 toward TRMC. Mrs. Fugitt talked the caller through the emergency of caring for mother and child, while dispatching the EMS, Fire Department and Sheriff's office to assist in the field. In the end the EMS went to intercept the vehicle in route to the hospital and  both mother and child made it through the ordeal. 

This was followed shortly thereafter by another call at 1:05 A.M. with the caller stating that a lady was in labor with twins, one baby was out and the other baby still unborn.

Mrs. Fugitt, talked the caller through the situation, while she also dispatched air evac, but they had to abort flight due to the terrible weather, so Healthnet picked up the call. At this time Fugitt talked the caller through the delivery of the 2nd baby, and while the babies were flown out, the mother was taken by ambulance to the hospital.

Again, everyone made it to the hospital safe. Four births in less than 24 hours, three that were born with the assistance of Mrs. Fugitt outside of a medical facility. Pretty rare in any community, much less in Lawrence County. 

"From the time a call comes in to the time it is over, it is a process of teamwork and communication," Fugitt said. "We have some of the best dispatchers, law enforcement, EMS, emergency management, and firefighters in the area. We work well as a team and our community should be proud."

Tim Ellis, 911 Coordinator said Mrs. Fugitt was his newest dispatcher finishing the academy in July of 2015. All 7 of his dispatchers are EMD certified and also certified in telecommunications.  

"They are all great at what they do, and they make my job easy," Ellis said. "I was very proud of the job Kelli did in this case, but I'm also proud of all our 911 dispatchers in every case."

Lawrence County Emergency Management reported: Last report all moms and babies are doing well.

(Names of moms, dads and babies were not available due to HIPPA laws that protect privacy of patients but all were from Lawrence County.)

Congratulations to each family. 

LAWRENCE COUNTY ARREST LIST JULY 22 - 31, 2016

ONLY ONE OUT OF EVERY TEN ARREST SUBJECTS BROUGHT TO THE BIG SANDY JAIL IN THE LAST TEN DAYS WERE FROM LAWRENCE COUNTY...

JAIL ARRESTS THIS PAST WEEK AND A HALF FROM THE THREE OTHER COUNTIES WAS LOWER WHEN COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS TWO WEEKS; BUT LAWRENCE COUNTY WENT DOWN OVER HALF THE USUAL NUMBER. JAIL BOOKINGS WERE JUST A TAD HIGHER FROM THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES IN JULY WHEN COMPARED TO PREVIOUS MONTH OF JUNE. BUT LAWRENCE COUNTY WAS LOWER JULY 2016 THAN COMPARED TO JUNE 2016.

From 12:01 A.M. July 22, 2016 to 11:59 P.M. July 31, 2016; 91 arrested individuals were brought into the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville, Kentucky. Out of the 91 arrested individuals brought to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in this last ten day period of July 22-31, just 9 arrests were from Lawrence County.

The Lawrence County Fiscal Court complained at its June meeting that the jail budget was getting out of hand and that many, if not most, were taken in by the Louisa Police Dept. "to give young officers practice in taking inmates to jail." Judge/Executive John Osborne also complained that the county foots the bill for the transport of the inmates to Paintsville and the city pays nothing.

The number of people booked each day from July 22 thru July 30 at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville was as the following: FRIDAY-JULY 22: 9, SATURDAY-JULY 23: 8, SUNDAY-JULY 24: 4, MONDAY-JUNE 25: 11, TUESDAY-JUNE 26: 6, WEDNESDAY-JUNE 27: 11, THURSDAY-JULY 28: 11, FRIDAY-JULY 29: 10, SATURDAY JULY 30: 15, SUNDAY JULY 31: 6.

From June 1 thru June 30; 355 arrested individuals were brought into the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville, Kentucky. Out of the 355 arrested individuals brought to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in the month of June, 49 arrests were from Lawrence County.

From July 1 thru July 30; 359 arrested individuals were brought into the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville, Kentucky. Out of the 359 arrested individuals brought to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in the month of June, 40 arrests were from Lawrence County.

Out of the 91 arrested individuals brought to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in the last 10 day period of June 23-30, nine arrests were from Lawrence County. Those nine individuals arrested in Lawrence County in the past are the following:

Jasmine Mullins.19, of Louisa, was arrested on July 23, 2016, at 11:29 A.M., by patrolman officer Steven Wilburn of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • SERVING TWO BENCH WARRANTS FOR COURT, • SERVING WARRANT (FOR OTHER POLICE AGENCY).

Broderick N. Cyrus. 39, of Louisa, was arrested on July 23, 2016, at 1:58 P.M., by patrolman officer Steven Wilburn of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • ASSAULT 3RD DEGREE (EMS ,FIRE ,RESCUE SQUAD), • DRUG PARAPHERNALIA - BUY/POSSESS, • POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA, • PUBLIC INTOXICATION-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (EXCLUDES ALCOHOL), • DISORDERLY CONDUCT, 2ND DEGREE, • MENACING.

Roxanne L. Price, 37, of Louisa, was arrested on July 23, 2016, at 9:37 P.M., by patrolman officer Steven Wilburn of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • OPERATING MOTOR VEHICLE UNDER/INFLUENCE ALCOHOL/DRUGS/ETC. .08 - 1ST OFFENSE,
• PRESCRIPTION CONTAINER SUBSTANCE NOT PROPER CONTAINER 1ST OFFENSE, • ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF LEGEND DRUG, • FAILURE TO WEAR SEAT BELTS, • NO REGISTRATION RECEIPT.

B. J. T. Daniel . 32, of Blaine, Kentucky; was arrested on July 27, 2016 at 6:09 P.M., by Lawrence County constable Paul Wells, and was charged with: • THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING Theft of 4-wheeler.

Robert W. Chafin, 39, of Louisa, was arrested on July 27, 2016, at 6:10 P.M., by an officer of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • SERVING BENCH WARRANT FOR COURT.

Christopher J. Borders, 43, of Louisa, was arrested July 29, 2016, at 4:26 P.M., by chief deputy Mark Wheeler of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with: • TERRORISTIC THREATENING, 3RD DEGREE, • WANTON ENDANGERMENT-1ST DEGREE

Christina Collins, 30, of Louisa, was arrested on July 29, 2016, at 4:29 P.M., by patrolman officer Steven Wilburn of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • MENACING, • INTIMIDATING A PARTICIPANT IN THE LEGAL PROCESS

Alexis J. Boyd, 22, of Louisa, was arrested July 29, 2016 at 8:43 P.M., by patrolman officer Hunter James of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: CHARGES UNKNOWN.

Christopeher S. Jones, 31, of Louisa, was arrested July 30, 2016, at 11:14 A.M., by chief deputy Mark Wheeler of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with: • BURGLARY, 2ND DEGREE, • THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING OR DISPOSITION ALL OTHERS UNDER/$500, • BURGLARY, 3RD DEGREE, • PROBATION VIOLATION (FOR FELONY OFFENSE).

Pina Fiesta Mexican Restaurant had their Grand Opening in Louisa June 23rd and they finally got their liquor license this week so they can serve up their famous margueritas with the rest of their delicious offerings from south of the border.

The restaurant has a sister store in Louisville, Kentucky that is also very popular.

Pina Fiesta Louisa is located where Long John Silvers used to be, directly in the middle of town where everything from soups and Mexican tacos to burritos and tortillas is offered. They also serve vegetarian and seafood dishes.

The Special for the time being is a selection of lunches for $4.95 from 11am to 3pm every day!

Click pic to download the Pina Fiesta menu

Pina Fiesta is hosting a Karaoke Night on August 5th, 2016 between 7-11pm according to owner Tino, and main manager, Eric, who encourage and welcome everyone to come enjoy the good food and entertainment. The pair have a custom of not giving out their last names, they said.

The regular business hours include 11am-10pm Sunday through Thursday, and 11am-10:30pm on Friday's and Saturday's. 

Karaoke Night

August 5th, 2016

between 7-11pm

August 9 is last day to register to run for non-partisan offices

Only four have signed up for six seat council

LOUISA, KY. -- Louisa City Council members Lisa Schaeffer and Mitch Castle signed up to run for re-election today making only four of the six spots on the council currently with candidates with the deadline looming tomorrow (Tuesday). And in the Board of Election race only the three incumbents have signed up to run with one day left.

"That is unusual," County Clerk Chris Jobe said Monday morning. "There has always been competition for board seats but so far not so this year." Three of the five board seats are up for grabs on November 8 with current members Jim See, Heath Preston and Barbara Robinson the only candidates so far.

"Candidates can come in on the last day with their two witnesses or pick up the papers and have them signed and bring them back," Jobe said. "As long as they get it done before the close of business hours at 4:00pm." 

Jobe said Louisa Council member Tom Parsons has picked up his papers to run but has yet to actually sign up. 

Former council member John Nolan, who missed the deadline two years ago, was the first to register and Ron Cordle was close behind and then Schaeffer and Castle today. Members Gloria Johnson and Angie McGuire are both runored to be sitting this one out. McGuire is the wife of city Public Works director David McGuire.

LAWRENCE COUNTY ARREST LIST AUGUST 1 - 8, 2016

JAIL ARRESTS THIS PAST WEEK WERE UP IN LAWRENCE COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES WHEN COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS WEEKS.

From 12:01 A.M. August 1, 2016 to 11:59 P.M. August 8, 2016; 112 arrested individuals were brought into the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville, Kentucky. Out of the 112 arrested individuals brought to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in this last eight day period of August 1-8, 13 arrests were from Lawrence County.

The number of people booked each day from August 1 thru August 8 at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville was as the following: MONDAY-AUGUST 1: 12, TUESDAY-AUGUST 2: 17, WEDNESDAY-AUGUST 3: 17, 11, THURSDAY-AUGUST 4: 11, FRIDAY-AUGUST 5: 24, SATURDAY-AUGUST 6: 7, SUNDAY AUGUST 7: 14, MONDAY-AUGUST 8: 10.

Jennifer Napier, 37, of Prichard, West Virginia; was arrested on August 1, 2016, at 7:05 P.M., by patrolman officer Jordan Miller of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING OR DISPOSITION SHOPLIFTING UNDER/$500.

Marcella G. Spaulding, 44, of Louisa, was arrested on August 1, 2016, at 6:55 P.M., by an officer of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING OR DISPOSITION SHOPLIFTING UNDER/$500.

Stevie Mundell, 22, of Louisa, was arrested on August 2, 2016, at 4:44 A.M., by an officer of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • OPERATING MOTOR VEHICLE UNDER/INFLUENCE ALCOHOL/DRUGS/ETC. .08 - 1ST OFFENSE, • LEAVING SCENE OF ACCIDENT-FAILURE TO RENDER AID OR ASSISTANCE, • FAILURE OF OWNER TO MAINTAIN REQUIRED INSURANCE/SECURITY, 1ST OFFENSE

Matthew R. Caudill, 33, of Louisa, was arrested on August 3, 2016, at 2:38 P.M., by patrolman officer Jordan Miller of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • PUBLIC INTOXICATION-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (EXCLUDES ALCOHOL).

Allen J. Jennings, 44, of Louisa, was arrested August 4, 2016, at 10:54 P.M., by deputy Mack Wilhite of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with: • FLAGRANT NON SUPPORT.

Clarence Childers, 45, of Louisa, was arrested on August 5, 2016, at 3:12 A.M., by patrolman officer Hunter James of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • PUBLIC INTOXICATION-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (EXCLUDES ALCOHOL), • THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING OR DISPOSITION SHOPLIFTING UNDER/$500.

Donald Ray Clay, 52, of Louisa, turned himself in August 5, 2016 at 5:40 P.M., to the Lawrence County Sheriff Department to serve a jail sentence with: CONTEMPT OF COURT LIBEL/SLANDER RESISTANCE TO ORDER.

Justin B. Brooks, 31, of Louisa, was arrested August 5, 2016, at 7:37 P.M., by chief deputy Mark Wheeler of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with: • OPERATING MOTOR VEHICLE UNDER/INFLUENCE ALCOHOL/DRUGS / ETC. .08 4TH OR >, • OPERATING ON SUSPENDED OR REVOKED OPERATOR LICENSE, • LEAVING SCENE OF ACCIDENT-FAILURE TO RENDER AID OR ASSISTANCE.

Charles E. Baldwin, 50, of Louisa, was arrested August 5, 2016 at 10:38 P.M., by trooper Daniel G. Vossmer of the Kentucky State Police, and was charged with: • SERVING BENCH TWO WARRANTS FOR COURT.

George Joseph Ramey, 30, of Fort Gay, West Virginia; was arrested August 6, 2016 at 1:25 A.M., by patrolman officer Hunter James of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • DISREGARDING STOP SIGN, • FAILURE TO OR IMPROPER SIGNAL, • OPERATING MOTOR VEHICLE U/INFLUENCE ALC/DRUGS/ETC. .08 - 1ST OFFENSE, • OPERATING ON SUSPENDED OR REVOKED OPERATOR LICENSE, • CHARGE UNKNOWN, • SERVING THREE BENCH WARRANTS FOR COURT.

Richard W. Vanhoose, 34, of Fort Gay, West Virginia; was arrested August 6, 2016 at 1:29 A.M., by patrolman officer Steven Wilburn of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • ALCOHOL INTOXICATION IN A PUBLIC PLACE (1ST & 2ND OFFENSE), • POSSESSION OF OPEN ALCOHOL BEVERAGE CONTAINER IN MOTOR VEHICLE PROHIBITED, • PROVIDING MOTOR VEHICLE TO DRUNK OR DRUG ADDICT, • PERMITTING UNLICENSED OPERATOR TO OPERATE MOTOR VEHICLE,
• OWNER PERMIT ANOTHER TO OPERATE MOTOR VEHICLE WITHOUT/OWNING REQUIRED INSURANCE/SECURITY, 1ST OFFENSE.

Arren Shellenbarger, 20, of Louisa, was arrested August 6, 2016, at 3:55 P.M., by deputy Mack Wilhite of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with: • SERVING BENCH WARRANT FOR COURT, • FUGITIVE FROM ANOTHER STATE - WARRANT REQUIRED

Kizer Sanderson, 25, of Washington Court House, Ohio; was arrested August 8, 2016, at 2:49 P.M., by Sheriff Garret Roberts of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with: • OPERATING MOTOR VEHICLE UNDER/INFLUENCE ALCOHOL/DRUGS/ETC. .08 - 1ST OFFENSE, • OPERATING ON SUSPENDED OR REVOKED OPERATOR LICENSE (TWO SEPARATE CHARGE COUNTS) • FAILURE OF OWNER TO MAINTAIN REQUIRED INSURANCE/SECURITY, 1ST OFFENSE.

No BOE races for first time since 1998;

McKenzie, Nolan will join four incumbents on Louisa city council

LOUISA, Ky. -- The citizens of Louisa and Lawrence County are obviously satisfied with the way things are going at Louisa City hall and at the Board of Education as there will be no real "elections" for the six open council seats and all three BOE incumbents will be unopposed in the November 8 General Election .

Board members will run unopposed for the fist time since 1998 according to records in Clerk Chris Jobe's office. That year Dave Sammons, Mort Mullins and Laura Parker had no candidates sign up to run against them in districts 1, 3 and 4 and this year Heath Preston, Jim See and Barbara Robinson have no opposition in those same districts. This is remarkable considering the rankling that has gone on for the past two decades during the administrations of Jeff May and Mike Armstrong.

Current Schools chief Dr. Rob Fletcher has an ace up his sleeve to go with youth and ability -- he is not a native of Lawrence County and has no axes to grind. Student test scores have improved during Fletcher's two years here and the BOE has more money in the bank than at any time in recent years.

"I have been pleased with the progress that our school system has made over the past few years," See told The Lazer in a prepared statement, "Are we there yet, NO there is still much work to be done!  However,  I believe if a school system is to move forward you must have good leadership and parent involvement.  I think the students from Lawrence County are going to surpass our expectations with future results."

Current board chairman Heath Preston also issued a statement today.

"...Four years ago I decided to run for school board. I knew the heart of this school system was this community and the heart of this community was the school system," Preston said. "I wanted to do what I could to continue all the pride that our community has everytime we put on our Bulldogs, Dragons, and Wildcat shirts and we talk about our schools. You see, this school system had a huge impact on my life and I have always wanted to return the favor. I also believed my experiences in life could help lead Lawrence County Schools to what it's full potential could be. In the last 4 years we have been able to accomplish some amazing progress."

Former city council member David McKenzie, a prominent Louisa businessman who served on the council ten years ago signed up at about 2:00 pm today beating the deadline by just two hours and completing the six chairs open for the council, Jobe said. 

Incumbents Lisa Schaeffer, Mitch Castle and Tom Parsons signed up to run for re-election Friday and Monday and former council member John Nolan registered nearly two months ago -- to make sure he didn't miss the deadline like he did two years ago when he had to run a write-in campaign which garnered over 100 votes but not enough to win. Incumbent Ron Cordle also registered early.

Louisa Mayor Harold Slone did not reply when told that incumbent council members Gloria Johnson and Angie McGuire had not registered to seek reelection.

McGuire, who served only one term, was the leading vote getter two years ago but has raised some eyebrows because she is the wife of a major city department head in Public Works director David McGuire. Slone said Mrs. McGuire "has been an excellent council member and there has been no problems at all with her ethics in the position."

Ms. Johnson has served at least four terms on the council but decided to step away this year because the job was taking too much of her time. "I have grandbabies to watch and a lot of other volunteer jobs so I decided I didn't need the hassle of being on the council," Johnson said. She has been involved in many projects that have helped improve the city and also formerly served as city clerk.

City has 'no solution' for traffic jams near elementary school

The City Council of Louisa met for its monthly meeting Tuesday, August 9 2016 at 7:00pm.  The meeting was opened by Mayor, Harold Slone and the prior month's minutes were accepted into the record. 

There were several topics on the agenda open for discussion.

Mayor Harold Slone, commented that the Council needed to review and discuss the plans for Alise Maynard and the Feed the Hungry program. A request was made that she be allowed to use the Community Center for a charity event to feed the hungry. 

A motion was made by Angela McGuire to allow the group to use the community center the last Saturday of the month for a fee of $20.00 which would cover the cost of cleanup. All council members agreed.

Council then took up the resolution reviewed by the Public Works Committee regarding the discrepancies in Louisa's customer water bills.  A motion was made by Lisa Schaeffer and second by Tom Parsons to approve the recommendations from the committee.  The balance of the bills will be allowed to be paid over the next four (4) billing cycles and that all fees both late and disconnect be waived. The effective date will be Wednesday, August 10, 2016. All members voted "yes" on the motion.

The Perfection Group will have a work session on August 23, 2016 at 6:30pm.

It was reported that all departments within the city, with the exception of the Street Department, were within budget for the year.

The meeting was then opened for audience comments. 

A concerned citizen, Amy Pack, voiced her concerns about the traffic on Jefferson St. during the hours of 1:45pm to 3:30 pm. This is the time that parents are picking up their children from the Louisa East Elementary School.

" I've lived here for years and the problems continue to get worse," she told the council. "Some parents are lining up at 1:45pm to pick up their child from school."   She voiced a concern that first responders could not possibly respond to homes on that street during these times.

Mayor Slone assured her that this problem has been looked at several times in the last few years and that there was no feasible answer at this time. She was referred to the Lawrence Co. Board of Education for possible remedy.  Greg Fugitt, the Louisa Police Chief, stated that all parties were looking at the situation.

Those in attendance were: Harold Slone, Mayor of Louisa, Mitch Castle-Council, Gloria Johnson-Council, Lisa Schaeffer-Council, Tom Parsons-Council, Angela Mcguire-Council, Greg Fugitt-Police Chief

At this time the meeting was then adjourned.

BUSTED!

OWNERS OF TRI-STATE MEDICAL CLINIC, ALONG WITH PRACTICING PARTNER, CHARGED WITH FRAUDULENT ACTS IN ONGOING STATE INVESTIGATION   

 LOUISA, Ky. -- A stunning set of events went down late Friday afternoon, August 12, in Louisa.

A lengthy investigation conducted by the Kentucky Attorney General's office in Frankfort led to a raid at Tri-State Medical Clinic on Highway 644 by a special enforcement unit of the Ky. Attorney General's office. The officers took into custody both the owners of Tri-State Medical Clinic, along with one of the owner's practicing medical physician partner.

Dr. Kevin Gauze, 47, and his wife, Janice Gauze, 46, who are the owners of Tri-State Medical Clinic along with another physician who works at Tri-State; Dr. Alfred Baldera, 63, were arrested on multiple charges involving medical fraud.

All three were taken into custody according to the arrest citations by the Attorney General's Office via Frankfort, apparently involving a special unit of the A.G. office that has arrest enforcement powers. Both Kevin and Janice Gauze posted high-cash bonds within an hour of being booked into the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville, Kentucky in Johnson County. After making their bail and getting released, they in turn also helped get Alfred Baldera released by posting his bond as well.

Dr. Kevin Gauze was arrested and booked Friday August 12, at 4:35 P.M., and was charged with:• UNAUTHORIZED PROCUREMENT OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, • PRESENT FRAUDULENT CLAIMS TO DEFRAUD KMAP OF > $300, • FORGERY OF A PRESCRIPTION 1ST OFFENSE, • DISPENSE, PRESCRIBE, ADMINISTER CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE 1ST OFFENSE, • WRONGFULLY FILLING PRESCRIPTIONS 1ST OFFENSE.

Janice Gauze was arrested and booked Friday August 12, at 4:25 P.M., and was charged with: • UNAUTHORIZED PROCUREMENT OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.

Dr. Alfred Baldera was not present at the Tri-State Medical Clinic Friday afternoon and was not arrested with the Gauze's as he was present at his own medical office in Huntington, West Virginia. Dr. Baldera was arrested and booked later Friday evening, at 7;23 P.M., at his home by the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office. where he was charged by the Attorney General's Office with: • PRESENT FRAUDULENT CLAIMS TO DEFRAUD KMAP OF > $300, • FORGERY OF A PRESCRIPTION 1ST OFFENSE, • DISPENSE, PRESCRIBE, ADMINISTER CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE 1ST OFFENSE, • WRONGFULLY FILLING PRESCRIPTIONS 1ST OFFENSE.

It is not clear yet if the state has ordered Tri-State Medical Clinic shut down.

 Cave dweller among 20 arrested in Lawrence Co. in past six days

JAIL ARRESTS THIS PAST WEEK WERE HIGHER IN LAWRENCE COUNTY, ALONG WITH THE OTHER SURROUNDING COUNTIES STAYING ABOUT THE SAME WHEN COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS WEEKS; LAWRENCE COUNTY WAS UP MORE THAN DOUBLE ITS USUAL ARREST NUMBER AVERAGE OF 12% TO 15% OF TOTAL ARRESTS PER WEEK BROUGHT TO THE BSRDC, WITH IN LAST SIX DAYS AVERAGING FROM NEAR 25% TO ALMOST 30%.

From 12:01 A.M. August 9, 2016 to 11:59 P.M. August 14, 2016; 87 arrested individuals were brought into the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville, Kentucky. Out of the 87 arrested individuals brought to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in this last six day period of August 9-15, 20 arrests were from Lawrence County.

In the previous 25 days in Lawrence County, there were 33 arrests total out of 301 total brought to the BSRDC.

The number of people booked each day from August 9 thru August 14 at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville was as following: TUESDAY-AUGUST 9: 15, WEDNESDAY-AUGUST 10: 15, 11, THURSDAY-AUGUST 11: 12, FRIDAY-AUGUST 12: 17, SATURDAY-AUGUST 13: 16, SUNDAY AUGUST 14: 12.

Those twenty individuals arrested in Lawrence County in the past six days are the following:

Amanda Thomas, 33, of Louisa, was arrested on August 9, 2016, at 10:47 A.M., by Chief Greg Fugitt of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • BURGLARY, 3RD DEGREE, • POSSESSION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE 1ST DEGREE 1ST OFFENSE (DRUG UNSPECIFIED), • DRUG PARAPHERNALIA - BUY/POSSESS, • THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING OR DISPOSITION FROM BUILDING UNDER/$500.

Keith Penix, 25, of Louisa, was arrested on August 9, 2016, at 11:09 A.M., by patrolman officer Steven Wilburn of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • BURGLARY, 3RD DEGREE, • DRUG PARAPHERNALIA - BUY/POSSESS,

• POSSESSION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE 1ST DEGREE 1ST OFFENSE (DRUG UNSPECIFIED).

Christina Collins, 30, of Louisa, was arrested on August 9, 2016, at 6:20 P.M., by patrolman officer Steven Wilburn of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • NO OTHER STATE REGISTRATION RECEIPT, • NO REGISTRATION PLATES, • FAILURE TO REGISTER TRANSFER OF MOTOR VEHICLE, • OPERATING ON SUSPENDED OR REVOKED OPERATOR LICENSE, • PRESCRIPTION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE NOT PROPER CONTAINER 1ST OFFENSE.

Brandon Birt, 29, of Louisa, was arrested August 9, 2016, at 6:36 P.M., by deputy Mason Keefer of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with: • PROBATION VIOLATION (FOR FELONY OFFENSE), • POSSESSION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE 1ST DEGREE, 1ST OFFENSE (METHAMPHETAMINE).

Joey Stapleton, 38, of Genoa, West Virginia; was arrested on August 9, 2016, at 9:58 P.M., by an officer of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • FAILURE TO WEAR SEAT BELTS, • NO OTHER STATE REGISTRATION RECEIPT, • POSSESSING LICENSE WHEN PRIVILEGES ARE REVOKED, • OPERATING ON SUSPENDED OR REVOKED OPERATOR LICENSE.

Joshua Triplett, 23, of Webbville, Kentucky; was arrested August 9, 2016, at 11:37 P.M., by deputy Mason Keefer of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with: • RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY UNDER /$500.

David W. Thompson, 56, of Fort Gay. West Virginia; was arrested August 10, 2016, at 11:40 A.M., by deputy Charlie Curnutte of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with: • SERVING BENCH WARRANT FOR COURT, • MANUFACTURING METHAMPHETAMINE, 1ST OFFENSE.

Shawn A. Fitzpatrick, 20, of Louisa, was arrested on August 10, 2016, at 6:47 P.M, by patrolman officer Steven Wilburn of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • FAILURE TO USE CHILD RESTRAINT DEVICE IN VEHICLE, • OPERATING ON SUSPENDED OR REVOKED OPERATOR LICENSE, • OPERATING MOTOR VEHICLE UNDER/INFLUENCE ALCOHOL/DRUGS/ ETC. .08 (AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCE) 1ST OFFENSE, • SERVING BENCH WARRANT FOR COURT.

Misty A. Borders, 35, of Louisa, was arrested on August 11, 2016, at 4:30 P.M, by patrolman officer Steven Wilburn of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • SPEEDING 15 MPH OVER LIMIT, • FAILURE TO WEAR SEAT BELTS, • OBSTRUCTED VISION AND/OR WINDSHIELD, • NO REGISTRATION PLATES, • IMPROPER REGISTRATION PLATE, • FAILURE OF OWNER TO MAINTAIN REQUIRED INSURANCE/SECURITY, 1ST OFFENSE, • LICENSE TO BE IN POSSESSION,
• OPERATING MOTOR VEHICLE UNDER/INFLUENCE ALCOHOL/DRUGS/ETC. .08 - 1ST OFFENSE.

Justin Fitzpatrick, 25, of Louisa, was arrested August 11, 2016 at 9:05 P.M., by patrolman officer Hunter James of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • SERVING SEVEN WARRANTS (FOR OTHER POLICE AGENCY).

Stephen L. Robertson, 33, of Louisa, was arrested August 11, 2016, at 10:57 P.M., by deputy Mack Wilhite of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with: • ALCOHOL INTOXICATION IN A PUBLIC PLACE (1ST & 2ND OFFENSE), • ASSAULT, 4TH DEGREE (DOMESTIC VIOLENCE) MINOR INJURY, • SHOCK PROBATION IN MISDEMEANOR CONVICTIONS, • CONTEMPT OF COURT LIBEL/SLANDER RESISTANCE TO ORDER, • ALCOHOL INTOXICATION IN A PUBLIC PLACE (1ST & 2ND OFFENSE), • BREAK/FORCE/TAMPER WITH/LOCK/GATE TO ENTRANCE TO CAVE, • ASSAULT, 4TH DEGREE (MINOR INJURY), • CONTEMPT OF COURT LIBEL/SLANDER RESISTANCE TO ORDER, • FAILURE TO NOTIFY ADDRESS CHANGE TO DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION, • NO REGISTRATION RECEIPT, • FAILURE TO PRODUCE INSURANCE CARD, • OPERATING ON SUSPENDED OR REVOKED OPERATOR LICENSE.

Alexis P. Carter, 26, of Kermit, West Virginia; was arrested August 12, 2016, at 12:00 P.M., by chief deputy Mark Wheeler of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with: • POSSESSION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE 1ST DEGREE, 1ST OFFENSE (METHAMPHETAMINE), • DRUG PARAPHERNALIA - BUY/POSSESS.

Dianie Marie Lemasters, 51, of Louisa, turned herself in August 12, 2016 at 12:28 P.M., to the Lawrence County Sheriff Department to serve a jail sentence with: CONTEMPT OF COURT LIBEL/SLANDER RESISTANCE TO ORDER.

Natasha A. Calder, 27, of Louisa, was arrested August 12, 2016 at 3:25 P.M., by trooper Eric Homan of the Kentucky State Police, and was charged with: • RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY UNDER/$500, • SERVING BENCH WARRANT FOR COURT.

Janice Gauze, 47, of Louisa, was arrested August 12, 2016, at 4:25 P.M., by the Office of Attorney General of the State of Kentucky and was charged with: • UNAUTHORIZED PROCUREMENT OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.

Kevin Gauze, 46, of Louisa, was arrested August 12, 2016, at 4:35 P.M., by the Office of Attorney General of the State of Kentucky and was charged with: • UNAUTHORIZED PROCUREMENT OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, • PRESENT FRAUDULENT CLAIMS TO DEFRAUD KMAP OF > $300, • FORGERY OF A PRESCRIPTION 1ST OFFENSE, • DISPENSE, PRESCRIBE, ADMINISTER CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE 1ST OFFENSE, • WRONGFULLY FILLING PRESCRIPTIONS 1ST OFFENSE.

Alfred Baldera, 63, of Louisa, was arrested August 12, 2016, at 7:23 P.M., by the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, via an arrest warrant from the Office of Attorney General of the State of Kentucky and was charged with: • PRESENT FRAUDULENT CLAIMS TO DEFRAUD KMAP OF > $300, • FORGERY OF A PRESCRIPTION 1ST OFFENSE, • DISPENSE, PRESCRIBE, ADMINISTER CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE 1ST OFFENSE, • WRONGFULLY FILLING PRESCRIPTIONS 1ST OFFENSE.

Randy T.L. Justice, 37, of Louisa, turned himself in August 13, 2016 at 3:00 P.M., to the Lawrence County Sheriff Department to serve a jail sentence with: CONTEMPT OF COURT LIBEL/SLANDER RESISTANCE TO ORDER.

Lisa Alexander, 37, of Fort Gay, West Virginia; was arrested August 13, 2016 at 7:10 P.M., by patrolman officer Julius Musick of the Louisa Police Department, and was charged with: • THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING OR DISPOSITION SHOPLIFTING UNDER/$500.

Alison D. Fitzgerald, 28, of Louisa, was arrested August 14, 2016, at 4:55 P.M., by deputy Dwayne Bowen of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department, and was charged with: • THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING OR DISPOSITION SHOPLIFTING UNDER/$500, • ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF LEGEND DRUG, • DRUG PARAPHERNALIA - BUY/POSSESS.