PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The Pike County Board of Education is asking a judge to dismiss a federal lawsuit challenging its mask mandate.

The lawsuit was filed back in October by Mikey Ratliff, of Pikeville, on behalf of his daughter, who is a student, and by Levi Newsom, of Jenkins. The lawsuit seeks to have the mask mandate declared illegal and unconstitutional, and is largely a copy of similar lawsuits filed around the country.

A motion filed this week by the board attorney seeks to have the case dismissed because of longstanding legal precedent disallowing non-attorneys from representing others in court.

The motion argues the case must be thrown out because Ratliff cannot represent his daughter in the lawsuit.

A judge will rule on the request after Ratliff and Newsom have a chance to respond.

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Tuesday was the annual Pike County High School Spelling Bee. Students from each high school in the county, including Pikeville High School, participated.

Twenty-one students were competing for the top prize. One winner is crowned for each grade level.

The winners of each grade then compete for first-, second- and third-place in the overall category.

“Spelling plays an important part in many subjects,” says organizer Cassie Goff. “It’s definitely needed for reading and English. It’s very important in everything we do. Aspects of daily life even.”

WINNERS:

9th grade – Ryan Varney (Belfry High School)

10th grade – Lakin Puckett (East Ridge High School)

11th grade – Nancy Brown (East Ridge High School)

12th grade – Austin Dillon (Belfry High School)

2nd overall runner-up – Lakin Puckett (East Ridge High School)

1st overall runner-up – Nancy Brown (East Ridge High School)

Grand champion – Austin Dillon (Belfry High School)

Coach of the Year – Amy Moore (East Ridge High School)

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BELFRY, Ky. — The Pike County Board of Education hosted its annual spelling bee, today, for all area schools. The 2017 Pike County Elementary School Spelling Bee was held at Belfry High School for students in fourth through eighth grades. Around 65 students participated in the event. All county grade schools and Pikeville Independent were invited to attend. Each grade level had first and second place winners. Those winners competed in the final round. The final round winner will now advance to the state competition. Organizers say spelling bee’s teach children more than just spelling.

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East Kentucky Broadcasting also played a role in the event. Our very own Shelby Porter acted as the 2017 Pike County School Spelling Bee Pronouncer.

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