A local economic development diversification organization is seeking a new director.

Shaping Our Appalachian Region, or SOAR, has launched a statewide search for its next leader. The organization has announced that founding Executive Director Jared Arnett has announced he is stepping down at SOAR effective in October to work more closely with his church and a business he co-founded. Arnett has served at SOAR since it was founded in 2013.

Letters of interest and resumes for the Executive Director position must be submitted by the close of business on Aug. 14. SOAR says Arnett will remain as executive director until a successor is named. SOAR anticipates a selection to be made by Sept. 30.

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The Pike County Health Department has issued an advisory for patrons of two Pike County business of a possible, low-risk COVID-19 exposure.

The health department is advising patrons of Bank 253 Restaurant and Night Life in downtown Pikeville and of Food City at Shelbiana to consider being tested for COVID-19 if they visited those locations within a week’s span earlier this month. The possible exposure at Food City occurred July 15, 16 and 18, and the possible exposure at Bank 253 occurred July 20, 21 and 22.

The health department is also advising patrons who visited those businesses on those days to consider self-isolating and monitoring themselves for symptoms of COVID-19. The health department emphasized that the risk of exposure is low.

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The Pikeville Independent Schools District has revealed its opening plans for the 2020-21 school year, and the plan includes both in-person and virtual learning.

In a Facebook Live announcement on Wednesday, new Pikeville Superintendent David Trimble announced that the school district will open the school year with students attending in-person classes two days per week and taking part in virtual learning outside of the classroom three days per week. The opening schedule is part of an overall schedule for the first several weeks of school that includes plans for part-time in-person classes, full-time in-person classes and full-time virtual learning.

Parents who chose to enroll their students in full-time virtual learning will be allowed to do so.

Trimble said the fall 2020 semester will begin for students Aug. 26, with staff members returning Aug. 17. The last day for students is scheduled for May 28, 2021.

The school district will operate using a three-model plan: Yellow, Green and Red.

The Yellow model will see students attending classes two days per week in groups designated “A” and “B”. The district will begin the school year under the Yellow model, with hopes of returning to full-time, in-person classes in September, but the Yellow model could extend to at least Fall Break, Trimble said.

A return to traditional five-days-per-week, in-person classes would occur under the district’s Green model.

The Red model would see students take part in full-time virtual learning. Whichever model is used will be determined using public health guidance based upon the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

The district’s “A” and “B” groups will be determined by the school district without parent input, Trimble said. Each group will be determined based upon household in order aid parents with childcare. Each group will attend classes under the following schedule:
• Group A — in the classroom Aug. 26 and 31, and Sept. 2, 8 and 10.
• Group B — in the classroom Aug. 27 and Sept. 1, 3, 9 and 11
• Remote learning (NTI) will be held Aug. 28 and Sept. 4

Trimble also announced that students riding buses will have assigned seats and must wear masks, per state health guidance. He also said students dropped off at school will be subject to temperature checks before they are permitted entrance into school buildings. Students with temperatures of 100.4 degrees or higher will be sent home for at least 72 hours.

Trimble said the district took parent input into consideration in making the plans. He said the district receive more than 600 surveys back from parents, and approximately 85 percent of parents have indicated they want their student to return to in-person classes.

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Kentucky has set an alarming new mark in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

On Sunday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that the state has confirmed 979 new COVID-19 cases, setting a new high for new daily cases. The new case count far eclipses the previous one-day high mark, which was 625 new cases announced May 5. Of those 625 cases, more than 300 were from a single prison at which all of the prison’s inmate population were tested.

Beshear said Sunday’s new high mark should give Kentuckians pause as the state continues to battle the pandemic.

“This ought to be a wake-up call to everybody,” Beshear said. “Whether it’s the folks out at a baseball field that are all sitting on a bleachers together not wearing masks, or whether it’s those that don’t think that this thing is truly spreading and can harm people. This is a rough day for the Commonwealth.”

Beshear said among the 979 new cases in Kentucky announced Sunday, 30 of those were children under the age of 5.

Beshear also announced three new deaths on Sunday. Those included a 67-year-old woman from Clark County; a 74-year-old woman from Jefferson County; and a 58-year-old man from Oldham County.

The new daily high comes a day after Beshear announced that the state had seen its second-highest daily case increase Saturday, when the governor announced 583 new COVID-19 cases.

“It’s dangerous time, and it can’t be explained away by our increase in tests, 529,481 (total tests administered),” Beshear said Saturday, adding that the positivity rate as of Saturday had increased to 4.66 percent, an increase from 4.19 percent on Friday.

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Several new cases of COVID-19 have been reported across the region.

In Pike County, the Pike County Health Department is reporting six new cases of COVID-19. Among those are a 53-year-old symptomatic male, a 24-year-old symptomatic female, a 36-year-old symptomatic male, a 22-year-old symptomatic female, a 28-year-old symptomatic male and a 58-year-old symptomatic female. The health department says all of the new cases are isolating at home.

Pike County now has a total of 149 COVID-19 cases, with 34 of those cases currently being active. The county has experienced three deaths and 112 COVID-19 patients have recovered.

Local health departments are also reporting one new COVID-19 case each in Letcher and Floyd counties.

The Kentucky River District Health Department is reporting that a 61-year-old male is Letcher County’s latest COVID-19 patient. The county now has 23 total cases, with 19 confirmed recoveries.

The Floyd County Health Department says the county has one new COVID-19 patient. The patient, the health department says, is isolating at home. Neither age, nor demographic information was released for that patient. According to the state’s COVID-19 information website, Floyd County now has 51 total COVID-19 cases.

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Several local government entities received portions of millions of dollars in CARES Act reimbursements.

Gov. Andy Beshear’s Office announced on Thursday that the Pike County government, as well as the cities of Coal Run Village, Hazard, Fleming-Neon, Pikeville and Prestonsburg, all received funding for reimbursements of expenses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. The total reimbursements announced Thursday amounted to more than $5.5 million.

According to Beshear’s office, Pike County received more than $56,000 to cover testing site costs, PPE, sanitizer and disinfectant, and costs to quarantine infected employees. Coal Run will receive more than $108,000 in reimbursements for expenditures including police payroll. Fleming-Neon will receive nearly $25,000 for police payroll. Pikeville will receive $477,000 for supplies, telework equipment and payroll for firefighters and EMS workers. And Prestonsburg will receive more than $118,000 for payroll expenses, supplies and small business grants.

According to Beshear’s office, Johnson County and the City of Whitesburg have received preliminary approval for reimbursement funds. Johnson County will receive more than $97,000 and the City of Whitesburg will receive nearly $74,000.

The complete list of allocations announced Thursday can be found below.

From Gov. Andy Beshear’s office:

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 16, 2020) – In collaboration with the Department for Local Government (DLG), today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced 22 eastern Kentucky governments have applied for and been granted $5,523,949 in reimbursements from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act for local governments with expenses related to COVID-19.

Eighteen others have received preliminary approval, meaning they will receive reimbursements once final documentation is submitted to DLG.

“Our local governments have been life lines in our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why this funding is so important,” said Gov. Beshear. “We are grateful for their hard work and dedication to keeping Kentuckians safe.”

DLG Commissioner Dennis Keene mentioned how essential reimbursements are for local governments. “We know our local governments are experiencing decreases in revenue, making this funding even more important while we combat this crisis,” said Commissioner Keene. “Our staff is working diligently to make the process simple and efficient so we can get reimbursements out the door to our cities and counties as quickly as possible.”

Bell County
Bell County will use $332,732 for payroll for the sheriff’s department and first responders.

Boyd County
Boyd County will use $632,541 for payroll for the sheriff’s department.

Elliott County
Elliott County will use $24,645 for payroll expenses.

Fleming County
Fleming County will use $112,658 for law enforcement payroll, disinfecting supplies and PPE.

“With the unbudgeted, high cost of the COVID-19 response, CARES funding will be a life saver for county governments,” said Fleming County Judge-Executive Larry Foxworthy.

Lee County
Lee County will use $183,656 for payroll expenses for first responders.

McCreary County
McCreary County will use $393,943 for thermometers, PPE, payroll expenses, meal delivery for seniors and telecommuting supplies.

Montgomery County
Montgomery County will use $326,222 for payroll expenses and disinfectant for public buildings.

Pike County
Pike County will use $56,091 for testing site costs, PPE, sanitizer and disinfectant and costs to quarantine infected employees.

Rowan County
Rowan County will use $474,416 for sanitization supplies and payroll for first responders.

“The aid Rowan County has received in our battle against COVID-19 has been invaluable,” said Rowan County Judge-Executive Harry Clark. “Just like many counties across the Commonwealth, this situation has placed undue hardship on our budget. The funding we have received from the CARES Act is being used to supplement our emergency operations, local law enforcement, emergency medical services and other costs associated with the pandemic.”

Whitley County
Whitley County will use $524,735 for cleaning supplies, signs to encourage social distancing and payroll for law enforcement, emergency management and EMS personnel.

“Whitley County was in dire need due to the economic decline brought about by the COVID-19 Pandemic,” said Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White, Jr. “This funding is crucial for the recovery of our county. Thanks to Gov. Beshear for obtaining this funding and to his staff for their assistance. They were very cooperative.”

Booneville
The City of Booneville will use $12,140 in reimbursements for telework equipment.

Coal Run
The City of Coal Run will use $108,435 in reimbursements for cleaning supplies, PPE and police payroll.

“The CARES Act funding announced today is much needed and will stabilize the finances of many Kentucky cities and counties who are currently struggling with the enormous cost of proactively responding to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Coal Run Mayor Andrew H. Scott. “Without it, many local governments would quickly become insolvent. I’m grateful to Gov. Beshear, his administration and our federal congressional delegation for recognizing our needs and making sure these funds were dispensed both quickly and proportionally.”

Hazard
The City of Hazard will use $359,316 for PPE and payroll for police officers.

“Being able to obtain this funding is great for the City of Hazard,” said Hazard Mayor Donald “Happy” Mobelini. “This will allow us to obtain reimbursement for salaries paid to members of the police department and fire department for their efforts in combating this pandemic. Our occupational tax has been hit hard the past few months and we are really thankful for this aide.”

Fleming-Neon
The City of Fleming-Neon will use $24,981 for payroll for police officers.

“The ability to obtain reimbursement for qualified expenses is much appreciated,” said Fleming-Neon Mayor Susan Polis. “These funds will be used for a good cause and they are really needed.”

Flemingsburg
The City of Flemingsburg will use $124,441 for payroll expenses and PPE.

Lynch
The City of Lynch will use $8,245 to reimburse payroll expenses.

Middlesboro
The City of Middlesboro will use $670,599 for PPE and payroll expenses.

“I want to thank Gov. Beshear for the work he has done is obtaining these needed funds and as a city we are grateful,” said Middlesboro Mayor Rick Nelson. “I also want to thank Commissioner Keene and his staff for their assistance during this process. They were very helpful. And these funds will be very helpful during these trying times.”

Mount Sterling
The City of Mount Sterling will use $318,138 in reimbursements for payroll expenses and sanitation supplies.

“The City of Mount Sterling is excited to receive the news that we will receive Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding administered by the Kentucky Department for Local Government,” said Mount Sterling Mayor Al Botts. “The funding will provide critical support which will help our city meet law enforcement payroll and COVID-19 related expenditures, which include disinfection of city owned property and the purchase of personal protective equipment. Like most cities, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on our budget and finances. We are concerned about current and projected declines in revenues, so this reimbursement is very much appreciated and is coming when we need it most. Thanks to DLG for being so supportive and for assisting us every step of the way during the application process.”  

Owingsville
The City of Owingsville will use $70,732 for payroll for police officers.

“I wish to thank everyone at both the federal and state level for making it possible for cities to recoup some of the expenses they have incurred during this coronavirus public health emergency,” said Owingsville Mayor Gary Hunt. “The Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) we receive will definitely help to reduce the impact that this pandemic has had on our city budget.”

Pikeville
The City of Pikeville will use $477,000 for sanitizer and cleaning supplies, telework equipment and payroll for firefighters and EMS workers.

“The city of Pikeville is very grateful for this vital support from the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” said Pikeville Mayor Jimmy Carter. “We are thankful for Gov. Beshear’s leadership and support, both morally and monetarily, that he has provided to the people of Kentucky to meet the unprecedented challenges of today’s environment.”

Prestonsburg
The City of Prestonsburg will use $118,368 for payroll expenses, sanitation supplies and small business grants.

Stanton
The City of Stanton will use $169,915 for police payroll expenses.

Preliminary Approvals

• Bath County has preliminary approval for $97,273 for payroll expenses for the sheriff’s department.
• Breathitt County has preliminary approval for $7,147 for social distancing signage and PPE.
• Clay County has preliminary approval for $152,929 PPE, cleaning supplies and payroll expenses for the sheriff’s department and ambulance service.
• Greenup County has preliminary approval for $1,194,953 for sanitation supplies and EMS payroll.
• Knott County has preliminary approval for $504,088 for payroll and meal delivery expenses.
• Jackson County has preliminary approval for $13,229 for payroll expenses and PPE.
• Johnson County has preliminary approval for $97,091 for law enforcement payroll and sanitation supplies.
• Lewis County has preliminary approval for $451,963 for police payroll and PPE.
• Martin County has preliminary approval for $12,011 for sanitation supplies.
• Wolfe County has preliminary approval for $43,505 for PPE and payroll expenses.
• The City of Beattyville has preliminary approval for $86,719 for PPE and payroll expenses.
• The City of Campton has preliminary approval for $15,976 for PPE and technology to allow telework.
• The City of Catlettsburg has preliminary approval for $622 for technology and PPE.
• The City of Jackson has preliminary approval for $142,303 for payroll expenses.
• The City of Manchester has preliminary approval for $64,772 for payroll expenses.
• The City of Morehead has preliminary approval for $340,142 for payroll expenses and PPE.
• The City of West Liberty has preliminary approval for $88,680 for police payroll.
• The City of Whitesburg has preliminary approval for $73,629 for payroll expenses.

Since the application was released in May, DLG has received approximately 140 applications for reimbursement from city and county governments across the commonwealth that are pending approval until all documentation is submitted. In addition, 67 applications have already been approved totaling $32,018,551.

For additional information and to apply for reimbursement, visit DLG’s website.

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov and the state’s response to COVID-19 at kycovid19.ky.gov.

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A woman wanted in a Pike County missing persons case was extradited from Fayette County early Thursday.

Krystle Williams, the woman wanted in connection to the burning of a vehicle with humans remains inside of it, is back in Pike County. Williams surrendered to Fayette County police on Wednesday and was extradited back to Pike County on Thursday. She is facing a charge of felony arson in relation to the burning of a vehicle owned by the father of Wesley Hook, who has been missing since June.

Officials believe the human remains found in the back of that burned vehicle are those of Wesley Hook, and Williams, along with Eric DeLeon and Enos Little, could face homicide charges in relation to Hook’s death. Assistant Pike Commonwealth’s Attorney Donald Smith said Williams and DeLeon will be prosecuted in the burning of the car in Pike County, but the potential homicide charges could be prosecuted in Floyd County since it is believed that Wesley Hook was killed at the Alpike Motel at Ivel.

Krystle Williams, Eric DeLeon and Enos Little remain lodged in the Pike County Detention Center. None of them have been charged in relation to Wesley Hook’s disappearance, which remains active as a missing persons case.

Watch the video below for additional information.

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A Pikeville man has been sentenced in a federal human trafficking case.

According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice, Ernest Ray, 56, of Pikeville, was sentenced Monday to 156 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell. Ray pleaded guilty in June 2019 to five counts of recruiting, enticing, harboring, providing, and maintaining minors to engage in commercial sexual acts.

According to the justice department, Ray admitted that he provided five minors alcohol, cigarettes, money, and marijuana in exchange for the minors engaging in sexual acts in front of him. He also admitted that, on numerous occasions, he drove the minors to a rural location for the purpose of having them engage in these sexual acts, the department of justice said, with some of the sexual acts also taking place at his residence.

Ray must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence, per federal law, and will then have to submit supervision upon his release, the department of justice said. He will also have to pay a penalty of $60,000.

Ray was first arrested by United States Marshals in the case in March 2019.

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A Pikeville woman is wanted in connection with the burning of a vehicle, inside of which investigators found human remains they now believe to be a Pikeville man missing since June.

At a press conference Monday, Pikeville Police and the Pike County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office released more information on the case of the disappearance of Wesley Hook, who went missing after having been last seen June 10. Officials said at the press conference that Krystle Williams, 33, of Julius Avenue, Pikeville, is wanted on a charge of second-degree arson in connection with the burning of the vehicle found in the Robinson Creek area on July 3 police have identified as belonging to Wesley Hook’s father. Officials have said human remains were found in the back seat of the car.

Officials said during the press conference those remains have been sent to the Kentucky State Police forensic lab in Frankfort for identification using dental records, and they anticipate identification to be made early this week. They also said during the conference they believe the remains are those of Wesley Hook, but no charges have been filed in relation to the person’s death pending identification.

Officials said two men with close knowledge of the case are currently in custody in Pike County. Eric Deleon, 33, of Nicholasville, and Enos Little, 46, of Lexington, are both lodged in the Pike County Detention Center. Pikeville Police spokesperson Officer Tony Conn said during Thursday’s press conference that Deleon gave statements indicating he was responsible for burning the vehicle with the humans remains inside. Little, officials said, was arrested on drug trafficking charges during the course of the investigation into Hook’s disappearance and he also gave information indicating an intimate knowledge of the case.

Conn said the case in Hook’s disappearance is still a “missing persons case,” but Assistant Pike Commonwealth’s Attorney Donald Smith said the case will be presented to a Pike County grand jury for consideration of homicide charges.

Anyone with information on Krystle Williams’ whereabouts is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency. She was believed to have been in Fayette County at the time of Monday’s press conference.

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Police now suspect that foul play is involved in a missing persons case out of Pikeville.

Pikeville Police Information Officer Tony Conn said a burned vehicle belonging to Henry Hook, the father of Wesley Hook, was found by police with human remains inside of the vehicle. Wesley Hook was reported missing after having been last seen by his family on June 11.

Conn said the remains found inside the 2008 Chevrolet Impala sedan have been forwarded to the Kentucky State Police forensic lab for identification. The vehicle was identified using the vehicle identification number, or VIN, as one Wesley Hook was known to have driven.

In consideration of the development in the case, Conn said foul play is suspected in Wesley Hook’s disappearance. Anyone with information on Wesley Hook’s disappearance, the burning of the vehicle or the remains found inside the vehicle is asked to contact Pikeville Police (606) 437-5111.

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