Severe storms bring wind damage, hail Sunday

A line of severe thunderstorms roared across Breathitt County on Sunday evening, bringing wind gusts, heavy rain and some hail in parts of the county. The National Weather Service office in Jackson reported multiple trees down along Rt. 30 near Rousseau, because of thunderstorm winds. Several trees were also downed across Rt. 1098 (South Fork Road) at Quicksand, while three-quarter-inch hail was reported one mile east of Athol. The reports came between 6:00 and 7 p.m. - the time a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Breathitt County.

Pedestrian injured after hit by car

A Breathitt County man remains hospitalized after he was hit by a car last Friday. 69-year-old Ellis Armstrong of Vancleve was listed in serious, but stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit of the UK Hospital in Lexington on Tuesday. Jackson Police report that Armstrong was walking east along a narrow shoulder on Washington Avenue when a car driven by 35-year-old Donna Gross of Roark Branch in Noctor was driving west on Washington Avenue. The police report said that Gross attempted to stop, but she told them she could not avoid hitting Armstrong. Two witnesses also told police the same thing, and no charges were filed. After the accident, Armstrong was airlifted by helicopter to Lexington. Officers Claude Barrett and Jeff Noble worked the accident for the JPD.

Terry trial date set for this Friday

After saying no to a plea deal offered by the Rowan County Commonwealth’s Attorney late last month, a new trial date is expected to be scheduled tomorrow (Friday) at 1:00 p.m. in Rowan County Circuit Court for 46-year-old Paul K. Terry of Jackson. Terry was arrested last summer by Jackson Police and Morehead Police for unlawful use of electronic means to induce a minor to engage in sexual or other prohibited activites, as well as distribution of obscene materials to minors. During an online Internet child exploitation investigation, Terry was allegedly talking to a female he believed to be 13 years of age in a computer chat room. Terry was arrested after the female turned out to be a police detective. He was indicted by the Rowan County Grand Jury last October, and was originally scheduled to stand trial on May 13th, but was moved up due to the Judge having a conflict.

Man killed at Pike mine site worked for local company

     A man killed at an Eastern Kentucky mine site accident was working for a company based in Breathitt County. Officials at the Myra Coal Mine in Pike County say that William Hill worked for Gopher Contracting Company. Hill was clearing trees when the tree he was cutting fell on him shortly before 2 p.m. Officials say he began work at the mine site last Tuesday, and was clearing trees to prepare the land for mining.