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Regional jail authority names new leadership, reports overtime strain, stronger revenue
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PAINTSVILLE — The Big Sandy Regional Jail Authority elected new leadership Friday, while administrators reported persistent staffing shortages, heavy overtime and one of the facility’s strongest months for housing revenue. Board member Billy Patrick of Martin County was named chairman, with fellow Martin County representative Bradford Preece selected as co-chairman.
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Johnson County grand jury returns multiple indictments
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PAINTSVILLE — The Johnson County grand jury convened for the first time in the new year Jan. 16 and returned 18 indictments, including two cases of sexual abuse of a minor, an assault on a healthcare worker and numerous drug-related cases. Aaron Jones, 41, has been indicted on felony charges
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Big Sandy Regional Detention Center looks to Floyd County for female officers, cites no ‘hirable’ applicants in four counties
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PAINTSVILLE — Big Sandy Regional Detention Center will temporarily expand its search for female correctional officers to Floyd County after administrators said the jail has not received “hirable” applicants from Johnson, Lawrence, Magoffin or Martin counties. The jail authority voted 4–3 at its Dec. 18 meeting to approve emergency hiring
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Specialty Court celebrates Christmas with families
INEZ — Specialty Court programs serving Johnson, Martin and Lawrence counties hosted a Christmas party for participants and their families Friday at the Collier Center in Inez. Children enjoyed a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus and received Christmas gifts. Event organizers said Specialty Court plays an important role in the justice system by providing
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Counties to pay more for inmate housing
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PAINTSVILLE — Member counties will pay $5 more per day to house inmates at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center after the jail’s governing board voted Friday to raise the daily rate to $36.34. The increase came during a special meeting called less than three weeks after auditor Darrell Blair
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Regional jail near financial collapse, will ask counties to pay higher inmate housing rate
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PAINTSVILLE — The Big Sandy Regional Detention Center is teetering on the edge of financial collapse. In what officials describe as a last-ditch effort to keep the facility operating, the regional jail board is preparing to ask its four member counties—Johnson, Martin, Magoffin and Lawrence—to approve an increase in the
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Meth dealer gets decade behind bars
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT LONDON, Ky. — A Johnson County man will spend the next 120 months in federal prison for an array of meth-related offenses. U.S. District Judge Robert Wier sentenced Gary Warick, 58, of Hagerhill, Kentucky, on Nov. 13 in London. The sentencing follows Warrick’s conviction of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more
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One-lane traffic scheduled for two locations in Johnson County
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet advises motorists of one-lane traffic and delays in two locations in Johnson County due to cross-drain replacement work. On KY 3388 near Island Creek, crews will replace a cross drain Oct. 7 at mile point 1.2 (south of KY 40). Work will occur from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during which
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Traffic Alert: Johnson County KY-1428
There is a closure on KY-1428 mile point 2.0 Depot Road in Johnson County, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet advised at 3:50 a.m. Friday. The road is closed in both directions due to downed trees with multiple utilities involved. Crews expect the road to remain closed for several hours. Motorists must use an alternate route.
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Tomahawk man arrested in Johnson County with methamphetamine
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT PAINTSVILLE — Police arrested a man from Tomahawk on a felony drug charge, alleging he possessed methamphetamine. Fred Thomas Daniels, 31, was taken into custody at 7:21 p.m. Saturday on Old U.S. 23 in Paintsville by Trooper Trevor Spurlock of the Kentucky State Police Post 9. Daniels faces charges of first-degree possession
