Stroke Awareness event set

PIKEVILLE – In recognition of Stroke Awareness Month, Pikeville Medical Center will host a free Stroke Awareness Day event on Wednesday, May 22 from 10:30 a. m. to 1 p. m. at the East Kentucky Expo Center Plaza, located on Main Street in Pikeville. The public is more on this story...  

Hearing, speech month observed

PIKEVILLE — During the month of May, Pikeville Medical Center staff recognizes National Better Hearing and Speech Month. Since 1927, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has celebrated this month each May to raise public awareness concerning the speech and language disorders that affect 14 million more on this story...  

Race benefits weight-loss patients

PIKEVILLE — On Saturday, May 4, nearly 130 people participated in Pikeville Medical Weight Loss Surgery Center’s (WLSC) first Reclaim Your Life 5K run and one mile fun run/walk. The outpouring of support from runners, walkers and event sponsors allowed the WLSC to raise more more on this story...  

Colorectal cancer screening available

PIKEVILLE  — Pikeville Medical Center will host a free colorectal cancer screening on  Saturday, May 18, from 8 a. m. – noon at the Pikeville Medical Leonard Lawson Cancer Center, located beside the Landmark at 127 South Mayo Trail, Pikeville. Screening physicians will include more on this story...  

PMC celebrates National Hospital Week

PIKEVILLE — Pikeville Medical Center is celebrating National Hospital Week, May 12-18. This observance was established in 1921 to honor health care’s history, technology and dedicated professionals. The American Hospital Association (AHA) states, “A hospital is more than a place where people more on this story...  

Pikeville Medical Center congratulates 2013 Nurses of the Year

TOP NURSES: Pikeville Medical Center has named its top nurses for 2013. They are: Tabitha Hamilton (CTVU), Florina Bailey (6E Cardiac), Keith Sayers (Dialysis Unit), Rebekah Hall (Emergency Department), Donna Bates (OB/Gyn), Tondra Blevins (Labor and Delivery), Jackie Caudill (Trauma Department), Samantha Abshire (Oncology Unit), Natasha Triplett more on this story...  

PMC honors top nurses

PIKEVILLE — Monday, May 6 marked Pikeville Medical Center’s first nursing awards ceremony. Twenty two nurses, representing different specialties throughout the hospital, were awarded as their department’s 2013 Nurse of the Year. Each nurse honored as a PMC Nurse of the Year was more on this story...  

PMC participates in mock crash

PIKEVILLE — In an effort to educate students on the dangers of drunk driving, Pikeville Medical Center worked with several local agencies to organize a mock fatal vehicle accident at Shelby Valley High School on May 3, one day prior to the school’s prom.   “Driving more on this story...  

Main Street earns national recognition

PIKEVILLE — The city of Pikeville is once again in the national spotlight. Minta Chaney, director of the Pikeville Main Street Program, reported that the city’s efforts to “move up in rank” from being designated as an affiliated Main Street Program to becoming a more on this story...  

UPIKE honors top students

PIKEVILLE — The University of Pikeville recently held its annual Honors Convocation, a celebration of academic excellence and student achievement. Outstanding students in each academic major were individually recognized. Members of honor societies, academic clubs and organizations and students named to the Dean’s List more on this story...  

Asthma Awareness Month

By OCTAVIA DALES Pike County Health Dpt. Each May, thousands of organizations join together for Asthma Awareness Month to increase public awareness of the asthma epidemic and to take action to get asthma under control in communities across the nation.   more on this story...  

Medicaid program expands in Kentucky

FRANKFORT – Calling it “the single-most important decision in our lifetime for improving the health of Kentuckians,” Gov. Steve Beshear announced the expansion of the state’s Medicaid program last week. The expansion – made in accordance with the federal Affordable Care Act – more on this story...  

Early Childhood Fair set

PRESTONSBURG — The Floyd County Community Early Childhood Council invites the public to the Floyd County Early Childhood Fair this weekend. The fair, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m. on on Saturday, May more on this story...  

BSCTC holds commencement ceremony

 PRESTONSBURG — Big Sandy Community and Technical College awarded degrees, diplomas or certificates to 309 graduates during two commencement ceremonies held on May 11 at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg. The graduates earned 773 credentials, including 88 Associate in Arts degrees, 55 Associate in more on this story...  

Local students are Union grads

BARBOURVILLE — Several local students recently graduated from Union College, including: •Leslie L. Burke of Ermine, who received a Master of Arts in Education, Educational Leadership. •Larry A. Gibbs of Millstone, who received a Master of Arts in Education, Principalship. more on this story...  

Local students graduate from Morehead

MOREHEAD — Morehead State University’s spring 2013 commencement proved to be historic as 19 students graduated with a Doctorate of Educational Leadership degree. Even before this three-year program was approved by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges, a number of educators in the region more on this story...  

Horse show this weekend

PRESTONSBURG — Hundreds of people will flock to the Prestonsburg Equine Center to support a good cause this weekend. The 5th annual United Way Annual Horse Show will begin at noon on Saturday, May 18, at the equine center, located near the StoneCrest Golf Course. more on this story...  

Supplies sought for troops

FRANKFORT — Local drug court programs are collecting supplies that will be sent to active-duty soldiers in Afghanistan. The donation drive will last throughout the month of May, which is observed as National Drug Court Month. The following donations are sought by drug more on this story...  

Matewan Massacre this weekend

MATEWAN, W. Va. — Hundreds of people are expected to visit southern West Virginia this weekend for Matewan Heritage Day, observed on Saturday, May 18. The event features musical entertainment, the Appalachian Crafters street fair, a soup bean dinner sponsored by the local United Mine Workers more on this story...  

Golf discount available at state parks

FRANKFORT — The Kentucky State Parks Golf Trail is offering its golf discount card. The discount card is being sold at all 16 courses at Kentucky State Parks. The cards provide substantially discounted fees that include cart. more on this story...  

APCC ‘Baby Bottle Drive’ fundraiser underway

PIKEVILLE — The Appalachian Pregnancy Care Center’s annual Baby Bottle Drive begins this month. During the fundraiser, APCC will distribute baby bottles to church groups, youth groups, businesses and organizations throughout the region. Participants are asked to collect change, cash and checks more on this story...  

PHS sophomore accepted to college: 16-year-old plans to become psychiatrist

PRESTONSBURG — A Prestonsburg High School sophomore was accepted to attend a prestigious, four-year college in Massachusetts. Bard College at Simon’s Rock, located in Massachusetts, reports Hobert Johnathon Holbrook, the 16-year-old son of Faye Holbrook of Prestonsburg, was accepted this fall. Bard College more on this story...  

Pike student to attend Gatton Academy

PIKEVILLE — A Pike Central High School student Michael Blankenship, the son of Michael Blankenship and Dan and Sabrina Coleman, is among 72 students selected statewide to attend the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science. Blankenship and the other students were selected from applications more on this story...  

Brother, sister seeking a loving lifetime family

Introducing a sister and brother pair: United (born  in March 1999) and  Junior (born in March 2004). United and Junior need an adoptive family who will appreciate their personalities and empower them to be themselves. United is friendly and outgoing. She more on this story...  

National Day of Prayer observed

HOPE: The Pike County/Pikeville Area Ministerial Association hosted the National Day of Prayer in Pikeville City Park on May 2. Individuals gathered to pray for government, military, businesses, education, churches and families. more on this story...  

Breaks Park prepares for summer kickoff

BREAKS, Va. — Memorial Day marks the official kick off of summer, and Breaks Park is geared up and ready for a new season. Splash! in the Park will open May 24, the Friday before Memorial Day this year for the official kick-off of summer, said more on this story...  

Pike County coal mines to open

PIKEVILLE — High Ridge Mining, a Kentucky corporation owned by coal operator Bill Smith, a former vice president of Sidney Coal, has announced the development of seven deep mines in Pike County. The mine locations will be spread throughout Pike County, with locations at more on this story...  

Run, walk for diabetes slated: Fundraising 5K will bring cooking classes, ‘Fit Stations’ to local parks

PIKEVILLE — A local nonprofit group is asking the public to “Run and Walk for Diabetes” next month. The Pike County Diabetes Partnership is hosting its second 5K Run/1-Mile Walk for Diabetes event on June 22 near the Hampton Inn in downtown Pikeville. Participants may also more on this story...  

Cardboard Boat Regatta to benefit Relay

PIKEVILLE — The Pike County Relay for Life is asking local residents to “Make a boat and hope it floats” for the American Cancer Society. The first-ever Cardboard Boat Regatta will be held at the Thompson Road River Access, located behind Texas Roadhouse in Pikeville, from more on this story...  

Rotary event May 21

PIKEVILLE — The Pikeville Rotary Club is bringing its popular “A Taste of the World” event back to the Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center. The international food sampling event will be held from 6 p. m. to 8 p. m. on Tuesday, May 21, at the Expo Center’s Main more on this story...  

Big Sandy Senior Games underway

PRESTONSBURG —The 28th annual Big Sandy Senior Games opened last week, May 10, with a bowling competition at Pin Zone Bowling Center. Hundreds of senior citizens from Floyd, Pike, Johnson, Martin and Magoffin counties are also competing today, May 17, at the Dewey Dam more on this story...  

BSCTC recognizes students at ‘Honors Night’

The 12th Annual Honors Night Program was held April 12 at the Mayo campus of Big Sandy Community & Technical College. The program is designed to recognize the academic success of BSCTC students who have distinguished themselves in the following: Phi Theta Kappa, more on this story...  

National College hosts graduation ceremony

On Monday, April 22, graduates from the Pikeville campus of National College reached the moment they had dreamed of and worked so diligently for, as family and friends gathered to celebrate their success during the campus’  commencement ceremony. The service, which was held at the Landmark more on this story...  

Apple Blossom Festival underway

ELKHORN CITY — Elkhorn City streets will be filled with live music, food, crafts and activities for children during the annual Apple Blossom Festival. The festival will be held Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18, on Main Street. The Apple Blossom more on this story...  

Bowling For Blessings: Christian bowling league donates thousands to residents, groups

WILLIAMSON, W. Va. — Since August, they have gathered every Thursday night at the Hatfield & McCoy Recreation Center in Williamson, W. Va. , to bowl for a good cause. On May 9, the Christian Fellowship Bowling League met for their final “Fun Night,” the end of the league’s more on this story...  

Local summer camps planned

There are plenty of opportunities for local children to experience week-long or day-long summer camps in this region. Scholarships and financial aid are available at many of these camps. Aviation •The Pikeville-Pike County Airport will host its annual Aviation Camp more on this story...  

SWCTC opens Williamson campus

WILLIAMSON, W. Va. — Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new Applied Technology Facility on April 16. The building is located on the Williamson Campus. The new 25,000-square-foot-building, features faculty and staff offices, classrooms, seminar more on this story...  

Forum addresses civic health

PIKEVILLE — Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes discussed ways for Kentuckians to improve the overall civic health in the state during a forum hosted by the University of Pikeville on May 1. Grimes and a panel of civic and community leaders explored strategies to increase more on this story...  

Muscle on Main kicks off today

PIKEVILLE — This weekend marks the beginning of a summer-full of events to attract car enthusiasts to Pikeville. Muscle on Main, presented by the Good Ole Boy’s Car Club and hosted by the city of Pikeville, attracts thousands of visitors to Pikeville on the second weekend more on this story...  

Born learning Program helps parents prepare kids for school

MARTIN — Parents who attended the Toyota bornlearning Academy at May Valley Elementary learned to teach their children math, reading and science skills by using everyday items like cereal, canned foods and the decorations they find in a room. On May 2, May Valley congratulated those more on this story...  

Pike student wins ‘Dream out Loud’ challenge

Blackberry Elementary School Student Katie Compton won the Dream Out Loud Challenge Contest. The third grader earned a $1,500 college savings account and the school received $500 in prizes during a ceremony at Blackberry on May 6. Katie was one of only more on this story...  

Hundreds will race at Hillbilly Arm Drop Drags

PRESTONSBURG — Thousands of people are expected to travel to the Prestonsburg-Paintsville Combs Field on Rt. 321 this weekend for the Hillbilly Drop Arm Drag Race. More than 300 cars and 10,000 spectators are expected to attend the two-day event, coordinated through Prestonsburg Motorsports, and sponsored more on this story...  

Smoot to head UNITE

LONDON — Dan Smoot, who has been part of the Operation UNITE team since its inception a decade ago, will step up to lead the organization, effective May 15. The UNITE Board of Directors voted April 30 to elevate Smoot to President and Chief Executive Officer. more on this story...  

Actors, actresses sought for Hatfield & McCoy play

PHELPS — Local residents have an opportunity to portray the families who lived during the region’s most famous feud. The Hatfield & McCoy Arts Council, a nonprofit agency developed to provide artistic programming, educational support and historical accuracy about the Hatfield & McCoy Feud, more on this story...  

Obituaries

Ida “Mamaw” Louise Bevins Gilliam Williamson, 90, of Flatwoods, died May 6. Her husbands Captain Walker Gilliam Sr. and Carl Williamson Sr. preceded her in death. Survivors: children Carl (Diane) Williamson Jr. of Benton, Larry Gilliam,  Shelby Reynolds, Kathie Gilliam (French) Workman, all of Flatwoods; other family more on this story...  

Obituaries

Geneva Stiltner, 80,died April 29, 2013 at the Pikeville Medical Center. She was  born May 13, 1922, daughter of the late Joel Johnson and Mary Jane Burke Johnson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ellis Martin;  sons, Tony Lee more on this story...  

Belfry batters ECHS

GRAYSON — Belfry outslugged East Carter as the Pirates scored a come-from-behind 10-7 win  at J. P. Kouns Field on May 11. Eli Huddle had three hits, including a double and drove in four runs as the Pirates improved to 13-15. Reed Williamson doubled and more on this story...  

Blackcats rip Cougars, 8-1

ERMINE — Prestonsburg broke open a close game late as the Blackcats scored four times in the top of the sixth inning to beat Letcher Central, 8-1, on May 14. The Blackcats improved to 20-12 overall while the Cougars dropped to 24-8. Prestonsburg’s more on this story...  

Mingo Central Miners fall to Wayne in sectional finals

WAYNE — Mingo Central’s Garth Simpkins doubled home two runs to help the Miners pull away and beat Tolsia, 14-2, in the West Virginia Class AA, Section 4, Region IV tournament opener at George Brumfield Park on May 11. Matt Lester doubled and winning more on this story...  

Mingo Central Miners fall to Wayne in sectional finals

WAYNE — Mingo Central’s Garth Simpkins doubled home two runs to help the Miners pull away and beat Tolsia, 14-2, in the West Virginia Class AA, Section 4, Region IV tournament opener at George Brumfield Park on May 11. Matt Lester doubled and winning more on this story...  

Belfry, Allen Central score diamond wins

GOODY — Belfry used timely hitting and took advantage of four East Ridge errors to score a 6-2 win over the Warriors on May 2. Keaton Taylor singled in the third inning and scored on an error to put the Pirates (11-14) in front more on this story...  

Hicks new man at SV

ROBINSON CREEK — Former Grant County head coach Jim Hicks jumped at the opportunity to return to eastern Kentucky. Hicks, a native of Harlan County, was introduced on May 10 as the new boys’ basketball coach at Shelby Valley, leaving behind a Grant County program that more on this story...  

Eagles thump Bobcats; Pirates top Rebels

PAINTSVILLE — Johnson Central broke open a close game by scoring 10 runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to beat Betsy Layne, 13-3, on May 13. The game was tied at 3-all going into the bottom of the fifth. more on this story...  

Tug falls to Man; AC splits

MAN, W. Va. — Man rallied from an early one-run deficit to beat Tug Valley, 7-1,  in the Class A, Region 3, Section IV tournament opener at Dr. Juan Nordelo Field on May 9. Man starter Cody Carter scattered four hits as the Hillbillies won for just more on this story...  

Cats fall in All ‘A’

LEXINGTON — Prestonsburg fell to Bethlehem 3-1, but not without controversy in the All “A” Classic at Whitaker Bank Park on May 4. The Blackcats appeared to have scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth inning when Grant Anderson stole home more on this story...  

Garris powers PHS past Shelby Valley

ROBINSON CREEK — Pikeville’s Clay Garris had two hits, including a triple and drove in four runs to power the Panthers to a 9-1 district win over Shelby Valley on May 8. Winning pitcher Austin Priode hurled five innings, allowing just one run on two hits. more on this story...  

Gracious words

Gracious words impressed those who heard the first sermon of Jesus (Luke 4:22). Words reveal the character of a person. Jesus spoke words that build up and encourage.   Proverbs 18:21 says, “the tongue has the power of life and death. ”  Could it be that every more on this story...  

The Lord is my shepherd

I was reminiscing about the elementary school I attended in the 1970s. In those days, a lady who we called Ms. Grace would travel from Southland Bible Institute once a week with her flannel-board and teach us Bible lessons. We would receive certificates with gold stars or win various prizes more on this story...