MIDDLE CREEK, Ky. (WMDJ) — The Middle Creek Volunteer Fire Department has placed its first water rescue boat into service, strengthening the department's ability to respond to flooding emergencies in Floyd County and surrounding communities.

The new rescue unit, designated Boat 1, features a 12-foot, 6-inch inflatable rescue boat, a 30-horsepower Mercury outboard motor and specialized equipment for swift-water rescue operations.

The approximately $10,000 investment was funded through proceeds from the department's annual Ride-4-Rescue and Henry Rifle fundraisers, along with donations from community supporters. United Way also donated a trailer for the boat.

Department officials confirmed that Boat 1 is fully operational and ready to respond to emergencies throughout Floyd County, as well as requests for assistance from neighboring counties.

The department currently has 16 certified swift-water rescue technicians, with additional members awaiting training opportunities.

Officials say the new boat will help rescuers reach residents stranded by rising floodwaters and access areas where traditional emergency vehicles cannot safely travel.

The department thanked its fundraising participants, sponsors and community supporters for helping make the investment possible.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) — Pike Circuit Judge Howard Keith Hall has denied a request by Commonwealth's Attorney Bill Slone to remove himself from a sexual abuse case amid allegations that the judge is considering a lawsuit against Slone.

In a sworn affidavit filed Thursday, Slone alleged Hall's attorney communicated plans for potential legal action over the prosecutor's perceived involvement in a previous federal case against the judge.

Slone also alleged Hall privately sought information from an assistant prosecutor and made disparaging remarks about others in the office.

Hall was acquitted of all federal charges in November 2025.

In an order Friday, Hall denied the request without a hearing, saying prosecutors had identified no rulings demonstrating bias. Hall maintained that the possibility of a lawsuit would not prevent him from remaining impartial.

Slone subsequently requested reconsideration, disputing Hall's statement that the recusal motion involved only one case. Slone said identical motions had been filed in every case on the judge's November 12 docket.

Hall ordered sentencing in the sexual abuse case to proceed November 12. The reviewed filings do not show a ruling on the reconsideration request.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) — The City of Prestonsburg will officially be recognized as a certified Kentucky Trail Town later this month, marking a milestone in efforts to promote outdoor recreation and tourism in Floyd County.

A designation ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, at noon at the Archer Park Trailhead. The event is open to the public.

The Kentucky Trail Town program recognizes communities that provide access to outdoor recreation while offering visitors amenities such as restaurants, lodging and local attractions.

Prestonsburg is home to several recreational opportunities, including the Prestonsburg Passage Rail Trail, which connects West Prestonsburg to the community of David.

The recognition follows an application process coordinated by the Big Sandy Area Development District and local tourism officials. The city's application was submitted in June following more than a year of planning and community involvement.

The designation is expected to support continued efforts to attract visitors and strengthen outdoor tourism in the region.

ASHLAND, Ky. (WMDJ) — Brian Charles, 43, of Thelma, has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking and firearms charges stemming from an investigation in Johnson County earlier this year.

Charles, also known as “Butterbean,” entered the guilty plea Monday, November 2, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

According to his plea agreement, investigators seized more than a kilogram of methamphetamine, approximately an ounce of fentanyl, eight handguns, a shotgun and $23,713 during a July 7 search of his residence.

Charles admitted obtaining drugs from out-of-state suppliers and bringing them into Johnson County for distribution to other drug dealers.

As part of the agreement, federal prosecutors will seek dismissal of a third charge involving possession of firearms by a convicted felon.

The two charges carry a combined mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.

Charles remains in federal custody. Sentencing is scheduled for March 15, 2027, in Ashland.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) — A Floyd Circuit Court judge has dismissed several claims against local government officials and agencies in a civil lawsuit stemming from the 2023 murder of Amber Spradlin.

Special Judge John F. Vincent granted summary judgment in favor of Floyd County Judge-Executive Robbie Williams, Magistrates Mark Crider and George Ousley, the City of Prestonsburg and the Prestonsburg Police Department.

The lawsuit, filed by Spradlin's estate, challenged decisions involving emergency dispatch services and the operation of the county's 911 system.

According to the court order, two calls were made from the residence where Spradlin was murdered on June 18, 2023. The second call required an emergency response, and Kentucky State Police subsequently led the murder investigation.

Vincent ruled that the fiscal court members were protected by legislative immunity for their decisions involving emergency dispatch services. The court also determined that Kentucky law shielded the city and police department from the claims.

Official-capacity claims against former Prestonsburg Police Chief Randy Woods and former Mayor Les Stapleton were also dismissed.

However, claims against Woods and Stapleton in their individual capacities remain pending.

The ruling was entered November 4 and does not resolve the entire civil lawsuit.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) - Kentucky residents can now donate to the second annual Team Kentucky Food Drive, an effort to help families facing food insecurity ahead of the holiday season.
 

Gov. Andy Beshear announced Wednesday that public donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted through November 18. The drive began November 1 for state employees.

Donations will be distributed through Feeding Kentucky, which serves all 120 counties through approximately 900 partner food pantries, along with the Christian Appalachian Project and the Capital City Activity Center.

The public can drop off donations at 1239 Wilkinson Boulevard in Frankfort on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern. The location offers drive-through service.

State employees can also donate at collection boxes in major state office buildings in Frankfort and the L&N Building in Louisville.

Last year's inaugural food drive collected more than 12,000 items to help Kentuckians in need.

BULAN, Ky. (WMDJ) — A Hazard man was killed Tuesday evening in a two-vehicle crash along KY-80 in Perry County.

Kentucky State Police say the crash happened around 5:34 p.m. November 3 in the Bulan community.

According to a preliminary investigation, a 2023 Jeep Wrangler was traveling eastbound on KY-80 when it crossed a raised median and entered the westbound lanes, striking a 2015 Ford Mustang driven by 36-year-old David Baisden of Hazard.

Baisden was pronounced dead at the scene by the Perry County Coroner's Office.

The driver of the Jeep was transported by Perry County EMS to Hazard ARH, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Kentucky State Police say seat belts were in use at the time of the crash.

An autopsy has been scheduled, and toxicology results are pending.

Kentucky State Police continue to investigate the crash, with a reconstruction of the collision underway.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) — Unofficial results from all 42 Floyd County precincts are in following Tuesday’s General Election, with several closely contested local races decided by narrow margins.

Independent Robbie Williams finished ahead of Republican Debbie “Doc” Hall in the race for Floyd County judge-executive. Williams received 5,597 votes to Hall’s 5,420, a difference of just 177 votes.

In the sheriff’s race, Democrat John P. Hunt received 8,146 votes, defeating Republican Christopher Shepherd, who received 2,203, and independent Tim Clark, who received 807.

Democrat Steve Little also won the jailer’s race with 6,818 votes compared to 4,147 for Republican Ballard “Dr. BJ” Tussey.

Republican Tanner Hesterberg led Democrat Johnny Ray Turner in the race for Kentucky’s 95th House District, which includes Floyd County and part of Pike County. District-wide results showed Hesterberg with 8,452 votes to Turner’s 5,598.

In federal races, Republican Andy Barr won Kentucky’s U.S. Senate election over Democrat Charles Booker, while Republican Congressman Hal Rogers won reelection in Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District.

Several municipal races were also closely contested. In Prestonsburg, Rick Hughes defeated Mike Conn for mayor by 52 votes, while Mike “Bub” Tackett finished 19 votes ahead of Don “Booty” Hall in Wheelwright’s mayoral race.

Floyd County reported 11,643 ballots cast out of 26,644 registered voters, representing a turnout of 43.70%.

Of those ballots, 8,578 were cast on Election Day, 2,405 during the three-day early voting period, 130 through excused early voting, and 530 by mail.

Complete Unofficial Election Results

All Floyd County results below reflect 42 of 42 precincts reporting.

Federal and State Legislative Races

U.S. Senate

Kentucky statewide totals:

• Andy Barr (R): 708,216
• Charles Booker (D): 512,373
• Christopher Campbell (Kentucky Party): 27,259
• Write-ins: 112

Floyd County totals:

• Andy Barr (R): 6,978
• Charles Booker (D): 3,577
• Christopher Campbell (Kentucky Party): 418
• Write-ins: 5

U.S. House, 5th Congressional District

Congressional district-wide totals:

• Hal Rogers (R): 139,808
• Ned Pillersdorf (D): 49,805
• Mikel Wein (I): 4,117
• Gerardo Serrano (I): 2,738
• Write-ins: 6

Floyd County totals:

• Hal Rogers (R): 6,661
• Ned Pillersdorf (D): 4,202
• Mikel Wein (I): 194
• Gerardo Serrano (I): 111
• Write-ins: 7

Kentucky House, 95th District

District-wide totals:

• Tanner Hesterberg (R): 8,452
• Johnny Ray Turner (D): 5,598

Floyd County totals:

• Tanner Hesterberg (R): 6,668
• Johnny Ray Turner (D): 4,688
• Write-ins: 8

Floyd County Offices

County Judge-Executive

• Robbie Williams (I): 5,597
• Debbie “Doc” Hall (R): 5,420
• Write-ins: 17

Sheriff

• John P. Hunt (D): 8,146
• Christopher Shepherd (R): 2,203
• Tom T. “Tim” Clark (I): 807
• Write-ins: 6

Jailer

• Steve Little (D): 6,818
• Ballard “Dr. BJ” Tussey (R): 4,147
• Write-ins: 13

County Clerk

• Chris Waugh (D): 9,307
• Write-ins: 26

County Attorney

• Meka Hall Castle (D): 8,364
• Write-ins: 34

Property Valuation Administrator

• David Layne (D): 8,237
• Write-ins: 80

Coroner

• Greg Nelson (D): 9,210
• Write-ins: 25

County Surveyor

• Write-ins: 531

Magistrate Races

District 1

• Mark D. Crider (D): 2,618
• Roy Michael “Mike” Ousley (R): 1,188
• Write-ins: 4

District 2

• George Isaac (D): 1,163
• Randy K. Davis (R): 1,050
• Ricky Hancock (I): 202
• Write-ins: 1

District 3

• Mike Tackett (D): 1,601
• Orville Mitchell Jr. (R): 804
• Write-ins: 4

District 4

• Ronnie Akers (D): 1,960
• Write-ins: 36

Constable Races

District 1

• Gary Wolfe (R): 2,891
• Write-ins: 22

District 2

• Gary Nelson (D): 1,490
• James Hoover (I): 683
• Write-ins: 1

District 3

• Ernie Ray Moore (D): 1,892
• Write-ins: 13

District 4

• Allred “Junebug” Newsom (D): 1,052
• Curtis Tackett (R): 800
• Eddie Case (I): 701
• Write-ins: 1

Board of Education

District 1

• Linda C. Gearheart: 1,711
• Write-ins: 30

District 2

• Jordon Case: 1,147
• William “Jeff” Sloan: 458
• Timothy K. Combs: 454
• Write-ins: 4

Municipal Elections

Prestonsburg Mayor

• Rick Hughes: 658
• Mike Conn: 606
• Write-ins: 2

Prestonsburg City Council (Vote for 8)

• Heather Ousley: 829
• B. D. Nunnery: 778
• Josh Turner: 738
• Brittainy Branham: 700
• Kaye Willis: 688
• Robert R. Allen II: 685
• Harry Adams: 667
• Matt Slone: 545
• Bethany Suzanne Pennington: 526
• Kevin Lee Woods: 492
• Danny Wayne Martin: 375
• Write-ins: 20

Martin City Council (Vote for 6)

• Harold Case: 54
• James Reynolds: 49
• Charles E. Justice: 48
• Imogene Robinson: 46
• Gary V. Akers: 44
• Kellie Dingus: 39
• Danny Blake Spears: 36
• Write-ins: 2

Allen Mayor

• Ernestine “Tina” Hall: 32
• Chad Chambers: 7

Allen City Commissioner (Vote for 4)

• Eilene Kinzer: 29
• Nola Craft: 28
• Jeffery Shane Kinzer: 28
• Matthew Blair: 20
• Gavin Ferrell: 19

Wayland Mayor

• Jerry A. Fultz: 11
• Write-ins: 1

Wayland City Commissioner (Vote for 4)

• Kathy “Susie” Mills: 12
• Edward R. Lake: 10
• Phillip Michael Caudill: 9
• Write-ins: 4

Wheelwright Mayor

• Mike “Bub” Tackett: 146
• Don “Booty” Hall: 127

Wheelwright City Commissioner (Vote for 4)

• Bill Newsome: 148
• Sam Little: 123
• Tori-Madison Hall: 121
• Stephen D. Johnson: 116
• Clarissa Parker McKinney: 113
• Dana Curtis McCown: 110
• Andy Akers: 108
• Melissa Burke: 102

Judicial Races

District Judge

• Tyler Green: 5,765
• Ashley Tackett Lafferty: 5,014
• Write-ins: 3

District Judge (Unopposed)

• Jimmy “Blue” Marcum: 8,154
• Write-ins: 37

Constitutional Amendment 1

Floyd County totals:

• Yes: 6,003
• No: 2,836

Straight-Party Voting

• Republican Party: 703
• Democratic Party: 697
• Kentucky Party: 86

Voter Turnout

• Registered voters: 26,644
• Ballots cast: 11,643
• Turnout: 43.70%

Voting methods:

• Election Day: 8,578
• Three-day early voting: 2,405
• Excused early voting: 130
• Mail-in ballots: 530

All results remain unofficial and are subject to certification. Statewide and legislative district totals reflect the Kentucky State Board of Elections’ report updated at 10:29 p.m. on November 3, 2026. Floyd County totals reflect all 42 precincts reporting.

LOUISA, Ky. (WMDJ) — A 6-year-old boy who had been missing in Lawrence County since Sunday afternoon has been found safe, according to Kentucky State Police.

Roman Heilman was reported missing November 1 after he was last seen around 4 p.m. in the Tadpole Road area of Louisa.

State police issued an IAN Alert for Roman, prompting an extensive search involving local, state and federal agencies, along with hundreds of volunteers.

IAN Alerts are issued when a child under the age of 18 with autism or a mental illness goes missing and may be in danger.

On Tuesday, November 3, Kentucky State Police confirmed that Roman had been located safely.

State police thanked the numerous agencies and hundreds of volunteers who assisted in the search.

Authorities did not release additional details about where Roman was found or the circumstances surrounding his recovery.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) — What began as a father's effort to help his son enjoy Halloween has grown into a 12-year family tradition for Prestonsburg resident Matt Lafferty.

This year's creation is a massive purple-and-silver locomotive inspired by Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train," complete with a skull on the front, oversized wheels and rock-themed artwork.

Lafferty began construction around August 1, spending nearly three months bringing the project to life. His biggest challenge wasn't the design or construction, but getting everything finished in time.

"I literally had it ready 30 minutes before Halloween," Lafferty said.

The tradition began more than a decade ago when Lafferty started building Halloween displays to help his middle son, who is autistic, feel more comfortable participating in the holiday. Although his son has since become comfortable with crowds, the family has continued the tradition.

Previous creations have included a 14-foot Ghostbusters trap, a UFO, an F-14 fighter jet, Optimus Prime and a wrestling ring.

Lafferty says his boys don't typically request specific themes, so he bases each year's creation on things he knows they enjoy.

"Their first reaction was the biggest wow face you could imagine," he said.

But the projects have become about more than just Halloween night.

"My inspiration is knowing that these builds will bring joy and amazement to both kids and adults," Lafferty said.

He also hopes the creations bring recognition to his small hometown and give residents something to be proud of.

For Lafferty, the most rewarding moment came Halloween night when he pulled the train through town and watched his sons and others enjoy his latest creation.

"Seeing my boys and others enjoy it so much and seeing their faces and reactions make it all worth it," he said.

To see more pictures you can click the link here.

Pictures courtesy of Matt Lafferty.

HI HAT, Ky. (WMDJ) — A Floyd County man is facing charges after deputies say he repeatedly drove a pickup truck into his ex-wife's home in Hi Hat.
 

According to an arrest citation, deputies responded to a domestic disturbance along Kentucky Route 122 on Saturday, October 31.
 

Investigators say 44-year-old Lonzie Isaac had been asked to leave the residence. His ex-wife told deputies she had left to pick up her son and returned to find Isaac, who allegedly drove her truck into the front of the house multiple times, causing extensive damage to the home and porch.
 

The citation states Isaac left the scene in the truck, which had a damaged tire. Deputies later made contact with him, and he returned to the residence.
 

Authorities say Isaac acknowledged driving the truck into the home after becoming upset.
 

Isaac was arrested and charged with first-degree criminal mischief and leaving the scene of an accident without rendering aid or assistance. He was lodged in the Floyd County Detention Center.
 

The charges are allegations, and Isaac is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

MCCARR, Ky. (WMDJ) — The Pike County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's assistance in locating a 59-year-old man who has been missing for one week.
 

Kenneth S. Hayes, also known as "Red," was last seen Monday, October 26, around 6:30 p.m. at his residence on River Road in McCarr.
 

Hayes is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing approximately 160 pounds, with a thin build, white hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a white hoodie and gray sweatpants.
 

Authorities say Hayes has a gray phoenix tattoo on his upper right shoulder and is missing the fifth toe on each foot.
 

He is also known to frequent a residence in Sprigg, West Virginia.
 

Anyone who has seen Hayes or has information about his whereabouts is urged to contact the Pike County Sheriff's Office at 606-432-6260.

Roman is approximately 3 feet tall, weighs 60 pounds, and has shoulder-length light blonde hair and blue eyes. He may be wearing a green plaid coat and red and white monster truck pajama pants.

IAN alerts are used when children under the age of 18 with autism or mental illness go missing and may be in danger.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Kentucky State Police at 606-928-6421 or call 911.

Picture provided by Kentucky State Police.

ASHLAND, Ky. (WMDJ) — Kentucky Power reported $40.8 million in net profit for 2025, up from $36.9 million the previous year, according to the utility's audited financial statements.

Its parent company, American Electric Power, reported nearly $1.19 billion in net earnings during the third quarter of 2026, an increase of approximately 22 percent from the same period last year. Those earnings reflect AEP's operations across multiple states, not Kentucky Power alone.

Meanwhile, Kentucky Power customers have been paying higher electricity rates since March 1. The state-approved increase adds an estimated $10.76 per month, or 5.87 percent, to the bill of a residential customer using 1,208 kilowatt-hours monthly during the first year.

The Kentucky Public Service Commission approved a smaller increase than the utility originally requested.

Kentucky Power's financial statements also show $58.7 million in charges from an AEP subsidiary for management and professional services during 2025. Those charges represent business expenses, not additional profits.

State regulators have also ordered an independent management audit examining Kentucky Power's operations, decision-making and relationship with AEP.