2022 Year in Review

JANUARY

• The year started off with the grim news that Martin County Judge-Executive William Victor Slone, 57, of Lovely, lost his battle with cancer. Slone was the District 5 magistrate when he was appointed by Gov. Andy Beshear in April 2021 to fill the unexpired term of former Judge William Davis, who had resigned.

• COVID-19 was on the rise in Kentucky, with Gov. Andy Beshear reporting the highest single day-to-day total of 6,441 on Jan. 6, 2022.

• Area counties began snow removal efforts after the white stuff began pouring over Eastern Kentucky. The National Weather Service in Jackson said snowfall rates of one inch per hour were observed, with between 4 and 9 inches being reported across the region.

• Colby Kirk was sworn in as Martin County judge-executive to fill the unexpired term of Victor Slone. Kirk, previously the deputy judge-executive, was appointed to the position by Gov. Andy Beshear.

JANUARY: Louisa City Attorney Bud Adams (center) was recognized by the city council for his four decades of service. Pictured with Adams, left to right, are former Mayors Mike Armstrong and Teddy Preston, current Mayor Harold Slone and former Mayor Mike Sullivan. BSN photo/Brenda Hardwick

• A federal judge granted a continuance in the trial of Lawrence County Attorney Michael Hogan and his wife, Joy Hogan. U.S. District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove rescheduled the trial for April.

• Louisa City Attorney Bud Adams was honored by the council for four decades of service. Adams was recognized by city officials past and present during the Louisa City Council’s regular meeting. Mayor Harold Slone went through minutes of past council meetings, including those for Jan. 13, 1981 in which Adams was sworn in to the non-elective office.

• In observance of former Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court Fred M. Vinson’s birthday, the Museum and Welcome Center in Louisa celebrated with an open house on Jan. 22.

• 1,115 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Lawrence, Johnson, Floyd and Martin counties. More than half of the new cases — 595 — were reported in Floyd County.

• Dale Allen Fraley, 49, of Louisa, was sentenced to 57 years in prison by U.S. District Judge David L. Bunning on child pornography charges. Fraley was convicted in May 2021 of five counts of production, four counts of receipt, one count of distribution, and one count of possession of a matter containing visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

• The Lawrence County Humane Society received $4,000 from Two Maudes Inc. to help continue its spay/neuter assistance to low-income families in Lawrence County.

FEBRUARY

• Two Paintsville residents, John L. Strong, 32, and Rikki L. Spradlin, 36, were arrested in Martin County after the stolen vehicle they were in crashed head on into a Martin County constable’s vehicle while trying to flee from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.

• A federal judge ruled in favor of the Lawrence County Fiscal Court and Judge-Executive Phillip Carter in a lawsuit filed by the owners of a local wrecker service. U.S. District Judge David L. Bunning granted summary judgement to Carter and the fiscal court in a lawsuit brought by Billy and Amanda Lemaster, owners of Lemaster Towing and Recovery, who claimed that Carter interfered and caused their towing company to lose business.

• Adam D. Conley, 45, of Paintsville, was arrested after Paintsville police responded to a complaint of a man being in a 16-year-old girl’s bed. Conley was charged with second-degree fleeing or evading on foot; menacing; failure to appear; resisting arrest; harassment, physical contact, no injury; and second-degree burglary.

• A federal trial date of April 5 was set for two Johnson County residents who were arraigned on methamphetamine charges. Edgar Castle and Tabitha Staton pleaded not guilty at their arraignment to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.

• Lawrence County 911 received a call that a tire had come off a semi-truck and struck a vehicle on the driver’s side. The female driver was reported to be entrapped just north of the Pavilion on U.S. 23. Louisa fire stations 1 and 2, the Kentucky Highway Department, Netcare Ambulance and the Louisa Police Department were dispatched to the scene.

• Middle school academic team members from Lawrence and Johnson counties are headed to state competition after winning their regional Governor’s Cups.

• Johnson Central High School added more gold to its trophy case after winning another regional Governor’s Cup title. Johnson Central took first place overall, won both team competitions and captured four individual contests.

• A lawsuit stemming from an incident in which a Johnson County man died after being tased by police in 2020 ended when a judge ruled in favor of the officers. In separate orders, Johnson Circuit Judge John David Preston granted summary judgement to the Paintsville Police Department and officers Zachary Stapleton and Shane Cantrell, along with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and deputy Jeff Tabor.

• Lawrence County High School graduate Noah Thompson announced on Facebook that he auditioned for the 20th season of “American Idol” after his friend, Arthur Johnson, signed him up.

• The Kentucky Public Service Commission issued an order authorizing a 24.31 percent rate increase for the Martin County Water District. The rate increase included the two surcharges previously authorized by the commission, even though the Martin County Water District only asked for 12 percent on the base fee and 11 percent per 1,000 gallons in its request for a rate adjustment in 2021.

March

• Noah Thompson of Louisa was the first contestant to make an appearance on the 20th season of “American Idol” and was also the first to get a golden ticket to go to Hollywood.

• Lawrence County resident Eula May Compton Hughes, who celebrated her 105th birthday on Oct. 18, 2021, passes away at her home in Fallsburg surrounded by her family.

• Lawrence County High School student, Emily Brooke Neal, 17, was selected as a finalist in the Miss Kentucky Teen USA Pageant to be held in March at the Center for Rural Development in Somerset.

• Former Three Rivers Medical Center employee Lashea Nicole Hudnall, who was indicted in December 2019, entered a plea agreement.

• Lawrence County Coroner Wesley Heston filed a lawsuit to disqualify his opponent in the Republican primary election. Heston alleged in the lawsuit that Will Skaggs did not meet the constitutional qualifications for coroner because of his age.

MARCH: Gov. Andy Beshear (far right) listened as Johnson County Judge-Executive Mark McKenzie addressed the crowd at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Hager Hill Industrial Park, which is the first location in the region to receive state Build-Ready certification.

• Two men, including one who operated Big Blue Motor Sales in Lawrence County, were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a $4.3 million fraud and money laundering scheme in Charleston, W.Va.

James Pinson, 46, of Wayne County, was sentenced to six years in federal prison. A federal jury convicted Pinson in December 2021 of three counts of wire fraud, six counts of mail fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft and two counts of conspiring to commit money laundering.

• Charles Chandler, 53, of Tutor Key, pleaded guilty to a federal drug charge in U.S. District Court in Pikeville. Chandler, who was indicted on drug charges along with four other people in August 2021, entered the guilty plea as part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors.

• A Martin County man, Charles Casey Booth, 24, of Milo Road in Inez, who was indicted in June 2020 on sex offenses involving a juvenile, entered a plea deal with the Commonwealth’s Attorney Office and will serve 12 years.

• The Lawrence County Sheriff’s K-9 deputy, Dino, received a donation of body armor, which was embroidered with the sentiment, “In Memory of Sgt. Joe Wojtowicz, EOW 9-18-2021.” Wojtowicz was a deputy with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office at the time of his death on Sept. 18, 2021.

• Sentencing was scheduled for June 13, for a Lawrence County woman who pleaded guilty to a federal charge of attempting to evade or defeat tax. Tammie Klein, who was the office manager and bookkeeper for Family Practice of Louisa and Recovery of Louisa, entered the plea as part of a plea agreement, which said she filed false tax forms for the businesses, owned by her husband, for 2015, 2016, and 2017.

• April Harper, 37, and Jonathan Young, 43, both of Louisa, were indicted by a Lawrence County Grand Jury and charged with second-degree manslaughter/complicity; first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance/complicity. Both were also charged as first-degree persistent felony offenders. The indictment said that on June 10, 2021, Harper and Young, acting alone or in complicity with each other, allegedly caused the death of Anthony Chapman of Lawrence County, by providing him with heroin or other controlled substances.

• Gov. Andy Beshear helped cut the ribbon on the Johnson County industrial site and announced funding for local law enforcement. Beshear joined local officials in announcing the addition of a new Build-Ready site at Hager Hill Industrial Park, positioning the location to attract new business.

• Lawrence County Board of Education chairman Heath Preston announced at the group’s regular meeting a scholarship in memory of Superintendent Dr. Robbie Fletcher’s son, Jacob, who passed away in February.

• A Knott County man, James Pratt, 52, was charged with the murder of a Floyd County man, Paul Sester, 46, whose body was found in an undisclosed location in Johnson County.

• A Boyd County man with Lawrence County ties was one of four U.S. Marines who died when their Osprey aircraft crashed in a Norwegian town in the Arctic Circle during a NATO exercise. Cpl. Jacob M. Moore, 24, of Catlettsburg, and three other victims were assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Air Station in New River, N.C.

• Four Tolsia High School students were injured in a Fort Gay, W.Va., crash involving a coal truck near the Marathon Station in Fort Gay. Two of the teens were extricated and flown to an area hospital and two others were transported by ambulance.

• Gov. Andy Beshear awarded $411,148 to the Martin County Water District through the Better Kentucky Plan’s Cleaner Water Program for infrastructure improvements.

• Lawrence County Attorney Mike Hogan and his wife and legal secretary, Joy M. Hogan, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove to wire fraud. Michael Hogan also pleaded guilty to federal program theft. Both were scheduled for sentencing in July.

• The 20th season of “American Idol” entered Hollywood Week, with local talent Noah Thompson, 19, making it to the next round, performing his rendition of “Burning House” by Cam.

• A Martin County man, Mardy D. Mollett Jr., 52, who was indicted in federal court on December 2020, was found guilty and sentenced to serve 10 years.

APRIL

A judge disqualified a candidate for Lawrence County coroner, ruling that he does not meet the age requirement for the office. Circuit Court Judge John David Preston’s decision came in a lawsuit filed by the current coroner, Wesley Heston, who claimed that his opponent in the Republican primary, Will Skaggs, is not old enough to hold the position.

• Johnson County celebrated country music superstar Loretta Lynn’s 90th birthday with five days of events.

• Louisa resident Noah Thompson made it to the top 24 of “American Idol” with his rendition of “Stay” by Rihanna.

• Lawrence County Judge-Executive Phil Carter accepted the resignation of Lawrence County Attorney Michael Hogan and appointed Brad Derifield the following day to fulfill the rest of Hogan’s term.

• A Martin County man died following a single-vehicle accident on Rt. 40 in the Blacklog area. Jamie Porter, 39, of Castle Branch, a coal miner, was on his way home from work in a Toyota Highlander when he fell asleep at the wheel and struck a tree, authorities said.

• Lawrence County’s Noah Thompson got the best birthday gift ever as he made it to the top 10 on “American Idol.” The Lawrence County Fiscal Court approved a resolution proclaiming April as Noah Thompson Appreciation Month.

• The Lawrence County Tourism Commission sponsored Fred M. Vinson Day on Saturday, April 30, in honor of the Lawrence County native and U. S. Supreme Court Justice.

MAY

• A skull found in Johnson County on June 7, 2020, was identified as that of Ricky D. Boyd, of Ohio.

• A Paintsville doctor appeared in federal court after being indicted on fraud and drug charges. Dr. Loey Kousa was charged with unlawful distribution of controlled substances, health care fraud and false statements in connection with health care benefits.

• Country music star Naomi Judd, originally from Ashland, died at the age of 76 from what daughters Wynonna and Ashley Judd said was a disease of mental illness.

• The Appalachian Mustang Rally 2020 made a pit stop in downtown Louisa for lunch and fuel. After lunch, the group held a meet and greet mini-car show with residents. The rally was a two-day drive through the mounts of Eastern Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia, and included 32 mustangs from several states.

• Lawrence County planned a homecoming to end all homecomings for Louisa resident Noah Thompson, who advanced to the top five of “American Idol.”

• The Kentucky Public Service Commission issued a final order approving, with modifications, the proposed acquisition of Kentucky Power Company by Liberty Utility Company.

• Addiction Recovery Care (ARC) founder and CEO Tim Robinson organized a ribbon-cutting ceremony at White Oak Hill, a new men’s residential treatment center in Martin County.

• Lawrence County’s Noah Thompson made it to the top three on “American Idol” and came home two days later to find thousands of people waiting to see his return and congratulate him on his success.

Thompson also performed a free concert.

• A July 13 trial date was set for a Paintsville doctor after he pleaded not guilty to federal drug and fraud charges. During his arraignment in U.S. District Court at Pikeville, a magistrate judge also prohibited Dr. Loey Kousa from prescribing controlled substances and traveling out of the country while on release.

• President Joe Biden nominated a Martin County native for the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Claria Horn Boom has served as a U.S. District Court judge for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky since 2018.

• Noah Thompson was the winner of the 20th season of “American Idol” following a three-hour finale on ABC-TV. Watch parties were held in multiple counties across the region to show support. Host Ryan Seacrest told Thompson, “Buddy you just won American Idol,” as he revealed the result of viewer voting.

“How do you feel?” Seacrest asked Thompson.

“Oh, my God,” Thompson said. “My heart is beating out of my chest. This is crazy.”

JUNE

• The eKentucky Advanced Manufacturing Institute in Paintsville held graduation for students in the advanced manufacturing technology program. Fifteen students from Johnson and surrounding counties are “excited to begin new careers in the automation and robotics industries,” a press release from eKAM said.

• Vandalism at the Paintsville High School baseball field prompted an investigation by the Johnson County School District. Johnson County School Superintendent Thom Cochran said that there were “JC” signs spray painted and district runner-up medallions belonging to the members of the Johnson Central High School baseball team left on the Paintsville field.

• A Martin County woman died in a four-wheeler crash at Tomahawk. Muriel S. “Sam” Penix, 60, was pronounced dead at ARH in Prestonsburg. Penix and her sister, Michelle Webb, were on the same four-wheeler and were going up the mountain when the collision occurred.

• Three United States Penitentiary Big Sandy employees were indicted in U.S. District Court on federal civil rights violations. A federal grand jury returned indictments charging Samuel J. Patrick, 41, of West Van Lear; Clinton L. Pauley, 40, of Ironton, Ohio; and Kevin C. Pearce Jr., 37, of Inez, with violating an individual’s right under the color of law and falsifying records to impede an investigation.

• “American Idol” winner Noah Thompson of Louisa stopped by The Big Sandy News to pick up caps from office manager Brenda Hardwick that were designed just for him by Ritt Mortimer of Independent Signs of Salyersville. Two of the caps touted his No. 1 single, “One Day Tonight,” while the third has the area code 606 inside a map of Kentucky.

JUNE: “American Idol” winner Noah Thompson of Louisa stopped by The Big Sandy News to pick up caps from office manager Brenda Hardwick that were designed just for him by Ritt Mortimer of Independent Signs of Salyersville. Two of the caps tout his No. 1 single, “One Day Tonight,” while the third has the area code 606 inside a map of Kentucky.

• Twelve-year-old Christopher Osborne of Lawrence County, who has special needs, accepted a challenge to take care of 50 lawns for free during the summer, which could consist of weed eating, push mowing, blowing leaves, etc.

• Approximately $2,700 was raised to help the Open Arms Animal Shelter in Lawrence County during two Cause for Paws fundraising events held at the Lawrence County Community Center.

• A judge granted a continuance in the sentencing of former Lawrence County Attorney Michael Hogan and his wife, Joy, on federal wire fraud and theft charges. The Hogans were scheduled to be sentenced July 6, but U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove granted Michael Hogan’s request to delay proceedings and set a new sentencing date of Sept. 27.

• A Martin County man was indicted on three counts of child pornography. Donald York, 59, of Beauty, was charged with production and distribution of child pornography.

• The Lawrence County Fiscal Court approved a rate increase for garbage haulers due to an increase in fuel prices. Lawrence County Judge-Executive Phillip Carter told the court that the garbage haulers were asking for an increase of $4 per customer and $2 for senior customers, due to the increase in gas prices. The fiscal court instead unanimously approved an increase of $2 per customer and $1 per senior customer.

• A former employee of Three Rivers Medical Center who pleaded guilty in March to wire fraud was formally sentenced June 13 to 33 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution. Leshae Nicole Hudnall was ordered to pay the $781,699.82 in restitution in one lump sum and was due immediately, according to U.S. District Court records.

• The Martin County Fiscal Court approved a raise of 10 percent for garbage haulers to offset the cost of rising gas prices, but the vote wasn’t unanimous. Magistrate Jared Goforth made a motion for a 10 percent increase that would be revisited if gas went below $3 a gallon, which was seconded by Magistrate Derick Stepp, with both Magistrate Junior Hunt and Magistrate Roger Preece in favor. Magistrate Mark Blackburn voted against the increase.

• An event was held to commemorate the opening of the Louisa/Fort Gay, W.Va. Bridge on June 27, 1906. To celebrate the historic opening, several people took part in a walk across the bridge and back to the locks. The bridge connects Kentucky and West Virginia, two rivers, the Levisa and the Tug Rivers, and has three exits/entrances.

• The trial of a Paintsville doctor charged with fraud and drug offenses was continued until 2023. Dr. Loey Kousa was scheduled to stand trial July 13 in U.S. District Court in Pikeville, but Judge Robert E. Wier granted a request to delay the proceedings. Wier rescheduled the trial for Feb. 8, 2023.

The remaining Year in review stories will be printed in next week’s edition of the Big Sandy News.