Local News Tuesday February 21, 2012
Thousands of people are still in the dark after Sunday's winter storm.

At the height of the storm around 34,000 eastern Kentuckians were without power, but that number is beginning to drop.

Crews have been working since Sunday night to try and restore that power, but Kentucky Power officials say it could be several more days before everyone has it again.

As of this morning Letcher County still had about 33% of the county without power or 3,997 customers.

Leslie County and Knott County both still had 41% of customers still without power.

Perry County has 20% still out and several other counties are reporting less than 10% still out.

Crews are in from Michigan, Ohio and other states helping Kentucky Power restore service. 

The company is utilizing more than 560 additional workers to aid in restoration efforts. 

The power company said the the storm  caused major damage to power lines, utility poles, electrical wires and other electrical equipment leading to the power outage cases.

In many instances, snow-laden trees and tree branches snapped and fell across power lines and utility poles.

Kentucky Power cautions that power outages can still occur. 

Trees, weakened by heavy snow, in already saturated ground, may continue to lose their rootings and branches causing additional outage cases.

If you need to report an outage you can call  1-800-572-1113.

Most of the area had 6-8" or more of heavy wet snow.

Please be cautious traveling today especially on back roads and secondary roads for pieces of downed trees and debris still in the roadway.

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After six hours of deliberating Friday, a Letcher County jury convicted Samuel Collier of second-degree manslaughter in the 2010 shooting death of Mark Sturgill.

Collier says he shot Sturgill in self defense.

During the penalty phase, the jury heard from Mark Sturgill's wife Melissa about how Mark's death has affected her family.

The jury came back with a recommended ten year sentence for Collier.

 Commonwealth's Attorney Edison Banks says Collier will be up for parole after serving 20 percent, or two years, of that sentence.

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A woman is dead after a crash in Bell county.

It happened on U.S. 25E in Ferndale Monday afternoon.

Police say 66 year old Barbara Partin of Pineville pulled into the path of a pickup.

Partin was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the truck was not hurt.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts and no charges are pending.

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The debate over whether to make the University of Pikevillle public took center stage in front of a statewide audience.

KET hosted the debate Monday night featuring UPike President Paul Patton and Morehead State President Dr. Wayne Andrews.

Patton, a former governor, says a state-funded school is necessary to pull students living in his area out of poverty.

But Morehead State's president says another public university would add to an already strained system.

The idea has been met with opposition from those who don't like the idea of using coal severance money to pay for it.

The legislature is expected to weigh in on the future of the University of Pikeville this week.

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A ban on synthetic marijuana is a step closer in Knott County.

The first reading of an ordinance banning the substance was at Monday night's fiscal court reading.

There will be a second reading and vote at the next meeting.

Several other cities and counties have, or are in the process of doing the same thing.

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Family and friends are remembering Mike Mullins, the long-time director of the Hindman Settlement School, who died last night.

Officials say he had an apparent heart attack while exercising at the Knott County Sportsplex.

Mullins helped many children in his 34 years heading the Hindman Settlement School.

Mullins was 63 years old.

Visitation will be Wednesday 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Hindman Funeral Services Chapel.

The funeral will be Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at the Hindman Funeral Services Chapel.

The family asks in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hindman Settlement School New Office Fund, PO Box 844, Hindman, KY 41822.