WKDP – WCTT Local News

Police in Harlan County are on the lookout for a fugitive out of Michigan.

A newspaper in Harlan County reports local, state and federal officers are looking for 48-year-old Bryan Farmer of Michigan.

Officials say they are sure Farmer, who has family in the county, is in the area and are urging people to contact them if they’ve seen him.

Farmer is wanted for rape, sexual misconduct, unlawful imprisonment and assault with a dangerous weapon.  He is described as a white male, around 6’1 and weighing 160 pounds with short brown hair and a mustache.

Anyone with any information should contact local authorities.

A firefighter has been killed after being hit by a train in Rockcastle County.

It happened early this morning in the Twin Tunnel Road area.

Officials say 29-year-old Chris Kearns was in an SUV and appeared to be mushroom hunting along the tracks when he was hit.

Kearns was a volunteer firefighter in Mount Vernon and a full-time firefighter in Berea.

Gov. Steve Beshear is pushing for legislation aimed at curbing prescription drug abuse.

Beshear has joined several state leaders in the push for a bill that would put the attorney general’s office in charge of the state’s prescription monitoring system to help identify doctors who overprescribe pain killers.

Lawmakers return to Frankfort next Thursday for the final day of the legislative session.  Beshear said that gives lawmakers ample time to pass the bill.

A Knox County Deputy Jailer is now behind bars.

Charles Elliott of Artemus was arrested Thursday and charged with complicity to promote contraband.

Police say the investigation into Elliott began when he went to visit a female inmate at the Laurel County jail.

State police are continuing the investigation.

A Laurel County man has been killed by a train in Tennessee.

Police say 31-year-old Michael Frye, who was originally from Lily, died early Thursday morning after walking in front of a train near World’s Fair Park in downtown Knoxville.

Police say Frye was homeless.

A 90-day round up of drug-traffickers has resulted in 58 arrests.

Operation Spring Sting began on January 1, and through the course of the investigation, 58 suspects have been arrested and over $40,000 in cash and vehicles have been seized.

According to Sheriff John Root, many of the accused dealers actually live in adjoining counties and come into Laurel County to deal drugs.

4 teams of Laurel County Deputies, assisted by Ky. State Police, London Police Officers, Corbin City Police, and U.S. Marshal Service armed with arrest warrants arrested the following subjects who are identified as: 

Robert Neal Masters age 46 Sycamore Street, Wiiliamsburg-Trafficking Controlled Substance 1^st Degree

Kevin Lawson , Sibert Lane, London-Trafficking Controlled Substance 1^st degree,1^st offense

Ruby Lawson Sibert Lane ,London – Trafficking Controlled Substance 1^st degree,1^st offense

Jeremiah Moore Seeley Road, London-Possession of Controlled Substance1st degree,1^st Offense(Methamphetamine) and Manufacturing Methamphetamine 1^st offense

Jason Moore Seeley Road, London-Trafficking Marijuana(under 8 ounces)  1^st Offense

Raymond Bullis  Parkhill Road, Corbin-Trafficking Controlled Substance 1 degree, 1^st offense

Shawna Moore North Ky 830 Corbin – Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st degree, 1^st offense

Jimmy Gilbert, Palmer Street, Corbin- Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st degree, 1^st offense

Tammy Creech  Rudder Street London – Trafficking Controlled Substance,2^nd degree, 1^st offense

Ronnie Ratliff ,Slate Lick Road, London- Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st degree, 1^st offense

Casey Brock Park Street Corbin- 2 counts-Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st degree, 1^st offense

Elizabeth Lowe Park Street,Corbin- Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st degree, 1^st offense

Also being sought by sheriff’s deputies are: 

David Robinson East Branch Road, East Bernstadt- Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st degree, 1^st offense

Dudley Wagers Bridgestone Road,London- Trafficking Controlled Substance,1^st degree,2^nd offense

Brandon Smith Parkhill Road, Corbin-2 counts – Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st degree, 1^st offense

Mark Alexander Seeley Road, London-Manufacturing Methamphetamine, 1^st Offense

Johanna Mccormick Wildcat Road,London- Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st degree, 1^st offense

James Schueler Highway 909,London-Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st degree, 1^st offense

Cora Collinsworth Highway 909, London- Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st degree, 1^st offense                              

Christopher Smallwood  Lon Chadwell Street, Corbin- Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st degree, 1^st offense

A woman was injured in Laurel County Thursday morning after a turkey flew through her windshield.

It happened around 10 a.m. on KY 229, 5 miles south of London.

According to Sheriff John Root, Angelina Johnson of London was driving along 229 in a pickup truck when a turkey flew from the woods and into her windshield.

The turkey shattered the windshield, went into the cab and caused the driver injuries to her head and face.

Johnson was taken to Saint Joseph Hospital in London for treatment.

In northern Kentucky, officials are trying to ensure a newly built bald eagle’s nest near the site of a bridge planned for the Ohio River is protected.

Construction of the bridge is set to begin next year.

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife officials are trying to find the best way to minimize impacts to the birds, which are sensitive to disturbance.

Measures could include not removing trees in the area around the nest or creating a buffer zone where construction crews would not be allowed.

Officials dont believe the nest will delay work on the bridge.

An animal ordinance in Laurel County passed its second reading Tuesday.

The ordinance will regulate animals from being on the street during the World Chicken Festival.

It will also restrict the number of dogs and cats to residential property to no more than two and require animals to b fenced in on property within the city limits.

There will be a public meeting on April 12 at City Hall to discuss the measure.

Travelers are  being advised to seek alternate routes through East Tennessee over the holiday weekend as backups are expected along I-75 from Kentucky into Tennessee.

The interstate is currently reduced to one late at mile marker 144 at Jellico due to a landslide last month.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation warns that holiday traffic could expect major delays and traffic backups in excess of 20 miles.

Motorists are encouraged to seek alternative routes, such as US 25 W to LaFollette.  Wide load vehicles must use Exit 160.