WKDP – WCTT Local News

An arrest has been made in connection with a bar fight that sent a University of Pikeville football player to the hospital.

It happened early Sunday morning at Yesterday’s Night Club in Williamson, WV.  Police say Byron Young stabbed U-Pike player Brandon Teasley after he was seen dancing with his girlfriend inside the club.

The brawl moved outside, where it grew to involve some 60 people, including a teammate of Teasley’s who left the bar with a concussion.

Teasley has since been released from the hospital.

Young was arrested Wednesday and charged with malicious wounding in the case.

Just one month after hundreds of inmates were released early, another 200 inmates were set free today.

As a measure to cut costs and cut down on the state’s prison population, the Department of Corrections granted 199 inmates early release under the Mandatory Re-Entry Supervision Program.

Last month, almost 1,000 inmates were released early in order to serve the remaining six-months of their sentence at approved residences across Kentucky.  Gov. Steve Beshear recently defended the program after leaning that 75 of those inmates had already been found in violation of their parole.  Beshear said it was far too early to say the program isn’t working.

The Department of Corrections is mandated by the state to continue the process next month and months to follow.  Lawmakers have said they would consider making the program permanent if it proves successful.

We now know more about an apartment fire this morning in Knox County that sent three people to the hospital, including a one-month-old baby.

The fire broke out just before 2 a.m. off Highway 225 in Artemus in a nearly 100-year-old building that contained 9 apartments.

A one-month-old baby was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.  A resident, Keith Bays, was flown to UK Hospital with burns to his hands and face, and a firefighter was taken to the hospital after reportedly suffering from an asthma attack.

A shelter has been set up at a local church for displaced residents.

Two new scams have been reported in Laurel County recently.

The first targets victims via text message.

According to State Police in London, a scam is attempting to target victims through a text message, stating that their credit or debit card has been de-activated.

The message gives a telephone number to contact, where the victim is then asked to enter their 16-digit card number.

The second scam involves college students.

A 19-year-old college student in London reported to the local sheriff’s department that he had received a call on his cell phone which stated he had qualified for a “Federal Government Grant” to assist with his college expenses.

He was first told to go to Western Union and send a $240 fee in return for the $7,000 grant.  After sending the $240 he then received another call asking for an additional $450 to cover taxes on the grant, which he also sent.  The victim was called a third time and asked to pay $900 for insurance on the grant.

Both have been determined to be scams.  Citizens are reminded to never give out personal information over the phone and not to send money in return for grants or prizes.

The name of a Whitley County Deputy Jailer will be placed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Turnkey Joe Tuggle was killed in the line of duty in October, 1940.  Tuggle was shot by inmate William Elliott.  Elliott was being escorted from his cell to meet a visitor when he grabbed Tuggle’s gun and shot him twice.  After a manhunt involving numerous agencies and the use of bloodhound dogs, Elliott was arrested and sentenced to 21 years in prison.

Turnkey Tuggle’s name was sent to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund for consideration by Jailer Ken Mobley.

Tuggle’s name will be dedicated on May 13th during the annual candlelight vigil.

One person was sent to the hospital and another was sent to jail following a DUI crash in Laurel County.

It happened Tuesday afternoon on U.S. 25 E, 10 miles south of London.

According to Sheriff John Root, 37-year-old Annette Cox of Williamsburg was under the influence when she turned in front of a Chrysler PT Cruiser, driven by Donna Isaacs of Corbin.

Isaacs was taken to a local hospital with possible injuries.

Cox was arrested and charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence and lodged in the Laurel County jail.

Crews are on the scene of a fire at an apartment complex in Knox County.

The blaze broke out early this morning off KY 225 in Artemus, southeast of Corbin.

Dispatchers say a firefighter was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.  Another person was flown to UK Hospital with unknown injuries. 

We’ll update this story when more information becomes available.

Former Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer has asked for unemployment benefits.

According to the Courier-Journal, Farmer applied for unemployment benefits after his term of office ended on Jan. 1.

Benefits would have paid Farmer $415 a week if his claim had been approved.

Farmer held his position as Agriculture Commissioner for eight years, earning more that $110,000 a year when his term ended.

Kentucky law lists a public elected official among the types of employment not eligible for benefits.

A Bell County family is searching for answers after a man disappears.

41-year-old Gary Wayne Sayre was last seen Sunday when he left his home on Round Ridge Road with a friend.

According to his wife, the two picked up another man who needed a ride on HWY 190.  Apparently, the man then got into an argument with Sayre, causing Sayre to get out of the car.  When his friend dropped off the other man, he says he went back to get Sayre, but he was gone.

Gary Sayre is described as a white man, around 5’7″ weighing about 150 pounds.  He has black/silver hair that he usually wears in a ponytail and has several tattoos.

There will be a volunteer search today in the Frakes part of Bell County.  Everyone will meet at the Chenoa gas station at 9 a.m.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s department at 606-337-3102.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is hosting a “First Saturday of the Month Hike” this Saturday, February 4, 2012.

The 10 a.m. trek will be a guided hike on the 4.5 mile Blue Bend Trail.  The first three miles of the trail follow the Cumberland River along a hemlock grove and then ascend the hill, leading up to a “surprise” at the top.

The event is free.  Participants should bring a lunch and drinking water and should dress appropriately for the weather.

Participants will meet in the Great Room of the Dupont Lodge at 10 a.m.

For more information, call the park at 1-800-325-0063.