Bates wins varicose veins battle

PIKEVILLE — David Bates, a registered nuclear medicine and radiologic technologist at Pikeville Medical Center (PMC), has a family history of varicose veins. Bates is a runner and stands on his feet for long periods of time. He began experiencing heavy dull pain in his leg more on this story...  

PMC honored for stroke care

PIKEVILLE — Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) has received the Get With The Guidelines® —Stroke Gold-Plus Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for the treatment of stroke patients. Get With The Guidelines® helps health care  teams more on this story...  

Cardiac rehab available for heart failure patients

PIKEVILLE — After nearly a decade of deliberation and numerous heart failure safety studies, Medicare officials decided to cover cardiac rehab for heart failure patients. Chronic heart failure has long been considered one of medicine’s most debilitating diseases, carrying a hefty financial burden. more on this story...  

PMC Birth Announcements

Mekka Reese Pence, daughter of Tasha Shell and Michael Pence, born March 7, weight: 6 lbs. 6 oz. Kinsley Elizabeth Duncan, daughter of Kristina Moore and Charles Duncan, born March 10, weight: 5 lbs. 10 oz. Rylan Kane Mitchell, son of Kaitlyn and more on this story...  

PREVENTING CANCER: PMC offered free screening

PIKEVILLE — Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) held a free prostate and colon cancer screening at the Leonard Lawson Cancer Center on Saturday, April 5.   A total of 31 patients were screened, including 29 males and two females. Of the 31 people examined for colon cancer, more on this story...  

PMC offers new radiation services

PIKEVILLE  — A new service is being performed in the radiation oncology department at Pikeville Medical Center (PMC).   Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) is a form of radiation treatment in which targeted radiation is used to kill leftover breast cancer cells after a lumpectomy or mastectomy has been performed.   more on this story...  

PMC hosts trauma symposium

Pikeville Medical Center hosted a trauma symposium Saturday, April 12 at the Coal Building at the University of  Pikeville. Mayo Clinic physician Dr. Allen W. Brown (pictured below, at right) presented on coordinated trauma system care. PMC Trauma Surgeons Dr. Aaron Brown (pictured below, from left) and more on this story...  

Alzheimer’s, dementia classes set

PIKEVILLE — The public is invited to attend  classes in Pikeville and Paintsville this month for the loved ones and caregivers of people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. The Kentucky-Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will host a “Planning for Long Term” care class more on this story...  

Sexton accepted into Mayo Clinic Residency Program

PIKEVILLE — Matt Sexton, 26 years old, of Pikeville, was recently accepted into Mayo Clinic’s Anesthesiology Residency Program.   Sexton is a 2014 graduate of the University of Kentucky’s School of Medicine and will begin residency in Rochester, Minn. on July 1. Mayo Clinic’s Anesthesiology Residency more on this story...  

ON A MISSION: Youth Fest volunteers repair homes in eastern KY

TEABERRY — The weather may be seasonably comfortable today, but it was far from that on April 15, when cold temperatures turned rain into sleet, and sleet turned into snow that covered spring blossoms on hillsides throughout eastern Kentucky. But none of that mattered to the more on this story...  

Ride for former firefighter set for May 3

PIKEVILLE — Local residents are hosting a motorcycle “Cruise for a Cause” on May 3 for former Pikeville firefighter Tracy Daniels, who needs a heart transplant. Participants are to meet at Giovanni’s Pizza in downtown Pikeville for a blood drive from 8 a. m. to 1 p. m. more on this story...  

Hamilton wins essay contest

PIKEVILLE— Millard Elementary Fifth Grader Harley Hamilton is this year’s county district winner of the Retired Teachers’ Association “AARP Grandparent of the Year” essay contest. She will now go on to state competition with her essay praising her grandfather Joe Coleman.  Harley received a more on this story...  

National Day of Prayer May 1: Residents asked to unite for nation

PIKEVILLE — Hundreds of local residents will gather in public places on Thursday, May 1, as “One Voice United in Prayer. ” It’s part of the National Day of Prayer, which was established by Congress in 1952 and is confirmed via proclamations issued by the President and more on this story...  

Classes offer information about Alzheimer’s disease

PIKEVILLE — Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging.   It is a progressive brain disease that is the most common form of dementia. The public is invited to attend classes in Pikeville and Paintsville this month for the loved ones and caregivers more on this story...  

Black one of many shows coming to MAC this summer

PRESTONSBURG — One of the most famous American singer/songwriters, Clint Black, will take the stage at the Mountain Arts Center this weekend. Tickets are available for the April 25 performance, featuring special guest Mallary Hope. A prolific singer-songwriter Clint Black has long more on this story...  

PIS releases child find notice

The Pikeville Independent Schools has an ongoing child find system designed to locate, identify and evaluate any child residing in the school district ages 3 through 21 who may have a disability and be in need of special education or 504 services. Children more on this story...  

Hillbilly Days: Festival is, first and foremost, a fundraiser

Hillbilly Days, a fun-filled, three-day festival that brings more than 100,000 people to Pikeville, may look colorful and a bit crazy, but it is not just pokin’ fun at the “hillbilly” stereotype. Dubbed the second largest festival in Kentucky, Hillbilly Days is, first and more on this story...  

Arts, crafts and vittles

Thousands of people will purchase one-of-a-kind, handcrafted items and food during Hillbilly Days. More than 240 vendors will be located throughout Pikeville from 8 a. m. to 11 p. m. on Thursday through Friday and from 8 a. m. to 8 p. m. on Saturday. Visitors can more on this story...  

Run for the Children during festival

Hillbilly Days visitors can run for a good cause. The Tug Valley Road Runners Club is hosting its 10th annual 10K Run/2 Mile Walk for the Children during Hillbilly Days. Registration begins at 6:30 a. m. on Saturday, April 26 in the parking lot more on this story...  

The Hillbilly Days carnival

Open in the Riverfill: •Wednesday, April 23: 6 p. m. to 11 p. m. •Thursday, April 24: 10 a. m. to 11:30 p. m. •Friday, April 25: 10 a. m. to 11:30 p. m. •Saturday, April 26: 10 a. m. to midnight more on this story...  

Hillbilly Days Quilt Show

The Pike County Extension Homemakers and the Pike County Quilt Guild will once again host the annual Hillbilly Days Quilt & Needlework Show. The show will be open to the public from 10 a. m. to 6 p. m. on Friday, April 25 and from 10 a. m. to more on this story...  

Hillbilly Days is packed with four stages

The Bowles Pavilion The Bowles Pavilion in the Pikeville City Park is home to many Old Time Mountain musicians during Hillbilly Days. Hundreds of local, regional and national musicians have performed on this stage, the city park gazebo, over the years. more on this story...  

Hillbilly Days: Juggling comedian featured

Hillbilly Days will feature several appearances from Ohio-based juggler Matt Jergens, who draws audiences in by mixing comedy with juggling. The international gold medalist juggler has performed more than 300 shows at events throughout the nation. He has been making audiences laugh for more than 18 more on this story...  

Innovation office comes to Pike

PIKEVILLE – Gov. Steve Beshear announced a vital resource for entrepreneurs and small businesses in eastern Kentucky. The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is establishing a Kentucky Innovation Network office in Pikeville. The office, on the University of Pikeville campus, will provide much-needed assistance to startup more on this story...  

East Kentucky Racers formed: New group hosts races for new animal shelter

PRESTONSBURG — A new racing group recently formed in Floyd County and is planning three races for its 2014 season. Prestonsburg athlete and businessman Brent Graden teamed up with other local businesses to promote the East Kentucky Racers, an organization geared to build momentum with racing more on this story...  

Bright-eyed young boy seeking a loving home

Cole is a bright-eyed 10-year-old boy looking for his forever home. He is a very sweet child who has gone through more than most children his age. He loves being outside and “getting dirty. ” He really enjoys more on this story...  

Feeding the Flock: Pike author publishes devotional

PIKEVILLE — A Pike County woman poured her love for God onto paper and is sharing it for everyone to read. Cheryl Lynn Betz of Chloe Ridge in Pikeville, a former public school teacher, recently released “Lord, It’s time for Just You and Me: Book more on this story...  

TNA wrestling comes to Pikeville

PIKEVILLE — Tickets go on sale today, Friday, April 18, for an upcoming show with TNA Impact Wrestling at the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville. TNA Impact Wrestling’s 2014 World Tour, which will be held at 7:30 p. m. on May 30 at the more on this story...  

Citizens encouraged to attend SOAR conference

SOMERSET — As the work of the “Shaping Our Appalachian Region”, or SOAR, initiative moves forward, citizens are invited to attend next week’s annual East Kentucky Leadership Conference in Somerset to take part in one of ten SOAR working groups.   This conference will mark the more on this story...  

Johns Creek Robotics Team to compete at state

JOHNS CREEK — “Robotics teaches students to work together to solve problems,” said Johns Creek eighth grader Autumn Thacker. “This program should be in every school. ” Autumn is a member of a Robo Challenge Extreme Robotics Team that will be going on to state competition after more on this story...  

New museum with new name, new board

New By-laws, county-city partnership, new location PIKEVILLE — Pike County Judge Executive Wayne T. Rutherford and Pikeville Mayor Frank Justice recently signed documents to rename and move the new Pikeville/Pike County Museum. The museum will be moving into the vacant fourth more on this story...  

Johns Creek student serves in Frankfort

FRANKFORT — Johns Creek eighth grader Sarah Lawson doesn’t see a future in politics because, “I don’t think I could sit there for five hours,” but serving as a legislative page for a day was, “really cool,” and “a fun time. ” Sarah, 14, was selected to more on this story...  

SUPPORTING OUR VETERANS: Pikeville VFW Post 3769 members recognized

PIKEVILLE — The initiatives of Pikeville VFW Post 3769  gained national attention. VFW National Commander-in-Chief Bill Thien, along with Kentucky State Commander Joe Schnitterbaum, were on hand April 15 to present the local organization with the Commander-in-Chief’s medallion for its community service in aiding veterans. more on this story...  

Event slated to honor late Martin Council member

MARTIN — Officials, friends and family will gather April 25, at 11:30 a. m. , for the naming of the future Martin city entity location after the late Dr. Mahendra Varia, who was a council member from 1998 until his death in February this year. Varia worked with more on this story...  

UPIKE presents ‘mockumentary’

PIKEVILLE — University of Pikeville students and faculty presented a documentary at the Appalachian Studies Conference at Marshall University in Huntington, W. Va. UPIKE students Brian Dunn, of Vicco, and Jacob Stratton, of Stanville, joined John Howie, Ph. D. , associate professor of psychology, and Darrell Riffe, adjunct instructor more on this story...  

UPIKE president, PCYLC honored

SOMERSET — University of Pikeville President Dr. James Hurley and the Pike County Youth Leadership Council earned Forward in the Fifth’s 2014 Appalachian Leaders in Education (AppLE) Awards for their efforts to advance education. Hurley was nominated in the Higher Education category and Pike County Youth more on this story...  

Hillbilly Days: PMC offers first aid

PIKEVILLE —  Pikev­ille Medical Center (PMC) is sponsoring the of­ficial First Aid Sta­tion at the 38th annual Hillbilly Days Festi­val. PMC’s booth, lo­cated on Main Street in front of the Pikev­ille United Methodist Church, will be open Thursday, April 24, and Friday, April 25, from more on this story...  

Bring out your rat rods! Hillbilly Car Show includes Hillbilly jalopies this year!

Hundreds of Shriners from all over the country wheel their colorful jalopies to Pike County every April for Hillbilly Days. Now, they can win prizes for it. The Hillbilly Days Car Show will begin at 1 p. m. on Friday, April 25, at more on this story...  

Need a ride?

The Hillbilly Days Festival attracts more than 100,000 people each year. The city’s parking garage fills up quickly, and, as the crowd grows, the need to park farther away from the hub-bub of the city becomes increasingly necessary. Thank goodness for the kindness more on this story...  

Meet the Grand Marshals

PIKEVILLE — The Hillbilly Days Festival will feature two very special grand marshals this year. Jaycee Anderson, a nine-year-old Paintsville Elementary student who was born with an under-developed right leg, and Jacob Tyler May, a 15-year-old Belfry High School student who was born with a club more on this story...  

Hillbillies to be honored

Hillbilly Days Festival goers who want to learn more about the history of the festival and understand more about what it’s all about should attend the annual Welcoming Ceremony, which will be held from 5 p. m. to 6 p. m. on Thursday, April 24, in the Pikeville City Park. more on this story...  

Hillbilly Days - On Stage: Coaltown Dixie

Coaltown Dixie, a bluegrass band made up of Kristen Preston on the mandolin and dobro, Melanie Turner on the banjo and guitar, Stephanie Rose on Bass and Kalyn Bradford on the guitar and mandolin, is bringing in new talent for Hillbilly Days. This year, the band will play alongside more on this story...  

Old Crow Medicine Show returning to Hillbilly Days

PIKEVILLE — Old Crow Medicine Show has survived in country music the past 15 years by keeping it simple. According to fiddler and lead vocalist Ketch Secor, the group has crafted American roots music while pushing themselves in new directions. “My love for more on this story...  

Air Force vet to lead College of Optometry

PIKEVILLE — On behalf of the University of Pikeville Board of Trustees, President James Hurley announced the appointment of Andrew Buzzelli O. D. , M. S. , as the founding dean of the Kentucky College of Optometry. Buzzelli, who currently serves as dean and professor of the Rosenberg School of more on this story...  

There’s much to gain with whole grain

By KELLY SCOTT PHS Jr. Chef Cooking Team This month’s healthy eating tip and recipe focuses on eating whole grains. Eating at least the recommended amount of whole grains may help lower your risk for health conditions such as cancer, more on this story...  

‘Wrestling for Casey’ benefit set this weekend

SOUTH WILLIAMSON — The Tri-State Wrestling Alliance will host a “Wrestling for Casey” fundraiser on April 19 at 7:30 p. m. at the Williamson Field House in Williamson, W. Va. Ringside advanced ticket holders will enjoy a meet-and-greet from 6 p. m. to 7 p. m. The event will more on this story...  

Local group helps students with prom attire

PIKEVILLE — In its fourth year, the Donate a Dream project is well underway, with volunteers working to make prom a special event for all local students. The organization was founded in 2011 by Garnet “Suzie” Johnson, who wanted to give underprivileged students the same opportunity more on this story...  

Legislative session ends this week

FRANKFORT — The Kentucky General Assembly’s 2014 regular session ended this evening, capping off a session in which lawmakers approved the state’s next two-year budget and measures that will impact people throughout the state. Since the session’s start in early January, lawmakers have approved measures to more on this story...  

Obituaries

Ted Francis, 71, of McAndrews, died April 16. Survivors: wife Elsie A. (Deskins) Francis; children Anthony (Leigh Ann) Francis of Chattaroy, W. Va. , Meletta (J. B. ) Dotson of Ransom; other family members. Funeral: April 19 at R. E. Rogers Funeral Home Chapel.   Burial: Mountain View Memory Gardens, Huddy more on this story...  

Obituaries: Local publisher dies

WHITESBURG — Patricia Gish, who worked with her husband Tom Gish to publish The Mountain Eagle in Whitesburg for more than 50 years, died April 13 at her home. She was 87 years old. She worked at a Lexington newspaper before more on this story...  

Paintsville rallies past Pikeville

PIKEVILLE —Paintsville’s Kash Daniel belted a two-run homer and teammate Lane Daniels tripled home another run as the Tigers rallied to beat Pikeville, 4-3,  in the Pikeville Panther Classic at Davis Park on April 19. Both teams managed just five hits each in the game as more on this story...  

Pikeville, AC, LCC post diamond wins

PIKEVILLE — Pikeville used timely hitting and solid pitching to earn a 3-1 win over East Ridge at Davis Park on April 17. Peyton Hamilton had two hits, including a double, and drove in two runs as  the Panthers improved to 7-10. Clay Slone more on this story...  

All 'A' Classic: Nunemaker’s late-inning run lifts Pikeville

PIKEVILLE — Pikeville is back on top of the 15th Region All “A” mountain. Savanna Nunemaker raced home on a pass ball with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift the Lady Panthers to a thrilling 5-4 win over Paintsville more on this story...  

Blackcats cough up lead, fall to Rebels

DRIFT — Allen Central rallied from an eight-run deficit to stun Prestonsburg, 10-9, at Turner Field on April 16. The Rebels, now 11-5, scored five times in the fifth and sixth innings in dropping the Blackcats to 7-7. Junior Handshoe was the winning more on this story...  

Pirates nip Hawks; Lady Warriors roll to diamond wins

GOODY — Belfry’s Nate Sanger delivered a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning that scored Joey Duty with the game-winning run as the Pirates edged Pike County Central, 3-2, at Massey Field on April 10. Duty doubled to right to set up more on this story...  

Belfry, Betsy Layne win

LICK CREEK — Belfry rallied in the late inning to take the lead away from East Ridge and post a 9-2 win on April 21. Joey Duty led the hit parade for the Pirates (15-8) with three singles. He scored more on this story...  

NEWSOME RETIRES: Long-time assistant coach Keathley takes over Cats

STANVILLE — There had been much speculation this past season that veteran Betsy Layne head basketball coach Junior Newsome would retire from the game. It became official late last week when school officials announced the veteran coach was stepping down. Long-time assistant Gary more on this story...  

High School Roundup: Seven-run inning carries Pikeville past Prestonsburg

PIKEVILLE — Pikeville pushed across seven runs in the bottom of the first inning and went on to end a five-game losing streak with an 8-3 win over Prestonsburg at Davis Park on April 14. Tanner Thompson had two hits, including a triple, and more on this story...  

Paintsville, Letcher Central, PCC post wins; Valley Kats, Mingo Central, Allen Central girls all fall

PAINTSVILLE —Paintsville pounded out 11 hits as the Tigers rolled to an 11-1 win over East Ridge at Charlie Adkins Field on April 12. Taylor Miller had two hits, including a triple, scored one run and batted in another as Tigers improved to 11-3. Ben Daniels more on this story...  

Bulldogs sweep UPIKE baseball

LEBANON, Tenn. — A pair of quick starts by Cumberland (Tenn. ) doomed the University of Pikeville baseball team on April 12 as it lost both games of a doubleheader, 6-1 and 18-3, at Woody Hunt Stadium. The Bulldogs put together three runs on four more on this story...  

Why

Sometimes in my position, I am asked many difficult questions like what is God? Who is Jesus? Why am I here? Does God love me? Why did he take my loved one?  I think perhaps the most difficult and perplexing question is, “Why do bad more on this story...  

The piano lady

Holy Week is a very special time, and a time when we often reflect on our service for Christ. When I came to PMC in 2008, one of the first people I met was a tender saint affectionately known as “the piano lady. ”  Her real name more on this story...