Ralph Davis

LOUISA, Ky. — Days after Addiction Recovery Care was ordered to pay more than $18 million to resolve a pair of lawsuits for selling the same tax credits to two different companies, the Louisa-based addiction treatment provider is facing another lawsuit for failing to pay nearly $1 million for prescription drug benefit services. VerusRX LLC, a Texas-based pharmacy benefit management company, filed the breach-of-contract complaint Sept. 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas in Dallas. The company seeks $962,000 in damages, along with late fees, interest and attorney fees. According to the complaint, VerusRX entered […]

FRANKFORT, Ky. — A Louisville lawmaker plans to introduce legislation during the 2027 legislative session to establish a licensing framework for lactation consultants, with the goal of improving mothers’ access to trained professionals who provide breastfeeding and infant-feeding support. Rep. Emily Callaway, R-Louisville, presented the proposal to the Interim Joint Committee on Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations. She filed a similar measure, House Bill 487, during the 2026 legislative session. The proposal would create the Kentucky Advisory Council of Lactation Consultants to advise the Kentucky Board of Nursing on qualifications, training standards and professional competency requirements for licensed lactation consultants. […]

Gary Don Hampton, 49, of Virgie, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of receiving and one count of possessing child porn in London federal court. Each charge carries a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

DELBARTON, W.Va. — A former Mingo County school employee has been arrested on allegations of embezzlement. The Mingo County Sheriff’s Office reports that former Burch PreK-8 secretary Angela Fleming was taken into custody by West Virginia State Police, after warrants were issued for her arrest on Wednesday. She is charged with two counts of misdemeanor embezzlement and one count of computer fraud. The charges stem from allegations involving money that went missing while she was employed at the school. No other details about the case have been provided.

TEABERRY, Ky. — A Floyd County man is facing a long list of charges, after deputies went to serve him with warrants and ended up in a standoff and hostage situation. Four deputies went to a Teaberry home to serve warrants on Mickey McKinney, 47, just before 3 p.m., Thursday. When they arrived, they said McKinney spoke to them through the door, allegedly threatening them and saying he wouldn’t come outside and they had better not come inside. They also learned he was inside with his grandmother and her caretaker. A family member who lives nearby let them inside the […]

WHITESBURG, Ky. — A 34-year-old Hindman man was killed Sunday in a two-vehicle crash on Route 15 in Letcher County, according to Kentucky State Police. Troopers said the collision happened shortly before 11 a.m. Oct. 18 in the Whitesburg area. A preliminary investigation indicates Travis Thomas was driving a northbound 2023 Dodge Ram when it struck the rear of a 2022 Ford F-150, pushing the pickup into the southbound lane. Police said the Dodge Ram then struck a guardrail, left the roadway off the southbound shoulder and came to rest down an embankment. Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene […]

LOUISA, Ky. — Addiction Recovery Care plans to adopt the Unison Behavioral Healthcare name, as corporate records show a newly formed company tied to Unison has taken over management of the treatment provider. ARC informed employees of the planned transition Friday in an internal memo obtained by Mountain Top News. The memo describes the transition as an effort to build a “stronger, more integrated and financially sustainable organization under the Unison Behavioral Healthcare name.” “This transition represents much more than a change in our company name or logo,” the memo reads. “It is an opportunity to strengthen our organization, expand […]

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — The man accused of killing Amber Spradlin will not be allowed to leave home incarceration for work. M.K. McKinney, 26, was denied his request for work release by Special Judge Eddy Coleman on Monday. The judge did not give a reason for the denial. McKinney had filed a motion Aug. 18 asking to have his bond adjusted to reduce the financial conditions and to allow him to leave home incarceration for work. During a hearing Sept. 17, Judge Coleman agreed to reduce his financial obligations, but said he needed additional information before making a decision about work […]

Christopher Alan Price, 27, of Louisa, was indicted Oct. 8 on 28 counts of distributing child porn, 25 counts of promoting a minor in a sexual performance, nine counts of sexual crimes against animals and one count of first-degree sodomy. He was arrested Thursday and booked in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville.

CORBIN, Ky. — The Shaping Our Appalachian Region initiative has recognized individuals and organizations for their contributions to Eastern Kentucky during its 2026 SOAR Inspire Awards. The awards were presented Oct. 8 during the SOAR Summit in Corbin, recognizing achievements in business, education, health care, tourism, workforce development and community service. Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers received the inaugural Appalachian Film and Arts Award. The honor will now bear his name, recognizing people who expand opportunities for arts and storytelling in Appalachia. Other award recipients include: The annual awards highlight people and organizations working to create opportunities and strengthen communities […]