News
KY Power prepares for low temperatures and winter weather
ASHLAND, Ky., November 11, 2019 – Kentucky Power is preparing and is encouraging its customers to get ready, too, as freezing temperatures and a wintry mix of rain and snow are set to move through the region. The National Weather Service has forecast the first accumulating snow of the season should hit the region this week. A strong arctic cold front is expected to reach the area Monday night and bring a dramatic drop in temperatures. Rain is expected to switch to snow overnight and continue into
Fast Change gives back to military with free oil changes
Inez, Ky., November 11, 2019- Fast Change Lube and Oil Inc. showed its support for active-duty military personnel and veterans by providing free oil changes on Veterans Day to thank them for their service to our country. “We want to thank all of the great men and women who have and continue to serve our great country,” said Fast Change President Kevin Davis. “We appreciate you and this is one way of giving back for your service. As an ongoing token of our gratitude and appreciation, Fast Change honors
Great Clips® welcomes military service members with free haircuts on Veterans Day
The world’s largest salon brand shows gratitude to those who have served Pikeville, KY November, 11th 2019 – For the seventh consecutive year, Great Clips salons across the country, including in Pikeville, KY are showing appreciation for active and retired military service members this Veterans Day, Nov. 11. On Nov. 11, veterans and active service members can go into any U.S. Great Clips salon and get either a free haircut or a free haircut card to use later. In addition, non-veteran customers who get a
Kentucky Power awards $300,000 grant to bring jobs to region
HAZARD, Ky., November 4, 2019 – The Perry County Fiscal Court has received a $300,000 economic development grant from Kentucky Power to support bringing Dajcor Aluminum and hundreds of jobs to the region. The grant is being funded through the Kentucky Power Economic Development Growth Grants (K-PEGG) program. Perry County Judge Executive Scott Alexander and county magistrates received the grant Saturday before a groundbreaking ceremony for Dajcor’s manufacturing plant near Hazard. The facility is
Operation Soldier Care with Fast Change collects $40,000 for deployed troops
SubmittedInez, Ky., <Oct. 25, 2019>: Fast Change Lube and Oil Inc. presented $40,000 as part of Operation Soldier Care to Military Missions on Oct. 24 representing monetary and donated items collected in support and honor of the nation’s deployed military personnel.“Operation Soldier Care helps show our support for the military by providing them with items they may not be able to easily get while deployed,” said Fast Change President Kevin Davis. “I am proud to partner with WEMM-FM for this effort and we’re
Op-Ed: Eastern Kentucky Priorities Are UK Priorities
By University of Kentucky President Dr. Eli Capilouto At the University of Kentucky, we look toward the hills and mountains for partnership and meaning, for stronger communities and for a brighter future for our Commonwealth. Last month, I joined elected officials from across Eastern Kentucky for the Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) Summit in Pikeville. It was a gathering underscored by hope and guided by a compelling vision. In Pike County, there is a high-tech incubator teaching coding to
$43K distributed to local schools through annual Pike County Bowl
The Community Trust Bank/WYMT Pike County Bowl Committee held its Distribution Luncheon earlier this month. $7,202.11 was distributed to each of the six Pike County high schools for a total of $43,212.66. Over the 35 years of the Pike County Bowl, a total of $962,862 has been distributed to Pike County Schools. Picured left to right are Brett Keene, Pikeville Market President, Community Trust Bank; Mike Hamilton, Principal, Phelps High School; Greg Napier, Principal, Shelby Valley High School; Mark
East Kentucky Science Center Receives Prestigious ISEF Affiliation
Submitted Prestonsburg, Ky– The East Kentucky Science Center (EKSC) and Big Sandy Community & Technical College (BSCTC) are pleased to announce EKSC’s annual regional science and engineering fair has been granted the coveted Society for Science & The Public’s (ISEF) affiliation. Since 1950, Society for Science & the Public has provided an international stage for the world’s best and brightest young scientists through its International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world’s premier STEM
Chamber welcomes 22 to Patton Leadership Institute 2020 class
Pikeville, KY (October 17, 2019) – Patton Leadership Institute kicked off a new cycle by welcoming 22 business leaders from across the region to the program during a retreat held at Breaks Interstate Park last week. Patton Leadership Institute takes its name from Gov. Paul and Judi Patton, and the leadership they have displayed for the region and state of Kentucky over the years. PLI builds teams of emerging leaders from throughout the region who have assumed leadership roles in their communities but may
Honorees celebrated as 2019 Champions of Appalachia
Submitted BEREA, Ky. — Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) has selected John and Jean Rosenberg with Appalachian Research and Defense Fund (AppalReD), and Texas Roadhouse as its 2019 Champions of Appalachia. The award recognizes individuals and organizations that have had a positive, long-term impact in the lives of people in Appalachia. “We created this award to recognize the work of like-minded people working to make a difference in Eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia,” said Guy Adams,
Chamber hears from University of Kentucky representative about future plans
Pikeville, KY (October 17, 2019) – Members of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce heard Thursday about plans for the future of the University of Kentucky during a membership luncheon with Michael Richey, the university’s vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagement. Richey, who has been with the University of Kentucky for more than 50 years and who has helped the school raise more than $2.5 billion, told those in attendance that the university was a “land-grant school,” which he said makes
Southeast Kentucky Chamber now accepting applications for education grants
PIKEVILLE, KY (October 3, 2019) -- The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for its Excellence in Education grant program, which annually awards $5,000 in funding to local schools for new projects, technologies, and resources. The Chamber’s Excellence in Education Grant Program funds approximately $5,000 in educational projects annually in schools in the eight counties the Chamber serves: Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, and Pike. Each school can
KY Power employees sport pink hard hats for breast cancer awareness
SubmittedASHLAND, Ky., October 1, 2019 – When Kentucky Power field employees head out into the community on Tuesday, they will have a new piece of equipment. Across the company, employees have traded their traditional white hard hats for pink ones for October in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.The hats allow employees to show support for the men and women in their lives – coworkers, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, sisters, and brothers – who have been affected by breast cancer. Employees
KY Power presents final installment of $815K grant to ACTC
SubmittedASHLAND, Ky., September 27, 2019 – Kentucky Power on Friday delivered the fifth and final installment of an $815,000 multi-year grant that is funding efforts to boost science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in Lawrence County Schools. The American Electric Power (AEP) Foundation Credits Count Grant, announced in 2015, is being funded over five years in partnership with Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC). Since the first installment, ACTC has worked with Lawrence
Chamber raises more than $6,000 to benefit local schools during golf outing
Pikeville, KY (September 30, 2019) – The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce raised more than $6,000 dollars for education during its 12th Annual Links for Learning Golf Scramble held at StoneCrest Golf Course in Prestonsburg on Thursday, September 26. The Chamber’s Foundation for Education annually awards $5,000 (or more) in grants to schools in the Chamber’s eight-county region. More than $55,000 has been awarded since the start of the Foundation in 2008. Last year’s grant winners include Sheldon
Gibson named treasurer of Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives board
Frankfort, KY (September 23, 2019) – Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives (KCCE) recently announced its board of directors for the 2019-2020 year, among those announced was Jordan Gibson, Southeast Kentucky Chamber president and CEO. Gibson will be fulfilling the role of treasurer for the board. Gibson has served on the KCCE Board of Directors for two years. “Being a part of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives is an honor that I don’t take lightly,” said Gibson. “This group, made up of my
Southeast Kentucky Chamber receives two awards at annual conference
Frankfort, KY (September 23, 2019) – The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce received two awards during the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives annual conference held in Frankfort on Thursday, September 19. The Southeast Kentucky Chamber received the KCCE Excellence Awards in two categories – Excellence in Social Media and Excellence in E-News Communications. “It is an honor for our staff to be recognized for their hard work and dedication to the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the
Moments of the Heart Photography proudly presents ‘Coal Stories’
Pikeville, KY (September 6, 2019) – It’s a blessed story with a dark side. A legend of brotherhood deep under the mountains. One in which family’s lives depended on it at the risk of their loved ones. It’s the story of a miner and the generations that live its memories forever in their hearts. “I wanted to capture these stories and share them with the families that cling so dearly to this way of life. It was by far the most beautiful yet emotional set to ever be in my studio, in all my 11 years of
Red Cross receives AEP Foundation Grant and kicks off National Preparedness Month in EKY
SubmittedFLATWOODS, Ky., September 4, 2019 – Kentucky Power on Wednesday awarded a $40,000 American Electric Power Foundation grant to the Red Cross. The grant will provide free smoke detectors and support the organization’s Home Fire Preparedness efforts in eastern Kentucky. “We’re making this important grant award today in recognition of National Preparedness Month,” said Kentucky Power President Brett Mattison. “The Red Cross responds to more than 300 home fires in eastern Kentucky every year. This
Nine receive awards at Chamber’s 2019 Annual Awards Night
Small Business of the Year: Above & Beyond - Just For You Ambassador of the Year: Allison Powers (Photo by Austin Blankenship, Appalachian News-Express) Outstanding Contribution by an Organization or Business: Appalachian Hospice Care Citizen of the Year: Debby Bailey Junior Williamson Memorial East Kentucky Ambassador: Les Stapleton Business of the Year: PurLux Spa & Salon Business Person of the Year: Tom Wright Service Organization of the Year: WestCare Kentucky 2019 Lon B. & Mary Evelyn Rogers
Gov. Bevin Announces Allocation of More than $15M in Excess Coal Severance Revenue
SubmittedFRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 5, 2019) – Gov. Matt Bevin today announced that more than $15 million in excess coal severance tax revenue will be allocated to 49 counties and 122 municipalities that qualify to receive funds from the Local Government Economic Assistance Fund (LGEAF) coal severance program. Enacted by the 2018 General Assembly, HB 200 (as amended by HB 265) directs that if actual coal severance tax revenue collected for the fiscal year exceeds the official estimate provided by the Office of
Former Windmill Restaurant ready for new tenants following renovation
Pikeville, KY (August 6, 2019) – A staple of Pike County, the former Windmill Restaurant, is now seeking new tenants following renovations to the restaurant space, which spans 5,500 square feet and features new appliances, ample parking, and a convenient, well-known location. Located in the City of Coal Run Village, adjacent to the Daniel Boone Motor Inn, the property operated as the Windmill Restaurant for more than 40 years. New property owners Judy and Bennett Adkins, plus a silent partner, have updated
John Blackburn retires from First Commonwealth Bank
John celebrates his retirement after nearly 44 years of banking. John joined First Commonwealth Bank in 2011 as Vice President Pike County Market. He previously was President and CEO of Family Bank from 1995-2011. John is a graduate of Pikeville College and The School of Banking of the South at LSU. Not only has John served the customers of First Commonwealth Bank, but he has continued to serve his community through numerous civic activities. He is currently involved with Sandy Valley Habitat where he
