Self Inflicted Shooting in Richmond
A Facebook post showed these pictures, of an alleged self-inflicted shooting that occurred at the Classy Chassy Car Wash in Richmond. Allegedly, the man was sitting on the bench when he pulled out a gun and shot himself. Richmond Police were on the scene and had roped off the area to investigate. According to Major […]
EKU President Benson Delivers Fall 2017 Convocation Address
Today on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University, President Michael Benson delivered his annual Convocation Address to faculty and staff of the University. Benson spoke to WBON TV’s Marisa Hempel and said that the convocation rings in the beginning of the new school year for him, and there are many things to be excited for […]
Part VI Jail Overcrowding Series: Final Fiscal Push
In the final piece of WBON-TV’s Jail Overcrowding series, Madison County Judge Executive Reagan Taylor explains the steps moving forward with his idea for a treatment center now that the bids are in for potential partners. As the bids are being reviewed, a date of the first of September has been set in order to […]
Be Aware of Buses: School Starts this Week!
With school in session this week in Madison County, WBON TV visited the Madison County Bus Garage to get an inside look at the preparation that goes into keeping our children safe every school year. Transportation Director for Madison County Schools Shane Lakes sat down with Marisa Hempel and told her the ins and outs […]
Part IV of Investigating Hotels Series: Police Presence
In Part Four of the Investigating Hotels series, Marisa Hempel sat down with Richmond Police Chief James Ebert to discuss the police presence in Richmond regarding these areas. Chief Ebert agreed that there is some truth to the the notion that these areas are high crime, and said that he had seen the open records […]
Concert Series in Berea Dubbed a Success from Levitt, MACED
Berea was chosen this year as one of 15 sites to be awarded a grant from the Levitt Foundation, based out of Los Angeles. The money was utilized to fund a free, ten-week long concert series on the lawn in front of the cabin and Welcome Center in Old Town, Berea. The series has seen […]
New Brew Business Dreaming Big to Open Within Months
A team of local business owners are brewing up big plans to unveil the first microbrewery in Richmond. The four co-owners, some of which are faculty at Eastern Kentucky University: Michael Bradley, Taryn Edington, Charley Hamilton, and Darrin Wilson tested the waters with their first business. The Richmond Beer House, located on South Porter Drive, […]
Congressman Andy Barr Gives Update from Washington
Today at the EKU Center for the Arts, Congressman Andy Barr spoke at the Richmond Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. WBON-TV’s Marisa Hempel caught up with him after he spoke and answered questions for the chamber members, and asked him what the priorities are right now out of Washington. Barr said that 14 Congressional Review Act […]
Free Lunch Announced by Madison County Schools
The school year is about to begin, so WBON-TV thought it no better time to visit Madison County Schools to have a chat with Erin Stewart, Community Education Director. Stewart explained that this is the first time the school district is eligible for the across the board free lunches for all students, preschool through high […]
Hummel Planetarium to Host Free Viewing Party on Eclipse Day!
WBON TV went to the Hummel Planetarium on EKU’s campus today to talk all things 2017 Solar Eclipse with Planetarium Educator Aida Bermudez. Bermudez explained how this truly is a once in a lifetime astronomical event, as the last similar solar occurrence happened in 1918, nearly a century ago. She also described the importance of […]
Estill County School Superintendent On First Day of School, Eclipse Day, and School Board Contention
Estill County School Superintendent Jeff Saylor took time out of his busy first day of school to speak with WBON-TV’s Marisa Hempel. He not only said that the 2017-2018 school year began with a great day today, but that they had just decided to follow suit with other counties to forgo school on August 21st, […]
Response from KY EPA Regarding Unknown Substance in Berea Waters
WBON TV went to where it all started in Berea to assess the cleanup situation after yesterday’s chemical spill into neighborhood streams and water supplies. The company, KI USA Corporation, which makes automotive parts, has apparently been cited for the same incident multiple times, most recently in March. We spoke to Executive Staff Advisor Lanny […]
Another Incident of Possible Toxic Spill in Berea Neighborhood
Stunning video has been shared to social media of a foul-smelling chemical that has once again leaked into the water systems and creeks on Mayde Spur in Berea. The culprit is allegedly KI USA Corporation, which produces car parts for different auto manufacturers around the world. WBON-TV has reached out to KI for a statement […]
Overwhelmed by Overdose: Part III of Investigating Hotels Series
In Part III of the Investigating Hotels Series, WBON-TV reached out to Madison County EMS Director Carlos Coyle to ascertain how many overdoses are actually occurring in Madison County, and if these instances are in fact concentrated in certain locations. He responds that there is an overwhelming amount of calls regarding overdoses to these locations. […]
RPD Responds to Ford Explorer Exhaust Fume Problems
With the recent news of exhaust fume problems with ford explorers used by police departments, WBON-TV reached out to the Richmond Police Department to see if they have had similar issues. In other states, the patrol vehicles in the 2011-2017 model years caused officers to fall ill because of fumes entering the vehicle. Ford replied […]
Syringe Exchange Van (Slowly) Rolls Into Action
Yesterday evening in Richmond, you may have noticed a white van with the Madison County Health Department logo emblazoned on the side sitting on Gibson Drive. However, this was in no way tied to this week’s shooting in the same location. The van was there in order to kick off the long-awaited and planned Syringe […]
Leading the Way in Kentucky: Part II of Investigating Hotels Series
In part Two of the Investigating Hotels series, WBON-TV’s Marisa Hempel continues to speak with Richmond City Commissioner Jason Morgan to get his ideas for a possible solution to the seemingly large amounts of crime that center at hotels and motels in Richmond. Morgan explains that there are many nuances when it comes to local […]
Overdose Conversation Long Overdue
The Narcan debate will not disappear, so WBON-TV went to Director of Madison County EMS Carlos Coyle to set the record straight about the overdose reversal drug. Coyle not only supplied us with the cost and numbers for the amount of doses that have been administered in the first 6 months of 2017, but also […]
Rep. Wesley Morgan Responds to Judge’s Ruling
This morning in Barbourville, Representative Wesley Morgan officially got his case regarding the illegal transport of alcohol dismissed by a judge. Morgan, who owns five liquor stores across multiple Kentucky counties, told police that he was transporting the alcohol for his business. Under Kentucky law the liquor would have to be in an approved transport […]
Update on Monday’s Shooting: Suspect Pleads Not Guilty
The man accused of critically injuring another man in a Richmond shooting on Monday, Kareen Jenkins of Georgia, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him in a Madison county courtroom today. The 38 year old answered not guilty to charges of first degree assault for the shooting. Jenkins is also charged with fleeing and […]
Investigating Hotels Series: Part I
To begin our series on local motels/hotels, WBON TV spoke with Richmond City Commissioner Jason Morgan regarding his open records request with the city involving the large amount of overdoses and crime which seems to occur at certain areas around town. In Part One, Morgan explains that this has been an identifiable problem for years, […]
Dupree Hall on EKU’s Campus Coming Down
Dupree Hall on Eastern Kentucky University’s campus is in the process of being torn down, beginning today with the large wrecking ball you see in the video. The old dorm facility for fraternities in the heart of campus is torn down as a part of campus revitalization efforts. Todd hall, which housed sorority students and […]
Broadband Town Hall Evokes Questions from Richmond Citizens
Last night at City Hall in Richmond, a broadband town hall was held by Lexington-area consulting firm Solarity Group regarding the rollout of Kentucky Wired, which will bring state-built fiber optic internet to downtown Richmond. According to the group, this is similar to the rollout of fiber in lexington, which has occurred over the past […]
MCDC Overcrowding Series Part V: Detox or Detention
Continuing with the overcrowding series for the Madison County Detention Center from the ficsal court’s side, Marisa Hempel spoke to Madison County Judge Executive Reagan Taylor about the details regarding his treatment center proposal, and how he came to come up with the idea, which would be the first rehab of its kind in Kentucky. […]
Drug Rehabilitation Deemed Success by Recent Study
In a recent study released by the Kentucky Housing Corporation, Recovery Kentucky Programs such as Madison County’s own Liberty Place Recovery Center for Women was said to have high success rates. The abstinence-based long term treatment center having a high success rate is good news, as the Syringe Exchange Program gears up in Madison County […]
