“Big World” on the Mend
Local icon Anthony “Big World” Mitchell has been noticeably absent from the public eye as of late due to health conditions. WBON-Tvs Marisa Hempel was able to speak with him about his health and when he could return, as well as the GoFundMe page that has been created to help purchase Big World a power […]
The Dog Days of Summer: Keep Your Pets Cool!
Now that we are in the Dog Days of summer, it is important to keep cool ourselves. However, our pets are sweating out the summer along with us. Animal Control Officer and Director of the Estill County Animal Shelter Tommy Mullen tells WBON TV and Marisa Hempel how we can be mindful of our furry […]
Estill Judge Executive Weighs in on Jail Closing
The Estill County jail has been closed since March 31st after the state came by for an inspection and found faulty sprinkler and fire detection systems. After speaking with Jailer Bo Morris, Marisa Hempel went to Judge Executive Wallace Taylor for his take on the jail issue, and why he agreed that the jail would […]
Madison County Citizen’s Police Academy Still Accepting Applications
The Citizens Police Academy is returning to Madison County after a seven year absence thanks to help from all the local police agencies in the county as well as the Kentucky State Police. We spoke to Richmond Police Department’s Sgt. Josh Hale to get more information about the program. Deadline for applications will be the […]
Health Department Outlines Benefits of Needle Exchange Program
In just a few weeks, the Syringe Exchange Program will be fully operational in Madison County. We talked to Jim Thacker of the Health Department who explained the legal implications of such a program to Marisa Hempel. He explains that such a program is not possible without cooperation with police and local treatment centers. The […]
Syringe Exchange Program In Final Stages
The Syringe Exchange Advisory Committee met to discuss the final push before the program comes to operate in Madison County. As it stands, a temporary van will be used in both Berea and Richmond two days a week to hand out syringes to intravenous drug users. Nancy Crewe of the health department tells us the […]
MCDC Overcrowding Series: Part II
In Part two of the Madison County Detention Series about the overcrowding of the jail, Marisa Hempel interviews Jailer Doug Thomas about if there are any possible solutions in the works for the chronically overcrowded jail, which has been stuck at about 200 percent over capacity recently. Jailer Thomas elaborates that because of the drug […]
MCDC Overcrowding Series: Part III
Continuing with the jail overcrowding series for the 30-year-old Madison County Detention center in downtown Richmond, Marisa Hempel continues speaking to Jailer Doug Thomas, who shows her exactly what he is dealing with via his surveillance cameras. He also elaborates that it is looking completely necessary to invest in a bigger, updated detention center. At […]
Madison County Detention Center Overcrowding Series: Part One
In Part One of the Madison County Detention Series about the overcrowding of the jail, Marisa Hempel talks to Jailer Doug Thomas about the numbers for the Detention Center which is currently at 200% over capacity. Jailer Thomas explains that this overcrowding issue has been around for quite some time, and that it only seems […]
MCDC Overcrowding Series Part IV: Fiscal Factors
In Part Four of the Madison County jail overcrowding series, WBON-TV sat down with Judge Executive for Madison County Reagan Taylor, who gave the fiscal court’s perspective. Taylor elaborated on his idea for a treatment center in Madison County to help deal with the overcrowding problem in the detention center.
Estill County Jailer Remarks Jail Will Never Reopen
The jail in Estill County has been closed for some time now. We spoke with Jailer Bo Morris on the issues that the jail faced and why he believed that the jail would never be open again. Morris also remarked about the many fiscal problems that accompany taking care of prisoners when a jail is […]
Congressman Andy Barr Weighs in on Senate Healthcare Bill
Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) was in Irvine to announce the awarding of grants to both the local Marcum and Wallace hospital and Estill County’s historic Mack theatre, but Marisa Hempel made sure to ask him to weigh in on the Senate Healthcare bill, and the steps that he thinks should be taken in the repeal […]
Construction begins on Aldi’s Grocery store
Demolition and construction has begun on the Richmond bypass, in what will be a new location for an Aldi’s grocery store. Marisa Hempel was on site as the demolition began on what used to be the Madison County Ford Dealership. Laura Bauer of Aldi also spoke with us via phone on the timeline for the […]
Rare births at Cruse Family Farm
A rare happening went down here in Madison county at the Cruse family farm: the birth of three baby calves. What is so remarkable about this birth is that all three baby cows were birthed safely by their mother, but were also taken up by her. The 1 in 104,000 chance birth was discussed by […]
Richmond City budget approved!
The Richmond City budget has been approved by the Richmond City Commission after weeks of redrawing and discussion in budget readings. Marisa Hempel got the details from City Manager Richard Thomas about all things budget—including plans for new ball fields and parks as well as a few cuts that had to be made in order […]
Buying fireworks for the Fourth
Now that the heat of summer and Independence day are here, you may notice fireworks stands popping up in parking lots and at local businesses around the region. These brightly colored tents have a bit of a story to them, with family businesses from out of state coming to the area to provide residents with […]
Local firefighters take part in joint training exercises
The Richmond Fire Department along with state and county firefighters took part in a joint training in order to better hone their efforts for rescue in the event of an auto accident. Public information officer Corey Lewis of the Richmond Fire Department told Marisa Hempel that with each passing year, technologies in cars change, so […]
Kentucky River Foothills secures grant for cleanup of hazardous waste site
A cleanup project is in the beginning stages in Berea. The former Parker Seal rubber plant closed down in 2001, and has since been a haven for crime and unsafe conditions. The site has also been contaminated with the chemical trichloroethene and debris. The six acre site has recently been approved for a 200,000 Brownfields […]
Construction on the new Berea Municipal Fire and Safety Building on schedule
Construction on the new Berea Municipal Fire and Safety Building is coming right along, and it seems that everything is on schedule for the September/October grand opening. The old City hall location on Chestnut has served the community since 1967, but a new location was a necessary upgrade in order to better serve the community. […]
Local business robbed during Fourth of July festivities
During the Fourth of July fireworks and festivities on Independence day, thieves in Richmond cut the gate at Northside Equipment. Marisa Hempel spoke to owner operator Mike Pearson who said that while they searched the property, one large mower was stolen, valued at almost $14,000. The Kubota ZD1211 had been driven off the property with […]
The University of Kentucky Football program has been surrounded by hype and disappointment
The University of Kentucky Football program has been surrounded by hype and disappointment ever since Mark Stoops took over as head coach. However last year after a rough start, the Wildcats turned it around and finished with six wins on the season and got themselves into a bowl game. Their biggest win of the season […]
Madison Central football was one of the biggest surprises in Central Kentucky last season
Madison Central football was one of the biggest surprises in Central Kentucky last season. But if you talk to folks around Richmond and Coach Mark Scenters, the Indians put in the works to make themselves a threat and it showed out on the field. In a year where the defense allowed just 15 points per […]
Mike Jones and the Estill County Engineers look to build towards consecutive district championships
After one of the best years in school history, Mike Jones and the Estill County Engineers look to build towards consecutive district championships starting August 18th when the teams host Paintsville in the home opener. The Engineers went 9-3 last year including a six game win streak. However this season will have to replace its […]
The Eastern Kentucky University football team is heading into year two under Head Coach Mark Elder.
The Eastern Kentucky University football team is heading into year two under Head Coach Mark Elder. After a disappointing campaign to open up his tenure as the top guy for the Colonels, Coach Elder said “Things have been a lot better this year, guys know what we expect from them and not only that but […]
Save the Mack! Estill County Initiative Visited by Congressman Andy Barr
Congressman Andy Barr visited Estill county to help announce the awarding of a $200,000 Brownfields EPA grant, which will go towards revitalizing the historic Mack Theatre in downtown Irvine. The building has quite a bit of lead paint and asbestos, and was a good candidate for the competitive grant. Congressman Barr remarked that not only […]
