ABINGDON, Va. — A California man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison, after pleading guilty to federal charges related to a fentanyl distribution conspiracy in southwestern Virginia. Roberto Contreras, 24, of Buena Park, California, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possessing a firearm in a drug trafficking crime. When police raided his home in March of last year, they seized more than 1,600 fentanyl pills, along with 7,000 Xanax pills, 3,000 Adderall pills, 242 grams of cocaine, more than $31,000 in cash and five guns. Prosecutors say Contreras was responsible for providing pressed fentanyl pills […]

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BIG STONE GAP, Va. – Mountain Empire Community College will hold its 51st commencement ceremony on Friday, May 10 at 6 p.m. at the Big Stone Gap campus. The Class of 2024 includes 587 graduates, who have earned 880 academic awards including 147 Associate of Arts & Sciences degrees, 160 Associate of Applied Science degrees, 193 Certificates, and 380 Career Studies Certificates. Graduates participating in the commencement will be welcomed by MECC Local Advisory Board President Michael Abbott. Dr. Kristen Westover, MECC President, will introduce the featured student speakers for the commencement ceremony, which includes graduates Angela Nauss and Becky […]

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PIKEVILLE, Ky. – The University of Pikeville, Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine held its awards banquet honoring the Class of 2024 in the Appalachian Wireless Arena on May 3. Megan C. Hennon, D.O., of St. Louis, Mo., received the Dean’s Award. The award is presented to the graduating student whose leadership, humanity and loyalty to the profession exemplify the ideals, mission and goals of KYCOM. Kurtis R. Rapier, D.O., of Corbin, received the Excellence in Emergency Medicine Award. The award is sponsored by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine and is presented for excellence in emergency medicine. Zachary A. Combs, […]

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PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A Pike County woman now plans to plead guilty in her federal drug case, after reaching a deal with prosecutors. Sasha Adkins-Sword, 36, of Jonancy, is currently charged possession of meth and fentanyl with the intent to distribute and felon in possession of a firearm. Court records allege she was found with a pound of meth and an undisclosed amount of fentanyl when she was arrested last June. Police also seized nine handguns and three shotguns during the raid. Court records do not specify the terms of her plea agreement. A judge has scheduled a hearing Friday […]

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PIKEVILLE, Ky. – More than 500 University of Pikeville students celebrated their achievements by earning their degrees during the spring commencement ceremonies for undergraduate, graduate and health professions on Saturday, May 4, at the Appalachian Wireless Arena. Graduates and families were able to attend the in-person ceremonies or watch virtually via livestream. The twenty-fourth commencement of the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine and, for the fifth time, the Kentucky College of Optometry recognized a tremendous group of physicians and optometric servants. The keynote speaker for the health professions ceremony was Tim Robinson, Jr., founder and CEO of Addiction Recovery Care, LLC. […]

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