PRESS RELEASE: MARSHALL ATHLETICS NEW ORLEANS — A major accolade has been added to an already historic season as Marshall sophomore Sydni Burko has been named the 2026 Sun Belt Conference Softball Player of the Year.  Burko – the native of Ona who came home to Marshall this season as a transfer from Indiana University – has additionally been named the league’s Newcomer of the Year and an All-SBC First Team member at third base. “I am so happy for Syd,” Head Coach and fellow Ona native Morgan Zerkle said. “She immediately made the Herd her home, and she’s taken the […]

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PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — Two of the defendants in the Amber Spradlin murder case have indicated they are not opposed to another continuance in the trial, leaving only the primary defendant as having objected to further delays. Spradlin’s body was found June 18, 2023, at the Arkansas Creek home of Prestonsburg dentist Michael McKinney. McKinney’s son, M.K. McKinney, has been charged with her murder, while both McKinneys and family friend Josh Mullins are charged with multiple counts of evidence tampering for allegedly trying to cover up the crime. Commonwealth’s Attorney Brent Turner filed a renewed motion for another delay last week, […]

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PARKER, Colo. — Rocky Vista University has named a University of Pikeville executive as its next president, following a nationwide search. The university announced Dr. Lori Werth will take over the role in July. Werth currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at the University of Pikeville, where she has helped lead strategic growth and expand academic programs, including in healthcare and graduate education. “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Lori Werth as the next president of Rocky Vista University,” said Gaurov Dayal, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Medforth Global Healthcare Education and member of the Board […]

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LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Perry County man who is facing a murder charge for his connection to a fatal UTV crash back in February has pleaded guilty to a child exploitation charge. Noah Back, 26, of Vicco, pleaded guilty Friday in Lexington federal court to one count of transporting a minor across state lines for criminal sexual activity. In his plea agreement, he admitted to taking a 14-year-old girl to Atlanta, where he had sex with her back in 2024. That incident came to light during the investigation into the crash that killed 16-year-old Emilynn Clark on Feb. 28. Police […]

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PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — Monday marked the first of five days that murder suspect M.K. McKinney has been allowed to leave his home in order to meet with his attorneys in Louisville. And while that decision has been widely criticized by some in the community, officials say it does not mean he has been given carte blanche to move freely. McKinney is charged with murder for the June 18, 2023, stabbing death of Amber Spradlin. He is also charged, along with his father Michael McKinney and family friend Josh Mullins with evidence tampering for allegedly trying to cover up the crime. […]

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