LOGAN, W.Va. — Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College (Southern) is launching a comprehensive AI Readiness & Capacity Initiative, a four-year, institution-wide effort designed to advance the responsible integration of artificial intelligence across academic programs and student services. The initiative is supported by $1.8 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Grant Program. “This significant investment allows Southern to intentionally and responsibly leverage artificial intelligence in ways that directly support our students and faculty,” said Dr. Corley Dennison, Interim President of Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College. “As a rural institution […]

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BIG STONE GAP, Va. — The MECC Foundation is pleased to announce the 50th anniversary John Fox, Jr. Literary Festival featuring New York Times best-selling authors Silas House and Beth Macy and moderator Amy Clark on Wednesday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to noon. The festival is free and open to the public and school groups are welcome to attend. In coordination with the festival event, the MECC Foundation will host the 40th annual Lonesome Pine Short Story Contest and the 23rd annual Lonesome Pine Poetry Contest. The deadline for submitting entries is Monday, Feb. 23, at 4:30 p.m. Entry […]

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PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The Appalachian Pregnancy Care Center will host its annual Banquet for Life on February 5 at the Appalachian Wireless Arena in Pikeville. This year’s theme, “Tree of Life – Appalachian Roots,” celebrates faith, family, and the strength of community that continues to nurture life across Eastern Kentucky. Guests will enjoy an evening of inspiring stories, live entertainment, a special bagpipe presentation, and the lighting of the Tree of Life symbolic moment honoring every child, parent and supporter touched by the ministry of APCC. The event will also feature dinner, music, and opportunities to partner in supporting families […]

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ASHLAND, Ky. — A Johnson County man arrested last year after secretly recording a 15-year-old girl has pleaded guilty. Henry Jonathan Ritscher, 43, of Paintsville, pleaded guilty Monday to a federal charge of producing child pornography in Ashland federal court. He was arrested back in September, after the girl discovered a video of herself showering and changing earlier that day. The girl told police she was frequently a guest at Ritscher’s home and had accompanied him to pick up pizza. While he went in the restaurant, she stayed in the car and found the video when she used his phone […]

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COAL RUN VILLAGE, Ky. — Police called to a Pike County business over a public intoxication complaint ended up arresting a woman for fentanyl trafficking. State troopers were called to Rural King in Coal Run over a report of an intoxicated shopper in the store. When they arrived, they found they found the woman, identified as Devona Williamson, 34, of Hardy, in the checkout line and asked her to step outside. After asking the woman to empty her pockets, police found about $40 worth of merchandise from the store. They then asked to search the woman’s bag, but she refused. […]

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