From WRIL The Big One - Bradley Enlow - HCDC On Saturday night July 4, 2026, several first responders were on scene at a Nolan’s Branch Lane residence in Baxter, Ky. due to a house fire. Once on scene, firefighters began to attack the fire when an altercation between two individuals broke out resulting in the release of a chemical agent Kentucky State Police say was bear mace. According to the citation, KSP Trooper Stephens responded just after 11:00 pm, finding Harlan County Deputy Jacob...

BELL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW via LEX NEWS) — The Bell County football family is mourning the loss of two coaches whose influence stretched far beyond the field, classroom, and mat, a post from Bell County Football detailed. Coach Stephen Ely and Coach Canady both shaped generations of students and athletes through their leadership, toughness, and dedication, the...

From WRIL - The Big One - We have been made aware of multiple car and home break-ins including a small business in Middlesboro, Ky. in the area of Shultz Heights Pinnacle Apts,, and Junction Apartments. This included homes across from Winchester Market. The thefts took place over the June 27th and 28th weekend sometime between midnight and 1:30am. Valuables from vehicles and homes were taken. Beverly Patterson, who lives in the affected area, tells WRIL that she was able to capture the...

From WRIL - The Big One - Mark Poteet - HCDC On Saturday June 13, 2026, Post 10 received a call from Harlan ARH Hospital regarding a female patient who wished to report a sexual assault. Responding was Trooper Abner. The victim told the trooper that she recently met an individual identified as 39-year-old Mark Poteet of Evarts, Ky. The victim also states she went on two dates with Poteet and later traveled to his home. She stated that at one point she began to feel uncomfortable and...

BELL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW via LEX NEWS) — A Middlesboro man is behind bars after a predator sting operation led to his arrest at a Dollar General parking lot in Bell County. According to the Bell County Sheriff’s Office, 34-year-old Joshua Helms was arrested on Wednesday and lodged in the Bell County Detention Center. He faces charges...

From the Bell County Sheriff's Department - Alex Lopez - BCDC On Monday June 15, 2026, the female victim came to the Bell County Sheriff's Office to report that she had obtained videos of her being filmed in the bathroom changing her clothes and personal hygeine items. She stated that 21-year-old Alex Lopez of Beatyville, Ky. had been caught recording her previously. She also stated Lopez said he had accidentally left the phone on record after recording himself in the act of...

From WRIL The Big One – Paul D. Rogers II - CCJ On Sunday night, May 31, 2026, at 11:30pm New Tazewell Police Officers Fuson and Smith responded to a domestic disturbance call at a Main Street address involving gun shots. Officers interviewed a female victim who stated that she and three other people were all in a bedroom at the residence when 39-year-old Paul David Rogers Jr. of Middlesboro began flirting and making sexual comments to her. She told Rogers to leave her alone and he became...

From WRIL The Big One – Paul D. Rogers II - CCJ On Sunday night, May 31, 2026, at 11:30pm New Tazewell Police Officers Fuson and Smith responded to a domestic disturbance call at a Main Street address involving gun shots. Officers interviewed a female victim who stated that she and three other people were all in a bedroom at the residence when 39-year-old Paul David Rogers Jr. of Middlesboro began flirting and making sexual comments to her. She told Rogers to leave her alone and he became...

From WRIL The Big One - John Goforth - HCDC According to a citation, on Friday, June 12, 2026, the Loyall Police Department was contacted by a group known as the “606 Pred Hunters” regarding an individual attempting to meet with who he though was a 14-year-old female juvenile, a decoy. The man, identified as 47-year-old John Goforth of Wallins Creek, told the decoy that when the two would meet up he would like to “kiss and worship” (her) and requested that the girl send him pictures....

From Office of District Attorney General 8th Judicial District - Atty Gen Jared Effler On Monday, June 8, 2026, Claiborne County Criminal Court Judge Zachary R. Walden sentenced the following offenders to Tennessee Department of Correction Custody: Philip Bryant II plead guilty to one count of Aggravated Assault and was sentenced to six (6) years to be served in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Correction. The case was investigated by the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office and...