Coal Grove officer shoots dog that attacked residents

COAL GROVE – The Coal Grove Police Chief says his officer was ensuring public safety when he shot and killed a dog that was attacking village residents last week.

The incident happened in the 700 block of High Street when the officer responded to a vicious animal call.

Chief Eric Spurlock said Capt. Noah Simpkins was called after a woman reported she was attacked by a basset hound while walking down the sidewalk.

“It attacked her and had her by the pants leg,” Spurlock said.

When Simpkins arrived at the scene, he chased the dog away and attempted to find its owner, Spurlock said.

“While he was doing that, it comes running out and attacks another woman walking down the sidewalk and had her by the pants leg,” Spurlock said. “Then it came after him.”

Simpkins shot the dog but Spurlock said no one was in danger when the firearm was discharged and that children playing baseball at a nearby field were totally safe.

“This officer is a 20-plus year vet, I’m sure he knows what to do,” the chief said. “He wouldn’t put kids in harm’s way.”

The incident has generated significant buzz on online message boards and prompted a number of calls to the village.

Spurlock said the officer followed proper procedures and that this is only the second incident where an officer of the village had to take this type of action with a canine.

“We’re not out there just to shoot dogs,” he said. “I’ve got three dogs myself, and Noah has five. We’re not going to let an animal attack an individual.”

Spurlock said anyone in the village who feels threatened by an animal should call the police department.

Briggs Library hosts Ironton Artists Association exhibit

IRONTON — The Lawrence County Library is hosting the Ironton Artists Association’s Spring Exhibit at the Briggs Library on South Forth Street in Ironton.

The IAA artists have been invited to display their art from noon May 2 until noon May 27.

Works will be displayed on easels and placed throughout the library’s first floor for viewing and will be labeled with the artist’s name.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the IAA may phone Pati Payne at (740) 533-1516. Monthly meetings are held the first Monday of each month at M&M Realty on Park and Seventh streets in Ironton.

Free screenings part of Neuro Week

RUSSELL, Ky. — Neurodiagnostic Week will be observed nationwide April 17-23. Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital (OLBH) is celebrating the week with free carpal tunnel and dizziness screenings and neurodiagnostic information at the Ashland Town Center Friday, April 22 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The free screenings for carpal tunnel and dizziness are questionnaire-based tests that can indicate problems that require more in-depth testing. Neurodiagnostics is the study of the brain and nervous system.

Procedures performed by technologists at OLBH include electroencephalography (EEG), evoked potentials (EP), nerve conduction studies, vestibular testing, videonystagmography vestibular testing (VNG) and needle electromyography (EMG). Technologists play an important role in performing these various tests to aid in diagnosing such illnesses and problems as epilepsy, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, strokes, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

OLBH’s Neurology Department is staffed with a full-time technologist and two part-time technicians supported by four neurologists. Department hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information concerning OLBH, call the OLBH CareLine at (606) 833-CARE (2273).

W.Va. schools promote graduate education

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Public and private schools in West Virginia have created an association to promote graduate education in the state.

The West Virginia Association of Graduate Schools’ founding members are Marshall, West Virginia, Fairmont State, Mountain State and Shepherd universities, West Virginia Wesleyan College and the University of Charleston.

Marshall graduate college dean Donna J. Spindel says in a news release that the association wants to raise awareness of graduate education’s importance and potential in West Virginia.

The association says its mission is to ensure graduate education contributes to the state’s economic growth and reputation through research and creative activity. Other goals include providing programs necessary to sustain high standards in K-12, community and higher education.

Churches planning Easter programs

IRONTON — Sharon Baptist Church in Ironton will present “The Living Last Supper” at 7 p.m. tonight. The event is free and open to the public.

Oakland Chapel, Kitts Hill, will present its passion play, “The Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Wednesday at 7 p.m. Youth groups are encouraged to come and the church will serve pizza afterwards.

The church will also present it at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 22, when coffee and dessert will be served afterwards. Everyone is welcome.

Two Hearts celebrates with open house

COAL GROVE — Two Hearts Pregnancy Care Center opened 11 years ago in Ashland, Ky., and seven years ago, opened a satellite location in Coal Grove.

Monday marks the anniversary of both locations, and to celebrate, both locations will host open houses from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Visitors can tour the facility during that time to learn more about what the center does. Refreshments will be served.

The center is also celebrating the upcoming center opening in Lawrence County, Ky., on July 5.

Two Hearts Pregnancy Care Center offers pregnancy tests, peer counseling, baby clothing and supplies, referrals, information and resources and post-abortion counseling and education.

They also offer the Earn While You Learn program, helping women earn baby supplies by attending education classes.

Army Corps set to open W.Va. campgrounds

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Camping season is set to begin in West Virginia.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says its campgrounds in West Virginia will be opening in earnest to outdoors enthusiasts over the next few weeks.

One of three campgrounds at Burnsville Lake and two more at Sutton Lake will open on April 22. Another at Summersville Lake opens on May 1.

Others at East Lynn Lake, R.D. Bailey Lake and Burnsville Lake have late May opening dates.