Appalachia Insider

11/14/2026

🐾 PAW PATROL CHARACTERS JOIN FAMILY EVENT IN JOHNSON COUNTY TODAY!

Families are invited to Mountain Home Place Farm in Johnson County today, Saturday, November 14, from 11 AM to 2 PM for an afternoon of family fun!

🐶 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

• Meet Marshall and Chase from PAW Patrol, courtesy of the Johnson County Public Library

• Hot food grilled on-site, courtesy of Walmart Paintsville

• Prize drawings, including a $700 drone, gift cards, and more!

The event is open to everyone, with families encouraged to bring the kids and enjoy the festivities!

Source: Johnson County Community & Economic Development

11/14/2026

🥶 EASTERN KENTUCKY FACES CHILLY NIGHTS BEFORE WARMING TREND NEXT WEEK

Eastern Kentucky will see lingering clouds and isolated snow showers Saturday, November 14, before clearing skies bring colder nights and warmer afternoons next week.

According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, temperatures could drop into the lower 20s in some areas early next week.

🌡️ FOUR-DAY FORECAST:

🌨️ Saturday: Isolated snow showers tapering off, highs 41–47°.

🌤️ Sunday: Gradually clearing, highs 46–53°.

☀️ Monday: Sunny, highs 52–59°.

☀️ Tuesday: Continued warming, highs 57–64°.

Despite improving daytime temperatures, overnight lows could fall between 20–36° through Tuesday.

Dry weather and gradually warmer afternoons are expected through much of next week.

Source: US National Weather Service Jackson Kentucky

11/14/2026

🏀 WILKINS HITS GAME-WINNER AS KENTUCKY ESCAPES NORTHERN ARIZONA 78-77

No. 24 Kentucky narrowly avoided an upset Friday night at Rupp Arena, defeating Northern Arizona 78-77 on a last-second three-pointer from Alex Wilkins.

Wilkins, Malachi Moreno, and Milan Momcilovic led Kentucky with 14 points each. Moreno added 6 rebounds and 6 assists.

The Wildcats shot 56.4% from the field and 42.3% from three-point range. Northern Arizona’s Chris Komin led all scorers with 25 points.

🏀 APPALACHIA INSIDER PLAYS OF THE GAME

🔵 Kentucky: With just 2.2 seconds remaining, Alex Wilkins drilled a step-back three from the corner to give the Wildcats the victory.

🟠 Northern Arizona: Cade Bennett connected on a clutch three-pointer off a Chris Komin assist with 22 seconds remaining, putting the Lumberjacks ahead 77-73.

📅 UP NEXT: Kentucky (3-1) hosts Grambling State on Monday, November 16, at 7 p.m. on SEC Network+.

11/14/2026

🏛️ REP. BOBBY MCCOOL HIGHLIGHTS VETERANS AND PUBLIC SAFETY LAWS PASSED IN 2026

Kentucky State Representative Bobby McCool has released a legislative update outlining 11 measures approved during the 2026 Regular Session that became law.

McCool, who chairs the House Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee, highlighted legislation affecting veterans, firefighters, law enforcement, and emergency preparedness.

📋 KEY LEGISLATION INCLUDES:

• HB 369: Adds PTSD as a qualifying condition for hyperbaric oxygen therapy for eligible veterans.

• HB 419: Expands firefighter cancer screening reimbursements and changes Fire Commission representation.

• HB 436: Waives state park golf green fees for qualifying PGA HOPE graduates and a guest.

• HB 652: Transfers oversight of school emergency mapping to the Kentucky 911 Services Board.

• HB 767: Establishes statewide qualification standards for disaster response personnel.

• SB 11: Creates a residential storm shelter rebate program.

• SB 77: Establishes a framework for clinical research involving ibogaine as a potential treatment for substance use disorders.

• SB 104: Establishes penalties for intentionally impeding first responders after a warning, including violations of a 25-foot safety boundary.

Additional legislation addresses welding standards, returning retired state troopers to service, and approved off-duty police employment.

Both HB 652 and SB 77 became law after lawmakers overrode gubernatorial vetoes.

Source: Representative Bobby W. McCool

11/14/2026

🚧 ROAD CLOSURE SCHEDULED FOR CAUDILL BRANCH IN JOHNSON COUNTY

Motorists in Johnson County should prepare for a complete road closure on Caudill Branch in the Sitka community beginning Tuesday, November 17.

According to Johnson County officials, crews will be installing a new culvert, requiring the roadway to remain closed until work is completed.

The project will be conducted by Middle Fork Contracting Inc. on behalf of the Johnson County Fiscal Court.

⚠️ Drivers are advised to avoid the area and use alternate routes.

Work is weather-dependent, and no estimated reopening date has been announced.

Source: Paintsville-Johnson County KY Emergency Management

11/14/2026

🎄 SALYERSVILLE GRADE SCHOOL ACCEPTING ANGEL TREE APPLICATIONS AND SPONSORS

Salyersville Grade School is accepting applications for its Christmas Angel Tree program to help children in need this holiday season.

Families seeking assistance must submit a new application, even if they participated in previous years or receive assistance through other programs.

🎁 SPONSORS ARE ALSO NEEDED!

Community members interested in sponsoring a child can help make Christmas special for a local family.

📞 To apply or become a sponsor, contact Kelly Adkins at 606-349-3411.

All donations must be submitted by December 14.

11/13/2026

🎄 CHRISTMAS TOY GIVEAWAY ANNOUNCED IN PRESTONSBURG

Frontier Medical Associates of Prestonsburg will host its annual Christmas Toy Giveaway on Monday, December 14, bringing holiday cheer to local children and families.

🎁 EVENT DETAILS:

📅 Monday, December 14, 2026

🕞 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

📍 Frontier Medical Associates, Prestonsburg

🎅 Families can enjoy a visit with Santa and friends, take Christmas photos, and receive toys during the holiday celebration.

Children must be present to receive a toy.

Source: Frontier Medical Associates - Prestonsburg

11/13/2026

❄️ UP TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW POSSIBLE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY’S HIGHEST ELEVATIONS TONIGHT

Rain showers continue across Eastern Kentucky Friday evening, with snow possible as temperatures fall overnight.

According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, most valleys will see rain, although a few snowflakes could mix in.

🌨️ WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Highest elevations: Up to 1–2 inches of snow possible, particularly in Harlan and Letcher counties.

• Ridgetops: A light dusting possible on grassy and elevated surfaces.

• Valleys: Primarily rain, with little or no accumulation expected.

Temperatures could fall into the upper 20s overnight, with Saturday highs ranging from 38–47°.

Skies are expected to clear through the weekend, but cold overnight temperatures will continue.

Source: US National Weather Service Jackson Kentucky

11/13/2026

Meteorologist Jim Caldwell, showing the first flakes of the season.

That didn’t take long! Lol. From a trail cam on Black Mountain, Art Jackson shared this taste of wintry weather from the Kentucky-Virginia border. ❄️

11/13/2026

🎄 JOHNSON CENTRAL HONOR CHOIR TO PERFORM FREE CHRISTMAS CONCERT SUNDAY

The Johnson Central High School Honor Choir will help kick off the holiday season with a free Christmas music performance this Sunday, November 15, in Johnson County.

🎶 EVENT DETAILS:

📅 Sunday, November 15, 2026

🕝 2:30 PM

📍 Hutch Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Paintsville

🎟️ FREE ADMISSION

The performance is open to the public, with everyone invited to enjoy an afternoon of Christmas music performed by Johnson Central students.

Source: Johnson Central High School News/Events