Volunteers needed for annual LexCount

LexCount takes place between 10:00pm and 11:59pm on February 23, 2022

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Office of Lexington Homelessness Prevention & Intervention is looking for LexCount volunteers to help count those who are experiencing homelessness, and offer emergency housing support and care packages. The Lex End Homelessness Continuum of Care (CoC) is looking for teams of volunteers to visit dozens of outdoor locations where people unsheltered might be found to…

“It’s a pandemic across the world”: Domestic violence advocates urge victims to seek help

LEXINGTON, Ky (WTVQ)- A string of domestic violence cases in recent days have advocates reacting. “I worry about survivors who are trying to figure out what their next steps are,” said Darlene Thomas. “How to leave, when to leave, if to leave. What that could look like for themselves and their children.” Thomas is the executive director of Greenhouse17, which…

Family and friends mourn loss of 10-year-old Landon Hayes with vigil

Landon's grandmother says he was loved by the community...and that was on display Monday.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – 10-year-old Landon Hayes was loved deeply. “The only thing I could do was just scream and then I just ask them to let me hold him, I just wanted to hold him for the last time, I just wanted to hold him” said Landon’s grandmother, Veda Brown. Corral Street in Lexington Monday night was packed with…

Proposed legislation, small fee on phone bills could fund suicide prevention line

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ/Press Release) – Starting mid-July, Kentucky will adopt the National Suicide Prevention Line (NSPL) three-digit phone number: 9-8-8. In addition to the number change, lawmakers are discussing a bill that would implement a small fee onto phone bills in order to fund this call line. Mental Health America of Kentucky says the fee would be about 70 cents…

Proposed changes to unemployment benefits face lawmakers

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ/Press Release) – A proposed bill in the state House of Representatives could make changes to unemployment benefits. House Bill 4 details what would qualify someone for unemployment. Some of the changes include actively applying or interviewing for at least five jobs per week and not rejecting a job offer or interview. The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy…