Video summary
The recent passing of country music legend Dolly Parton has prompted a heartfelt community response from Mountain Top Media and the Mountain Girl Experience, who are collaborating to host a special remembrance celebration. This event aims to bring fans together to honor her profound impact on both the music industry and countless lives, particularly those in Appalachia. Attendees are encouraged to share personal stories or sing songs that reflect Dolly's influence, with an open mic session planned for Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. at the Mountain Top Media Stage in downtown Pikeville. Organizers emphasize that no prior concrete plans are needed beyond a willingness to contribute, inviting everyone to sign up online to ensure ample time for sharing memories and celebrating her legacy as a beloved figure who gave hope to many.
In serious news, a Johnson County woman named Misty Barker has been indicted following an alarming incident on April 10th where she allegedly fired a gun at two teenagers near Williamsport. The charges include two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, two counts of terroristic threatening, and two counts of unlawful imprisonment, stemming from an event where the teens stopped their car to report a forest fire only to be confronted by Barker standing in the road with a firearm. A neighbor witnessed the confrontation and heard Barker threaten to kill the children before advising them to retreat to their vehicle until police arrived. Barker is currently held at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center on a $10,000 cash bond, facing felony charges that carry potential prison sentences of up to five years for each count.
The broadcast also highlights the excitement surrounding Pike County Bowl weekend, marking the 41st year of this significant high school football tradition that unites communities across the region. Viewers are treated to a recap of upcoming matchups, including games between Pike Central and Martin County, Belfry versus Louisville Central, Phelps against Shelby Valley, and Prestonsburg versus Pikeville, with details on where to listen via local radio stations. The segment features insights from Pikeville High School Principal Brandon Blackburn, who describes the bowl as a unique opportunity for mountain teams that rarely compete against one another to gather under Friday night lights. Additionally, senior Mia Laquiere shares her honor in being selected as a candidate for the Pike County Bowl Queen, emphasizing the importance of role models and community support during this annual celebration of athletic spirit and local pride.
Rounding out the program are segments dedicated to public service announcements and advocacy work, featuring attorney Ned Pillersdorf who fights for underdogs in courtrooms and classrooms alike, now bringing his mission to Washington. There is also a promotional message from Appalachian Wireless encouraging students and educators to take advantage of back-to-school deals on devices like phones and tablets to stay connected throughout the academic year. These diverse elements combine to create a comprehensive edition of Mountain Top Daily that balances solemn remembrance with community engagement, legal accountability, sports enthusiasm, and practical resources for local residents heading into the new school term.
Read the full video transcript
We'll tell you about a local event for
fans to remember Dolly Parton. And a
Johnson County woman is indicted over
allegations she shot at teenagers. I'm
Jerry Scott and this is the Mountain Top
Daily.
The death of Dolly Parton this week has
left many people in sorrowful reflection
as they remember what the country music
legend meant to them. That's why
Mountain Top Media and the Mountain Girl
Experience are teaming up to host an
event that will give fans a chance to
come together to remember and celebrate
her life and legacy. Robin tells us how
you can come out to say we will always
love you.
>> To honor the life and legacy of a woman
who changed not just country music, but
people's lives as well, Mountain Top
Media is teaming up with the Mountain
Girl Experience to host a Dolly Parton
remembrance celebration.
>> We're really excited as the Mountain
Girl Experience to partner with Mountain
Top Media to just have a celebration of
life for Dolly. So, looking forward to
gathering as a community. No real
concrete plans other than you can bring
a song, bring a story, share what she's
meant to you. And just a place for us to
gather and be together in a time like
this.
>> Of course, it wouldn't be a Dolly Parton
party without music.
>> So, we'll have an open mic opportunity
for everyone. I'm sure I'll do a song or
two.
And then my co-organizer Chris Preston,
I'm sure she will too. But we want to
encourage as many people as we can. We
actually have a link on the Mountain Top
Media event page where people can go and
sign up for a time, a song for the open
mic. So, we would love to see that
filled up. And if you just want to tell
a story, you can make a note on there
too. We want to make sure everyone gets
as much time as possible to share and
contribute.
>> Smallwood shared how Dolly Parton
influenced her musical career.
>> I don't have a story where I got to meet
Dolly, which was my lifelong dream. But
my first ever musical memory is Dolly.
So, when I was a little girl, I had a
little talk recorder.
And I would just go around the house
singing, "Why'd you come in here looking
like that?" all the time. So, I would
record it, and then I would listen back,
and I'd be like, "That's not quite
Dolly." And I would record it, and then
I would listen back, and I would take it
to my mom, and I'd be like, "Does that
sound good?" you know, and just my whole
childhood and memories was is just her.
Um and she really gave me a hope and a
vision for what I could be, you know,
coming out of the heels of Appalachia.
And now she's the queen of everybody.
So, uh yeah, Dolly's been important to
me musically, but also just personally,
too.
>> So, join us this coming Tuesday at 5:00
p.m. at the Mounaintop Media Stage in
downtown Pikeville. Reporting for
Mounaintop News, I'm Robin Tillman.
>> A Johnson County woman has been indicted
over allegations that she fired a gun at
two teenagers.
42-year-old Misty Barker is charged with
two counts of first-degree wanton
endangerment, two counts of terroristic
threatening, and two counts of unlawful
imprisonment. The charges stem from an
incident on April 10th. That night, two
teenagers were driving along Route 40 at
Williamsport when they spotted a forest
fire. They stopped their car, got out,
and were trying to call 911 to report
the fire when they heard shots being
fired. That's when they spotted Barker
standing in the road with a gun. A
neighbor witnessed the incident and told
police Barker said she was going to kill
the kids. The neighbor advised the teens
to get back in their car, and police
arrived moments later.
The wanton endangerment and unlawful
imprisonment charges are felonies
punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
Barker is being held in the Big Sandy
Regional Detention Center on a $10,000
cash bond. Coming up after the break,
it's Pike County Bowl weekend, and
students and fans are getting ready for
some football. We'll take you to a
tailgate event when the Mounaintop Daily
continues. But first, sports and
weather.
>> Boo!
>> How's it going, everyone? I'm Destiny
Fouty and this is your Mountain Top
Sports Recap. The Pike County Bowl
starts tonight and we've got you covered
on the airwaves of Mountain Top Sports.
First up, you can catch Pike Central
versus Martin County tonight on WXCC
96.5.
Kickoff is set for 6:00. It will be
followed by Belfry versus Louisville
Central also on the mullet. Turning to
night two, Phelps will face Shelby
Valley at 6:00. That game can be heard
on WDHR 93.1
and it will be followed by Prestonsburg
versus Pikeville on WDHR. Before you go
out and watch the games tonight, I
highly recommend that you go check out
last night's episode of Sidelines on
Facebook. That's your Mountain Top
Sports Recap and for the latest in
sports, be sure to follow Mountain Top
Sports on Facebook, Instagram and X or
visit mountain-topsports.com.
That's it. See you guys later.
>> Ned Pillersdorf fights for the underdog.
In courtrooms where he advocates for the
most vulnerable.
And in classrooms where at-risk kids get
a second chance.
Ned doesn't just talk about things. Ned
shows up.
And people notice.
He's the best pro bono attorney in the
nation.
Now, he's bringing his fight to
Washington.
>> I'm Ned Pillersdorf and I approve this
message.
>> Pop quiz Appalachia, what's one thing
every student, and let's be honest,
every teacher needs before heading back
to school? If you said a new phone, a
tablet or a smart watch from Appalachian
Wireless, well, you passed. Whether
you're heading to the classroom, the
office, or campus, we've got incredible
back to school deals on the latest
devices to help you stay connected all
year long. But, don't wait. School will
be here before you know it, and these
deals, they won't last forever. So, stop
by your nearest Appalachian Wireless
retail location today, or find out more
at Appalachian Wireless.com, because we
have more reasons to switch and more
ways to save, because we are Appalachian
Wireless.
>> It's Football Friday Night, as well as
one of the bigger weekends of high
school football, as the Pike County Bowl
kicks off tonight for 2 days of gridiron
action. Connor went to Pikeville High
School, where students were getting
ready for the game with a tailgate
lunch.
>> With the Pike County Bowl kicking off,
the people of the community are excited
for this once-in-a-year chance to gather
together and enjoy some football. This
year marks the 41st year of the event,
and Pikeville High School is looking
forward to attending. Here is Principal
Brandon Blackburn to tell us more.
>> Well, you know, it's a celebration of
our teams in the mountains, and then
bringing in some great competition at
the same time. You know, we have some
incredible young athletes here,
incredible programs here in the
mountains. And what a way to bring the
community together than to,
you know, just under these Friday night
lights and Saturday night lights in some
cases. So, we're going to a couple of
different incredible places with some
great history. Well, we know that we're
taking on Prestonsburg this year. Of
course, you know, you will have a
Belfry. And throughout the history,
we've had several other teams over the
years, whether it be from Shelby Valley
to Phelps, to several programs in the in
these mountains' history. It's changed
some over the years, and of course,
we've had some teams come in as well.
But, you know, the most important thing
is is that we get to see some incredible
opportunities for teams that maybe don't
get to see each other a whole lot
because of the different classes. But,
the great thing is is, you know, these
teams in the mountain get to come out,
show out in front of their fans, and and
have a great night of football.
>> Every year, one person from each school
is chosen for a chance to be the Pike
County Bowl Queen. Here is one of the
chosen few, Mia Laquiere, a senior at
Pikeville High School.
>> Well, being the candidate for Pikeville
High School for the Pike County Bowl
Queen candidate, you know, I think it's
a really important thing and a really
cool thing to be a part of, you know,
I'm just really honored to be in this
position and I think it's really
important because, you know, everybody
looks up to the Pike County ball
candidate whether they win or if they
don't. You know, I feel like being a
good role model for the next generation
is a really important thing. So,
that's what it really means to me. You
know, the fact that they continue it and
that they keep doing it is a really cool
thing and really special to our area.
So, a PSA to everybody I'd say come out
and support your teams, come out and
support the Pike County ball queen
candidates and just have a fun time cuz
this is a big tradition for our area.
>> Reporting for Mountain Top News, I'm
Connor Kidd. That will do it for this
edition of the Mountain Top Daily. Be
sure to check us out at 6:00 p.m. every
weekday on Mountain Top TV, the Mountain
Top TV app, and the Mountain Top News
Facebook page. With your Mountain Top
Daily, I'm Jerry Scott for Mountain Top
News.