Kentucky
Ohio hiker missing 2 weeks found alive in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge
CAMPTON, Kentucky — A southern Ohio man who had been missing for two weeks after going hiking in the Daniel Boone National Forest was found alive.
Scott Hern, 48, had last been seen on July 6 before his rescue, according to the Wolfe County Search & Rescue Team. He is still recovering at UK Hospitals in Lexington, a news release says.
“It is truly a miracle that Mr. Hern was found after 14 days and 12 days without any food or water,” says a post from the search team on social media. “We were persistent in our search, but hope was fading.”
Hern had not told anyone he intended to go hiking in the Red River Gorge Area of the forest but he had been seen looking for directions on how to locate Sal Branch Waterfalls, the search team says.
After he was reported missing, his vehicle was found near the head of the Tower Rock Trail. Family members said his diary indicated several locations he planned to visit.
Twenty-five people from Wolfe County Search & Rescue, Powell County Search & Rescue, Red STAR Wilderness EMS and two canine units from Hunter Hounds searched for Hern for several days over rugged terrain, officials say. Despite receiving tips on his possible location, searchers were unable to find him.
On Saturday, the rescue team decided to again search near the falls area Hern had been searching for a located a walking stick and found a shoe print. A short time later they heard Hern yelling for help, the search team says.
Eric Wolterman, a member of the Wolfe County rescue team, says in a post on social media that the discovery of Hern was an emotional moment because searchers had begun to fear he was dead.
“I was the first one to get up to him and I said ‘My name is Eric, I’m with Wolfe County search and rescue, you are safe, we are going to get you out of here,’” Wolterman said. “He looked at me and said “Thank you so much. Will you give me a hug?’ I got teary-eyed and gave him a big hug. I think it was the best hug of both of our lives.”
Kentucky State Police used a helicopter and a hoist to rescue Hern and take him to a hospital. He reportedly was dehydrated and covered in dirt.
“It was a miracle, absolutely,” John May, the chief of the Wolfe County Search & Rescue, tells the Ironton Tribune. “People don’t live that long in the back country without food and water.”
Kentucky
Kentucky is poised to land either Donnie Freeman or Sebastian Rancik this weekend, per report
Jones posted on Twitter that “Kentucky will have (absent a major change) either Freeman or Rancik by tomorrow,” while also noting the Wildcats still need to add another shooter and another big to round out the roster.
One of the top targets is Donnie Freeman, a 6-foot-9, 205-pound sophomore forward transferring from Syracuse. Freeman arrived in Lexington on Tuesday night and began his visit on Wednesday before leaving without a commitment. While there was concern he could land at UConn, that visit has since been canceled, leaving Kentucky and St. John’s as the top teams.
Freeman averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game last season, while adding nearly a block and a steal per contest. He shot 47.4% from the field but 30.2% from 3-point range across 23 games.
The other option is Sebastian Rancik, a 6-foot-11, 220-pound sophomore forward transferring from Colorado. Rancik visited Kentucky starting Wednesday through Thursday and brings a versatile skill set, averaging 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while shooting 33.1% from 3.
Either Freeman or Rancik would provide a significant boost at the power forward position for head coach Mark Pope. Kentucky has already added guards Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins in the portal.
Kentucky football coach Will Stein reflects on new position
Will Stein was officially introduced to fans and media as the head coach for the Kentucky Wildcats, replacing Mark Stoops.
LEXINGTON — Kentucky football had its first spring game under new coach Will Stein at Kroger Field on Saturday.
The offense, in blue jerseys, had its moments. So too the defense, donning white uniforms.
Ultimately, the blue squad earned a 23-18 victory in a game called just after noon because of inclement weather.
Stein admitted he “got emotional” as he charged onto the field prior to kickoff.
“I know it wasn’t a real game, but when I ran on the field, I definitely — man, I felt it,” he said. “It was like a wave running over me. And very, very, just cool.”
While it doesn’t count in the standings, Stein walked away pleased.
“I think we got a lot of really good work,” he said. “That’s the goal of spring is to improve with fundamentals and technique, learn how to practice, learn what winning edges that we need throughout spring to go into summer and fall and prepare the team for play. And we came out of the scrimmage clean. There (were) no injuries, which to me, that’s the biggest win of the day. I could (not) care less about the score.
“If we come out clean, that’s good. The Wildcats won.”
New starting QB Kenny Minchey looked about as expected, with sharp passes evened out by moments of inconsistency. Martels Carter Jr., a defensive back who is lining up at running back this spring, scored a touchdown and had several nice runs.
And the defense forced multiple three-and-outs and also picked off one Minchey pass on a two-point conversion.
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
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