The Commonwealth

`Click It or Ticket' campaign begins

Kentucky News Content Service — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:34:05 +0000

Beginning today and continuing through June 2, Kentucky State Police will be participating in the “Click It or Ticket” national, seatbelt enforcement campaign. The federal highway safety initiative focuses on seatbelt and child restraint enforcement as well as driver education.

AAA focus on seatbelts, holiday weekend safety

The Kentucky Enquirer — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:29:58 +0000

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, transportation agencies and highway patrols across the area are gearing up for a busy time on the roads. With that, comes an emphasis on seat belt safety. AAA announced their commitment to joining the “Click It or Ticket” effort Thursday, holding an event at their Florence location. Read more...

Louisville Zoo's Oldest Polar Bear, Arki, Dies

Louisville Public Media — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:48:20 +0000

Louisville Zoo officials say the zoo's oldest polar bear passed away today from unknown causes. Arki was 28 years old, and came to Louisville in 2011 from the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois. According to Polar Bears International, the bears live an average to 15 to 18 years in the wild, but in captivity can live into their mid- to late 30s. The oldest known polar bear in captivity--Debby, who lived in a Canadian zoo--was 42 years old. Read more...

Pot pics on Facebook lead to drug charges

Lindsey Erdody and Frankfort State Journal — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:07:41 +0000

Posting photos on Facebook has led to a Frankfort man being indicted Wednesday for trafficking in marijuana. Donald Newton, 39, of 974 Wilkinson Blvd., allegedly posted photos on his Facebook page of marijuana shaped as a birthday cake with a candle on top and of him holding a wad of cash.

Pit Bull ban discussed in Fleming County

Christy Hoots and The Ledger Independent — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:28:41 +0000

The Flemingsburg City Council unanimously voted this week to amend a current animal ordinance to ban ownership of the pit bull breed of dogs within city limits. According to Mayor Marty Voiers, the ordinance previously allowed pit bulls to be within city limits, but required the animals to be registered and for owners to maintain insurance. Read more...

New Ordinance opens Hotel Records open to Police

Mike Moore and The Jessamine Journal — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:23:56 +0000

The Nicholasville City Commission passed the first reading of an ordinance that would require hotels and motels operating inside the city limits to turn over their customers’ information at the request of the Nicholasville public safety officials. “A lot of cities have this, and it’s (become) a burden to us at times when we need to know when we’re looking for somebody, and we go to the hotels and (look at) their registers to see if they’re there,” police chief Barry Waldrop said. “Sometimes we see stolen vehicles out in the parking lot.” Waldrop said area hotels and motels are “reluctant” to release the information to police. Read more...

NTSB blames Crew, State in Eggners Ferry Bridge Crash

Chad Lampe and Kentucky Public Radio — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:43:13 +0000

The National Transportation Safety Board says the January 2012 allision between the cargo ship the Delta Mariner and the Eggners Ferry Bridge resulted from poor bridge span lighting and crew inattention to available navigational tools. The ship sheared off a 300 foot span of the bridge. No one was injured.

Firefighters rescue Man from Cave

Rialda Zukic and The Daily News — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:30:40 +0000

What began Monday afternoon as an outdoor adventure for two Bowling Green friends attempting to shoot video inside a secluded cave ended in one of the men being rescued by Bowling Green Fire Department firefighters. Brian Ahlers, 20, and his 22-year-old friend, who declined to give his name to the Daily News, were exploring the cave off Industrial Drive near Cameron Park Apartments, which has a body of water passing through it. The men swam across the water to get to the other side, but one of them couldn’t get back. Read more...

Indictment prompts resignation of Northern Kentucky Mayor

Melissa Stewart and The Kentucky Enquirer — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:52:30 +0000

Walton Mayor Philip Trzop submitted a letter of resignation to city council that was read at Monday night's council meeting. Trzop did not attend the meeting. Earlier this year Trzop was indicted by a Boone County grand jury on a charge of abuse of public trust in regard to a position he held as manager of the Boone County Water District. He was later fired from the position. Trzop was accused of selling scrap metal belonging to the water district for $34,000 between 2009 and November 2012, about $10,000 of which was unaccounted for. Read more..

May 14, 1988: From Park Fun to Roadway Tragedy

Jeff D'Alessio and The News-Enterprise — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:02:41 +0000

It wasn’t until a few days before the trip to King’s Island north of Cincinnati that Jerry and Jeff Wheeler knew for certain they would be allowed to attend. “I remember begging mom to let us go,” said Jerry Wheeler. “I wanted to go to maybe meet some new people. It was a really fun day leading up to what happened on the way home.” What happened on the way home, 25 years later, still cuts its survivors to the core. Family members, friends and their communities were — and still are — stricken irrevocably with heartbreak stemming from the Radcliff First Assembly of God bus crash that May night in 1988. “It still doesn’t seem real that something like that could happen,” Quinton Higgins said. “It was a day of a lot of fun. It was like having a pot of gold as a kid.” Read more...

Memorial Service, Documentary mark Carroll County Bus Crash

Louisville Public Media — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:25:02 +0000

Tuesday, May 14 marks the 25th anniversary of the deadliest drunk-driving crash in U.S. history. 27 members of a Radcliff church group, most of them children, were killed when their bus was struck by a pickup traveling in the wrong direction on Interstate 71 in Carroll County, Kentucky. The group was returning home from an amusement park outing. The anniversary will be marked with a memorial service, and the screening of a new documentary about the tragedy.

Kentucky Ranks 47th in Bicycle Friendliness

Louisville Public Media — Thu, 02 May 2013 18:29:24 +0000

A national bicycling advocacy group has ranked the 50 states for cyclist friendliness. Their determination: Kentucky is not so bicycle-friendly. Kentucky ranked 47th in the U.S., according to the League of American Bicyclists. That's better than North Dakota, Alabama and New Mexico. (And worse than the rest.) Kentucky ranked poorly in almost all of the report's five categories—legislation/enforcement, policies/programs, infrastructure/funding and evaluation/planning. On education/encouragement, Kentucky got a middle ranking.

Charges Possible in Death of 2-Year-Old Shot by Brother

Greg Kocher and Lexington Herald-Leader — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:16:43 +0000

Kentucky State Police said Wednesday it is too early to say whether charges will be filed in the case of a 5-year-old boy who accidentally shot and killed his 2-year-old sister. "The mother was home at the time, cleaning house, and stepped out to empty a mop bucket and heard a pop," Kentucky State Police spokesman Trooper Billy Gregory said. "She ran back in and found it had happened."

Kentucky Residents Set to Serve as Long-Term Volunteers After Sandy

The Western Recorder — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:31:45 +0000

Two Kentucky Baptist couples have accepted long-term volunteer positions in New York to assist residents who are still recovering from last year’s Superstorm Sandy. Bill and Donna Johnson of Grayson have agreed to serve for two years as rebuild coordinators for the New York post-Sandy response. Ron and Greta Wilson of Bardstown have volunteered to serve one year as warehouse coordinators for the New York rebuilding effort.

Local Leaders, Sports Commentators React to Jason Collins Coming Out

Louisville Public Media — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:27:37 +0000

Louisville gay rights leaders are praising veteran NBA player Jason Collins publicly announcing that he is gay, but area sports commentators say the revelation will do little to change the game. The 34-year-old Collins is a free agent who reveals his sexual orientation in the upcoming issue of Sports Illustrated, which makes him the first active professional male athlete to disclose his homosexuality.

FAA Seeks $4 Million From UPS Over Alleged Violations

Louisville Public Media — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:12:35 +0000

The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking a $4 million penalty from UPS for not complying with federal safety rules. The FAA says UPS did not follow federally-approved procedures for maintaining four planes, which allegedly went on more than 400 flights in 2008 and 2009. The agency further says UPS has not entirely complied with an agreement that required the company to check aircraft repairs against maintenance records. The FAA says had UPS followed the agreement, the penalty would not be necessary.

Churchill Downs and Louisville Metro Police Outline Derby Security Plans

Louisville Public Media — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:02:29 +0000

It's becoming a common refrain. As with Thunder Over Louisville, Louisville Metro Police are urging attendees to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks to report suspicious activity, in a bid to heighten security after last week's bombing at the Boston Marathon. "If you see something, say something," said Maj. Kelly Jones of Louisville Metro Police. "Find the nearest police officer, tell him or her, 'Hey it doesn't look right,' or, 'This is suspicious,' or, 'It bothers me.' We'll be happy to address it. That's why we're here—to serve the public and make sure everybody is safe."

Appeals Court Rejects Coal-Mining Permit Process

Bill Estep and Lexington Herald-Leader — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:48:09 +0000

Environmental groups cheered a ruling by the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on Monday that invalidates a streamlined permitting process for surface coal mines. The decision reverses a lower court's ruling in Eastern Kentucky that upheld the nationwide permitting process adopted by the Army Corps of Engineers in 2007. The appeals court called the permitting process "arbitrary and capricious" in a 16-page ruling.

Guns Star in Kentucky-Based Reality Show 'Guntucky'

Cheryl Truman and Lexington Herald-Leader — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:37:59 +0000

When you think Kentucky, what do you think of? Horses? Bourbon? Rolling hills and limestone cliffs? Bluegrass music? Country Music Television hopes to change your way of thinking to also include unlimited guns and blowing up big things. The network launched a new series, Guntucky, on Sunday. Guntucky follows the family that runs Knob Creek Gun Range in Bullitt County.

Workers Injured by Fire at Louisville Train Derailment Site File Suit

Louisville Public Media — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:16:25 +0000

Two Illinois workers injured in a fire during the October clean-up of a derailed Paducah & Louisville Railway train in southwestern Louisville have filed suit against the railroad and its contractors. Leonardo Anthony Carrillo and Gregory Powers claim that P&L, CSX and a contractor failed to properly monitor dangerous contaminants while the men—employed by clean-up contractor RJ Corman—worked at the site near West Point, Ky.

Churchill Downs Revises List of Banned Items Due to Security Concerns

Louisville Public Media — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:00:46 +0000

Churchill Downs is revising the items people can bring into the racetrack during the Kentucky Derby and Oaks because of security concerns raised from Monday's bombing at the Boston Marathon. Add to the list of banned items are coolers, fireworks, noisemakers, laser lights/pointers, mace/pepper spray and purses larger than a foot in any dimension. You'll be able to buy a Styrofoam cooler and ice at the track at "comparable" prices to retailers, Churchill Downs says.

Bowling Green Man Witnessed Events After Finishing Boston Marathon

Chuck Mason and The Daily News Bowling Green — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:52:22 +0000

Grant Cline’s first Boston Marathon on Monday became unforgettable and tragic when three people were killed and more than 170 were injured in explosions at the 117-year-old event. “There is evil in this world,” said Cline, 56, of Bowling Green, who qualified for Monday’s 26.2-mile run a year ago. “If I’m 25 minutes later, I’d been in the middle of that,” he said of the blasts.

Kentucky Runners in Boston Marathon Express Shock, Sadness

Karla Ward and Bill Estep and Linda Blackford and Lexington Herald-Leader — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:33:24 +0000

Dr. Ronald Dubin was about five miles from finishing the Boston Marathon on Monday when police began telling runners to get off the course and onto the sidewalks. Dubin, an orthopedic surgeon with offices in Middlesboro and Corbin, said he saw police cars driving fast down the road and then buses carrying military people. Soon after, he learned about the explosions at the finish line through calls from family members and friends wanting to check on him. His first reaction was disbelief.

Grants Awarded by The Kentucky Foundation for Women

Louisville Public Media — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:37:53 +0000

The Kentucky Foundation for Women has awarded $100,000 in grants to Kentucky artists. The grants are awarded to feminist artists and organizations to develop their artistic skills, explore new techniques or create new works. Small grants ranging from $1,000 to $7,500 will support projects ranging from a Lexington music series focused on African American female composers to a nonfiction book and website about life as an active-duty military wife. Of the 36 artist enrichment grants awarded this month, 12 totaling $34,000 will fund Louisville-based artists and their projects.

400 Thousand State Returns Could Come In Today

Stu Johnson — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:24:55 +0000

It’s tax day and a busy one at the Kentucky Revenue Department.

“I noticed, I’ve been watching our phone board and evidently we’re getting a lot of questions today. So, a lot of phone calls coming in already.”

State Division of Individual Income Director Bruce Nix says some one- point-three million state tax returns have already been filed, but another 400-thousand could arrive today. For taxpayers who need more time, Nix says filing for an extension with the I-R-S is all that’s required in Kentucky.

Tough Mudder Event Returning to Mason

Marla Toncray and The Ledger Independent — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 15:14:34 +0000

Organizers of the Tough Mudder obstacle course event have decided to return to Mason County after a successful event in 2012. Scheduled for Oct. 19 and 20, the event drew 8,400 participants and 3,000 spectators to the Big Rock Off-Road Park in 2012. Maysville officials said the event had a significant economic impact, with hotels booked for the weekend, as well as restaurants and local retailers also benefiting from competitors and visitors to the area.

Volunteers Work to Improve State Parks

Kentucky Press News Service — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:37:53 +0000

CORBIN – Nine young people from across the country are spending several weeks this spring working on trails in Eastern Kentucky to help communities and state parks. The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps team has worked in Letcher County and at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park near Corbin and is scheduled to do more work at Stearns and Natural Bridge State Resort Park at Slade during April and May, according to a state park system news release.

Lexington Hosts Statewide Immigration Rally

Stu Johnson — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 03:22:14 +0000

Dozens of protesters gathered in downtown Lexington Wednesday, waving flags and calling for immigration reform. It was unseasonably warm as one corner of Triangle Park filled with hundreds of immigration reform supporters. Speakers chanted into a public address system, urging the crowd to join them.

New State Laws will Take Effect June 25

Jack Brammer and Lexington Herald-Leader — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:00:17 +0000

Most legislation passed by Kentucky's 2013 General Assembly will take effect June 25, the state attorney general's office said Monday. The attorney general's opinion came from a request by Legislative Research Commission director Robert Sherman about the effective date of legislation passed during this year's law-making session.

Children's Organizations Begin Campaign to End Child Abuse

Louisville Public Media — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:42:32 +0000

Several organizations have partnered with Kosair Charities to participate in a campaign to end child abuse. The announcement expected Tuesday comes in the middle of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Kosair Charities announced the initiative last year. Since then, Kosair president Randy Coe says the coalition has been developing a plan to measure the success of the campaign. The goal is to eradicate child abuse, which Coe acknowledges is ambitious.