Nelson blames Gilbert for task force rift
Somerset —
Somerset’s acting police chief is finally speaking out about the issues between the City of Somerset and the Lake Cumberland Area Drug Task Force — and his story is considerably different than the one that’s been told in recent days by the drug task force director. Acting Chief Doug Nelson says the drug task force director, David Gilbert, started the controversy by refusing to follow the proper hiring procedure when selecting a new task force agent. Gilbert, on the other hand, says that accusation isn’t true — and that Nelson has refused to communicate with him about hiring issues he approached him with last month. Meanwhile, in the absence of Mayor Eddie Girdler at a Somerset city council meeting held Monday evening, council members unanim-ously passed a resolution in support of the LCADTF, and an attorney representing the task force seemed to systematically strip down a letter from the mayor which was supposed to have explained the city’s reasons for its lessened involvement in the drug task force — a move which could put the task force in jeopardy of losing federal funding.
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Crew change station will be a plus for Pulaski
Somerset —
The local economy is due a sizable boost early in 2011 with the location and operation of a crew change station for Norfolk Southern railroad that will bring nearly 100 well-paying jobs into Pulaski County. The crew change station at Tateville in southern Pulaski County has been under construction for nearly a year. It will be the workplace headquarters for 80 to 90 engineers and conductors for the nearly 50 trains that daily pass through Pulaski County on the main line of Southern Railroad between Cincinnati and Chattanooga. The Commonwealth Journal from reliable sources earlier this year reported the planned relocation of the crew change station from Danville to Tateville but only last week was the move officially confirmed by a Norfolk Southern official. Robin Chapman, manager of public relations for Norfolk Southern, said the crew change station is definitely moving from Danville to southern Pulaski County.
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Change of city government won't be on fall ballot
Somerset —
Somerset voters will not decide whether to change the form of city government at the November 2 general election. “There’s no chance of getting it on the ballot for the fall election,” said Stephen B. Kelley Jr., the outgoing city councilor who advocates a city manager form of government. He earlier expressed hope that city voters would be able to decide in Nove-mber if they want to em-brace a city manager form of government like 19 other cities in Ken-tucky. It would take about 700 signa-tures on a petition to get a change-of-government question on the ballot.
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Trio accused of vandalizing churches in court
Somerset —
Three people accused of breaking into as many as seven rural churches have pleaded not guilty to those charges in court. Kimberly Beth Flynn, 27, of Parvin Trailer Park, off of Ky. 2227, and Kyle S. Norling, 19, and John L. Lykins III, 19, both of Ky. 1674 in Somerset, appeared in Pulaski District Court Monday to face charges connected to the break-ins and acts of vandalism that took place at multiple rural churches in the county. The three were arrested Thursday on criminal mischief, burglary and theft charges after an investigation by the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department led officials to Flynn’s home. The first incident was reported on June 23 with the break-in of the Union Church of Christ, located on Stilesville Road in Science Hill. Nothing was reported to be taken from the building, but the individuals who forced their way into the church committed what Pulaski County Sheriff Todd Wood called “criminal mischief” — in essence, vandalizing the building.
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Oakwood expecting over 50 layoffs
Somerset —
The news isn’t good for a large number of Bluegrass Oakwood employees, who are expected to be receiving the proverbial pink slip due to the Commonwealth’s budget crunch. Shannon Ware, executive director of the Bluegrass Regional Mental Health-Mental Retardation Board, which oversees operations at the Oakwood mental health facility in Somerset, confirmed that as many as 53 employees are being let go, with those notifications having started going out Thursday
Power Cruise draws cars from all over to July Somernites
Somerset —
For those who love sunshine and warm weather, Somernites Cruise was the place to be yesterday. With temperatures hovering around the 100 degree mark and plenty of humidity, close to 1,000 cars and their proud owners ventured to the streets of downtown Somerset to participate in the fourth cruise-in of Somernites’ tenth season, the highlight of which was the Holley Performance-sponsored Power Cruise. The Somernites Power Cruise draws cars to Somerset from Bowling Green and Louisville, Ky., Knoxville and Nashville, Tenn., and Cincinnati, Ohio.
Heat no match for MMF performers
Somerset — Musicians often say they spend blood, sweat and tears over their art. At this weekend’s Master Musicians Festival, “sweat” was the operative word.With temperatures steady in the mid- to low-90s — and an oppressive humidity in the air on Friday — music lovers still flocked to Festival Field behind Somerset Community College to see the acts at this 17th edition of the Master Musicians Festival. A two-day annual outdoor event, the festival is under new leadership this year, but it was virtually impossible to tell a difference — it felt like any other MMF of recent years.
“It’s really exceeded my expectations,” said Tiffany Finley Bourne, president of the MMF board, of the way the festival had gone by late afternoon on Saturday. “The weather has been holding out and doing great for us.”Finley Bourne’s expectations were high — she was hoping the favorable conditions (Saturday was hot, but at least festivalgoers were treated to a pleasant breeze breaking through the trees most of the day) would make for a “record-breaking crowd” by the time the biggest acts — Bluegrass masters Dan Tyminski and Ronnie Bowman, and soul slingers Robert Randolph and the Family Band — took the stage Saturday night.
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Somerset city councilors still miffed over edited meetings
Somerset —
A second Somerset city council meeting has been edited for television — and some councilors continue to be upset that individuals’ comments are being censored. Since shortly after Somerset Mayor Eddie Girdler took office, city council meetings have been broadcast on cable television’s local access channel on a one-week delay. The meetings had always been run in their entirety, until the June 14 meeting aired with several comments deleted. A handful of councilors complained about the editing, but Mayor Girdler argued that “it’s our responsibility as a city to put a limit on potentially slanderous statements in a publication that is presented by the City of Somerset.” Girdler said only comments that are “personal in nature” would be deleted from the televised versions of council meetings. Following the next council meeting, the televised version once again did not contain some comments made by a citizen and by some council members — and, once again, councilors expressed their concerns about the editing process. “I don’t agree with the editing at all. ... It doesn’t seem right to me,” said council member Pat Bourne. “Perhaps it would be best to eliminate that whole program.” Girdler again stated that unedited copies of the meetings are available through the City Clerk’s office, provided an open records request is filed, and that the purpose of the televised meetings is “to inform the public” — that the broadcasts shouldn’t be used to pass along information about individuals which could be false or malicious.
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Norfleet: Burdette should recuse himself from bribery case
Somerset —
One of the defense attorneys for a group of people accused of trying to bribe a local prosecutor is asking that the presiding judge recuse himself from the case. On Thursday, Robbie Norfleet, attorney for Virginia "Carol" Hampton, filed a motion during the defendants’ arr-aignment asking that Pulaski Cir-cuit Court Judge Jeffrey T. Burdette, who is presiding over the case now that it’s trans-itioned from dis-trict to circuit court with the defend-ants’ indictments, recuse himself from the case. “ ... Defendant states that recusal is necessary for two (2) reasons: person-al knowledge of facts relevant to the case and of key witness in the case; and to avoid the appearance of impropriety,” stated Norfleet in the motion. To recuse oneself means to withdraw from participating in a decision on grounds such as prejudice or personal involvement, according to the online Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Hampton, 44, Everett Hyden, 64, Noble Hampton, 63, Walter Creekmore, 62, and Darmus "Bubby" Dalton, 44, all appeared before Burdette for their arraignments and pleaded not guilty Thursday in the case. The defendants were indicted just last week on one count each of complicity to bribe a public servant.
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'He was the brave one'
Elementary student T.J. Compton, 8, was taken by cancer, but is an inspiration to friends, family
Somerset —
funeral will be held tomorrow for a little boy who has been a mighty warrior for the last year.
T.J. Compton, a student at Hopkins Elementary School who just turned eight years old on June 28, lost a brave battle against cancer on Tuesday.
Family members and friends are remembering T.J. as a kind hearted child who put others’ needs above his own — even in the face of a painful terminal illness.
T.J. was a healthy, active youngster for the first seven years of his life. Then last year, about a week before his seventh birthday, T.J. complained of a headache. Three days later, he collapsed into a seizure.
“They tried to wake him up, and he wouldn’t wake up,” his maternal grand-mother, Lynn Napier, said.
T.J. was brought to Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, where a scan of his brain revealed a hemorrhaging tumor. Doctors performed emergency surgery to drain the fluid from his brain, and the following day, he was sent to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
Doctors originally belie-ved T.J.’s tumor would be “highly treatable,” Lynn recalled. But after results of a biopsy were returned, T.J.’s family heard the crushing news — the cancer was a type called “glioblastoma,” and the illness would be terminal.
Major Whitley County Drug Bust
A knoxville man is arrested in Whitley County with more than 900 prescription pills in his vehicle.
Hill got off exit fifteen just north of Williamsburg and entered this Shell station. Other customers in the station noticed he was intoxicated and called in again to the Whitley County Sheriff's Department.
Deputy Ron Bowling was the first on the scene.
"I was able to make entry into the store un-announced. I observed the subject standing in front of the register that appeared to be severely impaired, creating a disturbance within the store. I immediately took him into custody and removed him from the store out to the parking lot of the store itself," said Bowling.
Upon searching Hill, police found a seven-inch tactical knife as well as more than one hundred and fifty Xanax pills. When the deputies searched his vehicle, they found much more.
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Texting ban begins in Ky.
A new law banning drivers from texting while behind the wheel is now in effect.
If you love to text, you will have to watch your thumbs beginning Thursday.
A new law banning drivers from texting while behind the wheel went into effect at midnight.
Police will only issue warnings for the rest of year.
Fines will begin in January.
Kentucky State Police say you won't be able to text, even if you're stopped at a red light.
Under the same law, no one under 18 years old will be able to use a cell phone at all while driving.
Police say you can still use GPS devices while driving.
FULL STORY @ WKYT.COM
GAS GOUGE?
The signs say it all ... or do they?
The Commonwealth Journal recently began fielding numerous phone calls and at least one letter to the editor from Pulaski County residents voicing their concerns about what appears to be a significant gas price disparity between this area and others.
Taking a quick peek at kentuckygasprices.com shows the price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline can vary widely across the state. One of the lowest prices found is $2.44 per gallon of unleaded at Murphy USA in Corbin ... and a picture snapped at another Corbin station shows a five-cent difference, at $2.49 per gallon.
Full Story: Commonwealth Journal
Deputy insists obscene graffiti is not a ‘hate crime’
Somerset —
Wayne County Deputy Sheriff Barry Shoemaker also agrees with those sentiments.
Deputy Shoemaker is the sole part-time officer who regularly patrols the remote area of Wayne County that was the subject of a front page article in yesterday’s Commonwealth Journal. During an interview yesterday afternoon, a defensive Shoemaker contended that accusations made by Mill Springs Road resident Daniel Fleagle were overblown. Fleagle has insisted that a racial slur drawn on the road near his house was a “hate crime” directed toward him, and is just the tip of a proverbial iceberg of criminal activities in the area.
“This is no hate crime,” Shoemaker asserted. “It’s a disagreement between two neighbors. ... I’m a U.S. Army veteran just like the Indian, and I don’t think this has anything to do with his ancestry.”
Fleagle, who said he is a Seneca from the Iroquois Nation, said he thinks the message scrawled in Kentucky blue paint above a drawing of a fist with an extended middle finger, “911 Indian” is a gangland reference to the World Trade Center tragedy and is a veiled threat to him.
Corps’ photos show widening cracks at dam
WOLF CREEK DAM —
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the request of the Commonwealth Journal has released photographs of widening cracks in the U.S. 127 roadway atop Wolf Creek Dam. Expanding cracks are the main reason for a partial suspension of the dam’s rehabilitation in a 600-foot area near where the earthen section joins the concrete.
The Corps revealed last month that the cracks have widened between a half inch and an inch since the first of the year. Allison Jarrett, public affairs specialist for the Corps’ Nashville District, said at the time “ ... movement that our engineers are focused on now is not necessarily movement of material, but rather cracks in the roadway over the dam.” Engineers emphasized in a later news release that the cracks are not new, but existing cracks that have widened.
Responding to this newspaper’s request for a more detailed description of the cracks, Jarrett said “ ... our engineering team is getting some numbers together ... on the size of the cracks and should have that ready soon.
Burnside steady on tax rate
New Councilor Thompson-Burton wanted lower rate
BURNSIDE —
In a tough economy, can a city feasibly lower its property tax rate?
Burnside opted not to do so on Monday night — but not for lack of trying.
Three years after taking the bold move of lowering the city’s tax rate to 17.1 cents on the dollar following the swell of new restaurant tax revenue, the Burnside City Council decided to keep the status quo at their July meeting. Headed into the 2010-11 fiscal year, the 17.1 cent figure will remain unchanged.
The tax applies to real and personal property as well as tangible property within the city limits of Burnside. This does not apply to aircraft, documented watercraft, and inventory in transit; while Burnside has an ad valorem tax, the city does not collect the money itself. The tax revenue goes toward the city’s general expenses
Burnside made headlines in 2007 when they lowered the rate by a cent, with councilors stating at the time that it was the “lowest in the county.” Following the 2004 restaurant referendum, the food and alcohol taxes were pulling in $240,000 in tax revenue, giving the city a healthy amount of cash in its coffers, and the freedom to ease the pressure on citizens’ pocketbooks.
Jail request for hazard pay again voted down
Somerset —
Hazard-ous duty retirement pay for jail employees is, by now, a long-discussed topic at Pulaski County Fiscal Court.
But, during this week’s meeting, the resolution to give hazardous retirement coverage to the only three jail employees who don’t yet have it made it to a vote — albeit a one that went unpassed.
“I don’t think they (fiscal court) understand what all takes place in a jail,” Pulaski County Jailer Mike Harris said on Tuesday afternoon after the meeting. “It’s literally like running a little city.”
Right now, the jail is housing 253 inmates — well over the maximum of 223 as laid out by state guidelines. Harris said with all his employees at work, including part-timers, that brings the ratio to about one em-ployee per 5.5 inmates.
Those numbers are dangerous, Harris said, and he said he feels all of his employees deserve to receive hazardous retire-ment pay.
As of right now, all Pulaski County Detention Center employees receive the pay except for three, who were hired after legislative changes were made that now require that hazardous pay be approved through the passing of a resolution by governing city councils and fiscal courts.
ROAD CHILL
Slur scrawled on highway hints of hate
MOULDEN HILL — At a Civil War Union artillery position smack dab on the Pulaski-Wayne County line southwest of Nancy another war is brewing.
Daniel Fleagle, a U.S. Army veteran who traces his ancestry through the Seneca tribe of the Iroquois Nation, has seen little peace since moving to picturesque Moulden’s Hill on Mill Springs Road nestled between rolling farmland off KY 235 and the emerald waters of Lake Cumberland just down the road from his house.
CLICK HERE for Full Story at www.somerset-kentucky.com
Crash suspect remains at UK
Toxicology results still pending
by Heather Pyles-Tomlinson Commonwealth Journal
Somerset — State police are awaiting toxicology results on a Somerset man involved in a fatal Lincoln county car crash that left two people dead on Friday.
Brett Whittaker, 27, of Somerset, remains in the UK Medical Center in fair condition, and charges against him are pending in the deadly collision.
The incident happened Friday, shortly after 10 p.m., on U.S. 27 near the Lin-coln/Garrad line when Whit-taker’s southbound truck crossed the center line and struck a northbound Toyota Corolla driven by Lavanda G. Rowland, 48. Her husband, John K. Rowland, 48 was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the collision.
The couple, who lived in Berea and were reportedly in the area to help a family member open a new church, were pronounced dead at the scene by Lincoln County Coroner Farris Marcum.
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Nightmare chase ends with suspect behind bars
Pursuit was headed toward double fatality involving Somerset man
Somerset — It’s the stuff of a cop’s nightmare: A high-speed pursuit of a fleeing motorist who is unknowingly hurtling toward the scene of a double-fatality car wreck that’s still being cleared from the highway.
That nightmare unfolded on U.S. 27 Friday beginning with the fatal accident in Lincoln County that occurred about 10:30 p.m. — an accident in which charges are pending against a Somerset man. About an hour later, officers found themselves in hot pursuit of a Burnside motorist.
The pursuit began at around 11:20 p.m. Scott Wall, of Roberts Bend in Burnside, was driving a 1987 Toyota northbound on U.S. 27 when he was spotted weaving in and out of traffic, according to Pulaski County Sheriff Todd Wood . Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputy Kyle Wilson attempted to pull Wall over, but Wall sped off. Wilson took chase after him, according to Sheriff Wood.
The pursuit sent Wall, with Wilson in pursuit, speeding toward the Pulaski/Lincoln line. Other officers soon joined the chase. FULL STORY
Rescue effort costs a ‘hero’ his own life
Pulaski native drowns assisting teens in Florida
Gulf of Mexico —
Health department urges caution as temperatures rise
With temperatures moving into the 90s this week, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department reminds everyone to follow safety precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses.
The following tips can help you remain safe during the hot weather:
• Drink plenty of fluids. You will need to drink more fluids than your thirst level indicates. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages or drinks with large amounts of sugar because they cause you to lose more fluid.
• Wear sunscreen and appropriate clothing. Sunscreen should be SPF 15 or greater and applied 30 minutes before going outdoors. Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose fitting clothing. Wear a wide-brimmed hat that will provide shade and keep your head cool.
• Schedule outdoor activities carefully. If you must be outside, try to plan your activities so that you are outdoors either before noon or in the evening.
• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
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Doctors warn of extreme heat dangers
High temperatures here in the Bluegrass are expected to remain in the 90s at least until the weekend.
Health experts are warning everyone about the dangers.
Doctors say heat stroke can kill.
It can start as heat exhaustion but can elevate into heat stroke.
Experts also warn that victims are not always aware that they are in danger.
Symptoms include high fever, hot and dry skin and rapid heartbeat.
Senior citizens, the young and those who exercise outdoors are particularly susceptible to heat stroke.
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Man making epic journey stops in Somerset
Somerset — When you’ve been walking all the way across the country, over mountains, plains, fields and streams, it doesn’t seem as if little Somerset, Ky., would present much of a challenge.You’d be wrong.
A reporter encountered Mr. Al Slusser on the steps of the Pulaski County Courthouse Friday afternoon, as the gentleman found himself a bit lost. He was trying to locate the post office — which is on North Maple Street, as any Somerset denizen knows, though Slusser didn’t because he’s from Cottonwood, Arizona.That’s unremarkable in itself. What is remarkable is how he got here — he came to town on foot.
At a spry 71 years of age, Slusser is the oldest man to attempt the feat of walking coast-to-coast across the country. He knows. He’s checked into it.
CLICK HERE for Full Story at www.somerset-kentucky.com
Toyota knew about Lexus problem 2 years ago
TOKYO (AP) - A company official says Toyota knew about the engine problem in the Lexus and Crown vehicles two years ago but didn't think a recall was warranted at the time.
The official says the company changed the spring part to correct the problem. A global recall is now under way to repair some 270,000 vehicles to replace engine components that could cause stalling.
A spokesman tells The Associated Press that the world's top automaker previously thought the problem was caused by a foreign substance entering during manufacturing of the valve springs, and beefed up checks so that wouldn't happen.
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Cropduster pilot killed when helicopter hits lines
MADISONVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky State Police say a Georgia
helicopter pilot has been killed while spraying a field in western
Kentucky.
A news release from the KSP states 55-year-old Timothy E. Watson
of Lawrenceville, Ga., was spraying fungicide and fertilizer late
Monday afternoon on a farm field in Crittendon County when his
helicopter struck power lines. The investigating trooper said the
Robinson Model R44 helicopter came down about 200 feet from the
utility lines and burned.
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Man found safe following Golden Alert
A Golden Alert has been canceled after a missing man was found safe.
Emergency workers in Taylor County told 27 NEWSFIRST Tuesday morning that Gilbert Banta, 79, had been found.
Banta hadn't been seen since 6:30 p.m. Sunday, when police say he vanished from his home on Roland Street in Campbellsville.
Police haven't released where Banta was found.
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Family celebrates life of teenage shooting victim on his birthday
The family and friends of Ali Shalash spent Monday night celebrating a life lost too soon. Israh Shalash lost her brother Ali last November. He died from a gunshot wound he got at the home of friend Jamar Mays. Court documents show Mays telling police a man wearing a ski mask tried to come through his window and shot inside his home, but evidence of empty bullet shells in the trash and a gun in a vehicle led police to Mays. Jamar Mays is charged with his friend Ali's death.
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Remains positively identified as woman missing six years
Remains found in Powell County back in January have finally been identified.
The Powell County Coroner confirms the remains belong to Sabrina Vaughn.
Vaughn disappeared from Montgomery County in 2003.
Her ex-boyfriend, Bass Webb, is charged with her murder.
Investigators in Montgomery County presented their case against him to a grand jury this spring without a positive identification of the remains. The told 27 NEWSFIRST at the time they felt they had enough evidence.
Webb's cousin, Jonathan French, has been charged with tampering with physical evidence in the case.
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Child dies at hospital after incident at public pool
A 13 year old, found unresponsive in a public swimming pool, has died.
A lifeguard noticed Timothy Patterson hanging onto the side at Beach Creek pool in Clay County, Friday afternoon. When the lifeguard went to see if he was okay, he discovered the boy was unresponsive. Patterson was rushed to UK Hospital, where he died late last night. The Clay County Sheriff's Department says the boy went into diabetic shock while swimming.
An autopsy has been performed on Patterson, his official cause of death is pending the results.
CLICK HERE for Story at www.wkyt.com
Weather is blistering, but so are the hot rods at June Cruise
Somerset — Somernites Cruise visitors are seeing to seeing plenty of hot rods in downtown Somerset, but on Saturday, the weather was the hottest thing in town.A call to BB&T Bank’s time-and-temperature hotline shortly after 3 p.m. was greeted with the report of scorching numbers: an intimidating 99 degrees. Of course, the temperature was surely raised a little bit by so many visitors traveling the Somerset streets — man and machine alike — but the point stands: It was mighty hot out there.
CLICK HERE for Full Story at www.somerset-kentucky.com
Corps clarifies cracks atop dam are not new
Somerset — Cracks do exist in the U.S. 127 surface atop Wolf Creek Dam and the separations are getting wider. However, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers emphasized Friday that no new cracks have developed in the roadway.Some news organizations apparently misunderstood the situation and reported new cracks in the road. This is inaccurate; the Corps is monitoring existing cracks, not new cracks, Corps officials said Friday.
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Police seeking suspects in armed robbery
Somerset — Somerset Police are trying to determine who broke into a North Maple Street home early Thursday morning, alleg-edly looking for pre-scription drugs.SPD patrol units res-ponded to the residence, located at 315 North Maple Street, Somerset, shortly after 1 a.m. Thursday after a report came in that two females had been robbed there.
The women — Rebecca Cromer, 60, and her adult daughter, Michelle McQ-ueary, 39 — claimed three men entered their home armed with a gun and a knife.One man, a white male wearing baggy shorts, came to the door first, asking to use the women’s phone because he was having car trouble. When the door to the residence was opened, two add-itional white males ent-ered the house.
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Woman who was found with pipe bomb pleads guilty
Somerset — A woman charged with several offenses after a crude pipe bomb was discovered in her Jacksboro Street residence last July has pleaded guilty in Pulaski Circuit Court.Ember M. Collins, 20, pleaded guilty to first-degree wanton endangerment, buying or possessing drug paraphernalia and two counts of third-degree possession of a controlled substance.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Eddy F. Montgomery said Collins’s case is eligible for pretrial diversion.Collins and Robert W. Ware, 31, were found by Somerset Police in their 716 Jacksboro Street residence smoking what appeared to be marijuana after a 911 hang-up call was made from the home last July 9. Police reported a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside, and two Darvocet pills, one container of Butorphanol Tartrate, two marijuana smoking pipes, a grinder, a pack of rolling papers, a water bong and a syringe were all located inside. Additionally, Ware was found with 17.5 Suboxone pills in his pocket.
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Flooding delays opening of Eubank seniors center
Eubank — A bursted water pipe in the wall of the new Eubank Senior Citizens Center recently flooded the building, causing hundreds of dollars in damages and delaying opening of the facility for two or three months.Eubank Mayor Frey Todd said the original hardwood floor of the former skating rink building will have to be refinished and tile must be replaced.
“If I didn’t have bad luck I wouldn’t have any luck at all,” grimaced Todd, referring to frustrations of nearly five years of work on the project and earlier delays caused by three formal bid openings before a contractor could be found.
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Escapee arraigned in Pulaski Circuit Court
Somerset — A man who fled from the Pulaski County Courthouse in April and spurred a four-day manhunt was arraigned yesterday in Pulaski Circuit Court.Gary Wayne Courtney, Jr., 42, of Ky. 192, Somerset, was indicted earlier this month on escape charges in connection with the April 29 incident in which he slipped out of the courthouse unnoticed while awaiting a scheduled date in Pulaski District Court.
Courtney’s new trial is set for July, according to Pulaski County Commonwealth’s Attorney Eddy F. Montgomery.Courtney fled the courthouse when he and another defendant were pulled into the hallway to discuss their cases with a public defender — a common practice during court days in which a significant number of inmates are shuffled in and out of the courtroom.
CLICK HERE for Full Story at www.somerset-kentucky.com
Time In A Bottle
Relics unearthed during drainage project provide hints about Somerset’s history
Somerset —
Local businesses recognized for supporting Guard, Reserve
Somerset — The duties performed by members of the nation’s Guardsmen and Reservists are undoubtedly important — but also important are businesses and members of the community who support those individuals in various ways.Yesterday, during a special luncheon held at the Hal Rogers Regional Fire Training Center, representatives of the Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve — and some guardsmen of the locally-based 149th Infantry themselves — recognized several area individuals and groups for their contributions to Guardsmen, Reservists and their families.
CLICK HERE for Full Story at www.somerset-kentucky.com
Child's near drowning prompts probe
Somerset — The near drowning of a small child — reportedly for the second time in a year — has prompted an investigation into the incident by local authorities.
Pulaski County Sheriff Todd Wood said his department responded to a report of a possible drowning at a residence on Pond School Road outside the Eubank community just after noon on Sunday. When deputies arrived at the residence, they discovered that members of the Eubank Volunteer Fire Department were already performing CPR on the two-year-old girl.
“A family friend had also worked and performed CPR on her,” Wood said on Monday.
Wood declined to identify the girl, stating it isn’t his department’s policy to release the identity of young children involved in incidents investigated by the sheriff’s department.
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GE Plant reports no injuries after weekend fire
Somerset — General Electric employees were able to return to work shortly after a fire at the local plant which appeared harrowing from the outside late Saturday night.According to the Somerset Fire Department, responders were called to the scene on University Drive around 10:20 p.m. Saturday night.
The fire was in the main factory wing of the plant, according to the Somerset Fire Department.
“There was heavy smoke showing from the building on arrival,” said SFD’s Roger Colyer, “and heavy fire showing from the building.”
Flames were visible from the roof of the building, which is where the GE plant operations manager Ron Dowell said the fire was located in a statement released to the Commonwealth Journal.
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Forcht Bank's Hunley celebrates 50 years of service
Somerset — A lot can happen in 50 years — and a lot can change.Yet Donna Hunley keeps right on plugging along.
A familiar face to many in Pulaski County — for more than one reason — Hunley is celebrating a full half a century in the banking business this summer. Over a span of decades, Hunley has been played a hand in helping Pulaskians reach their dreams while other institutions have come and gone around her.Hunley works in the area of loans, but when asked her official title, she responds, “Relationship Officer.” It’s an appropriate moniker, given the bonds Hunley has found herself developing with her clientele over the years.
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Dogs’ deaths being probed
Somerset — The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the violent death of a pair of dogs in eastern Pulaski County.According to the sheriff’s department. James Bolin and Jessica Bray reported returning to their home in the Piney Grove Road area near Shopville from a trip earlier this week to find that their two canine pets had been apparently killed.
“It’s a cruelty to animals case,” said Sheriff Todd Wood, who noted that authorities do have a suspect in mind, but no arrests have been made as of yet.The sheriff confirmed that a seven-year-old mini Doberman Pinscher and a 4-year-old Jack Russell mix were found dead and wounded. The Doberman had suffered stab wounds and head trauma, and its chain was pinned underneath a heavy piece of wood.
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Bribery suspects plead not guilty
Somerset — Five people who allegedly tried to bribe a local public official into releasing another person from jail pleaded not guilty to those charges in court yesterday.
Everett Hyden, 64, Noble Hampton, 63, Virginia “Carol” Hampton, 44, Walter Creekmore, 62, and Darmus “Bubby” Dalton, Jr., 44, all appeared in Pulaski District Court Friday for their arraignments before Special Judge Michael Loy, who presides in Adair and Casey counties.
Loy is presiding on the case to avoid a conflict of interest, which may have occurred had one of the local district judges presided.
All five are facing bribery charges in connection with what police say was a plot to bribe Pulaski County Commonwealth’s Attorney Eddy F. Montgomery to get an inmate out of prison.
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SomerSplash will host Fourth of July fireworks
Somerset — Does SomerBlast really have to be a blast from the past? After just three years of patriotic summer celebrations held near the Fourth of July, the Somerset-Pulaski Chamber of Commerce announced this year that it would not be sponsoring a SomerBlast event due to a lack of funding and a lack of volunteers.The Pulaski County community reacted swiftly to the news, expressing disappointment on the Commonwealth Journal’s Facebook page over having to scratch the event from their already-small list of things to do in the area.
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'Polite' bank robbery suspect arrested
A man who's already served time for prior bank robberies is now the suspect in another bank robbery in central Kentucky.
The Anderson County Sheriff's Department arrested 34-year-old Jason W. Artrip, of Williamstown, after a robbery at the Town and Country Bank on the 127 Bypass in Lawrenceburg.
Baby Sitter Check
The bank was robbed just before 3 Tuesday afternoon.
Deputies say Artrip never showed a weapon during the robbery, and even apologized to the teller, saying he needed the money.
Deputies say a witness provided them with a description of the vehicle the suspect took off in after the robbery.
Deputies arrested Artrip shortly after at the intersection of the 127 Bypass and the Bluegrass Parkway.
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Kentuckians clean up damage left behind by storms
People across Kentucky will spend Wednesday cleaning up from severe weather.
Overnight, the First Alert Defender tracked a line of storms that moved through, bringing dangerous lightning, strong winds and torrential rains to most of the state.
That was the second line of storms in just a matter of hours.
Tuesday night, a storm left its mark on Stanton, in Powell County.
That is where a roof was blown off a house on North Main Street. It now sits in the home's front yard.
Also in the area, power lines and trees were knocked down.
There have been no reports of injuries.
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New Burnside councilor sworn in
Burnside — Burnside citizens have a new city councilor to whom they can turn for help — one who adds a bit of diversity to an overwhelmingly male city government.Lula Jean Thompson-Burton was chosen by the other five members of the Burnside City Council on Monday to fill the seat vacated by Craig Rich-ardson. She becomes the first woman to serve on the council since Becky Huff, who opted not to run for re-election in 2008.
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Storm-damage jobless benefits available
Somerset — Pulaski Countians who lost work or whose businesses were damaged due to severe weather May 1, 2010, have been added to the list of those who qualify for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DAU). They will have until July 15 to file claims for weather-related unemployment insurance. Some persons who normally would not qualify for jobless benefits may be eligible under this special relief program.Yesterday, the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that Pulaski was among 46 additional counties to be declared eligible for federal unemployment assistance. That brings to 61 the number of Kentucky counties now eligible for disaster-related unemployment benefits claims.
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Somerset Police angling for boat, other new gadgets
Somerset — If Somerset Acting Police Chief Doug Nelson is successful in getting what he's asking for, the city's police force will have quite a few new toys in the coming months.During this week's Somer-set city council meeting, Nelson obtained permission from the council to apply for several grants which would be used to buy some much-needed gadgets for his department.
The biggest item on Nelson's wish list is a boat, which could be purchased for approximately $62,000 and used for tasks ranging from rescues to incidents of domestic terrorism.Nelson said it has become increasingly obvious that "we need capabilities to have law enforcement on the water."
"With our infrastructure, it makes good sense," he added.The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife already patrols the waters which comprise Lake Cumberland, and the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department and the Pulaski County Rescue Squad own boats as well.
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It's unsure if Burnside Island will fall under state plan
Somerset — A plan to privatize services at some state parks will help save Kentucky money — but might Burnside be involved?It’s hard to say, according to Pulaski County’s own state representative Tommy Turner.
State officials said last week that the operation of state golf courses and selected restaurants is being turned over to private companies. The plan would open Buckhorn Lake, General Butler, Jenny Wiley and Lake Barkley state resort parks to alcohol sales, which could generate about $1 million a year in additional revenue.Could General Burnside Island State Park eventually be involved in this? Given Burnside’s “moist” status, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
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Grant will provide several Somerset families with new homes
Somerset — Approximately a dozen Somerset families will soon be getting new, improved homes thanks to a $1 million grant from the Department of Local Government.Homes owned by low to moderate income families which are in bad need of repair will be torn down and rebuilt with funding from the grant. The project, known as the Scattered Site Housing Project, has been completed in Somerset a few times in recent years. Construction on the most recent group of homes should begin this fall, according to Mayor Eddie Girdler.
Girdler learned of the grant approval last week.“I appreciate Gov. Steve Beshear and the staff of the Kentucky Office of Local Government for meeting the housing needs of low and moderate income families in Somerset and the Somerset city council for promoting neighborhood redevelopment,” Girdler said.
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FEMA center now open in Pulaski
Somerset — Federal disaster relief specialists were out spreading the word yesterday that a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center has opened at Hal Rogers Fire Training Center to assist victims of the May 1-2 storm that ravaged Pulaski County.“The registration deadline for assistance is July 1,” said Debbie Simon, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) publication relations officer, “and we are encouraging those affected by the storms between May 1 through June 1 to register before the deadline. Even if they don’t think damage is severe, we encourage them to register in case hidden damage surfaces in the future. To help them do that, we now have a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center right here in Pulaski County.”
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Despite busy weekend in Pulaski County, Grand Prix garners support
By HEATHER PYLES, CJ Staff Writer Commonwealth Journal
Somerset —
Fiscal court supports plans for free medical clinic
By HEATHER PYLES, CJ Staff Writer Commonwealth Journal
Somerset — The county’s budget for the next fiscal year may still be in its early stages, but county officials are prepared to wholeheartedly throw their support behind an initiative to bring a free medical clinic to certain individuals in the area.
Local dentist Dr. Steven Hieronymus appeared before Pulaski Fiscal Court Tuesday to discuss an initiative being planned in cooperation with Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps and the Somerset-Pulaski Morning Rotary Club to bring a three-day free medical clinic to the area in 2011.
The clinic, to be carried out through a U.S. branch of the Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps called the Rural America (RAM) program, would “provide a free medical, vision and dental clinic to the citizens of Pulaski and surrounding counties,” according to a letter Hieronymus read to the court on Tuesday.
Paul breaks recent silence
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul has broken his recent silence with a friendly interview on conservative talk radio, weeks after his negative comments about the U.S. Civil Rights Act set off a political firestorm.
Paul did not discuss that controversy with George Mason University economics professor Walter E. Williams, who served as guest host Monday on the Rush Limbaugh Show.
They talked about the need to rein in Washington spending.
Paul had retreated from the national scene after his May 18 Kentucky GOP primary victory, when he suggested government should not require private businesses to serve minorities.
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Maker's Mark launching first new product
LORETTO, Ky. (AP) - Since the late 1950s, the Maker's Mark Distillery in Kentucky has churned out just one product - its namesake bourbon, known for its red wax seal.
That's changing with next month's introduction of Maker's 46.It's a cousin of the original but with a different aging method. While some competitors have dabbled with bourbon offshoots for years, Maker's clung to a single product until now.
4-year-old hit and killed while playing at birthday party
Christy Passmore knew very quickly that the day of celebration and happiness at her neighbor’s house in Russell County Saturday night quickly took a devastating turn for the worse. “I saw all the adults all gather in one place, that’s not playing, it looks like something has happened,” said Passmore.
What happened was a car had just run over 4 year old Lilla Brizendine and 8 year old Gabrielle York..who were attending a birthday party at their grandparent’s home on McClendon Ridge Rd. Passmore says she knows CPR…and tried to help.
“I just asked if they were breathing and everything, and the one girl, Gabby, she was still breathing, the other girl wasn’t,” she said.
Lilla later died at the Russell County Hospital…Gabby was sent to Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville.
Kentucky State Police are investigating but at this point they don’t expect any charges. They say it was just a terrible tragedy.
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Despite busy weekend in Pulaski County, Grand Prix garners support
Somerset —
SWHS seniors leave on a high note
Somerset —
PCHS Class of 2010 boasts 241 graduates
Somerset — Another school year at Pulaski County High School has come to a close, and with that came the graduation of the 2010 senior class. Hundreds of parents, siblings, other family members and friends crowded into the PCHS gym Saturday morning to witness the 60th graduation ceremony at the school. 241 diplomas were given during the ceremony, which held a sense of finality for the seniors and their loved ones. And while changes are certainly in store for the graduating class, but the ceremony’s students speakers emphasized that those relationships and memories developed among the students don’t have to end with their last high school year.
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Eaton taking state job after retiring from Pulaski
Will oversee school energy managers in eastern Kentucky
by Chris Harris Commonwealth Journal
Somerset —
For so many years, the color Tim Eaton was most associated with was maroon. In the near future, however, he’ll be going green.
Eaton is stepping down as superintendent of Pulaski County Schools in less than a month’s time. After 10 years at the helm of the county’s largest school system, Eaton announced his retirement in January. At the time, he stated that he would be pursuing “another career opportunity” after handing the reins over to his replacement (whom was eventually chosen to be Asst. Superintendent Steve Butcher).
As it turns out, Eaton will be staying quite busy following his retirement from Pulaski County Schools: He’ll be a project coordinator for the School Energy Manager Program (SEMP) here in southeastern Kentucky.
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"I want to do all I can ..."
Cancer survivor lights fire for Relay for Life
Somerset —
Benefit held for flood victims
One month after the storms, people in Casey County are still coping with what they call an unbelievable disaster.
Flooding destroyed about 80 percent of businesses in the community of Liberty. The town's mayor predicts it will take at least a year to recover, so Monday night a special event helped raise money to help the flood victims.
A Calipari Maker's Mark bottle is just one of many items going to those bidding to help flood victims. The auction and benefit is the latest example of an outpouring of community support that has helped people like Kevin Smith. Like most of the businesses along the bypass in Liberty, his was hit hard by high waters earlier in the month. "It's completely changed town. Everything's either closed or just trying to replace and get back in business," Smith said.
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Drug use suspected in deadly crash
Police say a driver may have been under the influence of drugs, causing a deadly crash late Monday night.
It happened on KY 7 North, two miles of West Liberty, in Morgan County.
Baby Sitter Check
Police say Brittany Williams, 23, crossed the center line, hitting a Chevrolet Cavalier head-on.
The driver of the Cavalier, Gerry Blackwell, 76, died at the scene.
Her passenger, Terry Blackwell, 59, suffered serious injuries and was flown to U.K. Hospital.
Police say charges in the crash are pending.
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Hip-hop artist's murder trial delayed until September
A local recording artist was set to go on trial Tuesday for the murder of an apartment building's maintenance man.
Police say LaTarra Martin shot Jeffrey Wildburn at Lakeshore Apartments in Lexington in March of 2009.
Instead, Martin's trial was moved to September.
Martin, who also goes by the name "Baby Doll," also faces three charges of wanton endangerment because police say three other people were in the area at the time of the shooting.
Martin is an unsigned hip-hop artist.
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They were people before they were soldiers
Somerset —
There are only so many things which can be said by someone who has been asked to speak at a Memorial Day service held in a national cemetery. Those who have spoken during Mill Springs National Cemetery’s annual Memorial Day ceremony in years past have reminded us to thank those veterans who still walk among us. They’ve told the story of how Memorial Day — in earlier times known as Decoration Day — came to be. They’ve reminded us to exercise our rights, to enjoy our freedoms — and, of course, they’ve told us that we owe all these freedoms to the men and women who have given their lives fighting for our country.
As any good church-goer will tell you, some messages are worth repeating — and that is certainly the case for the words repeated each year during ceremonies such as the one held at Mill Springs yesterday.
We should be reminded to show our gratitude to our veterans. As I overheard one World War II veteran saying following yesterday’s ceremony, his fellow servicemen are dying at an average of about 2,000 per day now. If you haven’t taken the time to talk with a WWII veteran, find one and enjoy some conversation before it’s too late.
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Budget cuts bring end to juvenile drug court
Somerset —
Fewer juveniles will be heading to drug court in the near future, but that’s not necessarily good news.
State budget cuts have forced the closing of several programs, one of which is the 28th Judicial District’s Juvenile Drug Court — which serves youth and their families in Pulaski and Rockcastle counties. Started nearly a decade ago, the court has allowed children under the age of 18 with drug-related criminal charges to have access to counseling, rehabilitation, drug screenings and other resources. Those who complete the program can have their convictions cleared from their records.
Program supervisor Kevin Slone estimates an average of 25 Pulaski youth and 10 Rockcastle youth per year have completed the program.
Slone says the program’s staff, all of whom are not paid for the hours they contribute, attempts to treat all problems the young boys and girls encounter — not just those directly related to their drug charges.
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Pulaski Schools passes budget
Somerset —
The Pulaski County School Board passed a working budget on Friday for the 2010-11 school year, one which shows a more positive outlook than originally anticipated.
Revenue for the school dis-trict’s general fund totals $43,356,950. That’s a smaller amount than Pulaski enjoyed in the current school year’s budget by close to $200,000, giving the school system less money with which to operate.
However, it looks as if there will be enough money available to create a healthy contingency fund. The state requires such a fund of at least 2 percent of total expenses to help cover the district’s costs in the event of an emergency expenditure. In April of 2009, the school district was placed on a “watch list” because it ended the previous fiscal year under that 2 percent threshold, causing some degree of controversy in school board meetings.
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Lexington woman & boyfriend indicted: Stealing thousands from grandma
Lexington Police say this crime went on for nearly a year. They say from November 2008 to July 2009 Nicole Rose and her boyfriend, James Davis, were cashing checks that they were taking from Rose's elderly grandmother.
The indictment states that 24-year-old Nicole Rose and 33-year-old James Davis allegedly cashed 68 checks belonging to the elderly grandmother of Nicole Rose, whom she was supposed to be caring for.
All in all, Lexington Police say they cashed in on $22,121 dollars.
The couple have been staying with the mother of James Davis until they were recently arrested. His mother, Jane Davis, says she knew Nicole was the caregiver for her grandmother, but wasn't aware the two were committing this crime.
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Mother charged with killing toddler
Kentucky State Police have now arrested the mother of a two-year old toddler in his death. Police charged 22-year-old Tiea Jones with murder and criminal abuse.
Her son, 2-year-old Nataniel Jones, died after being found unresponsive in his home in March of 2009. Police say testing and consulting experts conclude the child died of internal injuries from the result of blunt force trauma to the stomach.
Police charged the mother's boyfriend at the time, 30-year old Brian Gallagher, with murder earlier this week. Court records show he created the grave risk of death by abusing the boy.
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Folks in one community fear possible serial arsonist
Investigators in one Kentucky community are dealing with their fourth suspicious fire in just two days. They say it is the seventh suspicious fire this month.
Firefighters battled the fire on Lancaster Street in Crab Orchard Wednesday evening.
Now, people living in an apartment complex next door say they're fearing their building could be next.
"It could happen anywhere," explained Thomas Hendrix.
"I was afraid to go to sleep last night," continued Tonya Hiatt. "I was afraid to go to sleep. Afraid I'd get burned up. Afraid he'd strike again."
The Lincoln County Fire Chief says no one was hurt in the latest fire and no one lives in the home.
The damage is described as minor and is mostly limited to the outside of the home.
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Police say former teacher/coach sexually abused children
Dennis Jackson is no longer in the dugout at the Riverside Christian School baseball diamond. Instead he's in jail charged after a grand jury indicted him on 14 sex related criminal charges, from sodomy and sex abuse to indecent exposure.
The news of Jackson's arrest came as a shock to the school's CEO, Ernie Roberts. "Mr. Jackson's done a wonderful job for us since he's been here working with the team" said Roberts.
Roberts says, a couple weeks ago Jackson approached him after rumors began swirling around the school, saying he wanted to quit before the rumors got out of hand. "He didn't want to do anything to catch us off guard at school."
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Airport to get payroll tax money
Fiscal Court earmarks 2%
Somerset —
The airport’s budget woes may be coming to an end.
During Tuesday’s Pulaski County Fiscal Court meeting, the court voted to approve a first reading of an occupational tax ordinance amendment that would give the Lake Cumberland Regional Airport a percentage of the gross profits from the tax.
“We’ve had several meetings with the airport ... we’ve also talked to the city,” said Pulaski County Treasurer Arlene Young during the meeting.
The amendment would give the airport 2 percent of the gross profit from the tax, which makes up around 20 percent of the county’s budget.
Employers within the county are supposed to withhold 1 percent of employees’ pay for the occupational tax. Along with that, employers also pay around 1 percent of their net profit into the occupational tax.
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Oh Carp!
Lake Cumberland safe from invaders ... for now
Lake Cumberland —
Fisherman in and around Kentucky are finding that they have something to carp about — but what about those who use Lake Cumberland?
Asian carp — a type of fish foreign to regional waters — is becoming a serious problem. A recent article in the Louisville Courier-Journal put a spotlight on the invasive species—the fish can grow to as large as 100 pounds in size—and the dangers they present to the regional eco-system.
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Woman entangled in family's drug business ends up in prison
By CHRIS HARRIS, CJ Staff Writer Commonwealth Journal
Somerset —
A Somerset family involved in a major drug case was sentenced to a combined 400 months in prison last week — and at least one of them represents a “cautionary tale,” according to her attorney.
The Eastern District U.S. Attorney’s Office and Drug Enforcement Administration announced the sentences for involvement in a “meth-amphetamine conspiracy.”
Michael Roy Redmond, 49, received 240 months in prison, and his wife Nanette Redmond, 48, was sentenced to 68 months. Their two children, Casey, 26, and Cornelius, 23, were given terms of 100 months and 60 months, respectively.
A fifth individual, Ami Beckman, 22, was sentenced to 28 months in prison for her role in the matter.
Late last year, all five pleaded guilty in separate proceedings to a conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. The defendants admitted to buying pseudoephedrine, the cold medicine that is a key ingredient used to create methamphetamine, in a period between June 2007 and July 2008.
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More Kentucky counties designated for disaster assistance
Twenty-five additional counties have been designated for Individual Assistance and twenty-seven (27) for all categories of Public Assistance as part of Kentucky's federal disaster declaration, according to officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
This announcement brings the total number of counties designated for Individual Assistance to 42 with today's addition of Allen, Anderson, Boyle, Barren, Elliot, Fleming, Garrard, Green, Hart, Henry, Jackson, Jessamine, Leslie, Montgomery, Magoffin, Menifee, Monroe, Nicholas, Nelson, Owen, Pulaski, Powell, Simpson, Warren and Washington counties.
Counties previously designated for Individual Assistance are: Adair, Bath, Boyd, Carter, Casey, Franklin, Greenup, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Madison, Marion, Mercer, Metcalfe, Rockcastle, Rowan, and Woodford counties.
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Three men are arrested after meth lab is found
Three Pulaski County men are arrested after a meth lab is found.
It was discovered by sheriff's deputies in an outbuilding on Denton Phelps Road.
22-year old James Wesley Hardwick, 44-year old Dewayne Woodall, and 38-year old Brian Keith Romero were all arrested on drug charges and taken to the Pulaski County Detention Center.
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Woman accused of putting baby in dumpster after birth pleads guilty
A woman accused of giving birth, then putting the baby in a dumpster, changed her plea Tuesday morning.
Tonya Nicole Brown pleaded guilty in Shelby County to second degree manslaughter and tampering with physical evidence.
Police say Brown, who's from Lexington, threw the baby into a dumpster behind a Shelbyville gas station in 2008.
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Toddler drowns in swimming pool
A heartbreaking story in southern Kentucky, after a 2-year-old girl drowned in a family swimming pool Monday.
Investigators say Chloe Collier was visiting her grandparents, at their home in the Lily community of Laurel County, at the time.
The Laurel County Sheriff's Department says Chloe, and three other children, were playing in the backyard of the home, when the little girl wandered away.
When the children were called in for dinner, the family could not find Chloe.
After a quick search, investigators say she was found in the swimming pool.
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Doctor charged with wife's murder rejects plea deal
It was his last chance to take a plea deal.
Doctor Steven Hall, of Harrodsburg, appeared in court Tuesday morning on charges he used a boat to murder his wife on Herrington Lake last year.
But instead of taking the prosecution's offer, Hall decided to fight the charges.
During a quick hearing Tuesday, Hall and his attorney declined the plea deal made to them at the beginning of this month.
It's not known what the terms of the Commonwealth's offer were, but regardless, Hall rejected it.
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EX-SHS teacher, coach indicted on sex charges
Somerset —
A former Somerset High School teacher and coach has been indicted as a result of an incident involving a female student.
A Pulaski grand jury says Bret Howard, 29, of Somerset, “committed the offense of criminal solicitation to the use of a minor in a sexual performance” in January of this year.
The Somerset Police Depart-ment was contacted to investigate the incident earlier this year, and results of the case were presented to the grand jury, Detective Lt. Shannon Smith said yesterday.
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Man sentenced to 20 years for deadly DUI
Somerset —
A man who pleaded guilty to several charges connected with a deadly June 2009 accident was sentenced in court this week.
Jose Santiago Cuevas, 29, of Somerset, appeared before Pulaski County Circuit Judge Jeffrey T. Burdette Thursday for sentencing after he pleaded guilty in April to manslaughter, criminal mischief and wanton endangerment charges.
Cuevas was arrested after he was involved in a June 21 two-vehicle accident on Ky. 39 that left Sheila R. Lovell, 38, of Mt. Vernon dead.
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Sex offender’s verdict overturned
Somerset —
Nearly two years ago, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jeremy Bartley made his feelings very clear about convicted sex offender Luther Sexton.
“I hope he draws his last breath in prison,” Bartley said.
Yesterday, however, a ruling by the Kentucky Supreme Court made the 70-year-old Sexton a free man.
The Commonwealth’s high court issued an order reversing Sexton’s 12-year prison sentence, handed down by Pulaski Circuit Judge Jeffrey T. Burdette.
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Families are in disbelief after a jury's decision
Two families are in disbelief after a Clay County jury acquits a man accused of driving under the influence and causing a deadly crash.
53 year old Russell Gray was charged with murder in the crash that happened back in January, 2008.
17-year-old Brandi Napier was killed. Another victim, Scotty Henson, suffered several injuries and is still recovering.
Police say Gray failed several sobriety tests, but a jury found the evidence inconclusive.
A mother of one of the victims says the verdict was wrong.
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State Supreme Court finds no errors in conviction
The state supreme court finds no errors with a conviction in a high profile murder case.
Raymond Harris was found guilty of killing former Harlan County Sheriff Paul Browning Junior in 2002.
He was sentenced to life in prison.
Harris appealed saying there were problems with jury selection.
The court disagreed.
Harris was one of four men who were convicted or pleaded guilty in the case.
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Urgent Care Services CEO is indicted
The chief executive officer of a chain of urgent-care clinics is indicted on drug charges.
The Lexington Herald Reports Michael Leman of Louisiana is accused of taking part in a conspiracy to sell pain pills in the Floyd County area between 2005 and 2007.
Leman was the president of Urgent Care Services.
Two other urgent care employees were indicted earlier.
Leman faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
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Governor Beshear expands special session agenda
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Gov. Steve Beshear on Thursday added two
more issues to the upcoming special legislative session on the
budget: shoring up the state's unemployment insurance system and
giving visitors more chances to sample Kentucky bourbons.
Lawmakers will reconvene Monday at the Capitol in Frankfort to
try to pass a state spending plan before the current fiscal year
ends June 30. Failure to enact a new budget by then would lead to a
partial government shutdown, and thousands of state employees would
face layoffs.
Beshear has tried to break a House-Senate impasse by offering a
$17 billion, two-year budget proposal.
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Candidates campaign down to the wire before primary election
Kentuckians head to the polls Tuesday to vote in the primary election. Candidates are spending the final hours pushing for every vote they can. On the Democratic side of the U.S. Senate race, Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo and Attorney General Jack Conway are in a dead heat, according to the latest polls. As for the Republicans, Secretary of State Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Trey Grayson has won the backing of minority leader, Senator Mitch McConnell, over Rand Paul.
Toy dart guns recalled after two children choke to death
WASHINGTON (AP) - The asphyxiation deaths of two boys prompted
the government Monday to announce the recall of 1.8 million toy
dart gun sets.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said a 9-year-old boy in
Chicago and a 10-year-old boy in Milwaukee died after they chewed
on the one-inch, soft-plastic darts, which slipped into their
throats. The small suction cup part of the dart cut off their
breathing.
The dart gun sets were sold nationwide at Family Dollar stores.
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Hot races expected to draw voters
Somerset —
Voters are expected to flock to the polls tomorrow in what is one of the most hotly contested local elections in years. Polls open at 6 a.m. and voting continues 12 hours, until 6 p.m.
Most of the action will be for Pulaski County’s 28,714 Republicans who have multiple choices in most every contest. There are a total of 103 candidates, mostly of the Grand Old Party persuasion, on primary ballots.
GOP’ers will select nominees for judge-executive, county clerk, county attorney and jailer. Also, they will nominate a magisterial and constabulary candidate in each of the county 5 districts.
Republicans, along with Democrats and independents, who live in Somerset will help choose two mayoral candidates for this fall’s election as well as two councilor candidates in the city’s Ward 3. Statewide, Republicans and Democrats will help select a nominee for the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by retiring Jim Bunning.
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Four men vying for mayor of Somerset
Somerset —
Two veteran officeholders, a career law-enforcement official and a local businessman want to be mayor of Somerset during the next four years.
If Eddie Girdler, the incumbent, stays in the mayor’s office for another term he must do what he did four years ago; that is, beat JP Wiles again. Two other hopefuls also are seeking the city’s highest elective office.
Girdler upset Wiles by 40-some votes in the 2006 city elections. Wiles says he is knocking on every door in the city limits in an effort to get his job back.
Bill Hamilton, owner of Main Street Deli and Market, is in the primary mix with Girdler, Wiles, and Larry Wesley, former Somerset police chief and currently chief deputy at the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department. The top two vote-getters in the primary will advance to the November general election.
CLICK HERE for Full Story at www.somerset-kentucky.com
Blind 3-term county clerk had interesting campaign trail
Somerset —
Darrell Hall may have been blind, but the three-term Pulaski County Court Clerk (1950-62) led a colorful life.
A product of Letcher County, he came here at a very young age with his parents, brother and five sisters.
“His mother was a big believer in education, and she wanted to get her children out of the mountains. They came to Somerset because she had some half-brothers living here,” says Hall’s sister-in-law, Charlotte, wife of former Pulaski and Science Hill school superintendent Charles Hall.
An accident very early in life led to Darrell’s immediately losing sight in one eye, and soon thereafter becoming totally blind.
CLICK HERE for Full Story at www.somerset-kentucky.com
Pulaski Garden Tour slated for Saturday
Somerset —
The public is invited to the Lake Cumberland Master Gardeners’ Association’s Pulaski County Garden Tour, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday.
Tickets are $10 in advance, and are available at the Pulaski County Extension Office. Tickets may also be purchased on the day of the tour for $13.
The event will feature six gardens in the Somerset and Pulaski County area:
• The Children’s Botanical Garden of South Central Kentucky.
This garden, for children of all ages, is located at the Pulaski County Public Library on South Main Street in Somerset. The garden is not yet a year old, but it is maturing well, and boasts many blooming spring flowers and trees. The garden is an educational spot for the library to hold children’s activities as well as a special place for families to share. The “Garden Quest” game can also be played in the garden.
Click Here for Full Story at www.somerset-kentucky.com
FEMA team tours county, views damage from flooding
Somerset —
Some federal money should be heading toward Pulaski County in the near future to aid in flood cleanup and repairs, if yesterday’s visit by federal disaster officials is any indication.
On Thursday, a team with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA toured the county to determine whether both local governments and private citizens will qualify for federal disaster assistance.
While the verdict is out right now, officials are confident the public side of the disaster declaration is met.
“We’ve made our threshold, and there’s lots more they’re going to look at,” said Pulaski County Judge-executive Barty Bullock on Thursday.
Bullock said Pulaski County Road Department representative Mark White toured three sites in the county damaged by flood waters during the weekend of May 1 and 2 and on Monday, May 3. As many as between 5 and 6 inches of rain fell on the area on Saturday and Sunday, causing many creeks, streams and other tributaries to swell out of their banks and overtake numerous roads and bridges.
Click Here for Full Story at www.somerset-kentucky.com
Budget impasse could affect Oakwood
Somerset —
Oakwood, it would seem, is safe from the problems associated with the state budget deadlock ... but not all of it.
The mental health facility now known as the Bluegrass Oakwood Community Center is expected to continue to receive state funding even if Kentucky lawmakers failure to reach a compromise on a budget plan.
“I think Oakwood’s budget is going to be looked at, but as I know it, the facility itself isn’t going to be in any jeopardy,” said Shannon Ware, executive director of Bluegrass Regional, the non-profit firm that manages Oakwood for the state’s Cabinet of Health and Family Services.
Click Here for full story at www.somerset-kentucky.com
Pepsi money could aid SWHS raptor center
Somerset —
Pepsi is giving away millions of dollars to organizations with positive ideas — and your help is needed to make sure Southwestern High School’s Conservation Club gets a piece of the pie.
The Conservation Club is planning to build the Liberty Raptor Research Center, which will serve as a permanent, year-round workplace for the school’s Raptor Rehabilitation Center. The center is staffed by students who rescue, rehabilitate, and sometimes release injured birds of prey. Birds that can’t be returned to the wild become permanent residents at the center.
The school has already raised half the money needed to build and furnish the center, but SWHS staff member Francis Carter, who supervises the Conservation Club, says $250,000 from Pepsi would allow the school to complete the project.
Click Here for full story at www.somerset-kentucky.com
Free trash disposal coming May 15
Somerset —
Pulaski County citizens still cleaning up after the flooding of May 2 and 3 are getting a bit of a break.
During this week’s Pulaski County Fiscal Court meeting, Pulaski County Judge-executive Barty Bullock announced a free garbage disposal day is slated for this weekend.
“I talked to Gerald (Hines, Pulaski County Solid Waste Coordinator) about it and he had a little bit of money left over (to hold the event),” Bullock said.
On Tuesday afternoon, Hines said the one-day event, scheduled for this Saturday, May 15, will allow those people still cleaning up after the deluge of rain, which left many area roads and bridges washed out and several homes flooded, to dispose of what they need to — for free.
Click Here for full story at www.somerset-kentucky.com
Beshear calls lawmakers to May 24 session
Somerset —
Sounds simple. Take a little of what the Senate proposed, add a little of what the House wanted and add those to the 95 percent of a two-year state budget on which both sides always agreed.
That’s basically what Gov. Steve Beshear proposed Wednesday to get beyond the budget impasse between the two chambers of the legislature which threatened a partial government shut-down. He said he’ll call lawmakers back to town on May 24 to pass his proposal in five days. Democratic House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, and Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, sounded surpris-ingly optimistic the two sides can agree.
It’s surprising because most of what Beshear is proposing was discussed during the regular 60-day session which ended with each side digging in their heels and blaming the other. Now, taxpayers will foot a $64,000 a day special session to pass at $17.1 billion spending plan.
Click Here for full story at www.somerset-kentucky.com
Teen originally charged with kidnapping and attempted murder speaks out
She says it's time to move on.
For the first time, one of the high school seniors originally accused of kidnapping and trying to kill a classmate is talking to 27 NEWSFIRST.
Charges have since been reduced against Corinne Schwab and Ashley Sams.
The victim claims the girls, along with a juvenile, tried to push her over a cliff in Jackson County.
Schwab, who's 18 years old, says she's ready to put what she calls a terrible episode behind her. She'll be back in class Tuesday, now that her school suspension has ended.
Schwab says the past few weeks have felt like an out of body experience, following what she calls a misunderstanding that got blown out of proportion.
CLICK HERE for full story at www.wkyt.com
New home burns to the ground
A family's brand new home burned to the ground early Tuesday.
Flames were seen shooting from the roof of the house on Keene Manor Way in Jessamine County around 6 a.m.
Firefighters rushed to the scene, but the fire was so intense, it destroyed the house.
Construction on the house had just been completed. A family was set to move in in two weeks.
CLICK HERE for full story at www.wkyt.com
SAIC adding 20 jobs
Jeffersontown —
“Silicon Holler” is getting a little bit bigger.
U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers was on hand at the Valley Oak Technology Complex Monday to announce the creation of 20 new “good-paying” jobs in the near future for qualified Pulaski Countians.
“In these times, when people are losing jobs, it’s really thrilling to be able to announce that we have new jobs for people,” said Rogers. “I’m hopeful that (this) will be a precursor of things to come.”
The jobs are the result of plans by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to expend operations locally.
CLICK HERE for full story at www.somerset-kentucky.com
Friends hope 'Pick's' death can serve to teach others
Jeffersontown —
The sense of loss is still strong at one local school with the death of senior Jonathan Tyler Pickerell, but friends and family of the popular student are hoping his death can serve as a way to teach others to be safe on the water.
“I thought it would be good to give back so we don’t lose anybody else,” 18-year-old Southwestern High School senior Christine Dodson said. “I don’t want another class to have to go through what we did.”
Dodson, who grew up living down the street from Pickerell, or “Pick,” for many years, said she thought of the campaign while lying in bed Thursday night. Pickerell’s body was still in the cold waters of the Fishing Creek area of Lake Cumberland at that point.
Dodson, like many Southwestern seniors, had visited the ramp to await any news of Pickerell’s fate while rescue crews combed the muddy, debris-filled water for the senior, who disappeared after the kayak he was in capsized.
Dodson spent much of her day on Friday contacting local marinas to discuss the campaign.
CLICK HERE for full story at www.somerset-kentucky.com
Rogers announces new jobs at SAIC operation
Somerset —
Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers has announced that Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is expanding operations in the Valley Oak Technology Complex in Somerset, Kentucky.
This expansion is expected to create a number of new jobs in the Pulaski County area.
A press conference regarding this development will be held at the SAIC facility on Monday, May 10th at 3 p.m.
Funeral times set for victim of kayaking accident
Somerset —
Funeral arrangements have been set for a Southwestern High School student who drowned in Lake Cumberland this week after the kayak he was in capsized.
18-year-old Jonathan Tyler Pickerell, or “Pick,” was pulled from the flooded waters of Fishing Creek Friday evening by rescue workers, a little more than 48 hours after he disappeared while swimming toward shore.
Pickerell was kayaking across Fishing Creek between Slate Branch Boat Ramp and “Needlepoint” with a friend late Wednesday afternoon when their boat began taking on water.
Police do drug roundup on college campus
Operation UNITE teamed up with Williamsburg police to put some students at the University of the Cumberlands behind bars.
This is only the second time Operation UNITE has ever conducted a drug roundup on a college campus.
Baby Sitter Check
Police used informants so they could catch students buying and selling drugs on campus.
Most students were taking finals but nearly one dozen were arrested on drug related charges.
Officials hoped the alleged drug dealers would come to class on such an important day ...police arrested all the students they were after.
Officials with the University of Cumberlands contacted police about the drug problem. They say they are determined to make the campus drug free.
"We want to make sure we provide the best living and learning environment for our students," said Michael Colegrove with the University of the Cumberlands.
"They could have turned a blind eye to this whole thing. But they choose to take care of the problem and I think what has happened here today sends a strong message," said Wayne Bird, Williamsburg Police Chief.
A message that Operation UNITE officials hope more colleges will follow.
"We would love for all colleges that have a problem to invite us in and basically assist us the way the University of the Cumberlands has," said Dan Smoot with Operation UNITE.
Officials spent a few weeks preparing for this roundup.
Educators say all students that were arrested will likely be suspended.
A list of those arrested has not been released yet.
Story Courtesy of WKYT.COM.
Flooding has led to a rare scene in Hardin County
About 20 people are living on an on-ram to the Joe Prather Highway.
They've been living there for three days waiting for the water to go down.
They're living in campers, tents and vehicles.
Multiple fire crews, the Red Cross and churches have stepped in to help with food and water.
Hardin County emergency management says the Red Cross is opening an emergency shelter in nearby Elizabethtown.
The city of Radcliffe is promising more help when the waters recede.
Story Courtesy of WKYT.COM.
Midway College to award first Master's Degrees
MIDWAY, Ky. — Midway College is set to make history once again this month as the College prepares to award its first Master level degrees in the institution’s history. Among the 353 students receiving degrees, 24 are receiving their Master in Business Administration (MBA) degrees.
“This has been an incredible year of firsts for Midway College,” said Dr. William B. Drake, Jr., President of Midway College. “In January we announced our plans to open a School of Pharmacy in Paintsville, Kentucky, enrolling the first class in 2011. In February we announced plans to offer degree programs to serve service members and others in the Ft. Knox area. And this month we will celebrate the graduation of our first Master of Business Administration students – a significant milestone for any institution of higher learning, but particularly impressive for our College which only began awarding baccalaureate degrees 20 years ago.”
Story Courtesy of WKYT.COM
Pulaski floodwaters finally subside
By HEATHER PYLES, CJ Staff Writer Commonwealth Journal
Somerset —
The water has mostly receded and the sun has returned, but it may be the end of the week before things will completely return to normal.
On Monday, county and city officials declared a state of emergency to free up federal funds to help with cleanup efforts, which began almost as soon as the deluge of rain stopped late Sunday.
Many bridges in the county were significantly damaged by flood water over the weekend, but Pulaski County Acting Road Supervisor Dennis Turner said many of those should be passable by sometime today.
“We’re accomplishing a lot,” Turner said. “As far as I know, we don’t have anybody blocked in.”
Click Here for full story
Four Somerset residents have been arrested for making meth.
By TRICIA NEAL, CJ Staff Writer Commonwealth Journal
Somerset —
According to information from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department, the arrests came as a result of an investigation conducted by sheriff’s deputies Jason Lay and Steve Molen into a complaint about a methamphetamine lab at a residence on Ky. 1003 in the eastern part of the county.
The deputies discovered “numerous components associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine” inside a garage at the residence, the sheriff’s department says.
Click here for full Story
County, city officials declare state of emergency
By HEATHER PYLES, CJ Staff Writer Commonwealth Journal
Somerset —
Local officials declared a state of emergency Monday afternoon in hopes of freeing up federal money to help with the cleanup efforts after storm systems dumped as many as 7 inches of rain on the area this weekend.
“We’ve got major, major road damage in my area, I can tell you that,” said Fourth-District Magistrate Glenn Maxey, whose district includes much of Ky. 192 and its secondary roads.
Pulaski County Judge-Executive Barty Bullock signed an executive order Monday declaring a local state of emergency as county and state road crews worked to repair the numerous roads and bridges damaged by the deluge of rain, most of which fell on Sunday night.
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Man who escaped from courthouse caught in Kenton Co.
By TRICIA NEAL, CJ Staff Writer Commonwealth Journal
Somerset —
The Somerset convict who escaped from the Pulaski County Courthouse last Thursday has been arrested in Kenton County.
Gary Wayne Courtney, 42, was able to escape from the courthouse while he and another Pulaski County Detention Center inmate were talking to a public defender outside a courtroom.
But he was back at the Pulaski County Detention Center last night. Pulaski County Sheriff Todd Wood said detectives from his office worked with numerous other law enforcement agencies to track Courtney’s locations by use of cell phone transmissions as he progressed into northern Kentucky.
Late Sunday, authorities in Kenton County pinpointed Courtney’s exact location and arrested him.
Click here for full story
Heavy rains put Pulaski under water
By BILL MARDIS, Editor Emeritus Commonwealth Journal
Somerset —
A nearly constant deluge of rain during the weekend dumped between 5 and 7 inches of water and created dangerous flooding that kept rescue workers busy from Sunday night until early Monday.
The heavy rain Saturday and Sunday followed another 5 inches that soaked the ground the weekend before. Concerns about the effects of 10 inches of rainfall in eight days on troubled Wolf Creek Dam were not abated because the district office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was shut down as the result of an historic, devastating flood in Nashville. Neither Tom Hale, operations manager for Lake Cumberland, nor the Commonwealth Journal could reach the Nashville office of the Corps.
The lake level at 9 a.m. yesterday was 693.36 feet above sea level; more than 13 feet above the target of 680 feet and rising rapidly. The water level had risen about 3 feet during the previous seven hours.
Click Here for Full Story
Flood Health and Safety Tips
The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department reminds people to proceed with caution when dealing with floodwater in their homes.
Floodwater can affect homes by damaging materials, introducing unknown contaminants including sewage and creating dampness throughout the home. Please take the following steps during flooding:
Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup is completed.
Full Story at www.wkyt.com. Click Here.
Two storm-related deaths confirmed in Kentucky
At least two weather-related deaths have been confirmed since severe weather and flooding swept through Kentucky over the weekend.
In Madison County, the coroner says Carl Rogers, 65, either drowned or was electrocuted at his home on Otter Creek Road, off Red House Road Sunday. Kentucky State Police say a the rescue squad had been called to try and reach Rogers but got to his home after he had already died. Two feet of water was inside Rogers' home at the time. An autopsy is pending to determine if Rogers drowned or was electrocuted.
Full Story at www.wkyt.com. Click Here.
FDA investigating recall of children's medicine
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Food and Drug Administration said Saturday it was investigating a health-care company for possible other problems following its recall of more than 40 over-the-counter infant's and children's liquid medications.
McNeil Consumer Healthcare, based in Fort Washington, Pa., issued the voluntary recall late Friday in the United States and 11 other countries after consulting with the FDA. The recall involves children's versions of Tylenol, Tylenol Plus, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl, because they don't meet quality standards. The FDA said it was reviewing procedures at McNeil, which appears to be the sole source of the problems. "We are following through with the facility to make certain that everything has been checked," said FDA spokeswoman Elaine Gansz Bobo.
Full Story at www.wkyt.com. Click Here.
Somerset city-wide yard sale this Saturday
Somerset —
It’s time again to head out on the town for the Somerset city-wide yard sale.
Downtown Somerset Development will once again be sponsoring the annual city-wide yard sale on Saturday, May 1, beginning at 8 a.m.
Free space will be available on a first come, first served basis in the city parking lot off Market Street and sellers may arrive as early as they wish to begin setup.
Click here for full story
Russell County man charged with impersonating deputy
By CHRIS HARRIS, CJ Staff Writer Commonwealth Journal
Somerset —
It could be said that there’s no substitute for the men and women of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department — although one Russell Springs man allegedly put that theory to the test this week.
Robbie L. Brown, 39, of East Ky. 80 in Russell Springs, was arrested Wednesday and charged with impersonating a police officer, possession of a radio that sends and receives police messages, and carrying a concealed deadly weapon.
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Census takers going door-to-door as of May 1
Beginning May 1, Census takers will be going door to door to those households that have not mailed back a census form. This operation will continue through June, and your household may receive a visit at any time during this time period.
Census workers will be wearing an identification badge. They will not ask to come into your house, and they will not ask any questions about finances, bank accounts, etc. The Census wor-ker who coll-ects your information is sworn for life to protect your data, and is sub-ject to fines and/or imprisonment for unlawful disclosure of your information.
If no one answers at a particular residence, a census taker will visit again up to three times, and will also attempt to reach the household by phone. A “notice of visit” form will be left that includes a phone number for the resident to schedule an appointment.
Full Story at www.somerset-kentucky.com. Click Here.
Woman creates device to fight back on purse thefts
She's just wanting to fight back when it comes to crime. Now a Somerset woman has come up with a creative way, that was sparked after a story on WKYT.
Sally Robinson says she got the idea from a Crime Stoppers story here on WKYT last year. Her new "Purse "You all will have something about purses being stolen out of the shopping cars so I thought I needed to create something to carry my purse and protect it", says Sally Robinson. The device will be launched tomorrow at the Dillard's in Fayette Mall. From 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. there will be tea and cookies for the event, and from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. there will be wine and cheese. You can also pick up the Purse Keyper at the Dillard's at the Mall of St. Matthews in Louisville. Full Story at www.wkyt.com. Click Here.
Keyper" attaches purses to shopping carts and will soon be sold at Dillard's stores at 100 locations across the country.
Authorities to be on the lookout for voter fraud
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Investigators will be monitoring polling
places on Election Day across Kentucky, a state that has seen its
share of voting irregularities in recent years.
Secretary of State Trey Grayson, a Republican, and Attorney
General Jack Conway, a Democrat, appeared together at a press
conference on Wednesday to reiterate that election fraud won't be
tolerated.
"In recent years, elections and law enforcement officials have
worked together to secure dozens of convictions in federal court,"
Grayson said. "And we hope this sends a message to those who want
to illegally disrupt the election process: 'We are united to stop
you, and these activities will not be tolerated."'
Investigators routinely hear accusations of elections being
tainted by people trading cash or even whiskey for votes.
Four years ago, more than a dozen people were charged in Bath
County in an alleged scheme to pay impoverished residents to vote
for particular candidates. Among those charged were candidates for
judge-executive, county attorney and sheriff, all of whom were
either convicted or pleaded guilty.
Full Story at www.wkyt.com. Click Here.
PPL to acquire E.On Kentucky utilities for $6.7B
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Power company PPL has agreed to acquire
the parent company of Kentucky's two major utilities for $6.7
billion in cash.
PPL says it is buying E.On U.S. LLC, the parent of Louisville
Gas & Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, from German
power company E.On AG.
PPL, based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, also will assume $925
million of debt. PPL also says it will get a tax benefit of about
$540 million.
PPL says revenue will total about $10 billion and serve nearly 5
million electricity customers in the U.S. and the U.K. after the
acquisition.
Story at www.wkyt.com. Click Here.
Amanda's Bill signed into law
Governor Steve Beshear signed Amanda's Bill into law Wednesday afternoon.
The signing ceremony in Frankfort began with a moment of silence for Amanda Ross, whom the bill is named after. "Words cannot express my sincere thanks that my daughter has been honored through this bill," Diana Ross, Amanda Ross' mother said. Amanda Ross was shot to death outside her Lexington home last September, in what's being investigated as a domestic violence case. Her former fiance, Steve Nunn, is accused of the crime. Ross had an emergency protective order against him during the time of the shooting. Full Story at www.wkyt.com. Click Here.
Northern Middle students help school worker say final goodbye to his father
In troubled times, it’s always heartwarming to see people coming together to help one another — not as the result of mandate, policy or coercion, but simply out of the human goodness in their hearts.
Such an inspiring story took place recently at Northern Middle School, where students pitched in and raised money to help a beloved figure they see every day make a difficult but necessary journey.
Tom Taksa helps keep Northern Middle clean. An employee with Experience Works — a charitable organization purposed with helping “older adults get the training they need to find good jobs in their communities” (according to www.experienceworks.org) — Taksa wipes off lunch tables in the cafeteria after they’re used, keeps the trash cans from overflowing, and performs other tasks necessary for the school to remain a safe, sparkling environment in which students can learn.
Full story at www.somerset-kentucky.com. Click Here.
Plane crash investigation to begin
The investigation is set to begin Wednesday into what caused a plane crash that killed two people. Searchers finally found the wreckage of the small, twin-engine plane in Western Leslie County, near the Clay County line, Tuesday night. Searchers spotted the plane from the air and got to the remote site using ATVs and chainsaws. The plane is a Beechcraft Baron, which seats about four people. It was on its way from Maryland to Mississippi. No one is believed to have survived. The NTSB and FAA are investigating. Story at www.wkyt.com. Click Here.
Endorsement and Interactif out of Kentucky Derby
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Sunland Derby winner Endorsement is out
of the Kentucky Derby with an ankle injury and Interactif won't be
entered.
The changes allow Backtalk and Make Music for Me to become part
of a full 20-horse field when the post position draw takes place
later Wednesday.
Trainer Shannon Ritter said she noticed the ankle injury after
Endorsement walked off the track at Churchill Downs following a
half-mile workout Wednesday morning. Trainer Todd Pletcher said
Interactif is better suited for turf races and will bypass the
Derby over a dirt track.
Full Story at www.wkyt.com. Click Here.
Tales vary on railway station switch
By BILL MARDIS, Editor Emeritus Commonwealth Journal
Somerset —
There are two trains of thought about whether Norfolk Southern Railway is moving a crew change station from Danville to the Tateville-Antioch area south of Burnside.
John G. Prather Jr., local attorney for Norfolk Southern Railway, says relocation of a railroad crew change station to Pulaski County is a done deal and work is proceeding at the local site.
“They are in the survey process now,” said Prather, head of the Prather law firm that for years has represented Norfolk Southern’s interests in this area. He said several partials of land have been combined into one big tract for the facility.
Click Here for Full Story.
CJ's Tricia Neal named 2009 CNHI Reporter of the Year
Somerset —
Commonwealth Journal Staff Writer Tricia Neal has been awarded the coveted “2009 Reporter of the Year Award”
presented to her by Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. (CNHI), headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.
More than 100 newspapers, web sites and magazines produced by CNHI in 22 states competed in the contest for work done in 2009.
More than 500 entries were received. Neal took her top journalism prize in Division II for daily newspapers.
Click Here for Full story.
Kentucky getting another $176M to help schools
The U.S. Department of Education has approved another $176 million in federal stimulus money for Kentucky that officials say will save teachers' jobs in the coming year.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - The U.S. Department of Education has Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday says that without The money means Kentucky has now been allocated more than $1 Full Story at www.wkyt.com. Click Here.
approved another $176 million in federal stimulus money for
Kentucky that officials say will save teachers' jobs in the coming
year.
the money, they would have laid off many teachers.
billion in education funding from the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act.
New survey to help map out broadband access in Kentucky
State officials are urging homeowners and businesses to take the survey online to learn more about where broadband is available in Kentucky.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - A new survey is being taken on theInternet to learn more about where broadband is available in Kentucky.
The Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet Commonwealth
Office of Technology is urging homeowners and businesses to take a
five-minute survey. The information will be used to help make sure
everyone has the service it needs to compete.
People without broadband access at home can fill out the survey at another
location.
Full Story at www.wkyt.com. Click Here.
SPD disciplinary procedures questioned
After a split vote, Somerset’s city council has opted to investigate the Somerset Police Department’s disciplinary procedures, particularly during the period between January 2004 and December 2009.
Four council members — Steve Kelley, Mike New, Donna Hunley and Jerry Wheeldon — passed on the vote to open the investigation, and one member, Jerry Girdler, voted against it, but the seven remaining councilors — John Ricky Minton, Jim Mitchell, Pat Bourne, Jerry Burnett, Tim Rutherford, Jim Rutherford and Linda Stringer — were able to pass the motion, which was originally made by Jim Rutherford.
The details of why some councilors want an investigation were not discussed during the last Somerset city council meeting because much of the issue, apparently, revolves around some of the police officers’ personnel records.
Somerset Mayor Eddie Girdler adamantly opposed Rutherford’s motion to begin the investigation, and, in fact, the motion wasn’t passed until Rutherford agreed to several changes to his original request.
Full Story at www.somerset-kentucky.com. Click Here.
Standoff Situation Ends With Subject On The Run
Pulaski County, Ky — An intense standoff involving Somerset Police has turned into a search into a search for a domestic violence suspect.
David Cooper Decker, 30, of Cave Hollow Road in Somerset, is currently being sought by authorities after it was discovered that he fled a house in which it was believed he was holed up Tuesday afternoon.
At 11:52 a.m., Somerset Police Officers responded to a report of a domestic dispute on Hope Way, just outside of downtown Somerset. An investigation at the scene revealed that a Tammy Todd had allegedly been assaulted by David Cooper Decker, 30, of Cave Hollow Road in Somerset.
Todd was able to escape the residence, but both she and witnesses at the scene reported that Decker remained inside the residence.
Full Story at www.somerset-kentucky.com. Click Here.
Run(a)way
Airplane that hit fence in January runs wild again
Pulaski County, Ky — No one was injured, but a pilot at Lake Cumberland Regional Airport took two FAA inspectors on a harrowing ride yesterday morning.
The trio was test driving the Fairchild Metro III airplane, which had veered off the runway and crashed into a fence in January, when the airplane veered off the runway again, this time landing in an open field below the runway.
“They had been repairing the plane from the original crash,” airport manager Ron Swartz said yesterday. “They were taking it on a high speed taxi to test it, and the pilot couldn’t steer. ... Evidently, (the repairs) didn’t work.”
Full Story at www.somerset-kentucky.com - Click Here.
PSC to hold meeting about proposed Kentucky Utilities rate increase
The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold a public meetings in Harlan to receive comments on the request for a rate increase by the Kentucky Utilities Co. (KU).
"These meetings will allow the PSC to hear directly from the public as it prepares to consider whether the proposed new rates are fair, just and reasonable," PSC Chairman David Armstrong says.
Baby Sitter Check
Kentucky Utilities has proposed to increase its electric rates across all classes of customers in order to generate an additional $135 million in revenue per year - an increase of about 11.5 percent.
The company estimates that the average monthly bill for residential customers would increase to $98.11, an increase of about 13.5 percent from the current average of about $86.41.
Full story @ WYMT.com. Click Here
New Ky. 1247 to be open soon
By BILL MARDIS, Editor Emeritus
Commonwealth Journal
Somerset — A few years back it would have been an impossible dream to drive through the pastoral and almost remote communities of Elihu and Cabin Hollow on a four-lane highway.
The fantasy is about to be reality. Stephanie Daffron, public information officer for Kentucky Department of Highways’ District 8, said engineers are planning to open the two southbound lanes of new Ky. 1247 by Memorial Day weekend. The northbound lanes, currently accommodating two-way traffic, opened last fall.
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Laura Bush pays visit to Somerset Christian School
Students at a Southern Kentucky school got a very special visitor Friday morning.
Former First Lady Laura Bush spoke to a large crowd at Somerset Christian School.
Her appearance there was part of the first ever Cornell Leadership Conference, an event that also served as a fundraiser for the school.
Bush met with students one on one, and then spoke to several hundred adults and students gathered in the school's auditorium.
She talked a lot about her life now, and how it's different than when she was in the White House.
She and former president George W. Bush are now working on their memoirs and designing the new presidential library.
Those who organized Friday's event say it's designed to benefit the students of Somerset Christian School. All proceeds from ticket sales to the event will go to the school.
Tickets to the event ranged from $50, to several hundred dollars.
Courtesy WKYT.COM Click here to watch video
