http://www.kentucky.com/101/index.xml News, sports, and entertainment from Kentucky.com en-us Copyright 2008 Kentucky.com Business 60 Fri, 16 May 2008 12:02:46 EDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's Workbench webmaster@kentucky.com http://www.kentucky.com/601/story/395920.html http://www.kentucky.com/601/story/395920.html Mon, 05 May 2008 10:00 EDT http://www.kentucky.com/103/story/406748.html http://www.kentucky.com/103/story/406748.html Fri, 16 May 2008 09:14 EDT
The company said the expansion would add 30 jobs at the plant. The expansion was announced Thursday in Hernando.

The plant produces car care items like Eagle One glass cleaner, chrome and wire cleaner and Nano-Protectant for stores such as AutoZone, NAPA and O'Reilly.

When the new building is completed in about a year, the plant will roll out as many as 1,000 new products geared toward car detailers, auto dealers, auction lots and others, said plant operations manager Chris McGee.

McGee said the new construction will represent a 50 percent expansion in the blending plant's space.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/103/story/405957.html http://www.kentucky.com/103/story/405957.html Thu, 15 May 2008 15:34 EDT
The Fairfield-based GE is not commenting on news reports that it plans to auction off its Louisville, Ky.-based appliances business. It was first reported Wednesday by The Wall Street Journal.

Analyst Nicholas Heymann of Sterne Agee said in an investor note that a possible sale of the business should not be a surprise. Sales in the appliance business, which posted revenue of $7 billion last year, are likely to decline between 10 percent and 12 percent this year due to weak consumer spending and a drop in home improvement sales and residential construction.

"It's not going to bounce back tomorrow," he said in an interview. "A $600 rebate check is not going to buy a $5,000 appliance."

Matt Collins, an analyst at Edward Jones in St. Louis, said selling the business makes sense even if it would be too late. The sharp drop in the housing market now makes an appliance manufacturer less attractive.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/103/story/406485.html http://www.kentucky.com/103/story/406485.html Fri, 16 May 2008 02:04 EDT
Republicans, worried about steep losses in the fall elections, abandoned Bush on the votes.

"If you're running for office this year, obviously you want to demonstrate that you can put up a record of accomplishment that's based upon working with both sides of the political aisle," said GOP Sen. John Thune of South Dakota.

Despite Bush's strong opposition, 35 of the Senate's 49 Republicans voted Thursday with Democrats to pass and send to the White House a $290 billion farm bill that will increase food aid for the needy as well as subsidies for farmers enjoying record high incomes. A hundred Republicans in the House had voted the same way Wednesday, a day after the party's third straight loss of a long-held GOP seat to Democrats in special elections.

"I think the fact that they've lost three House seats in a row, people are thinking, 'Gee, do I really want to stand with the president? It looks like this ship's going down,'" said Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/103/story/406537.html http://www.kentucky.com/103/story/406537.html Fri, 16 May 2008 02:05 EDT
On Saturday's Buildings & Bluegrass Tour, organized by Fayette Alliance, six horse farms and three general agricultural farms will be open to visitors. So will a downtown condominium project on Old Georgetown Street.

This is the second year for the tour. It offers a chance to see "some of the world-renowned Bluegrass landscape that we all treasure ... and discover some of the really innovative ways developers are renovating our downtown," said Knox van Nagell, executive director of the Alliance.

The Alliance favors a Lexington growth strategy of development on 5,000 acres of vacant and underutilized land inside the Urban Service Area boundary, and repairing outdated sanitary sewer and storm-water systems, while preserving the Thoroughbred and general agricultural industries.

The Fayette Alliance is a coalition of infill developers, neighborhood associations and farmers.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/103/story/405539.html http://www.kentucky.com/103/story/405539.html Fri, 16 May 2008 10:59 EDT
Light, sweet crude for June delivery was up $1.08 to $125.20 a barrel in electronic trade on the New York Mercantile Exchange by midday in Europe.

During Thursday's session, the front-month crude oil contract dropped as low as $120.75 before bouncing back to finish at $124.12 a barrel.

"It was one of those volatile days that we fully expect to see more of in the days and weeks ahead," said a research note from U.S. energy risk management firm Cameron Hanover, predicting greater volatility as May ends.

In London, July Brent crude gained $1.07 to $123.70 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/103/story/405367.html http://www.kentucky.com/103/story/405367.html Thu, 15 May 2008 02:04 EDT
Churchill alleges that the horsemen's groups are conspiring "to fix prices and orchestrate a joint boycott."

The complaint, filed originally on April 24, was amended on Wednesday to add the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, KTA executive director David Switzer, KHBPA president Rick Hiles and executive director Marty Maline. Switzer, Hiles and Maline had no comment last night.

Other defendants include the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Group, Florida HBPA, and officers of both groups.

Racehorse owners and trainers have formed a negotiating body, the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Group, that is pushing for a third of the revenue from advance-deposit wagering platforms.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/103/story/405568.html http://www.kentucky.com/103/story/405568.html Thu, 15 May 2008 13:29 EDT
The Prius, which went on sale in Japan in 1997, has been a big hit with drivers around the world and is now sold in 40 countries and regions. And its popularity is going strong amid surging gas prices and growing concerns about the environment.

A cumulative 1.028 million Prius vehicles have been sold globally as of the end of April, Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday.

Toyota, Japan's top automaker, sells other hybrid models, but the Prius has been by far the most popular model. Toyota has said it plans to sell a million hybrids annually sometime in the few years after 2010.

When including the other hybrid models, Toyota's cumulative overall sales of gas-electric vehicles total 1.46 million, according to Toyota, which also makes the Camry sedan and Lexus luxury cars.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/103/story/405360.html http://www.kentucky.com/103/story/405360.html Thu, 15 May 2008 06:44 EDT
Wednesday, after it was filled, Buffalo Trace Distillery employees past and present rolled the 6-millionth bourbon barrel produced since Prohibition into a special warehouse built to hold just one barrel. Then, several employees formed a line to autograph the barrel.

The 6-millionth barrel will age there for the next 10-12 years, said Buffalo Trace spokeswoman Angela Traver. It displaced a barrel put there on Dec. 31, 1999.

Buffalo Trace put up its 5-millionth barrel way back in 1981. That reflects the industry's slowdown years ago and its recent resurgence, Traver said. For comparison, in 2005 Jim Beam sealed its 10-millionth barrel. Heaven Hill Distilleries filled its 5-millionth barrel in 2006.

]]> http://www.kentucky.com/103/story/405381.html http://www.kentucky.com/103/story/405381.html Thu, 15 May 2008 06:37 EDT
The state also had a 26.2 percent decline in filings from March 2008, according to RealtyTrac, a California company that monitors foreclosures.

RealtyTrac said Wednesday that new foreclosures rose 64.75 percent nationwide in April, compared with April 2007, and 4.4 percent from March 2008.

One in every 519 U.S. households -- 243,353 properties -- received a foreclosure filing during April 2008, RealtyTrac said.

"The total number of U.S. properties with foreclosure activity in April was the highest monthly total we've seen since we began issuing the report in January 2005," said James J. Saccacio, CEO of RealtyTrac.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/103/story/405441.html http://www.kentucky.com/103/story/405441.html Thu, 15 May 2008 02:04 EDT
The automaker, which has announced plans to open a small-car plant in India, is in the early stage of planning for a second factory in an emerging country, said a spokeswoman who asked not to be named because of company policy. Toyota has not decided details such as the location, production capacity and the time line for the plant, she said.

The Tokyo Shimbun regional newspaper reported Wednesday that Toyota is eyeing a factory in Brazil for a launch in 2011 for the fast-growing auto markets in South America.

Toyota plans to invest billions of dollars in the plant, which would have a production capacity of about 150,000-200,000 vehicles a year, the newspaper said. The small sedan and hatchback models would be priced at around $9,540, the paper said.

Other top carmakers, including General Motors Corp. and Nissan Motor Co., are also working on cheap cars targeting India and other emerging markets.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/642/story/395766.html http://www.kentucky.com/642/story/395766.html Mon, 05 May 2008 07:44 EDT
Hindman Settlement School: Chad Berry, director of the Berea College Appalachian Center, has been appointed to the school's board of directors.

Finance

American Founders Bank: Bill Craycraft has been named senior vice president, commercial and private client group.

Square One: Dr. Stephanie Eken, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, has joined the staff of the Louisville medical practice.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/642/story/382316.html http://www.kentucky.com/642/story/382316.html Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:37 EDT
GBBN Architects: Matthew J. Schottelkotte has been named the company's director of architecture.

Finance

Edward Jones: Dana S. Branham has been named the financial adviser for the company's newest Lexington office, at 800 Seminole Creek Court.

Unified Trust Co.: Kevin Stortzum has joined the firm as portfolio manager and equity analyst.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/642/story/328365.html http://www.kentucky.com/642/story/328365.html Mon, 25 Feb 2008 09:32 EST

Crowe Chizek & Co.: Charles Whitehead has been named an auditor in the company's assurance and financial advisory group.


Potter & Co.: Wes Omohundro and Randy Herrington have been named senior associates in the audit and assurance services department of the firm.


Republic Bank: Bo Henry has been promoted to president, Republic Bank & Trust Co. Central Kentucky. Cindy Burton and Jenifer Duncan have been named senior vice presidents, business development officers. Rodney Williams has been named vice president, chief market officer. Donna Herrington has been promoted to Tates Creek banking center manager. Karen Watts has been promoted to assistant banking center supervisor for the Georgetown banking center. Jennifer Hash has been named assistant banking officer, and Bryan Little has been named business banking officer at the Harrodsburg Road banking center. Mark Wiemer has been named banking center manager.


Traditional Bank: Dana C. Hall has been promoted to sales and marketing officer.
]]> http://www.kentucky.com/642/story/114355.html http://www.kentucky.com/642/story/114355.html Tue, 03 Jul 2007 11:44 EDT
He is the principal architect and engineer for Taylor-Whitney Architects.

Taylor received bachelor's degrees in architecture and engineering from the University of Kentucky.

He is a certified energy manager and certified indoor air quality professional and is a member of the American Institute of Architects.

He is married to Nan P. Taylor and represents the Kentucky Society of Architects on the board.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/642/story/113589.html http://www.kentucky.com/642/story/113589.html Mon, 02 Jul 2007 15:33 EDT
Thomason has more than 15 years of financial services experience.

He graduated from Henderson County High School and the University of Kentucky, where he received a bachelor of arts in psychology.

Thomason lives in Lexington with his wife, Kristan, and their two children.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/406537.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/406537.html Fri, 16 May 2008 02:05 EDT
On Saturday's Buildings & Bluegrass Tour, organized by Fayette Alliance, six horse farms and three general agricultural farms will be open to visitors. So will a downtown condominium project on Old Georgetown Street.

This is the second year for the tour. It offers a chance to see "some of the world-renowned Bluegrass landscape that we all treasure ... and discover some of the really innovative ways developers are renovating our downtown," said Knox van Nagell, executive director of the Alliance.

The Alliance favors a Lexington growth strategy of development on 5,000 acres of vacant and underutilized land inside the Urban Service Area boundary, and repairing outdated sanitary sewer and storm-water systems, while preserving the Thoroughbred and general agricultural industries.

The Fayette Alliance is a coalition of infill developers, neighborhood associations and farmers.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/406492.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/406492.html Fri, 16 May 2008 02:05 EDT
GE has hired Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to run an auction for the appliance division, according to the newspaper, which quoted unidentified sources. The sale could yield between $5 billion and $8 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Spokesmen for the Fairfield-based industrial conglomerate and Goldman Sachs would not comment.

Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson said in a statement that he had contact with GE leaders within the past 10 days "based on my concerns about additional job cutbacks at their Louisville operations," where some 5,000 people are employed. "Officials told me they were looking at possible reductions throughout their global operations, including Louisville, but they did not indicate that selling Appliance Park was part of their plans.

"We will certainly make the case to GE or to any potential buyer that Louisville is the best place to continue operations and headquarters," Abramson said.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/406470.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/406470.html Fri, 16 May 2008 06:57 EDT
INVESTOR SEEKS TO OUST YAHOO CEO

Spurred on by outraged shareholders, activist investor Carl Icahn notified Yahoo Inc. Thursday that he will lead a revolt to oust Chief Executive Jerry Yang and the rest of the Internet company's board unless they renew negotiations with Microsoft that fell apart May 3 when the two sides couldn't agree on a price. Icahn has nominated an alternate slate of directors to replace the current board in an election scheduled July 3 at Yahoo's annual meeting. An Icahn-led board presumably would fire Yang as CEO.

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION DECLINES

Industrial output plunged in April as factories making everything from autos to heavy machinery felt the adverse effects of the weak economy. Analysts held out hope that production will revive in the second half of the year, helped by the government's economic stimulus checks. Industrial production dropped 0.7 percent last month, the Federal Reserve reported Thursday, more than double the decline that economists had expected. Manufacturing output dropped 0.8 percent, with half of that weakness coming from large cutbacks in auto production.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/405360.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/405360.html Thu, 15 May 2008 06:44 EDT
Wednesday, after it was filled, Buffalo Trace Distillery employees past and present rolled the 6-millionth bourbon barrel produced since Prohibition into a special warehouse built to hold just one barrel. Then, several employees formed a line to autograph the barrel.

The 6-millionth barrel will age there for the next 10-12 years, said Buffalo Trace spokeswoman Angela Traver. It displaced a barrel put there on Dec. 31, 1999.

Buffalo Trace put up its 5-millionth barrel way back in 1981. That reflects the industry's slowdown years ago and its recent resurgence, Traver said. For comparison, in 2005 Jim Beam sealed its 10-millionth barrel. Heaven Hill Distilleries filled its 5-millionth barrel in 2006.

]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/405367.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/405367.html Thu, 15 May 2008 02:04 EDT
Churchill alleges that the horsemen's groups are conspiring "to fix prices and orchestrate a joint boycott."

The complaint, filed originally on April 24, was amended on Wednesday to add the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, KTA executive director David Switzer, KHBPA president Rick Hiles and executive director Marty Maline. Switzer, Hiles and Maline had no comment last night.

Other defendants include the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Group, Florida HBPA, and officers of both groups.

Racehorse owners and trainers have formed a negotiating body, the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Group, that is pushing for a third of the revenue from advance-deposit wagering platforms.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/405381.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/405381.html Thu, 15 May 2008 06:37 EDT
The state also had a 26.2 percent decline in filings from March 2008, according to RealtyTrac, a California company that monitors foreclosures.

RealtyTrac said Wednesday that new foreclosures rose 64.75 percent nationwide in April, compared with April 2007, and 4.4 percent from March 2008.

One in every 519 U.S. households -- 243,353 properties -- received a foreclosure filing during April 2008, RealtyTrac said.

"The total number of U.S. properties with foreclosure activity in April was the highest monthly total we've seen since we began issuing the report in January 2005," said James J. Saccacio, CEO of RealtyTrac.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/405361.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/405361.html Thu, 15 May 2008 06:39 EDT
CERADYNE GETS $31.5 MILLION ORDER

Ceradyne Inc. has received a $31.5 million order for ceramic body armor from the U.S. Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. The order is for what are called enhanced side ballistic inserts, to be delivered from September to November. The armor is made by Ceradyne plants in Lexington and in Costa Mesa, Calif. U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan wear them as protection against bullets and bombs. Ceradyne's stock trades on Nasdaq as CRDN.

SUSPENSION EXTENSION HEARING POSTPONED

A hearing on an extension of trainer Patrick Biancone's suspension has been postponed from May 19 pending a ruling from Franklin Circuit Court. Biancone has requested an injunction to block the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority from taking up allegations that Biancone violated a six-month training ban imposed after three vials of cobra venom were discovered in his barn at Keeneland. The KHRA meets next on Monday at the Kentucky Horse Park. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/405441.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/405441.html Thu, 15 May 2008 02:04 EDT
The automaker, which has announced plans to open a small-car plant in India, is in the early stage of planning for a second factory in an emerging country, said a spokeswoman who asked not to be named because of company policy. Toyota has not decided details such as the location, production capacity and the time line for the plant, she said.

The Tokyo Shimbun regional newspaper reported Wednesday that Toyota is eyeing a factory in Brazil for a launch in 2011 for the fast-growing auto markets in South America.

Toyota plans to invest billions of dollars in the plant, which would have a production capacity of about 150,000-200,000 vehicles a year, the newspaper said. The small sedan and hatchback models would be priced at around $9,540, the paper said.

Other top carmakers, including General Motors Corp. and Nissan Motor Co., are also working on cheap cars targeting India and other emerging markets.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/404554.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/404554.html Wed, 14 May 2008 11:21 EDT
The order is for what are called enhanced side ballistic inserts, to be delivered from September to November.

The armor is made by Ceradyne plants in Lexington and in Costa Mesa, Calif. U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan wear them as protection against bullets and explosive devices.

Ceradyne's stock trades on Nasdaq as CRDN.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/404492.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/404492.html Wed, 14 May 2008 09:46 EDT
The state also had a 26.2 percent decline in filings from March 2008, according to RealtyTrac, a California company that monitors foreclosures.

RealtyTrac said Wednesday that new foreclosures rose 64.75 percent nationwide in April, compared with April 2007, and 4.4 percent from March 2008.

One in every 519 U.S. households -- 243,353 properties -- received a foreclosure filing during April 2008, RealtyTrac said.

"The total number of U.S. properties with foreclosure activity in April was the highest monthly total we've seen since we began issuing the report in January 2005," said James J. Saccacio, CEO of RealtyTrac.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/404208.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/404208.html Wed, 14 May 2008 07:34 EDT
Following in the steps of the world's largest retailer, Kroger announced Tuesday that it is expanding its generic drug discount program by offering 90-day prescriptions for $10. The company also is adding several women's medicines to its generic discount program. The medicines, which include hormone replacements and drugs used to treat osteoporosis and breast cancer, will cost $9 for a 30-day supply or $24 for a 90-day supply. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. made a similar announcement last week. Kroger began offering more than 300 generic prescription medicines for $4 for a 30-day supply in Lexington area stores in February.

WTVQ-TV SALE COMPLETED

Media General Inc. has completed the sale of WTVQ-TV in Lexington to Morris Network Inc., the companies said Tuesday. Financial details were not disclosed. Morris Network is owned by Morris Multimedia Inc., a privately held company founded in 1970 and based in Savannah, Ga. Morris Multimedia owns seven other television stations, primarily in the South, plus more than 90 daily and weekly newspapers, shoppers and niche publications. Media General is publicly owned. Its stock is MEG:NYSE.

NATIONAL ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/404239.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/404239.html Wed, 14 May 2008 02:06 EDT
Allan Peerce, 53, a sign maker, said he's been accused of trying to drum up business for his shop in Leitchfield, Ky., by riding his horse to jobs and the bank. But Peerce says he already has more business than he can handle and is concerned for truckers whose rig doors he adorns with his artwork.

Peerce's horse, Hitman, began wearing a sign reading "In protest of diesel and gas prices" when diesel hit $4 a gallon. If it hits $4.20, he plans to camp out in the city's courthouse square.

"Somebody has to stand up and do something," Peerce said. "If I can do it, then two people can do it. If two can, four can, and if four can, eight can. It can grow into whatever we want it to be."

In Valparaiso, Ind., Jay Weinberg, 29, collaborated with a friend's band, Planetary Blues, and recorded a protest song.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/404240.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/404240.html Wed, 14 May 2008 02:06 EDT
Fewer know that the 37th Ryder Cup begins in Louisville in just 126 days, delivering a $120 million-plus boost to Kentucky's economy.

"We are going to have a big party," Karl Schmitt told the Bluegrass Hospitality Association. "You are probably going to have a big party here, too, though you may not know it yet."

Schmitt, the executive director of The Cup Experience, the Louisville host committee for the Ryder Cup, urged Lexington hotels, restaurants and entertainment sites to go after their share of a tourism bonanza by holding special events and training their staffs to help the tourists.

Louisville hotels are full and Lexington hotels are filling fast for the Sept. 16-21 golf tournament that long ago sold all of its 240,000 tickets, he said.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/404241.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/404241.html Wed, 14 May 2008 02:06 EDT
Webb was the keynote speaker at a Bluegrass Hospitality Association symposium at the Lexington Center. He was met with questions mostly about the hotel rooms expected to cost about $200 a night in the CentrePointe project.

Where will business come from to fill a 200-plus room high-end hotel, he was asked. Will the project bring in new money, or just pirate business away from existing downtown hotels?

Larry Bell, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, asked what Webb's financial consultants found in their market surveys that made another downtown hotel look feasible.

Webb said there had been four market studies -- two by hotel chains, one by a consultant hired to conduct a financial analysis for possible tax increment financing, and yet another commissioned by The Webb Cos.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/404254.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/404254.html Wed, 14 May 2008 07:43 EDT
Minimize driving with a cold engine. Engines run most efficiently when they're warm. In Consumer Reports' city-driving tests, making multiple short trips and starting the engine from cold reduced fuel economy. Engines also produce more pollution and wear faster when they're cold. Combine short trips into one so that the engine stays warm.

Drive smoothly. Avoid hard acceleration and braking whenever possible. In Consumer Reports' tests, frequent bursts of acceleration and braking reduced the Toyota Camry's mileage by 2 to 3 miles per gallon and the Mercury Mountaineer's by about 1 mpg.

Reduce unnecessary drag. At highway speeds, more than 50 percent of engine power goes to overcoming aerodynamic drag. Don't add to that drag by carrying things on top of your vehicle when you don't have to.

Slow down. Aerodynamic drag exponentially increases on the highway the faster you drive. Consumer Reports tested its vehicles' fuel economy at 55, 65 and 75 mph. Driving at 75 mph instead of 65 reduced the Camry's gas mileage from 35 mpg to 30. For the Mountaineer, fuel economy fell from 21 mpg to 18. Slowing to 55 mph improved the gas mileage by similar margins: The Camry improved to 40 mpg and the Mountaineer to 24 mpg.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/403198.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/403198.html Tue, 13 May 2008 02:03 EDT
The vehicle assembly plant being built in Blue Springs, near Tupelo, Miss., was initially to be up and running by late 2009 or early 2010, said Toyota Motor Corp. Executive Vice President Mitsuo Kinoshita.

That has now been pushed back to mid-2010 after Toyota reviewed the plans and considered the signs of a slowdown in the U.S. market following the subprime mortgage crisis, Kinoshita told a small group of reporters at a Tokyo hotel.

"We made adjustments within a certain range of time," he said. "The change wasn't that critical."

Toyota, the world's second-biggest automaker in annual vehicle sales after General Motors Corp., had been on a roll with its offerings of small cars and gas-electric hybrids amid soaring oil prices.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/403192.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/403192.html Tue, 13 May 2008 02:03 EDT
The 27-year-old son of Northern Dancer will stay at Coolmore in Ireland, where he has sired 18 champions since 1985.

His progeny, including 158 graded stakes winners and 295 stakes winners, have earned more than $146 million on the racetrack, according to Equiline.com.

"I think Sadler's Wells is generally acknowledged as the best sire Europe has ever seen and we felt very privileged to have been associated with him," said Coolmore manager Christy Grassick in a statement. "Despite his advancing years, he is still in remarkably good condition and I hope he enjoys a long and happy retirement."

Bred by Robert Sangster's Swettenham Stud and Partners in Kentucky, Sadler's Wells was a champion miler in France as a 3-year-old. But he made his reputation in the breeding shed.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/403177.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/403177.html Tue, 13 May 2008 02:03 EDT
The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services revoked the Waller Avenue nursing home's provider agreement, which allowed it to receive Medicare and Medicaid payments, as of April 9 because of problems identified by government inspectors.

The facility's last day to receive funding was Friday.

That meant scores of patients had to be moved to other facilities over the past month, since the government would no longer pay for their care at Kenton.

The facility had 133 residents as of March 17, said Sadiqa Reynolds, inspector general for the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. As of Monday, it had six patients whose care is paid for privately and one resident covered by Medicaid. That person was expected to move out Monday or Tuesday.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/403172.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/403172.html Tue, 13 May 2008 07:33 EDT
Here are a few Web sites that provide useful general and specific information on the subject:

American Education Services: www.aessuccess.org/manage/consolidate/faq.shtml

Uses question and answer format to provide information about student loan consolidation.

Credit.com: www.credit.com/products/loans/Student-Loan-Consolidation-Tips.jsp ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/403137.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/403137.html Tue, 13 May 2008 07:31 EDT
BLUEGRASS HOME SALES DIP

Members of the Lexington-Bluegrass Association of Realtors sold 835 properties in the first quarter of 2008, the association said, but that total was down 16 percent from the same period of 2007. The median sales price -- half of all sales were for more and half for less -- declined 1 percent for the 2008 quarter and dropped 5 percent in March 2008, versus the same periods of 2007, the association said. Nationwide, the median price was down 7.7 percent in March, according to the National Association of Realtors. In Fayette County, the average number of days needed to sell a house in the first quarter was up 9 percent from a year earlier. The Lexington-Bluegrass Association of Realtors has more than 2,300 members in Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Montgomery, Scott and Woodford Counties.

MEETING TO DISCUSS CHURCHILL'S PURSE CUTS

Kentucky horse trainers and owners will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday to discuss Churchill Downs' plans to cut purses by 20 percent. The decrease stems from a dispute over how to divide revenue from Internet wagering. According to the notice from the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, the meeting at the Executive Inn East in Louisville will be to talk about the efforts of a negotiating organization, the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Group, and possible legal action. Churchill Downs said last week it would begin cutting purses on Wednesday. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/473/story/406735.html http://www.kentucky.com/473/story/406735.html Fri, 16 May 2008 11:49 EDT
Wall Street, hoping for an economic rebound in the second half of the year, has been searching for any signs that the housing market is bottoming. The Commerce Department's report that home construction jumped 8.2 percent in April was welcome news but wasn't enough to quell investors' concerns about ascendent energy prices and their effect on consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity.

The price of a barrel of oil spiked to $127.82 for a new trading record on Friday.

The rise in energy and food costs is weighing down the mood of consumers. The Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment reading for May fell to 59.5 in May - the weakest reading since June 1980.

Friday's uneasiness over energy prices comes after a strong week for the stock market.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/473/story/406739.html http://www.kentucky.com/473/story/406739.html Fri, 16 May 2008 11:09 EDT
The industrial conglomerate said in a statement the move is part of an ongoing plan to exit "slower growth and more volatile businesses."

GE's 101-year-old appliance business, headquartered in Louisville, Ky., has been hurt by the housing slump and economic slowdown in the U.S. The appliance division had revenues of $7 billion last year and employs about 13,000 people worldwide.

"GE Appliances has a very strong brand ... and for more than 100 years has been one of the icons associated with GE in the United States," GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt said. "However, its remains primarily a U.S. business, meaning its fortunes are tied to the rise and fall of a single market.

The company is planning a strategic review that could result in an outright sale of GE Appliances, a strategic partnership or a spin-off to shareholders.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/473/story/406734.html http://www.kentucky.com/473/story/406734.html Fri, 16 May 2008 11:29 EDT
The Commerce Department reported Friday that housing construction rose by 8.2 percent in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.03 million units. Building of single-family homes continued to weaken, however. The growth came from a big jump in apartment construction.

Analysts predicted the surprising rebound in April would be temporary given the headwinds builders are still confronting, from slumping sales to soaring home foreclosures.

"It is definitely too early to uncork the champagne on the long and winding road to more-healthy housing-market conditions," said Brian Bethune, an economist at Global Insight. He said he did not expect housing activity to stabilize until the end of this year.

The prolonged slump in housing has been a major drag on the overall economy, raising worries that the country is in danger of falling into a recession. A second report Friday showed that consumer confidence as measured by the University of Michigan/Reuters survey fell to a 28-year low of 59.5 in early May, down from 62.6 in April. The drop was blamed in part on rising concerns about higher gas and food prices.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/473/story/406740.html http://www.kentucky.com/473/story/406740.html Fri, 16 May 2008 11:49 EDT
The gains come 10 days before the Memorial Day holiday, the traditional start of the peak U.S. summer driving season, suggesting that retail gas prices have further to rise.

Americans are now paying a national average of $3.787 a gallon for regular gasoline, up nearly a penny from the previous day, according to AAA and the Oil Price Information Service.

Diesel prices also have risen to record levels, meaning that even Americans who don't drive will likely face even higher prices on all sorts of goods because of increased shipping costs. A gallon of diesel now sells for $4.482 a gallon.

Light, sweet crude for June delivery rose as high as $127.82 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, before easing somewhat to trade up $2.64 to $126.76 . The contract settled at $124.12 Thursday.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/473/story/406619.html http://www.kentucky.com/473/story/406619.html Fri, 16 May 2008 12:00 EDT
During Bush's second personal appeal this year to King Abdullah, Saudi officials stuck to their position that they are already meeting demand, the president's national security adviser told reporters.

"What they're saying to us is ... Saudi Arabia does not have customers that are making requests for oil that they are not able to satisfy," Stephen Hadley said on a day when oil prices topped $127 a barrel, a record high.

The Saudi government indicated that it is willing to put on the market whatever oil is necessary to meet the demand of its customers, Hadley said.

But even then, he said, Saudi leaders say increased production would not dramatically reduce pump prices in the United States.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/406485.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/406485.html Fri, 16 May 2008 02:04 EDT
Republicans, worried about steep losses in the fall elections, abandoned Bush on the votes.

"If you're running for office this year, obviously you want to demonstrate that you can put up a record of accomplishment that's based upon working with both sides of the political aisle," said GOP Sen. John Thune of South Dakota.

Despite Bush's strong opposition, 35 of the Senate's 49 Republicans voted Thursday with Democrats to pass and send to the White House a $290 billion farm bill that will increase food aid for the needy as well as subsidies for farmers enjoying record high incomes. A hundred Republicans in the House had voted the same way Wednesday, a day after the party's third straight loss of a long-held GOP seat to Democrats in special elections.

"I think the fact that they've lost three House seats in a row, people are thinking, 'Gee, do I really want to stand with the president? It looks like this ship's going down,'" said Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/106/story/402145.html http://www.kentucky.com/106/story/402145.html Mon, 12 May 2008 02:03 EDT
Caleb Miles , president and CEO of the Convention and Visitors Bureau in Pinehurst, N.C., says it's a terrific honor that probably will spur local tourism, but any gains might be hard to measure.

Miles knows, because Pinehurst . known as the Home of American Golf because of its 45 golf courses . was Sky's featured destination in April 2007.

Since Lexington is more of a convention city than Pinehurst, it might land a large meeting as a result of the Sky article, Miles said last week.

Otherwise, it's going to be tough to track individual tourists and find out why they came to Lexington and if it was because of Sky.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/104/story/402354.html http://www.kentucky.com/104/story/402354.html Mon, 12 May 2008 08:48 EDT