http://www.kentucky.com/176/index.xml News, sports, and entertainment from Kentucky.com en-us Copyright 2008 Kentucky.com Franklin County 60 Sat, 17 May 2008 04:19:03 EDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's Workbench webmaster@kentucky.com http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/407592.html http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/407592.html Sat, 17 May 2008 02:05 EDT
Beshear said Kentucky "would be better served if Sen. Williams worked with us to enact pension reform and adequate funding for education instead of constantly creating unnecessary controversy."

The Democratic governor also said of the legal action of the Republican senator from Burkesville, "It is telling that the legislature is not challenging my actions and that only Sen. Williams feels compelled to do so."

Beshear said he is "confident in our legal position and that the veto of House Bill 79 is effective and in the best interest of the Commonwealth."

Williams claims in the lawsuit filed in Franklin Circuit Court that Beshear's veto was made beyond the constitutionally allowed 10 days after adjournment of this year's General Assembly.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/406478.html http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/406478.html Fri, 16 May 2008 09:53 EDT
Ignoring the recently passed state budget, the Court of Justice provided $3.4 million in "pay equity" raises for the judicial branch's non-elected employees making less than $60,000 a year.

Beyond a 1 percent raise that all state employees get, the legislature had only authorized pay raises for the approximately 1,800 deputy clerks, who are spread out in court houses throughout the state. The starting salary for deputy clerks is $18,120.

Some $8.4 million more was allocated by the courts for pay raises for all non-elected workers in fiscal year 2010.

News of the move angered several powerful legislators, who said the judicial branch is not complying with the law. Legislators said it could strain relations between the branches.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/406473.html http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/406473.html Fri, 16 May 2008 02:04 EDT
State budget director Mary Lassiter has asked most state agencies to come up with a plan by May 23 to reduce their budgets by 4.5 percent for the new fiscal year that begins July 1.

Lassiter stressed that the reduction plans requested are for planning purposes. But she noted that any cuts implemented from the plans would be on top of reductions included in the $18.8 billion two-year budget the legislature enacted last month. Those cuts ranged from 3 percent to 12 percent.

She said possible cuts after review of the agencies' cost-cutting plans might be bigger or smaller than 4.5 percent, and that the amount of cuts for agencies could vary.

Some state agencies and programs are exempt from compiling a 4.5 percent reduction plan, Lassiter said. She said they include universities, basic education funding, Medicaid, corrections, property valuation administrators, commonwealth's attorneys and county attorneys.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/405360.html http://www.kentucky.com/176/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/176/story/400880.html http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/400880.html Sat, 10 May 2008 02:04 EDT
Williams, R-Burkesville, said the appointment is the Democratic governor's prerogative, "but every occasion he gets to stick his finger in my eye, he does."

Dick Brown, Beshear's director of communications, said, "The fact that Mr. Davis has any relationship with Sen. Williams played no role in the decision. The nominees for these positions face the same objective process as those for any other board, commission or appointment made by the administration."

Williams disputed Brown's comments.

"The place over there leaks like a sieve and it was the factor," the senator said. "I'm not complaining, whining about this, but every time the governor does something like this, he looks a bit smaller."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/400860.html http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/400860.html Sat, 10 May 2008 02:04 EDT
In a letter sent Friday to Beshear, the Burkesville Republican urged Beshear to "follow the law," which he says requires Beshear to continue implementing the road plan in the current two-year state budget that expires June 30.

"The General Assembly enacted that provision, you signed the bill, and it is now the law," Williams said in the letter. "It is your constitutional duty to follow the law. Although certain flexibility is allowed by statute, you cannot make up the law as you go."

Dick Brown, Beshear's director of communications, dismissed Williams' complaint and said the governor is following the state constitution.

"The governor is very confident that his veto of House Bill 79 is effective and that he is proceeding constitutionally to implement an effective highway plan for the Commonwealth," Brown said.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/399825.html http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/399825.html Fri, 09 May 2008 02:05 EDT
GRAND JURY GETS FATAL ACCIDENT CASE

The case of a man accused of leaving the scene of an accident in which a University of Kentucky student was killed April 13 has been sent to a grand jury. Shannon D. Houser, 36, who has pleaded not guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and tampering with physical evidence, appeared in court Thursday morning. UK freshman Connie Blount, 18, was crossing South Broadway at West Maxwell against the traffic signal about 2:30 a.m. when she was hit by a truck going south on South Broadway. Blount died at UK Hospital. Houser was arrested about two weeks later. Police impounded the truck from Houser's driveway on Detroit Avenue and matched damaged truck parts to debris at the scene of the wreck.

NICHOLASVILLE

BURNED BODY IDENTIFIED ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/397382.html http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/397382.html Tue, 06 May 2008 19:40 EDT
The following events will be held at Commonwealth Credit Union, 1425 Louisville Road Branch, Frankfort. Call (502) 564-4775 or 1-800-228-6420.

. Retirement Income: .Making The Most of Your Retirement Income, noon May 21. Reserve a seat by noon May 20 by calling 1-800-488-1444 or (502) 564-1502. Admission is free. Refreshments will be served.

. 8th Annual 50-Plus Festival, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 13. This free event will be at Bridgeport Elementary School (next to Frankfort Regional Medical Center). Call CCU, Ext. 5600.

. Long-Term Care: Live at Home the Rest of Your Life, noon June 18. Must register by noon June 17 by calling 1-800-488-1444 or (502) 564-1502. Refreshments will be served. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/396648.html http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/396648.html Tue, 06 May 2008 02:03 EDT
Justice Wil Schroder of Covington criticized outgoing Chief Justice Joseph Lambert on Monday for reappointing Jason Nemes last month as director of the Administrative Office of the Courts after the state Senate declined to confirm Nemes.

Taking the rare step of making an internal disagreement public, Schroder said Lambert's action does not respect "what we call the rule of law in Kentucky."

"People don't get to pick and choose which laws they follow, including the Supreme Court," Schroder said.

Schroder said Nemes' appointment to head the administrative arm of the state court system has become an issue in the race to replace Lambert as chief justice. Lambert will retire in June.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/394266.html http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/394266.html Sat, 03 May 2008 02:03 EDT
At a Bluegrass Water Supply Commission meeting Thursday, a June 2 deadline was agreed on to decide whether the commission -- acting on behalf of some of its members -- will buy into Kentucky American Water's newly approved treatment plant and pipeline.

"The window of opportunity ... is rapidly closing," said Damon Talley, the commission's attorney.

The big question: Which towns are willing to make a commitment?

If the commission agrees to buy 5 million gallons of water a day, Kentucky American would increase the capacity of its plant from 20 million gallons a day to 25 million. The commission would own 20 percent of the plant and pipeline, with the construction and operating costs falling only on the towns that get the water.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/393156.html http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/393156.html Fri, 02 May 2008 02:06 EDT
Members of Citizens for Alternative Water Solutions gathered at Frankfort's Paul Sawyier Public Library on Thursday evening to plot strategy after their setback.

The meeting had been widely advertised in an e-mail that encouraged everyone to come, but a Herald-Leader reporter was asked to leave the room where the group met.

Group member Tona Barkley later emerged with a three-paragraph statement that said CAWS will ask the PSC for a rehearing, and called on Attorney General Jack Conway to challenge the PSC's approval because it didn't include a price cap that he had sought.

CAWS had earlier argued in a filing with the PSC that such a cap was not permissible.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/392102.html http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/392102.html Thu, 01 May 2008 02:04 EDT
Council President Brad Cowgill, on his final day in the post, bickered with the presidents of the University of Louisville and Western Kentucky over their proposed 9 percent tuition increases, and he applauded Morehead State University President Wayne Andrews for his proposed average 7.5 percent increase.

Meanwhile, questions lingered much of the day over whether the council had offered Cowgill a 30-day interim job during a closed-door meeting and whether he might accept.

Cowgill confirmed Wednesday night that he had rejected the offer and was considering his next step in life, but wasn't sure that he would return to practicing law.

The Lexington lawyer was state budget director under former Gov. Ernie Fletcher.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/390778.html http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/390778.html Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:40 EDT
The following 2008 Proactive for Life 5K Educational Series in preparation for the Pro-Active for Life 5K Run/Walk Event will be taking place at the Kentucky Coffeetree Caf., 235 West Broadway, Frankfort. Call Debbie Brown, (502) 695-7120.

. Exercise and Eating Well for Performance and Weight Control, 5 p.m. Thursday.

. Injury Prevention and Treatment, 5 p.m. May 15.

. Sticking With It: Motivational Tips from Everyday Runners, 5 p.m May 29. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/390790.html http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/390790.html Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:19 EDT


Bourbon

Lawsuits

Midland Funding LLC vs. Beatrice Bruton for $6,695, etc., claimed due on an account. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/387404.html http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/387404.html Sat, 26 Apr 2008 02:06 EDT
John Turner, chairman of the state Council on Postsecondary Education, said it would be "premature" to say how the council will react to Beshear.

"The first step is for me to get in and see the governor and see exactly what his goals are," Turner said.

Beshear made his order Thursday after Attorney General Jack Conway stated that the council's recent hiring of Lexington lawyer Brad Cowgill was illegal.

Although Beshear and Turner said Friday they hope to settle the dispute amicably, Turner speculated in an April 21 letter to council members that the governor might have political motives for questioning Cowgill's hiring.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/387418.html http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/387418.html Sat, 26 Apr 2008 02:06 EDT
HIGH COURT RULES ON FATHERHOOD RIGHTS

The Kentucky Supreme Court has ruled that a man who fathers a child during an affair with a married woman has no legal rights to fatherhood. The vote was divided at 4-3, but the ruling upheld the presumption that a child born to a married woman living with her husband is a child of the marriage. Justice Bill Cunningham wrote in the ruling that married couples have a right to be left alone from the claims of "interloper adulterers." The court sided with a Louisville couple, Julia and Jonathan Ricketts. They had sought to block James Rhoades Jr. from trying to establish paternity of a child born during an affair with the woman.

PIKE COUNTY

MINE SEAL FAILS; NO ONE HURT ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/387451.html http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/387451.html Sat, 26 Apr 2008 02:06 EDT
Questions surfaced about the status of the court's administrative director only a day after Chief Justice Joseph E. Lambert announced he will retire June 27.

And the Frankfort rumor mill ground at full speed with speculation about who will succeed Lambert as chief justice and whether he will play a role in the process.

Senate President David L. Williams, R-Burkesville, acknowledged Friday that the Senate did not confirm the appointment of Jason Nemes to director of the Administrative Office of the Courts during the recently ended session of the General Assembly. Nemes' appointment was not put to a vote.

"He did not have the support to be confirmed," Williams said in a statement released by his spokeswoman.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/387393.html http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/387393.html Sat, 26 Apr 2008 02:01 EDT
He has named Leonard Peters, a nationally acclaimed chemical engineer with ties to the University of Kentucky, to be secretary of the new Energy and Environmental Cabinet.

Bob Vance of Maysville is expected to stay on as secretary of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet, but it might get a new name. Vance has previously told state lawmakers that the agency's Department of Labor will also become a stand-alone cabinet in late June.

The reorganization will undo moves by former Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher that combined cabinets for the environment and public protection and abolished a labor cabinet.

Tom FitzGerald, an environmentalist and attorney with the Kentucky Resources Council, praised the reorganization "because the current cabinet is too large for anyone to govern."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/386357.html http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/386357.html Fri, 25 Apr 2008 02:06 EDT
Lambert oversaw a huge expansion of the state's court system in his nearly 10 years as chief justice. A Republican in a non-partisan job, he also engaged in political battles that sometimes left him at odds with leading Democrats and Republicans alike.

Within hours of Lambert's announcement, several justices on the state's highest court expressed an interest in holding the $137,832-a-year job that only four men have held since the Supreme Court was formed in 1976.

Lambert, 59, of Mount Vernon, announced his resignation in a news release and declined to comment further.

"We have made great progress in the last decade to improve Kentucky courts and make them more responsive to the needs of Kentucky's families and children," he said in his statement.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/385246.html http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/385246.html Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:04 EDT
Sarah Missy McCray, a former personnel officer in the state Transportation Cabinet, filed her lawsuit against the cabinet in 2005 under the state's Whistleblower Act. She claimed then-Secretary Bill Nighbert had threatened her because she cooperated with then-Attorney General Greg Stumbo's investigation of hiring practices in the Fletcher administration.

Besides the $500,000 owed McCray within 15 days, her settlement with current Transportation Secretary Joe Prather -- signed April 18 -- calls for McCray to be reassigned to the state Personnel Cabinet.

At the Personnel Cabinet, McCray will hold a non-merit -- or managerial -- position and is expected to work on a project to improve the cabinet's performance and customer satisfaction at an annual salary of $62,500. Her salary will increase 5 percent after six months.

In return, McCray agreed to drop her charges.]]>