http://http://www.kentucky.com/179/index.xml News, sports, and entertainment from Kentucky.com en-us Copyright 2009 Kentucky.com Fayette County 60 Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:28:15 EDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's Workbench interactive-ops@herald-leader.com http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/857375.html http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/857375.html Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:14 EDT
The 30-year-old mother of two young daughters, troubled by a chronic lack of money, a raft of traffic citations and two recent evictions, walked into the Shell station at 1070 Newtown Pike about 2:45 a.m. and, according to police, robbed the station, took the store clerk hostage and tried to escape through the back exit. Two Lexington police officers shot and killed Dillon, Assistant Chief Michael Bosse said. He said Dillon, who was armed with a pistol, had fired multiple rounds at them from the back door.

She was pronounced dead less than four hours later at the University of Kentucky Hospital.

An investigation Thursday indicated that Lt. Raymond Roller and Officer Jarrod Jones were justified in their use of deadly force against Dillon, Bosse said. Will McMinoway, a third officer at the scene, was not involved in the shooting, Bosse said.

Thursday's shooting was the first officer-involved shooting since last summer, when officers shot Warren Douglas Rayburn after he pointed his loaded semi-automatic assault rifle at them during an early-morning domestic violence call. Rayburn recovered from his injuries.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/858259.html http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/858259.html Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:27 EDT
Forester told attorneys that he's considering a 60-day moratorium on their motions prior to trial, to discourage media coverage of the case that could contaminate the jury pool.

The judge said he will ask the Herald-Leader, The Courier-Journal of Louisville and The Associated Press to refrain from publishing stories about the case in the days leading up to the trial.

Separately, Forester denied a motion by Lawson's attorneys to delay the release of investigative records held by Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway until after the trial.

The Herald-Leader and Courier-Journal have requested records from a state investigation of Lawson in the 1980s. Forester said that as a federal judge, he has no jurisdiction to stop a state official from responding to a request under the state open-records law.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/857901.html http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/857901.html Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:26 EDT
"Lexington has a strong supply of affordable housing for its citizens from all walks of life," said Ken Troske, director of the center, in a statement announcing the study's results.

The study examined the availability of owner-occupied and rental housing in Fayette County from 1998 to 2007 and defines affordable housing as homes for which families would not spend more than 30 percent of their annual income.

The study also investigated the availability of low-income housing and said such housing is available, with the help of government subsidies, even for families with "very low incomes" 30 percent of the median. The report suggests that additional programs to establish more affordable housing "would only supplant existing federal programs and would not affect the ability of low-income individuals to live in Fayette County."

The study, commissioned by the Home Builders Association of Lexington and the Lexington-Bluegrass Association of Realtors, also pinpointed affordability for certain professions and found that elementary school teachers, with an average salary of $44,000, can afford nearly 28 percent of the homes on the market.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/857922.html http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/857922.html Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:34 EDT
Anthem members enrolled in the Blue Traditional, Blue Access (PPO), Blue Preferred (HMO and POS), Federal Employee HMO program and Medicare Select networks will continue to have access to UK physicians, hospitals, and related services through their health insurance coverage, according to the statement.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/856637.html http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/856637.html Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:32 EDT
The Lexington School, where John Platt is a fourth-grade teacher and wife Flora Platt is a substitute teacher, has set up an account at Republic Bank for donations.

"Closer to the school year, we also are probably going to do a clothing drive, but we're waiting to find out what the family needs before we do that," said Chuck Baldecchi, head of The Lexington School.

He said the Platts opened their home to school faculty at the end of the academic year. "It was just an old home, but they don't make 'em like that anymore," Baldecchi said.

In addition, family friend Jennifer Bradley of Versailles said the Platts would like to receive photos of the home or cards or letters from people who recall taking swimming or bridge lessons at the house.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/856958.html http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/856958.html Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:16 EDT
A small, bright-green insect from Asia the emerald ash borer has been found in Lexington, presenting people who already have ashes with a couple of unpleasant choices: Pay for expensive chemical treatments every year or two, or prepare for the trees' almost certain death.

There is a third option: If your ash tree is small, you might consider cutting your losses by taking it out now and planting something else.

On Wednesday, the Lexington Tree Board approved a resolution removing ashes from the list of approved trees that can be planted along streets and new developments, or anywhere else in the city.

It also recommended that the local government and private property owners treat their trees with insecticides "where feasible," meaning if the tree is of historic and aesthetic value and the city or landowner can afford it. Louisville already is injecting insecticides into hundreds of ash trees in that city's Waterfront Park.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/857077.html http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/857077.html Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:29 EDT
Darby Turner, the attorney for developer Dudley Webb, said Webb is in Europe working to secure financing for the $250 million project from the estate of a mysterious, unidentified investor who is said to have died last fall, leaving the hotel-condo-office tower in limbo.

"We hope to have that (financing) in 30 to 60 days," Turner said. But he quickly acknowledged, "We've been saying that, frankly, for some period of time, but all in good faith."

The three review board members present seemed understandably skeptical. A year ago, they accepted Webb's argument that he needed permission to demolish a dozen buildings on the block.

Turner said that once financing is secured, excavation work could begin within a month. Digging down three stories for an underground parking garage will take about three months. Then, foundations must be built.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/856804.html http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/856804.html Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:07 EDT
Francis Baker was hired by the state court system in 2007, while still on parole for his multiple felony convictions.

On July 2, officials with the Administrative Office of the Courts completed an investigation of Baker, which produced inconclusive results, AOC spokeswoman Leigh Anne Hiatt said.

Still, officials are transferring Baker from his position as a pre-trial officer in Lexington to an administrative position in the agency's Frankfort office "out of an abundance of caution," Hiatt said. There, Baker will no longer have contact with people in custody.

"He was transferred because of his inability to effectively perform his job duties as a pre-trial officer in Fayette County," Hiatt said.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/856351.html http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/856351.html Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:17 EDT
The vote Tuesday afternoon by the 10-person committee leaves Actors Guild with no more avenues through LexArts by which it can recover the lost funding. Actors Guild had requested $70,900, which is in line with its recent years' allocations from the united arts fund.

For an appeal to be granted, LexArts' acting committee chairman Bill Barr said, the committee would have had to determine its decision was not made "in conformity with the written policies, guidelines and bylaws of LexArts in effect at the time the allocations decision was made."

Actors Guild's board president, Jennifer Miller, who just took the office at the beginning of this month, said she was working to set up a meeting this week between leaders of the theater and LexArts.

"We need to all be working off the same facts," Miller said, reiterating the theater's contention that misunderstandings and mistrust led to the defunding. "We can clear the air. Everybody actually cares about the arts and developing arts organizations and individual artists in Lexington.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/855609.html http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/855609.html Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:41 EDT
The shelter, which will be located at Third Street and Elm Tree Lane, across from the old Lyric Theatre, is scheduled to be dedicated in early August.

"This is a shelter with sort of a traditional canopy, but it incorporates a free-standing sculpture and five two-dimensional art murals," said Yvette Hurt, who came up with the idea of putting art shelters at LexTran bus stops.

"Our hope is the art murals would change periodically, perhaps every six months or so," she said. Artists would be paid an honorarium of $200 per mural; sponsors for the commissioned artwork are being sought. The artists' images would be reproduced on shelter panels.

The cost of the Artstop project, including the replacement of crumbling sidewalks in the area to make the shelter more accessible, comes to $58,475, according to figures from Hurt. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council has agreed to provide up to $35,950 in Neighborhood Development Bond Fund money for the project. LexTran is contributing $8,000. The remainder will come from grant money and private donations. Hundreds of non-paid volunteer hours have also gone into the project.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/855963.html http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/855963.html Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:17 EDT
Thirty-two of Kentucky's top college students were honored as members of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System's 2009 All-Academic Team during the eighth annual KCTCS Student Academic Achievement luncheon on May 18 at the Crowne Plaza in Louisville. They are:

Ashland Community and Technical College: Rhonda Arthur and Amanda Blevins

Big Sandy Community and Technical College: Gary Hunter and Stephanie Prater

Bluegrass Community and Technical College: Rhonda Edwards and Lisabeth Mobley ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/855962.html http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/855962.html Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:20 EDT
Lawsuits

American Express vs. Clinton Cooper for $29,964, etc., claimed due on a debt.

Atis LLC vs. Gary Beaven for $8,111, etc., claimed due on an account.

Midland Funding LLC vs. Mary K. Austin for $8,906, etc., claimed due on an account.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/855961.html http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/855961.html Wed, 08 Jul 2009 01:50 EDT
The American Lung Association is accepting registration for the annual Bike Trek to Shakertown, slated for Sept. 19 to 21. The trek benefits the fight against lung disease.

An informational meeting will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Beaumont Centre Family YMCA, 3251 Beaumont Circle. Call 1-800-586-4872 or go to www.kylung.org.

Tri-Y early sign-up

The Beaumont YMCA is offering discounted early registration for the annual Tri-Y Kids Triathlon on Aug. 2. Registration is $15 for YMCA members and $25 for non-members through Friday. After that, the cost is $5 more. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/855907.html http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/855907.html Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:55 EDT
Galbraith, a Lexington lawyer who has run unsuccessfully for governor four times, has filed with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance to run as an independent in the 2011 gubernatorial election.

His running mate is Dea Riley, a political consultant in Frankfort who has managed several campaigns in the state. She formerly was married to state Supreme Court Justice Will T. Scott.

"I believe we can raise over a million dollars and win this race," Galbraith said Tuesday in a telephone interview.

Galbraith said he was running for governor "to combat Kentucky's electile dysfunction. Nothing has happened in this state for years, and it's the fault of both major political parties. I want to help the electorate change that."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/855427.html http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/855427.html Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:46 EDT
The United States (5-0) clinched first place in Group E. Butler's Shelvin Mack, the former Bryan Station star, came off the bench to score seven points and pull down four rebounds and Kentucky's Darius Miller added four points and three rebounds.

Puerto Rico fell to 3-2.

Rutgers guard Mike Rosario, who had scored 54 points in Puerto Rico's previous game, was held to 11.

The United States led 20-13 after a tight first quarter but went on a 23-6 run in the second period to take a 43-19 lead into halftime.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/854890.html http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/854890.html Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:19 EDT
She is in the right place this week: Whelan said her decision to pursue a career in medicine has been reinforced by her experience at the University of Kentucky's Summer Enrichment Camp for high schoolers interested in health care.

Whelan, a student at Scott County High School, is one of about 25 high school sophomores from across the state at the camp.

Campers live in UK dormitories and take anatomy, biology, chemistry and medical math classes, said Carlos Marin, health careers coordinator for the University of Kentucky's Area Health Education Center.

Students also shadow health care professionals and attend informal "lunch and learn" sessions with the deans of all the university's health science colleges, Marin said.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/854207.html http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/854207.html Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:06 EDT
One man, a doctor with a highly visible practice off Richmond Road, accused a Clark County man of keying his Acura.

Their dispute had a fatal ending Sunday, when Dr. Rodney M. Mann, 45, was shot and killed with his own gun in the driveway of Charles B. Steppe's home in rural Clark County.

Police said Mann, allegedly armed with a knife and two handguns, parked his car a quarter-mile away from Steppe's home on Four Mile Road. Steppe told police that about 11 a.m., he heard the sound of air escaping the tires of his vehicle, which was parked in his driveway. He would later tell state police that he saw Mann slashing the tires.

Police said Steppe went outside and confronted Mann, who allegedly was holding the knife and a handgun. A second gun was tucked in his waistband, according to police.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/854717.html http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/854717.html Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:21 EDT
Beshear named three people to the University of Kentucky board to replace trustees whose terms expired. The three will serve until June 30, 2015. They are:

Carol "Bill" Gatton of Kingsport, Tenn., who will replace Phillip Patton of Glasgow. Gatton, a Kentucky native for whom the Carol Martin Gatton College of Business is named, owns car dealerships in Tennessee, Virginia, Texas and Alabama. He graduated from the UK in 1954 with a degree in business.

James W. Stuckert of Prospect, a stock broker with Hilliard Lyons. He replaces James F. Hardymon of Lexington. Stuckert earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from UK.

Barbara Young of Lexington, who will replace JoEtta Wickliffe of Harrodsburg.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/854169.html http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/854169.html Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:47 EDT
The hole to be left by Sportsman's Warehouse is one of several retail vacancies regionally, although developers say they have seen a recent uptick in interest in those empty spots.

Sportsman's Warehouse, which opened just two years ago, is a victim of the company's bankruptcy reorganization. The chain filed for Chapter 11 in March, after it defaulted on loan covenants because tightened credit restricted its inventories, according to company documents.

The Lexington store at Winchester Road and Sir Barton Way, on the north side of Hamburg survived the first round of cuts, which involved closing 23 stores to reduce bank debt and selling 15 to another company.

The store's manager, Ben Bodmer, said he received a call Thursday night that the store would be one of three more to close as part of a plan approved by a board of creditors for the chain to exit bankruptcy. The chain will keep about 25 stores open, primarily in the western United States.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/853579.html http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/853579.html Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:14 EDT
Working in their basement, homeowners Michael and Pang Hartman have crafted and continue to shape a fantasy realm that 5,000 people worldwide inhabit.

It's Threshold, a 13-year-old, text-only, role-playing computer game, and it's about to have a sequel.

The Hartmans and the 11 freelance staffers of their company, Frogdice, have built Primordiax, a new game launching in the next month that continues the fantasy world of Threshold.

Threshold grew out of Michael Hartman's time spent playing "multi-user dungeon" computer games, or MUDs. The games, which began in the 1970s with the forerunners of personal computers, require players to interact with each other by typing commands.]]>