Kentucky News Now

ONLINE GUN PERMITS

Ky. accepting online concealed-carry permit applications

(Information in the following story is from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com)

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Gun owners in Kentucky can get permits to carry concealed weapons under a new online application process.

The Courier-Journal reports that the process requires state police to either issue or deny a license within 15 days of receiving an electronic application. That's quicker than the 60-day processing period allowed for paper applications.

Supporters say the change improves access to concealed-carry permits at a time when demand is high. The newspaper reports that Kentucky issued more than 59,500 permits in 2013, compared with 10,900 in 2004.

Critics say it endangers the community and invites more opportunities for violence.

Applicants still must complete an in-person training course on Kentucky law and gun safety. They also must pass a background check.

State police are still accepting paper applications.

HEALTH OVERHAUL-STUDY

Study examines impacts of Medicaid expansion

(Information in the following story is from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Consultants are finishing a report that examines how Medicaid expansion through the Affordable Care Act has impacted Kentucky's health care system.

The Courier-Journal reports the Cabinet for Health and Family Services plans to release the study in coming weeks. The report is expected to explore issues including provider reimbursements, uncompensated care, job creation, tax revenue and future enrollment projections.

In the year since Kentucky enacted expanded Medicaid, enrollment has climbed from about 850,000 in 2013 to nearly 1.2 million.

Advocates and critics of the law both say they are looking forward to seeing results of the study, which is being done by Deloitte Consulting, as well as Aon Consulting and the University of Louisville.

ZOO FOUNDER-SNAKEBITE

Reptile zoo founder hospitalized by snakebite

(Information in the following story is from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The founder of the Kentucky Reptile Zoo was hospitalized after being bitten by a rattlesnake while extracting venom from the reptile.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that Jim Harrison, director of the Powell County facility, was bitten Friday when the snake broke a restraining tube and bit his left wrist. Zoo curator Kristen Wiley says the snakebite caused the 56-year-old Harrison to have difficulty breathing.

Wiley says Harrison was taken to Clark Regional Medical Center, where he got a dose of the anti-venom serum the zoo keeps on hand for such instances. Harrison was transferred to University of Kentucky Hospital.

Wiley says Harrison is expected to make a full recovery.

Wiley says the nonprofit zoo extracts venom and sells it for cancer research as a way to support the facility.

DESTROYED DOCUMENTS

KSP probe of shredded LRC documents remains open

(Information in the following story is from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com)

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky State Police officials say an investigation into document shredding by former Legislative Research Commission Director Robert Sherman remains an active case more than a year after the shredding took place.

The Courier-Journal reports the probe began in September 2013 after the Louisville newspaper reported that Sherman shredded documents while removing personal belongings from his office following his resignation.

Sherman acknowledged he shredded documents, but said he was not trying to conceal anything. He says none of the destroyed records were important or related to then-recent sexual harassment allegations made by staff members against former state Rep. John Arnold.

State police initially concluded the probe last May, saying it found no wrongdoing.

The newspaper says a recent letter from the state police legal affairs branch said the investigation "is still open and pending."

HATFIELD-MCCOY MOONSHINE

Hatfields, McCoys make moonshine legally in southern W.Va.

GILBERT, W.Va. (AP) — Direct descendants of the Hatfields and McCoys are producing legal moonshine, the start of a new legacy for the families made famous for their 19th-century feud.

Using the original recipe of Hatfield family patriarch William Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield, batches of the "Drink of the Devil" are made at a licensed distillery in the southern West Virginia community of Gilbert. Hatfield & McCoy Moonshine ships to six states.

Chad Bishop, husband of Hatfield's great-great-great granddaughter, oversees the business. Among those lending knowledge and elbow grease to the daily functions are Bishop's wife, Amber, and her mother, Nancy Hatfield, the oldest living descendant of "Devil Anse."

Ronald McCoy, a great-great grandson of McCoy patriarch Randolph McCoy, was a consultant for the distillery's startup and the product's testing and marketing.

BANK OFFICER-EMBEZZLEMENT

Ex-bank officer pleads guilty to embezzlement scheme

(Information in the following story is from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A former bank officer in central Kentucky has pleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $1 million.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that Joey Mills, a former officer at United Bank in Versailles, admitted taking the money between February 2012 and January 2014. According to federal court documents, Mills admitted he issued about 30 fictitious loans totaling $983,767.

Mills issued the loans in the names of relatives. Court documents showed many of the loans listed ownership interests in a company as collateral, but those interests didn't exist. Mills acknowledged he used the proceeds for himself.

His plea agreement says he has repaid some money.

His sentencing was set for May 7. The maximum sentence would be 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine, but it's unlikely he'll receive the maximum.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.