Kentucky News Now

KENTUCKY CELEBRATION-ARRESTS

Police say at least 13 arrests made during Ky. celebration

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

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Police say at least 13 people were arrested in Lexington during a celebration of Kentucky's trip to the Final Four.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports fans flooded the streets around the Kentucky campus late Saturday night after the Wildcats narrowly beat Notre Dame 68-66 to remain undefeated and advance in the NCAA tournament.

Authorities say most of the arrests were for alcohol intoxication and disorderly conduct.

City officials said at least eight people were taken to a local hospital for relatively minor conditions, such as alcohol intoxication and facial lacerations.

The crowd was estimated to be about 2,000. It dispersed around 2 a.m. Sunday.

ASSISTED LIVING FATAL

Man shot wife at Ky. assisted living home, killed himself

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

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Authorities say a man shot his wife in a Louisville, Kentucky, nursing home then turned the gun on himself.

The Courier-Journal reports the incident happened around 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Elmcroft of Valley Farms assisted living facility where the couple, believed to be in their 80s, were residents.

Deputy coroner David Wood said the man, identified as Leon Smith, died around 8 p.m. at University Hospital where he and his were taken. Officials said her injuries were non-life threatening.

Police spokeswoman Alicia Smiley said no one else was injured and the facility was not evacuated.

Authorities say the domestic violence unit is investigating how the man got the gun.

PLANE CRASH-KENTUCKY-GUARDIAN

7-year-old plane crash survivor to live with half-sister

(Information in the following story is from: Belleville News-Democrat, http://www.bnd.com)

NASHVILLE, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois judge has ruled that a 7-year-old girl who survived a Kentucky plane crash that killed four family members is now under the legal care of her half-sister.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports that a Washington County judge granted guardianship of Sailor Gutzler to her half-sister Kasie Dlubala and her husband Daniel of Nashville, Illinois.

Court guardian Julie Kozuszek wrote in a report that Sailor was doing well in school and involved in extracurricular activities while living with the Dlubalas. The guardian wrote that Sailor expressed desire to live with the family. The ruling was made January 30th.

Sailor's parents, 9-year-old sister and 14-year-old cousin were killed in the January 2nd crash as they returned from a Florida vacation.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

AIRPORT BOARD TURMOIL

New official pushing reforms for airport board

(Information in the following story is from: The Kentucky Enquirer, http://www.nky.com)

HEBRON, Ky. (AP) — Less than three months after taking over as the top elected official in Kenton County, Kris Knochelmann is spearheading positive changes in the board that oversees the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Airport.

The Kentucky Enquirer reports Knochelmann was instrumental in pushing for an effort approved this month by Kentucky lawmakers that restructured how the Kenton County Airport Board is made up. In addition, he is advocating for a more restrictive travel policy among board members.

The changes come after months of turmoil at the agency including questions about spending that led to an investigation by the Kentucky State Auditor's office, controversy over personnel and the abrupt resignations of three board members.

Knochelmann said the board reforms will "improve accountability."

PADDLER'S CLUB

Paddlers club creating unique recreation opportunity

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (AP) — When Matt Deneen approached Elizabethtown City Council last year, it was to change policy to allow more access for paddlers at Freeman Lake.

Since the council meeting, Deneen and members of the recently formed Elizabethtown Paddlers Association have worked to give even more access to the lake, especially for those with disabilities.

To accomplish their goal, the group created Paddlers with a Purpose and began fundraising in December for a launch dock — the first of its kind in the state — to accommodate paddlers with accessibility issues.

To purchase the docking system and install it at the lake, Deneen worked with city officials and the club began fundraising. After about eight weeks, the group has raised $25,000 of its $30,000 goal.