Kentucky News Now

ELECTIONEERING LAW

Appeals court upholds ruling striking down Ky. election law

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Another federal court has ruled that a Kentucky law that banned electioneering close to polling places violates free-speech rights.

A panel of the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld a judge's ruling that struck down the law.

The law was challenged by a northern Kentucky businessman after campaign signs were pulled from the yard of his auto body shop on election days in 2012 and 2014. He said the signs were removed by sheriff's deputies because they were within 300 feet of a polling place.

The appeals court panel said Kentucky officials failed to show why the state needs a no-political-speech zone much larger than the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld.

A spokeswoman for state Attorney General Jack Conway says the office is reviewing the ruling.

CHARITY-FRAUD

Louisville couple sentenced for embezzling more than $1M

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The former chairman of an education foundation and his wife have been sentenced in federal court for embezzling more than $1.1 million from the charity.

The U.S. attorney's office said in a news release that U.S. District Judge Thomas B. Russell sentenced 62-year-old Charles Muir and 61-year-old Diana Muir of Louisville on Tuesday.

Charles Muir is former chairman of the Woodcock Foundation, a charitable organization associated with the Episcopal Church of Louisville that provides college scholarships.

The news release said Charles Muir was sentenced to 46 months in prison with a year of supervised release, and Diana Muir was sentenced to six months in prison with a year of supervised release.

They pleaded guilty in July to interstate transportation of stolen property and money laundering.

TRANSPORTATION WORKERS

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet marks Workers' Memorial Day

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has honored employees killed on the job in observance of National Workers' Memorial Day on Tuesday.

Officials hung a print in the cabinet's main office lobby in Frankfort, honoring the 91 workers who died from 1963 to 2011.

The print was designed by cabinet graphic designer Shannon Martin, who was on hand to hang the print along with Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock, Assistant State Highway Engineer Bob Lewis and Employee Safety and Health Branch Manager Rob Hecker.

Lewis' father, construction engineer Herbert S. Lewis, was hit by a vehicle and killed in a work zone in 1968.

His son says those who have lost loved ones appreciate the cabinet's recognition. And he says anyone driving through a work zone should slow down and pay attention.

COLONEL SANDERS STATUE

Colonel Sanders statue in works for Corbin park

CORBIN, Ky. (AP) — A statue of Colonel Harland Sanders is scheduled to be unveiled later this year in the town where he developed Kentucky Fried Chicken.

The Times-Tribune reports Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission voted recently to unveil the bronze statue on Aug. 5, the day before the annual Nibroc Festival begins.

The Colonel's statue, which has been in the works for years, will be the centerpiece for Sanders Park on Main Street in Corbin, which opened last year.

The commission decided to set the date to unveil the statue after seeing photos of the nearly completed work, which is being done by Louisville sculptor Raymond Gras.

Corbin is also home to the Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum.

PERRYVILLE CLEANUP

Perryville Battlefield seeks volunteers for cleanup project

PERRYVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site in central Kentucky is looking for volunteers to help clean up the park on May 23.

The cleanup is taking place during the 18th annual Park Day. The state Parks Department says volunteers are needed to remove fences, clean out old buildings and clean up trails.

Volunteers should wear long pants and work boots and bring work gloves. Wire cutters and brush cutters can also be used on the fence removal projects. Sign up at 8 a.m. at the park's Civil War Hall.

Other parks have held Park Day activities earlier, but James A. Ramage Civil War Museum in Covington needs volunteers for cleanup, painting, organizing and yard work this Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. Bring work gloves.

CLINICS CLOSING

3 of 6 nutritional clinics for pregnant women closing

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Health officials in Louisville say cuts are coming to a federal program that helps poor families.

Officials told WFPL radio that participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program For Women, Infants And Children, or WIC, has waned, leading to less federal funding for it.

Louisville Metro Health and Wellness Department's WIC nutrition manager Leanne Pearson said the cutbacks mean the city's three smallest clinics will close. Three larger ones will remain open.

WIC helps provide families that are up to 185 percent of the poverty level with formula, health food and nutrition education.

LIFE SAVING AWARD

Power company employee receives accolades for helping man

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky Power electrician has been given recognition from the American Red Cross and his employer's parent company for helping to save someone's life.

Kentucky Power says Nathan Newsom was in Elkhorn City in Pike County earlier this year and stopped in a diner for lunch. Newsom said in a news release from the company Monday that while waiting, he heard a thumping sound. Thinking someone had fallen, he turned around and saw a man choking.

Newsom, who said he had received safety training as part of his job, stepped in to help. He says it felt good knowing he could be of assistance.

On Monday, Newsom was given the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action and the American Electric Power Chairman's Life Saving Award.

KENTUCKY DERBY-ITSAKNOCKOUT

Derby entrant Itsaknockout touts Mayweather-Pacquiao fight

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The estranged worlds of horse racing and boxing will cross paths at the Kentucky Derby.

The intersection will be a knockout. Well, actually, Itsaknockout.

The race and Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao welterweight championship fight are on Saturday, and owners of Derby entry Itsaknockout are capitalizing on a cross-promotion opportunity. Starlight Racing has agreed to a sponsorship deal with promoters of the blockbuster title fight.

Itsaknockout will wear a "Mayweather vs. Pacquiao"-branded blanket when he's not training. Jockey Luis Saez will wear the fighters' names on his pants during the race, and Itsaknockout's team will wear branded apparel promoting the fight.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Starlight lead partner Jack Wolf jokes, "If you're on our side it's never enough. If you're on their side it's too much."

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.