Kentucky News Now

FATAL CRASH

Friends remember 6 people killed in Wayne County crash

(Information in the following story is from: WKYT-TV, http://www.wkyt.com)

MONTICELLO, Ky. (AP) — Four children and two adults who were killed in a collision on a Wayne County highway are being remembered by friends.

Kentucky State Police say the accident happened shortly before 6 p.m. Friday evening. For unknown reasons, a 1999 Chrysler Cirrus with six occupants crossed the center lane and struck a 2001 Dodge pickup with two occupants. The accident happened on Kentucky 90, about 3 ½ miles west of Monticello.

All six people in the Chrysler were pronounced dead at the scene. The victims are 41-year-old Tena Proctor, 25-year-old Sarah Elizabeth (Audrey) Ellis, 12-year-old Nathan Proctor, 4-year-old Christian (Red) Barnhouse, 2-year-old Zoe Bertram, and 17-month-old Jace Bertram.

According to WKYT-TV, friends of the family placed crosses at the crash site over the weekend.

FATAL SHOOTING

Police investigate fatal shooting near Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Louisville police are investigating a fatal shooting that took place near the Kentucky Derby.

Media report police received a call around 11 p.m. Saturday that a man had been found dead from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim has not been identified, but is believed to be in his 20s.

The incident occurred on Phillips Lane, a popular city street lined with hotels and the Kentucky Exposition Center. The Kentucky Derby is about six miles from the location of the shooting.

Police have not released any details. A police spokeswoman did not immediately return a call to The Associated Press on Sunday.

COLONEL SANDERS STATUE

Colonel Sanders statue in works for Corbin park

(Information in the following story is from: The Times-Tribune, http://www.thetimestribune.com)

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.

CAR ENTHUSIAST

Owner of nearly 100 cars reflects on hobby

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — Phil Wheeler's garage at his home has become an attraction for car enthusiasts over the years, which makes sense because he has about 40 cars in his showroom and about another 50 cars that he hasn't restored yet in another building.

A large sign on Wheeler's garage behind his house in Warren County says "GTO Heaven." Inside, in addition to the cars, are about 50 motorcycles, including the one he and his late wife, Debbie, rode when they dated in the 1960s.

Wheeler's attraction to cars started when he was young and tinkered with cars. When Wheeler was 14 years old, his brother bought a new 1965 GTO to drive in races. Wheeler and his brother worked out a deal that if Wheeler fixed the car after it endured the abuse of the races, he would get to take it out on weekends.

UNION LOCKOUT

Century Aluminum Co. sends lockout notice to union local

(Information in the following story is from: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, http://www.messenger-inquirer.com)

HAWESVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Century Aluminum Co. in Hawesville has given the United Steelworkers local a lockout notice for its 570 members.

The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reports since contract negotiations began in February union members have rejected two proposed contracts.

Members are expected to vote on Monday on a third contract that Century calls its last, best and final offer. The lockout is to effective the following Monday, May 11.

Century spokesman Kenny Barkley said the lockout notice was given because union members are contemplating a possible strike. He said a lockout would allow non-union workers to maintain uninterrupted plant operations.

The union negotiating committee said in a website message that sticking points include time for workers to be at home with their families, insurance rates and the rights of future members.

FLOODED HOMES

Louisville homeowners forbidden from repairing flooded homes

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

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Gerald and Nancy Barton are in a fix. After an April 3 storm flooded their Louisville home, they had to tear out the floorboards and the bottom half of the wallboards.

But The Courier-Journal reports they can't get the permits they need to repair the damage. That's because of a Metro ordinance designed to prevent rebuilding in areas that suffer from repeated flooding.

So people like the Bartons can't repair or sell. And they can't afford to move.

The crisis has prompted Mayor Greg Fischer to form a special work group tasked with developing a plan within 30 days. Officials said the group will discuss both short- and long-term options, including a buyout fund.