Kentucky News Now

BURNING BODY

Burning body found in front of Louisville home

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

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Police say a burning body was discovered in front of a home in a neighborhood west of downtown Louisville, Kentucky.

According to The Courier-Journal, the body was discovered on the sidewalk in the Russell community around 4:30 a.m. Sunday.

Police Spokesman Dwight Mitchell said the body has not been identified, but is believed to be a man. He said it's unclear if the man lived at the residence.

The case remains under investigation.

FATAL CRASH-ROBBERY

Lexington robbery suspect dies after crashing car

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

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Lexington police say a bank robbery suspect was killed when he lost control of his car on Interstate 75 and crashed into a rock wall.

According to WKYT-TV, the man identified as 30-year-old Lonnie Ray Hatfield of Richmond reportedly walked into a bank on around 10 a.m. Saturday and demanded cash.

A witness who saw him leave the bank and get into a car gave police a description of the vehicle.

While patrolling I-75, police noticed a car that matched the description and attempted a traffic stop near mile marker 107.

Officials say the suspect refused to stop and continued south along I-75. He exited the interstate onto a ramp where he apparently lost control of his car and struck the wall. Hatfield was pronounced dead at the scene.

MISSING WWII PHOTOGRAPH

Museum finds photo of Winchester native, submariner

(Information in the following story is from: The Winchester (Ky.) Sun, http://www.centralkynews.com/winchestersun)

WINCHESTER, Ky. (AP) — Researchers at a Hawaii submarine museum have located a photograph they were searching for of a Winchester man who died when his submarine sank during World War II.

Jim Converse is a volunteer researcher with the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum in Honolulu and the website OnEternalPatrol.com.

He told The Winchester Sun last week that Oliver Prewitt Tipton was the only member of the USS Dorado's 77-man crew for whom a photograph had not been found. After calling local historians, librarians and officials, Converse located a copy of Tipton's death notice in the Lexington Leader.

The accompanying photo has been added to a memorial page on the museum's website to the more than 3,600 men who died in submarines in World War II.

TOTAL ECLIPSE

Hopkinsville to be in the center of 2017 total solar eclipse

(Information in the following story is from: The Paducah Sun, http://www.paducahsun.com)

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The summer of 2017 will be the first time in 38 years a total solar eclipse will be visible from the contiguous United States, and Hopkinsville will be right in the middle of it.

The Paducah Sun reports the Aug. 21 eclipse will sweep a shadow across the United States from Oregon to South Carolina and will be visible in 14 states.

Hopkinsville will experience the longest period of totality of any city at 2 minutes 40 seconds. Paducah, Eddyville and Land Between the Lakes will not be far behind.

Cheryl Cook is the executive director of the Hopkinsville/Christian County Convention and Visitors Bureau. She said the eclipse could prove to be the largest tourism event in Hopkinsville's history with as many as 50,000 people converging on the city.

HONOR FLIGHT

Owensboro-area veterans take 'Honor Flight' to Washington

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

OWENSBORO, Ky. (AP) — A group of Owensboro-area veterans have joined an "Honor Flight" to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials there.

The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reports the veterans from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War left the Owensboro Sportscenter on Friday afternoon.

They were expected to visit the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam Veterans memorials. If time permits, they will also visit the Arlington National Cemetery.

Air Force veteran William Miller, of Central City, served during the Korean and Vietnam wars and said he was looking forward to seeing the monuments.

Emil Ahnell, of Owensboro, served in the Navy during World War II and said the trip would help "renew a sense of history."

The Blue Grass Honor Flight Chapter provides trips at no expense to the veterans.

CATS SHOT

Animal control says person shooting cats in Versailles

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

VERSAILLES, Ky. (AP) — Woodford County Animal Control is looking for help to figure out who has been shooting cats with BB guns.

Animal control officials told WKYT-TV there have been six reported cat shootings this year, all in the Lanes View subdivision of Versailles. Two cats have died. There also have been several reports of missing cats from that area.

Animal control began investigating on Thursday after a cat named Cinderella was found with a BB lodged in her spine. She is just under a year old and is expected to remain at the veterinarian until Sunday. There is a chance she could lose the use of her back leg.

Both Versailles police and animal control workers say they will increase patrols in the area.

BUSINESSMAN SENTENCED

Businessman given 12 years, $108M fine in massive fraud

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

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Louisville businessman was sentenced to 12 years in prison and ordered to pay $108 million in restitution for a scheme a federal judge described as "eye popping."

According to prosecutors, Anthony Huff bribed officials to obtain loans and looted companies in order to buy private jets, luxury cars, jewelry, designer clothing and trips.

The Courier-Journal reports the 53-year-old Huff's list of crimes includes tax offenses, bribery of bank officials, and defrauding insurance regulators and an investment bank.

U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald of New York sentenced Huff on Thursday.

Huff previously was convicted of mail fraud in Kentucky and had civil judgments against him in Florida and Washington state.

In urging his incarceration, prosecutors said Huff has shown he would commit fraud again if given the opportunity.