Kentucky News Now

MINING DEATH

Coal miner killed on job in western Kentucky

WAVERLY, Ky. (AP) — State officials say a coal miner has died after being struck by a coal-hauling car at an underground mine in western Kentucky.

The Kentucky Division of Mine Safety has identified the miner as 34-year-old Eli Eldridge of Sturgis.

It was just the second mining fatality in the state this year.

Eldridge was hit by a ram car, a long flat motorized car that hauls coal to the feeder. The accident occurred Tuesday at the Patriot Coal Company Highland No. 9 mine near Waverly around 11 a.m. CST.

The first Kentucky fatality occurred Oct. 8 at a surface mine in Bell County.

TORNADO TOWN-INDICTMENT

Couple sentenced in Morgan kickback scheme

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

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A couple who pleaded guilty in a kickback scheme involving the top executive in an eastern Kentucky county that had to rebuild from a deadly 2012 tornado have been sentenced to home detention.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports U.S. District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove in Frankfort on Tuesday sentenced 73-year-old Kenneth Lee Gambill to nine months of home detention and 57-year-old Ruth Gambill to four months of home detention with two years' probation for each.

The Gambills had a construction company and were involved in a scheme with Morgan County Judge-Executive Tim Conley to make sure the Gambills won contracts to build bridges in the county.

The Gambills pleaded guilty in July to conspiring to launder proceeds of the kickback scheme.

Conley pleaded guilty to fraud in August and is to be sentenced next month.

MOUNTAIN LION KILLED

State officer kills mountain lion in Bourbon Co.

PARIS, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky Fish and Wildlife official shot and killed a mountain lion after a concerned caller spotted it in northern Bourbon County.

A spokesman for the agency says officials hope to determine whether the lion was a captive animal that got loose, or a free-ranging wild lion.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports an officer went to the area on Monday afternoon after a woman reported seeing the animal in a tree.

Fish and Wildlife spokesman Mark Marraccini says the lion roaming free was a public safety issue.

Marraccini says the state agency periodically gets reports of people seeing mountain lions, but he doubted that Kentucky has a population of the animals.

HEMP PRODUCTION

Hemp gets boost in federal spending bill

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Michael Lewis felt some anxiety when he stepped forward as one of Kentucky's first farmers to test the potential of hemp production, but some recent action by Congress has helped set his mind at ease.

The latest federal farm bill allows states to designate hemp projects for research and development. And now, the $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill passed by Congress and sent to President Barack Obama would prohibit federal drug officials from interfering with those projects.

Lewis sees the latest hemp provision as a way to further legitimize the crop.

Kentucky has been at the forefront of efforts to revive the crop, which is prized for oils, seeds and fiber.

PREVAILING WAGE

Report: Kentucky's prevailing wage law increases costs

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A new report says Kentucky's prevailing wage law increases labor costs by as much as 51 percent for some public projects.

The Legislative Research Commission said a study of 12 public school projects increased labor costs by about $600,000. A study of 17 state government projects found the prevailing wage law increased labor costs by 6.7 percent.

Democrats said the report was flawed because it did not look at whether the prevailing wage law increased the total cost of construction projects. They argued paying workers higher wages lowers overall construction costs by increasing productivity.

A panel of state lawmakers decided not to adopt the report after a two-hour meeting that featured some heated exchanges. Republicans have generally favored repealing the prevailing wage law while Democrats usually support it.

EAGLE VIEWING

Eagle-viewing tours offered at Land Between Lakes

GOLDEN POND, Ky. (AP) — Visitors to the Land Between The Lakes area in western Kentucky and Tennessee can take one of several cruises being offered next month to try to spot bald eagles wintering in the area.

Land Between The Lakes and Kenlake State Resort Park are hosting morning brunch and afternoon lunch river cruises Jan. 17 to 19. The cruises will be aboard the 96-foot luxury CQ Princess with heated cabin and cost $60 per person.

Naturalists will be along to help spot eagles and other winter wildlife.

A brunch cruise is offered Jan. 17, and lunch cruises are available Jan. 17, 18 and 19. A full list of eagle viewing activities is available at http://www.landbetweenthelakes.us.

Other eagle-viewing tours are also available by van or on foot in January and February at prices beginning at $7.

HOMELESS HOUSING

Lexington to start housing program for homeless

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

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Officials in Lexington are preparing to start a housing program for homeless people living in the city.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports the city has already approved a contract for the Hope Center to provide housing and support services to 20 people through its Housing First program. Hope Center Director of Programs David Shadd says interviews are ongoing for two case managers for the project.

Meanwhile, city officials are also considering a contract with the University of Kentucky, which would determine the success and cost-effectiveness of the pilot program.

Officials are aiming to have some people in homes by early next year.