Kentucky News Now – April 2nd 2015

OBAMA-NO SHOWS

Prominent Democrats skipping Obama visit to Kentucky

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Democrats topping their party's ticket in Kentucky's off-year election are skipping a visit by President Barack Obama this week.

Likely Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jack Conway will be in eastern Kentucky to discuss anti-drug efforts when Obama talks about the economy on Thursday in Louisville.

Conway sounds unconcerned by any political fallout from Obama's visit even though Republicans are stepping up efforts to link them.

Last year, Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes refused to say whether she voted for Obama who is and was deeply unpopular in Kentucky.

Other prominent Democratic candidates will miss Obama's visit this time.

State Auditor Adam Edelen says he will attend a fundraiser in eastern Kentucky. Attorney general candidate Andy Beshear will be meeting with law enforcement to talk about heroin abuse.

EDUCATION COMMISSIONER

Kentucky education commissioner retiring

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday says he will retire this summer, ending a six-year stint that included new academic standards and improvements in graduation rates.

Holliday has served as commissioner since July 2009 and will step down effective Aug. 31, ending his 43 years in public education.

State Board of Education Chairman Roger Marcum on Wednesday praised Holliday as "a tireless advocate" for improving schools.

During his tenure, Holliday implemented a state education law that created new academic standards and made changes in assessments and accountability. Also during his time at the Education Department, Kentucky improved its graduation rate and the percentage of students graduating from high school ready for college and careers.

Marcum says the state Board of Education will start discussing a process for selecting a new commissioner.

OWENSBORO-MUSIC CENTER

Bluegrass Music Center project gets funding boost

OWENSBORO, Ky. (AP) — Plans for the International Bluegrass Music Center along Owensboro's riverfront have received a big financial boost.

State officials say the project will receive $5 million thanks to a state and city partnership. Gov. Steve Beshear was in Owensboro on Wednesday to announce the partnership.

Owensboro has been responsible for providing matching funds for a federal allocation supporting the riverfront. Instead, state officials say the state Transportation Cabinet will invest available state matching funds for part of the city's funding responsibility.

That move allows Owensboro to invest those millions in city funds in the Bluegrass Music Center.

The music center will be built on the site of the old state office building. Plans for the new center include a 500-seat concert hall.

Construction is targeted for completion in 2017.

EDUCATOR AWARD

Central Kentucky educator honored with Grissom Award

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A central Kentucky educator has been recognized for promoting achievement for students of all backgrounds.

The Kentucky Board of Education presented the sixth annual Dr. Johnnie Grissom Award to Taylor County Superintendent Roger Cook on Wednesday.

Cook has been a teacher, coach, athletic director, assistant principal and high school principal. He is in his sixth year as superintendent.

The award was established to honor the late Kentucky Department of Education employee, who served as an associate commissioner. Grissom previously served as a director at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and as a teacher of special needs and gifted students in Red Springs, North Carolina.

VETERANS COURT

Treatment court for veterans to launch in northern Kentucky

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

NEWPORT, Ky. (AP) — Officials in northern Kentucky are getting ready to launch a court that will offer treatment and other services to veterans facing minor criminal charges.

The Kentucky Enquirer reports Campbell County District Judge Karen Thomas is leading the effort to begin a Veterans Treatment Court. It will offer services for veterans in Campbell, Kenton and Boone counties.

The new court is set to begin on April 22. Thomas says officials are seeking federal grant money and hope to expand services.

The court will help veterans get any services or help needed to get their lives back and track, and if they get through the program successfully, their charges would be expunged.

Other communities, including Jefferson, Hardin and Fayette counties, also offer a Veterans Treatment Court.

ALCOHOL SALES

Petition seeks alcohol sales in Berea

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

BEREA, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky mayor in a mostly dry community is asking residents to sign a petition that seeks a vote on allowing alcohol sales in restaurants.

Berea Mayor Steven Connelly told the Lexington Herald-Leader that the effort, if successful, would help the economy. Berea is dry except for the historic Boone Tavern, which started selling alcohol last year.

The measure has opponents, including the Rev. Kenny Davis Jr., who is pastor of Bethel Baptist Church. He says alcohol sales might benefit the economy, but it also has the potential to cause social problems.

If there are enough signatures on petitions, officials in Madison County could hold a local-option election on the issue in September.

The city began sending petition-drive letters, fact sheets and signature cards out to residents last week.

FLORIDA SLAYING-ARSON

Man gets life in prison for killing Tampa Bay area man

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — A homeless man has been sentenced to life in prison for killing a Tampa Bay area man.

A Pinellas County judge sentenced 49-year-old Gregg Daugherty on Wednesday after a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder and arson.

Authorities say 69-year-old Gary Yarnell was found dead in May 2012 following a fire at his Pinellas Park home. Daugherty and 40-year-old Marita Hutchinson were arrested a month later in Kentucky. The two had been staying with Yarnell before his death. Authorities say they stole Yarnell's car and several other belongings.

Hutchinson pleaded guilty last June to second-degree murder. She's set to be sentenced April 15.