Kentucky News Now – August 18th 2015

GAY MARRIAGE-KENTUCKY

Reluctant Kentucky clerk gets time for gay marriage appeal

MOREHEAD, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky county clerk who objects to same-sex marriage will not have to issue marriage licenses while she takes her case to a federal appeals court.

Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis is being sued by two gay couples. U.S. District Judge David Bunning ordered Davis last week to issue the licenses despite her objections.

On Monday, he granted her request to stay his decision while she pursues her case before the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Davis has refused to grant marriage license to anyone in Rowan County since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

GOP PRESIDENTIAL CAUCUS-KENTUCKY

Paul says he'll pay for GOP presidential caucus in Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Republican Rand Paul says he has contributed $250,000 and pledged another $200,000 to pay for a proposed GOP presidential caucus in his home state of Kentucky next year.

State GOP officials are scheduled to vote Saturday on rules for the proposed March 5 caucus.

The state party's proposed switch from a primary to a caucus would allow Paul to run for president and re-election to his U.S. Senate seat simultaneously without violating a state law banning candidates from appearing on the ballot twice.

In a letter to party officials, Paul says he transferred $250,000 to a state GOP account. He pledged to raise or transfer another $200,000. He says the caucus will cost an estimated $400,000 to $500,000.

More money would come from filing fees paid by candidates.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday that Paul is sticking to his commitment to defray caucus costs. McConnell has endorsed the caucus.

FIGHTING HEROIN

Kentucky to share federal grant to combat heroin

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Federal drug policy officials have chosen Kentucky to share in a $2.5 million federal grant to help combat the heroin surge in states.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says Kentucky is among several states that will share the grant. McConnell says he learned of the grant from the nation's drug czar, Michael Botticelli.

McConnell says federal resources are needed to help fight the heroin epidemic. The money will go for several initiatives, including law enforcement training and public health partnerships.

Kentucky lawmakers passed a sweeping anti-heroin bill earlier this year.

The new law allows local governments to set up programs in which addicts can swap dirty needles for clean ones. It also toughens penalties for heroin dealers of at least 60 grams and increases spending on substance abuse treatment programs.

CONGRESS-IRAN NUCLEAR-MCCONNELL

McConnell acknowledges difficulty in blocking Iran deal

GEORGETOWN, Ky. (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell grudgingly acknowledges President Barack Obama has "a great likelihood of success" in his showdown with congressional Republicans on the Iran nuclear deal.

The GOP-led Senate and House are expected to turn down the deal next month.

Obama has pledged to veto such a resolution of disapproval. The question then becomes whether the deal's foes can muster the votes to override the president.

In a speech Monday in his home state of Kentucky, McConnell talked about the difficulty of overriding a veto. As a result, McConnell said, Obama likely will prevail.

McConnell later told reporters he's confident only Democrats will back the president.

McConnell called it a "flawed deal." He said the inspections are flawed and it leaves the Iranians with "threshold nuclear capability."

KENTUCKY STATE FAIR

State Fair offering new promotions, discounts

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The 2015 Kentucky State Fair is offering new promotions and discounts and a stronger concert lineup after low attendance caused the attraction to lose money last year.

The Courier-Journal reports changes include two $20 carload days and more ways to get cheaper admission, parking and ride tickets in advance.

Also new this year: the introduction of the "Philly Cheesesteak donut burger" and a healthy food tent offering salads and wraps. New entertainment includes an extra day of the horse show and a new Christian music festival.

The 2014 fair saw its lowest attendance in 30 years and a loss of about $460,000.

PAPA JOHN'S CAR THEFT

Police: Stolen replica of Papa John's Camaro recovered

DETROIT (AP) — Police say a Chevrolet Camaro used in promotions for pizza chain Papa John's has been found after it was among three vehicles stolen from around a Detroit-area event showcasing classic cars.

Officer Shanelle Williams says the vehicle was found Monday in Detroit. She says a truck and trailer were recovered Sunday.

A spokesman for the Louisville, Kentucky-based pizza company says the striped black-and-gold vehicle is a replica of the 1971 Camaro Z28 owned and later sold by founder John Schnatter to help his father's tavern in Indiana.

Schnatter received $2,800 for the original Camaro. He used the money to save the family business and launch Papa John's.

The replica was displayed for the Woodward Dream Cruise on Saturday in suburban Detroit.

TOURIST DEATH

Kentucky man found dead at Molokini Crater

HONOLULU (AP) — A 58-year-old Kentucky man was found dead during a snorkeling tour at Maui's Molokini Crater.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that 58-year-old Jonathan Owens, of Louisville, Kentucky, was found face down in the water Sunday.

Officials say he had gone to the crater with a tour group and was found unresponsive. He was taken to Maalaea Harbor, where the Coast Guard and paramedics conducted CPR. He did not recover and was pronounced dead.

SCHOOL AUDIT LAWSUIT

AG seeking restitution over alleged Warsaw schools kickbacks

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller (ZEHL'-ur) is seeking nearly $1 million in restitution from a former northern Indiana school district official and a business owner who have been charged in connection with an alleged illegal kickback scheme.

The civil lawsuit seeking repayment filed Monday names Gregory A. Schroeder, a former maintenance director of Warsaw Community Schools, and Brian K. Stowers, owner of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky-based Continental Maintenance Specialties.

Zoeller's office says in a news release that Schroeder allegedly received $115,000 in kickbacks from Stowers in exchange for purchasing a nearly $800,000 in chemical products — an amount vastly greater than what the school district needed.

Both men are facing felony corruption charges issued by the Kosciusko County Prosecutor's Office.

Requests seeking comment were left for Schroeder and Stowers.