Kentucky News Now – August 24th 2015

RAND PAUL-CAUCUS

Kentucky GOP gives conditioned approval to holding March caucus to allow Rand Paul to seek 2 offices

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Republican Party will hold a presidential caucus in March for Rand Paul — but only if he ensures that $250,000 is deposited in GOP coffers by Sept. 18 to pay expenses for such a caucus.

The party's executive committee approved a proposal on Saturday to hold a presidential caucus on March 5 based on that plan. The conditions would let Paul run for president and re-election to his Senate seat at the same time without violating state law that bans candidates from appearing on the ballot twice in the same election.

But the caucus could cost as much as $500,000, and the Republican Party has less than $170,000 in cash on hand according to its latest disclosure report. In a letter to party officials earlier this week, Paul claimed to have transferred $250,000 to the Republican Party to cover the cost of the caucus. But that turned out not to be true, angering some Republicans and jeopardizing Paul's support.

After meeting Saturday, the Republicans agreed to approve the caucus on the condition that the $250,000 would be deposited in its bank account by Sept. 18, specifically reserved for caucus expenses. If the money isn't deposited in time, the caucus would be canceled and Kentucky would have its regularly scheduled primary.

DEFENSE GRANT

Kentucky commission receives $600,000 defense agency grant

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs has won a grant of more than $600,000 to look into defense-related economic development opportunities.

Gov. Steve Beshear's office announced the grant from the U.S. Defense Department's Office of Economic Adjustment. Beshear said in a news release Friday that the commission is also working to set conditions for economic growth near Kentucky military installations.

The funds will be used for planning and to take action to adjust to recent Army force structure reductions in Kentucky.

The Cabinet for Economic Development says Kentucky shipped out $7.8 billion in aerospace parts and products last year, up 38 percent from 2013.

BODY FOUND

Body of woman found on Lexington road identified

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Authorities have identified a female body that was discovered on a road in Lexington, Kentucky.

Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn said in a news release on Sunday that the body is that of 32-year-old Jennifer Marie Hamilton of Lexington.

Her body was discovered Saturday night on Muir Station Road.

Authorities have not released details about her death because of an ongoing investigation, but they say the case is being treated as a homicide.

CHILDREN KILLED

3 children killed in highway accident in Daviess County

OWENSBORO, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky State Police say three children were killed when the sports utility vehicle they were riding in ran off a highway in Daviess County and into a field.

According to WKYT-TV, officials say the woman was heading eastbound on KY 56 Saturday night when she came upon another vehicle that was partially in her lane.

Police say she swerved to avoid the vehicle, over-corrected, and lost control. The SUV ran off the road and into a bean field.

Police didn't provide details of the accident, but a coroner said two of the children died at the scene. The third child died later at a hospital.

The names of the children — ages 10, 12 and 13 — have not been released. The drivers also have not been identified.

GHOST TRAIN

Ghost train will carry visitors to abandoned mining camp

STEARNS, Ky. (AP) — Storytellers will share regional tales at a Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area event next month.

The fifth annual Blue Heron Ghost Train Storytelling event will be Sept. 12 beginning around 7:30 p.m. EDT at the Blue Heron Mining Community Interpretive Center near Stearns, Kentucky.

Park staff and volunteers will lead groups of visitors by lantern to hear the storytellers. The event involves some walking over rough ground in low light.

Visitors may descend to the abandoned coal-mining camp by rail for a fee. Contact Big South Fork Scenic Railway at (800) 462-5664, (606) 376-5330 or http://www.bsfsry.com .

JUNIOR CHEFS

Junior chefs head to Kentucky State Fair to compete

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Junior chefs will be in the spotlight during an event this week at the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville.

The Kentucky Agriculture Department says 15 high school teams will compete for scholarships and a trophy at the third annual Kentucky Proud Farm to School Junior Chef Tournament.

The championship round will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Gourmet Garden Stage in the lobby of South Wing A.

Sullivan University will offer a $6,000 scholarship to each member of the champion team, a $4,000 scholarship to each runner-up team member and a $2,000 scholarship to each member of two semifinalist teams.

The Agriculture Department says the program encourages students to learn to cook healthy meals from local ingredients and teaches students about agriculture, marketing, organization, teamwork and community involvement.