Kentucky News Now – December 28th 2015

MALL DISTURBANCE-KENTUCKY

Kentucky mall reopens a day after disturbances

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A suburban Louisville mall reopened Sunday with extra security, a day after closing early when unruly teens caused multiple disturbances.

Officers from four police agencies responded Saturday night to reports of fights, harassment and other disturbances at Mall St. Matthews.

Officer Dennis McDonald, a spokesman for the St. Matthews Police Department, described a chaotic scene as up to 2,000 teens roamed the mall and parking lot. As the mall closed early Saturday night, he says teens tried to prevent some businesses from shutting.

No arrests were made, but McDonald says "it wasn't for the lack of criminal activity."

He says outnumbered officers focused on restoring order and disbursing the crowd.

Minor injuries were reported.

McDonald says police received reports of gunshots fired but could not confirm whether shots were fired.

BLUEGRASS MUSIC CENTER

Planners look for music center's sustained success

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

OWENSBORO, Ky. (AP) — Plans for the exterior design of the International Bluegrass Music Center in Kentucky are set and design of the interior exhibits and visitor experience is under way. Planners are looking for the right formula to ensure the future attraction's sustained success in Owensboro.

Chris Joslin, executive director of the International Bluegrass Music Museum of Owensboro, tells the Messenger-Inquirer that planners are trying to create a visitor experience so compelling that people will keep coming back.

The museum is partnering with the city of Owensboro to build the $15.4 million center.

The newspaper reports that the awarding of a construction contract for the center and a groundbreaking ceremony are both imminent, based on what city officials have said recently. No firm dates have been announced.

ILLINOIS-FIVE DROWN

5 drown in southern Illinois when high water sweeps away car

PATOKA, Ill. (AP) — A coroner says three adults and two children have drowned in southern Illinois after the vehicle they were riding in was swept away and sank in a rain-swollen creek.

Marion County Coroner Troy Cannon says the swift moving East Fork Creek carried the car off a low-water bridge near the town of Patoka, about 60 miles east of St. Louis, about 7:30 p.m. Saturday, It became lodged 150 to 200 feet downstream, but shortly after the first firefighter arrived on the scene, the car became dislodged and sank.

Cannon says dive teams recovered the car from the water several hours later and the bodies of the victims from the car.

The names of the victims were not immediately released. Cannon says the vehicle was traveling from Kentucky to Minnesota.

OBIT-JIM O'TOOLE

Jim O'Toole, Reds 1960s star pitcher, dies at 78

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds say 1960s star pitcher Jim O'Toole has died at his home after a long battle with cancer. O'Toole was 78.

The team says O'Toole died Saturday.

The lefty started the opening game of the 1961 World Series, losing to Yankees ace Whitey Ford 2-0. He was the National League's starter in the 1963 All-Star Game.

O'Toole debuted at 21 for the Reds and was 98-84 over 10 seasons, finishing with the White Sox in 1967. He was 19-9 in 1961 and twice won 17 games.

A Chicago native, O'Toole and wife Betty, his high school sweetheart, adopted Cincinnati as their hometown, where they raised 11 children.

No information was available immediately on funeral plans.