STOCKYARDS FIRE

Investigation starts into huge fire at Lexington stockyard

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Investigators have started interviewing witnesses to a massive fire that destroyed a beef cattle auction business in Lexington.

Lexington Fire Department spokesman Joe Best said Sunday that it's too early to determine the cause of the fire and exactly where it started.

Saturday's fire destroyed seven acres of the stockyards operated by the Blue Grass Livestock Marketing Group. No one was injured. The flames also consumed several nearby businesses.

Best says officials are interviewing a large number of potential witnesses, including business owners.

The fire churned up a plume of thick, black smoke that darkened the skies for miles. Best says firefighters continued putting out smoky hot spots on Sunday as gusty winds picked up.

CHILD MORTUARY WORKER

8-year-old works after school at grandmother's funeral home

(Information in the following story is from: Daily News, http://www.bgdailynews.com)

SCOTTSVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Eight-year-old Whitney Davis probably has a better understanding of mortality than her peers.

Her grandmother owns a funeral home in Scottsville where her mother also works as a funeral director and embalmer. Her father, Darren Davis, is the Allen County coroner.

Whitney is a second grader at Allen County Primary Center. When she's not in school or playing softball, she answers the phone at the funeral home, greets visitors and directs the placement of delivered floral arrangements.

The Bowling Green Daily News reports she's even accompanied her grandmother to pick up a body on several occasions.

When a family friend's wife died in January, Whitney wrote a letter of comfort.

Her first-grade teacher, Valarie Powell, says Whitney tries to be a friend to everyone.

WESTERN KENTUCKY PRESIDENT

Western Kentucky President Gary Ransdell to retire in 2017

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — Western Kentucky University President Gary A. Ransdell says he plans to retire in 2017.

Ransdell said in a statement released by the university Friday that serving his alma mater "has been a dream come true."

He says over the next 17 months he'll work to ensure that the university is in good position for new leadership.

Board of Regents chairman Freddie Higdon says a committee will be appointed to conduct a national search for Ransdell's replacement this spring.

Ransdell was named Western Kentucky's ninth president in September 1997.

EXCHANGE-SOUTHERN FOOD RESTAURANT

Louisville's Dasha Barbours bistro shines with Southern food

(Information in the following story is from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Tumeka Bethel and her husband, Aaron Barbour, feel like they're old pros in the business, although their Louisville restaurant, Dasha Barbours Southern Bistro, has been open less than three years.

In that time, they've learned a lot and are so sure they've found their calling that they're thinking about opening another restaurant.

The husband and wife team divide the responsibilities. The kitchen is her domain, while Aaron Barbour takes care of customer service and employee issues.

The restaurant may be relatively new to her, but there's rich cooking history in her family. Bethel says many of the dishes served at the restaurant are from her grandmother's recipes.

Fried chicken is one of Dasha Barbours' specialties, as are salmon croquettes and sweet potato casserole.

 

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.

 

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