Kentucky News Now – January 17, 2014

NEW BUSINESSES

New business creation in Ky. continues to rise

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A report from the federal government shows some good news for Kentucky enterprise.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the state led the country in new businesses created during the second quarter of 2013. That's the most recent data available.

Gov. Steve Beshear's office says almost 6,700 new businesses opened in Kentucky during the quarter, many of them so-called "micro-enterprises," or businesses with five or fewer employees. The number represents an increase of more than 6 percent from the same period a year earlier.

Kentucky ranked second nationally by percentage in new businesses opened during the first quarter of 2013, third during the last quarter of 2012 and fourth during the third quarter of 2012.

STATE PARKS-WATER

Water back at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Greenbo Lake State Resort Park in Greenup County has reopened with water service restored, but the state Parks Department says two other parks remain affected by water issues brought on by this month's cold snap.

Greenbo was temporarily closed last week due to lack of water, but the lodge, restaurant and other services are now open Thursday through Sunday as part of the normal winter schedule.

The restaurant at Pine Mountain State Resort Park in Bell County remains temporarily closed because of water issues, but the rest of the park is open.

The agency announced this week that Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park in Perry County is also temporarily closed until water service can be restored.

For updates, visit http://www.parks.ky.gov.

FELONS-VOTING RIGHTS

Felons' voting rights proposal clears House

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A bill seeking to amend Kentucky's Constitution to restore voting rights for some felons has sailed through the state House. Unlike past years, the proposed ballot issue may have a chance in the Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer said Thursday it may be an issue "whose time has come," with some changes. Thayer said he doesn't support the current proposal. But he raised the possibility of amending it to include a waiting period before some felons would regain voting rights.

The proposal in its current form would allow some felons to automatically regain voting rights once they complete their sentences. It passed the House on Thursday.

Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul is urging the GOP-led state Senate to take up the measure.

KENTUCKY SENATE

Grimes releases jobs plan for Kentucky

Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes says if she's elected to the U.S. Senate, she'll call on President Barack Obama to "do the right thing" and develop an energy plan that includes coal.

Grimes blasted federal regulations she says have inflicted pain in Kentucky's coalfields. She portrayed herself as a defender of coal as Republicans link her to national Democrats they say are anti-coal.

Grimes was in eastern Kentucky Thursday night to unveil her jobs plan for Kentucky.

It includes raising the minimum wage, boosting job training, making child care more affordable and expanding Internet access to rural areas.

She took aim at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, saying he has cast votes that hindered job growth.

McConnell's campaign said the Republican senator is fighting liberal Democrats waging a "war on coal."

FIGHTING HEROIN

Bill taking aim at heroin clears Ky. Senate

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Senate has passed a bill aimed at combating a deadly surge in heroin addiction.

The 36-0 vote Thursday came soon after a Senate committee was told that heroin use has devastated families and put a burden on courts and emergency rooms in hard-hit areas.

The measure now goes to the Kentucky House. The bill's prime supporters include House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Tilley of Hopkinsville.

The bill calls for tougher punishment for higher-volume heroin traffickers.

On the treatment side, the bill would require the Kentucky Medicaid program to pay for a range of substance-abuse treatment. It also would direct that part of the money saved from the state's corrections reform law be used to fund treatment and anti-drug education programs.

ARMY HELICOPTER-ROUGH LANDING

1 killed in Army helicopter 'hard landing' in Ga.

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — A military spokesman says one member of an elite Army helicopter unit is dead and two crew members suffered injuries when their aircraft slammed into the ground while trying to land at a Savannah, Ga., airfield.

Maj. Allen Hill said Thursday that the MH-60 Black Hawk was returning from a routine training flight to Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah when it made a "hard landing" late Wednesday on or near the airstrip. The names of the dead and injured soldiers were not immediately released.

The crew belongs to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, which trains to fly helicopters behind enemy lines under cover of darkness. Also called the Night Stalkers, the unit has a battalion based in Savannah.

On Jan. 8, a Navy helicopter crashed about 18 miles off Virginia Beach, killing three aboard.