Kentucky News Now – March 29th 2016

SCHOOL BULLYING

House passes bill to create statewide definition of bullying

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A bill aimed at establishing a statewide definition of bullying in Kentucky's public schools is headed to Gov. Matt Bevin after clearing the state General Assembly.

The measure passed the House with no debate on Monday. It cleared the Senate earlier this month.

The bill's lead sponsor is Republican Sen. Danny Carroll of Paducah.

Carroll says the standardized definition would provide schools with more guidance in identifying and stopping bullying. He says the definition would be incorporated into codes of conduct at schools, and would allow schools to accurately report the number of bullying incidents.

BOURBON DISTILLERIES

Distilleries could serve cocktails under House-passed bill

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Bourbon tourists could start sipping cocktails as part of the experience of visiting a Kentucky distillery under a bill passed by the state House.

The measure would allow distilleries in wet territories to offer by-the-drink sales. It also would let the distilleries sell more of their whiskey and offer slightly larger amounts of free samples.

The bill cleared the House on a 76-20 vote Monday. If the Senate accepts House changes, the bill moves on to Gov. Matt Bevin's desk. The Senate passed the legislation in mid-January.

The House reduced the amount of liquor adult visitors could purchase at distillery gift shops in wet territories. The House version allows purchases up to 4.5 liters, compared with the Senate version of up to 9 liters. The current limit is 3 liters.

CPR TRAINING

Kentucky House OKs bill to require CPR training in schools

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky lawmakers have completed work on a bill aimed at requiring that public school students receive basic CPR training.

The measure was passed by the House without debate on Monday, two months after passing the Senate. The bill now moves on to Gov. Matt Bevin's desk.

Republican Sen. Max Wise, the bill's lead sponsor, has said basic CPR skills learned in school could help save lives.

The training could be given as part of health or physical education courses or during a Junior ROTC course.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Brown replaces Longmeyer as deputy attorney general

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Attorney General Andy Beshear has hired another veteran of his father's administration to replace Tim Longmeyer, the former deputy attorney general who resigned and is now facing federal bribery charges.

Former Justice Cabinet Secretary J. Michael Brown will be the state's new deputy attorney general. Brown and Longmeyer both worked for former Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear. Longmeyer was charged Friday of accepting kickbacks to steer state business to a private consulting firm. He had resigned on Wednesday for personal reasons.

Brown is a former district court judge and was the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet secretary for eight years under former Gov. Steve Beshear. A military veteran, Brown was also the first African-American chairman of the Louisville Bar Association.

In a news release, Andy Beshear called Brown a steadfast leader.

RED RIVER GORGE

Study: Rock climbers spend $3.6M annually in Red River Gorge

SLADE, Ky. (AP) — Rock climbers hope a new study of their economic impact in the Red River Gorge will help make the case for opening more public land in the area for climbing.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that researchers from Eastern Kentucky University surveyed more than 700 climbers at crags on public and private land in 2015.

The study found that climbers spend an estimated $3.6 million annually in six counties around the gorge. Much of that was for lodging, food, retail purchases and recreation activities.

There have been discussions about greater access to crags on public land in the gorge. Climbers hope the study will re-energize those talks.

Jon Kazmierski, district ranger for a section of Daniel Boone National Forest, has asked climbers to identify possible places to open new climbing routes so the Forest Service can analyze them.

CAR IN RIVER

Officials ID body in car that fell from Ohio River bridge

FORT THOMAS, Ky. (AP) — Officials have identified the body of a man that was recovered from a car that fell from an Ohio River bridge near Cincinnati and went into the water.

The car went over a barrier after a 12-vehicle crash on the Combs-Hehl Interstate 275 bridge on March 15. Rescuers delayed pulling the car from the water for days because of strong currents. A crane pulled the red car to the surface on Saturday.

The Kentucky Enquirer (cin.ci/1MvOR5j) reports the victim was identified on Sunday as David James Bouma of Milford, Ohio.

Campbell County Coroner Al Garnick says the autopsy report shows Bouma died from head trauma, not drowning.

Police say the crash is still under investigation.