Kentucky News Now – May 13th 2016

LICENSE PLATE RENEWALS

Kentucky starts online license plate renewal service

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky transportation officials have started an online service for people to renew their license plates.

People can access the renewal application from any device. It can be used for people renewing standard, specialty and personalized Kentucky license plates.

John-Mark Hack, commissioner of the Department of Vehicle Regulation, says it provides more convenience for motorists and enhances the department's efficiency.

Motorists wanting to renew their license plates online need to enter their vehicle title number and license plate number associated with the plate along with payment information. After online renewal completion, registration credentials are mailed to the motorist.

Most Kentucky counties are participating in the online renewal system, although a small number have yet to adopt it.

Officials say the application was built at no cost for the Transportation Cabinet.

DOCTOR CHARGED

Louisville doctor sentenced for overprescribing pain pills

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A former doctor with offices in Louisville and southern Indiana has been sentenced to 100 months in prison for unlawfully distributing prescription drugs.

Jamie Guerrero agreed to pay $827,000 in restitution to victims as part of a January plea agreement. U.S. District Judge Greg Stevens sentenced the former anesthesiologist on Thursday.

Guererro, 48, conspired with others from 2009 to 2014 to distribute controlled substances to patients without a legitimate medical purpose, according to the plea agreement. The U.S. Attorney's office says one of his patients died from an overdose in 2011.

One three separate days in 2011, Guererro saw 100 patients in a day, spending just a few minutes with each patient and fraudulently billed health care benefit programs on those dates, the U.S. Attorney said.

He also pleaded guilty to health care fraud, conspiracy and money laundering.

LEXINGTON POLICE-BODY CAMERAS

Lexington council approves $2.6M for police body cameras

(Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The Lexington Urban County Council has approved a $2.6 million, five-year contract for body cameras for Lexington police.

Police officials tell the Lexington Herald-Leader that the new Taser Axon cameras will likely arrive in late June, when the first 100 officers will be outfitted with the body cameras. In total, 400 officers will get the cameras. Each officer will receive two cameras.

Lexington police say they will have a press conference and an educational campaign when they begin using the cameras.

The $2.6 million contract, approved Thursday, also covers storage costs for the video from the cameras.

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CONGRESS-KENTUCKY-1ST DISTRICT

4 Republicans vying for Kentucky's open congressional seat

HENDERSON, Ky. (AP) — Four Republicans are vying for the only open seat in Kentucky's congressional delegation this year.

U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield is retiring after 21 years in Kentucky's sprawling 1st Congressional District that includes all of far western Kentucky and portions of central Kentucky.

Former state Agriculture Commissioner James Comer is running a traditional campaign, touting his experience and endorsements from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Rifle Association and the Tea Party Express.

Former Whitfield aide Michael Pape is focusing on border security. He has run TV ads embracing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump while also appealing to voters who supported former candidate Ted Cruz.

Other candidates in Tuesday's race include Hickman County Attorney Jason Batts and military veteran Miles A. Caughey Jr. The winner will face Democrat Sam Gaskins in November.

SECRETARY-KICKBACKS

Beshear appoints special prosecutor for Longmeyer case

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear has appointed a special prosecutor to handle the case against his former deputy.

Former Deputy Attorney General Tim Longmeyer pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge last month. Last week, Beshear announced he would file state charges against Longmeyer. At first, Beshear said he would prosecute the case himself. But Thursday he said he would hand the case to Franklin County Commonwealth's Attorney Larry Cleveland.

Cleveland said the attorney general's office asked him to take the case on Wednesday, citing a conflict of interest.

Longmeyer pleaded guilty to using his influence as the state Personnel Cabinet secretary to steer contracts to a public relations firm in exchange for kickbacks. He also directed some of that money to Beshear's 2015 campaign for attorney general.

BUS DRIVER CHARGED

Montgomery Co. school bus driver pleads not guilty to DUI

(Information from: WKYT-TV, http://www.wkyt.com)

MOUNT STERLING, Ky. (AP) — A Montgomery County Public Schools bus driver has pleaded not guilty after being arrested at a school for drunken driving.

WKYT-TV reports 59-year-old Brian Fletcher appeared in court on Thursday. He was arrested last month at Camargo Elementary School.

According to a police citation, Fletcher's breath alcohol content was 0.068 percent. For commercial vehicle operators in Kentucky, anything above 0.04 percent results in criminal charges.

WKYT reports the court is waiting for results of a blood test Fletcher took at the time of the incident. His next court date was set for Sept. 15.

Fletcher remains suspended from his job with Montgomery County schools.

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