Kentucky News Now – November 16th 2015

CHILD WELFARE-KENTUCKY-POVERTY

Strides made, but challenges remain for child well-being

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The annual Kids Count report from Kentucky Youth Advocates says poverty remains the biggest obstacle to child well-being across the state.

Kentucky Youth Advocates Director Terry Brooks said the state has made many strides in the last 25 years, citing improvements in education and juvenile justice, but said it still faces significant challenges.

He said economic well-being is the key driver in making improvements. While the statewide poverty rate is 26 percent according the latest report, which was released Sunday, some counties had rates of more than 50 percent.

The Kids Count survey looked at 16 factors in four areas — economic security, education, health, and family and community — to determine child well-being in each of Kentucky's 120 counties.

CARTER CAVES

Tourism officials want to spread word about Carter Caves

OLIVE HILL, Ky. (AP) — Tourism officials want Carter Caves to stop being the best kept secret in the Kentucky park system and start becoming the best way to grow tourism in northeastern Kentucky.

Ashland newspaper The Independent reports Carter Caves is the only state park in the east to offer caving experiences. And the network of caves in the 412-square-mile county reaches far beyond the handful of caves developed for tours.

The park's most popular attraction is Cascade Cave, with a large entry room called Square Dance Hall for the dances that were held there in the 1920s. Today, the room is used for moving screenings, music recording and weddings. There is also a room that opens to the outdoors, where a creek has filled a small lake, and a 30-foot underground waterfall.

HAY FIRE-DEATH

London woman dies from injuries in hay fire

LONDON, Ky. (AP) — A coroner's office says a woman who caught fire while trying to burn hay has died from her injuries.

A statement from the Fayette County Coroner's Office says 38-year-old Quincy J. McQueary died Friday night, six days she was injured.

According to the statement, the Knox County Sheriff's Office said McQueary was lighting the hay after pouring gas on it and it flashed, setting her ablaze.

The coroner's office said McQueary died from multisystem organ failure due to thermal injuries. Her death is being treated as accidental.

CHURCH AND STATE

Hodgenville votes to allow 'In God We Trust' on police cars

HODGENVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Hodgenville City Council has unanimously voted to allow the words "In God We Trust" to be lettered on the town's police cars.

WDRB-TV reports the idea came up when the five-officer department got two new cruisers recently. Police Chief Marcus Jackson said he will leave it up to the individual officers whether they want the decal on their vehicles.

Mayor Kenny Devore said he will pay for the new decals personally, so that the money won't come from taxpayers.

Larue County Judge Executive Tommy Turner told the station he knows a lawsuit is possible. But he said in an email, "I am supportive as I think allowing 'In God We Trust' on our cruisers reflects the majority feeling of the community."

RUNHAPPY TRAINER

Judge says he can't order Keeneland to withhold winnings

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A Fayette County judge says Keeneland can give Runhappy's $820,000 Breeder's Cup Sprint prize to Gallery Racing, the stable that owns the thoroughbred.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports fired trainer Maria Borell had asked the court to withhold $122,752. That's the amount she says the Houston-based stable owned by Jim and Linda McIngvale owes her.

Borell was fired the day after Runhappy won the race. She filed the suit on Monday, claiming she had an oral agreement that included 10 percent of the stable's share of purses won by horses she trained.

Circuit Court Judge James Ishmael Jr. ruled Friday that he had no power to require Keeneland to set aside the disputed winnings.

Borell is suing for breach of contract and defamation by the colt's owners.

WANTED DOG

Formerly unwanted stray dog saves lives by donating blood at vet clinic

CORBIN, Ky. (AP) — An unwanted stray dog has become a hero at the Corbin Animal Clinic, donating blood to other dogs dozens of times since he ran up to Rebecca Bryant one snowy day six years ago.

The Times-Tribune reports that Rebecca was 13 at the time, and she took Rascal home to her mother, Deborah Berry Bryant, a veterinary technician.

Deborah Bryant says she started taking the dog to work with her, intending to give him away, but nobody wanted him.

Then one day a dog needed blood and Rascal was the only healthy dog at the clinic. Bryant decided it was time for him to earn his keep.

Since then, staff have lost track of how many times Rascal has given blood.

Deborah Bryant says, "He's saved a lot of lives."