Kentucky News Now – September 1st 2015

GAY MARRIAGE-KENTUCKY

Reckoning nears for clerk resisting same-sex marriage ruling

MOREHEAD, Ky. (AP) — A court-imposed stay has expired for a Kentucky county clerk who defied a judge's order to issue same-sex marriage licenses.

Unless the nation's highest court intervenes on her behalf, Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis on Tuesday will have to choose whether to issue marriage licenses, defying her Christian conviction, or continue defying a federal judge who could fine her or send her to jail.

Mat Staver, a lawyer representing Davis, said "she's going to have to think and pray about her decision overnight."

Davis stopped issuing marriage licenses after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage across the nation. Four couples sued her. A federal judge ordered her to issue the licenses, and an appeals court upheld that decision. Her lawyers appealed to the Supreme Court on Friday.

BROADBAND-EASTERN KENTUCKY

Officials hope fiber will replace coal in eastern Kentucky

HAZARD, Ky. (AP) — State and federal officials have kicked off the construction of 3,400 miles of fiber optic cable they hope will transform eastern Kentucky's economy following the decline of the coal industry.

Republican U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers and Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear were among the officials that dedicated the network Monday in Hazard. The network will cost about $324 million to build. Taxpayers will pay about $53.5 million, with the rest coming from private investors.

Kentucky will own the network, which will begin in eastern Kentucky and eventually reach into all of the state's 120 counties. But the Australian-based investment firm the Macquarie Group and its partners have a contract with the state to build and operate the network for the next 30 years.

Beshear and Rogers called the network the most important infrastructure project in the state's history.

CAMPUS SAFETY

UK releases student survey on campus safety

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A new University of Kentucky survey shows a large number of students are reluctant to report violence or sexual assaults to campus authorities.

The campus-wide survey shows more than three-quarters of students feel safe on campus at night, and almost all feel safe during the day.

The report says nearly 5 percent of UK students reported experiences of sexual assault.

Students were asked about "unwanted sexual experiences" in the past year.

Campus leaders released preliminary results of the student survey on Monday in Lexington. The survey is part of UK President Eli Capilouto's initiative to assess student perceptions and experiences regarding violence or harassment at the state's flagship university.

UK says it is at the forefront nationally in undertaking a mandatory campus-wide survey regarding sexual assault and campus safety.

ACADEMY-SEX ABUSE

Academy worker to be sentenced in sex abuse case

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A former police officer will be sentenced this fall after pleading guilty to violating sex abuse laws with students at a residential, educational program run by the Kentucky National Guard.

The U.S. attorney's office in Louisville says 45-year-old Stephen E. Miller of Grayson County pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact with three female students and third-degree sodomy with a fourth at Bluegrass Challenge Academy in 2013. Miller is a former Leitchfield police officer.

Prosecutors say he later worked at Bluegrass Challenge Academy, located at Fort Knox, and had supervisory authority over the students.

Sentencing will be Nov. 2. Miller faces up to 11 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.

Miller pleaded guilty July 30, and the plea was accepted in U.S. District Court last week.

BICYCLIST DEATH-CHARGES

Police: Man charged in connection with bicyclist's death

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A Lexington man has been arrested in connection with the hit-and-run death of a bicyclist.

Multiple media outlets report that 54-year-old Jess Greathouse is charged with second-degree manslaughter, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident in connection with Friday's crash.

Police say 59-year-old Martiano Pozos was riding his bicycle when witnesses say he was struck by a pickup truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police spokeswoman Sgt. Ann Welch says Greathouse initially left the scene, but was located by officers after witnesses provided them with the license plate number and description of the driver.

Greathouse was booked into the Fayette County Detention Center. It wasn't clear if he has an attorney.

The investigation to determine how the crash occurred continues.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE

3 counties added to July disaster declaration in Kentucky

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Three more counties have been added to a disaster declaration stemming from severe storms in July.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency says Breathitt, Fleming and Perry counties have been added and are eligible for the agency's Individual Assistance program.

Individuals and business owners who had losses in the designated counties can apply for assistance by registering online at http://DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling (800) 621-3362. Applicants who are hearing-impaired should call (800) 462-7585 (TTY).

Carter, Johnson, Rowan and Trimble counties were designated under the Aug. 12 disaster declaration.

The assistance can include money for temporary housing and essential home repairs for primary homes, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

THREATENED SPECIES

Federal Agency proposes taking plant off threatened species list

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to take white-haired goldenrod off the list of threatened and endangered species.

The plant is unique to eastern Kentucky, only found in sandstone rock shelters or on sandstone cliffs with overhanging ledges in the Red River Gorge region. The Fish and Wildlife Service says the move to have it removed from the list under the Endangered Species Act follows more than two decades of collaboration and conservation work in the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Meanwhile, the two federal agencies are working to conserve the Kentucky arrow darter. Fish and Wildlife and the Forest Service signed an agreement Monday committing to action to protect the small fish that's found in some of the small headwater streams of the Daniel Boone.

MILITARY RETIREES

Fort Campbell holding appreciation event Sept. 19 for military retirees, families

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) — Military retirees and their families are being recognized during an event at Fort Campbell this month.

The Fort Campbell Retirement Services Office will hold its annual Retiree Appreciation Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT Sept. 19 at the Soldier Support Center. Registration starts at 7 a.m.

More than 20 organizations will be represented, offering one-on-one assistance. There will also be equipment displays and a retiree brunch.

Pneumonia and shingles vaccinations will be given free of charge at a health fair. Legal assistance will be available for powers of attorney.

Retirees can also visit the Brig. Gen. Don F. Pratt Museum and an engagement skills trainer.

GINSENG-FOREST

Ginseng harvest permits available Tuesday in Boone Forest

WINCHESTER, Ky. (AP) — People interested in harvesting ginseng from the Daniel Boone National Forest may obtain a permit this week.

Permits are $20, and holders may collect up to 1 pound of green, non-dried ginseng root between Sept. 15 and Sept. 30.

The forest says its policy is in place to help conserve ginseng on national forest lands. Some believe ginseng is valuable in treating some health conditions, and wild ginseng is dwindling as a result.

Harvesting permits may be purchased at any district office beginning Tuesday. The permits apply only to land in the district that issues the permit.

Collectors are required by law to plant seeds from harvested plants within 50 feet of the harvest location.

State regulations and harvest season are different from rules that apply inside the forest.