Monday Kentucky News

INDUSTRIAL HEMP

Tenn. lawmakers drafting hemp bill

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Two state lawmakers in Tennessee are pointing to Kentucky's recent approval of hemp farming as they push for a similar measure.

The Knoxville News Sentinel reports Republican Sen. Frank Niceley of Strawberry Plains is drafting a bill with Republican Rep. Andy Holt of Dresden, and they plan to introduce the measure in next year's legislative session.

Nicely said Kentucky and six other states have passed measures legalizing hemp even though federal law prohibits it. Nicely said there also is support for changing federal laws, notably from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Rand Paul, both from Kentucky.

He said introducing the measure in the Tennessee Legislature would "put pressure on Congress" to repeal its prohibition on growing the plant.

PARENTS SLAIN

Trial to begin for son accused of killing parents

(Information in the following story is from: The Kentucky Enquirer, http://www.nky.com)

BURLINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The trial of a former Warren County, Ohio, sheriff's deputy accused of killing his parents at their northern Kentucky home is set to begin with jury selection.

The Kentucky Enquirer reports 43-year-old Michael Moore appears to be preparing a claim of self-defense in the 2009 fatal shooting of Warren and Madge Moore at their home in Union. The newspaper cited court filings and recent hearings. Jury selection starts Monday.

That claim would conflict with what he told investigators immediately after the shootings. Moore has blamed the killings on an anonymous intruder.

The newspaper reports the trial could last up to seven weeks.

CHILD FROM AFRICA

Couple working to get to Africa for 2nd baby

(Information in the following story is from: The Mountain Eagle.)

WHITESBURG, Ky. (AP) — An eastern Kentucky couple is trying to adopt a second child from Africa.

Reagan Barry told The Mountain Eagle that she and her husband, Jonathan, gained custody of a 1-year-old girl named Kona in May. The child currently lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo but the couple hopes to bring her to Whitesburg by December.

She has a brother and sister waiting for her.

The couple has a biological daughter named Stella and a son named Addis, who is from Ethiopia.

LASER ARREST

Man allegedly points laser at police helicopter

(Information in the following story is from: WKYT-TV, http://www.wkyt.com)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A Lexington man has been arrested after allegedly pointing a laser at a police helicopter.

Police told WKYT-TV that 50-year-old Steven French is charged with wanton endangerment.

The laser hit the helicopter's cockpit three times Saturday night before officers on the ground determined where it was coming from.

Police say French was working as a security guard at a construction site and told them he got bored and wanted to test the range of the laser site on his gun.

It was unclear whether French has an attorney.

FIRE DEATH

1 dead in central Ky. house fire

(Information in the following story is from: WAVE-TV, http://www.wave3.com)

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (AP) — Fire officials say one person is dead after a house fire in central Kentucky.

Elizabethtown Fire Capt. Chad Marsh told WAVE-TV that it took two hours for 25 firefighters to bring the blaze under control Sunday morning. The call came in at 1:42 a.m. He said most of the house was in flames when firefights arrived.

Marsh says the cause of the fire is under investigation.

The name of the person who died wasn't immediately released.

TEXTING-DRUG CHARGE

Woman facing drug charge after texting officer

(Information in the following story is from: WKYT-TV, http://www.wkyt.com)

IRVINE, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky woman is facing a drug charge after an officer says she sent him text messages asking to purchase prescription pills.

Irvine Police Capt. Adrian McKinney told WKYT-TV that he thought the text messages were a joke at first, but decided to play along. He said he soon realized the other person was serious and set up a place to meet.

Irvine said when officers arrived at the meeting place, they found 30-year-old Kassie Hardy texting in a car nearby and arrested her. She is charged with attempted trafficking in a controlled substance.

It was unclear whether Hardy had an attorney.

PROSECUTOR'S BAND

N. Ky. prosecutor shines on stage and in court

(Information in the following story is from: The Kentucky Enquirer, http://www.nky.com)

COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A northern Kentucky prosecutor is having success in court and on stage.

That's because Josh McIntosh is not only a felony prosecutor in Kenton County, he is the lead singer and guitarist for Josh McIntosh & Company band.

McIntosh told The Kentucky Inquirer that he enjoys his hobby as a musician, but he doesn't let it interfere with his day job. His band mates know that if his pager goes off during a show, he has to leave immediately.

McIntosh says he began playing guitar in law school as a way to relieve stress.