Friday’s Kentucky News – November 15, 2013

HEALTH OVERHAUL-KENTUCKY

Beshear says Ky. to comply with Obama's directive

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Gov. Steve Beshear has directed the Kentucky Department of Insurance to comply with President Barack Obama's directive Thursday that could allow some 280,000 Kentuckians to keep their current insurance policies, at least for another year.

Beshear said Thursday the decision ultimately will be left to insurance companies, many of which have already invested much time and money into developing coverage plans that meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.

Obama had been under pressure from congressional Republicans and Democrats to allow people to keep existing policies.

In Kentucky, about 130,000 people with individual insurance coverage face discontinuation in their policies in the months ahead, as do about 150,000 people with small group policies.

CARBON MONOXIDE DANGERS

Fire marshal issues warning about silent killer

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Fire Marshal William Swope is warning Kentuckians to beware of carbon monoxide buildup now that cool temperatures are forcing them to heat their homes and cars again.

Swope calls the odorless, colorless gas the "silent killer." It's produced by fuels like natural gas, propane, oil, wood, coal and gasoline.

In particular, Swope said people need to understand that vehicles and generators left running in attached garages can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. He urged Kentuckians to install carbon monoxide alarms in their homes.

Symptoms of overexposure include shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness or headaches. Swope also warned that high levels of carbon monoxide can be fatal within minutes.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS

Southern Lights event opens Nov. 22 at horse park

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The Southern Lights holiday festival celebrates its 20th anniversary when the glittering holiday event opens Nov. 22 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

More than 115,000 people in more than 27,000 vehicles attend each year.

The driving route is open from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly. The festival continues until Dec. 31.

Following the driving tour, families can park their vehicles and visit other attractions, including holiday craft merchants, a gift shop, a petting zoo and pony and camel rides.

The cost is $15 per passenger car Sunday through Thursday evenings and $20 per vehicle on Friday and Saturday nights.

All proceeds support the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation.

For one night only on Nov. 21, visitors can view the lights on foot.

JOCKEY ARRESTED

New trial ordered for jockey Robby Albarado

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Jockey Robby Albarado has won an appeal of his conviction on a misdemeanor assault charge.

Albarado was convicted last year of fourth-degree assault and fined $500 in connection with an altercation at his home involving his former girlfriend, Carolina Martinez.

Between races at Churchill Downs on Thursday, Albarado told The Courier-Journal that the ruling is a big relief.

Jefferson County Circuit Judge Brian C. Edwards said the prosecutor made an improper comment during jury selection regarding Albarado's marital status when he began a relationship with Martinez. The judge said the comment could create prejudice by jurors and seemed to have little or no relevance to the charge. Edwards remanded the case for a new trial.

The county attorney's office said it is considering its options.

BOURBON ATTRACTION

Bourbon maker opening tourism venue in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A prominent Kentucky bourbon maker is showing off its new tourism attraction in downtown Louisville.

Called the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, the venue developed by Heaven Hill Distilleries features a small distillery and exhibits that take visitors through Kentucky's bourbon-making history. Heaven Hill showed off its $10.5 million venture Thursday, the day before the center opens to the public.

Evan Williams bourbon is Heaven Hill's flagship brand and is named for a pioneer distiller and civic leader in Louisville. The visitors' center is mere steps from where Evan Williams set up his commercial distillery in the 1780s.

The attraction's signature feature is a five-story-high replica of an Evan Williams bottle. The center is part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

The center is at the forefront of efforts to bring small-batch bourbon production to downtown Louisville.

OHIO RIVER BRIDGES

Agency OKs sale of $750M in bonds for bridge

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky state agency has approved a plan to sell more than $750 million in bonds to pay for a new Ohio River bridge connecting downtown Louisville and southern Indiana.

The $1.3 billion project includes a new Interstate 65 bridge for northbound traffic, a revamped southbound bridge and rebuilt interchanges.

The Downtown Crossing is half of the $2.6 billion Ohio River Bridges Project undertaken by Kentucky and Indiana. Indiana's part of the project includes a new bridge east of Louisville that will connect Utica, Ind., and Prospect, Ky.

The Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority also Thursday ratified initial toll rates, which will be used to cover bond payments. Tolls will range from $1 for frequent commuters to $10 for tractor-trailers using electronic transponders, or more for drivers not using transponders.