Kentucky News Now

WEATHER EMERGENCY

Gov. Beshear declares statewide snow emergency

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Gov. Steve Beshear has declared a statewide emergency after a massive winter storm buried the state under 10 inches of snow in some areas.

The governor's order authorizes the state adjutant general to activate the National Guard to help with relief efforts, and it empowers state officials to close some roads in the interest of public safety. It also authorizes state officials to spend money in order to carry out the governor's orders.

Calling it the worst storm in recent memory, Beshear said some parts of the state could see up to 16 inches of snow. He urged people to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary and asked citizens to check on their elderly neighbors.

Work crews have struggled to keep roads clear as snow has fallen steadily since early Monday.

WINTER WEATHER-LEGISLATURE

Kentucky legislature cancels Tuesday session

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky state legislature will not meet on Tuesday after a massive winter storm dumped nearly a foot of snow on some parts of the state.

The legislature did not meet on Monday because of Presidents Day. But lawmakers decided to cancel Tuesday's session with significant snow accumulation in most of the state that will be followed by subzero temperatures the rest of the week.

Wednesday, the state Senate is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. and the House of Representatives will meet at 4 p.m. Friday was the last day state Senators could file new bills. Wednesday is the deadline for House lawmakers to file new bills.

Gov. Steve Beshear urged people to stay off the roads if possible.

INMATE DEATH

Corrections official: Louisville inmate commits suicide

(Information in the following story is from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com )

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Louisville Metro Corrections official says a 19-year-old inmate has died as a result of suicide.

Corrections said in a statement that Franklin T. Bolton of Louisville was seen alert and in no apparent distress at about 5:20 a.m. EST Monday but was found hanging in his cell by a bed sheet less than an hour later. The Courier-Journal reports that corrections staff performed CPR and the man was taken to University of Louisville Hospital, where he died at 7:41 a.m.

Bolton was charged with multiple crimes, including kidnapping and robbery.

Corrections Maj. Endora Davis said the police department's Public Integrity Unit is investigating the death, which is standard procedure for any death at the jail. Davis said Metro Corrections Professional Standards Unit is also reviewing the case.

SHOOTING DEATHS

Coroner says murder-suicide suspected in shooting deaths

GEORGETOWN, Ky. (AP) — A coroner says the deaths of a central Kentucky couple are the result of an apparent murder-suicide.

Scott County Coroner John Goble told media that it appears 40-year-old Fred Scott Caldwell fatally shot his wife, 42-year-old Rebecca Caldwell, before turning the gun on himself. Goble said the shooting stemmed from domestic violence issues.

The couple died Saturday at their home in Georgetown.

Goble told the Lexington Herald-Leader that Fred Caldwell's father, mother, sister and brother-in-law died in a vehicle crash in 2012 in Knox County on Christmas eve.

A newspaper story says the crash occurred after his parents, who lived in Harlan County, picked up his sister and brother-in-law at the airport.

CANDIDATE CHARGED

Candidate for lieutenant governor facing harassment charge

(Information in the following story is from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com )

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A published report says a candidate for lieutenant governor is facing a harassment charge in Jefferson County.

The Courier-Journal reports Johnathan Masters, who is on a Democratic ticket with retired state engineer Geoff Young, had a pretrial hearing last week on the charge.

Court records show that Masters is accused of calling former Spalding Associate Dean Elizabeth Lodge Rogers, cursing at her and demanding a refund of money after he was kicked out of the school.

When the newspaper reached him by phone, Masters said that Spalding committed "breach of contract" when it threw him out of the school.

Young told the newspaper that he wasn't aware of the charge and that the two would talk, but he said he would "stand behind" Masters.

TENNESSEE-FADING VOLS

Tennessee slumping as it prepares for toughest test

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — After emerging as one of the Southeastern Conference's biggest surprises at the start of conference play, Tennessee has received a reality check.

Tennessee (14-10, 6-6 SEC) has lost five of its last seven games, dropping the Volunteers from second place to seventh in the conference standings. The Vols have been particularly vulnerable at home, where they're 2-4 in SEC competition.

The Vols face their toughest task Tuesday as they host No. 1 Kentucky (25-0, 12-0). Tennessee coach Donnie Tyndall calls Kentucky "arguably the best team to ever be assembled."

Defense carried Tennessee early in the season but hasn't been as effective lately. Over its last four games, Tennessee has allowed opponents to shoot 52.9 percent (90 of 170) overall and 47.6 percent (30 of 63) from 3-point range.