Kentucky News Now – July 15th 2015

KENTUCKY FLOODING

2nd person found dead in eastern Kentucky floods

PAINTSVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Officials in eastern Kentucky say a second person has been found dead after floodwaters rushed through the region, leaving six others unaccounted for.

Teams searched on the ground and used a helicopter in the hilly Appalachian terrain Tuesday, with the threat of more floods bearing down on rescue efforts.

Kentucky State Police Trooper Steven Mounts said emergency personnel in the hardest-hit neighborhoods in Johnson County are struggling with debris, downed power lines and difficult communication as they search for those who might be trapped in their homes.

The second victim was a woman, found Tuesday afternoon.

Officials said 15 people were treated at a local hospital and released.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear declared a state of emergency to give local officials immediate access to state resources to assist in recovery efforts.

STUDENT KILLED

1 convicted, 1 acquitted in 2012 death of Lexington student

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — One man has been found guilty of murder and another man acquitted in the 2012 death of a Lexington high school student

A Fayette County Circuit Court jury on Tuesday convicted 24-year-old Deionta Hayes of murder, two counts of second-degree assault and one count of theft of a handgun. The Lexington Herald-Leader (http://bit.ly/1Sm27q6 ) said defense lawyer Brian Hewlett declined comment.

Hayes' Cousin, 24-year-old Dominique Godfrey, was found not guilty on all counts of murder, assault and theft. His lawyer, Mike Bufkin, said he believed in Godfrey's innocence from the start and is certain it is the right verdict.

The case involved the shooting death of 16-year-old Henry Clay sophomore Chaz Black.

The defense said Hayes shot in self-defense, but the prosecution asked jurors to reject that because Black was unarmed.

UTILITY VEHICLE RESTRICTIONS

Kentucky temporarily lifts restrictions for utility vehicles

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has lifted some highway restrictions for out-of-state utility vehicles traveling nationally to areas with widespread power outages.

Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock issued an emergency declaration this week. It provides temporary relief from regulations for crews heading to affected locations.

Hancock said in a news release the action allows crews to get power back on more quickly.

The order exempts a driver's hours of service limitation, suspends registration requirements and waives permit fees for overweight or overdimensional vehicles. Drivers also won't be required to stop at weigh stations.

All other safety requirements remain in effect, and the declaration expires July 23.

BODY IN FIRE

Police suspect foul play in death of man found in fire

MANCHESTER, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky State Police say the body of a man has been found inside a burned home in eastern Kentucky and believe foul play may have been involved.

Police said the body of 68-year-old Lawrence Sizemore was found inside the home after a fire in the Sextons Creek community Monday.

Police said the cause of Sizemore's death and the cause of the fire haven't been determined.

An autopsy was scheduled.

LOGGING CONTROVERSY

Controversial Land Between Lakes project canceled

GOLDEN POND, Ky. (AP) — A controversial project that called for logging and burning to improve forest health at Land Between The Lakes has been canceled.

Land Between The Lakes Area Supervisor Tiny Tilley said Tuesday that officials will probably consider smaller projects within the 5,000-acre Pisgah Bay area to address erosion, road and trail maintenance and campsite access.

Lyon County Judge-Executive Wade White has been a critic of the plan. He told WKMS in Murray the decision is a "huge victory." He said the Coalition for the Preservation of the Land Between The Lakes is meeting Thursday to explain to the public the group's concerns with land management practices at the national recreation area.

Jan Bush of the Forest Service says the cancellation allows for collaborative decision making with the public.