Kentucky News Now

GAY MARRIAGE-KENTUCKY

Gay marriage inaction doesn't impact Ky. directly

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to hear appeals of gay marriage bans in five states will not directly affect Kentucky because the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has yet to rule on the state's case.

But the decision sheds light on the consequences of whatever the 6th Circuit decides, according to a lawyer representing a gay couple in Kentucky.

Laura Ladenwich said she believes the Supreme Court declined to hear the cases because there was no disagreement among the appeals courts. All of them had struck down gay marriage bans. Ladenwich said the Supreme Court likely would review Kentucky's case only if the 6th Circuit upholds the ban.

Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear, who appealed the decision to strike down Kentucky's ban, said he's waiting for the 6th Circuit's decision before deciding what to do next.

FIRE DEATHS

2 found dead in burned home in central Kentucky

CYNTHIANA, Ky. (AP) — Two people have been found dead following a fire in central Kentucky.

Harrison County Deputy Coroner Thomas Ware says one of the victims of the house fire was male but the gender of the other person hasn't been determined. Both are believed to be adults.

The cause of death isn't yet known. Autopsies are scheduled for Tuesday in Frankfort.

The fire was reported before 10 a.m. EDT in the home located about three miles west of Cynthiana off U.S. 62.

The fire's cause remains under investigation.

NURSING HOME BATTLE

Nursing homes take battle public

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

BURLINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Northern Kentucky's two largest nursing home operators are taking their battle public by purchasing time on local airwaves and running full-page ads.

The Kentucky Enquirer reports the move comes after a five-year legal dispute between Carespring Health Care Management and Baptist Life Communities.

Carespring wants to build a new nursing home in Boone County, which has fewer beds than other areas of northern Kentucky. Baptist Life has sued in Franklin Circuit Court to challenge the legality of Carespring's plan.

Kentucky's plan for state health care does not show a need for new nursing homes in Boone County, but state officials made an amendment to try to address the situation.

Baptist Life says the issue is about fairness — it, too, would like the opportunity to enter Boone County.

PONIES KILLED

10 ponies killed in central Kentucky barn fire

PEWEE VALLEY, Ky. (AP) — A central Kentucky fire chief says a barn fire has killed 10 show ponies.

Pewee Valley Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bob Hamilton says about 35 firefighters from three departments responded to the call in Shelby County near the Oldham County line just before 1 a.m. EDT Monday.

Hamilton says by the time the homeowner noticed the fire, both ends of the building were engulfed in flames and the metal structure had collapsed in the middle.

He says it's not known how the fire started and may never be known, but he said foul play isn't suspected.

Hamilton said all the ponies inside the barn died, but two that were in a run outside were released to pasture and apparently weren't injured.

RAILROAD BUILDING BLAZE

Fire, explosions destroy railroad building

GUTHRIE, Ky. (AP) — An R.J. Corman Railroad building near the Kentucky-Tennessee state line has been destroyed after a fire that caused several small explosions and led to the brief evacuation of about six homes.

The blaze was reported about 7 p.m. on Sunday evening at the facility in Guthrie, Kentucky. Media reported five fire departments responded, three from Todd County, Kentucky, and two from Tennessee. No injuries were reported.

Todd County Emergency Manager Tim Pulley said officials believe barrels of paint caused the explosions.

Officials evacuated the homes after learning other hazardous materials such as diesel fuel and paint thinner were also stored in the building, which is used as a locomotive service center.

The fire was under control by 9:30 p.m. The Kentucky Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause.

KENTUCKY-SPECTATOR FALLS

Former player Brad Durham in serious condition

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky says former football player Brad Durham remains in serious condition following an accident at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday night.

The school has not identified Durham as the person who fell from the upper deck to the lower deck in the fourth quarter of the Wildcats' 45-38 victory over South Carolina.

The university has only stated that Durham is at UK Chandler Hospital and that an accident occurred at the stadium involving a young adult male.

The athletic department released a statement Monday night about Durham's injuries that said, "The thoughts and prayers of everyone in UK Athletics are with Brad Durham and his family. ... We ask the Big Blue Nation to join us in wishing him a speedy recovery and also grant them their privacy during this time."