Kentucky News Now

MISSING INMATES

2 inmates walk away from Lexington facility

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

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Authorities are searching for two inmates who walked away from the Blackburn Correctional Complex in Lexington, Kentucky.

According to WKYT-TV, employees noticed 26-year-old Michael Fleet and 23-year-old Joshua Stephenson were missing around 8 p.m. Saturday.

Both men were serving a 13-year sentence for burglary charges.

Officials say anyone with information about them should contact Lexington police.

WORK READY

NE Kentucky works on becoming 'work ready'

(Information in the following story is from: The Independent, http://www.dailyindependent.com)

ASHLAND, Ky. (AP) — Leaders in northeast Kentucky are working aggressively to gain a "work ready" designation from the state.

Ashland Alliance President Tim Gibbs told The Independent () that officials are focusing on the region's workforce as Boyd County moves closer to getting certification as a "work ready" community.

State officials announced in November that Boone, Campbell, Hardin and Kenton counties have been certified as Kentucky Work Ready Communities. Boyd County and several other communities were rated as "in process."

Gibbs says getting the certification would benefit Boyd and surround counties as they try to attract business and industry.

A total of 16 counties have been designated as Kentucky Work Ready Communities since certification began in February 2012.

HATCHET ATTACK-EVALUATION

Man charged with hatchet attack to be evaluated

(Information in the following story is from: Kentucky New Era, http://www.kentuckynewera.com)

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A southwestern Kentucky man charged with trying to kill his wife with a hatchet and a gun has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine his competency and if he is mentally ill.

The Kentucky New Era reported that a judge sent 51-year-old Timothy P. Hale of Hopkinsville to undergo treatment if necessary before his case goes forward in Christian Circuit Court.

Police say Hale attacked 53-year-old Stephanie A. Hale on Sept. 22 by punching her in the face and striking her multiple times with a hatchet. Officers ay Stephanie Hale escaped from the house, but her husband followed with a gun.

Hale is scheduled to be taken to the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center in LaGrange.

UNSOLVED DOUBLE SLAYING

Family hopes for resolution to unsolved slaying

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

HAZARD, Ky. (AP) — The family of a Hazard couple who were slain four years ago is hoping the case will come to a resolution soon.

Bertha Gay told WYMT-TV the death of her older sister, Wanda Campbell, and brother-in-law, Roy Campbell, at their Perry County home was a shock.

The couple was found dead Nov. 26, 2010.

Kentucky State Police in Hazard are working the case. No one has been charged with the deaths.

Wanda Campbell's daughter, Shirley Justen lives in Michigan, but keeps track of the case. She says the family refuses to give up hope of an arrest.

Says Justen: "Someone knows. Someone knows something and you know, I hope and pray someday that burden becomes too heavy for someone to carry."

OLD LEDBETTER BRIDGE

Plans call for demolition of bridge in coming week

(Information in the following story is from: WPSD-TV, http://www.wpsdlocal6.com)

LEDBETTER, Ky. (AP) — State officials say the remaining piers of the Old Ledbetter Bridge will soon be torn down.

WPSD-TV in Paducah reported that one of the piers of the span is scheduled for demolition on Monday. Should that fail, a contractor plans to use explosives to detonate whatever remains of the piers in Thursday.

Two piers were left standing in the river after explosions took down the main portion of the bridge earlier this year.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says the plan now is to excavate the river bottom outside the navigation channel and knock over the top half of the piers so they will fall into the excavated areas.

The natural silting process will cover the piers, leaving them below the river bottom.

MIA SOLDIER-BURIED

Korean War soldier identified, to be buried

(Information in the following story is from: The Independent, http://www.dailyindependent.com)

FLAT GAP, Ky. (AP) — The remains of a northeastern Kentucky soldier who disappeared during the Korean War are set to be buried.

The U.S. Army used comparisons with known relatives of Cpl. Lonald D. Skeens of Denver, Kentucky, to match his remains to those of an unidentified soldier.

Skeens' sister, Sylvia Cantrell, told The Independent her brother will be buried at 2 p.m. Sunday in Flat Gap beside his mother.

Skeens was 19-years-old and a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division when his unit was overrun by enemy forces near Haman, South Korea on Sept. 3, 1950. He was buried as an unknown in the U.N. Cemetery at Tanggok, South Korea.