Kentucky News Now – April 22nd 2014

KENTUCKY SENATE

McConnell touts his conservative record in TV ad

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is touting his conservative credentials in a new TV ad about a month before his Republican primary against political newcomer Matt Bevin, who is trying to rally tea party supporters to his side.

The 30-second ad debuting across Kentucky on Monday calls McConnell a "genuine Kentucky workhorse."

It promotes McConnell's role in negotiations that avoided across-the-board tax increases at the start of 2013. The ad highlights the five-term senator's push for legislation that preserved access to prime fishing spots below dams along the Cumberland River in Kentucky.

It also continues two of McConnell's main themes — his opposition to the Affordable Care Act and stricter federal regulations of the coal industry.

Bevin, a Louisville businessman, questions McConnell's conservative record.

The Kentucky primary is May 20.

HOUSE RACE-RESIDENCY

Lawsuit challenges residency of GOP candidate

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Louisville resident has filed a lawsuit challenging the residency of a Republican vying to unseat longtime Democratic state Rep. Tom Burch.

James Stammerman claims in his suit that GOP candidate Brian Krueger does not live in Burch's district, making him unqualified to run for the 30th District seat. The suit claims Krueger lives in another House district in Louisville.

The suit filed Monday in Jefferson Circuit Court asks a judge to remove Krueger's name from the ballot.

Krueger did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Burch has represented the district since the late 1970s. He is chairman of the House Health and Welfare Committee.

Republicans are making a strong push to take control of the Kentucky House in this year's election.

SNOW REMOVAL-COSTS

Harsh winter a costly one for Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The harsh winter was a costly one for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

The agency says it spent more than $68 million on snow and ice removal. That's about one and a half times the cost of a typical Kentucky winter.

The cabinet's nearly 2,000 maintenance crew employees worked to keep more than 60,000 lane miles of roads open during 31 snow and ice events.

To keep roads clear, the cabinet spread more than 438,000 tons of salt, compared with 194,000 tons state crews put down on roads during a mild winter the year before. On average, crews spread 200,000 to 250,000 tons of salt in a year.

This past winter fell short of being a record setter. The cabinet says the winter of 2010-2011 cost $74 million and 450,000 tons of salt.

KENTUCKY-FATAL HUNGER STRIKE

AP Exclusive: Kentucky inmate starves to death

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — One doctor has been fired and another is being dismissed from the Kentucky State Penitentiary after an inmate went on a hunger strike and committed suicide by starving himself to death.

According to documents obtained by The Associated Press, the Department of Corrections terminated physician Steve Hiland and will soon cut loose psychologist Jean Hinkebein. The firings stem from the Jan. 13 death of 57-year-old James Kenneth Embry, who was serving a nine-year sentence for drug offenses.

An internal investigation done by the Corrections Department concluded that the doctors missed multiple signs that Embry was slowly committing suicide by refusing food and that Hiland signed off on nurses' notes without seeing patients.

Hiland has denied wrongdoing. Hinkebein declined to comment.

The Kentucky Attorney General's Office is conducting a criminal review of Embry's death.

UNIVERSITY SECURITY

UK says surveillance cameras helping solve crimes

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Campus police at the University of Kentucky say new surveillance cameras are helping them fight crime.

UK Police Chief Joe Monroe told WKYT-TV that the school has 400 cameras installed so far and another 1,600 are planned.

He says security camera footage has helped police solve two crimes in the last month, and recently caught footage of several suspects trying to set a car on fire. That video led to three arrests.

Police say after all the cameras are installed, they hope the system also works to prevent crime.

UK announced late last year that it was spending almost $5 million to add security features that included the surveillance cameras and new student ID cards.

EARTH DAY-SCHOOLS

Ky. schools recognized for environmental practices

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Three Kentucky schools are being cited for their achievements in energy conservation as the state celebrates Earth Week.

Gov. Steve Beshear and first lady Jane Beshear said Wellington Elementary in Fayette County, Farnsley Middle in Jefferson County and West Hardin Middle in Hardin County had made environmental-related achievements that deserve recognition.

Earth Day is Tuesday, and the governor earlier proclaimed April 15 to 22 as Earth Week in Kentucky. The ceremony at the Capitol was held last week.

The state Energy and Environment Cabinet said Wellington Elementary was recognized as a Green Ribbon school for its environmental practices; Farnsley Middle is a Kentucky Green and Healthy School working to become safer, healthier and more environmentally sustainable; and West Hardin Middle is a Model Green and Healthy School that can mentor other Kentucky Green and Healthy Schools.

LAW ENFORCEMENT SCHOLARSHIPS

Law enforcement scholarship helps 25 Ky. students

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation has awarded $28,000 in scholarships to 25 students in Kentucky.

The Gerald F. Healy Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation Scholarships were given to telecommunicators, dependents of law enforcement officers and survivors of officers who died in the line of duty. Three of the 25 students were listed as surviving family of officers who died in the line of duty.

The foundation expanded its efforts in 2000 to include a financial endowment program. The organization says it helps Kentucky peace officers and their families with educational, medical and emergency relief. The Healy scholarship was created in 2004.

Gerald Healy, a restaurant owner, was a founding member of the foundation and served on the board of directors until his death in January 2009.

BOURBON AUTHORS

Bourbon authors to attend event promoting Kentucky's drink

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Books about bourbon are becoming almost as common as bourbon brands themselves.

Seven prominent bourbon authors will be featured at evening receptions next month in Louisville.

The receptions will coincide with a five-day event called the Kentucky Bourbon Affair, which gives bourbon fans an up-close look at the industry.

The Kentucky Distillers' Association says the authors will talk about their books, sign autographs and discuss bourbon. The signings will be held May 15-16 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. EDT at the Marriott Louisville East. Books will be available on-site for purchase.

The featured authors will include Tim Laird, Bernie Lubbers, Fred Minnick, Susan Reigler, Clay Risen, Mike Veach and Molly Wellman.

The Kentucky Bourbon Affair will offer behind-the-scenes tours and events at bourbon distilleries in the Bluegrass state.

KENTUCKY-RANDLE

Kentucky F Randle to announce decision on Tuesday

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky will hold a news conference at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday with freshman forward Julius Randle, who will announce whether he is entering the NBA draft or returning for another season.

Sunday is the deadline for underclassmen to declare, and the 6-foot-9 Randle has been projected as a lottery pick if he turns pro. He led the Wildcats in scoring and rebounding during their NCAA title-game run.

Decisions also loom this week for other Kentucky freshmen, including such as twin guards Andrew and Aaron Harrison —also possible first-round selections — and center Dakari Johnson. Sophomore forward Alex Poythress could also enter the draft.

Guard James Young said last week that he would turn pro.

Wildcats freshman forward Marcus Lee and sophomore center Willie Cauley-Stein announced last week that they would return.