Kentucky News Now – August 11th 2015

KENTUCKY-UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

Beshear: Ky. pays off federal loan 2 years ahead of schedule

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky businesses will save about $165 million on federal unemployment taxes because state leaders have paid off a $972 million federal loan.

Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear said state officials paid off the loan two years ahead of schedule. Kentucky began borrowing from the federal government in 2009 when a combination of high unemployment and fewer jobs meant more people qualified for unemployment benefits than the state had money to pay.

By paying off the loan early, Beshear said Kentucky businesses will save roughly $105 in federal taxes for each employee.

Kentucky was one of 30 states forced to borrow money to cover shortfalls in its unemployment insurance trust fund. Kentucky's unemployment rate is at 5.1 percent, the lowest rate since 2001 and down from a high of 10.9 percent in January 2009.

STOLEN POLITICAL DONATIONS

Guilty plea in scheme to steal from political campaigns

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Federal authorities say they have uncovered a scheme in which a man stole more than $1 million in contributions to conservative political causes, including campaign funds for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Prosecutors netted a guilty plea Monday in federal court in Louisville, Kentucky.

Samuel K. Pate Jr. pleaded guilty to three counts of mail fraud. Officials say Pate owned a company that contracted with campaigns and political action committees.

The plea agreement says that from 2008 to 2014, Pate diverted client funds from designated accounts, transferring money to bank accounts he controlled. Officials say he stole contributions totaling more than $1.1 million and used it on personal expenses and luxury items.

Prosecutors say clients included campaign committees for McConnell, as well as Christians in Defense of Israel and the House Conservative Fund.

Pate's attorney declined to comment.

POLICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATION

Chief, officer charged in connection with inmate put on bus

CARROLLTON, Ky. (AP) — A northern Kentucky grand jury has indicted a police chief and police officer in connection with a mentally disabled inmate who was driven to Louisville and placed on a bus to Florida last spring.

Attorney General Jack Conway's office said the chief, 48-year-old Michael S. Willhoite, and 50-year-old Ronald W. Dickow were indicted Monday on charges of complicity to commit kidnapping, complicity to commit custodial interference and complicity to commit official misconduct.

The indictment accuses them of unlawfully restraining Carroll County Detention Center inmate Adam Horine and violating a court order to transport him to Eastern State Hospital, a mental institution.

The men were arraigned Monday in Carroll County Circuit Court. WFPL-FM's Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting in Louisville said they pleaded not guilty. Conway's office says they are not in custody.

Neither Willhoite nor Dickow could be located for comment Monday.

KENTUCKY GOVERNOR-CURTIS

Drew Curtis files paperwork for independent bid for governor

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Drew Curtis has filed paperwork to run as an independent candidate for governor in November.

The businessman from Versailles says he collected more than 9,000 signatures supporting his candidacy. State law requires him to have at least 5,000 signatures from Kentucky registered voters to qualify to appear on the ballot.

Curtis filed the paperwork with the Secretary of State's office on Monday morning. But he was waiting on his campaign manager to arrive with a check for the $500 filing fee and a form listing the name of the campaign's treasurer.

Curtis is the founder of Fark.com, a news aggregation website. His running mate is his wife, Heather. Curtis was a registered Democrat until last year but described himself as an "ultra pragmatist." He said he supports the Medicaid expansion as long as the state can afford it.

INNOVATION SCHOOLS

Classes to begin at Catalpa School, Louisville Reach Academy

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Jefferson County Public Schools is set to open its first two Schools of Innovation.

The Courier-Journal reports classes at the Catalpa School at Maupin Elementary and the Reach Academy at Atkinson Elementary begin Wednesday.

The plan at Atkinson's Reach Academy was to create wraparound services for students and their families, such as opening a health clinic and implementing an adult education component. Other initiatives include extending the school day and having smaller class sizes.

Maupin's Catalpa School plan is to implement a Waldorf-inspired arts curriculum in which academics will be interwoven with music, painting, dance and storytelling.

The Schools of Innovation idea came after the state chose Jefferson County Public Schools as one of four Districts of Innovation, waiving it from state education rules to allow it to experiment.

INMATE CAUGHT

Escaped Harlan County inmate caught

HARLAN, Ky. (AP) — An inmate who authorities say escaped after threatening a deputy jailer's life has been captured.

Harlan police tell local media that 21-year-old Christopher Thacker was caught late Saturday and is back in the Harlan County Detention Center.

Authorities say an anonymous tip led authorities to a Coxton residence, where he was arrested.

Thacker had escaped early Saturday while a deputy jailer was driving him back to the detention center after a trip to a hospital. Kentucky State Police say Thacker held an unknown metal object to the deputy's throat and demanded to be released.

Thacker was able to briefly escape, but now, according to the detention center website, faces new charges of first-degree wanton endangerment and first-degree escape. He was already incarcerated on charges of burglary and receiving stolen property.

US-FATAL CHILD BEATING-KENTUCKY

Man accused of fatally beating infant in car silent in court

RADCLIFF, Ky. (AP) — A man accused of beating his 4-month-old son to death while driving was silent during his first court appearance on a murder charge.

WLKY-TV reports that 35-year-old Daniel Cox faced a Hardin District Court judge Monday morning. A preliminary hearing was set for Friday.

According to court documents obtained by the station, Cox was seen hitting Jayceon Chrystie while he drove last week in Radcliff, about 40 miles southwest of Louisville. A witness told police Cox hit the child, who was in a car seat in the front, several times with his hand.

Witness Dena Stevenson told WLKY she and husband were concerned and called 911.

When Cox dropped Jayceon at his mother's home, he wasn't breathing and didn't have a pulse. Doctors removed him from life support Saturday.

Jefferson County Deputy Coroner Robert Fraction told The Associated Press on Sunday that Jayceon died of an "inflicted traumatic injury to the head."

LOUISVILLE-PUERTO RICO TRIP

 Louisville begins 9-game tour vs. Puerto Rico national teams

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Rick Pitino's loyalty and attention will be divided this week.

The Louisville coach will guide Puerto Rico's junior and national teams in a six-day, nine-game exhibition tour starting Tuesday against his Cardinals, who will be led by assistant coaches. Pitino is preparing the national squad for the FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City later this month in a quest to qualify for the 2016 Olympics, but he also wants to develop a young Louisville roster that lost four regulars from last season.

Fifth-year senior transfers Damion Lee and Trey Lewis provide experience, and Pitino hopes the packed schedule will build cohesion. He likes the chemistry he has seen so far, saying last week, "This is the best attitude I've seen since I've been coaching."