Kentucky News Now – February 28th 2014

NOAH'S ARK PARK

Fundraising after Nye debate revives ark project

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The founder of a Bible-themed museum who debated evolution with TV's "Science Guy" Bill Nye says fundraising after the widely watched event helped resurrect its stalled Noah's Ark project.

Creation Museum founder Ken Ham says a municipal bond offering to fund the theme park attraction has raised enough money to begin construction on the 510-foot wooden ark.

Ham says the "high-profile debate helped encourage more of our ministry friends to get involved in the past few weeks."

Reached by phone Thursday, Nye says he is disappointed that the project would go forward and he hopes it "goes out of business."

Ham was speaking about the project during a webcast Thursday night. He says the entire theme park plan would be built over several years. The first phase with the ark will cost about $73 million.

GAY MARRIAGE-KENTUCKY

Same-sex marriage now legally recognized in Ky

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A federal judge has signed an order directing officials in Kentucky to immediately recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states and countries.

U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn II on Thursday issued a final order throwing out part of the state's ban on gay marriages. The order makes official his Feb. 12 ruling that Kentucky's ban on same-sex marriages treated "gay and lesbian persons differently in a way that demeans them."

The order means same-sex couples may change their names on official identifications and documents and obtain any other benefits of a married couple in Kentucky. The order doesn't affect a related lawsuit seeking to force the state to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Kentucky's attorney general has asked for a delay, which hasn't been ruled upon.

TOBACCO-BESHEAR

Tobacco plant expansion draws praise from governor

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has been pushing initiatives aimed at reducing tobacco consumption in a state plagued by some of the nation's worst health rates.

On Thursday, he praised plans to expand a smokeless tobacco processing plant in western Kentucky.

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. said its approximately $118 million investment will create 42 more jobs at its Hopkinsville plant, which now employs 90 full-time workers.

Beshear says the company has found "great success" in the state, which is known for growing and consuming tobacco.

In recent weeks, Beshear has called tobacco the single-biggest factor contributing to Kentucky's dismal overall health. He is proposing higher state tax rates for cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products.

The American Cancer Society says harmful effects from smokeless tobacco use include throat and esophageal cancer, tooth decay and gum disease.

JACKSON ENERGY RATES

Jackson Energy wins approval of rate increase

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Jackson Energy Cooperative Corp., which serves more than 50,000 customers in eastern and central Kentucky, has won approval for a rate increase that will occur during the next 18 months.

The Kentucky Public Service Commission on Thursday approved the co-op's proposal to increase annual revenue by $4.11 million, or about 4.6 percent. The PSC said the increase is necessary to turn around a decline in Jackson Energy's financial condition.

The PSC said in a news release the monthly customer charge will increase three times beginning next month.

Residential customers' monthly customer charge, currently $10.44, will reach $16.44 in September 2015.

The utility's customers are in Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Garrard, Jackson, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Madison, Owsley, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle and Wolfe counties.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Kentucky House panel approves medical marijuana

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A measure that would legalize the use of medical marijuana in Kentucky has passed out of a House panel.

The perennial bill is sponsored this year by Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, a Democrat of Louisville.

Proponents of the bill, testifying before the committee, included disabled military veterans and medical experts who say the bill would open the door for beneficial marijuana research.

Concerns emerged from Rep. Robert Benvenuti, a Republican from Lexington, who says the drug is dangerous for communities, and that not enough is known about it.

The House Health and Welfare Committee passed the measure on a 9-5 vote. The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.

CHEF DEATH

2 plead not guilty in case of chef found dead

(Information in the following story is from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com )

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Two men have pleaded not guilty to charges in the case of a University of Kentucky chef whose body was found in the Kentucky River more than a month after he disappeared.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports 29-year-old Robert Markham Taylor and 42-year-old Timothy Ballard appeared by video from jail Thursday for the Fayette County Circuit Court case. Defense lawyers waived formal arraignment and entered not guilty pleas for both.

Taylor is charged with murder, kidnapping and tampering with physical evidence. Ballard is charged with kidnapping, tampering with physical evidence and being a persistent felon.

They are charged in the case of 32-year-old Alex Johnson, who disappeared Dec. 20.

Police have alleged that Johnson was lured into a vehicle and beaten to death.

CLERK-TAX REFUNDS

Judge dismisses case against Bell clerk, deputies

(Information in the following story is from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com )

PINEVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A judge has dismissed charges against Bell County Clerk Rebecca Blevins and two of her deputies in a deal in which Blevins agreed not to run for office.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that Circuit Judge David A. Tapp, who was assigned as a special judge in the case, on Thursday ordered dismissal of charges against Blevins, Kayla Carnes and Connie Brown Watkins.

Under the deal to dismiss, Blevins can finish her term, which ends this year, but won't seek another term and can't hold any other elective office.

Blevins was charged with abuse of public trust and possession of a forged instrument. She was accused of keeping tax refunds due people registering vehicles bought out of state.

Carnes and Watkins were charged with possession of a forged instrument.

TANNING BEDS

House panel says no kids allowed in tanning beds

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky House panel has passed a measure saying minors shouldn't be allowed to use tanning beds.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. David Watkins, a Democrat of Henderson, would make exceptions for minors who have been prescribed the use of tanning beds by physicians.

Watkins says that rising cases of skin cancer among young women, and recent regulations on tanning beds, spurred him to carry the bill.

One concern was raised by Rep. Julie Adams, a Republican of Louisville, who says she's wary of removing the parental consent clause from current tanning bed law.

The measure cleared the House Health and Welfare committee on Thursday with a 13-1 vote and now moves to the full House for consideration.