Kentucky News Now – January 3rd, 2014

COLD WEATHER-PIPES

Freezing weather can bring frozen pipes

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Division of Water wants residents to get through the freezing weather forecast for the next several days without having their pipes burst and has some advice.

Water inside pipes expands when it freezes and can cause pipes to rupture, allowing water to escape and cause serious damage.

The Division of Water says pipes in attics, crawl spaces and outside walls are vulnerable, especially if openings let in outside air.

To prevent freezing, wrap hot and cold water pipes in insulation or layers of newspaper and cover the newspaper with plastic to keep moisture out. Run a trickle of water from a cold faucet farthest from the water meter or one that has frozen before. Also, open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to let warm air circulate around pipes.

NEW AREA CODE

New area code coming soon in western Kentucky

Mandatory 10-digit dialing is coming soon in the 270 area code in western Kentucky.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — State Public Service Commission Chairman David Armstrong says with the new dialing pattern just a few weeks away, it makes sense to get into the habit of using it.

Required 10-digit dialing for local calls officially begins Feb. 1. That's when the new 364 area code is added to the same geographic area as the 270 area code.

Less than a month is left for "permissive dialing," which allows customers to dial either seven or 10 digits when making local calls in the 270 area code.

The PSC added the new area code to meet the need for more telephone numbers in the region.

It says the first numbers using the 364 area code may be assigned beginning March 3.

NEW YEAR'S STABBING

Man killed in stabbing at New Year's celebration

WHITESBURG, Ky. (AP) — An eastern Kentucky man is dead following a fight that broke out at a New Year's celebration in Whitesburg.

Police told media that 25-year-old Michael Hogg died early Wednesday from wounds suffered in the brawl outside Streetside Grill & Bar. Police say he was stabbed. Two others were injured.

Officers have charged 24-year-old James R. Huffman of Pikeville with murder and assault. They initially charged 27-year-old Patrick Smith, formerly of Lexington and now of Marrowbone in Pike County, with carrying a concealed deadly weapon and tampering with physical evidence and later added complicity to murder and first-degree criminal mischief.

Eastern Kentucky University spokesman Marc Whitt says Hogg was senior at the school.

It wasn't immediately clear whether Huffman and Smith had attorneys.

NEW SENATOR

New senator from Lexington sworn in

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The newest member of the Kentucky Senate has been sworn in.

Lexington lawyer Reggie Thomas was sworn in Thursday by Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Mary Noble at the Lyric Theater in Lexington.

Thomas was elected last month from the 13th District in Lexington to succeed retiring Sen. Kathy Stein, who was appointed to a judicial position. Thomas and Stein are both Democrats.

Republicans outnumber Democrats 23-14 in the Senate.

The General Assembly convenes in regular session on Tuesday.

UW PRESIDENT

UW names finalists for president position

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — University of Wisconsin System officials have released the names of the finalists vying to become the next system president.

The candidates include Raymond Cross, chancellor of the UW Colleges and Extension; Peter Garland, executive vice chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education; and Robert King, president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.

A Board of Regents selection committee plans to interview the finalists on Monday and recommend one to the full board. The board expects to announce a hiring decision on Wednesday.

Kevin Reilly officially stepped down as president on Tuesday. He announced in July he would resign at the end of 2013 after taking intense criticism from Republican lawmakers for allowing system campuses to build massive reserves while raising tuition year after year.