Kentucky News Now – June 19th 2014

US-CLIMATE-RULES-LAWSUIT

Big coal company sues over carbon emissions rules

WASHINGTON (AP) — One of the nation's largest coal companies has sued President Barack Obama's administration seeking to block the Environmental Protection Agency's new carbon emissions rules for power plants.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit by Murray Energy, based in St. Clairsville, Ohio.

Murray Energy says it's the nation's largest privately owned coal company. It employs 7,200 people in West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Utah. It calls the EPA regulations illegal and argues they'll destroy jobs.

EPA rules announced this month seek to reduce global warming by forcing a 30 percent cut in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030.

An EPA spokeswoman won't comment on the lawsuit. But she says the EPA "writes solid rules and they stand up in court."

BRIDGE DAMAGED

Officials investigating Ohio River bridge damage

PADUCAH, Ky. (AP) — State officials are seeking information about damage done to a western Kentucky bridge that spans the Ohio River.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says the Brookport bridge in Paducah was structurally damaged earlier this week, but officials don't know who did it.

Inspectors went to the bridge Wednesday to check on a report that a section of railing had been damaged. They determined that something had hit a portion of the bridge superstructure. District 1 Chief Engineer Mike McGregor says he believes a truck crossed the bridge with an oversized load and struck a support beam.

The bridge is along U.S. 45 between Paducah and Brookport, Illinois.

Officials have placed a 20-ton vehicle limit on the bridge, meaning no large trucks will be able to cross.

MARIJUANA

Cannabis supporters push for medical marijuana

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Cannabis supporters, buoyed by a series of small victories in Kentucky over the past two years, hope to use their momentum to legalize medical marijuana in Kentucky.

Wednesday state lawmakers held their second public hearing this year on the issue, taking testimony from a quadriplegic who said marijuana eases his pain and treats his glaucoma.

State lawmakers have already legalized industrial hemp farming and the use of hemp oil for medical treatment. State Agriculture Commissioner James Comer said lawmakers embraced the use of hemp for its economic opportunities as well as its medical benefits. Comer said he sees hemp as a new opportunity for family farmers.

State lawmakers are planning at least two more public hearings on the medical marijuana issue this year before the legislature reconvenes in January.

RIVER CLEANUP

Volunteers will clean up Ohio, Kentucky rivers

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Volunteers will comb banks along not only the Ohio River this weekend but also the Kentucky River to help rid the streams and shorelines of trash.

In Fayette County, volunteers are being asked to gather at the Clays Ferry Boat Dock off Kentucky 25 under the Interstate 75 overpass between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. EDT to start the cleanup. Wear sturdy clothing, boots or closed-toe shoes and life vests to clean up the river.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided, along with a T-shirt. Trash bags, gloves and some life vests will also be available.

For more information, visit http://www.riversweep2014.eventbrite.com/.

The Ohio River Sweep covers the length of the river and many tributaries and has operations in six states. For more information, visit http://www.orsanco.org/river-sweep.

OBIT-SCOTT

3-time Boyd judge-executive, William Scott, dies

ASHLAND, Ky. (AP) — Funeral services are Saturday in Ashland for William F. Scott, who served three terms as Boyd County judge-executive.

The Independent reported that the 77-year-old Scott, of Cannonsburg, died Tuesday at Cabell-Huntington Hospital in West Virginia and was hospitalized last week after suffering a massive stroke.

The Republican served two terms as a Boyd County commissioner from 1982 to 1990 before being elected judge-executive in 1990. He lost a bid for re-election in 1994 but won again in 1999 and served two consecutive terms. He was defeated in 2006 by current Judge-Executive William "Bud" Stevens.

As the county's chief executive, Scott oversaw establishment of a county sewer system, implementation of a payroll and net profits tax, completion of the county animal shelter and relocation of the county Road Department.

RUPP ARENA

Lexington mayor suspends Rupp renovation

Lexington Mayor Jim Gray has suspended efforts to renovate the home of the University of Kentucky men's basketball team.

The proposed $351 million project to renovate Rupp Arena and build a new convention center in downtown Lexington has languished for some time.

Gray said Wednesday he suspended work on the project after UK withdrew its support for a proposed annual $10.7 million lease on Rupp, beginning in 2018. Gray said officials had designed the proposed renovation based on what the university said it needed.

Gov. Steve Beshear said he still thinks the original project is what Lexington and the university need. The governor said he hopes UK will eventually be ready to move forward with the project.

UK spokesman Jay Blanton said the university did not have any immediate comment.

HARLAN ROAD PROJECT

Judge stops Harlan road project

(Information in the following story is from: Harlan Daily Enterprise, http://www.harlandaily.com )

HARLAN, Ky. (AP) — A judge has issued a restraining order stopping road work in Harlan County.

The Harlan Daily Enterprise reports Circuit Judge Henry Johnson issued the order halting work on Kentucky 3459 at the request of the city and the Harlan Municipal Water Works Commission.

The order says the state intended to remove a culvert that runs under the road and replace it with a larger one.

At issue is who will pay for the work to be done.

According to the complaint, the state says the city should pay for it and the city wants the state to pay for it.

KENTUCKY GOVERNOR-EDELEN

Edelen rules out 2015 run for governor

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Democrat Adam Edelen has ruled out a run for governor, saying he will instead seek another term as Kentucky's auditor in 2015.

Edelen said Wednesday that a gubernatorial bid would have required "difficult sacrifices" for his family. He said he's not willing to make those sacrifices at this time. Edelen said he appreciates the encouragement he received to enter the governor's race.

Edelen was seen as a potential top contender for the Democratic nomination for governor next year.

Next year's gubernatorial race will be wide open. Democrat Steve Beshear is in his second term, his last under term limits.

Democratic Attorney General Jack Conway announced his entry into the 2015 governor's race last month.

On the Republican side, former Louisville Metro Councilman Hal Heiner has already joined the race.