Kentucky News Now – June 23rd 2014

POLICE SHOOTING

Madisonville man killed in police confrontation

(Information in the following story is from: The Messenger, http://www.the-messenger.com)

MADISONVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Madisonville man is dead following a confrontation with police.

Madisonville Police Chief Wade Williams told The Messenger Douglas Mitchell Seaton was involved in a traffic stop on Saturday night by two officers. When they learned that Seaton's driver's license was suspended, there was a scuffle. Williams said Seaton got back into his vehicle and hit an officer while pulling away.

Williams said Seaton led police on a short chase to his home. There he pulled out a weapon and was shot and killed. Williams declined to identify the officers involved. Both have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard department policy.

Madisonville Mayor David Jackson told the paper that Seaton did not fire his gun.

Kentucky State Police have been called in to investigate.

DANVILLE-PUBLISHER

Danville paper, others get new publisher

(Information in the following story is from: The (Danville, Ky.) Advocate-Messenger, http://www.centralkynews.com/amnews)

DANVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Advocate-Messenger in Danville has a new publisher.

The paper reports that when Scott Schurz departs as publisher of Advocate Communications on July 7, it will be the first time in more than 35 years there will not be a Schurz atop the masthead.

The new publisher is Larry Hensley. Along with The Advocate, Hensley will serve as publisher for The Winchester Sun, The Jessamine Journal and The Interior Journal in Stanford, all members of Advocate Communications.

Hensley comes to Danville from another Schurz Communications property, the Petoskey Media Group in Michigan. There he served as chief financial officer and general manager.

Schurz is moving to company headquarters in Mishawaka, Indiana, where he has been promoted to vice president of corporate development.

CONCEALED CARRY

Concealed-carry permits rise, restrictions loosen

(Information in the following story is from: The Kentucky Enquirer, http://www.nky.com)

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Over the past decade, the number of concealed-carry gun permits in Kentucky has risen from 11,000 issued in 2004 to 60,000 issued in 2013.

The Kentucky Enquirer reports the increase has happened as Kentucky's General Assembly has made it easier to own and carry guns. Law changes include allowing people to have concealed guns in their cars and elimination of a six-month residency requirement for a concealed-carry license.

Kentucky's gun laws have ranked consistently among the country's most lenient. The law Center to Prevent Gun Violence gave the state an "F'' rating.

But state lawmakers say loosening gun laws is popular among their constituents, some of whom are concerned about self-defense and others of whom are worried that their the federal government will move to restrict gun ownership.

PARENTS SUE

School sued over care of special needs children

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

LEBANON, Ky. (AP) — The parents of three special needs children say their children suffered abuse or neglect by a special education teacher at Marion County High School last year, and one of the plaintiffs is the school's immediate past principal.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports a lawsuit filed in Marion Circuit Court states that special education teacher Holly Buckman placed students in seclusion without supervision, endangering the life of one girl who is unable to care for herself.

The lawsuit also says that Schools Superintendent Taylora Schlosser fired classroom aides who reported problems to parents.

In a statement, Schlosser said the school district doesn't comment on pending litigation. However, she said district officials are always concerned about allegation involving their students.