Kentucky News Now – June 9th 2015

KENTUCKY GOVERNOR-DEBATES

Conway agrees to 6 appearances with Bevin before election

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Democratic nominee for governor Jack Conway has agreed to six appearances with Republican nominee Matt Bevin in the months before the Nov. 3 general election.

The appearances are:

-A forum in Louisville on June 19 before the joint convention of the associations of county judge-executives, magistrates and commissioners.

-A forum hosted by the Kentucky Farm Bureau on July 23.

-Political speaking at the St. Jerome's Fancy Farm Picnic on Aug. 1.

-A debate at Centre College on Oct. 6 to be broadcast statewide.

-A debate at Eastern Kentucky University on Oct. 25 to be broadcast statewide

-An appearance on KET's "Kentucky Tonight" program on Oct. 26.

A spokesman for Bevin said the campaign has already accepted numerous debate invitations and will continue to accept them.

TRUCK FIRE

Truck fire slows traffic on Interstate 75

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The Lexington traffic management center says the southbound lanes of Interstate 75 have been closed at Clays Ferry bridge after a tractor-trailer caught fire.

Multiple media outlets reported that the Madison County coroner was called to the scene of the blaze, which occurred around the 99 mile marker.

Lexington Fire Department Battalion Chief Mark Harvey said the truck fire was reported at about 6:30 a.m. Monday. Further information wasn't immediately available.

SLAYING-ABDUCTION

Trial set for man charged in fatal highway shooting in Ohio

LEBANON, Ohio (AP) — An Illinois man charged with kidnapping a Kentucky woman and fatally shooting her last year along Interstate 75 in southwest Ohio is set for trial next year.

The Ohio trial of 41-year-old Terry Froman of Brookport, Illinois, is scheduled to start Feb. 22 in Lebanon. Froman has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated murder, kidnapping and discharging a firearm in the slaying of 34-year-old Kim Thomas of Mayfield, Kentucky.

Authorities allege Froman killed his estranged girlfriend's 17-year-old son in Kentucky and then kidnapped and killed her along the highway about 30 miles north of Cincinnati. Froman was arrested Sept. 12.

His trial was set for August. But Warren County's prosecutor says the defense wanted more time to review evidence.

Froman's attorney didn't immediately return a call Monday seeking comment.

LEXINGTON GRANT

Old Lexington courthouse to get cleaned up with EPA grant

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The city of Lexington has been given a $200,000 grant to clean up contamination at the old Fayette County courthouse.

The award comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It's part of the EPA's Brownfields Program, which assists communities in cleaning up environmental contamination so properties can be reused.

Lexington's cleanup application was submitted in December and went through a competitive national selection process.

The old building, built in 1898, has contaminants including lead-based paint, mold, asbestos and bird droppings.

The court system moved to a new building in 2002.

HEMP-LOCUST GROVE

Locust Grove growing hemp in pilot program

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Locust Grove, the 18th century home of the sister and brother-in-law of George Rogers Clark and William Clark, is growing industrial hemp.

The seeds were planted last week at the site by its gardener, Sarah Sutherland. Locust Grove says the crop was grown by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

Locust Grove is participating in the hemp pilot program administered by the Kentucky Agriculture Department and plans a Hemp Festival on Aug. 9.

The festival will feature a Hemp Village, where products may be purchased, a Hemp Cafe with foods made from hemp oil and seeds, rope and paper-making demonstrations and a question-and-answer session with experts about the future of hemp in Kentucky. A World War II-era documentary, "Hemp for Victory," and a new film, "Bringing It Home," will be shown.

BRIDGE LIGHTING

Funding approved to restore lights on Maysville bridge

MAYSVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Restoration of the "necklace" lights of Maysville's Simon Kenton Memorial Bridge has been approved for $300,000 in funding from the state.

Gov. Steve Beshear's office says the lights were turned off more than a year ago on the 84-year-old suspension bridge over the Ohio River because inspectors found exposed wiring and other damage and hazards.

Beshear said in a news release the bridge is a "showpiece" for the city. It connects Maysville and Aberdeen, Ohio.

Before the work begins, the City Commission must approve a memorandum of agreement that calls for the city to maintain the lighting system once it is restored.

The funding comes from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. It includes $50,000 for design work and $250,000 for installation.

DRUG ARREST

Trigg County man arrested on pot charges

CADIZ, Ky. (AP) — The Trigg County Sheriff's Department arrested a man on charges of marijuana trafficking and possession, among other offenses.

Multiple news sources report Sheriff Ray Burnham received a tip concerning drug activity at a residence on Kentucky 272 Sunday. Authorities didn't immediately release his identity.

Burnham says as he drove by the residence, a man was seen outside allegedly smoking a marijuana cigarette.

Officials obtained a search warrant, then found over a half pound of marijuana, scales, pills, and other drug paraphernalia. Several firearms were also seized, as well as more than $500 cash.

A Trigg County deputy charged the man with trafficking in marijuana, possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm of a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance, and prescription not in a proper container.

DEADLY SHOOTING

1 man dead, 2 others injured in nearby Lexington shootings

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — One man has been killed and two others were injured in a pair of shootings that occurred within a few blocks and hours of each other.

Multiple news sources report police were called to a scene around 6 p.m. Sunday where they found a car with two men inside who had been shot. The Fayette County coroner's office says 31-year-old Montez Lamont Graves later died from his injuries and a second man was taken to the hospital. His condition is unknown.

Police say around 8:30 p.m., a wounded man was found in a sedan and was taken to the hospital in critical condition with at least one gunshot wound.

Lt. Jonathan Bastian says police did not know whether the two shootings were related.