Kentucky News Now – March 28th 2014

PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

Kentucky Senate OKs public private partnerships

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A bill has passed through both chambers of the Kentucky Legislature allowing state and local government to partner with private sources for funding on projects.

Passed by the Kentucky Senate on Thursday, the bill would require all projects using public private partnerships to be approved by the Finance Cabinet, and be overseen by the Capitol Projects and Bond Oversight Committee.

Speaking on behalf of the measure, Republican Sen. Sara Gregory of Monticello said the bill is a tool in the state's financial toolbox.

Democratic Sen. Ray Jones of Pikeville argued that some provisions of the bill could create lower wages.

The bill passed the Senate on a 27-9 vote and now heads to the governor's desk to be signed into law.

STATE PARKS-CAMPING

State parks offering 2-for-1 camping

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Visitors to Kentucky State Parks can find a bargain on camping prices beginning next month and running through May 22.

The parks are offering two nights for the price of one Sundays through Thursdays during that time as well as during Camper Appreciation Weekend, which is April 25 through April 27.

The discount is available by making online reservations at http://www.parks.ky.gov. Use the "reservations" tab at the top of the page and enter the promotion code "SPRING14" to receive the offer.

Kentucky State Parks have 31 campgrounds across the state.

For more information, visit the website or call (888) 4KY-PARK, or (888) 459-7275.

ART-ECONOMY

Funding received for workshops on art, economy

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Public workshops are scheduled this spring in eastern Kentucky to provide arts-related resources to help spur economic growth.

The Kentucky Arts Council says it has received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Citizens' Institute on Rural Design to conduct the workshops in May.

The events are set for May 9 at Rowan County Artisan Center in Morehead and May 13 at Hindman Settlement School. A third event will be offered by invitation in Cumberland.

Registration and agenda information will be available later on the council's website at http://artscouncil.ky.gov.

SEAT BELTS-FANS

Police encouraging basketball fans to buckle up

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Louisville and Kentucky basketball fans may travel a little more safely following a Kentucky State Police event.

State police will hand out free UK or U of L T-shirts to the first 200 people they see wearing seat belts at a couple of locations starting at 11 a.m. EDT Friday in Louisville and Lexington.

UK and U of L meet in the NCAA Sweet 16 Friday night in Indianapolis.

The locations are the north parking lot of Target in Hamburg Pavilion at 2308 Sir Barton Way in Lexington and Papa John's Cardinal Stadium's student parking lot at 2800 Floyd St. in Louisville.

State police say fans will be asked to sign a pledge promising to wear seat belts when traveling in a vehicle.

ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES

House OKs keeping e-cigarettes away from minors

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky House has passed a bill that would ban the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors.

Supporters say the measure carries the same rules that apply in banning youth access to tobacco products.

The House made some changes to the bill before passing it Thursday.

The measure will return to the Senate, which will decide whether to accept the House's revisions. If the Senate goes along with those changes, the bill would go to Gov. Steve Beshear for his consideration.

E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices resembling traditional cigarettes. They heat a liquid solution, creating vapor that users inhale to get nicotine without the smoke of regular cigarettes.

MAN DRAGGED-FATALITY

Ala. man dies after being struck by vehicle

GADSDEN, Ala. (AP) — Authorities in Etowah County say a Gadsden man has died after being hit by a car and dragged across a bridge.

Investigators say 45-year-old Matthew Paul Goddard was taken to Gadsden Regional Medical Center after being hit by a car Wednesday night on the Meighan Bridge. Deputy Coroner Michael Head says the man was pronounced dead early Thursday morning.

Head says the man was riding in the vehicle, tried to get out and was dragged the length of the bridge. Authorities say 28-year-old Keeley Jan Maddox of Kentucky is being held without bond and is charged with driving under the influence. It's unclear if she has an attorney.

Police say the accident is under investigation.

CELLPHONE PHOTOS

Ky. House passes bill to toughen voyeurism law

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky House has given final passage to a bill that would update the state's voyeurism law to punish people who take photos up women's skirts.

The proposal takes aim at a practice known as "upskirting."

The bill would make it illegal to photograph or videotape an undergarment that isn't publicly visible.

Voyeurism can result in jail time in Kentucky.

The House voted Thursday to send the measure to Gov. Steve Beshear. The bill previously passed the Senate.

The bill's supporters said the voyeurism law needs to be expanded to keep up with the increasing use of mobile phones to take photos.

PHOENIX-ASSISTANT MANAGER

Phoenix names a new assistant city manager

PHOENIX (AP) — Milton Dohoney Jr. has been named Phoenix's assistant city manager.

City officials made the announcement Thursday.

They say Dohoney has nearly 30 years of executive experience leading organizations in three cities.

He was a finalist for Phoenix's city manager position that went to Ed Zuercher on Feb. 19 after a six-month national search.

Zuercher had been acting city manager since David Cavazos left the job last October.

Dohoney worked for seven years as Cincinnati's city manager and for more than three years as chief administrative officer of Lexington Fayette Urban County Government in Kentucky.

He also worked for 20 years with the city of Louisville in positions such as assistant community services director, chief administrative officer and public safety director.