Kentucky News Now – March 3rd 2014

WINTER WEATHER-KENTUCKY

Freezing rain, sleet move across Kentucky

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Officials say waves of freezing rain and sleet have moved across northern, central and western Kentucky, part of a winter storm that will make road travel treacherous and could result in power outages.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says ice was collecting on trees and vehicles on Sunday, and some tree limbs are starting to sag under the weight. Falling tree limbs could hit power lines, causing them to break.

The freezing rain and ice was expected to turn into snow later Sunday, and snowfall was expected to continue into Monday.

Officials are telling residents to avoid unnecessary travel. In Union County, crews have started salting and plowing roads to deal with slick spots.

Authorities said the ferry connecting Hickman, Ky. with Dorena, Mo. has been closed due to icy conditions.

SPEEDWAY-STATE POLICE

Kentucky Speedway pays bill to state police

(Information in the following story is from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Speedway has paid an overdue bill of nearly $300,000 to Kentucky State Police for providing security on the track's grounds during four major race weeks in 2012 and 2013.

According to The Courier-Journal, State Police Commissioner Rodney Brewer says Speedway Motorsports sent a check for $299,125.86 by express mail from its corporate headquarters in Charlotte, N.C. Speedway Motorsports owns the track in Gallatin County.

The payment was received after The Courier-Journal reported that the state police had been pressing the track since last August for payment for races in 2012 and last year.

The track has had agreements with the state police to provide security during major events, and the track made timely payments under those agreements through 2011.

GREEN RIVER-BLUEWAYS

Development of Green River water trail discussed

GLASGOW, Ky. (AP) — Officials say the development of a blueway water trail along the Green River will benefit communities by providing safe public access to the river, diversifying local economics and offering healthy outdoor recreation opportunities.

The Glasgow Daily Times reports that Russell Clark with the National Park Service's River and Trails Conservation Assistance Program spoke during the Green River Watershed Summit about water trails. Clark is working to develop a blueway water trail along the Green River.

The trail will extend from the Green River Lake Dam to the Ohio River, encompassing 16 counties and extending 300 miles.

Elaine Wilson, Kentucky's adventure tourism director, said trail towns are destinations that allow people to access trails in national parks, national forests, state parks or large trail systems.

HELPING UKRAINE'S ORPHANS

Louisville group helps Ukrainian orphans

(Information in the following story is from: WHAS-TV, http://www.whas11.com)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A foundation in Louisville is working to help orphans in Ukraine, where violence erupted following months of pro-democracy protests.

WHAS-TV reports that Bob Drane is one of several Louisville parents who helped start the Hopeful Heart Foundation after they adopted children from rundown, antiquated orphanages in Ukraine.

The foundation provides food, clothing and medication to hundreds of orphans in Simferopol, the capital of Crimea. The group, which has a five person staff in Ukraine, also operates transitional living homes for orphans who otherwise would be homeless.

A new Ukrainian government came to power last week following protests against pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych, who fled to Russia after more than 80 people died.

U.S. officials have criticized Russia for its military incursion into the Ukraine and its Crimea region.

MAKING MAPLE SYRUP

Maple syrup sweetens pot for farm family

MITCHELLSBURG, Ky. (AP) — Now that winter has finally taken a vacation, it's busy time for Joyce and Gary Taylor.

The sap is rising in the maple trees scattered about Knob View Farm, where the Taylors have recently added syrup making to their homegrown, certified organic family farming operation that also includes beef cattle, several greenhouses, honey bees, jellies, jams and various pickled products.

With a $500 investment, the Taylors took up syrup making last winter as slow-time-on-the-farm project for Gary, who had just retired after working as a maintenance man for Boyle County schools. They are among only a handful of folks in the area that make maple real syrup for resale.

The Taylors learned the ropes last season and had great success with the limited supply they were able to produce.

STATE TREASURER TARGETED

GOP seeks to eliminate state treasurer's office

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The office of Kentucky's state treasurer could be abolished this year if a Republican-backed measure from the state Senate gains traction in the House.

The bill would put a question before Kentucky voters, asking whether they think Kentucky's oldest constitutional office should be abolished.

Though it has appeared in the state legislature in years before, this year the bill is sponsored by Sen. Chris McDaniel, a Republican from Taylor Mill, who says he can save the state $1.4 million by abolishing the office.

Democratic leadership is split on the issue. Governor Steve Beshear has the power to veto the bill if it passes both chambers, and says he doesn't think the question will make it to the ballot.

BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE

Business leaders support tolls for bridge project

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

COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Northern Kentucky business leaders have come out in support of tolls to help pay for a project that would relieve traffic congestion at a major bridge that spans the Ohio River.

The $2.6 billion project would build a new span alongside the Brent Spence Bridge, which connects Cincinnati and Covington, Ky. It also would renovate the current 50-year-old span.

The Kentucky Enquirer reports the first public endorsement for tolls came last week when a group of eight executives at some of the region's largest employers signed a letter to the newspaper expressing support for the idea.

In addition, the board of directors at the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce voted on Wednesday to change its position on the issue, saying the project won't happen without tolls.