Kentucky News Now – March 4th 2014

UNIVERSITY PAYCHECKS

UK payroll issue 85 percent resolved

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Most of the University of Kentucky direct deposit payroll that didn't make it into bank accounts as scheduled Friday has now been posted.

The university says as of Monday afternoon, about 85 percent of employee pay had been posted, with the remainder expected to be posted by Monday night.

UK said last week that PNC Bank, which handles payroll posting, had an error that resulted in the problem.

Some financial institutions have offered to waive fees that resulted from the delay, and UK said it would reimburse employees for any overdraft, nonsufficient funds and late fees incurred. The university also provided a link to a letter from PNC for employees concerned about their credit scores.

The error affected about 16,000 full-time, part-time and temporary employees who are paid biweekly.

CORVETTE MUSEUM-SINKHOLE

First 2 Corvettes pulled from Kentucky sinkhole

Two classic cars swallowed by a sinkhole beneath the National Corvette Museum in Kentucky have re-emerged.

Six more prized vehicles are still lodged in the giant hole that opened last month at the Bowling Green museum.

Workers in a cage were lowered into the hole to hook straps around the cars removed Monday, a 2009 ZR1 Blue Devil and a 1993 Ruby Red 40th Anniversary Corvette.

Museum Katie Frassinelli says workers hope Tuesday to recover a 1962 black Corvette. She says the others won't be pulled out until workers further stabilize the sinkhole.

Chevrolet spokesman Monte Doran says the ZR1 has minor damage. He says the other car has more extensive damage and body panels will need replacing.

Chevrolet will oversee restoration of the cars at a Michigan plant.

JUDGE THREATENED

Man sentenced to 2 years in threat against judge

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

LONDON, Ky. (AP) — A Greenup County man has been sentenced to two years in prison for threatening to kill federal officials involved in the prosecution of his father in a child pornography case.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports U.S. District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove sentenced 19-year-old Michael A. Collins on Thursday in London.

Court records indicate Collins told a counselor at the Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy, a National Guard program in Harlan County in December 2012 that he planned to spend Christmas with his family, then kill U.S. District Judge David Bunning, U.S. Magistrate Judge Edward Atkins and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Denney.

Collins' father, John Collins, is serving an 11-year sentence.

TORNADO DRILL

Statewide tornado drill set in Ky. for Wednesday

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A scheduled statewide tornado safety drill has been delayed for a day due to a winter storm that has caused problems and closed schools around Kentucky this week.

The drill is being held as part of Severe Weather Awareness Month and is set for 10:07 a.m. EST Wednesday.

Louisville emergency officials say the National Weather Service, the Kentucky Weather Preparedness Committee and the Kentucky Broadcasters Association will send a tornado test message that will activate weather radios and broadcast media. Louisville tornado sirens will also sound.

Schools, businesses and residents are encouraged to participate in the statewide drill.

FIRE COMMISSION

800 line set up for volunteer firefighter recruits

VERSAILLES, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Fire Commission has set up an 800 phone line to provide information to prospective volunteer firefighters.

The commission says the number will direct calls from all over Kentucky to recruiters who will take information from people interested in joining volunteer departments. The information will be passed along to the volunteer service closest to the caller.

The commission says the 800 number will make it easier for those who want to join a fire department as well as streamline volunteer records.

Kentucky Fire Commission Executive Director Ronnie Day says volunteers are important to the commission and to the fire service.

The direct line is (800) FIRELINE, or (800) 347-3546.