Kentucky News Now – Monday April 14th 2014

PARK CLOSED-WILDFIRE

Harlan County state park closed due to wildfire

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

CUMBERLAND, Ky. (AP) — Authorities have closed a Harlan County state park because of a wildfire.

According to WKYT-TV, the Harlan County Emergency Management reported Sunday that Kingdom Come State Park has been shut down until further notice due to a wildfire that spread over the weekend.

The park is located atop Pine Mountain near the city of Cumberland.

Officials say crews are working to contain the wildfire.

VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Pike County volunteer fire department reopens

(Information in the following story is from: WYMT-TV, http://www.wkyt.com/wymtnews)

Belfry, Ky. (AP) — A volunteer fire department in Pike County that was forced to close has reopened.

WYMT-TV reports that an audit of the Hatfield Fire Department by the Kentucky Fire Commission revealed some problems, mainly that only three firefighters were on the roster when the state requires 12.

After being closed for about a month, the department has reopened with a roster of 15 and a new six-member board.

Officials are now raising money and applying for grants to train the new firefighters, as well as update outdated equipment.

SIGN LANGUAGE TEACHER

Personal experiences help sign language teacher

DANVILLE, Ky. (AP) — What started as a degree in accounting at the University of Louisville eventually led Kentucky School for the Deaf graduate Max Williamson back to Danville as an educator.

He said his goal was to own his own business, but he got involved within the deaf community as a volunteer.

He began working at the Sign Lab at University of Louisville, which was through Eastern Kentucky University, as a satellite campus.

He graduated from U of L in 2010 and decided to pursue a master's degree at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.

There, he found a passion.

He now teaches at EKU's Richmond and Danville campuses and contributes via video conference at Murray State University.

ABSENTEE VOTER ROLLS

Lawsuit seeks access to absentee voter rolls

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

COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A state Senate candidate has filed a lawsuit challenging a law passed last year that keeps absentee voter rolls private until after election.

The Kentucky Enquirer reports Deb Sheldon, who is running for the open 24th District seat, says she and other candidates should have access to the names.

County clerks say that candidates previously had asked for the list of people who requested absentee ballots as a way of identifying likely voters.

The lawsuit seeks to make the names public before the May 20 primary. It also asks the court to declare the state law unconstitutional.

The 24th Senate District includes the counties of Campbell, Pendleton and Bracken.