Kentucky News Now – Monday April 7th 2014

POWER PLANT CLOSING

Big Rivers announces Hawesville plant closure

(Information in the following story is from: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, http://www.messenger-inquirer.com)

HAWESVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Big Rivers Electric Corporation is closing its Kenneth C. Coleman Station in Hawesville after losing two of its largest customers.

Company spokesman Marty Littrel told the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer the company will take the plant offline May 1. About 96 employees are expected to lose their jobs.

The shutdown comes after Century Aluminum of Kentucky cancelled contracts for its Hawesville and Sebree smelting plants. Both plants hope to get cheaper power on the open wholesale market. The cancelations have cost the Henderson-based utility $360 million in annual revenue. Littrel said the plant closing will save $20 million per year.

Big Rivers had expected to shut down the D.B. Wilson plant in Centertown this year, but a deal to sell 200 megawatts will keep that plant open through February 2015.

CONSERVATIVE RALLY

Glenn Beck, conservatives to rally with Bevin

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Republican Senate challenger Matt Bevin is looking for a boost as a national conservative group holds a rally in Louisville.

FreedomWorks is a tea party organization that backs Bevin's primary challenge against Sen. Mitch McConnell. Rally organizers say they expect several thousand activists to attend a Saturday event that features conservative media personality Glenn Beck.

Bevin and fellow Senate challenger Chris McDaniel of Mississippi also will speak.

The Kentucky primary is May 20. McDaniel is challenging longtime Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran in a June 3 primary.

Conservatives have made McConnell and Cochran key targets, saying the incumbents haven't done enough to lower taxes and shrink the size of government. McConnell, Cochran and other veteran Republicans say they're conservative and that their experience benefits their states.

BIKE LOUISVILLE

Louisville aiming to become more bike-friendly

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

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Michael Carroll grew up in Leitchfield and weighed 325 pounds when he moved to Louisville to study engineering five years ago.

Then he began cycling around the University's Belknap campus and lost 125 pounds. The convert to cycling graduated with a bachelor's degree in business before opening the Old Bikes Belong bike shop two years ago.

The Courier-Journal reports Carroll is part of the city's growing cycling movement as Louisville becomes increasingly bike friendly.

Rolf Eisinger is a Louisville Metro engineering technician who focuses on building the city's bicycling infrastructure.

He said many people want to bike, but they worry about safety. The city hopes to make those people who are on the fence more comfortable about biking through marked bike lanes and routes.

KENTUCKY CELEBRATION

Small fires doused as fans celebrate Wildcats' win

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Authorities say more than 40 small fires were doused, 12 people were treated for minor injuries and several people were arrested after University of Kentucky fans filled Lexington streets to celebrate the Wildcat's NCAA tournament win over Wisconsin.

The 74-73 win on Saturday night sends the Wildcats to the national championship game on Monday, when eighth-seeded Kentucky (29-10) will play seventh-seeded Connecticut (31-8).

University of Kentucky spokeswoman Kathy Johnson says "nothing got out of control" following the game as crowds filled State Street where students traditionally gather after big wins. She says most fires involved couches or trash, and crowds were dispersed by 2:30 a.m.

Police officials were not immediately available for comment.