Kentucky News Now – November 7th, 2013

YOUNG ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP

Young environmentalists planning campus events

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — An environmental activist group made up of young people and students is hosting a number of events to call attention to energy issues.

Among the events being planned by the Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition is a demonstration at the University of Kentucky basketball game in Lexington on Friday. The group is protesting the use of coal severance funds in a renovation of Rupp Arena.

The group is also planning to petition for a sustainable projects fund at Murray State University on Friday.

On Monday, the group will host a presentation on the youth environmental movement at Western Kentucky University and an event centering on renewable energy at Morehead State on Nov. 14.

The group says the events are meant to highlight the depth of the youth environmental movement in Kentucky.

ENERGY ASSISTANCE

Utilities urge customers to aid heating assistance

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Two Kentucky utilities are urging customers to pitch in to help keep the heat on for people struggling to pay their electric bills.

Through the end of next March, Louisville Gas and Electric Co. and Kentucky Utilities Co. will match $2 for every $1 donated by residential customers to the utilities' heating assistance programs.

In the last five years, customer donations and matching funds from the utilities have raised more than $1.6 million, with about $923,000 of the amount donated by the utilities. The contributions have helped thousands of families pay their heating bills.

Residential customers of LG&E and KU can donate to the assistance programs by making a monthly pledge or a one-time contribution.

Eligibility for heating assistance benefits is determined by third-party nonprofit organizations.

BOURBON HISTORY

Timeline traces key events in bourbon history

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Bourbon fans can learn more about the history of their favorite whiskey.

The Kentucky Distillers' Association has released a bourbon historical timeline of pioneers, landmark events and noteworthy occurrences.

The timeline can be found under the "History" tab at http://www.kybourbontrail.com.

KDA President Eric Gregory says bourbon fans are thirsty for more than premium whiskey. He says they want to know more about bourbon's past.

The interactive timeline documents how bourbon has been affected by such things as advertising, legislation, technology and transportation.

It catalogues historical events such as Prohibition and American wars that have shaped the spirits industry for more than 200 years.

Timeline committee chairman Al Young says the group steered away from brand-specific items and focuses on events that transformed the industry. Young is brand ambassador at Four Roses Distillery.

OFFICER INJURED

Paducah officer injured in crash

PADUCAH, Ky. (AP) — A police officer in Paducah has been injured in a wreck.

West Kentucky Star said a fugitive from San Diego was jailed on first-degree assault on a police officer, first-degree fleeing or evading police and leaving the scene of an accident. The man, 48-year-old Terry R. Murray, was also charged with receiving stolen property under $10,000 and providing a false name or address.

Online jail records did not indicate whether he has a lawyer.

The San Diego County district attorney's office told the Star that Murray is wanted on charges of second-degree burglary and petty theft. He is being held without bond.

The Star identified the officer as Austin Guill and cited a statement from Police Chief Brandon Barnhill saying the officer was hospitalized in serious but stable condition after the collision early Wednesday.

KENTUCKY GOVERNOR

Banker urging Heiner to run for Ky. governor

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A prominent Kentucky banker mentioned as a potential candidate for governor in 2015 says he's backing someone else.

Stanford banker Jess Correll says he's urging former Louisville councilman Hal Heiner to enter the Republican primary.

Correll says the former Louisville mayoral candidate reflects Kentucky's conservative values and would lead the state in a new direction.

Heiner said Wednesday he's giving the race "careful consideration" but doesn't have a timetable for deciding whether to run for governor.

Correll's support for Heiner comes the same week Republican Phil Moffett ruled out another run for governor in 2015.

Moffett, the runner-up in the 2011 GOP gubernatorial primary, is running for a legislative seat next year.

Moffett says state Agriculture Commissioner James Comer would be the front-runner if he enters the GOP primary for governor.

RAND PAUL-PLAGIARISM ALLEGATIONS

Paul sets citation rules amid plagiarism claims

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul is instituting new approval and citation rules for his staffers and researchers as he faces accusations of plagiarism.

The potential presidential candidate initially tried to downplay revelations first reported by MSNBC that he had used material from Wikipedia without attributing it to describe the plot of a sci-fi movie in a recent speech. Since then, more accusations have surfaced about apparently lifted material in another speech, his book and his weekly column in The Washington Times. The newspaper has since dropped the column.

Paul adviser Doug Stafford says the office now plans to make footnotes available on request, and will seek to make attribution to other people's work more complete.