Kentucky News Update – August 7, 2013

Nunn's ex-wife launches her book

PIPELINE FIGHT

Groups to protest gas pipeline at Ky. Capitol

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Land owners and environmentalists are gathering in Frankfort to protest a proposed pipeline that would carry flammable liquids through several counties in northern Kentucky.

A partnership of two energy companies announced a plan earlier this year to build the underground pipeline. The Bluegrass Pipeline would carry natural gas liquids from sources in the northeast to a connection in Breckinridge County.

Environmental groups, including Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, are planning to take a petition to Gov. Steve Beshear's office on Wednesday afternoon. In a statement, the groups say they are concerned the pipeline project will use eminent domain laws to cut a pathway through privately owned lands.

Several landowners have voiced opposition to the project, and local governments in Franklin, Scott and Marion counties have passed resolutions opposing the pipeline.

DEPUTY JAILERS INDICTED

2 deputy jailers charged in death of inmate

HAZARD, Ky. (AP) — Two eastern Kentucky deputy jailers have been charged in the death of an inmate last month.

Kentucky State Police say indictments were returned Tuesday in Perry County charging 36-year-old Damon Hickman of Hazard and 57-year-old William C. Howell of Estill in Floyd County with one count of first-degree manslaughter.

They are accused in the July 9 death of inmate Larry Trent at Kentucky River Regional Jail in Hazard.

Police said Hickman and Howell surrendered at the Hazard state police post and were lodged in the Hazard jail. The jail was not able to provide information about whether bond was set or whether the men had attorneys.

MINING FATAL

Coal miner killed in eastern Ky., 2 more injured

HARLAN, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky officials say a coal miner has been killed and two more injured in an underground eastern Kentucky mine.

The miners were working with a mining machine and became trapped when a wall apparently collapsed.

The collapse killed 56-year-old Lenny D. Gilliam of Appalachia, Va.

The Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing says the incident was reported around noon EDT Tuesday at the mine near Holmes Mill on Black Mountain in Harlan County. The injured workers were taken to a hospital, but their conditions were not known.

The mine is operated by Lone Mountain Processing, a subsidiary of St. Louis-based Arch Coal.

It was the second mining-related fatality in Kentucky this year.

CREEPY CRAWLIES

Creepy crawlies big attraction at Kentucky park

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — An eastern Kentucky state park will provide another opportunity this year for people to get a look into the world of caterpillars.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park has set aside Aug. 23-24 for guided caterpillar walks and butterfly expeditions, both of which proved especially popular last year for children with a fascination for creepy crawlies.

Natural Bridge is best known for its namesake rock arches, steep terrain and lush forests, all of which combine to make good habitat for an assortment of interesting insects.

The park is some 50 miles southeast of Lexington off the Mountain Parkway.

MEDICAL SCREENINGS

Free health screenings available in Mayfield

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Free medical, dental and optical screenings are being provided to Kentuckians in the city of Mayfield in western Kentucky through Tuesday.

The Delta Regional Authority and the Department of Defense are providing the screenings in four states to help families in medically underserved areas receive health care services. The services are provided by 152 medical personnel from the U.S. Army Reserve and Army National Guard.

Other towns included are Blytheville, Ark.; Hayti, Mo.; and Dyersburg, Tenn.

In Mayfield, screenings are being done at the Old Morgan Haugh Clinic from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT daily, including Saturday and Sunday.

Services do not include emergency or obstetrical treatments. Dental exams are available for those 13 and older, while medical and optometry services require patients to be 2 or older.

For more information, visit http://dra.gov/initiatives/health/irt.aspx or call (888) 468-6372 or (662) 624-8600.

CHILD'S BODY FOUND

Ohio jury indicts Ky. couple in child death

HILLSBORO, Ohio (AP) — A grand jury has indicted a Richmond, Ky., couple on various charges including murder in connection with the discovery of a child's body in southwest Ohio.

The Times-Gazette of Hillsboro  reports the indictments against 26-year-old Whitney Johnson and 25-year-old Nathan Ritze includes child endangerment and abuse of a corpse charges.

The body of a 1-year-old child was found May 31 in woods near Hillsboro in southwest Ohio. Police say the couple told them they buried Johnson's son Garin Niehaus on Dec. 19. Police say earlier that Johnson told them the child had pneumonia.

Police say neither tried to contact authorities before burying the boy. They have been held on $100,000 bonds on initial charges.

The couple's court-appointed attorneys did not immediately return requests for comment.

COACH-SEX CHARGES

Ky. youth sports coach charged with abusing 6

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A northern Kentucky youth sports coach has been charged with sexually abusing six boys entrusted to his care.

A grand jury in Boone County on Tuesday handed up 14 charges against 46-year-old Michael Schweitzer of Hebron. Schweitzer has been in custody since June 26 on charges of sodomy with an incapable person or someone unable to give consent, unlawful transactions with a minor and illegal possession of a controlled substance.

Police say Schweitzer slipped a sleeping pill to one 13-year-old boy staying with him, then molested the youth while he slept.

Schweitzer had no listed attorney in Boone County court records.