The Latest Kentucky News Now

TEMPORARY SALES TAX

Committee to gather info on temporary sales tax

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A legislative committee will hear testimony Wednesday on a proposal to allow local governments to let citizens decide on implementing a temporary sales tax to fund specific projects.

The idea being heard by the Interim Joint Committee on Local Government at 10 a.m. EDT is to allow ballot referendums on whether to temporarily impose a sales tax of up to 1 cent to pay for new parks, sidewalks, roads and buildings.

Some 37 states already allow a temporary sales tax for local government projects.

Committee Chairman Steve Riggs said too often cities don't have the money to pay for special projects.

Legislation calling for a constitutional amendment to allow such a temporary tax was introduced in the General Assembly earlier this year but didn't receive a vote.

PUBLIC LANDS-NO FEE

Some recreation areas waving fees this weekend

WINCHESTER, Ky. (AP) — Visitors to several recreation areas won't have to pay fees this weekend as Daniel Boone National Forest marks National Public Lands Day.

Overnight campers in the back country of Red River Gorge, at Barren Fork Horse Camp in McCreary County and at Bee Rock Campground along the Rockcastle River of Laurel and Pulaski counties won't be required to have a recreation fee pass on Friday or Saturday.

And on Saturday and Sunday, the recreation fee pass is not necessary at several locations. They are Cave Run Lake and Laurel River Lake, all boat ramps outside of developed campgrounds; Natural Arch Scenic Area and Appletree Shooting Range in McCreary County; Redbird Crest Trail in Clay and Leslie counties; and White Sulphur ATV Trail in Bath County.

HOMELESS SHELTER

Northern Ky. homeless shelter looking for new site

COVINGTON, Ky. (AP)— Northern Kentucky's only homeless shelter is launching a $1.5 million capital campaign to pay for a new location and other expenses.

Kenton County sold the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky's current building to Gateway Community and Technical College as part of the college's urban campus expansion in Covington.

Shelter board president John Carey told The Kentucky Enquirer (http://bit.ly/1b7p54q) that shelter officials are working with local officials to find a new home.

The capital campaign is trying to raise $1 million to acquire a facility, renovate it and secure a long-term lease. Carey says the remainder includes $200,000 for staff and $300,000 for an endowment.

The shelter, which housed 439 people last year, has operated in the 5,000-square-foot building since 2008, leasing it from the county for $1 per year.

CIVIL UNION-TESTIMONY

Judge: Woman must testify against partner

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Jefferson County judge has ruled that the same-sex partner of a woman charged with murder must testify against her and isn't protected by the husband-wife privilege under state law.

The case is the first legal test in the state over forcing same-sex partners to testify against each other.

WDRB-TV reported that Circuit Judge Susan Schultz Gibson ruled Monday that it's "abundantly clear" that Kentucky doesn't recognize same-sex marriages within the state or from other states.

Bobbie Jo Clary and Geneva Case entered into a civil union in Vermont several years ago. Prosecutors argued Case should have to testify about hearing Clary admit to killing a man two years ago and seeing her clean blood out of the man's van.

PAWN SHOP SHOOTING

Danville shop shooting suspect still at large

DANVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Danville Police say a suspect who fatally shot three people at a downtown pawn shop remains at large, and they are continuing to seek tips and information from the public.

Chief Tony Gray said at a news conference Monday that a van seen in the area could have been the suspect's vehicle.

The shop's owners, Michael Hockensmith and his wife Angela Hockensmith, were killed in the Friday shootings, along with Daniel P. Smith of Richmond.

Gray said Smith had a "business arrangement" with the store and had a weekly routine that included a stop there. He said police are trying to determine if Smith was robbed during the shooting.

Gray says Kentucky State Police and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting in the investigation.