WOMI Daystarter – July 29, 2013

Troops provide free medical care in KY, TN

PADUCAH, Ky. (AP) — Licensed medical professionals serving in the military are on a mission to provide free medical care to residents in western Kentucky and Tennessee.

The Paducah Sun reports that a program called Innovative Readiness Training provides medical screening, non-emergency medical treatment, minor lab tests, optometry exams and free glasses.

Service also include prescription assistance services, educational information and dental exams.

The program wrapped up a deployment in Martin, Tenn., on July 17. More than 3,200 patients received services ranging from general health and optical care to oral care in Martin.

The program will begin taking patients Aug. 5 in Mayfield, Ky. The mission also will visit Hayti, Mo., Dyersburg, Tenn., and Blytheville, Ark.

The mission is part of a partnership with the Delta Regional Authority and the Department of Defense.

JAILED JUVENILES

Ky cuts number of jailed non-criminal juveniles

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Judges in Kentucky have cut by half the number of children they are sending to jail for non-criminal offenses such as skipping school and running away from home.

Recently released data from Kentucky Youth Advocates shows that the number of juveniles jailed has steadily fallen to 1,090 last year from 2,270 in 2007.

The Courier-Journal reports that state and local officials have agreed that dealing with children who are "status offenders" should be done outside of jail.

One state representative predicts a push by the General Assembly to prohibit jailing juveniles for non-criminal offenses that don't apply to adults.

Still, Kentucky ranked fourth in the country for the number of status offenders it sent to jail in the past year, using contempt-of-court violations to sidestep federal and state laws.

PRISON HORSES

Lexington prisoners work with horses

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The brown, white and black horses poking their heads out of their stalls in the barn would make any visitor forget they're at a prison.

That's what Anthony Smith, an inmate at Blackburn Correctional Complex, says he likes about the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's program that allows inmates to work with horses.

Smith says working with horses "gets you out of the prison state of mind."

Inmates at the state minimum-security prison recently showcased their new talents and explained the program to people who sponsor horses at the facility, the media and members of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, a group that focuses on taking care of retired racehorses, many of whom are at the end of their lives and not suited to new careers as riding or pleasure horses.

MINE MYSTERIES

Solving abandoned mine mysteries

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — In Hollywood, abandoned mines create adventure worthy of Indiana Jones: Heroes escape them just before towering explosions, treasures are buried deep in their dark caverns and villains are trapped beneath their crumbling walls.

The pull to explore a real-life version can be powerful, especially for young thrill-seekers.

Steve Dungan's job is to bring those people back to reality.

The fact is, deteriorating coalfields often produce dangerous landslides and water-filled pits and leave behind gaping mineshafts, unsound equipment and unsafe buildings.

As one of two appraisers with the state's Division of Abandoned Mine Lands, the 58-year-old Dungan provides the person-to-person link in the division's mission to repurpose the unused lands while protecting the public from health and safety hazards.

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!         ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY         !

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On July 29th, 1957, Jack Paar made his debut as host of NBC's "Tonight" show.

In 1959, the Isley Brothers recorded "Shout."

In 1965, The Beatles' second film, "Help," had its royal premiere at London's Pavillion Theatre.

In 1966, Bob Dylan was involved in a motorcycle accident near Woodstock, New York. He suffered critical injuries and took months to recover.

In 1973, Led Zeppelin's safe deposit box at The Drake Hotel in New York was robbed. The band lost $180,000 in concert receipts from two shows at Madison Square Garden.

In 1974, Mama Cass Elliott was found dead in London. It was rumored that the former Mamas and Papas lead singer choked on a ham sandwich, but a coroner ruled she had suffered a heart attack. She was 30.

In 1987, Ben and Jerry's began selling Cherry Garcia ice cream, in honor of Grateful Dead singer-guitarist Jerry Garcia.

In 1996, actor Martin Lawrence was arrested at the airport in Burbank, California, after police found a loaded handgun in a suitcase he was taking on a flight to Phoenix.

In 2000, actor Brad Pitt married actress Jennifer Aniston in Malibu, California. They separated after four and a half years of marriage.

In 2006, actress Pamela Anderson and musician Kid Rock were married in St. Tropez, France. They both filed for divorce four months later.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Robert Horton ("Wagon Train") is 89. Actor Robert Fuller ("Laramie," ''Emergency!") is 80. Actor David Warner ("Titanic") is 72. Keyboardist Neal Doughty of REO Speedwagon is 67. Singer-bassist Geddy Lee of Rush is 60. Documentary maker Ken Burns is 60. TV personality Tim Gunn ("Project Runway") is 60. Singer Patti Scialfa (skee-AL'-fah) with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band is 60. Actress Alexandra Paul ("Baywatch") is 50. Country singer Martina McBride is 47. Drummer Chris Gorman (Belly) is 46. Actor Tim Omundson ("Psych") is 44. Actor Wil Wheaton is 41. Singer Wanya (wuh-NAY') Morris of Boyz II Men is 40. Actor Stephen Dorff is 40. Country singer James Otto is 40. Actor Josh Radnor ("How I Met Your Mother") is 39. Musician Danger Mouse of Gnarls Barkley is 36. Actress Allison Mack ("Smallville") is 31.