http://http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/index.xml News, sports, and entertainment from Kentucky.com en-us Copyright 2009 Kentucky.com Local 60 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:58:07 EST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's Workbench interactive-ops@herald-leader.com http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1018557.html http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1018557.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:08 EST
Brian Allen McGuire, 27, of Lexington is scheduled to go to trial Nov. 1, 2010 in the death in June of Jos Daniel Donato, a fellow custodian. Donato, 38, was shot multiple times and died at the scene. A grand jury indicted McGuire on charges of murder and unlawful possession of a weapon on school property. McGuire is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 29 for a motion hearing.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1019343.html http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1019343.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:36 EST
Kristine Lafoe could be sentenced to up to five years in federal prison on Wednesday, but Lafoe is asking for 12 to 18 months of home detention and community service.

In a court document filed in October, she said her actions were in part motivated by a "desire to be a part of the male dominated culture" at the jail and "to compensate for her lack of any real supervisory authority over the males under her command."

"In reality, Kris did not have the actual authority that her title would indicate," her attorney Patrick Nash said in an Oct. 14 motion asking for no prison time.

Lafoe's contention comes amid recent allegations in lawsuits and jail documents that men working at the jail have behaved inappropriately toward female inmates and one female officer. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1018523.html http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1018523.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:53 EST
The money goes to Bluegrass PRIDE (Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment), which will use it for a grants program, environmental education in schools and communities, and in developing a plan to shape Central Kentucky's environmental future.

The funding was announced at the Green Earth Bio-Fuel of Kentucky site in Estill County.

Clark, Estill, Garrard, Lincoln, Madison, Montgomery, Powell and Nicholas counties are eligible for the programs.

Some of the money will be used to survey air and water quality, waste management resources, green space, storm water issues, and environmental awareness in the Appalachian Regional Commission counties that PRIDE serves.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1018438.html http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1018438.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:55 EST
That meeting was scheduled to discuss the city's response to a request before the state Public Service Commission by Kentucky American Water to build a $162 million treatment plant and pipeline. That request was ultimately approved.

City officials had planned to meet behind closed doors. But the Herald-Leader objected, citing the state's Open Meetings Law.

The city argued the meeting fell under an exception that allows a public agency to discuss "proposed or pending litigation" out of the public's view.

Fayette Circuit Judge Sheila Isaac agreed with the newspaper, and the 21/2 hour meeting was opened.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1017769.html http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1017769.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:23 EST
Lexington: Mayor Jim Newberry's re-election campaign said Thursday that he has raised $267,079 from more than 400 contributors since June. Newberry is seeking re-election for a second term. He will hold an official campaign kick-off rally at Lexington Convention Center at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday. He is facing a challenge from former Mayor Teresa Isaac. She had raised $32,000 as of Sept. 30, according to state campaign finance documents.

Eric Patrick Marr, a local consultant, also has entered the race but showed no fund-raising activity by Sept. 30, according to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. The election is in May.

Cause of death for 'Shoeshine'

Lexington: Louis Gill Cobb, a fixture in downtown Lexington also known as "Shoeshine," died Wednesday of unspecified cardiac problems, according to the Fayette County coroner's office. An autopsy was performed on Cobb, 43, on Thursday. The death was reported to be from natural causes, pending toxicology results.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1016983.html http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1016983.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:33 EST
State health officials announced Thursday that much of the seasonal influenza vaccine manufactured for this year has been distributed.

"In many cases, seasonal flu vaccine was given as soon as the vaccine arrived, in the months of September and October," said Dr. William Hacker, the state's Public Health Commissioner.

"We currently have a very limited supply left at the health department and will likely be completely out by the end of the week," said Kevin Hall, spokesman for the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department.

Some 6,624 shots have been given out in Fayette County so far. A small number of additional doses is coming, he said, but's unclear when. Hall said seasonal flu shots are usually available through his department until March.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1017616.html http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1017616.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:12 EST
The commission adopted the South Nicholasville Road Small Area Plan, which will guide future development along the corridor, including the 52 acre-Fritz Farm and the nearby 103-acre University of Kentucky Horticultural Research Farm.

John Fritz Jr. expressed relief after the Planning Commission's vote. "It's the end of a very long road," he said. "I'm a happy guy."

Now the farm can be developed one-third commerical, one-third mixed-used and one-third residential.

Fritz said he only wished his father had lived to see this day. John R. Fritz Sr., a farmer who died 11 years ago Thursday at age 79, started in the mid-1980's trying to get his land rezoned.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1017508.html http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1017508.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:30 EST
Or at least, that's the plan.

After nearly a year of laying the groundwork to enforce its new policy, UK will officially become a tobacco-free campus on Nov. 19 the day of the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout.

That means not only will smoking be banned inside UK's buildings, but it won't be allowed on university-owned sidewalks, roads, grassy areas, benches or picnic areas where students often light up between classes.

"UK is really committed to this," said Ellen Hahn, professor of nursing and director of UK's Tobacco Policy Research Center, who has co-chaired the tobacco-free task force. "We're in the business of serving young people and creating a healthy place for them."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1017765.html http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1017765.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:10 EST
The complaint by corrections officer Charlotte Trotter is the second whistle-blower lawsuit filed against the jail this year.

Those lawsuits and other jail documents outline a series of allegations of sexual misconduct and other inappropriate behavior by male employees at the jail against female inmates and Trotter.

In one incident, which did not involve Trotter, a corrections officer at the jail resigned in August after jail officials determined that he showed a cell phone photo of his penis to a female inmate, according to an internal affairs case summary report.

On Aug. 21, jail officials referred the case to Lexington police for possible criminal charges, the report said. Lexington Police Lt. Doug Pape said police have not filed criminal charges against the officer, who has not been named in any lawsuit.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1017164.html http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1017164.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:46 EST
Fans of the model horses can look for "Esprit," commissioned from sculptor Kathleen Moody "to symbolize the spirit of the horses competing in eight different disciplines" at WEG, according to a news release.

Breyer also plans to release collectibles based on the different equestrian sports, including a reining model and a dressage model, tied to WEG. The games are coming to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington from Sept. 25 to Oct. 10.

And in case the kids can't get enough of horses real and plastic while they are at the games, Breyer is setting up an interactive play area "using Breyer's realistic model horses and pint-sized jumps for children," according to the announcement.

"Breyer model horses are iconic in the equine industry, and we are proud to have Breyer as part of the 2010 Games family," said Terry Johnson, WEG 2010 Foundation vice president of sales. "Breyer's creation of the official model horse sculptures will provide spectators and fans with a beautiful memento of the 2010 Games."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1015112.html http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1015112.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:17 EST
The vaccine will be given in the form of a nasal mist which is not recommended for people with serious health conditions. It also can't be given to people who has taken influenza anti-viral medications, such as Tamiflu, Relenza, amantadine or rimantadine, within the previous 48 hours.

The nasal vaccine is approved for use in healthy people age 2 to 49 who are not pregnant or nursing.

The University Health Services clinic at 830 S. Limestone will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those under 18 will need a UK student ID to receive the vaccine.

For information on H1N1 or other clinics, call the Public Health Influenza Hotline at 1-877-843-7727 or go to http://healthalerts.ky.gov. Or contact the Lexington health department at www.lexflucrew.com or (859) 288-7529.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1015346.html http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1015346.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:09 EST
If all goes as planned, the 30-acre cemetery south of Nicholasville will gain an additional 21 acres, officials said during and after Wednesday's Veterans Day program.

Jessamine County Fiscal Court owns the land on the northeast side of the national cemetery. It is now part of Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park, a 600-acre site that once was a training and supply camp for the Union Army and an enlistment station for African-American troops. It also became a refugee camp for freed slaves and their families.

The county has long desired to donate a small portion of the Civil War park to the cemetery.

"We're just waiting for the federal government to do the paperwork," Jessamine County Judge-Executive Neal Cassity said. "We're ready to make a deed."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1015508.html http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1015508.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:20 EST
In a lawsuit filed Monday in Fayette Circuit Court, Lexington attorney Astrida Lemkins contends someone wrote false, defamatory comments about her in response to a Sept. 18 article about Nunn.

Lemkins subpoenaed the Herald-Leader to produce the e-mail addresses of any individual who used the screen name "supercalifragilistic" to make comments about Lemkins.

"I'm just trying to find out who wrote those defamatory comments," Lemkins said in a telephone interview Wednesday. "I'm trying to find out who it is so I can pursue further action."

Herald-Leader editor Peter Baniak said the comments in question have been removed from the site, and the user name has been blocked from Kentucky.com for violating the Web site's terms of service.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1014519.html http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1014519.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:38 EST
It was a dangerous job, in a dangerous time called the Cold War.

The weather off the Atlantic coast of Spain was cold and brutal, hammering the sub with 30-foot waves as it operated on the surface. A menacing Soviet spy trawler lurked nearby.

Semones from Versailles, just a few miles from Henry Clay's Lexington estate wore a life vest and carried a safety line called a "monkey tail." But before he could secure the line, a wave swept him overboard.

Billy Semones' body was never found. He was 28, the only man ever lost on the Henry Clay.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1014532.html http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1014532.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:54 EST
President Barack Obama's Veterans Day proclamation said: "We have a sacred trust with those who wear the uniform of the United States of America. From the Minutemen who stood watch over Lexington and Concord to the service members who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, American veterans deserve our deepest appreciation and respect. ... Today, we reflect upon the invaluable contributions of our country's veterans and reaffirm our commitment to provide them and their families with the essential support they were promised and have earned."

The following is a list of some of the ways Central Kentuckians are recognizing veterans.

Ceremonies

A variety of ceremonies will be held.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1014705.html http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1014705.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:27 EST
MAIL DELIVERY

The U.S. Postal Service will not deliver mail.

CLOSED

U.S. District Court]]> http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1014533.html http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1014533.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:33 EST
Florence Reece, a miner's wife, wrote that song about the economic controversies surrounding coal in Harlan County in the 1930s. Thursday's forum, sponsored by UK's College of Engineering, focused on the global controversies surrounding coal today.

What made the forum remarkable was that it might have been the first time that so many coal executives, environmentalists and community activists sat together in the same room and discussed those controversies openly and, for the most part, honestly.

Some speakers on both sides fell into the old traps misrepresentations, oversimplifications and emotional appeals. But most stuck to facts. Things are different when you're addressing your biggest critics, rather than preaching to your choir.

Historian Ron Bryant noted that coal's effects on human health and the environment have been controversial since mining began in Kentucky in the 1820s. "But the need for coal stopped all arguments," he said.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1014526.html http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1014526.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:31 EST
Garland "Andy" Barr, 36, promised a group of supporters at a Lexington hotel that he would bring fiscal conservative values to Washington if elected in November 2010.

"The American people deserve better," Barr said. "They want leaders that will stop spending money that we don't have."

The Lexington lawyer is the first Republican to formally announce his candidacy for the seat held by Ben Chandler, D-Versailles. Barr formed an exploratory committee in September and had raised more than $185,000 by the end of September.

Matt Lockett, a Nicholasville Republican, also has expressed interest in running.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1014525.html http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1014525.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:36 EST
"I knew going into this thing that I would be criticized no matter what I did. That's one of the problems when you take a moderate viewpoint in today's climate," said Chandler, a fourth-term Democratic lawmaker from Versailles. "You can't appease both liberals and conservatives. And I don't vote the way folks want me to vote all of the time."

Indeed, scarcely had votes been cast Saturday night when the conservative Americans for Limited Government sent an e-mail to its members and media outlets condemning Chandler for supporting the measure that would create a government-run health insurance plan. The organization, which sharply criticized Chandler earlier this summer, was forced to issue a hasty retraction and begrudging congratulations when it realized Chandler was one of 39 Democrats who voted against the measure.

The misstep spoke volumes about the difficulty some have had in pinning down Chandler's methodology when voting on major pieces of legislation.

"Look at Ben Chandler, and you see someone who voted for the Democratic energy bill, voted against health care, and he's one of the four Democrats with that voting pattern who gained a well-funded challenger between June and November," said David Wasserman, an editor at the Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan political analysis group in Washington. "It's a reflection that these members no longer have an aura of invincibility as the energy level on the Republican side has increased."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1013764.html http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/1013764.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:49 EST
And the case could potentially affect the way the county school system provides assistance for such students.

At issue is an administrative complaint filed with the state Department of Education last February by the Children's Law Center, a non-profit legal group with offices in Lexington. The complaint cited 12 middle and high school students who allegedly were denied special education services by the Fayette district. It further contended that the school district systematically fails to identify and help such students in violation of the U.S. Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.

In September, the education department issued a report on the complaint, finding that the school district had violated various regulations in the cases of seven of the students. The report directed the school district to take corrective steps such as providing additional staff training and offering compensatory services for some students.

Now, the school system has filed suit asking Fayette Circuit Court to overturn the state's findings. The findings are "arbitrary and capricious" and some of the corrective steps imposed are inconsistent with a U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals case, the lawsuit argues.]]>