EKB News

(FRANKFORT, Ky.) With fuel prices hovering around $1.85 a gallon, KSP expects increased traffic on the roadways this holiday. Thanksgiving is the most dangerous holiday of the year for motorists, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This includes the four-day holiday driving period surrounding that date when heavy traffic, weather and long-distance road trips combine to create severe travel conditions. Often, family celebrations include alcohol, which later evolves into impaired driving. Add that to heavy holiday traffic, and you have a recipe for disaster.
Last year, traffic crashes across Kentucky claimed the lives of 10 people during the Thanksgiving travel period including 1,083 traffic crashes with 212 injuries during that time frame.
“The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is traditionally one of the most traveled weekends of the year," said KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer.
"To ensure we all make it to our destinations safely, Troopers will be on Kentucky roadways looking for unsafe driving practices including safety belt and impaired driving violations.”
"It's the simple, common sense things that can make a crucial difference such as wearing a seat belt, reducing your speed and avoiding driving after consuming alcohol or drugs," notes Brewer.
The official 2008 Thanksgiving holiday enforcement period begins at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26th and extend through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 30th, 2008.
Kentucky has a zero tolerance policy regarding driving while impaired by alcohol. Operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .08 will result in an immediate arrest, says Captain Tim Lucas, Commander of the Highway Safety Branch.
"Even first time offenders face immediate arrest, which can result in court costs, legal fees, higher auto insurance rates, fines, loss of license and even imprisonment," he adds.
Through Nov. 19, Kentucky has recorded 711 highway fatalities in 2008.
This is a decrease of 55 fatalities for the same time period in 2007.
“Even though fatalities have decreased, we must remain vigilant in bringing awareness to all drivers, the importance of exercising safe driving habits,” said Lucas. “These needless deaths are tragic and preventable.”
Kentucky law requires that all passengers in a vehicle wear safety belts, including children. In July, Governor Beshear signed new booster seat legislation requiring children under age seven and between 40 and 50 inches to be secured in a booster seat. Children under 40 inches are required to be in an approved child safety seat.
An additional focus this holiday season is promoting awareness between motorists and truck drivers about sharing the road. Lieutenant Colonel Mitch Bailey, Division Director for KSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, encourages motorists and truck drivers to respect each other on the road.
“Trucks need extra time and more space to change lanes or come to a complete stop,” said Bailey. “Giving trucks the room they need can prevent crashes and save lives. With increased holiday traffic, sharing the road safely is every driver's responsibility.”
KSP urges all motorists to protect themselves and their fellow travelers by following basic safe driving tips:
· Don't drink and drive. Kentucky has a zero
tolerance policy regarding driving while impaired by alcohol. Operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .08 will result in an immediate arrest even for first time offenders. Motorists can also be arrested for lower levels if they are under 21 years of age or operating a commercial vehicle.
· Buckle up. Kentucky law requires drivers to wear
seat belts and assure that all occupants in their vehicle are properly restrained. No warnings will be issued to drivers found not wearing a safety belt. They will receive a citation.
· Use approved child restraints. According to
Kentucky law, all children 40 inches in height or less must be buckled into a child safety restraint seat that meets federal standards.
Children under age seven and between 40 - 50 inches tall must be in a booster seat.
· The back seat is the safest place for children to
sit, especially in vehicles equipped with passenger-side air bags.
Infants and toddlers should never ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger-side air bag. Parents should always be sure that their child's safety seat has been properly installed in the vehicle according to the manufacturer's instructions.
· Obey speed limits. Excessive speed reduces your
ability to avoid a crash, extends your vehicle's stopping distance and increases the severity of a crash when it occurs.
· Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation and fatigue
can cause lapses in attention, slowed awareness and impaired judgment.
· Don't tailgate. Use the "three-second rule" to
determine if you are following a vehicle to closely. To do this, first select a fixed object on the road ahead such as a sign, tree or overpass. When the vehicle ahead of you passes the object, slowly count "one-one thousand, two-one thousand, three-one thousand." If you reach the object before completing the count, you are following too close.
· Don’t cut off semi-trucks. Large trucks require
more space to slow down in order to avoid colliding with your vehicle.
· Avoid aggressive driving behaviors such as passing
on the shoulder of the road, changing lanes without signaling, violating traffic signals and weaving in and out of traffic.
· Expect the unexpected. Watch traffic around you
and be prepared to react. Scan the road ahead for potential hazards.
· Watch for road debris such as tire treads,
garbage, lumber, gravel, tree limbs, mufflers and exhaust parts.
· Avoid or minimize in-car distractions such as cell
phone use, changing CDs, eating or other activities that can remove your attention from the road.
· Take frequent breaks to keep alert during long
distance trips.
· Be extra cautious around large trucks. They have
large "blind spots" and much longer stopping distances than passenger cars.
· Three out of four crashes happen within 25 miles
of home at speeds of 45 miles per hour or less. About 40 percent of all fatal crashes occur on roads where the speed limit is 30 miles per hour or less.
You will find more tips on Thanksgiving travel at http://www.kentuckystatepolice.org/hsp/index.htm
<http://www.kentuckystatepolice.org/hsp/index.htm>
Citizens can contribute to highway safety during the holiday period by reporting erratic, impaired or speeding drivers to the KSP toll-free hotline at 1-800-222-5555. Callers will remain anonymous and should give a description of the vehicle, location, direction of travel and license number, if possible.

Pikeville, Ky.—Pike County Judge/Executive Wayne T. Rutherford has issued an executive order to lift the Emergency Burn Ban that was issued for Pike County in August.

“After conferring with William Knott, Acting District Forester, I have decided to lift the emergency burn ban. Mr. Knott has advised me that the recent rains have mitigated the potential for forest fires in Pike County,” said Judge Rutherford.

“However, I would also like to remind Pike County citizens of the fall and spring forest fire season laws, which allow burning only between the hours of 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.,” Judge Rutherford added.

In Kentucky, October 1 to December 15 and February 15 to April 30 have been designated as fire seasons. During Fire Seasons, it is unlawful to burn any time between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., because higher daytime temperatures, higher wind speeds and decreased humidity feed the spread of wildfires.




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Pikeville, Ky. – AGRESTI Biofuels, working in partnership with Pike County’s Office of the Judge Executive, has significantly advanced negotiations for the Central Appalachian Ethanol Plant Project in Pike County. AGRESTI and county officials have agreed on preliminary language for the contract and have executed an agreement on terms and conditions. AGRESTI and county officials are hopeful to execute the full contract later this month.

The Central Appalachian Ethanol Plant is a state-of-the-art alternative to landfills that recycles 90 percent of municipal solid waste (MSW) into saleable products, including ethanol. The facility does not have any smoke stacks, nor does it consume water in the production of ethanol. It is a fully closed-loop system, making it an excellent partner in Pike County’s comprehensive energy strategy. The 1,600 ton per day facility is expected to produce 20 million gallons of fuel-grade ethanol per year. The facility will use a patented weak acid hydrolysis plug flow process invented by Mr. James Titmas of GeneSyst International.

The announcement of the project in Pike County is consistent with the leadership and vision of Judge/Executive Wayne T. Rutherford, for beneficial and sustainable use of solid waste.

“The collaborative use of MSW and yard waste, an abundant and underutilized feed stock, for the commercial production of cellulosic ethanol in Kentucky provides our country an opportunity to greatly reduce our dependency on foreign oil, while addressing our MSW issues and green house gases associated with landfills,” says Judge Rutherford. “This project is especially exciting to us because it is a privately funded investment, provides jobs for the local economy and has a direct positive and profound impact on our environment.”

The project calls for the employment of approximately 120 employees to operate the facility when fully developed.

“Pre-construction activities for Pike County are moving forward for the $200 million project, and we could not be more pleased with the leadership and partnership provided by Judge Wayne T. Rutherford and Roger Ford in moving this project forward,” says Zig Resiak, program director, AGRESTI. “We are firmly committed to utilizing the local workforce in building the state of the art facility in Pike County,” says Resiak.

AGRESTI expects the project to begin in early 2009 and to be completed within two years.

FRANKFORT, Ky. – First Lady Jane Beshear today announced Kentucky’s statewide effort to assist the National American Red Cross (ARC) in its $100 million Campaign for Disaster Relief fundraising initiative.
“I am thrilled to chair the Honorary Campaign Committee and help raise awareness of the unique role Red Cross plays in serving residents affected by disaster,” said First Lady Jane Beshear. “This campaign provides Kentuckians with the opportunity to improve disaster preparedness for the Commonwealth.”
The First Lady will serve along with Madeline Abramson, wife of Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson and Cheryl Ann Newberry, wife of Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry, as Honorary Campaign Chairs for Kentucky. Along with a group of volunteers across the commonwealth, they will assist Red Cross members in seeking funding to meet Kentucky’s goal of $2 million.
To kick-off the initiative, the Kentucky-based Humana Corporation made the lead contribution of $300,000. In just the past five years, Humana and its employees have contributed more than $1.8 million to the National Disaster Relief Fund, international Red Cross relief efforts and to the Louisville Area Chapter of the American Red Cross for regional disaster preparedness.
All chapters draw money from the National Disaster Relief Fund to pay for services delivered in large disaster relief operations. The Louisville Area Chapter, in cooperation with the Bluegrass Chapter in Lexington will join together to take the lead in the state endeavor to replenish the National Disaster Relief Fund.
The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization comprised of over 700 chapters, chartered by Congress to provide immediate disaster relief services to all residents of the United States. Red Cross disaster relief services, including shelter, food, water and immediate care delivered free of charge. Kentucky Red Cross chapters have responded to almost 14,000 disasters in the past 10 years.

FRANKFORT, Ky. – First Lady Jane Beshear was joined today by former First Lady Libby Jones and former residents of the Old Governor’s Mansion to announce plans for the revitalization of the historic structure on High Street in downtown Frankfort.
In 2010, Kentucky will become the first venue outside of Europe to host the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which will also be the largest equestrian event ever held in the United States. The world stage has inspired Kentuckians to put their best faces forward for this international audience. History will be made in 2010, but history itself will also be made-over before the audience takes their seats.
“The Old Governor’s Mansion is a treasure of our heritage that has seen more than two centuries of wear and tear. Although it is structurally sound thanks to a recent restoration, its walls and rooms are mostly bare and in need of a makeover,” said First Lady Beshear. “I hope you will get excited about this project as visitors from all over the world come to Kentucky for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Let’s show them Kentucky, and an integral part of our history, at its best,” she said.
Through a complex design entry process, talented volunteers from across Kentucky will be invited to compete in 2009 for the opportunity to showcase their designs and redecorate history in the nation’s oldest official executive residence. A weeklong celebration culminating in a grand gala will precede the unveiling of the redecorated mansion. Details of specific special events will be announced at a later date.
Unlike a traditional decorators’ showcase, participants in this revitalization will be asked to volunteer their skills and talent. All of the furnishings, window treatments, furniture and accessories used to complete each room will remain in the mansion as donations to the commonwealth. Design specifications will be developed by the event committee to protect the history and integrity of the mansion while still achieving tasteful and functional rooms for continued use. All designers must be certified by the American Society of Interior Designers to be eligible to participate in the project.
The Mansion Celebration concept originated out of the shared concern of Mrs. Beshear and former First Lady Phyllis George for the vacant mansion. Although there are no funds available for a renovation, neither let that deter from their shared mission. They quickly pulled together people they knew who can make things happen, including Margaret Jewett , owner of L.V. Harkness & Company in Lexington and co-vice president of the Kentucky Equine Humane Center Board of Directors, and thus was born the Kentucky Mansion Celebration project. All of this is being done through private or in-kind donations. No public funds will be used in the renovation or the gala celebration.
Partial proceeds from the grand gala will help benefit another of Kentucky’s historic icons, the horse. The Kentucky Equine Humane Center (KyEHC), located in Nicholasville, will use a percentage of the funds to go toward their mission of finding homes for horses in precarious situations.
The Kentucky Executive Mansions Foundation, Inc. (KEMFI), in partnership with the Governor’s Office, KyEHC and platinum event sponsor L.V. Harkness & Company will be coordinating the celebration and showcase.
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About the Old Governor’s Mansion
Since its construction in the late 1700s, the Old Governor’s Mansion has withstood the wear and tear of large families and entertaining of important guests and delegates. The mansion is an integral contribution to Kentucky’s political and social history. The parlor and formal dining room have welcomed dignitaries such as Theodore Roosevelt, Andrew Jackson, Louis Philippe of France, Henry Clay and William Jennings Bryan, to name a few. The mansion was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1971 and celebrated its 200th birthday in 1998. It is reportedly the oldest official residence in use in the United States today.
About KEMFI
The Kentucky Executive Mansion Foundation, Inc. (KEMFI) was organized to undertake, support, promote, foster and assist, financially and otherwise, the modification to increase environmental efficiency and sustainability, the restoration, the maintenance, and the preservation of Kentucky’s Executive Mansion, Kentucky’s Old Governor’s Mansion and other public buildings, sites, structures, places and objects of historic significance owned by the commonwealth of Kentucky. KEMFI is also to undertake, support, promote, foster and assist, financially and otherwise, the acquisition, restoration, maintenance, or preservation of appropriate works of art, furnishings, and decorative arts for the benefit of Kentucky’s Executive Mansion and Kentucky’s Old Governor’s Mansion.
About KyEHC
The Kentucky Equine Humane Center plays a lifesaving role for horses that would have dim prospects for a productive future. The KyEHC is a first-of-its-kind facility, established with the specific goal of providing owners with a humane option when they need to give up their horses. Any equine—horses, ponies, mules, donkeys and miniature horses—in a precarious situation is accepted at KyEHC. The vision for KyEHC is to educate the public about responsible equine ownership and become a model for horse shelters in all 50 states.

Pikeville, Ky.—The Pike County PRIDE coalition received a $1,000 check from the City of Coal Run Village Monday, November 17.

“On behalf of myself and the Coal Run Village City Commission, we want to help PRIDE in any way we can. We think it is a great think for Pike County,” said Coal Run Mayor LaVerne Dye.

“Pike County PRIDE is grateful to have community sponsors like the City of Coal Run Village. We appreciate the money and the support that we receive from all of them,” said Pike County Judge/Executive Wayne T. Rutherford.

“This money will help PRIDE continue the work it has been doing to clean up the county and to educate Pike County’s children of ways they can help to be good stewards of the environment,” said Pike County PRIDE Board Chairman Adam Akers, D.C.

Justin Boyd , 24, of Island Creek : second degree burglary and theft by unlawful taking.
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David Baker, 23, of Jenkins : first degree burglary and theft by unlawful taking.
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Barbara Norman , 27 , of Pikeville : theft by unlawful taking.
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Samuel Sawyers , 25, of Regina : operating a motor vehicle with alcohol concentration of or above .08 or while under the influence of alcohol fourth offense, operating motor vehicle without an operators’ license.
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Ricky Taylor , 22, of Elkhorn City : possession of handgun by convicted felon.
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Barry N. Abshire , 47, of Phyllis : first degree assault, first degree criminal attempt assault , second degree persistent felony offender.
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Jason Rose, 27, of Pikeville

Stephen T. Varney , 36, of Pikeville

First degree promoting contraband.
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Shauna R. Mullins, 29, of Stanville : first degree trafficking in a controlled substance oxycontin
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Effie Sue McPeek , 60, of Raccoon : first degree trafficking in a controlled substance ( oxycontin )
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Norman Adkins , 54, of Shelbiana : first degree trafficking in a controlled substance ( oxycontin )
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Brenda C. Adams , 61, of Pikeville

Linda S. Holloway, 51 , of Pikeville

First degree trafficking in a controlled substance ( oxycontin )
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Justin Teddy Anderson , 31, of Georgetown :receiving stolen property
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Jeff Thomas , 25 , of South Rapids, MN : four counts of third degree rape.

Thomas is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with a minor less than 16 years old. The alleged acts occurred from July to September of this year.
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Leonard McCrary Jr , 29, of Mouthcard : first degree trafficking in a controlled substance two counts. ( oxycontin )
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Ronnie Ratliff , 42, of Belcher

Debra Senters, 27 , of Belcher

First degree burglary, theft by unlawful taking.

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Christopher Little, 31, of Hellier : setting fire on lands of another, second degree persistent felony offender.

Little a former emergency firefighter for the Kentucky Division of Forestry is accused of setting a forest fire in the Hellier area of Pike County.

Little was convicted in 2001 on a second degree burglary charge in Estill County.
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Clifton Ratliff Jr , 32 , of Raccoon : third degree rape. Ratliff is accused of engaging sexual intercourse with a minor under 16 years old.
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Dennis B. Horn , 44 , of Inez : fourth offense operating a motor vehicle with alcohol concentration of or above .08 or while under the influence of alcohol , operating motor vehicle while license is suspended or revoked for driving under the influence third offense , second degree persistent felony offender.
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Gregory Arthur Coleman , 42, of Elkhorn City : second degree burglary , theft by unlawful taking, second degree possession of controlled substance, third degree possession of controlled substance , second offense possession of drug paraphernalia, second degree persistent felony offender.
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James D. Damron , 19 ,of Virgie : third degree burglary and theft by unlawful taking. Accused of entering the Virgie Double Kwik and stealing cigarettes

FRANKFORT, Ky.) - Preliminary statistics* indicate that seventeen people died in fifteen separate crashes on Kentucky roadways from Monday, November 10 through Sunday, November 16, 2008. Fourteen of the fatalities involved motor vehicles and nine of those victims were not wearing seat belts. Three of these crashes involved the suspected use of alcohol. Motor vehicle crashes occurred in Barren, Breckinridge, Floyd, Hardin, Letcher, Lyon, Madison, Pike, Trimble and Warren counties.

Two double-fatality crashes occurred in Morgan and Nelson counties.

There were two pedestrian fatalities in Harlan and Jefferson counties.

One motorcycle fatality occurred in Pike county. The victim was wearing a helmet and alcohol was not a factor in this crash.

Through November 16, preliminary statistics* indicate that 705 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2008. This is 56 fewer than reported for this time period in 2007. Of the 534 motor vehicle fatalities, 337 victims were not wearing seat belts. Of the 87 motorcycle fatalities, 52 were not wearing helmets. Twenty-four people have been killed in ATV crashes and 22 of those were not wearing helmets. Fifty-four pedestrians have been killed. A total of 148 fatalities have resulted from crashes involving the suspected use of alcohol.

Citizens can contribute to highway safety by reporting erratic drivers to the Kentucky State Police toll-free at 1-800-222-5555. Callers will remain anonymous and should give a description of the vehicle, location, direction of travel and license number if possible.

*These statistics are still preliminary as KSP waits for all local law enforcement agencies throughout the state to report any crashes and fatalities that may have occurred in their areas.

The Kentucky State Police in Pikeville is searching for a male suspect that entered the Meta Double Kwik at 2:56 a.m. Monday morning threatened the clerk , demanded money and fled the scene on foot with an undetermined amount of cash. The alleged perpetrator made threats that we was brandishing a weapon , however he never produced one. If anyone has any info contact the KSP at 433-7711.

Two additional hospitals in eastern Kentucky will go "smoke free" on Thursday. St. Joseph's Hospital in Martin and Highlands Regional Medical Center in Prestonsburg recently announced a NO SMOKING policy will take place on their campuses.

Wes Gilliam, a recent District 3 candidate for the Floyd County Board of Education, says he will seek an attorney in an attempt to prove illegal activites occurred at certain precincts on election night.

Incumbent Jeff Stumbo officially maintained his seat on the board after a canvass showed he held a 42 vote lead. That was the same margin announced on election night.

The West Virginia State Police continue to investigate a single vehicle accident early Friday morning in which a one year old baby boy died and his mother and sister were injured.

According to authorities, the victim's mother Cynthia Hurley, lost control of her vehicle and slammed into a house. The accident happened just after midnight in the small communtiy of Davin. Hurley and her four year old daughter were transported to a hospital.

Logan County emergency officials lifted a "shelter in place" issued for the Town of Man Friday afternoon. A leak was detected from a gas line behind the Nazarene Church. The gas company turned off the gas while they fixed the problem. Emergency crews also responded. No one was injured.

Students at Logan High School were dismissed from classes early on Friday after a portion of a ceiling fell from a second story hallway. No was hurt. The building is over 50 years old . Officials blame the wet weather for the problem.

A weekend accident in Floyd County, involving three vehicles, kills one and injures another.

The victim 36 year old Michele Sparkman of Bull Creek died when the vehicle she was operating was hit by another driven by Virginia Sloan. The accident happened on Town Branch Road. The impact of the crash caused Sparkman's vehicle to pull into the path of another. Sloan and her passenger was not injured. The driver of the third vehicle was treated with back and neck injuries.