Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Rawl Man Faces Numerous Charges
Bond was set earlier this week at $32,500 for 32 year old Dallas Anderson of Rawl, who faces numerous charges including child neglect, breaking and entering, grand larceny, receiving stolen goods and obstructing an officer. Police say he almost struck two small children while attempting to avoid a traffic stop in the area of Puritan Mines in Delbarton on October 4th., while fleeing with two female children, ages 11 and 13 years, inside his vehicle. Authorities say, in May, he broke into a storage trailer and stole a washer and dryer valued at $700, a boat and other items valued at $1,835. At his residence, a stolen ATV was found.
Mingo County Men Plead Guilty To Drug Charges
Two Mingo County men, 80 year old Kenneth Raymond Brewer of Kermit and 62 year old Chester Woods of Williamson, avoided trials Tuesday by entering guilty pleas to drug related charges. Brewer, who will be sentenced November 9th., will be confined to a state correctional facility for a term of not less than one year nor more than three years and forfeit $30,000. Woods, who pleaded to a lesser included offense, was sentenced to serve a definite term of 12 months and was required to authorize the state to directly apply $946 in seized money to his home confinement arrearages.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Mingo County Woman Attacked In Her Home
Landon Baisden III has been charged with kidnapping and malicious wounding after Arizona Murphy alleges, on Monday, he attacked her and held her captive at her home in Dingess of Mingo County. Murphy claims Baisden choked her until blood filled the white of one of her eyes, and, when she attempted to escape, he chased her into the yard, dragged her back into her house and beat her before he fell asleep, allowing her to escape.
Body Of Census Worker Released
The body of U.S. Census worker Bill Sparkman was released Monday to the Cremation Society of Kentucky after being discovered September 12th. at a Clay County cemetery with a rope around his neck and his hands and feet duct-taped. The cause of his death has been ruled asphyxiation , but investigators have not ruled if it was a homicide, accident or suicide.
Former Jackson Pastor Indicted
A federal grand jury has indicted 44 year old John Edward Smith, former pastor of a Breathitt County Baptist Church in Jackson. Kentucky State Police say, in June, they arrested Smith at a used car lot where he planned to meet a 13 year old girl for the purpose of engaging in sex. A Clark County jury also indicted Smith, alleging he used electronic means to attempt to engage in a sexual act with a minor.
London Woman's Case Headed To Grand Jury
The wanton endangerment case against 40 year old Lisa L. Johnson of London is headed to an October 16th. grand jury. Johnson reportedly police she rear-ended a Laurel County school bus loaded with 53 students near KY 30 and the Hal Rogers Parkway on September 22nd. after using meth. She faces 54 counts of wanton endangerment among drug related and other charges.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Beshear Collects Nearly Half-A-Million For Campaign
According to a recent report filed with the Kentucky Registry of Election, Governor Steve Beshear has collected nearly half-a million dollars for his re-election campaign. In just more than two months, Beshear has pulled in $460,390 and spent just more than $61,000. His campaign says the money was collected from more than 560 people, while tapping several top-ranking government bureaucrats.
Johnson County Triple Murder Trial Set
A Carter County judge has scheduled a triple-murder trial for Robert Drown Jr. for May 10,2010 which is still to take place in Johnson County. Drown is charged with rape, arson and murder in relation to the May 2007 deaths of Jennifer Ison and her daughters, Shannah and Marissa.
Prestonsburg Mayor Fined For Violation of Election Laws
In an agreement made with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, Prestonsburg Mayor Jerry Fannin will pay a $5,000 fine after a decision made this past summer by registry board members that he violated five campaign finance laws while running for re-election in 2006. The ruling stated Fannin violated the law when he accepted in-kind contributions in the form of bumper stickers from T&K Signs, failed to report various disbursements, one totaling $5,618, and submitting false statements in relation to the campaign and its finances.
Guilty Pleas In Eastern Ky. Drug Conspiracy
Forty-eight year old Brad Begley and his wife, 42 year old Paula Begley, both of Clay City, and 36 year old Danny McClain of Irvine all pleaded guilty Monday (today) to conspiring with a former doctor, Milton Brindley, to illegally distribute prescription drugs in eastern Kentucky. The Begleys also admitted to recruiting patients as a part of the conspiracy.
Ky. Health Officials Set Up Toll-Free H1N1 Hotline
Monday (today), the Kentucky Department of Health confirmed two additional swine flu deaths, bringing the state's total to four.
To answer questions related to the H1N1 virus and the seasonal flu, the department has launched a new toll-free hotline, which will be active at least through the end of December, staffed by nurses and administered by Kosair Children's Hospital.
The toll-free number will operate from 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. daily at:
1-877-843-7727
Information can also be accessed at:
http://healthalerts.ky.gov/. or you can follow KyHealthAlerts on Twitter.
To answer questions related to the H1N1 virus and the seasonal flu, the department has launched a new toll-free hotline, which will be active at least through the end of December, staffed by nurses and administered by Kosair Children's Hospital.
The toll-free number will operate from 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. daily at:
1-877-843-7727
Information can also be accessed at:
http://healthalerts.ky.gov/. or you can follow KyHealthAlerts on Twitter.
Court Date Set In Gillispie DUI Case
At a hearing Monday (today) in Anderson County, a final preliminary hearing for November 2nd. and a trial date for February 10th. were set for former University of Kentucky men's basketball coach Billy Gillispie. He was arrested on August 27th., while driving in Lawrenceburg, and charged with DUI, but he has since checked himself in at a rehab center in Houston. William Patrick, who represents Gillispie, says Gillispie is considering a recently offered plea agreement. A decision on whether to accept the deal could be reached by the November hearing.
Illness Shuts Down Corbin Independent School System
Due to illness and decreased attendance, the Corbin Independent school system will remain closed this week. While fall break is set for next week, students are scheduled to return to class October 19th. Monday (today), a 16% absence of teachers and a 12% absence of students prompted officials to make the move as a precaution.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Suspects Arrested Following Economy Drug Robbery
Nineteen year old Joseph L. Hicks of Williams, Ky., 22 year old Brittany L. Cassady of Inez and 38 year old Michael Sincel from Dana were arrested Friday after authorities say they broke into Economy Drug located on Town Mountain Road in Pikeville and stole prescription drugs. Police responding to the break-in discovered broken glass at the front door of the pharmacy and then located the suspects in the parking lot of a nearby pharmacy where they were removing masks and hoods. Officers recovered thirty bottles of stolen drugs, transported the suspects to the Pike County Detention Center and charged them with burglary third-degree, theft of a drug over $500 and criminal mischief first-degree.
Domestic Violence Database Considered
Although Kentucky State Police are mandated by law to retain a detailed database of all auto collisions in the state, they have never been ordered to collect systematic information pertaining to domestic violence. Advocates and experts feel such a practice would help lawmakers craft better public policy which may help save lives. They say it would help officials understand who is most at risk. Leaders in both chambers of the Kentucky General Assembly, Senate President David Williams and House Speaker Greg Stumbo, say they are interested in considering such legislation.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Massey Vows To Appeal Ruling Of National Labor Board
The National Labor Relations Board has sided with the United Mine Workers Labor Union in connection to a long-running court battle with Massey Energy. The board has upheld a ruling by an administrative law judge who determined Massey violated federal labor law by refusing to offer jobs to 85 union miners who were left without a job when Massey subsidiary Mammoth Coal Co. took over operations after Massey bought the company they worked for out of bankruptcy in 2004. The board ordered Mammoth to pay the miners for loss of earnings and benefits and to recognize the UMWA as the miners union and negotiate with the union at the mines. Massey CEO Don Blankenship says the company did not discriminate in their hiring and that the company had offered the miners their jobs, and Massey plans to appeal.
American Electric Power Customers Getting Higher Bills
The West Virginia Public Service Commission approved a 12.1% rate increase which went into effect this past week for customers of Applachian Power and Wheeling Power. The increase covers the first year of what is planned to be a four year phase-in. The utilities originally sought a 43% rate increase they said was needed to cover the cost of higher fuel. As a result of the increase, AEP, which owns the subsidiaries, is expected to take in $124.7 million in new revenue.
Mingo County Man Arrested
The Mingo County Sheriff's Department recently arrested 31 year old Allen K. Brewer of Kermit and charged him with three counts of wanton endangerment, nighttime burglary, domestic assault and illegal possession of a firearm. A criminal complaint states Brewer kicked his way into the Laurel Creek home of Jimmy Pritt. Once inside, he allegedly placed an automatic handgun to the head of his girlfriend, Linda Copley, and threatened to kill her, before placing the gun against her stomach, threatening to kill her unborn child. After leaving the home, deputies say he drove by the location, firing several rounds, with two rounds striking the residence. Bond was set at $21,000.
Coal Industry Speaks Favorably Of Proposed PATH In W. Va.
During a recent West Virginia Public Service Commission hearing, coal industry representatives told the commission they are in favor of the proposed $1.8 billion PATH (Potomac Applachian Transmission Highline). They say it would help market electricity made by burning coal, thereby giving the mining industry a needed boost. Some who attended the meeting voiced their fear it would unfairly raise their local electric rates. PATH, a controversial project, is proposed by American Electric Power and Allegheny Power. If approved, the high-voltage line would cross through a dozen West Virginia counties. The Public Service Commission has hearings scheduled for October 13th. in Canaan Valley and October 27th. in Buckhannon.
Kentucky Governor On Week-Long Trade Mission
Accompanied by First Lady Jane Beshear and Economic Development Secretary Larry Hayes, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear will be visiting China and Japan this week, while on a week-long trade mission to attempt to build on investments that businesses in the two countries already have made in Kentucky. Japanese companies, including Toyota Motor Manufacturing which has an assembly plant in Georgetown, employ 37,000 people in Kentucky. Since 2006, Kentucky has had a trade center in Bejing, China.
Pike County City Cracks Down On Drug Dealers
Round-ups continue as the city of Coal Run officials crack down on alleged drug dealers. Recently, 32 year old Nathan Riley Hinkle of Pikeville was arrested for allegedly selling and transporting OxyContin into the area. Coal Run officers and Pike County Sheriff officials went to a residence on Stone Coal where Hinkle barricaded himself in for about one hour before consenting to a search of the residence where drug paraphernalia was discovered. Authorities say Hinkle supplied information which led them to additional arrests. Law enforcements were led to Audrey Lane near Mossy Bottom where they say a controlled buy occurred. Arrested was 78 year old Jim Spradlin, 53 year old Charline Woods and 29 year old Jody Dean Hinkle. After being alerted, authorities went to the parking lot of an area bank where they arrested 30 year old Donna Rutherford and 48 year old Floyd Mullins. They were all charged with drug-related offenses.
Renovation At Pike County School Approved
Pike County Board of Education members have unanimously approved plans for further renovations of the cafeteria at Dorton Elementary, which presently stands at more than $1.5 million. One board member says he approved the changes even though, over the course of 16 months, the cost has increased, but Pike County Superintendent Roger Wagner says the need is there. Plans approved in May 2008 set the budget at $234,000, but it later increased to $700,000 before growing to $1,489,000 by April 2009. The cost now stands at $1,735,000. Wagner says the growth of the Dorton community is the reason for the project, and revisions were made when needs were discovered. He attributes the needs to the growth of the student body.
Pike County Mother Getting New Trial
Less than two years after being convicted of second-degree manslaughter, in connection to the July 10,2005 drowning death of her four year old son Joshua Justice, Rhonda Justice has been released after posting 10% of a $10,000 bond, while she awaits a second trial. Her conviction was overturned in March when the Kentucky Court of Appeals determined the original trial erred when testimony, detailing her prior bad habits, was allowed to be entered. Investigators say her son drowned in a neighbor's pool on Vanover Lane located near Pikeville. A pretrial conference is set for November 6th.
KET Executive Director Planning To Retire
Sixty-three year old Malcolm "Mac" Wall, executive director of Kentucky Educational Television (KET), has announced he is retiring at the end of the year, after having served in the position for six and one-half years. Wall, who has had a forty year career in public broadcasting, cites a $15.7 million completion of KET's high-definition production center as a highlight of his leadership with KET. Under Wall's leadership, online education services, such as KET EncycloMedia, have expanded dramatically, providing a keystone service for teachers and students in Kentucky classrooms.
State Representative Seeks Tax Holiday For Kentucky
State Representative Fitz Steele, a Democrat who represents Harlan and Perry counties, has pre-filed a bill seeking to create an annual three-day tax holiday that would allow consumers to purchase certain items which would be exempt from Kentucky's 6% sales tax or to purchase certain items via Internet without applying the 6% use tax. The Kentucky General Assembly's 2010 legislative session, which begins in January, will consider the proposal. If passed, the holiday would begin on the first Friday in August and end the following Sunday.
Ky. Receives Grant Aimed At Job Growth
To help create jobs and encourage economic development, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this past week, awarded nearly a half-million dollars ($499,975) in stimulus funds to Kentucky. Under a new program, the Strengthening Communities Fund, the grant is purposed to improve the ability of non-profit organizations to promote the economic recovery of people with low incomes, thereby spurring job growth.
Ky. College Enrollment Hits All-Time High
Over the past several years, Kentucky has been experiencing fairly consistent growth in college and university enrollment. According to a recent report from the state's Council on Postsecondary Education, since 2008, Kentucky's community college system has seen the largest increase of more than 11%, while the overall increase in colleges and universities saw a 5.4% increase. Preliminary enrollment figures show more than 250,000 students are in enrolled in public universities and colleges within the state, creating an all-time high.
Gillispie Lawyer To Ask For Additional Time
The DUI case for former University of Kentucky men's basketball coach Billy Gillispie is scheduled to be in Anderson County Court on Monday. However, his attorney says he plans to ask for additional time to further consider a recent plea deal offer. Gillispie was arrested in August while driving in Lawrenceburg.
Louisville Preparing For Disney Filming
Louisville, Kentucky is gearing up for the Walt Disney Studios' filming of "Secretariat," the story of a thoroughbred horse who, in 1973, became the first U.S. Triple Crown champion in 25 years, while going out of the gate and into history. All signage in the paddock area of Churchill Downs is being changed to prepare for the arrival of crews, and the racetrack is being transformed back to the 70s when Secretariat ran in the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May 1973. Wardrobes depicting the 1970s are being brought in from Hollywood, and metal benches are being replaced with wooden ones to reflect the scene as it appeared the day Secretariat thrilled the hearts of many.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Ky. And W. Va. Confirm Second Swine Flu Deaths
Kentucky and West Virginia have both confirmed their second cases of swine-flu-related deaths. A 41 year old Louisville, Kentucky woman who died on September 21st. had no apparent underlying medical conditions, making her death unusual. Although state health officials say there is nothing to indicate the disease is getting worse, flu outbreak prompted school officials in some school districts to cancel classes this past week. According to state health officials, about 500 Kentuckians die each year of seasonal flu which has symptoms similar to the swine flu, which is now widespread in Kentucky.
West Virginia has confirmed the state's second swine flu death. Thirty-seven year old Amy Scott of Huntington, who worked as a home health care nurse for Pro Nursing, died Thursday afternoon.
West Virginia has confirmed the state's second swine flu death. Thirty-seven year old Amy Scott of Huntington, who worked as a home health care nurse for Pro Nursing, died Thursday afternoon.
Massey Acquires Bankrupt Kentucky Mining Company
Coal producing giant Massey Energy has announced it has acquired 23 million tons of coal reserves and several mines from bankrupt Ashland, Kentucky -based Applachian Fuels. Although the terms were not disclosed, Massey says the deal covers reserves and mines in Fayette County, and Massey expects to resume mining some of the metallurgical coal within a few months.
Mining Permits Stalled For Ky. And W. Va.
In an attempt to curb damage from mountaintop removal mining, the Obama administration put brakes this week on 79 applications for surface coal mining permits for mines in West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. The permits were on a preliminary list released on September 11 th. by the EPA which ruled to further review them. EPA says the permits would likely cause significant damage to water quality and the environment, violating the Clean Water Act. The applications now go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
W. Va. Lottery Abandons Plans For New Office Building
The West Virginia Lottery Commission abandoned a plan earlier this week to build a $60 million, seven story office building which would have housed the Lottery's headquarters, the Tax Division and other state agencies, along with a 750 space parking garage proposed to be constructed near the Capitol Complex. A weak economy and hurting lottery revenues were attributed as the basis for the decision.
American Legion To Honor Deceased Veterans
Huntington, W. Va. To honor 33 veterans who have died in recent years, American Legion Post 16 will host a Post-Everlasting ceremony in the meeting hall of their facility located on 6th. Ave. in Huntington. The ceremony, which is expected to last about 25 minutes, will be held at 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, October 6th.
Former Wyoming Co. Director Wins Court Battle
Wyoming Co. W. Va. Former Wyoming County Council on Aging Director Bob Graham has won a court battle involving the state of West Virginia. A claim by the state that Graham was paid an excessive salary and benefits while serving as director for the council has been dismissed. In 2006, Graham was convicted on one count of cashing out $31,129 in sick leave without his employer's approval, but the conviction was later overturned. He has been at odds with the state over his frozen retirement account since being released from prison. He is now appealing a federal judge's refusal to sign a certificate of innocence.
Ride With Cops Set To Depart From Huntington
Huntington, W. Va. This Sunday, motorcycle enthusiasts will join members of the Huntington Police Department as they roll out of Huntington at 11:00 A.M. Sunday morning for the seventh annual "Ride With Cops" event. The annual motorcycle ride, organized by Huntington Police Patrolman Mike Hudson, benefits the Fraternal Order of Police Children's Christmas Party. Registration begins at 9:00 A.M. Sunday at Buddy's All-American Bar-B-Que, located at 1537 3rd. Ave. In advance, registration costs $20 per ride, but the price increases to $25 per-person on Sunday. The event leaves Buddy's at 11:00 A.M., taking a new route along U.S. 52 into Ohio, across a bridge at the Greenup Dam into Kentucky and across the AA Highway to Grayson before returning to Buddy's in Huntington. The ride will include stops at John Clark Oil and James Family Outfitters.
Ky. Widows Can Seek Loss Of Consortium
The Kentucky Supreme Court has ruled 7-0 that a widowed spouse can sue for damages related to loss of physical and emotional companionship in wrongful death cases. The ruling overturned a long-standing precedent which denied spouses the ability to collect legal damages in such cases. Under Kentucky law, a spouse can sue for loss of consortium if their spouse is permanently incapacitated but could not seek the same damages if they died. In 1997, the state Supreme Court ruled a child could sue for loss of consortium for the loss of a parent.
Kentucky Set To Receive H1N1 Nasal Spray
Local Kentucky health departments should begin receiving the first shipments of nasal-spray vaccine to protect against H1N1 swine flu next week. Initial doses will be aimed at health care workers and target groups. The doses will be first alloted to health care workers under age 50, people caring for young children and children and young adults from ages 2 to 24. The initial shipment will be 24,300 doses of nasal vaccine, while injectible forms of the vaccine are expected in coming weeks.
Kentucky Highway Deaths Are Increasing
The number of people killed on Kentucky roadways is on the rise. According to preliminary numbers released by the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety, as of September 30th., there were 586 fatalities on Kentucky roadways this year...five more than the same time last year. There were a total of 826 fatalities on Kentucky roadways in 2008.
Citizen's Police Academy Starting Date Changed
Floyd Co., Ky. The starting date for the Kentucky State Police Citizen's Police Academy has been rescheduled for October 22nd. The location and starting time remain the same...6:00 P.M. at Prestonsburg High School. The Academy runs on Thursday nights for eleven weeks.
Pike County Judge Gets Top Post
Pike County Family Court Judge Larry Thompson has been elected President of the Kentucky Circuit Judge's Association. It happened during the Circuit Judge's College, held September 20-24th. in Lexington. His term as President is for two years.
Corrections Corp. of America Faces Lawsuit
The Corrections Corp. of America, which owns the Otter Creek Correctional Center in Wheelwright, and prison warden Jeff Little have been slapped with a lawsuit. Former recreation coordinator Delmas Johnson alleges he was wrongfully terminated from his position on March 17th. due to age discrimination and political reasons. Court documents include a problem-solving notice listing Johnson's alleged infraction as the reason for termination. The notice states, from November 23rd. through January 8, 2009, he allowed an unsupervised inmate access to restricted areas. It states he allowed the same inmate to perform unauthorized job duties within the Recreational Department from, November 20th. to January 8,2009, while officially assigned to another work location.
U.K. Receives Grant To Test Violence Prevention Program
The Center for Disease and Prevention has provided a $2 million grant to University of Kentucky researchers, which will be paid out over a five year period. Beginning this spring, educators will use the money to provide a violence awareness program called Green Dot to 13 Kentucky high schools to determine whether a dating violence prevention program can help prevent abuse among students. Then U.K. researchers will compare surveys of students at those schools and 13 others that won't have the Green Dot program, in an effort to measure the program's effectiveness.
Ky. Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Merck &Co.
Attorney General Jack Conway has filed a lawsuit against pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. The suit says that, in May, 2009, Merck began an "aggresive and deceptive" campaign promoting its anti-inflammatory drug Vioxx. Conway says the campaign promoted the drug for relief of conditions including osteoarthritis and menstrual pain but failed to mention the increased risk of cardiovascular complications, including heart attack and stroke. Conway says Kentucky will not tolerate this type of deception which puts consumers at risk. Vioxx was removed from the market in 2004.
Methadone Deaths Increase As Prescriptions Increase
According to data collected through the Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting System, better known as the prescription tracking system KASPER, the rate of issued prescriptions for controlled substances increased in all but two of Kentucky's 120 counties between the years of 2005 and 2007. Crittenden and Union counties were the only two that did not show an increase. Reports show that, for the period, drug arrests increased by nearly 30%. In 2008, 485 overdose deaths were reported, with methadone, a painkiller intended to treat narcotic withdrawal, detected in 144 of those deaths.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Mingo Co. Confessed Murderer Gets Life
As part of a plea agreement, Thursday (today), re-tried Mingo County confessed murderer, 47 year old Valerie Suzette Friend, formerly of North Matewan, told the court that, on April 17, 2005, she fatally shot federal drug informant 33 year old Carla Collins once in the chest with a gun provided by George Lecco. Friend told the court that Lecco, formerly of Red Jacket, wanted Collins dead because he feared she was supplying law enforcement with details about his drug operation which was selling cocaine out of Lecco's Pizza Plus. In exchange for her guilty plea and willingness to testify against Lecco, prosecutors agreed to a life sentence for Friend.
Mingo County Murder Case Going To Grand Jury
Thursday (today), 39 year old Roger Stroud of Kermit agreed to waive his preliminary hearing, sending his first-degree murder case straight to the grand jury which is scheduled for January. His lawyer and prosecution agreed to share discovery evidence related to the shooting death of his estranged wife, Michelle Stroud, whose body was discovered inside a refrigerator dumped down a hill on Newsome Ridge in Mingo County. Stroud remains jailed without bond.
Knott County Man Charged With Death Of Wife
Twenty-six year old Mack Tackett of Topmost (Knott County) has been arrested and charged with one count of murder in the death of his wife, Heather Tackett. Kentucky State Police say, just before 2:00 A.M. on September 5th., they received a call that Mack Tackett had shot himself. When police arrived, they found 29 year old Heather Tackett inside the residence deceased from a single gunshot wound. Mack Tackett was transported to Holston Valley Medical Center in Tennessee, where he was originally listed in critical condition from a gunshot wound in the face. Tackett is being held at Roederer Correctional Complex in LaGrange.
Floyd County Man Could Soon Be Released
Joshua Mock of Maytown (Floyd County) admitted that, on Thanksgiving morning of last year, he shot and killed his wife, Linda, but Mock claimed he shot her in self defense. Police told a different story. They said evidence and a witness showed he intentionally shot his 28 year old wife in the neck during a fight. Mock was originally charged with murder, but he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of reckless homicide and was sentenced to five years in prison, but that sentence has been probated. Mock could soon be released.
Father Charged In Death Of Wolfe County Son
Kentucky State Police say Ernest Banks of Campton was arrested recently and charged with facilitation to commit murder in connection with the August 18th. shooting death of his son, 39 year old Elson Banks, who was found on the front porch of his home in the Lexie community of Wolfe County. Police say Elson Banks had been shot multiple times by his brother, 37 year old Bronson Banks. Ernest Banks is being held in Three Forks Regional Jail on a $425,000 cash bond.
Ky. Supreme Court Decision Surprises Lawmakers
The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled, by a 5-2 decision, Thursday (today) that a law passed by Kentucky lawmakers and implemented on July 12, 2006, banning sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of playgrounds, schools and day care centers, had been improperly applied. The court ruled the law cannot apply to those who committed offenses before the law was implemented, saying it would violate the ex post facto clause in the U.S. Constitution. Several Kentucky lawmakers say they're disappointed and surprised by the decision.
