Friday, March 25, 2011
EKB Capsule News...Kentucky...3-26-'11
- Pikeville Police arrested 51 year old Bradford Francke, of Montana, Thursday night after he allegedly stole an ambulance parked at the Pikeville Medical Center. Questcare ambulance drivers say Francke took off after they found him sitting in their ambulance outside PMC. A short time later, Pikeville officers spotted the stolen ambulance and tried to stop it, but Francke refused to pull over, leading police on a chase. When officers caught up with him, Francke became physically combative and had to be tasered. Francke was lodged in the Pike County Detention Center.
- Kentucky mine officials have confirmed 54 year old Robert. L Cook, of Inez in Martin County died in a mine accident Friday at the Czar mine, located on the Martin/Johnson County line. Preliminary reports indicate the miner was pinned by the boom of a continuous miner. This is the first mine fatality in Kentucky in 2011.
- The House voted 86-2 Thursday night to accept a Senate proposal to shore up the Medicaid budget, but only after House Speaker Greg Stumbo sought and received assurance that Governor Steve Beshear would veto the spending cuts. The proposal includes cuts to most government agencies. House lawmakers adjourned until January when they’re scheduled to return for the 2012 session. Beshear vetoed portions of the bill Friday.
- Lawmakers have ended a special legislative session without increasing the minimum dropout age in Kentucky from 16 to 18. First lady Jane Beshear had pressed unsuccessfully for the change, saying 16 year olds aren't mature enough to make such a weighty decision that would affect the rest of their lives. The bill, which died in the Senate, called for raising the dropout age to 17 in 2015 and to 18 in 2016, giving both students and school districts time to prepare for the change.
- Thanks to federal grants, 14 high-tech companies will receive part of $4.22 million in state funds through a matching program that Kentucky offers to attract technology-based small businesses. The companies' specialties include human health and development, energy, nanotechnology, bioscience, materials science and advanced manufacturing.
- Maker's Mark is about to put the seal on another commemorative bottle deal with the University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra and Keeneland to raise money for arts education outreach. Last year, Maker's Mark produced a special fundraising bottle bearing the likeness of Kentucky men's basketball coach John Calipari for the effort. The newest bottle, which will be the final one in a series to raise money for the arts, will be unveiled Monday at Keeneland. The bourbon maker, Keeneland and the orchestra have committed to raising $1.2 million for the outreach program with the three-year series of bottles.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 11:28 PM 
