EKB News

• Bossier Parish Sheriff Larry Deen says a woman in northwest Louisiana allegedly went to an adoption agency after having an abortion, and is accused of taking more than $19,000 from people in Louisiana, Virginia and Kentucky who wanted a baby. Sheriff's spokeswoman Erin Habich (HAH-bik) says 21-year-old Heather Hill was booked Thursday on charges of theft by fraud, money laundering, racketeering and extortion, and is being held on $180,000 bond. Hill was arrested in Texas, but Habich says she had been living in Haughton. Habich says people in Rhodelia, Ky., and Denham Springs, La., allegedly paid to support the supposed pregnancy. She says Hill did have a daughter -- the baby a Roanoke, Va., woman allegedly paid to adopt. Habich says that baby's name is tattooed on Hill's neck.

• A second triplet injured in a wreck in Danville has died. The Fayette County coroner's office said Friday that 7-year-old Chase Padgett of Junction City died Thursday from the injuries he suffered in the wreck. His sister, 7-year-old McKenna Padgett died in the wreck Tuesday, and the other triplet, Connor, was critically injured but has improved to serious condition. Also injured were the children's mother, Stephanie Padgett, who was in fair condition, and another sibling, 6-week-old Madeline Oblisk, who was expected to be released from the University of Kentucky Hospital soon. The accident happened when Stephanie Padgett lost control of the van she was driving. Police said she crossed the center line and was struck broadside. The Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center in Danville is accepting donations for the family.

• Authorities in Kentucky say a jockey who was found dead in his car at Churchill Downs died from an accidental overdose of cocaine and a prescription pain medication. Michael Baze was pronounced dead last month in his vehicle in the stable area of the Louisville track. Jefferson County Deputy Coroner Jim Wesley said Friday that the cause of death was multiple substance intoxication. He said significant amounts of cocaine and the pain medication Oxymorphone were found in Baze's system. The 24-year-old Baze was facing a cocaine possession charge at the time of his death. Baze amassed earnings of more than $32 million in a nine-year career. Horse racing was in his bloodlines. He is the son of retired jockey Mike Baze, and one of his cousins is all-time leading rider Russell Baze.

• A former Louisville high school teacher who was found partially clothed in a car with a 17-year-old male student won't go to jail as part of a plea agreement reached Friday. Under the deal, 39-year-old Carrie M. Shafer pleaded guilty Friday to felony custodial interference and misdemeanor unlawful transaction with a minor. During her sentence of three years' supervised probation, Shafer cannot take a teaching job. She must also pay a $1,000 fine. The ex-teacher at DuPont Manual High School was found with the teen at a park in Louisville in March. Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Jon Heck acknowledged the pair had "sexual contact." The plea won't require Shafer to register as a sex offender. Shafer's attorney, declined to comment after a court appearance Friday.

• A 19-year-old western Kentucky man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison in a robbery and slaying. Joshua Orr was charged with murder in the Feb. 10, 2010 slaying of 23-year-old Joshua E. Newcomb. He pleaded guilty in March to fatally shooting Newcomb during a robbery attempt in Daviess County. Three others have also entered pleas in connection to the incident. Orr read from a statement during his sentencing hearing Thursday, apologizing to Newcomb's family and calling his actions "a horrible mistake."  He said he fired the gun to scare Newcomb, not to kill him.

Paving operations on US 23 in Greenup County willswitch to northbound lanes beginning Monday, June 6, as contractors work
between Ashland and Raceland. There will also be some shoulder work that
will impact traffic on southbound lanes next week. One lane of US 23 will be closed in areas where crews are working -
approximately 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. All lanes will reopen at night,
although travel may be on rough surfaces at times. During construction, efforts are being made to keep lane closures short
and minimize delays. However, motorists should be prepared for longer
drive times, especially in heavy traffic, and should plan routes accordingly. Motorists are advised to slow down, "Drive Smart" in work
zones and remain aware of workers and construction equipment at all times. The work is part of a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet project to improve 4.48 miles of US 23 between the Boyd County line and KY 750 at Raceland under a $2 million low-bid contract with Mountain Enterprises Inc.