Kentcky News Now – January 14, 2014

MURRAY PRESIDENT

Murray State narrows presidential candidates to 10

MURRAY, Ky. (AP) — A committee charged with vetting candidates for president at Murray State University has narrowed the list to 10 from 65.

According to the school, search committee members interviewed the 10 candidates over the weekend and were impressed.

Search committee chair Stephen Williams said in a news release that there are some excellent candidates in the running. He said the candidate pool is diverse as is the candidates' scope of experiences.

The committee will further narrow the list at its Feb. 7 meeting. The final slate of candidates will then visit the campus and be interviewed by the board of regents. The board will make the final decision on the new president.

BOURBON EVENT

Bourbon industry plans 4-day event in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's bourbon industry is planning a four-day event this spring that will offer an up-close look at one of the state's signature sectors.

The event, called the Kentucky Bourbon Affair, is planned for May 14-18 in Louisville

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said Monday it's a chance for whiskey lovers to immerse themselves in the state's bourbon heritage.

Kentucky Distillers' Association board Chairman Joe Fraser says eight distilleries will offer tours giving a close-up look at the bourbon-making craft.

The event will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Congress declaring bourbon as America's naive spirit.

FIERY FLOYD CRASH

Ky. man gets 44 years for fiery S. Indiana crash

NEW ALBANY, Ind. (AP) — A judge has sentenced a Kentucky man to 44 years in prison for charges stemming from a fiery 2012 southern Indiana crash that killed four people.

WHAS-TV reports 33-year-old Charles M. Barlow of Louisville received the maximum sentence in Floyd Superior Court on Monday. He pleaded guilty last month to one count of causing death when operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, three counts of reckless homicide, and being a habitual offender.

Court documents say Barlow was driving more than 80 mph before the crash on Indiana 111 near the Horseshoe Southern Indiana casino. The crash killed the other driver and the three passengers of his off-duty taxi, which burst into flames. All of the victims were Louisville residents.

Barlow's attorney said he plans to appeal the sentence.

SOFTBALL SAFETY

Parents want improved safety for softball players

(Information in the following story is from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com )

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The parents of a Lexington teen who was injured when she was hit by a softball while standing in a dugout are asking officials to improve safety.

Jay and Traci Doleman told the Lexington Herald-Leader that they don't want another high school athlete to suffer injuries like those of their 14-year-old daughter, Jayda.

The teen, who plays softball for Lafayette High School, suffered multiple eye socket fractures, permanent vision impairment, a concussion and a broken nose when she was hit.

Her parents say they would like to see higher fencing or netting installed in order to better protect players.

Fayette County school officials say they are planning safety enhancements to address the concerns.

The Dolemans also plan to talk to officials with the Kentucky High School Athletic Association.

ALCOHOL VOTE

E. Ky. city prepares to vote on alcohol sales

(Information in the following story is from: The Independent, http://www.dailyindependent.com )

OLIVE HILL, Ky. (AP) — An eastern Kentucky city is planning to hold a referendum over whether to allow alcohol sales.

The Independent reports Carter County Judge-Executive Charles Wallace set a special election on March 11 for precincts in Olive Hill. The move comes after residents submitted a petition asking for the vote.

Nici Raybourn, who headed up the petition drive, says she thinks allowing alcohol sales could boost the city's economy. She said noted that at least four other nearby cities allow alcohol sales.

The last time a local option election was held in Olive Hill was in 1971. The city has been dry since 1937.