SENATE-KENTUCKY-BILL CLINTON

Bill Clinton to campaign for Grimes on Thursday

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton is returning to Kentucky for the fourth time to campaign with Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes.

Clinton will rally voters at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville at 9 a.m. Thursday followed by a rally at the Veteran's Riverfront Park in Ashland at noon.

Clinton is among several political stars making trips to Kentucky to campaign during the final week of one of the country's most closely watched Senate races. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal was scheduled to appear at a rally with Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell Wednesday night in Louisville. And Hillary Rodham Clinton will campaign with Grimes on Saturday.

Kentucky's Senate election is one of several close races across the country that could determine which party controls the U.S. Senate.

CITIES-UNPAID BILLS

2 Kentucky cities facing unpaid water bills

HINDMAN, Ky. (AP) — Two eastern Kentucky cities have a simmering problem that may soon boil over.

The city of Vicco owes Knott County Water and Sewer District $189,221.06 while the city of Hindman owes $196,428.45. Both municipalities are being sued by the water district in an attempt to collect.

Water district attorney Mark Goss told WYMT-TV in Hazard that the bills need to be paid because it is unfair to expect other customers to pay for the cities.

The district sells water to both cities and to residents.

Vicco's attorney, Justin Noble, says the city sometimes offers extensions to people with overdue bills, which is creating debt from the city.

Both the water district and Vicco officials said they are hopeful they can work out an agreement.

Hindman city officials declined to comment.

KENTUCKY TEENS MISSING

Troopers searching for 2 teens reporting missing

ASHLAND, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky State Police troopers are searching for two teenagers reported missing from their homes in the northeastern part of the state.

Troopers say 15-year-old KImbree Spillman and 15-year-old Peyton Adkins of South Shore may be travelling to Cincinnati and may be together.

Spillman is approximately 5' 4" and weighs 115lbs. She has blonde hair and green eyes.

Adkins is approximately 5' 00" and weighs 110lbs. She has brown hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing black and white printed leggings with a gray/silver shirt.

The Kentucky State Police is asking the public for any information about Spillman and Adkins. Callers can reach the Kentucky State Police at 1-800-222-5555 or 1-606-928-6421.

CHURCH ABUSE-SCHOOK

Convicted priest making bid for prison release

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A priest convicted earlier this year of sexually abusing a teenage boy in the 1970s is making a bid to be released from prison after serving six months of his 15-year sentence.

An attorney for the Rev. James Schook notified a judge he will ask that Schook be released on shock probation because he realizes the importance of conforming to the community's rules.

In April, a jury convicted Schook of three counts of sodomy and one count of indecent and immoral behavior with an individual.

Schook suffers from terminal cancer. Shock probation allows inmates to be released after serving one to six months of their sentence.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney John Balliet told WDRB-TV in Louisville he anticipates opposing early release for Schook but would talk to the victims first.

FORT CAMPBELL-HEALTH CARE

Health official suggests post using state resource

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) — Tennessee's top health department official is recommending that Fort Campbell use the state lab facility for testing for specific diseases, including Ebola.

Dr. John Dreyzehner, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health, told a round table at the military post on Tuesday that the state lab is close to Fort Campbell and could provide assistance.

Some Fort Campbell troops recently deployed, as the 101st Airborne (Air Assault) assumed a role Saturday as the headquarters unit for the military mission in Liberia. The troops joined soldiers from all five services who are providing engineering, health care training and logistical support to USAID, the Armed Forces of Liberia, and the Government of Liberia.

The round table was held between military and civilian health administrators at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital at Fort Campbell.

MISSING MAN-BODY

Coroner identifies body as missing Kentucky man

CYNTHIANA, Ky. (AP) — A body found near Robinson Dam in north-central Kentucky has been identified as man missing for a week.

Harrison County Search and Rescue Chief Rejeana Craft told WLEX-TV in Lexington that the remains of 32-year-old Clinton O'Brien were pulled from the water Tuesday and identified Wednesday.

O'Brien was reported missing a week ago. His abandoned vehicle turned up near Robinson Dam on Monday with the keys in the ignition and a flat tire.

Fire and search crews spent two hours walking the banks Monday night. On Tuesday, people worked from dawn to dusk with boats and cadaver dogs in the water. After the animals found a scent, officials say it took about an hour to find a body.

Officials have not released a cause of death.

DIPPIN' DOTS-EXPANSION

Paducah approves tax rebate for Dippin' Dots

PADUCAH, Ky. (AP) — Novelty ice cream maker Dippin' Dots will get a one percent payroll tax rebate for some positions under a deal reached with the city of Paducah.

The City Commission approved the deal Tuesday as Dippin' Dots seeks to make a $3.1 million expansion at its hometown facility and the addition of 30 new jobs.

The rebate was approved through the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority. The company is eligible to receive the rebate for the next decade.

The expansion includes space for additional freezer and packaging equipment used for production and distribution. The project includes about $1 million in building improvements and $2.1 million in equipment upgrades.

Mayor Gayle Kaler told The Paducah Sun that Dippin' Dots is also seeking a three percent payroll tax rebate from the state.

ATTORNEY SENTENCING

Former attorney sentenced to 3 years of probation

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A disbarred attorney has been sentenced to three years of probation after pleading guilty to federal charges of structuring financial transactions to avoid reporting the money.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James D. Moyer handed down the punishment last week for William Otto Ayers of Louisville.

Ayers pleaded guilty in March to three counts of structuring transactions to avoid reporting the money to federal authorities.

Ayers had previously been convicted in state court and sentenced to three years in prison for tax evasion.

The IRS has also pursued Ayers, filing a petition in federal court in 2010 to force him to turn over documents related to his income from 2004 through 2006. Ayers eventually surrendered the documents...

ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE-FIREFIGHTERS HURT

Regulators: Ice bucket electrocution was accident

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky utilities regulators won't pursue any penalties stemming from an ice bucket challenge that resulted in one firefighter being killed.

The Kentucky Public Service Commission on Wednesday says the 69-kiloVolt transmission line involved in the Aug. 21 accident was operated in accordance with safety standards.

There is an ongoing investigation of the fire department by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The accident happened when the Campbellsville Fire and Rescue Department raised a platform on a truck after dumping water on the Campbellsville University marching band in a charity stunt to raise funds to fight the disease ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Two firefighters, 41-year-old Tony Grider and 22-year-old firefighter Simon Quinn were on the fire truck's ladder. Grider died in September. Quinn left the hospital Sept. 15.

 

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.

More From WOMI-AM