Kentucky News Now – April 21st 2014

DOMESTIC DISPUTE

Man holds wife, child hostage

(Information in the following story is from: WAVE-TV, http://www.wave3.com)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Authorities have arrested a man who held his wife and child hostage for several hours in their Louisville home.

WAVE-TV reports police responded to a domestic dispute call at the home of 40-year-old Bobby Walker around 7:50 a.m. on Sunday.

Police say officers were trying to serve Walker with a warrant, but he barricaded himself inside the residence and would not let his wife and child leave.

About five hours later, police say Walker exited the home and surrendered. His wife and child were not injured. Investigators have not released details about what caused the dispute.

Walker has been charged with domestic violence and unlawful imprisonment.

TOBACCO-FREE POLICY

Eastern Ky. University to be tobacco-free campus

(Information in the following story is from: Richmond Register, http://www.richmondregister.com)

RICHMOND, Ky. (AP) — Eastern Kentucky University's Board of Regents has approved a tobacco-free campus policy.

The Richmond Register reports that effective June 1, the use of tobacco on all property that is owned, leased, occupied or controlled by the university will be prohibited.

The tobacco-free policy, which replaces the smoke-free zone policy that had been in effect since 2006, covers all Eastern facilities and grounds. It also prohibits the use of tobacco in vehicles owned, leased or rented by EKU, as well as in personal vehicles while on university property.

The university joins more than 1,100 colleges and universities nationwide that have enacted similar tobacco-free policies.

SOLDIER MEMORIAL

Lost Union Army soldier honored with memorial

RADCLIFF, Ky. (AP) — The story of an uneducated farmer from Anderson County was buried with him in an unmarked grave in Columbia until one of his descendants unearthed the truth and fought to have him recognized.

Kentucky Veterans Cemetery-Central in Radcliff recently honored the sacrifice of Burrell L. Strange Sr., dedicating a headstone in his memory.

Strange was killed in combat during the summer of 1863 while serving with the Union Army in the U.S. Civil War. He joined the Union in 1862 at age 40, leaving his family behind to serve his country.

Ron Strange, Burrell's great-great-grandson, was combing through his family genealogy in search of his great-grandparents' resting place when he stumbled on the acknowledgement of his great-great-grandfather.

APPALACHIAN AIR

Appalachian Air project stalled

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (AP) — An effort to provide commercial air service between Pikeville, Ky., and Nashville, Tenn., and has stalled.

Appalachian Air had been scheduled to start offering flights last week. Media reported that the initiative has been delayed because the airport in Pikeville hasn't yet obtained all the proper certifications.

Officials with the city, the airport board and the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce have been working on the initiative for four years. They said the setback is disappointing but temporary.

Pikeville officials say they are working diligently to get the proper approvals. There is no timetable on when commercial flights might begin.