WORKER KILLED

Worker dies of injuries at construction site

(Information in the following story is from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com )

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Jefferson County coroner's office says multiple blunt force injuries caused the death of a worker who apparently fell down an elevator shaft at an apartment building under construction next to the University of Louisville's main campus.

Deputy Coroner Larry Carroll says workers found 34-year-old Anthony Warner of Louisville at the bottom of the elevator shaft. Carroll wasn't sure how far Warner fell.

The Courier-Journal said Warner was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:20 p.m. EDT Wednesday.

Carroll said Louisville police are investigating.

The site is being developed into more than 250 student apartments and more than 7,000 square feet of retail space.

EARTHQUAKE HAZARD

Earthquake risk increased for one-third of US

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new federal earthquake map dials up the shaking hazard just a bit for about one-third of the United States and lowers it for one-tenth of the nation.

The U.S. Geological Survey updated Thursday its national seismic hazard maps for the first time since 2008, taking into account research from the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami off the Japanese coast and the surprise 2011 Virginia temblor.

Most of the changes are slight. Project chief Mark Petersen said parts of Washington, Oregon, Utah, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming and Tennessee moved into the top two hazard zones.

Parts of 16 states have the highest risk for earthquakes: Alaska, Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky and South Carolina.

DC GUN LAWS

Congressman: DC gun amendment likely to fail

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Kentucky congressman behind an amendment that would undo the District of Columbia's strict gun control laws says he doesn't think it will become law.

The GOP-controlled House on Wednesday approved Republican Rep. Thomas Massie's amendment. It would undo the District's gun control laws by blocking the city from spending any money to enforce them. A day after he got the language approved in a spending bill, Massie said he suspects it will fail in the Senate.

Still, he called the amendment an opportunity for "an important vote" on gun rights.

Twenty Democrats joined 221 Republicans in voting for the amendment. Four GOP lawmakers voted against it. Congress has the final say over the District's local laws and budget.

HOSPITAL LAYOFFS

Jennie Stuart Medical Center to drop 70 jobs

(Information in the following story is from: Kentucky New Era, http://www.kentuckynewera.com )

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Jennie Stuart Medical Center in Hopkinsville has announced the intention to eliminate 70 jobs — about nine percent of its workforce

Hospital officials said in a written statement issued Wednesday that the center faces significant regulatory and reimbursement challenges.

The Kentucky New Era reported the hospital remains in solid financial condition, but posted an operating loss in the second quarter of 2014.

Officials at the 100-year-old hospital say the job cuts will come through a combination of an accelerated retirement program and layoffs.

Jennie Stuart Medical Center's primary service area is the southern Pennyrile region, but JSMC also sees patients from Caldwell, Hopkins and Muhlenberg counties in Kentucky and Montgomery County in Tennessee, all of which make up the hospital's secondary coverage area.

MASSAGE PARLOR SLAYINGS

Man seeks to remove judge in cold case

(Information in the following story is from: Kentucky New Era, http://www.kentuckynewera.com )

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A former Oak Grove police officer charged with two counts of murder wants the judge presiding over his case to recuse himself citing a possible conflict of interest.

Defense attorney Brandi Smith also wants to disqualify the Christian County Commonwealth Attorney's office from prosecuting the case of 43-year-old Ed Carter.

The Kentucky New Era reported that a July 24 hearing is set for the men accused in a 1994 double homicide at an Oak Grove massage parlor to address the two issues.

Carter and 39-year-old Frank Black Jr., stand charged with killing 22-year-old Candace Belt and 18-year-old Gloria Ross at the New Life Fitness and Massage Parlor on Sept. 20, 1994. Carter's former partner, 50-year-old Leslie Duncan, is charged with complicity to murder.

A trial is set for September.

RADIO STATION THEFT

Man charged with stealing cash from radio station

(Information in the following story is from: WYMT-TV, http://www.wkyt.com/wymtnews )

HARLAN, Ky. (AP) — Police say an eastern Kentucky man walked out of a radio station with thousands of dollars in a bank bag, but it may have been his quest for a car that got him caught.

Harlan Police Chief Mike Thomas told WYMT-TV in Hazard that 24-year-old James Daniel Bailey walked into WTUK on Tuesday and left with a bank bag stuffed with cash.

Radio station manager Jeff Capps says he stepped out of the office when it came and went.

Police say they found Bailey at Austin's Car Lot in Rosspoint putting a down payment on a vehicle.

Police say they recovered almost all of the money.

Bailey is in the Harlan County Detention Center. Jail records did not list an attorney for Bailey.

 

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.

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