Kentucky News Now – July 2nd 2014

GAY MARRIAGE-KENTUCKY

Judge strikes down Kentucky's gay marriage ban

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A federal judge in Kentucky has struck down the state's ban on same-sex couples getting licenses and marrying in the state.

However, Tuesday's ruling was temporarily put on hold because it will be appealed, meaning it is not yet clear when same-sex couples could be issued marriage licenses.

U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn in Louisville concluded in Tuesday's ruling that the state's prohibition on same-sex couples being wed violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution by treating gay couples differently than straight couples.

Heyburn previously struck down Kentucky's ban on recognizing same-sex marriages from other states and countries, but put the implementation of that ruling on hold. That decision did not deal with whether Kentucky would have to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

UNION CHIEF INDICTED

Ex-Teamsters president charged with embezzlement

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The former head of the Teamsters Local 783 in Louisville has been charged with embezzling funds from the labor union, making illegal loans and criminal record keeping violations.

A federal grand jury in Louisville charged 53-year-old Jerry Thomas Vincent Jr. on Tuesday.

The indictment alleges that from Oct. 5, 2009, through about Aug. 17, 2011, Vincent embezzled approximately $17,272.84 in union funds from the union; arranged $23,760 in illegal loans from the union local to himself from Nov. 11, 2009, through July 28, 2011; and committed 13 criminal violations related to union records from Oct. 5, 2009, through June 17, 2011.

Court records did not list an attorney for Vincent.

Vincent is scheduled to appear for arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dave Whalin on July 22.

AUTOMOTIVE ASSOCIATION

Automotive association names its first director

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Automotive Industry Association has named its first executive director.

Dave Tatman, former general manager of the General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant in Bowling Green, will lead the group that advocates for the state's auto manufacturing industry.

Tatman was appointed executive director by the association's board of directors, which is chaired by Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Secretary Larry Hayes.

Hayes says Tatman has experience and strong relationships with manufacturers and suppliers around the state.

Tatman retired from the Corvette plant earlier this year.

More than 1.2 million vehicles were produced in Kentucky in 2013.

HOWARD BAKER-FUNERAL

Baker funeral held in Tennessee hometown

HUNTSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Former Senate Majority Leader Howard H. Baker Jr. was remembered yesterday for being able to forge compromises amid bitter partisan differences.

Dignitaries including Vice President Joe Biden and former Vice President Al Gore gathered for Baker's funeral and burial just a few hundred feet from the house where he was born.

Baker was a Republican whose 18-year tenure in the Senate drew accolades from both sides of the aisle. He is known for cutting to the core of the 1973 Watergate hearings when he asked of then-President Richard Nixon: "What did the president know and when did he know it?"

Baker will be buried next to his first wife, Joy Dirksen Baker, who died of cancer in 1993.

FAITH-BASED LAWSUIT

Long-running Baptist Homes lawsuit ends

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A federal judge's order has ended a long-running lawsuit in Kentucky over public funding of faith-based organizations.

In a settlement agreement reached last year, Kentucky officials agreed to monitor state-funded child care agencies to ensure they're not proselytizing or pushing religion on the children in their care.

U.S. District Judge Charles Simpson signed an order on Monday approving the settlement and dismissing the suit, which was filed in 2000.

The suit was filed by three citizens and a lesbian who claimed religious discrimination in her firing from her job with Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children. The Baptist-affiliated agency has since changed its name to Sunrise Children's Services.

The worker's claim against Sunrise was dismissed in 2009, but a challenge over public funding of religious groups was allowed to proceed.

FOUNTAIN THIEVES

Park without fountain due to copper thieves

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

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A Lexington park will be without a fountain for a few days after thieves took 23 copper fountain heads.

The Lexington Herald Leader reports the Division of Parks and Recreation shut off the water feature at Thoroughbred Park so repairs could be made.

Police spokeswoman Sherelle Roberts said there are no suspects because no one saw the theft occur.

Roberts said there was at least $10,000 worth of damage, though the Parks and Recreation department was trying to determine an exact amount.

Phillip Bryant was working on the fountain Monday, and said he hoped to have it up and running in time for the Fourth of July.

WATERFRONT PARK FUNDING

Budget cuts may douse July 4 celebration

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

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Louisville leaders say the city's Independence Day celebration likely will be eliminated due to state budget cuts.

David Karem, president and executive director of the Waterfront Development Corp., told The Courier-Journal (http://cjky.it/1nZ31JD) that he discovered on Tuesday that lawmakers had cut all state funding for the organization over the next two years.

Karem said the $420,000 for each year made up a significant portion of the agency's $2.3 million annual budget and would force "serious cuts and the cancellation of some events."

Waterfront agency spokesman Mike Kimmel said the most certain result would be cancelling the July 3-4 Waterfront Independence Festival, which offers concerts and fireworks and usually draws about 150,000 people.

Officials say they also plan to scale back plans for the 100th birthday of the Belle of Louisville.

JAMES RIVER COAL-BANKRUPTCY

James River seeks more time for bankruptcy plan

(Information in the following story is from: Richmond Times-Dispatch, http://www.timesdispatch.com )

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — James River Coal Co. is asking a federal bankruptcy court to give it more time to propose a Chapter 11 plan.

Richmond-based James River says in a motion that it needs an additional 100 days to propose a plan while it searches for a buyer or a sponsor for the plan.

James River says numerous matters need to be resolved. These matters include determining whether a reorganization plan or a liquidation plan would best serve the interests of creditors and other relevant parties.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch says a hearing on the motion is set for July 10.

James River filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April.

The company operates six mining complexes in Kentucky, West Virginia and Indiana, and employs more than 1,000 workers.