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Post by In The News on Jan 29, 2013 22:34:01 GMT -5
Sid Gabbard
herald-leader.com Owsley County clerk faces theft, tax charges By Valarie Honeycutt Spears
Owsley County Clerk Sid Gabbard was in a cell Tuesday morning, charged with theft and failure to pay taxes, according to an indictment and the Franklin County Regional Jail. The Attorney General's office assisted in the arrest Monday of Gabbard "following his indictment last week on charges brought forth by the Department of Revenue," said Shelley Johnson, a spokeswoman for the Attorney General's office. According to an indictment filed Jan. 23 in Franklin Circuit Court, a grand jury charged that in 2010 and in 2011, Gabbard committed theft by failure to make a required disposition of property when he took tax money withheld from employees in an amount over $300 and did not make payments to the Kentucky Revenue Cabinet. The indictment also charged that he failed to file Kentucky tax returns in 2010 and 2011. Read more here: www.kentucky.com/2013/01/29/2494719/owsley-county-clerk-faces-theft.html
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Post by In The News on Feb 2, 2013 9:32:24 GMT -5
thenewsjournal.net Couple arrested in connection with counterfeiting operation
Williamsburg police arrested two people Tuesday afternoon in connection with a counterfeiting investigation involving an estimated $7,000 in counterfeit notes that are apparently circulating in the Whitley County area. Police Chief Wayne Bird declined to discuss many of the details about the investigation Tuesday night, which is still ongoing, but did confirm that more arrests are expected in connection with the investigation. About 4 p.m. Tuesday, Williamsburg Police and Whitley County Sheriff's Deputy Todd Shelley executed a search warrant at 5215 Meadow Creek Road. Inside the home police recovered several printers and scanners along with other equipment allegedly used to produce counterfeit notes, Bird said in a release. At the scene, police arrested Terry O'Leary, 28, and Amanda Cox, 31, in connection with the investigation of the counterfeit notes. Both were lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center, Bird said. Police also arrested two other people at the scene on unrelated charges. Jammy D. Poore, 38, and Linda Leforce, 40, were both arrested on failure to appear warrants. The investigation is continuing and Williamsburg police are working with the Whitley County Sheriff's Department, Corbin Police Department and U.S. Secret Service in connection with the case. A rash of counterfeit $20 bills began popping up around the area within the last week. If someone believes they have a bill, which might be counterfeit, then they can contact a local law enforcement agency or take it to a bank to be checked out. Anyone with information about the counterfeit bills is asked to contact any local law enforcement agency or the United States Secret Service. thenewsjournal.net/details/6976/Couple-arrested-Tuesday-in-connection-with-counterfeiting-operation
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Post by In The News on Feb 9, 2013 7:00:05 GMT -5
Baptist Regional Medical Center changes name
Baptist Regional Medical Center has officially became Baptist Health Corbin. The Corbin hospital joins its six sister facilities in LaGrange, Lexington, Louisville, Paducah, Richmond and Madisonville as part of the rebranding. Larry Gray, CEO of Baptist Health Corbin emphasized that while the hospital’s name is changing, the standards and quality of care will remain high. Gray said engaging the community is part of a shift in the entire healthcare industry to take a more proactive approach. Hospitals are not just treating the sick, but are offering screenings, health and wellness programs as part of an effort to expand preventative care. Over the last several years, Baptist Health has instituted a number of programs to improve the general health of the community and its employees. The entire Baptist Health campus is tobacco free. In 2009, a group of more than 30 employees began organizing and participating the Weight Watchers program, losing more than 2,000 pounds. The Fourth Annual Better U Expo will be held Feb. 22 and 23 at The Arena. Baptist Health employees from various departments will be on hand to provide a variety of free medical screenings. Gray noted that one in four babies born in the state of Kentucky are born at a Baptist Health Hospital. One in five new cancer patients are diagnosed and treated at a Baptist Health facility. thenewsjournal.net/details/6989/Corbin-hospital-officially-changes-name-to-%27Baptist-Health-Corbin%27
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Post by In The News on Feb 15, 2013 19:41:40 GMT -5
Lexington Herald Leader Keeneland aims to build prime Quarter Horse racetrack near Corbin By Janet Patton
Imagine a top-flight racetrack in Eastern Kentucky with all the glamour and prestige of a premier entertainment venue married to the speed and electricity of Quarter Horse racing. Keeneland is envisioning just that.The Lexington Thoroughbred racetrack and sales company is teaming with Nevada-based Full House Resorts to buy the Thunder Ridge harness track in Prestonsburg for an undisclosed price and reinvent it as a Quarter Horse racetrack in the Corbin area. They apparently filed paperwork with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission on Thursday on the potential change of ownership; all of the plans would be subject to regulatory approval and other factors. No timetable has been set for buying, building or opening the as-yet-unnamed track. It also could bring on a major expansion in "historical wagering," as instant racing is called. So far, it has been installed at two Kentucky tracks: Kentucky Downs in Franklin and Ellis Park in Henderson. Keeneland and Full House say that the scope of the potential facility has yet to be determined but that it likely would be at least as large as the 300-machine operation at Kentucky Downs, which has seen handle climb toward $20 million a month. Historical wagering was approved by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission in July 2010, and Franklin Circuit Court ruled it was legal. The Family Foundation, a conservative advocacy group that opposes any expansion of gambling, has appealed the case, which is now before the Kentucky Supreme Court. Vince Gabbert, Keeneland vice president and COO, said legislation is expected to be filed early next week for legislative approval of instant racing, which likely would make the court case moot, and other tracks might soon join in. In 2010, instant racing legislation foundered in the legislature, but Gabbert said that they are optimistic of chances now that it has been in operation successfully since September 2011. If the legislation passes, or if the court case is decided in the racetracks' favor, Keene land anticipates announcing plans for a Lexington instant racing facility in conjunction with The Red Mile, likely at the harness track, Gabbert said. Keeneland would share ownership and operation of the facility with Full House, which operates casinos in Indiana, Nevada, Mississippi and New Mexico. Full House also operates the casino at Rising Sun, Ind., just across the Ohio River from Northern Kentucky, with slots and table games. The Interstate 75 corridor is attractive because there is no racing in the region now, and it can attract summer vacationers in the Lake Cumberland area and tourists from Tennessee. Knox County Judge-Executive J.M. Hall said Thursday that he hadn't heard of Keeneland's plans, but he quickly warmed to the idea. Jerry Wayne Garland, owner of G&M Oil Co. in Corbin, said he has a prime spot, 100 acres right on Exit 29, where a truck stop used to be. Read more here: www.kentucky.com/2013/02/14/2517437/exclusive-keeneland-to-build-prime.html
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Post by In The News on Feb 16, 2013 10:03:27 GMT -5
Harlan Daily Enterprise Harlan County considering leaving Cumberland Valley Health Department Joe P. Asher, Staff Writer
The Harlan County Board of Health is considering ending it's association with the Cumberland Valley Health District. During a meeting on Monday, Harlan County Judge-Executive Joe Grieshop cited possible mismanagement of retirement funds as a reason for concern. "There was no payment made in July to the retirement system," said Grieshop. "There was no payment made in August to the retirement system. But there was almost $1,000,000 in the bank account in July." According to Grieshop, he received this information via an open records request. Cumberland Valley Health Department Interim Director Lynette Renner stated there were payments made. "We absolutely paid July and August," said Renner. Renner told the board she would produce documentation showing the payments had been made. Renner advised the board that payments were owed on retirement only for the months of November and December. Grieshop said payments were made on time up until July 1, but he could only find three payments having been made since then. Board Treasurer Leo Miller pointed out that making the past due payments does not guarantee that future payments will be made on time, with some of the money going to pay penalty costs. Renner confirmed there is a penalty that must be paid for being late on retirement payments. Grieshop then mentioned the recent reductions in staff at the Harlan Health Department. Renner said there were no layoffs in Rockcastle or Jackson counties, and two in Clay County. "We lose five to layoffs and you bring one back, we lose four to retirement and you say that Harlan is doing their shareft We're doing it all," said Grieshop. According to Renner, the layoff decisions were based on population and other regulations. Speaking after the meeting, Renner said she was disappointed Harlan is considering cutting ties with Cumberland Valley Health District. nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=1446D4756DA58C00&p_docnum=1
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Post by In The News on Feb 16, 2013 10:08:33 GMT -5
Herald-Leader As world demand for coal surges, Eastern Kentucky output plunges By Sean Cockerham, Washington Bureau
Eastern Kentucky coal country is filled with people competing for non-existent jobs, tied to the area by family and unable to sell their homes even if they want to leave. While thousands in the United States have lost their jobs, coal is booming in the rest of the world. The International Energy Agency's latest report forecasts that coal will become the world's dominant fuel, with global burning of the fossil fuel rising by 1.2 billion tons over the next four years. That's the equivalent of adding the existing coal consumption of the U.S. and Russia combined. Coal companies have laid off nearly 2,100 miners in the Eastern Kentucky coalfield since January 2012, according to statistics from the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program. The layoffs have pushed the unemployment rate above 14 percent in some Eastern Kentucky counties — well above the overall state rate of 8.1 percent, Cornett said. The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts that coal production in Central Appalachia will be half as much in 2018 as it was in 2010. Some Eastern Kentucky counties are bracing for an expected continued decline in coal jobs. The loss of tax revenue from coal production is creating million-dollar budget shortfalls for county governments struggling to pay their bills. Coal-burning power plants are closing. Even the Big Sandy electric power plant, in the heart of Kentucky's coal country, plans to shut its coal-burning boilers rather than retrofit the plant to meet environmental regulations. The Sierra Club counts 54 coal plants that closed or announced plans to close in 2012, and 11 more in just the first month of this year. That leaves 384 coal-burning power plants in the United States, according to the Sierra Club, down from 521 the group tallied at the beginning of 2010. Coal accounted for more than half of America's power generation four years ago and is now down to about a third, similar to the amount that natural gas fuels. At the same time, coal is on the rise globally. American coal companies are hoping that foreign demand will fill the gap left by the shrinking use of coal at home. A deal to export Kentucky coal to India was announced with great fanfare last summer. But its future is unclear, with the first shipment months behind schedule. Read more here: www.kentucky.com/2013/02/15/2518834/as-world-demand-for-coal-surges.html
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Post by In The News on Feb 23, 2013 12:18:48 GMT -5
sentinel-echo.com New President of Saint Joseph London Hospital will begin March 4 By Magen McCrarey, Staff Writer
The new president of Saint Joseph London, Greg Gerard, will take on his executive duties on March 4, according to KentuckyOne Health. Gerard most recently served as president of Saint Joseph Berea, a part of KentuckyOne Health. At Saint Joseph Berea, Gerard was instrumental in adding new services including MRI, the Saint Joseph Heart Institute, Hospitalist Service, Pain Management and the Senior Renewal Center. Prior to joining KentuckyOne, Gerard was CEO of Prowers Medical Center in Lamar, Colo. Gerard will replace former president Virginia Dempsey, who retired from Saint Joseph London in September 2012. The search for a new leader at Berea will begin immediately. Chris Schweighardt, chief nursing officer, will serve as interim president. Saint Joseph London’s primary service area covers Laurel, Jackson, Clay and Whitley counties, with services including cardiovascular care, orthopedics, outpatient pediatrics, hematology/oncology, obstetrics/gynecology and neurology. www.sentinel-echo.com/local/x36426204/Hospital-president-to-begin-March-4
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Post by In The News on Feb 23, 2013 12:19:57 GMT -5
Harlan Daily Enterprise Harlan County fiscal court supports health department's withdrawal from CVHD Nola Sizemore, Staff Writer
A resolution was approved on Tuesday at a special called meeting of the Harlan Fiscal Court supporting the withdrawal of the Harlan County Health Department from the Cumberland Valley Health District. Harlan County Judge-Executive Joe Grieshop said the next step will include the local board of health voting to support this measure as well. Grieshop said in talking with Bell County officials since their withdrawal from the district approximately one year ago, he discovered they have been successful thus far. He said there had been no furloughs and some of their people "had even received raises." Adding that 10 employees have been lost at the Harlan County Health Department since July, Grieshop said he felt Harlan and Bell counties had been the "flagships" of the Cumberland Valley Health District, providing the largest number of services each year. Local Health Department Board treasurer Leo Miller said in Harlan County, "their appropriations were disproportional for the rest of the district," which represents Clay, Rockcastle and Jackson. When layoffs were announced in December none were laid off in Rockcastle or Jackson counties, one was laid off in Clay County and Harlan County lost five with one being called back. www.harlandaily.com/archives
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Post by In The News on Feb 23, 2013 12:20:43 GMT -5
Middlesboro Daily News Forestry Southeast region to include six new counties By: Anthony Cloud
Because of budget shortfalls, which are estimated to be around $1.2 million, the Division of Forestry created new districts for Kentucky. The division will be cutting from nine districts to five. The southeast region, which is the division that includes Bell County, will now serve 16 counties. Those counties include: Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Pike, Perry and Whitley. Originally, the southeast region served 10 counties. According to the Division of Forestry website, no district forester has been announced for the new divisions. Jared Calvert was the district forester for the southeast region prior to the reorganization. The new divisions went into effect on Feb. 16, according to a letter sent to Division of Forestry employees. The letter states restructuring field operations to a regional approach was the best option to reduce costs and continue providing services. According to the letter, the southeast region includes the 16 counties with the greatest wildfire occurrence rates. The regional office for the division will be located in Perry County because it is more central to the region and in the area of highest historical wildfire occurrence, according to the letter. According to representatives for the division of forestry, the plan is to continue offering the same services as they have in the past. They will continue to ask for help from local fire departments if it is needed. According to the letter, the last step in the realignment of field operations was to determine the best location for field personnel in order to optimize employee resources. That information was evaluated using several different factors including: total forested acres, number of local fire departments, average number of wildfires per year, average number of logging inspections per year and average number of forest management plans per year. The forestry office in Pineville will continue to be used for local offices. nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=144A2DE90F64CFA8&p_docnum=1
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Post by In The News on Mar 2, 2013 5:18:56 GMT -5
thenewsjournal.net Baptist Health Corbin temporarily restricting visitation to patients Trent Knuckles
Officials at Baptist Health in Corbin say they are limiting visitation to patients because of increasing cases of certain communicable diseases. According to a news release sent to the media Friday, the hospital announced that visitation for patients "will be restricted temporarily to immediate family only." Officials say the main culprits are diseases like Influenza and strepp. No one under the age of 18 will be allowed in patient rooms at all. "As always, our first priority is the safety of our patients," the release says. Officials did not say how long the restrictions will be in place. thenewsjournal.net/details/7063/Baptist-Health-Corbin-temporarily-restricting-visitation-to-patients
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Post by In The News on Mar 23, 2013 8:24:10 GMT -5
thenewsjournal.net Corbin Off-Track Betting parlor to close for good in June by Trent Knuckles
Corbin's Off-Track Betting parlor will be one of three to close this summer statewide following the running of the Belmont Stakes in June. Officials with Off-Track Betting — which is owned by Kentucky racetracks Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Ellis Park and Turfway Park — announced the decision this week. Possible closure of the betting parlors in Corbin, Jamestown and Maysville. A similar parlor in Pineville was closed in 2010. The decision to close the facilities comes after officials say business at the parlors has sharply declined. Officials say the overall handle has dropped from $25.7 million a decade ago to just $10 million in 2012. Corbin was the first community in which Kentucky Off-Track Betting started a betting site. It was formerly located in the Holiday Inn in south Corbin, now occupied by Mountain View Lodge, before moving to its new site across the road. Off-Track Betting did not come to Corbin without controversy. Members of the city's five-member Board of Commissioners faced withering opposition to the idea in 1993, but decided to take no action that would prevent the facility to locate in the city. Opponents argued it would bring with it problems related to drug abuse, alcohol abuse and prostitution. By law, OTB facilities must give one percent of all wagers directly to the cities and counties in which they are located. Locally, the city of Corbin gets .75 percent of each betting dollar and Whitley County gets the other .25 percent. The city received about $40,000 in OTB funds last year. The money is used to help fund the Corbin Economic Development Agency. About 20 employees will be affected by the decision to close the facilities. thenewsjournal.net/details/7105/Corbin-Off-Track-Betting-parlor-to-close-for-good-in-June
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Post by In The News on Mar 23, 2013 8:25:03 GMT -5
Werner Grentz
sentinel-echo.com Dr. Grentz has his license revoked By Nita Johnson, Staff Writer
A London doctor accused of failing to pay federal income taxes has now been restricted from practicing medicine in Kentucky for two years. Werner Grentz, 63, entered a plea agreement with the United States in U.S. District Court on Dec. 18. He was arrested on May 1, 2012 for failing to file tax returns on his income between 2005 and 2010, with earnings ranging between $169,000 and $356,000 each year. Grentz’s plea agreement allows him to plead guilty to Count 5 of the indictment against him, in which he admitted to failing to pay more than $900,00 in taxes since 1999. He is scheduled for formal sentencing on May 16 and could face a maximum of five years in prison. www.sentinel-echo.com/local/x620878696/London-doctor-s-license-revoked
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Post by In The News on Apr 13, 2013 9:15:30 GMT -5
thenewsjournal.net Former Jackson County Clerk arrested in Corbin on drug charge
Former Jackson County Clerk Jerry Dean who remains in the Whitley County Detention Center after he was arrested and charged for possession of a controlled substance 1st Oxycodone by Corbin Police Department. According to a report from Col. David Maiden, his department received a 911 complaint about 11:05 a.m. Tuesday about a parked vehicle at the Corbin Burger King with two men arguing inside the vehicle. There was also a report they had illegal drugs on them. When Maiden responded to the complaint he found Dean, 69, of Tyner and three other individuals inside. When he asked for consent to search, they complied. Maiden found the Oxycodone on Dean. Maiden said Dean first told him he found it on the ground and didn't know what it was. Dean later told the officer he was holding it for one of the occupants in the vehicle. During the search of the Enterprise Rental Vehicle, which was rented in Dean's name they found several prescriptions made out to different names from a Florida Pain Clinic. Maiden said the occupants in Dean's vehicle included one male and two females and they were not charged at this time. Dean was charged with murder, of Audrey Marcum a former employee of his while he was serving as Jackson County Clerk in 2001, who had filed a multi-million dollar sexual harassment suit against him. Marcum was found shot to death near her home. He was indicted. However, when court officials were unable to seat a jury in Jackson County, the case was moved to neighboring Madison County. The case went to trial in 2002 and Dean was found not guilty of the murder. He ran for re-election soon after the trial but was defeated by challenger Donald Moore. He still resides in Jackson County. thenewsjournal.net/details/7154/ONLY-ONLINE:-Former-Jackson-County-Clerk,-acquitted-of-murder-in-2002,-arrested-in-Corbin-on-drug-charge
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Post by In The News on Apr 19, 2013 19:08:47 GMT -5
TheTimesTribune.com ‘Existing 25,’ ‘Relocated 25’ coming down the road? By Jeff Noble, staff writer
Congestion along U.S. 25 in the south end of London has been a concern of many motorists. As a result, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has a plan which they think could solve the problem. They asked people their thoughts and comments about the project. And Thursday evening, during a public hearing at South Laurel High School, the people came out in force. The public hearing was held to show the Transportation Cabinet’s plans to turn the current U.S. 25 into two roads. One would make the current Rt. 25 into what they called “Existing U.S. 25.” Designed for local traffic, it would be a new four-lane highway with a raised median and designated areas provided for left turns and U-turns. It would follow the existing path of 25, staring at the intersection of Rt. 25 and KY 192, past South Laurel High, several car dealers, furniture stores and businesses before ending near the London-Corbin Airport and joining what would be called “Relocated U.S. 25.” From that point, U.S. 25 would go south to Corbin, as it presently does. The other road would be what they call “Relocated U.S. 25.” Designed for thru traffic from London to Corbin, and to provide an alternate route during accidents or closings on I-75, it too would be a new four-lane highway with a raised median and designated areas provided for left turns and U-turns. “Relocated U.S. 25” would start at the intersection of Main Street and the current KY 229, and would follow that road to James Lewis Drive. There, “Relocated 25” would break off from KY 229, and continue as a new road, joining “Existing 25” near the airport and continuing as a four-lane highway before ending at the intersection of Levi Jackson Mill Road and becoming two lanes south to Corbin. Jonathan Dobson of the KYTC’s District 11 office in Manchester said before the hearing the state was expecting a large turnout. Officials added the main function of the two routes was to move traffic over long distances at higher speeds, and the design of the the two roads was to minimize impacts along the right-of-way. Dobson said the “right in-right out” concept where motorists cannot make a left-hand turn, to prevent people from having to make left turns into incoming traffic, would be used in the project. Dobson said the KYTC anticipates it will be a couple of years before construction of the London project, but they hope to begin the process of purchasing the right-of-way and relocating utilities by the fourth quarter of this year. thetimestribune.com/x1520507800/-Existing-25-Relocated-25-coming-down-the-road
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Post by In The News on Apr 21, 2013 14:31:59 GMT -5
Manchester man victim of Laurel County Hit and Run Accident Laurel County Sheriff Press Release
Sheriff John Root is reporting that Laurel Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Berry investigated a two vehicle hit and run traffic crash on U.S. 25, 6 miles south of London on Friday afternoon at approx 4:55 P.M. Apparently, a silver colored Chev. Cavalier pulled out in front of the path of a north bound Ford Fusion . The Fusion swerved to avoid collision , however the Cavalier stuck the Fusion in the side . Afterward, the cavalier fled the scene of collision for unknown reasons. The Ford Fusion was driven by Ronnie Hicks age 28 of Manchester. A short time later, Deputy Berry received information that the hit and run vehicle-the silver cavalier , had been spotted on Happy Hollow Road – several miles away from the crash site. Deputy Berry located the cavalier , hidden behind a mobile home on Happy Hollow Road - it was covered with road signs, bed springs, sheets, blankets, and bags –apparently in attempt to hide it. Deputy Berry could not get anyone to come out of the mobile home to speak with him. He further was able to locate a part of the Ford Fusion stuck on the cavalier from the crash. The Cavalier is registered to Ashley Howard of Mildred Road, McKee. Deputy Berry impounded the Cavalier, and had it towed in. He is currently looking for the driver of the vehicle. Investigation continues by Deputy Berry.
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Post by In The News on Apr 27, 2013 8:14:58 GMT -5
Harlan Daily Enterprise Harlan Leaving Cumberland Valley Health District Joe P. Asher, Staff Writer
Harlan County will be leaving the Cumberland Valley Health District. During a meeting of the Harlan County Board of Health on Monday, the board passed a motion to support the Harlan County Fiscal Court in leaving the district and setting up shop on its own. The board passed a motion to support the fiscal court in pulling out of the Cumberland Valley Health District. Read the entire article at: nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=145E4D36C40C9B18&p_docnum=1
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Post by Kentucky News on Apr 30, 2013 19:45:28 GMT -5
Sid Gabbard
Owsley County Clerk Pleas Guilty to Charges of Tax Evasion, Abuse of Public Trust Commonwealth News Center press release
Attorney General Jack Conway today announced the guilty plea of Owsley County Clerk Sid Gabbard on charges of tax evasion and abuse of public trust. Gabbard entered a guilty plea on Friday, April 26, 2013 in Franklin Circuit Court to three counts of abuse of public trust and three counts of willfully filing or making false tax returns, and/or failure to pay tax. The plea agreement also requires Gabbard to resign immediately as Owsley County Clerk and pay $61,118 in restitution to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The charges against Gabbard are the result of an investigation by General Conway's Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Department of Revenue's Division of Special Investigations. The Attorney General's Office launched its investigation of Gabbard in January of 2013 based on a 2010 audit report released in June of 2012 by the Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts. "The citizens of Owsley County elected Sid Gabbard to represent them with honesty and integrity," General Conway said. "Mr. Gabbard betrayed that public trust. He treated public funds as his own at a time when communities across the Commonwealth have struggled to fund vital programs and protect services. I am pleased that the plea agreement calls for Mr. Gabbard's immediate resignation and payment of more than $61,000 in restitution and back taxes." The Attorney General's investigation revealed that Gabbard withheld state income tax from employees' checks, but instead of sending the money to the state he used it as his own. Prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office of Franklin County Commonwealth's Attorney Larry Cleveland. The tax evasion charges were brought forth by the Department of Revenue's Division of Special Investigations, which identifies and investigates state tax crimes and prepares cases for prosecution. Using information sources ranging from anonymous tips to collaboration with law enforcement agencies the division investigates cases including income tax evasion, fraudulent tax refunds and theft of sales, use and withholding taxes. For more information about the Department of Revenue's special investigations and how to report tax fraud, go to: revenue.ky.gov/inv
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Post by Press Release on May 31, 2013 14:09:33 GMT -5
Whayne Supply Company to Celebrate 100th Anniversary in Hazard on Saturday Bisig Impact Group Press Release
Whayne Supply Company, one of the nation's oldest and largest Caterpillar dealerships, will officially celebrate its 100th Anniversary this Saturday, June 1st at its Hazard branch. President Monty Boyd will be joined by local civic and community leaders to celebrate the centennial commemoration and highlight key moments in company history and thank the community, employees and customers. The Hazard branch of Whayne Supply first opened in May 1987 to offer a centralized location for parts distribution, sales and field service repair work in surrounding counties. The vice president of Whayne Supply at the time, Frank Applegate, believed their customers would greatly benefit in cost savings and convenience by establishing a presence in the Hazard area. Whayne Supply employs more than 1,300 people, represents a variety of major equipment lines and maintains extensive parts inventory and service capabilities, while still playing a major role as good corporate citizens in all of the communities it serves. Whayne Supply Company is the dealer for Caterpillar Inc., Thomas Built Buses, Challenger, Lexion, Trail King, Mirenco, Sullair, Allmand, and other lines of construction, industrial, mining, paving and agricultural equipment. In addition to its home office in Louisville, Whayne has branches in Ashland, Bowling Green, Corbin, Dry Ridge, Elizabethtown, Hazard, Hopkinsville, Lexington, Owensboro, Paducah, Pikeville, and Somerset, Kentucky as well as Evansville and Jeffersonville, Indiana.
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Post by In The News on Jun 22, 2013 6:39:31 GMT -5
thenewsjournal.net Man accused of trying to hire hitman on Topix indicted
A Corbin man, who is accused of allegedly offering $5,000 on the popular Topix website to have someone kill a former local radio personality and business owner, got some good news and bad news Monday. The bad news was that the Whitley County Grand Jury indicted Tristan James Hall, 29, for criminal solicitation to commit murder. The good news was that Whitley Circuit Judge Paul Winchester agreed to lower Hall's bond from $1 million cash to a fully secured $75,000. Hall's attorney, Warren Scoville, entered a not guilty plea on his behalf Monday. According to his indictment, on Jan. 10, Hall allegedly advertised that he would pay someone $5,000 cash for the murder of Melissa Jones Davis and the concealment of her body. Kentucky State Police Trooper Jay Sowders, from Post 10 in Harlan, began the investigation when troopers were contacted by Jones about the post that appeared on the popular Topix website. According to the arrest warrant, the individual, whom police say was Hall, offered to pay half of the money up front and the other half, "once the job is complete." At the preliminary hearing last month, KSP Detective Richie Baxter testified that a search warrant was issued for the IP (internet protocol) address of the individual who posted the message. The IP address came back to a Time Warner Internet account owned by Hall. Under Kentucky law, the charge is a class B felony, carrying a potential prison sentence of 10 to 20 years. thenewsjournal.net/details/7326/Man-accused-of-trying-to-hire-hitman-on-Topix-indicted;-released-from-jail-on-bond
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Post by In The News on Jun 29, 2013 7:07:08 GMT -5
thenewsjournal.net Reality show featuring Corbin auction house to premier July 8 on TruTV
Sammie Isaac and the crew at Sammie’s Auction will be going nationwide on July 8 as “Kentucky Bidders’ premiers on Tru TV. The show centers on the Isaac family, including Sammie, his parents, Sammie, Jr. and Debbie, and his younger brothers David and Mark. In addition to the members of the Isaac family, Sammie said the store’s security guard, Andrew, is also featured, along with Leonard Huff, who is a regular at the auctions. Sammie said the process began about a year ago when he received a call from producer David Leepson of Leepson Bounds Entertainment, who has produced Emmy Award winning shows such as HBO’s Sonny Liston: Life and Death of a Champ, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel and Red Bull Air Race World Series. Footage for the first two of the six episodes that make up season one was shot in February. Another two weeks of footage was shot in April. Tru TV officials agreed that the items that came up for bid really added to the show. Like with any other show, Tru TV officials are waiting to see how the ratings are before deciding whether a second season is warranted. Kentucky Bidders will premier on Tru TV at 10:30 p.m. on Monday, July 8. www.thenewsjournal.net/details/7335/Reality-show-featuring-Corbin-auction-house-to-premier-July-8-on-TruTV
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Post by Kentucky News on Jul 12, 2013 8:04:57 GMT -5
Owsley County Clerk Sid Gabbard
Owsley County Clerk Sentenced for Abuse of Public Trust, Tax Evasion Commonwealth News Center press release
Attorney General Jack Conway today announced the sentencing of Owsley County Clerk Sid Gabbard on charges of abuse of public trust and tax evasion. Gabbard received five years in prison for abuse of public trust and three years for making false tax returns, and/or failure to pay tax, for a total sentence of eight years. The sentence was probated following Gabbard's payment of $61,118 in restitution, and repayment of back taxes. The charges against Gabbard are the result of an investigation by General Conway's Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Department of Revenue's Division of Special Investigations. The Attorney General's Office launched its investigation of Gabbard in January of 2013 based on a 2010 audit report from the Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts. Prosecution of this case was handled by the Office of Franklin County Commonwealth's Attorney Larry Cleveland. "Sid Gabbard betrayed the citizens of Owsley County, who elected him to serve with honesty and integrity," General Conway said. "I applaud my investigators and the Franklin County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office for bringing this case to a successful close, and for ensuring the recovery of restitution and back taxes." The Attorney General's investigation revealed that Gabbard withheld state income tax from employees' checks, but instead of sending the money to the state he used it as his own. The tax evasion charges were brought forth by the Department of Revenue's Division of Special Investigations, which identifies and investigates state tax crimes and prepares cases for prosecution. Using information sources ranging from anonymous tips to collaboration with law enforcement agencies the division investigates cases including income tax evasion, fraudulent tax refunds and theft of sales, use and withholding taxes. For more information about the Department of Revenue's special investigations and how to report tax fraud, go to: revenue.ky.gov/inv
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Post by In The News on Jul 20, 2013 11:58:13 GMT -5
Colonel Sanders to be tossed out with the bones at KFC
Fast-food chain KFC is not only tossing out the chicken bones, but also the quaint image of founder Col. Harland Sanders as it tests a more upmarket restaurant. The fried chicken chain says it's opening a location called "KFC eleven" next month near its headquarters in Louisville, Ky., that will serve flatbread sandwiches, rice bowls, salads and only boneless pieces of its Original Recipe chicken. The name of the test restaurant is a reference to the 11 herbs and spices Sanders used in the "secret" Original Recipe. www.cnbc.com/id/100895843
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Post by In The News on Jul 27, 2013 8:49:26 GMT -5
thenewsjournal.net Plans for expansion of US 25 discussed; hundreds attend meeting
As transportation officials review the feedback they received last Thursday at a planning meeting for the expansion of US 25 between London and Corbin, they are awaiting the next step, which is in the hands of the state legislature. Jonathon Dobson, spokesperson for the transportation cabinet district office in Manchester, said the next step would be to select the type of highway. At the meeting, designers show potential routes for both a five-lane highway and a four-lane highway with a grass median. Over the next year, Municipal Engineering, the company hired to design the project, will be working to complete the design. Dobson said the current funding allows for the completion of the design work. As part of the design work, Dobson said there will be at least one more public meeting such as the one held Thursday. As with other phases, the exact timing is based on funding provided by the legislature. The 2014 legislative session will include the biannual budget, which will include funding of projects such as U.S. 25 State Representative Regina Bunch (R-Williamsburg) and State Senator Albert Robinson (R-London) both said they will push for funding the project, citing the need. While the design currently calls for the road to revert to two lanes on US 25W near Kentucky Fried Chicken, Robinson said he will also be pushing to extend that to the intersection of US 25W and Master Street in Corbin. Construction is expected to take at least 10 years once dirt is actually moved. Dobson said the work will be done in sections as is done with the construction of new interstate highway, with the area around the intersection of US 25E and 25W likely to be the first section. Dobson said the purpose of the meetings is to keep the public informed, even if not everyone likes the proposal. thenewsjournal.net/details/7401/Plans-for-expansion-of-U.S.-25-discussed;-hundreds-attend-meeting#comments
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Post by In The News on Aug 10, 2013 8:11:05 GMT -5
sentinel-echo.com Manchester woman sentenced after first-ever heroin trafficking bust for the London Police Department By Nita Johnson, Staff Writer
Danielle Kemp, 28, also known as Chastity Kemp, of Roby Hollow Road in Manchester, was sentenced to five years in prison for trafficking in heroin, with the trafficking in cocaine charge dismissed at her sentencing on Sept. 20. She must also forfeit all interest in items seized during the arrest. Derrick Boggs, 29, of Sally’s Branch Road in London, pled guilty to possession of heroin and will be sentenced on Sept. 20. Three other defendants in the case — Damian Barrett, 27, of County Farm Road in London, 21-year-old Heather Miller of North Mill Street in London, and 41-year-old Daniel T. Taylor of Cincinnati — are all scheduled for a jury trial in Laurel Circuit Court on Tuesday, Aug. 6. The incident was the first-ever heroin trafficking bust for the London Police Department. The arrests of all seven persons occurred on November 21 on Old Way Road at the Edwards’ home and was the result of several months of investigation. Several thousand dollars in cash and 29.3 grams of crack cocaine, 22.1 grams of heroin, and 4.8 grams of an unknown white powder were found at the residence. The street value of the heroin was estimated to be $4,500 and the cocaine confiscated was believed to be valued at $4,100. See more at: www.sentinel-echo.com/crime/x738619276/Wanted-woman-arrested#sthash.w71Hd0yg.dpuf
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Post by In The News on Aug 31, 2013 13:44:41 GMT -5
sentinel-echo.com Laurel County to sue over redistricting plan that puts them into same district at Clay County By Nita Johnson, Staff Writer
Whether Laurel County will file its own individual lawsuit or join a northern Kentucky county remains in question. But what is certain is the legislative redistricting plan passed in Frankfort on Wednesday — splitting Laurel County into five districts — and magistrates plan to file a lawsuit that such action is unconstitutional. Laurel County Clerk Dean Johnson addressed the fiscal court on Thursday, bringing State Sen. Albert Robinson to the forefront to explain some specifics of the redistricting. Robinson advocated some legal action after watching the plan pass in the House. He said a northern Kentucky county that was split several ways intended to file a lawsuit challenging the division that gives them no majority vote in the House of Representatives, similar to what the five-way split will do to Laurel County. Redistricting must be done every 10 years in accordance to the U.S. Census population reports. The new plan will move all of the London voting precincts except London #2 and London #4 into the 90th District. Joining them will be the Blackwater, Bush, Lake and Johnson precincts. The 90th district includes Leslie and Clay counties and Laurel will then have a smaller number of voters than the other counties with 12,438 voters. Laurel County voters again are the smallest number of voters in the 89th District, represented by Marie Rader, which is also includes Jackson, Lee, Breathitt, and Owsley counties. Laurel County again is the minority in the 86th District of Jim Stewart that includes Knox County, while Regina Bunch’s 82nd District that includes Whitley County, will have only 9,747 residents represented in the southern Laurel County precincts. See more at: www.sentinel-echo.com/local/x865762527/County-to-sue-over-redistricting-plan#sthash.C8eCHBnw.dpuf
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Post by Kentucky News on Sept 5, 2013 20:46:05 GMT -5
Saint Joseph London marks National Drug Court Month Commonwealth News Center press release
Active-duty U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan will soon be receiving $1,000 worth of supplies from Saint Joseph London to help make their time away from home more comfortable. The hospital donated 13 cases of wet wipes, nine cases of granola bars, five cases of plastic storage bags and two cases of coffee creamer to the Laurel County Drug Court program for the troops during National Drug Court Month in May. Drug Court programs statewide requested contributions for the soldiers as a National Drug Court Month project. The military is scheduled to deliver the items overseas in September. “These military men and women have left behind their families, homes and the creature comforts we take for granted to put their lives on the line for us in a foreign country,” Kentucky Drug Court manager Elizabeth Nichols said. “Saint Joseph London’s kindhearted donation will help us bring a little bit of the familiarity of home to the soldiers while they’re deployed in Afghanistan. We are grateful to the hospital and think the soldiers will be too.” The National Association of Drug Court Professionals hosts National Drug Court Month each May to highlight the impact of drug court programs across the nation. About Kentucky Drug Court Kentucky Drug Court is administered through the Administrative Office of the Courts in Frankfort, which oversees 55 adult programs that serve 115 counties. Drug Court’s mission is to provide court-supervised treatment as an alternative to incarceration. The program’s success can be measured in the number of lives changed and the cost savings to Kentucky taxpayers. For every $1 spent on Drug Court graduates, the state saves $2.72 on what it would have spent on incarcerating these individuals. The program has helped reduce illicit drug use and related criminal activity and lowered rearrest, reconviction and reincarceration rates. It has increased payments of delinquent child support and improved employment rates. As of June 30, 2012, 5,370 individuals had graduated from Drug Court programs statewide and participants had paid $3.5 million in child support and $3.9 million in court obligations, including restitution and fines. The program has helped reduce illicit drug use and related criminal activity and lowered rearrest, reconviction and reincarceration rates. It has increased payments of delinquent child support and improved employment rates. As of June 30, 2012, 5,370 individuals had graduated from Drug Court programs statewide and participants had paid $3.5 million in child support and $3.9 million in court obligations, including restitution and fines. Drug Court coordinates the efforts of the judiciary, prosecution, defense bar, probation, law enforcement, mental health, social services and treatment communities to actively intervene and break the cycle of substance abuse, addiction and crime. The program consists of three phases that last at least one year and are followed by aftercare. Drug Court staff and participants work together to develop individual program plans with specific responsibilities and goals with timetables. Plans include group, family and individual counseling; frequent and random urine testing; education and vocational training; scheduled payments of restitution, child support and court fees; and health and community activities. Participants report directly to their Drug Court judge, who rewards progress and sanctions noncompliance. When participants successfully complete the program, charges may be dismissed through diversion, or conditional discharge may be granted through probation. Judges who participate in Drug Court volunteer their time to the program. Administrative Office of the Courts The AOC is the operations arm for the state court system and supports the activities of nearly 3,300 court system employees and 403 elected justices, judges and circuit court clerks. As the fiscal agent for the state court system, the AOC executes the Judicial Branch budget.
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Post by Press Release on Sept 17, 2013 13:28:35 GMT -5
The Hazard Herald Editorial Where is state leadership in Eastern Kentucky job loss?
Since early March, Kentucky has added hundreds of jobs in places like Louisville, Elizabethtown, Winchester, and Fulton. Here in Eastern Kentucky, however, it’s just the opposite. News on Monday of more than 500 employees of James River Coal being furloughed in the region shouldn’t have been surprising to anyone paying attention to the local coal market for the past two years. Stifling federal action on burning coal coupled with cheap natural gas have supplied an effective one-two punch when it comes to the demand for Appalachian coal. That it wasn’t surprising, however, doesn’t make it any less disconcerting for those men and women who now will likely have to rely on unemployment payments to get by as they search for work elsewhere. Perhaps the second most unfortunate aspect of this continued decline of the local coal industry is that we’re not hearing much of anything from Frankfort. Sure, Gov. Beshear does the usual song-and-dance routine about how the EPA needs to release more mining permits and the federal government needs to get off our backs. To an extent we agree, but it doesn’t matter so much when companies are having a hard time selling the coal they’re already mining. Here in Perry County some coal companies have been reducing their workforce for the past two years, with company representatives citing a lack of demand for Appalachian coal. When TECO cut 90 positions in November 2012, the company’s personnel director noted market conditions, and remained hopeful those conditions would improve. When Arch Coal cut positions back in June, the weakness of the market was again noted as the culprit. And while southeastern Kentucky continues to hemorrhage jobs, Gov. Beshear has been busy announcing the creation or expansion of companies across Central and Western Kentucky. Certainly, we don’t begrudge these counties the jobs that have been created in their communities. Every job created in Kentucky makes our commonwealth that much stronger. But it seems for every job gained west and north of Clay County, the southeastern part of the state is losing one. This is a discrepancy we can’t afford, especially as the wage gap hit historic levels just this week and the poor keep getting poorer. We don’t know what Gov. Beshear has up his sleeve, or how much he had to do with any of the positive job creation we’re seeing in other parts of the state, but he can’t expect to put his name on those successes while washing his hands of the declining economy in Eastern Kentucky. We’re hearing next to nothing from Frankfort about creating a new economy beyond coal. We need a new vision. We suspect morale for the local jobs market is getting low among the local residents, as there doesn’t seem to be much down the pike to pick up the slack. And as the region continues to lose jobs seemingly left and right, we wonder where it is that our leadership has gone. www.hazard-herald.com/news/opinion/2542607/Where-is-state-leadership-in-E.-Ky.-job-loss
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Post by In The News on Sept 21, 2013 10:09:57 GMT -5
The Sentinel-Echo Long-time firefighter succumbs to cancer By Nita Johnson
Keavy native Ronnie Bales, was chief of the Keavy Volunteer Fire Department as well as president of the Laurel County Fire Alliance for more than 20 years. Bales, 68, died from lymphoma, a form of cancer that forms in the lymph nodes. He was a self-employed dairy farmer in Keavy, where he worked and served his community. He was former president and current treasurer of the Locust Grove Cemetery committee. Surviving Bales is his wife Gail Willis Bales; a daughter Cindy Bales and husband Paul of Manchester; a son Michael Bales of Keavy; his mother Beatrice Owens Bales; mother-in-law Joyce Willis; and two brothers Harold Bales and wife Carolyn and Richard Bales and wife Laura, all of London. www.sentinel-echo.com/features/x134959630/Long-time-firefighter-succumbs-to-cancer
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Post by In The News on Oct 3, 2013 13:21:24 GMT -5
sentinel-echo.com Dog + Truck + Toilet Paper = Backed-up Traffic By Nita Johnson, Staff Writer
A dog, a semi-truck and toilet paper. Those were the factors involved in a non-injury accident along Interstate 75 on Monday afternoon that backed up traffic for more than five miles and several hours. The chaos began when 49-year-old George T. Furtell of Knoxville was driving a 2001 Volvo tractor trailer southbound near the 44-mile marker around noon on Monday. Furtell told officers with the Kentucky State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement a dog ran across the road in front of him and he swerved to avoid hitting the animal. The sudden shift caused the truck to jackknife, sending the trailer that was loaded with 20,000 pounds of toilet paper against the guard rail, where it tilted to the right and spilled diesel from the ruptured tank. Furtell was not injured in the crash. Emergency vehicles immediately responded to the scene of the crash, where members of the Laurel County Emergency Management office oversaw the cleanup of the debris and diesel while officers with the KSP - Vehicle Enforcement blocked the right-hand lane of traffic. Traffic quickly backed up along the busy roadway as only one lane of traffic moved carefully through the area. Officials with the KSP - Vehicle Enforcement said the cleanup operations closed the ‘slow lane’ of the roadway for nearly two hours and traffic was backed up almost to the Livingston exit 49. Assisting on the scene were KSP - Vehicle Enforcement officers Randy Rader, Dennis Jackson, Laurel County Volunteer Fire Department, Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County, and Laurel County Emergency Management. The London-Laurel County Rescue Squad initially went to the scene. www.sentinel-echo.com/local/x862173535/Load-of-toilet-paper-bogs-down-traffic
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Post by Kentucky News on Oct 8, 2013 19:22:22 GMT -5
Kentucky to begin buying electricity from out of state Commonwealth News Center press release
The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) has conditionally approved a Kentucky Power Co. proposal to purchase a half interest in a power plant in West Virginia to replace a generating facility the utility plans to retire in Kentucky. In an order issued today, the PSC found that the proposal is “by a wide margin” the least costly among the many options for the company to maintain adequate generating capacity. Kentucky Power was authorized to purchase a 50 percent interest in Ohio Power Company’s Mitchell power plant, which is south of Moundsville, West Virginia. Kentucky Power and Ohio Power are both subsidiaries of American Electric Power Co. The 780 megawatts (MW) of coal-fired capacity at Mitchell will replace an 800-MW coal-fired unit at Kentucky Power’s Big Sandy plant near Louisa. Under a 2007 federal court consent decree, Kentucky Power agreed to close the unit in mid-2015 unless it is upgraded to meet stricter air emission standards. Kentucky Power plans to close the 800-MW unit and has said it intends to seek PSC approval to convert a 278-MW unit at Big Sandy to burn natural gas instead of coal. Kentucky Power withdrew an earlier proposal to retrofit Big Sandy’s 800-MW unit with an emission-removing scrubber and decided to retire it instead. Nevertheless, the scrubber option was included in the economic analysis used to determine whether the Mitchell acquisition was the best option for maintaining adequate generating capacity, the PSC said. Purchasing half of the Mitchell plant will cost much less than bringing Big Sandy’s larger unit into environmental compliance, the PSC said in its order. The Mitchell purchase will cost about $536 million, whereas upgrading Big Sandy to meet stricter U.S. Environmental Protection Agency air quality rules would cost nearly $1 billion. When operating costs are factored in, the plan approved today will cost Kentucky Power’s ratepayers about $59 million less per year than an earlier plan to upgrade Big Sandy. The Mitchell acquisition eventually will increase Kentucky Power’s rates by about 14 percent, while a Big Sandy upgrade would have increased rates by 26 percent, the PSC found. Although the Mitchell acquisition will be the least costly for Kentucky Power and its 173,000 ratepayers in 20 eastern Kentucky counties, the PSC noted that the shutdown of the larger Big Sandy unit will result in job losses and a sharp decrease in tax revenue in Lawrence County, with the economic effects extending to neighboring counties as well. Therefore, the PSC directed Kentucky Power to more than double the amount of shareholder money it had voluntarily agreed to spend on economic development efforts in the area, including job training. The PSC required Kentucky Power to spend at least $233,000 in each of the next five years, with $33,000 going to job training programs, through the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, focused on weatherization and energy efficiency. The PSC took note of comments by state Rep. Rocky Adkins, who represents Lawrence County, and from Lawrence County Attorney Michael Hogan, who both urged the PSC to reconsider the decision not to upgrade the Big Sandy plant. Keeping the plant open would preserve well-paying jobs, tax revenue and coal sales, they said. “The Commission greatly appreciates the participation of elected officials and affected customers in this important process,” the PSC said. The statutory standard that applies in this case is only whether the Mitchell acquisition is necessary in light of the decision to retire Big Sandy and whether it is the lowest cost reasonable option available, the PSC said. “Thus, arguments on economic benefits to specific areas of Kentucky Power’s service territory are beyond the scope of the Commission’s jurisdiction,” the PSC said in its order. In approving the Kentucky Power purchase, the PSC accepted most of the terms of an agreement reached by Kentucky Power with the Kentucky Industrial Utility Customers, Inc. (KIUC) and the Sierra Club. The Kentucky Office of Attorney General also participated in the proceeding, but was not a party to the agreement. Key provisions of the agreement, in addition to the Mitchell purchase, include: * A freeze on Kentucky Power’s base rates until May, 31, 2015, and withdrawal of a pending application to increase rates by 24 percent. * A $44 million annual limit, to extend for 17 months, on recovery of costs associated with the Mitchell acquisition, with the recovery coming via a surcharge. * A pledge to contribute $100,000 annually to economic development efforts in Lawrence and five neighboring counties, including at least $33,000 annually on job training. (The PSC modified this provision, as noted above.) * A 20-percent increase in Kentucky Power’s shareholder contribution to its energy assistance program for low-income ratepayers. * A doubling, to $6 million per year, of Kentucky Power’s program to help its customers save energy through measures such as weatherization. * A commitment by Kentucky Power to consider the purchase of 100 MW of wind power the next time the company seeks additional generating capacity. The PSC removed a provision in the agreement that would have allowed Kentucky Power to separately account for and potentially recover from ratepayers the $28.1 million it spent over eight years to study whether or not to upgrade the Big Sandy plant. Imposing that cost on ratepayers is not reasonable, the PSC ruled. Instead, Kentucky Power can write it off, the PSC said. Kentucky Power has a week to decide whether it will accept the modifications the PSC made to the agreement, including the increased economic development funding and clarifications to certain other provisions. Today’s order also addresses a number of issues related to the ownership of the other half of the Mitchell power plant and its future operation. The PSC conducted public comment meetings in the case on May 14 in Louisa and May 15 in Hazard and Whitesburg. The formal evidentiary hearing was convened on May 29 and adjourned in order to allow further discussions among the parties. It resumed on July 10 and concluded on July 12. Today’s order and documents in the case, as well as video recordings of the public meetings and hearing, are available on the PSC website, psc.ky.gov. The case number is 2012-00578. The PSC is an independent agency attached for administrative purposes to the Energy and Environment Cabinet. It regulates more than 1,500 gas, water, sewer, electric and telecommunication utilities operating in Kentucky and has approximately 90 employees.
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