Danville Artist Chosen for Governor's Derby Exhibit

A Danville artist is one of those whose work is being displayed in the Governor's Derby Exhibit. Tom Lamp's painting of the woods behind his house was one of 22 pieces of artwork featuring different perspectives on the theme of Kentucky landscapes chosen for the exhibit, among about 130 submissions. The show runs through May 16th in the Capitol Rotunda.

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McConnell Visits Campbellsville Apparel

Senator Mitch McConnell visited the Campbellsville Apparel Company this morning, touring the factory that manufacture undershirts and briefs for the military and meeting with employees whose jobs he helped save when the company was threatened with losing work to federal prisoners. Following Senator McConnell’s intervention last month, Federal Prison Industries announced it would no longer pursue the contract currently held by Campbellsville Apparel for manufacturing t-shirts for soldiers.

Danville leader wants investigation into plant site

The interim Danville City manager wants an investigation into whether the site of the old Philips lighting plant is a hazard. Ron Scott sent a letter to the Secretary of the Energy and Environment Cabinet of the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection, wanting to know if the site is a hazard that threatens the environment, the ecology, and the health of people in the area, according to the Advocate-Messenger. State authorities are investigating the plant, which stopped operating in February of 2011. The state says it is working to answer the questions and address the issues raised in Scott's letter.

Dennis Davis Named New Mercer County Schools Superintendent

The Mercer County Board of Education didn't have to go far to find their new superintendent. The job goes to Acting Superintendent Dennis Davis. A Mercer County native who has worked for the school system for 16 years, 42-year-old Davis was selected over three other applicants. Davis had been named interim superintendent last July, following Chuck Hamilton's resignation.

Danville Boy Scout Receives "America Honor Medal"

A Danville Boy Scout is getting more honors for saving his friend's life last summer. 15-year-old Noah Adams received the "America Honor Medal" this week for rescuing Donald Burton from the Green River last July. Burton had been trying to swim across the river when he began panicking and started to go under. Adams jumped in and pulled his friend to shore. In addition to the medal, Adams has also received a key to the city of Danville and certificates of heroism from the Kentucky Colonels and Admirals.

Daville City Manager Search Down to Three

Danville's search for a new city manager has been narrowed down to three finalists. Mayor Bernie Hunstad has announced that commissioners reached a concensus on which three applicants they want to interview in person. All of the interviews so far far have been conducted via Skype. The identitiers of the three finalists haven't been made public, and it's still unclear whether Interim City Manager Ron Scott is one of them.

Tony Gray named Danville Police Chief

Danville has a new chief of police. Tony Gray - who had been serving as the interim police chief - has been given the permanent position. The Danville City Commission unanimously appointed Gray to the job during Monday's meeting. Gray took over after former chief Jay Newell resigned from the job, because of health concerns. The Mercer Group was brought in to recruit candidates for the position - and 78 people applied... 22 of those were forwarded on to interim city manager Ron Scott and a committee... which cut the list down to 7. Scott recommended Gray for the position. Gray is the city's first African-American police chief. Newell, meanwhile, remains on the department as a patrol officer.

Got Drugs? Rx Takeback Details Announced

State and local law enforcement agencies will once again be partnering with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration for the fourth National Drug Take-back initiative next Saturday ... an opportunity to clean out your medicine cabinet and safely get rid of expired or unwanted prescription medications. Collection activities will take place Saturday, from 10am-2pm at State Police posts across the state. The Danville Police Department will also have a collection center set up at the Ephriam McDowell Regional Medical Center, the Boyle County Sheriff's Department will be collecting at the Sheriff's office in Danville, the Mercer County Sheriff will be stationed at the Lions Park Community Center in Harrodsburg, and the Nicholasville PD will be collecting drugs on Saturday at the Kroger and WalMart parking lots. Over 1,000 pounds of prescription drugs were collected in Kentucky during previous ‘Take Back’ programs.

Mercer County Murder Trial Continued to August

The Mercer County murder trial of Paul Estes, which was scheduled to begin today, has been rescheduled for August 20th. Estes
is charged with the 2009 suffocation of Debora Brooks. The trial was delayed due to the unavailablity of a witness.

Funeral Plans Announced for Magistrate Dexter Todd.

Funeral arrangements have been announced for Lincoln County Magistrate Dexter Todd. Judge-Executive Jimbo Adams says Todd became ill after being placed under anesthesia when he underwent scheduled outpatient surgery three weeks ago, and never recovered. He died yesterday at St. Joseph's Hospital in Lexington. Todd was 59. Funeral services are scheduled for Monday at 1 p.m., at McKnight Funeral Chapel in Crab Orchard. Visitation will be from 3-9 p.m. Sunday.

Man arrested for Danville home invasion and robbery

A Harrodsburg man is under arrest for a home invasion and robbery in Danville. 23-year-old Jeremy Armstrong is accused of going into the home on Old Shakertown Road on Wednesday afternoon, while a resident was having lunch in the kitchen... Armstrong allegedly brandished a gun, demanded money and prescription medications, and then went through the home, then took off on foot. Armstrong went into the home through the back door, which was unlocked. Law enforcement officials looked around the area surrounding the home for several hours.

Two men accused of rape

Two Pulaski County men are facing charges of rape and unlawful transaction with a minor. 22-year-old Jeremy West of Science Hill and 19-year-old Joshua Hines of Eubank faces the charges, in the alleged rape of two teenage girls, according to the Commonwealth Journal. Deputies responded to a report of a fight in progress at a home in Science Hill... and deputies learned that West had been assaulted by someone after he was accused in a sexual assult. An investigation into the sexual assault accusations - revealed that two females had allegedly been assaulted by West, and Hines. The victims reportedly knew their attackers.West and Hines were in the Rockcastle County Jail on 50-thousand-dollars bond.

Search Continues for New Danville City Manager

Danville City Commission members interviewed three more candidates for city manager during a special meeting Monday.
The commission has now interviewed five candidates to fill the position, and plan to interview as many as five more.

50 New Jobs in Liberty; 22 More in Stanford

Governor Beshear joined local leaders and company officials in Liberty today to announce funding to assist in the expansion of Bluegrass Shavings LLC -- creating 50 new full-time jobs. The $1 million Community Development Block Grant awarded from the state will help the Liberty/Casey County Economic Development Authority purchase new equipment, which will then be leased to Bluegrass, which produces kiln-dried wood shavings and sawdust for horse, poultry and cattle bedding.

Lincoln Manufacturing USA’s recent expansion project, aided by funding administered through the Department for Local Government, has helped create 22 new jobs, according to the governor. DLG Commissioner Tony Wilder joined local leaders and company officials in Stanford recently to make the announcement. The company's expansion was necessary to help meet the product demand from Ford Motor Company for its Ford F-150 Truck, SUV’s and other new 2012 products.

Four indicted in coupon scam

An investigation that's been ongoing for four months has resulted in four people being indicted. It involves an alleged coupon scam at Kroger South. An employee is accused of letting customers use coupons for items that were not being bought. The investigation started in December of 2011, after the Somerset police department got a report about that possible scam, and that employee - 24-year-old Sabrina Pitman - was among those that have been indicted. She's accused of overriding the coupons to reduce the amount of the other non-coupon items that were purchased, according to the Commonwealth Journal. The other three who were indicted were customers... they're accused of giving Pitman merchandise, gift cards, and cash for her involvement in the scam. Those other three are 36-year-old Tabitha Waters, 50-year-old Paul Chumbley, and 43-year-old Anita Chumbley.

Police investigating two robberies

Danville police think two robberies, reported about 12 hours apart on Friday, were commited by the same suspect... now, they just want to find him.

The suspect in both robberies had the same description. The first came early Friday morning, as a masked man robbed two Chill's employees as they closed the store on East Lexington Avenue. No one was injured, and nothing was stolen, but an ATM was damaged.

There was then a robbery at the burgin post office on Friday afternoon... in that case, the suspect assaulted a female clerk, showed a weapon, and demanded money... the robbery hit the clerk on the head with the butt of a pistol... and the suspect left with 300-dollars in cash.

Police say the mask covered the suspect's entire face.

If you have any information, call Danville police at 859-238-1220.

Man dies in Crab Orchard crash

A crash in Crab Orchard claimed one life on Friday. 51-year-old James Layton was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash... he was going westbound on U.S. 150 around 10 o'clock Friday morning... the truck went off onto the right shoulder, and Layton overcorrected. The truck then traveled across two lanes of traffic, and then overturned. Layton was not wearing a seat belt.

Lawmakers back to work today

Kentucky lawmakers will be back in session today to finish what they started. Lawmakers are due for a special session to begin at noon today. The governor called the special session...late last week, he said he was "disgusted and angry" that lawmakers ended their 2012 session late Thursday night without passing a transportation budget, and a prescription drug abuse bill. The governor blamed senate president david williams, calling him a "fly in the ointment." Williams bit back, blaming him for a political stalemate that led to the legislative session ending like it did.

Sounds of Motown Coming to EKU

The Temptations and the Fourt Tops are coming to EKU later this month. Debbie Hoskins, Executive Director at EKU's Center for the Arts says they're offering a shuttle to the concert for Danville residents...






TAG: The concert is Saturday, April 14. For more information or to purchase a ticket package, call 859-622-SHOW.

Dozens of New Jobs Coming To Campbellsville

Dozens of new jobs are coming to nearby Campbellsville. Details from Darrell Moody...






The governor's office announced Thursday that Serco, a travel and hospitality company is expanding it's Campbellsville center by 125 new positions. Serco acquired Intelnet Global Services last year in an effort to partner global travel with hospitality services for international clientele. Governor Steve Beshear said he was extremely pleased with Serco's decision to expand operations here in Kentucky. Based in the UK, Serco offers operational, management and consulting servies to aviation, business process oursourcing, defense, education, government, commercial and communcations technology companies.

April Is Child Abuse Awareness Month

In an effort to draw awareness to Child Abuse Awareness Month, the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services is reminding citizens that reporting suspected child abuse or neglect is the law. Communications Director Jill Midkiff says there are multiple signs of child abuse...






TAG: Midkiff says keeping Kentucky's kids safe is everyone's responsiblity. The Kentucky Department of Community Based Services has also set up a hotline to report abuse...that number is 1-800-KY-SAFE-1.

US Sen. McConnell Congratulates UK On National Championship

The Kentucky Wildcats are National Champions for the first time since 1998. Sen. Mitch McConnell congratulated UK on winning its 8th NCAA Tournament Championship...






TAG: Kentucky's victory over Kansas capped off a historic NCAA Men's Basketball tournament for the Bluegrass State. McConnell said the NCAA Semifinal between UK and Louisville was one of the greatest days in Kentucky sports history.

State Offers Workforce Training Grant Workshops

The Cabinet for Economic Development's Bluegrass State Skills Corporation is holding a series of training sessions across the Commonwealth to educate Kentucky business owners about new guidelines for workforce training grants and tax credits. Executive Director Robert Curry says it's all to support local business...






The closest workshop to Danville will be in Corbin, Thursday April 12. For more information or to see if your business qualifies for the program, visit www.thinkkentucky.com/bssc.

One Text or Call Could Wreck It All

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety has joined the "One Text or Call Could Wreck It All" campaign. Bill Bell, acting director of the Office of highway safety says the goal is to improve highway safety...






TAG: Bell says there are a number of events in surrounding counties geared toward students and younger drivers. To schedule an event here in Boyle County call 502-564-1438.

Kentucky Environmental Education Council Board Plans Annual Retreatl

The board that governs the Environmental Education Council will take their annual retreat later this month. Council executive director Elizabeth Schmitz say this year's retreat will be held at Shaker Village in Harrodsburg April 17 and 18...






TAG: The Environmental Education Council coordinates environmental education across the Commonwealth. The council was founded in 1990.

April Declared Financial Literacy Month

April has been declared Financial Literacy Month across the commonwealth. Kelly May with the Department of Financial Institutions says they are celebrating the month by teaching students to invest in their future...






Kay says the Kentucky Council on Economic Education has partnered with the Department of Financial Institutions to offer six workshops for students this month. For more information or to find the next workshop, log onto www.kyjumpstart.org.