Friday, January 28, 2000
AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH
Blood test ordered in robbery at Mike Fink
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — Investigators may have new evidence in an eight-month-old burglary of the Mike Fink riverboat restaurant.
Covington Detective Mike McGuffey got a search warrant this week to draw blood from an 18-year-old Covington man who is a suspect in the May 1999 taking of the restaurant's safe. He hopes to see whether the man's blood matches that found near the broken-open safe, which was found in Goebel Park the day after the burglary.
The detective, according to the search warrant, recently interviewed someone who had seen the man with a bandaged finger and a sock full of money.
About $6,000 was taken from the safe, the search warrant said.
Candidate sues after failing clerk's exam The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — A Northern Kentuckian who failed a qualifying exam to run for county clerk is suing Campbell County Clerk Jack Snodgrass, the Campbell County Board of Elections, Kentucky Board of Elections and the state's Administrative Office of the Courts in his efforts to enter the political race.
In documents filed Thursday in U.S. District Court, Democrat Ken Johnson of Alexandria and Gary Jolly, one of his supporters, asked for a trial, class-action certification and for Mr. Johnson's name to appear on the May primary ballot despite his test scores.
Mr. Johnson and Mr. Jolly charge that the test's use is unfair, discriminatory and has little to do with Mr. Johnson's ability to be clerk.
They also claim it strips them of their rights to free speech and political freedom.
A Monday hearing is set to determine whether Mr. Johnson's name will be in a drawing to determine placement on the ballot.
It will be determined at a later date whether he can run for clerk.
Mr. Johnson received a 69.7 score on the Jan. 15 qualifying exam. A score of 70 is considered passing. Former Campbell County Judge-executive Lloyd Rogers also failed.
Testimony continues in conspiracy case The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — Testimony continued Thursday in U.S. District Court, where Randall and Terry Cope are standing trial on charges of hiring someone to kill their former lovers and two others.
The brothers — Randall, 41, of Benton, Ky., and Terry, 43, of Hendersonville, Tenn. — face decades in prison if convicted of several charges that include conspiracy, murder for hire and retaliation against a witness.
A federal indictment states that Randall Cope was in Kenton County Jail last year for a pending Internet harassment case when he and his brother conspired to kill his ex-girlfriend, Ryle High School teacher Sarah K. Jackson; David Bunning, the son of U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning and the federal prosecutor handling the Internet harassment case; and Elizabeth and Ronald Nimmo, Terry Cope's ex-wife and her new husband.
Terry Cope was arrested before anyone was hurt. Randall Cope was still in jail.
There will be no testimony today. The trial will resume Monday.
Senator battles on for golf-course drinking The Associated Press
FRANKFORT — Sen. Tom Buford is continuing his fight for thirsty golfers.
Mr. Buford, a Nicholasville Republican, won approval in a Senate committee Thursday for legislation that would let golf courses in 15 counties, including Pendleton, seek local-option elections in their precincts to allow the sales of alcoholic beverages by the drink on the course.
In two previous sessions, Mr. Buford has failed to win a change in the law, largely on behalf of Champions Trace in Jessamine County, a private club that has aspirations of playing host to significant championships.
While he has won approval in the Senate, the measure has died before a House committee, which has often not even drawn a quorum to consider the bill.
Sen. Charlie Borders, a fellow Republican from Russell, said his objection to the legislation was not anti-alcohol like many of those who testified before the Licensing and Occupations Committee.
“This bill is blatantly in the interests of a select few,” said Mr. Borders, who pointed out that union halls or small groceries would not benefit.
Car dealer surrenders in fight over logo The Associated Press
LEXINGTON — Used-car dealer Mike Speaks has decided it's a lot easier to paint than litigate the state.
The sign in front of his lot will be repainted, his letterheads redesigned, and he will quit handing out jackets, hats and pens when his present stock is depleted.
All of the above carry his company logo, which includes the image of a mare and a foal running side by side.
The image resembles the Kentucky Horse Park logo that was also once on state license plates.
After using it for a decade, he found out through the park's attorney, Sarah Hernandez, that it must come off of everything.
“It will cost me a couple of thousand (dollars) for a new sign and to change my paperwork and letterheads and stuff,” he said, “and I had it (the logo) before the Horse Park.”
Actually, Ms. Hernandez said, the Horse Park has used the logo since the 1970s, and Mr. Speaks said he has used it about 10 years.
The Horse Park holds a state trademark on the logo and is seeking a federal trademark, Ms. Hernandez explained.
Two-year colleges get $300,000 from Microsoft The Associated Press
LEXINGTON — Microsoft has awarded a $300,000 grant to the state's two-year colleges to help create new information technology training programs.
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is one of eight recipients nationwide to receive funds from Microsoft's “Working Connections” program.
Working Connections, a collaboration between Microsoft and the American Association of Community Colleges, is a five-year, $7 million philanthropic program aimed at helping disadvantaged people prepare for information technology jobs.
KCTCS will use its grant to target populations that are under-served, such as Appalachia and inner cities, said KCTCS President Michael McCall.
KCTCS consists of 15 technical colleges and 13 community colleges.
One-hour record set for electricity usage The Associated Press
ASHLAND — Kentucky customers of American Electric Power used a record amount of electricity Thursday morning, the company said.
During a one-hour period that ended at 9 a.m. EST, AEP's 170,000 customers used 1,558 megawatts of electricity, the company said.
The previous record of 1,448 megawatts was set Jan. 25.
Fugitive sought in killing
Parks won't pay for deck
Warm-up coming, but get your shovel
Auf Wiedersehen to a Zinzinnati institution
Tristaters: Clinton packed a punch
Area Republicans pan president's proposals
Text of State of the Union address
War 'blood brothers' want to reunite
Wrongful birth suit uncharted territory
Police hoping for stricter seat-belt law
School board accused of caving
Taft appointments more diverse
Woman who copped cruiser to get mental exam
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
14 ideas for the 14th
GET TO IT
Getting married? Be in our 'Love Story'
NBC delays private-eye comedy
Sundancers abuzz about films online
Trucks Band a few songs behind Allmans
AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH
Auditor to review Lebanon buyouts
Boy accused of groping 10-year-olds at school
Burglar-molester gets 29 years
Businesses see group growing
Butler County has new funeral carriage new for officers
Food agencies want Y2K leftovers
Glenn mission results in
Hit-skip driver sought
Inmate comes to court via TV
Miamitown salvages river relic
Minority students to get aid
Monroe plans to study fire status
Montgomery woman has new career: Mom
Ohio fights to reserve contracts for minorities
One arrested, one sought in shooting and robbery
Republicans sign up to support Roeding
School bets on reading emphasis
Sheriff goes after grants
TRISTATE DIGEST
Truck ban suit is topic of meeting
UV light to be used at plant
Visalia water plan resurfaces
Water rate raised to pay legal bills
