Liquor-option law argued in court

        FRANKFORT — Voters, not courts, should decide the appropriateness of a law that creates a new kind of local option election for liquor by the drink at restaurants, a supporter told a judge on Tuesday.

        Opponents of the law said it is unconstitutional and should be thrown out before voters go to the polls.

        Franklin County Circuit Court Judge Roger Crittenden said he hopes to rule by Nov. 7.

        At issue is a law passed late in the 2000 General Assembly that lets voters in dry cities or counties petition for a local option election. Alcohol sales would be limited to restaurants that seat at least 100 people and derive at least 70 percent of their proceeds from the sale of food.

        At least 11 communities will vote on the question Nov. 7. The challenge is coming from the election scheduled in Georgetown, and Judge Crittenden's initial ruling will affect only that election. The decision, however, will almost certainly be appealed and a higher court ruling would have statewide effect.
       

Juvenile charged; gag order issued

        MAYFIELD — A judge has issued a gag order in the case of a juvenile charged in connection with the killing of one of her schoolmates.

        Graves District Judge Royce Buck said attorneys, court personnel and police risk fines and jail time if they speak to the media about the case.

        The body of Jessica Currin, 18, was found beaten and burned behind Mayfield Middle School on Aug. 1. Police believe her body had been there for two days.

        Police said at the time of the arrest that they don't believe the juvenile was involved in the killing.
       

DUI, murder counts follow woman's death

        LOUISVILLE — A man who told police that the portable Breathalyzer in his car indicated he was not legally drunk was arraigned Monday on murder and drunken-driving charges.

        Leslie L. Cardona III, 59, of Louisville, is accused of driving the car that struck and killed a woman crossing Breckenridge Lane on Friday night.

        Mr. Cardona pleaded innocent to charges of murder, first-degree wanton endangerment and driving under the influence of alcohol. He is being held in the Jefferson County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bond.

        Sefija Custic, 40, a Bosnian refugee who was crossing the street with her 12-year-old daughter, was hit shortly after 9 p.m. Friday, police said. She was pronounced dead at University of Louisville Hospital about four hours later, said Sam Weakley, Jefferson County deputy coroner.

        Police said Ms. Custic's daughter, whose name was not released, suffered a cut on her knee.

        Ms. Custic arrived in the United States in February. She moved to the area from New Jersey in June, said Susan Robinson, a mental health coordinator with Catholic Charities, an organization that works with refugees.
       

Art horse felled by wayward car

        LEXINGTON — The star-crossed horse sculpture dubbed Impressionist has taken its final hit.

        The sculpture, one of 79 on display throughout Lexington as part of Horse Mania, was struck by an unknown driver Saturday between 6 and 7:30 p.m., according to a report filed by Lexington police.

        The art horse disappeared from Keeneland's entrance in September, but mysteriously reappeared 24 hours later, slightly scratched and dented. No arrests were made.

        This time, however, the wear and tear is a lot more severe.

        “I have the pieces of all four legs here in my office. We're going to have to get a whole new horse,” said Dee Fizdale, executive director for the Lexington Arts and Cultural Council.

        Jim Williams, Keeneland's director of communication, said it appeared the driver was heading out of the racetrack, crossed the median, jumped the curb and ran over the sculpture. Impressionist was located on a curve near the track's entrance at Versailles Road and Man o' War Boulevard.

        The horses are expected to be sold during a charity auction on Dec. 2.
       

Tonight's council meeting canceled

        FORT WRIGHT — City Council here has canceled tonight's regularly scheduled meeting because of a lack of a quorum.

        The next regular Fort Wright City Council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Nov. 8. The meeting will be at the city building, 409 Kyles Ln.
       

Villa Hills skater competes in Denver

        CRESCENT SPRINGS — Jessica Miller, 19, of Villa Hills, and her skating partner, Jeff Weiss, of San Jose, Calif. plan to compete today through Saturday at the international Skate America competition in Denver.

        Ms. Miller and Mr. Weiss were named to the team after an injured pair could not compete. The pair will perform a short program Thursday, then a long program Friday.

        They are coached by Tracy Purssack and Kevin Peeks, assisted by Stephanie Miller and Ted Masdea.
       

Aids for disabled children studied

        LEXINGTON — The University of Kentucky is using a $2.8 million federal grant to establish a first-of-its-kind Assistive Technology Research Institute to study gizmos that might help youngsters function better despite their disabilities.

        Schools are mandated to provide reasonable access to children with disabilities but there is little research on what they do and what works, according to UK.
       

Clean-up weekend in Campbell County

        Campbell County is having a fall clean-up 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Residents can take refuse to three drop-off points and say good-bye to garbage, appliances, used motor oil and up to four vehicle tires.

        The Campbell County Road Department will take all trash forms, while other locations will accept garbage only.

        Collection points are:

        Edward S. Pendery Park on Melbourne. Trash only.

        Campbell County Police Department on U.S. 27, south of Alexandria. Trash only.

        Campbell County Road Department on Race Track Road, north of A.J. Jolly Park. All waste.

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