Congress OKs coal waste study

        WASHINGTON — Congress approved $2 million to study ways to more safely store coal waste impoundments on the heels of an impoundment collapse that sent 250 million gallons of sludge into nearby streams and fields.

        The nine-month study will be conducted by the National Academy of Sciences. The academy will work with various federal and state agencies, including the Mine Safety and Health Administration, and private companies to define problems associated with coal waste and to present recommendations to Congress.

        “This study will tell us scientifically whether or not we've got a problem with the safety and stability of these impoundments, and is there a better way to dispose of coal waste than the present impoundment system,” said Rep. Hal Rogers, R-5th District, who sought funding for the study.

        Kentucky Sens. Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning, both Republicans, pushed for the study funding.

        The impoundment study funds were contained in a $108.9 billion spending measure for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and related agencies.

        The bill had been stalled over differences between congressional leaders and President Clinton. Those differences were resolved this week.

        A coal slurry pond that collapsed in Martin County on Oct. 11 created a lava-like flow that killed wildlife, damaged some homes and contaminated some water supplies.

        Since the Martin County disaster, MSHA has conducted a nationwide survey of coal waste storage sites. The agency is about two-thirds of the way through the survey, and expects to be finished by February.

        Kentucky has 58 of the nation's 653 coal waste sites.
       

iHigh buys part of parent company

        LEXINGTON — An Internet spinoff of Lexington-based Host Communications has bought a portion of its parent company.

        iHigh.com, also based in Lexington, said Friday it acquired Host's high school marketing division, expanding iHigh's reach to the off-line world.

        The deal makes iHigh the official marketing partner of the National Federation of State High School Associations and puts it in charge of promoting events like the Kentucky Sweet Sixteen High School Basketball Tournament and the Florida-Georgia High School Football Border Wars.

        Since its founding in mid-1999, iHigh has created Web pages for more than 10,000 high schools. The company sells advertisements on those Web pages, but has yet to turn a profit.

        By acquiring Host's high school division, iHigh hopes to offer companies a variety of ways to reach the coveted teen-age demographic, said iHigh Marketing Director Henry Bebrowsky.
       

Lexington featured in magazine article

        LEXINGTON — The city is featured in this month's Entrepreneur magazine in the first of an occasional series highlighting entrepreneur-friendly U.S. cities.

        The spread, titled “Finger-Lickin' Good,” says the city is gaining a reputation as an incubator for new businesses. Lexington is touted for maintaining its scenic beauty while undergoing industrial growth.

        “Mr. Ed would have liked this city, and so would Bill Gates,” reporter Geoff Williams writes in the introduction. “There aren't many places you can say that about.”

        The article features several Lexington-area business leaders, including Randall Stevens, CEO of ArchVision; George Freeman, co-owner of The Freeman Corp.; and Tim Campbell and Rick Ford of iHigh.com.

        Adam Edelen, vice president of the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce, who was interviewed for the piece, said Mr. Williams “captures the essence of Lexington.”

        Entrepreneur editor Rieva Lesonsky got the idea for the “Snapshot of America” series on a visit to Lexington a few months ago, during which she “met interesting people trying to help entrepreneurship thrive in Lexington.

        The magazine will appear on newsstands Dec. 26.
       

Campbellsville car crash kills two

        CAMPBELLSVILLE — A man and woman were killed in a two vehicle crash Saturday morning just west of Campbellsville, Kentucky State Police said.

        Henry W. Stillwell, 82, of Buffalo, and Linda W. Cox, 48, of Campbellsville, were pronounced dead at the scene about 7:30 a.m. CDT, police said.

        Mr. Stillwell was traveling eastbound on Ky. 210 when his vehicle crossed the center line and hit Ms. Cox's vehicle, traveling westbound, head on.

        Police said neither victim was wearing a seat belt.
       

Police deliver toys to children at Kosair

        LOUISVILLE — Louisville police officers, disguised as elves, delivered toys to more than 100 children Friday at Kosair Children's Hospital.

        Members of the Fraternal Order of Police and Shield of Faith, the Christian Law Enforcement Association, pulled wagons from floor to floor to spread cheer.

        Tessa Winters, a FOP secretary, said officers and volunteers stuffed 140 gift bags with toys bought with donations from several area companies.

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