RICHMOND, Ky. — As demolition season begins at Blue Grass Army Depot, neighbors prepare for house-shaking, window-rattling explosions and officials prepare for complaining.

        Workers at the depot annually blow up as much as 400 tons of obsolete land mines, artillery shells and other explosives.

        Teresa Smith's home sits just 2,500 feet from the depot's demolition grounds.

These projectile shells will be recycled as part of the Blue Grass Army Depot disposal effort. (Associated Press photo) | ZOOM |

        “The house shakes, the windows rattle,” said Ms. Smith, of Madison County. “It's really loud.”

        Military installations throughout the world ship their obsolete munitions to the depot, and officials say the cheapest and safest way to destroy the weapons is detonation in outdoor pits.

        Depot officials say they want to be good neighbors and are exploring alternatives to “open-air” detonations, which not only produce a potentially damaging — and loud — shock wave but also kick up giant plumes of dust.

        The search for disposal alternatives has become urgent because the increased residential areas of the southern and eastern edges of the depot.

        The demolition season runs roughly from March to September, depending on the weather. That's when the phones begin ringing with complaints

        Since 1995, eight people have filed claims against the Army, ranging from $185 to $150,000, for damage ranging from cracked foundations to warped door frames.

        Federal officials have dismissed seven of the claims, saying there is no proof the demolition caused the homeowners' problems.

        Ralph Shearer, who runs the depot's demolition program, lives just outside the depot and wants to find a quieter disposal method.

        “Most of my neighbors understand that I have a job to do,” Mr. Shearer said. “But some of them don't mind telling me when they think we're not doing things right.”

City loses in final census
Lasik patients in the dark after doctors walk out
VP's heart procedure not latest available
Conservationists oppose road plan
Fire leaves father bereft
Hospitals continue to bar doors at record rate
Schools attempt to thwart tragedy
Lesson in tragedy: Bullying can have lethal consequences
Police prep for school violence
RADEL: Racial profiling
SAMPLES: Citizen action
CROWLEY: Villa Hills amuses, astounds
Fish caught in Ohio becoming safer to eat
Murder trial to proceed
OxyContin still booming, police say
Court turns down Clinton man's death row appeal
Covington beer debate put on hold
Edgewood depending on levy
Emergency center to relocate
Fairfax approves gateway proposal
Hours tick off for execution, urgency high
Labor blasts Bush tax plan
Mayor's resignation sought
Newton seeks UK trustee position
Old cars, refrigerators used as septic tanks
Prosecutor closes in Middletown
Schools aim to recruit 450 teachers
Sound of spring: BOOM
State asks for more cash for child-support system
Telemarketing bill gets House panel approval
UC team hopes to find, preserve ancient site
Wilkinson stores get help
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report