All interested volunteers are asked to meet at Pioneer Park to begin the cleanup, which is part of America's largest organized litter prevention, beautification and community improvement program. From Pioneer Park, volunteers will caravan to Bowman Field, on to Locust Pike Park, ending at Richardson Road Park.

        Rubber gloves and trash bags will be provided, and refreshments will be served. Volunteers are asked to wear boots or old shoes and old clothes.

        Volunteers can come for part of the day or the whole day.

"THIS WASN'T MY IDEA': Matilda the bulldog humors her human, Susan Girard of Fort Thomas, on Saturday, sporting a chicken beak at the Devou Park Easter Dog Parade. More than 30 dogs celebrated the event, sponsored by Animal Welfare of Northern Kentucky, under sunny skies and a record-tying 85 degrees. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

       

Lexington cop cleared in fatal shooting

        LEXINGTON — A city police officer who fatally shot a man outside the Fayette Mall returned to duty last week after being cleared of wrongdoing.

        Officer Chris White, a 10-year veteran, was working off-duty as a security guard at the mall Jan. 5 when he confronted James R. Miller, 28, outside the main entrance. Shoppers had complained that Mr. Miller was harassing them.

        Mr. Miller was wearing a security guard uniform and allegedly pointed a gun at Officer White, who then drew his own pistol and fired several times. Mr. Miller died at the University of Kentucky Hospital about two hours later.

        Officer White was placed on paid administrative leave while Lexington police investigated.

        “The investigation was concluded, and we have found everything about it was justifiable,” said Lexington Police Chief Larry Walsh. “It's very obvious what happened. He was put in a position where he had to do what he had to do.”

        Officer White returned to work last Wednesday.
       

3 American Greetings plants to be closed

        LEXINGTON — Three American Greetings plants in Kentucky have been pegged for layoffs in a company-wide restructuring plan.

        At least 450 employees at the company's Shelbyville, Corbin and Berea plants will lose their jobs, the company said in a statement.

        American Greetings did not disclose plans for its operations in Danville, Bardstown and Henderson. The number of layoffs includes:

        • 100 employees at a center in Shelbyville where orders are filled and distributed.

        • 150 to 240 of the 500 to 800 workers at a plant in Corbin, which manufactures greeting cards, gift wrap and party goods.

        • 220 employees at a plant in Berea, where candles are made.

        Cleveland-based American Greetings is expected to cut 1,500 workers nationwide, or 13 percent of its workforce.
       

Plant worker dies from head injury

        OWENSBORO — A local man died from head injuries he received at the Kenneth Coleman Generating Plant near Lewisport.

        Jerry Lee Phillips, 48, died at Owensboro Mercy Health System at 1:10 p.m. Friday, Daviess County Coroner Bob Howe said.

        The accident inside the plant occurred about 8:30 a.m., when a boiler or high pressure line erupted, Mr. Howe said. According to the report by Deputy Coroner Mike Postlewaite, Mr. Phillips fell 6 to 8 feet. The cause of death was head trauma.

        The Coleman plant is operated by Western Kentucky Energy. Mr. Phillips was a senior painter/insulator who had worked at the Coleman plant for more than 20 years.
       

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