Ky. farm-related deaths are down 19 percent

        FRANKFORT — The number of farming-related deaths in Kentucky fell 19 percent in 2000 compared with the previous year, according to a report from the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center.

        The annual report from the center's Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Project says 17 people died in farming accidents last year, down from 21 in 1999 and 65 percent lower than the recent high of 48 deaths in 1995.

        Farm machinery continued to be the cause of more deaths than all other farming-related causes combined.

        The state department of agriculture offers a farm- and home-safety plan at no charge. The plan contains useful tips and space for adding emergency contact information. For a copy, call (502) 564-4696 or visit www.kyagr.com

Police nab man who jumped out window

        NEWPORT — A 20-year-old man wanted on drug and weapon charges jumped out a hotel window Friday when police attempted to arrest him.

        Brian Hope was arrested and taken to St. Luke Hospital East for injuries suffered when he jumped from the third floor window.

        Newport police were notified by Cincinnati police Mr. Hope was staying at TraveLodge, 222 York St., and could be armed.

        When officers knocked on the hotel room door at 7:15 a.m., Mr. Hope jumped from the window, hit the ground and ran a few steps before falling. It appeared he had fractured or broken his leg.

        Mr. Hope faces charges in Ohio and Kentucky for fleeing, resisting arrest, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of marijuana and violation of a protection order.
       

Golfers tee up for 22nd Brossart outing

        ALEXANDRIA — The 22nd Brossart Mens Golf Outing will be Wednesday at A.J. Jolly, Pendleton Country Club and Flagg Springs golf courses.

        Entry fee of $75 per player incudes green fees, cart, food and refreshments and prizes.

        Call Tom Holtz at 635-4657 for more information or reservations.
       

Gov. Patton heading to Mexico for a week

        FRANKFORT — Gov. Paul Patton leaves Saturday on a weeklong trade mission to Mexico, his office reported Friday.

        First lady Judi Patton also will be in a delegation that includes representatives of Kentucky agriculture, tourism, business and the equine industry, according to a statement from Patton's office.

        Mexico is Kentucky's fifth-largest trading partner. State exports to Mexico totaled $530 million last year, according to the Cabinet for Economic Development.

        Kentucky has a permanent trade office in Guadalajara, one of Gov. Patton's stops. The delegation also will visit Mexico City for meetings with government officials and representatives of two Kentucky companies doing business in the region — Papa John's and Lexmark.
       

Univ. of Louisville adds to board of trustees

        LOUISVILLE — A public relations executive has been named chairwoman of the University of Louisville's board of trustees.

        Jessica Loving, president and CEO of Creative Alliance Public Relations Inc., earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville in 1968.

        Ms. Loving was first appointed a trustee in 1996 and was reappointed by Gov. Paul Patton to a six-year term in 1997.

        Additionally, two new trustees have been appointed. They are Owsley Frazier and Annette Schnatter, both of Louisville. They replace Bill Samuels, whose appointment expired June 30, and Ann Ford Cobb.
       

Officials find body of man who drowned

        GREENUP — After an extensive three-day search, authorities found the body of a Lawrence County, Ohio, man who drowned Tuesday after being caught in a swift current while swimming in the Ohio River.

        Randy Adkins, 45, of Coal Grove, Ohio, was pulled from the river at 5:30 p.m. Thursday by Scioto County sheriff's deputies conducting water patrol, said Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Boating Officer Earl Buckler. Mr. Adkins' body surfaced one-quarter of a mile from the Greenup boat ramp near Coal Branch Road.

        On Tuesday, Mr. Adkins went swimming in the river near the Ironton-Russell Bridge and became distressed in the water. His younger brother, Greg, jumped in to try to save him. Two people at a nearby park heard the men screaming for help and called 911.

        Greg Adkins was rescued from the swift current by Russell firefighter Mike Lacks and a couple who launched their boat from the Ironton boat ramp.
       

Lotto Kentucky nixed for three-state game

        LOUISVILLE — The Kentucky Lottery is eliminating its slumping Lotto Kentucky game to join a similar game with Georgia and Virginia, lottery officials said.

        The final Lotto Kentucky drawing will take place on Sept. 8 and tickets for the new Lotto South game will go on sale the following day, lottery spokesman Rick Redman said Friday.

        The first Lotto South drawing is Sept. 12.

        Lotto Kentucky started in October 1989 and was the first lottery game in Kentucky in which numbered balls drawn from a machine determined a winner, Mr. Redman said.

        Sagging interest in the game has prompted the change, Mr. Redman said. Sales have declined from $35 million in fiscal 2000 to $28 million in fiscal 2001, spokeswoman Sara Westerman said.

        “Over a period of time, games tend to get tired and the players lose interest, so you have to change the product to make it exciting for them again,” Mr. Redman said. “The game still has a core of loyal players, but the fringe players don't play anymore.”

        The formats of the two games will be nearly the same. In Lotto Kentucky, six numbers from 1 to 42 are drawn. In Lotto South, six numbers from 1 to 49 are drawn.

        The base jackpots for the Lotto South game will be $2 million — double the base jackpot for Lotto Kentucky.

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