University president recommended for job

        NASHVILLE — University of Louisville President John Shumaker was recommended to become the next president of the University of Tennessee by a search committee on Wednesday night.

        The decision followed 1 1/2-hour interviews by a 10-member president search committee headed by Gov. Don Sundquist with Mr. Shumaker and one other finalist, University of Northern Colorado Vice President and Provost Marlene Strathe.

        “He's a good man, a good leader, all the things we listed for the role of the next president,” said Mr. Sundquist, who had personally called Mr. Shumaker to encourage his candidacy. “The future of the University of Tennessee is strong, and with John Shumaker as president, it will be even stronger.”

        Mr. Sundquist said Mr. Shumaker has until Friday afternoon to accept the job as president of the five-campus, 42,000-student system. The board of trustees meets Tuesday and is expected then to officially offer Mr. Shumaker the job. If he accepts, he would become UT's 21st president.
       

Congressmen seek to buoy coal miners' fund

        CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Congressmen from West Virginia and Ohio are co-sponsoring a bill to bolster the finances of the fund that pays for health care for about 50,000 retired coal miners and their dependents.

        Reps. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., and Bob Ney, R-Ohio, introduced the bill Wednesday in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that exempted some coal mine owners from having to contribute to the fund.

        Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., who sponsored the original 1992 law that created the fund, has accused the court of opening a technical loophole that allows companies to avoid their responsibility to retired employees.

        Last week's decision was the latest in a series of judicial rulings that have effectively relieved employers of the responsibility to pay into the fund without providing other ways of financing the benefits.
       

High school basketball player assaulted

        PIKEVILLE — A high school basketball star was severely beaten after attending a rival team's tournament game, leaving him too injured to play in his own team's game Wednesday.

        Assault charges were filed against six Shelby Valley High School students after a melee that injured Jarrod Adkins, the leading scorer for cross-county rival Millard High School.

        At least three other students were treated for minor injuries at Pikeville Methodist Hospital on Monday.

        Deputy Sheriff Greg Smith said more arrests are likely.

        Jarrod, who averages 22 points per game, suffered hand and head injuries, and underwent surgery at Pikeville Methodist Hospital on Tuesday. His mother said he could be released as early as today.

Damage from cave, road collapse examined

        BOWLING GREEN — While engineers and cave experts are still assessing the damage and cause of a cave that collapsed under a Bowling Green road on Monday, city officials are confident the road will be rebuilt.

        Bowling Green Chief Financial Officer Davis Cooper, who is the acting city manager, said he's been given all indications that the road will repaired.

        “The engineers and the cave experts are first looking to see what caused the collapse, and then the plan is to have those same experts look to see how it will be fixed,” Cooper said.

        Four vehicles were damaged after the cave collapsed under Dishman Road, according to police. No injuries were reported.

        A section of the road about 150 feet long and 30 feet deep, “just went,” said Officer Barry Pruitt.

        The hole, three lanes wide, opened between Cave Mill and Nashville roads causing two vehicles to slide, police said.
       

Senator seeks to give GA more control

        FRANKFORT — Senate President David Williams is pushing legislation to give the General Assembly more control and oversight of the orders, regulations and contracts with which governors conduct state business.

        Mr. Williams' bill also would require the House and Senate to have the same number of people on the legislature's permanent committees — a move calculated to put his own, Republican-controlled chamber on equal footing with the Democrat-controlled House.

        Another oversight committee would be created specifically to keep tabs on the Transportation Cabinet, its contracts and projects.

        Mr. Williams, testifying to the Senate State and Local Government Committee, said it has become a trend in government for more executive-branch functions to be done by gubernatorial orders and regulations.

        Lawmakers have complained through the years about being thwarted by executive-branch bureaucrats who write the regulations that are used in implementing laws.
       

Pikeville man found guilty in murder

        PIKEVILLE — A Pikeville man convicted of murder could be sentenced to life in prison.

        A jury found Stacy Thacker, 25, guilty Tuesday in the murder in August of Brian Tackett of Pike County.

        Dr. Greg Davis, assistant state medical examiner, testified that Mr. Tackett died from a blow to the head.

        Witnesses testified that Mr. Thacker had threatened to kill Mr. Tackett on the day of the murder.

        Pike Circuit Judge Eddy Coleman will sentence Mr. Thacker on March 29.

        Commonwealth's Attorney Rick Bartley said the sentence will be 20 years to life in prison.

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