BURLINGTON — The trial that pits a longtime landowner against a Northern Kentucky utility is expected to end today.

        The nearly three-year battlebetween landowner Don Stites, who is fighting to save his family's 500-acre farm in western Boone County, and Sanitation District No. 1 of Fort Wright, which wants it for a sewage treatment plant, could conclude today in a bench trial before Boone Circuit Judge Jay Bamberger.

        According to Sanitation District General Manager Jeff Eger, Monday's first day of testimony offered no surprises. He said his testimony was basically a recitation of the process the utility followed to use eminent domain to take the land.

        “There were no new issues,” Mr. Eger said. “I was authorized by the sanitation district board to move forward (to obtain Mr. Stites' land).”

        Mr. Stites' attorneys questioned an expert witness about how to cluster environmental “intrustions” so as not to disturb two different sites and also discussed the importance of the enforcement of the Clean Water Act in terms of effluvia into the Ohio River.

        The expert witness will take the stand again today for cross-examination and the case may move to summation by the end of the day.

        Mr. Stites, 72, a retired Procter & Gamble employee, and his wife Marion, have fought the district for nearly three years over a 147-acre portion of his farm on Ky. 20 in the Belleview Bottoms area of largely rural western Boone County.

        The riverfront property is about 26 miles southwest of downtown Cincinnati and overlooks the Indiana hills.

Community colleges offer testing, training

        LEXINGTON — The Kentucky Community and Technical College System announced Monday a partnership with ACT Inc. to establish state-of-the-art testing and training programs for businesses and individuals.

        One of the centers will be at the Northern Kentucky Technical College in Highland Heights.

        The centers will establish a large library of training programs and testing services using computers, the Internet and other technologies aimed at developing work force skills in a simple and cost-efficient manner.

        ACT Inc. is a not-for-profit organization best known for its educational assessment, planning and research services. It is primarily associated with the ACT Assessment, a college admissions and placement exam.

        The centers are part of a national network of centers primarily at community and technical colleges.

        “A skilled work force is crucial in a prosperous economy,” KCTCS Chancellor Keith Bird said Monday. “Our ACT centers will provide a resource for area employees and employers to benefit from the latest training programs and methods.

        “Local residents can use the centers to boost their skills and qualify for better jobs. Employers can use the assessment and training programs to hire and develop employees, raising productivity, morale and profits.”

Institution slow to provide records

        SOMERSET — Officials at Oakwood, a state institution being investigated for abuse of its mentally retarded residents, responded too late to a request to inspect its records, the attorney general's office has ruled.

        The Kentucky Open Records Act requires public agencies to respond to a records request within three business days.

        A Somerset man, John Allen Wilson, asked to inspect six years' worth of medical records, including reports of abuse, neglect and sickness, among others. His request was hand-delivered March 5.

        Oakwood's response was dated March 7 but not postmarked until March 14, which was a violation of the law, Assistant Attorney General Ryan Halloran said in an opinion made public Monday.

        In Oakwood's letter, Mr. Wilson was told some of the requested items were not included with medical records “and if they exist, would be maintained separately.” Mr. Halloran's opinion said that also was a violation because the custodian of other records should have been identified by name and location.

        Attorney general opinions are legally binding in disputes about public records and meetings. They can be appealed to a circuit court.

Dad, son die in fire as rescue try fails

        LOUISVILLE — A man who tried to save his son from a fire raging in their home died with him early Sunday.

        John Christopher Victoria, 34, and his 15-year-old son, Charles Christopher Victoria, died after the father crawled through the teen-ager's bedroom window to save him.

        By the time firefighters arrived at the house in southern Jefferson County at 3:45 a.m., it was too late, Fairdale Fire & Rescue Chief Don Wittry said. Charles Victoria was a sophomore at St. Xavier High School.

        Donna Victoria told firefighters that something woke her and then she smelled smoke, Chief Wittry said. She woke her husband and the two of them escaped through a window from their first-floor bedroom. She then gave her husband a boost to the window of their son's second-story bedroom.

        Both John and Charles Victoria died of smoke and soot inhalation, said Allan Terry, a Jefferson County deputy coroner.

        “He did what any of us would do with kids,” Mr. Terry said.

More security at annual air show

        LOUISVILLE — Joining the nation in tightening its security, city police are increasing the number of security personnel on duty at Saturday's Thunder Over Louisville, which is expected to draw more than one-half million people.

        More than 1,000 law enforcement officers will be on duty for the patriotic-themed air show and fireworks extravaganza, which is billed as the nation's largest. That includes 670 National Guard members, state troopers and city and county officers attending to security detail — 200 more security personnel than in the past.

        Other agencies are also offering more assistance this year, said LPD spokeswoman Helene Kramer. National Guard increased its help from 25 members to 99 at this year's Kentucky Derby Festival kick-off. Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is contributing 71 deputies to the effort, up from last year's 45.

Former Owensboro priest under discipline

        LAFAYETTE, La. — A priest in Eunice has been relieved of all duties because of sexual misconduct with a minor in Owensboro in the early 1960s.

        Bishop Edward O'Donnell announced that the Rev. Joseph Alexander of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Eunice was placed on administrative leave.

        The accusation dates back to when Father Alexander was a Benedictine Brother in the Diocese of Owensboro, Ky.

        Father Alexander came to the Diocese of Lafayette in 1984.

        “Father Alexander has acknowledged his involvement in the behavior of which he is accused,” Bishop O'Donnell said in a letter to parishioners.

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