EDGEWOOD — Firefighters are investigating a blaze that swept through a Northern Kentucky home Thursday morning.

        The Edgewood Fire Department responded at 4:30 a.m. to the blaze at 107 Edgewood Road. It took 26 firefighters to contain the blaze to the second floor of the two-story brick house.

        The four people at home at the time escaped without injury, said Capt. Jim Brothy. The name of the homeowner was not available.

        Capt. Brothy said the fire caused an estimated $30,000 in damage. He said the home had smoke detectors, but investigators had not determined if they were working. The cause of the fire, which started in a front bedroom, was under investigation.

Academy offers classes on policing

        Police departments from around Kenton County are taking applications for the second annual Kenton Regional Citizens Police Academy. The 12-week program starts Sept. 10 and classes meet every Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. at police departments around Kenton County. Some of the classes will include criminal investigations, forensic science, laws of arrest, criminal justice system, crisis management and weapons familiarization.

        The classes are limited to 30 people.

        For information, call Capt. Mike Klein of the Kenton County Sheriff's Department at (859) 431-4822.

"Stuart Little' ends movie series in park

        TAYLOR MILL — The movie Stuart Little (rated PG) will be shown at 9:15 p.m. tonight at Pride Park , 5614 Taylor Mill Road, as part of the city's free Friday Night Flicks.

        The event is coordinated by the Taylor Mill Recreation Department. Popcorn and soft drinks will be available at a minimal price. Picnickers can bring lawn chairs, blankets and coolers. Alcoholic beverages and glass containers are not permitted in the park.

        This will be the last movie of the summer. City officials plan to resume the Friday Night Flicks series in May.

        Information: (859) 581-3234.

Shop-With-A-Cop offers school supplies

        EDGEWOOD — Low-income families in Northern Kentucky are invited to have breakfast and pick up free school supplies at the “Christmas in August” party Aug. 22 at Presidents Park, at Dudley Road and Shelmar Drive, in Edgewood.

        The Shop-With-A-Cop program has been an annual event that provides needed items for underprivileged children. In the past, it was held at Christmas, but this year organizers decided to move the event to August to benefit children at back-to-school time.

        “There are two times a year parents are going to get hit really hard, back-to-school time and Christmas time,” said Dwayne White, event chairman. “There are programs to help families at Christmas, but not at this time of year.”

        The children will have breakfast with police officers before going to Kmart in Edgewood to shop for clothes and school supplies. Once the shopping is completed, students will return to the park for lunch.

        For information, call Mr. White at (859) 466-6457.

Parents of killer sue over sanity testimony

        LEXINGTON - The parents of a 17-year-old serving a life sentence for the murder of a high school classmate have sued a Lexington psychiatrist for determining that their son was sane at the time of the shooting.

        In a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Fayette Circuit Court, Christopher and Cynthia McGorman of Winchester allege that Dr. David Shraberg used improper methods in reaching his expert opinion that their son, Christopher McGorman Jr., is sane. The boy's defense at trial was that he was legally insane and was not responsible for his actions at the time he shot and killed 14-year-old Larry Raney in January 2000.

        Similar allegations against Dr. Shraberg were made in an appeal filed Monday with the Kentucky Supreme Court that seeks a new trial for the younger McGorman.

        Dr. Shraberg said in a statement that he has evaluated thousands of adults and adolescents and that he is confident of his determination in this case.

Wildlife refuge plan delayed in Congress

        HENDERSON - The creation of a 23,000-acre wildlife refuge in northern Henderson County has been indefinitely delayed, according to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell.

        For the past two years officials with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service have been publicly saying they hope to create a refuge stretching from Horseshoe Bend nearly all the way to the Daviess County line. An environmental assessment study of the proposed refuge was completed last year, and then sent to the agency's Washington headquarters last September for final action.

        USF&W officials initially planned to create the refuge by administrative action, which would have required only the signature of the agency's director.

        It now appears the proposed Green River Federal Wildlife Refuge will be created by act of Congress. Early this year McConnell introduced legislation to create the refuge, but so far it has not been approved, he said.

Ex-police officer pleads guilty to incest

        HOPKINSVILLE - A former high-ranking Hopkinsville police officer has pleaded guilty to two counts of felony incest and two misdemeanor sex charges in a case that resulted in two failed trials earlier this year.

        Siah Cornett, a former police major, entered the two felony pleas in open court Thursday.

        Mr. Cornett also pleaded guilty to possession of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance and third-degree sexual abuse, both misdemeanors.

Preservations seek to save 1792 mansion

        LEXINGTON - Preservationists and a legislator are scrambling to find a way to save an 18th century mansion slated for demolition by its owner.

        The Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation will hold a meeting today at the Lexington Public Library, to seek suggestions on ways to save the two-story mansion on Mount Brilliant Farm, with its massive Doric columns across the front. The mansion dates to 1792, the year Kentucky gained statehood.

        The mansion's owner, Greg Goodman, filed July 24 for a demolition permit for the 9,000-square-foot mansion off Russell Cave Road.

Woman's death called a homicide

        LOUISVILLE - Officials are calling the death of a woman found in a playground behind an elementary school this week a homicide.

        The body of Jennifer Goodlett, 37, was discovered on Wednesday by a woman walking her dog, police said. Ms. Goodlett, who lived about five blocks from the playground, was identified by the Jefferson County coroner's office on Thursday.

        Louisville Police Detective Bill Keeling said it's likely that Ms. Goodlett's body had been moved to the location.

— Compiled from staff and wire reports

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