Author: Associated Press

Sheriff: Trio of thieves thwarted by misleading gas jug

KEAVY, Ky. (AP) — Authorities in Kentucky say three thieves thought they were stealing gasoline from a property for their broken down car until the car stopped working again. Laurel County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook said the three stole a 5-gallon gasoline jug from a garage for their car. Except there wasn’t gasoline in the jug. It was peroxide. News…

Mountain music festival planned at Carter Caves

Photo Credit: Fraley Mountain Music Gatherin ‘OLIVE HILL, Ky. (AP) — A mountain music festival is planned at Carter Caves State Resort Park next month. A statement from the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet says that the Fraley Mountain Music Gatherin’ will be held Sept. 4-7 and feature traditional music from the hills of eastern Kentucky. The festival is…

Police investigating death of jail inmate

MURRAY, Ky. (AP) — Police say they are investigating the death of an inmate at a western Kentucky jail. News outlets report Kentucky State Police spokesman Brian Luckett says the inmate died Thursday at the Calloway County Jail. Police say emergency crews were called after 78-year-old Joe P. Barnett was found unresponsive after lying down on his bunk. Barnett was…

Judge blocks request for Kentucky PTA financial records

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A judge has sided with Kentucky PTA and moved to block an activist from seeing how a county’s parent teacher associations are spending their money — at least temporarily. The Courier Journal reports Judge Charles Cunningham said Thursday that he’s requesting Attorney General Andy Beshear issue an opinion on the case. Advocacy group “Dear JCPS” founder…

Kentucky jobless rate rises slightly in July

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky officials say the state’s unemployment figure rose slightly in July but remained lower than the rate a year ago. The Kentucky Center for Statistics says the state’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 4.3% last month. The preliminary figure is up from the 4.1% rate in June. But it’s below the 4.4% jobless rate for the…

Briggs & Stratton expanding in Missouri, closing in Kentucky

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. (AP) — Briggs & Stratton will expand its manufacturing plant in the southeast Missouri town of Poplar Bluff and add 130 new jobs over the next year, while at the same time closing a plant in Kentucky. The company, which makes small gasoline engines used in lawnmowers, announced Thursday that it will consolidate operations in the Missouri…

Family of second Kroger shooting victim sues store

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The son of a shooting victim killed at a Kentucky grocery store is suing the grocer and the man charged in the shooting. News outlets report the lawsuit filed Wednesday by Vickie Lee Jones’ family claims Kroger Co. allows patrons to carry guns inside their stores without ensuring they have licenses to carry firearms. The suit…

Kentucky lt. gov. sues governor over staff dismissals

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky’s outgoing lieutenant governor has sued Gov. Matt Bevin in an effort to win reinstatement of her two staff members who were dismissed by Bevin’s administration. Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton — who was dropped from Bevin’s reelection ticket this year — filed the lawsuit Thursday in a state court. The legal action ramps up a feud…

Autism center to open at Murray State University

MURRAY, Ky. (AP) — Murray State University says its Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders is set to formally open next week. A statement from the school says there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by a reception on Aug. 22. Officials say the center was designed to providing timely, comprehensive and affordable evaluation and treatment for children who display…

Kentucky reports rise in visitor trips to bluegrass state

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky tourism officials say more people visited the state in 2018 and spent more money. Officials say visitor trips to and within the state topped 71.6 million last year and visitor spending rose to nearly $7.6 billion, up nearly 4% over the prior year and a 21% increase since 2013. The figures are the result of…