JEFFERSONTOWN, KENTUCKY (BNO NEWS) – The city of Jeffersontown, Kentucky will receive two grants totaling $145,000, to significantly enhance community development and revitalization efforts, Department for Local Government Commissioner (DLG) Tony Wilder announced on Tuesday.

One grant of $125,000 will be provided by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program. Such grant will provide energy improvements like the replacement of old streetlights and renewable technologies on government buildings.

The other grant, a $20,000 Renaissance on Main grant will fund signage improvements in Jeffersontown. These updates will make downtown more accessible and navigable.

“Implementing these energy efficiency measures will not only provide savings in power costs but will also reduce Kentucky’s energy needs. The Renaissance grant will promote tourism and economic development by providing clear signage to downtown visitors,” said Wilder.

The Kentucky EECBG program provides $6.25 million to assist local governments in implementing strategies to reduce fossil fuel emissions; reduce total energy use; and improve energy efficiency in the transportation, building and other appropriate sectors. The EECBG program was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

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FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY (BNO NEWS) – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear announced on Monday an executive order, effective since May 1, declaring a state of emergency due to the severe storms and flooding that struck Kentucky last weekend.

The counties more affected by the storms are Madison, Barren, Allen and Lincoln. Unfortunately four citizens have been confirmed dead because of the flooding in the region.

“The safety of our citizens is my first priority. That is why I urge individuals who encounter high waters to use extreme caution and avoid unnecessary contact with flood waters if at all possible,” said Beshear.

The state of emergency will provide trained counselors to offer response services through the Kentucky Community Crisis Response Board. Transportation and access to affected areas may be restricted or prohibited to avoid further losses.

In addition, the National Guard and the American National Red Cross have been contacted by the Kentucky Governor in order to help in the relief activities of the State.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has closed approximately 400 roads across the state while dozens remain partially obstructed by flooding, mud or rock slides. More than 1,000 road crew members have been mobilized statewide and continue to work in damage assessments and recovery.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) — President Barack Obama on Friday mourned the death of two miners at a mine in western Kentucky on Thursday, saying mine safety is a responsibility of ‘all of us.’

Two miners, 28-year-old Michael Carter of Madisonville and 27-year-old Justin Travis of Dixon, were killed on Thursday after a roof collapse at Alliance Coal’s Dotiki Mine near Nebo, in Hopkins County, on late Wednesday.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of two miners in Kentucky, and my thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones they left behind,” Obama said in a statement released by the White House. “As I said after the tragedy in West Virginia, I refuse to accept any number of miner deaths as simply the cost of mining. It is the responsibility of all of us, from mine operators to the federal government, to prevent such tragedies from happening again.”

Obama said his administration is taking steps to demand accountability for safety violations and strengthen mine safety so that all miners are protected.

The two men became trapped inside the mine when a section of a roof gave way approximately 500 feet underground and 24,000 feet back into the mine.

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear earlier also called on a full investigation of the accident. “Despite our sadness, we must press forward to the work ahead of us – fully investigating what caused this accident and determining ways to avoid such accidents in the future,” Beshear said.

The accident follows another accident at the Upper Big Branch coal mine in Raleigh County, West Virginia on April 25. An explosion about 1,000 feet underground killed 29 miners, making it the worst U.S. mine disaster since 1970 when 38 miners were killed in Hyden, Kentucky.

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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY (BNO NEWS) – A Kentucky man was arrested for attempting to have sex with a 14-year-old girl, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Jeffery Allen Hackworth, age 32, of Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County, began on-line communications on February 18, 2009 with a 14-year-old girl, who in fact, was an undercover Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) Crimes Against Children Unit Detective, and suggested meeting her to engage in sexual conduct.

Hackworth continued communication with the supposed girl on April 7, 8, 9, and 10, 2009, disclosing that he lived in Louisville, asking to see “sexy” and “full body” pictures of the girl, and repeatedly raising the issue of meeting in person.

In the April 9 and 10 communications, Hackworth proposed a meeting in which they would engage in sexual acts when the girl’s mother was not home, and approximately 17 minutes after it began, Hackworth ended the conversation indicating that he was coming to meet the girl and that he would be driving a black SUV. The girl told Hackworth what she would be wearing, and Hackworth drove directly to the agreed location here in Jefferson County Kentucky.

Hackworth arrived and drove directly to a decoy officer who was dressed in the clothing described in the on-line communication. When he reached her, LMPD officials arrested him.

Hackworth, if convicted, faces a minimum prison term of 10 years, a maximum term of life imprisonment, a $250,000.00 fine, and supervised release for a period of at least 5 years and could include life. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 16.

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CYNTHIANA, KENTUCKY (BNO NEWS) – 3M company will invest $4.2 million in new equipment for the Cynthiana, Kentucky plant, Governor Steve Beshear announced on Thursday.

The investment will bring in new products which could position the plant for future packaging opportunities that would lead to the creation of additional job openings. The Cynthiana plant currently employs 500 people.

“Kentucky is pleased to partner with 3M to make this multi-million dollar investment possible, one that not only retains more than 500 Kentucky jobs, but creates future opportunities for new jobs,” said Mr. Beshear.

The Cynthiana plant manufactures post-it notes, easel pads and scotch packaging tapes. 3M is globally recognized as a diversified global manufacturer and marketer of a wide variety of quality products.

The investment was made possible after the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved 3M Company for tax incentives up to $2.5 million through the Kentucky Reinvestment Act.

We are very pleased that the Kentucky Legislature and Gov. Beshear supported the passage of the Kentucky Reinvestment Act, which will help us bring this new investment into 3M Cynthiana,” said Ann Getting, 3M Cynthiana Plant Manager.

“We have been here over 40 years, and this bill helps us keep manufacturing jobs in Kentucky. We appreciate our employees’ efforts to help 3M be competitive in a global economy.”

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PARIS, KENTUCKY (BNO NEWS) – Kentucky celebrated the 40th anniversary of Earth Day by starting the Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program in Paris, Kentucky, Governor Steve Beshear announced on Thursday.

The program is managed by the Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence (DEDI) and the U.S. Department of Energy.

“What better way to acknowledge 40 years of Earth Day celebrations than to give Kentuckians the opportunity to be environmentally responsible by purchasing energy efficient appliances while at the same time receiving rebates for making our planet a better place to live,” said Beshear.

Kentucky is offering rebates on 16 qualified appliances, including clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, room air conditioners, water heaters, central air conditioners, air source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, gas furnaces and gas boilers.

“Kentucky has expanded the list of appliances beyond what many of our neighboring states have done in order to give the people of the Commonwealth a better opportunity to purchase what is needed for their homes. Even beyond the obvious energy efficiencies that will be realized, they are helping stimulate Kentucky’s economy as well.”

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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY (BNO NEWS) – A Kentucky man pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography, prosecutors said Wednesday.

David L. Freadreacea, 48, of Louisville, Kentucky, was found possessing child pornography on September 15, 2009, while a United States Probation Officer conducted a home check for him, as he was under federal supervised release. Freadreacea had been previously convicted after pleading to two charges of violating child pornography laws.

When the Probation Officer arrived at Freadreacea’s home, he asked him for a tour as it had been awhile since the officer had been there. Freadreacea’s mother was also present when the officer observed a computer in the kitchen, which had its screen dark. The officer noticed a zip/thumb drive and the light blinking and asked Freadreacea about the computer drive.

Freadreacea stated that he used it for games and asked the Probation Officer if he wanted to take a look, and he told Freadreacea that he did. Freadreacea then stated that there was child pornography on it.

Three Metro Police Department’s Crimes Against Children Unit (LMPD’s CACU) detectives arrived at the residence after the Probation Officer asked Freadreacea to step outside with him as he called 911 to ask for assistance.

Freadreacea sat on the couch with his mother while the CACU Detectives conducted a preliminary review. He observed several movies which he knew immediately to contain child pornography, as he had seen the same movies in other child exploitation cases. Further investigations revealed the presence of child pornography materials had been obtained using the Internet.

Freadreacea pleaded guilty on April 16, and he is scheduled to be sentenced on July 26, at 10:15 a.m., in Louisville, Kentucky.

Freadreacea faces maximum penalties of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and supervised release for a period of at least 5 years and could be any number of years, up to and including life. He faces a minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment for the possession of child pornography charge due to his prior federal child exploitation conviction.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) — A Kentucky soldier who was serving in Afghanistan was found dead in his barracks on Sunday morning, U.S. officials said on Tuesday.

Sergeant Randolph A. Sigley, 38, was found unconscious in his barracks on Sunday morning. “His team mates tried to revive him and he was pronounced dead at 7.43 a.m. local time,” said David Altom, a spokesman for the Kentucky National Guard.

Altom said the cause of death – although non-hostile – remains unknown. “An autopsy will be performed when his body returns to the United States,” he said. The US Army Criminal Investigation Command will investigate his death.

Sigley was assigned to the 2123rd Transportation Company in Richmond. He was the 156th coalition service member to die in Afghanistan so far this year, according to a BNO News count based on official figures. Ninety-two of those were from the United States.

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FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY (BNO NEWS) – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mongiardo addressed on Tuesday their thoughts and desires regarding the West Virginia mine explosion, the Office of the Governor said.

“I spoke with Governor Manchin last night and expressed my deepest condolences to him and the families involved in this tragedy. I also offered to provide any assistance they might need, including the help of our mine rescue teams,” said Gov. Steve Beshear.

“I want to express my deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the 25 coal miners who died in the Massey Energy Co.’s underground explosion in West Virginia,” said Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo.

“I am praying the four missing miners are found safe. Losing just one life in a mining accident is one too many. As rescue workers continue to search for missing survivors, I ask that we each take a moment to say a prayer for all of the families affected by this tragedy.”

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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY (BNO NEWS) – Three Kentucky individuals were indicted for counterfeiting currency, prosecutors said Monday.

Brian Probus, age 21, David Brooks, age 26, and Kristen Trowbridge, age 21, all of Fairdale, Kentucky, in Jefferson County, allegedly participated in a scheme that manufactured counterfeit $20 Federal Reserve notes between July and August 13, 2009.

The maximum potential penalties for Probus and Brooks, who were allegedly in charge of the manufacturing, are 40 years’ imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, and supervised release for a period of 3 years.

The maximum potential penalties for Trowbridge, who was in possession of the counterfeit currency, are 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and supervised release for a period of 3 years.

All three are scheduled to appear for arraignment on April 20, in Louisville, Kentucky.

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