State News
Coroner: Census worker died at tree in Ky. forest
LEXINGTON — A part-time census taker died at the tree in a Kentucky forest where his body was found with a rope around his neck and the word “fed” scrawled on his chest, officials said Wednesday.
The naked body of Bill Sparkman, 51, was found hanging from the tree yet in contact with the ground in a remote patch of the Daniel Boone National Forest on Sept. 12. Authorities had previously not said whether Sparkman died there or elsewhere and then taken to the secluded area near a family cemetery in rural southeast Kentucky.
Clay County Coroner Jim Trosper and state medical examiner executive director Mike Wilder confirmed the death location to The Associated Press, but gave no other details.
Authorities have kept a tight lid on the investigation into the death of the teacher and part-time census worker. They have confirmed asphyxiation caused his death, but Wilder said a manner of death still couldn’t be determined until the investigation is complete. Homicide, suicide and an accident were all being considered, he said.
Jerry Weaver, one of the people who found the body during a family gathering at the cemetery, said Sparkman had been gagged and his hands and feet were bound with duct tape. The word “fed” was written on his chest in what appeared to be felt-tip marker, Trosper said.
Wilder said his office was largely finished with its part of the investigation now that Sparkman’s body has been released for cremation, although it was still waiting to evaluate some forensic evidence. No report would be issued until law enforcement finished conducting interviews to learn exactly how he died, Wilder said.
“Any kind of investigation where there is a question as to the manner of death, you just have to cover every base,” Wilder said. “We can’t do any more, but we’re not going to elaborate on a manner of death without the law enforcement end collaborating on what the findings are.”
Capt. Lisa M. Rudzinski, commander of the state police post in London, said Tuesday that investigators were making progress and expected some resolution in a matter of weeks rather than months.
Census officials have suspended door-to-door work in the county until the investigation is complete.
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House passes $17.5B budget
The outcome was never in doubt and after three hours and 24 speeches the House passed its version of a $17.5 billion, project-filled, debt-laden two-year budget 65-33.
There are schools, water and sewer projects and roads for those who voted with Democratic leadership on the plan but there’s less money for education at all levels, cuts to corrections which may hit county jails hardest and few capital projects in Republican districts. One Republican, Rep. Jim Stewart of Flat Lick voted for the measure while one Democrat, Jim Wayne of Louisville voted against it. Stewart voted last week for a $371 million revenue package and he received the only major project in a Republican district. -
Ky. Senate panel OKs bill to spur organ donations
A Kentucky advocate for organ donations predicted that a bill advanced by a Senate panel Wednesday will spur more donations leading to lifesaving transplants.
The bill updates procedures for Kentuckians to make, alter or revoke wishes to make anatomical gifts. They could also expressly state they don’t wish to be donors. -
Proposed budget clears House panel
A Kentucky House committee approved a proposed $17.5 billion two-year state budget Tuesday night that includes cuts to higher education and seeks to trim the prison population by increasing use of parole for some nonviolent criminals to squeeze savings.
The spending blueprint proposes about $1.3 billion in general fund bonding for construction projects aimed at creating thousands of jobs at a time of stubbornly high unemployment. -
Bill opponents to miss out on school projects
Kentucky House members who opposed a revenue measure linked to balancing the next state budget will be empty-handed when school construction projects are doled out as part of the spending plan, Speaker Greg Stumbo said Monday.
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Bill would require treatment for addicted pregnant women
There they sat, the ACLU, Right to Life and criminal defense attorneys side by side, taking the same position on legislation, strange bedfellows all opposed to a measure to test pregnant women for substance abuse.
House Bill 430, sponsored by Rep. Richard Henderson, D-Jeffersonville, would create the offense of alcohol or controlled substance endangerment of a child prior to birth and permit a court to sentence the pregnant mother to treatment for up to six months. -
Activists, some lawmakers try again to cap payday lender interest
Tammy Taylor was short of cash, so she resorted to a payday lender to get by. She thought it was a short-term fix, but she says it ended up costing her $42,000 over seven years and led her to file for bankruptcy. She typically took out multiple loans at one time holding as many as five, which cost her about $500 a month in interest.
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House Democrats, Beshear look for ‘common ground’ on budget
House Democratic leaders met with Gov. Steve Beshear for about 45 minutes Monday afternoon to see if they can work together on a plan to balance a state budget facing more than a $1.4 billion shortfall for the next two years.
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Beshear budget gets cool reception
Gov. Steve Beshear stunned many lawmakers Tuesday night by proposing to balance the next two-year budget with $780 million of revenue from video lottery terminals at race tracks – a proposal that has failed in the past and prospects for which look bleak now.
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Revenue forecasts still call for major shortfall next two years
Even when it is good news on the fiscal front in Frankfort, it still is bad news.
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Beshear says position on constitutional amendment consistent
When he ran for governor in 2007, Steve Beshear said he wanted the voters of Kentucky to have the chance to vote for or against expanded gambling. But now, Gov. Steve Beshear says a constitutional amendment is not necessary to pass legislation authorizing video lottery terminals at existing horse tracks.
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House passes $17.5B budget
