Unemployment rates fall in 102 Ky. counties

FRANKFORT (AP) — Kentucky officials say unemployment rates fell in 102 of the state’s 120 counties between September 2016 and September 2017.

The Kentucky Center for Education and Workforce Statistics says jobless rates stayed the same in five counties and rose in 13 counties statewide.

The agency says Oldham County had the state’s lowest jobless rate at 3.1 percent. It was followed by Fayette and Shelby counties at 3.2 percent each. Four counties — Campbell, Jessamine, Scott and Woodford — were next at 3.3 percent each.

Magoffin County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 12.9 percent. It was followed by Leslie County at 10.7 percent, Harlan County at 8.6 percent, Elliott County at 8.3 percent, Letcher County at 8.1 percent, Jackson County at 7.8 percent and Fulton County at 7.7 percent.

Woman charged with murder in death of newborn girl

PAINTSVILLE (AP) — A Kentucky woman who investigators say killed her newborn child has been charged with murder.

An Oct. 20 indictment says 34-year-old Amanda Meade caused the baby girl’s Oct. 15 death by cutting the umbilical cord with scissors.

Johnson County Deputy Coroner Bill Robinson told news outlets that Meade called 911 between 30 minutes to an hour later to report the baby wasn’t breathing. Responders revived the child, who died shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Meade faces multiple other charges, including possession of methamphetamine and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. It’s unclear if those charges are related.

She’s being held on $50,000 bond in connection with the murder charge. It’s unclear if she has a lawyer.

Misconduct charges against former deputy jailer dismissed

PADUCAH (AP) — A criminal case against a former deputy jailer that resulted from inmates’ complaints of mistreatment has been dismissed.

The Paducah Sun reports that a Kentucky judge dismissed 16 counts of first-degree official misconduct against former McCracken County deputy jailer Ben Green on Thursday.

The charges stemmed from Green’s decision in February to move several inmates from protective custody to general population cells, resulting in altercations between inmates. At least three inmates claimed they were physically assaulted.

McCracken jailer Tonya Ray fired Green in March saying she alone had the authority to override inmate classification. The judge’s ruling was based on a motion from Green’s attorney Jeremy Ian Smith contending that Green didn’t violate regulations, as the jail’s policy manual at the time didn’t specify who had authority over the classifications.

Officials: 2 adults, 3 children dead in crash

LOUISVILLE (AP) — Officials say five people including three children have been killed in a head-on crash on a two-lane highway in northern Kentucky.

Independence Fire Chief Scott Breeze said the collision happened Thursday and involved two vehicles. He said the five killed were in one vehicle and a sixth person in the other vehicle was flown to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Kenton County Police Chief Spike Jones says police have determined that a Honda Pilot driven by 54-year-old Daniel Greis crossed the center line and struck a car being driven by 26-year-old Rodney Pollitt Jr. of Independence. Pollitt and his four passengers died at the scene. They included 27-year-old Samantha Malohn, 6-year-old Cailie Pollitt, 8-year-old Brenden Pollitt and 9-year-old Hailieann Pollitt, all of Dry Ridge.

Jones said the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

City approves funding plan for new soccer stadium

LOUISVILLE (AP) — A public-private partnership will fund a new soccer stadium and mixed-use development in Kentucky’s largest city.

News outlets report the Louisville Metro Council approved four measures related to Louisville City FC’s Butchertown stadium development district, including a $30 million bond to finance the city’s portion of the project.

Louisville City FC owners are required to spend at least $130 million in private capital on the 40-acre development and repay $14.5 million to the city.

The team currently plays at the Louisville Slugger Field baseball park, but must move to a soccer-specific stadium by March 2020 to remain a member of the United Soccer League.

Louisville City FC board member Tim Mulloy says the club hopes to get the necessary state approval for a tax-increment financing district by May.

Former jailer sentenced for inmate beating

LONDON (AP) — A former supervisory deputy jailer in eastern Kentucky has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for an unprovoked assault of a detainee.

The U.S. attorney’s office says 32-year-old Kevin Asher was sentenced last week. He was convicted in April on charges of deprivation of civil rights under color of law and obstruction of justice.

Asher took part in an attack on a 55-year-old inmate in November 2012 at the Kentucky River Regional Jail in Hazard.

Trial testimony showed Asher and another jailer kicked the inmate while he was on the floor and hit the inmate while he was immobilized in a chair.

Prosecutors said Asher obstructed justice by completing a report claiming the inmate slipped and fell and that no physical force was used.

Asher plans to appeal.