Police: 3-year-old shoots self, in crash on way to hospital

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Police say a child accidentally shot himself and was subsequently involved in a car crash while being rushed to the hospital.

News outlets report Louisville Metro police spokeswoman Alicia Smiley says the 3-year-old boy found a gun and shot himself Sunday morning. His father tried to rush him to a hospital and got into an accident involving multiple cars. It’s unclear if anyone was hurt in the crash.

Officers responded to the scene and an ambulance took the child to a children’s hospital. His injuries are said to be non-life-threatening.

It’s unclear how the child got the gun. The incident remains under investigation.

Just desserts: Man found eating ice cream during burglary

LONDON, Ky. (AP) — Authorities say a homeowner found an unknown Kentucky man in his kitchen, drinking milk and eating ice cream.

The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office issued a news release announcing that 24-year-old Joshua Hampton was arrested Friday at a home south of London. Deputies responding to a complaint of a burglary in progress were told by the homeowner that he had been upstairs when he heard his dog barking, and came down to find Hampton in his house.

The homeowner said he didn’t know Hampton and deputies determined he’d unlawfully entered the home.

Hampton is charged with second-degree burglary. It’s unclear if he has a lawyer.

Kentucky lowering lake to improve fish populations

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. (AP) — The state is lowering a lake in Kentucky to try to improve fish populations there.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife biologist David Baker Beaver Lake in Anderson County will be drawn down 8 feet (2.4 meters) for a fish habitat project. Included will be placement of pallet stacks, brush piles, PVC habitat structures and stake beds.

After starting the drawdown in early November, the lake is 3 feet (0.9 meters) lower than normal. Baker says the boat ramp and fishing pier are not usable currently.

He says recently planted winter rye on newly exposed mud flats will release nutrients back into the lake.

The state said in a release that fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill and red-ear sunfish should improve.

Refilling the lake will begin in March, and with the intent to finish by April.

Power company donates part of land back for animal shelter

ASHLAND, Ky. (AP) — Work has begun on a new animal shelter on ground donated by Kentucky Power.

The 2-acre (0.8-hectare) lot that will house the shelter in Boyd County is part of a piece of property that Kentucky Power purchased from the county for a new substation. The county requested that Ashland-based Kentucky Power and parent American Electric Power consider donating some of the property back for the shelter, and it was agreed.

American Electric Power said in a news release that the remaining land is large enough to accommodate the new substation.

Ground was broken last week on the 5,300-square-foot shelter (492-sq. meter). It will include 52 regular kennels, 10 isolation kennels, two visitation and examination rooms, a cat and puppy area, a cat colony, 28 outside runs and a large fenced area for dogs.

Army honors 6 soldiers who rescued crew in helicopter fire

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) — The U.S. Army says six soldiers who rescued four crew members after a military helicopter crashed in January have received the highest peacetime award for valor.

A ceremony was held last week at the 101st Airborne Division headquarters at Fort Campbell.

The four were hurt when a UH-60 Black Hawk crashed during training and caught fire Jan. 31 at the Army post. The Army says the soldiers used water, fire extinguishers and soil to control the fire, enabling them to remove and treat three of the injured crew members. They then worked to remove the fourth crew member, who was trapped.

Receiving the Soldier’s Medal at the ceremony were Staff Sgts. Beau Corder, Richard Weaver and Engel Becker, Sgt. Damon Seals, Spc. Christopher White and Pfc. Ryan Brisson.