Indiana woman shares serial killer survival story in book

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — An Indiana woman who’s the only known survivor of an attack by a man linked to 15 killings has written a book to help other victims of sexual violence.

The Evansville Courier & Press reports that Holly K. Dunn survived a 1997 attack by Angel Resendiz in Lexington, Kentucky. Dunn’s boyfriend was killed and she was raped, stabbed and left for dead.

The Evansville woman released her book “Sole Survivor” last month, in which she recounts the attack 20 years later.

Resendiz was linked to at least 15 indiscriminate killings near railroad tracks, resulting in his nickname “Railroad Killer” and his spot on the FBI’s Most Wanted list. He was executed in 2006.

Dunn wants other survivors to know they’re not alone on their healing journeys. She says her book applies to anyone experiencing trauma.

Bacterial infection kills 3 dogs at animal Kentucky shelter

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A highly contagious bacterial infection has killed three dogs at an animal shelter in Kentucky and forced it to temporarily shut down.

Lexington Humane Society spokeswoman Ashley Hammond tells the Lexington Herald-Leader that the dog died last week but necropsy results received Wednesday confirmed its death from Streptococcus zooepidemicus, or Strep zoo. The first confirmed case of Strep zoo was discovered Dec. 1.

After working with national experts, shelter officials decided to close for a 14-day quarantine that began Monday. All dog adoptions are suspended during the quarantine. Also, any strays brought in by Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control are being taken to a temporary shelter in Masterson Station.

Hammond says the humane society is accepting donations at AdoptLove.net because the dogs’ preventative care and treatment will be expensive.

2nd man convicted in West Virginia murder of coal executive

WILLIAMSON, W.Va. (AP) — A second man has been convicted of murder in the shooting of a coal executive in West Virginia last year.

The Williamson Daily News reports that 20-year-old Brandon Lee Fitzpatrick, of Louisa, Kentucky, pleaded guilty Thursday in the killing of Bennett K. Hatfield.

Fitzpatrick admitted he was with 22-year-old Anthony Raheem Arriaga, of Delphos, Ohio, when Arriaga killed Hatfield in a scheme to steal his GMC Yukon Denali and sell its parts. Arriaga was convicted in October of murder, robbery and conspiracy. His sentencing is scheduled Tuesday.

Hatfield, 59, was shot while visiting his wife’s gravesite in May, a year after he resigned as CEO and president of Patriot Coal, which filed for bankruptcy citing low coal prices and falling demand. At the time he was operating his own mining consulting business, Coal Strategies LLC.

The jury convicted Fitzpatrick of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit robbery. He was acquitted of conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree robbery. Defense attorney Susan Van Zant pressed for a mistrial, questioning how Fitzpatrick could be found guilty of murder, but not the underlying conspiracy that led to it.

Defense attorneys and prosecutors researched case law and worked out a deal: In exchange for his plea to felony murder, prosecutors would recommend the possibility of parole.

Mingo County Prosecutor Duke Jewell said he agreed, with the consent of Hatfield’s family, provided Fitzpatrick admit what happened.

Answering questions from Judge Miki Thompson, Fitzpatrick said he was with Arriaga and knew he had a gun when they pulled behind Hatfield’s SUV at the cemetery and Arriaga shot Hatfield in the back.

Some operations to close temporarily at 3 Kentucky parks

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky parks officials say three state resort parks will temporarily close some operations this winter to allow renovations to be completed.

Parks Commissioner Donnie Holland says there will be no layoffs of fulltime staff at any of the parks.

Officials say the restaurant at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park at Dawson Springs will be closed Jan. 3-24 next year. New flooring and windows will be installed in the kitchen and dining room.

They say the lodge and dining hall will be closed at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park in Perry County from Jan. 1-April 30 next year. The park’s five cottages will remain open to the public.

Officials say Kenlake State Resort Park’s restaurant at Aurora will close for two months after New Year’s Day 2018 breakfast.