Ky. Senate committee rejects new spending for parks

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Senate’s budget-writing panel has rejected a request from Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration to borrow $50 million to fix up the state’s park system.

House bill 268 would have allowed the Cabinet for Tourism, Arts and Heritage to borrow up to $50 million in the budget year that begins July 1. The bill also included a pledge to borrow an extra $100 million over the next three years for park system improvements.

Tuesday, the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee amended the bill to remove the money. Kentucky lawmakers pass a two-year spending plan in even numbered years. Chairman Sen. Chris McDaniel said lawmakers should not approve spending in non-budget years.

The new bill passed the committee by a unanimous, bipartisan vote.

State workers treating nuisance weeds on highways

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Transportation Cabinet crews are getting a jump on nuisance weeds that grow along the state’s highways.

The treatments beginning this month will aid in controlling the spread of undesirable plants along state highway rights of way.

The cabinet says the weeds, left uncontrolled, can grow so large they could interfere with a driver’s line of vision. The weeds can also damage pavement and create drainage problems.

The treatments will target Johnson grass, giant foxtail, Canada thistle, poison hemlock, Japanese knotweed, kudzu and others.

Property owners who treat noxious weeds on private property can request the eradication of weeds found on adjacent state-owned right of way. The cabinet says those property owners should contact the appropriate district highway office.

101st Airborne soldiers returning from Afghanistan

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) — Soldiers assigned to the 101st Airborne Division are continuing to return home from Afghanistan after nine-month deployments.

Fort Campbell says in a statement that two welcome home ceremonies for about 500 soldiers are planned this week at the Army post on the Kentucky-Tennessee state line. The first on March 5 will welcome soldiers from 101st Combat Aviation Brigade and 52nd Ordnance Group. The second on March 9 will welcome soldiers from 101st Combat Aviation Brigade.

The Army says the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade provided aviation support to U.S., coalition and Afghan forces.

Where’s the beef? Man accused of taking beef tenderloin

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky man is accused of stealing more than $75,000 of beef tenderloin over several months.

News outlets report 42-year-old Billy Wethington was arrested in Louisville on Friday and charged with theft by unlawful taking.

Police say Wethington worked at an undisclosed business. During each shift, they say, he’s accused of shoving eight to 10 beef tenderloins into a garbage bag and putting it in his vehicle.

An arrest citation says Wethington was captured on surveillance video stealing the beef. Court records show the business lost more than $75,000 and up to $100,000 over the course of eight months. The newspaper says police didn’t initially reveal what Wethington did with the beef that he’s accused of stealing.

It’s unclear if Wethington has a lawyer who could comment.