Company recalls sausage sent to Ohio, Penn., Ky.

SANDUSKY, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio meatpacker is recalling more than 1,700 pounds of raw pork sausage meat that may contain rubber.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a statement Wednesday that there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions in people who ate the products from Sandusky-based J. H. Routh Packing Co.

The loose sausage meat and sausage links were produced between Jan. 1 and Jan. 4 and shipped to stores in Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania. They are labeled “Daisyfield Brand Fresh Pork Sausage” or “Daisyfield Brand Italian Sausage.” All of the recalled meat was sold in 5-pound packages.

The USDA said the approximately 1,719 pounds of sausage products may be “contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically rubber.” It urged people who bought the products to throw them out or return them.

Teacher seen dragging child pleads not guilty to assault

GREENUP, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky teacher seen on video dragging an elementary school student has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge.

WSAZ-TV reports Greenup County teacher Trina Abrams appeared in court Wednesday. Kentucky State Police Trooper David Boarman tells the Lexington Herald-Leader that Abrams is accused of dragging a 9-year-old boy by his wrists in the October video.

Angel Nelson says the dragging sprained her son’s wrists. She says the boy has limited speech, and has been diagnosed with autism and other disorders.

The Greenup County School District says the teacher no longer teaches at Wurtland Elementary School. Superintendent Sherry Horsley told WSAZ-TV on Monday that the incident was reported to police, Child Protective Services and the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board.

Ky. panel sets hearing for one-vote election challenge

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky lawmakers have scheduled a hearing later this month to decide what to do about a former Republican lawmaker who lost his re-election effort by one vote and has challenged the results.

Democrat Jim Glenn defeated former Republican state Rep. DJ Johnson in November by one vote. The Kentucky State Board of Elections certified Glenn as the winner after local election officials double-checked the totals from voting machines. But Johnson has asked the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to conduct a recount.

Tuesday, lawmakers held a random drawing and appointed a board of six Republicans and three Democrats to hear Johnson’s challenge. Wednesday, the board agreed to hold a hearing at 9 a.m. Jan. 23.

Any decision by the board must be approved by the full House.

Feedback sought on proposed Ky. utility rate increases

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Public Service Commission is asking for feedback on two proposed utility rate increases in northern Kentucky.

The commission said it would hold a public meeting Jan. 24 at Dixie Heights High School in Edgewood to disseminate information and get feedback about both proposals. One is a request from Duke Energy Kentucky to increase its rates for delivery of natural gas. The other is a request by the Northern Kentucky Water District for a general rate increase.

Duke Kentucky’s request would add about $5.78 to the typical residential customer’s average monthly bill, according to the company’s application.

The water district is asking to increase residential rates by 11 percent over two years, which would total about $3.84 per month for a typical residential customer.

Formal hearings in the cases are scheduled in February in Frankfort.

Ky. panel sets hearing for one-vote election challenge

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky lawmakers have scheduled a hearing later this month to decide what to do about a former Republican lawmaker who lost his re-election effort by one vote and has challenged the results.

Democrat Jim Glenn defeated former Republican state Rep. DJ Johnson in November by one vote. The Kentucky State Board of Elections certified Glenn as the winner after local election officials double-checked the totals from voting machines. But Johnson has asked the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to conduct a recount.

Tuesday, lawmakers held a random drawing and appointed a board of six Republicans and three Democrats to hear Johnson’s challenge. Wednesday, the board agreed to hold a hearing at 9 a.m. Jan. 23.

Any decision by the board must be approved by the full House.

Ky. park offers tours to view migrating sandhill cranes

LUCAS, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky park is offering tours to view sandhill cranes as they stop in the state on their journey home.

The Kentucky Tourism Arts and Heritage Cabinet says in a statement that Barren River Lake State Resort Park is offering the tours Jan. 23-27. The statement says participants are allowed to get close to the birds as they migrate through the area.

Tours are led by naturalists from the Kentucky Department of Parks and participants have the option of taking a sunrise or sunset trip.

Registration is required and the fee varies based on age. Tours include transportation, education sessions, a box lunch and a long sleeve T-shirt.