Agency seeks to expedite removal of graves at cemetery

LOYALL (AP) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will seek an emergency court order to move about 60 additional graves to repair a landslide threatening a Kentucky cemetery.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports the agency will seek the court order to expedite grave relocation from the Wix Howard Cemetery in Loyall to Resthaven Cemetery.

An agency news release says the normal process of getting court authorization could take up to two years. The newspaper reports the agency doesn’t want to wait that long because of concern that rainy periods could worsen and affect more graves.

The agency has contacted relatives for the known graves, and they have agreed to a removal plan.

In 2016, six graves in immediate risk of being unearthed from the slide were moved, including Revolutionary War soldier Samuel Howard and his family.

Pipeline gets federal ok to carry natural gas liquids

LEXINGTON (AP) — A 70-year-old natural gas pipeline that passes through several Kentucky counties has received federal authorization for a proposed conversion despite some concerns from opponents.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said in a recently released decision that converting the Tennessee Gas Pipeline from carrying natural gas to natural gas liquids does not constitute a major federal action that will significantly affect the quality of the human environment.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports the pipeline runs 964 miles from Louisiana to northeast Ohio, and passes through 18 Kentucky counties. It also crosses over Herrington Lake, which is the primary source of drinking water for several communities. Critics cite the potential for explosions and breaks that would contaminate water and soil.

The conversion of the line would cost an estimated $412 million.

Ky. Guard soldiers deploy for hurricane-relief mission

LOUISVILLE (AP) — About 120 Kentucky Army National Guard soldiers have been deployed to the U.S. Virgin Islands to assist with hurricane-relief operations.

Guard officials say the soldiers are with the 940th Military Police Company. The Walton, Kentucky-based unit departed from the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville.

The guardsmen will serve under a joint National Guard task force in the Virgin Islands.

Lt. Col. John Blackburn, commander of the 198th Military Police Battalion, says the unit has been prepared to go and is ready to offer a helping hand in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The 940th is often called upon by the state to assist with such events as the Kentucky Derby, Thunder Over Louisville and northern Kentucky’s Riverfest.

Worker dies at Kentucky coal-fired power plant

GHENT (AP) — A utility company in Kentucky says an employee for a contractor was killed after slipping into a coal ash pond at a power plant.

LG&E and KU spokeswoman Natasha Collins said the male worker died Thursday afternoon at the Ghent Generating Station.

Collins said the worker was employed by Tetra Tech, a contractor. She said a coroner declared the man dead, though his body had not been recovered. His name was not immediately available.

The coal-fired power plant is located in Ghent, Kentucky, which is about 50 miles northeast of Louisville.

Collins said the death is being felt throughout her company.

Ky. county prosecutor indicted on organized crime

RUSSELLVILLE (AP) — A Kentucky prosecutor has been indicted on organized-crime and other charges that could send her to prison for up to 30 years.

News outlets report that a grand jury indicted 64-year-old Gail Guiling on Wednesday. State-appointed special prosecutor Lynn Pryor says Guiling will remain the commonwealth’s attorney for Logan and Todd counties, but state law prevents her from prosecuting cases while hers is pending.

Guiling also faces multiple charges of tampering with physical evidence and second-degree official misconduct.

Allegations against Gail Guiling include not reporting a crime she witnessed.

States to halt vehicle registration renewal for unpaid tolls

LOUISVILLE (AP) — Officials say Kentucky plans to halt 16,000 drivers from renewing their vehicle registrations for repeatedly failing to pay Ohio River bridge tolls.

News outlets report that Kentucky and Indiana could withhold vehicle registrations for unpaid bridge tolls under laws passed in both states. The enforcement is expected to go into effect this month.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet innovative finance manager Megan McLain says drivers who are targeted have ignored four invoices and received a notice about the registration hold.

Tolls began Dec. 30 on three bridges connecting Louisville, Kentucky, and southern Indiana. McLain says more than $50 million of tolls have been collected since, and daily traffic was more than 80,000 vehicles in September.

RiverLink is the all-electronic toll network that uses cameras to capture drivers’ license plates and send bills.

Battle of Perryville commemoration this weekend

FRANKFORT (AP) — The commemoration of the 155th anniversary of Kentucky’s largest Civil War battle is being held this weekend.

The Kentucky Department of Parks says the commemoration is set for Oct. 7-8 at the Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site in central Kentucky.

Each year, the park in Boyle commemorates the battle with re-enactments, living history programs, battlefield tours, authors and book signings and period entertainment.

The 1862 battle left more than 7,600 soldiers killed, wounded or missing.