Court

The Clark County Fiscal Court will spend more than $59,000 to demolish buildings on West Broadway and make way for a new downtown parking lot. In a 6-2 vote, the court approved a $49,450 bid from the Lexington-based firm, Superior Demolition, to raze the former Ark of Mercy Church of God and an adjacent building on the corner of West Broadway and Wall Alley. Court members also voted unanimously to hire Micah Group Energy & Environmental, of Lexington, to perform a pre-demolition asbestos removal at a cost of $9,600.

The Jessamine County Fiscal Court has a more than $5 million unencumbered cash balance, according to a financial statement approved at its meeting last Tuesday. The statement, which reflects the court's financial condition as of Feb. 28, 2013, shows the court has brought in more than $18 million in receipts so far for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, including almost $2 million in real property taxes and more than $3.5 million in occupational license fees. The court has paid out more than $12 million in claims, according to the report.

When Archie Goodwin gets down, he doesn't have to look far for a friend. The Kentucky freshman guard simply turns to senior Julius Mays on and off the court when he needs a boost. When Kentucky coach John Calipari vented his frustrations at Goodwin after passing up an easy assist to Mays during the Blue-White game last week, it was Mays who assured Goodwin that all was well. “I'm always try trying to keep him to stay positive,” Mays said. “Coach Calipari stays on him, but I'm always telling him that's only going to make him better.

Dear Editor: I would like to commend the judge-executive and all the magistrates for their votes Tuesday to give Sheriff LeeRoy Hardin the two new deputies he requested. They put the safety of our deputies and the citizens of Boyle County first and voted unanimously to allow Sheriff Hardin to hire two new deputies. This action might prevent someone from getting hurt or worse. Thank you fiscal court members for seeing a serious problem and taking action to fix it. Jack Hendricks Danville

Dear Editor, After reading Judge Debra Lambert's statements as to how anyone could believe, "Those people over the word of an educated, professionally trained and elected judge," and, "You should see the cars some of these people drive," I have to wonder how much weight my word would have in her court. I suppose I could improve my credibility by parking my twice wrecked, rusted '87 Nissan with 292,000 miles on the other side of the courthouse and try not to reveal the fact that I only have a high school diploma.

Circuit Court Judge David Tapp found Elizabeth Hill in contempt of court Friday for failing to stay current on restitution payments to the Lincoln County Industrial Authority. Hill was convicted in 2003 of embezzling a quarter million dollars from the authority where she worked as a secretary. Sentenced to 10-years, Hill was released on "shock probation" and ordered to pay $200 every month but fell behind. Arguing that Hill would have to live until she was 161 years old to pay off her debt, Commonwealth's Attorney Eddie Montgomery convinced a judge to increase Hill's monthly payments to $500.

Reporters Katheran Wasson and Mike Wynn update you on the sentences handed down yesterday in a copper theft and hit-and-run accident involving a wheelchair-bound man.

All 10 local business owners from recent raids were expected to appear in court this morning for allegedly paying gambling winnings. Each is facing a single count of first-degree promoting gambling, which is a felony offense carrying a penalty of one to five years in prison upon conviction. The last criminal summons from the Kentucky State Police investigation was served last week, charging Jessie D. Everman, 67 of 831 Ecton Road, with making payouts for video poker players at Everman's Market on East Washington Street.

The Colts earned their third consecutive home court win, this time defeating Mercer County on Friday, 61-47. Zack Fain scored on the tip off, and senior forward Eric Coker stole on Mercer's second possession and turned it into a fast break layup. Mercer wasn't ready to give up so quickly, dumping in a three-pointer their next run up the court. Mercer's big man down low, Bill Davis, severely outsized West, forcing the Colts to work extra hard in the paint. They made up for the size disadvantage with their signature full court pressure, fast breaks and quick ball movement.

The Clark County Fiscal Court on Wednesday granted a three-month amnesty period for local businesses to pay up on delinquent license fees without facing legal penalties. The court passed a resolution stating that between June 15 and Sept. 13, all businesses, individuals, associations and corporations may make payment on delinquent fees without incurring penalties and interest on the amount owed. Payments made after will require retroactive penalties. County officials have said in the past that they suspect thousands of dollars of license fees remain unpaid throughout the county.

The following criminal cases were resolved in Clark Circuit Court May 9 with Judge William Clouse presiding. - Chris Gibson, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, pleaded guilty, recommended one year, sentencing June 20. - Heng Van Ly, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, pleaded guilty, recommended one year, sentencing June 20. - Corey Nance, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (two counts), pleaded guilty, recommended five years concurrent, sentencing June 20. - George E. Rowland Jr., first-degree possession of a controlled substance, pleaded guilty, recommended one year; careless driving, dismissed; possession of marijuana, pleaded guilty, recommended 30 days; public intoxication, pleaded guilty, recommended 10 days; possession of drug paraphernalia, pleaded guilty, recommended 30 days; sentencing June 20. -  Daryl Wayne Wiseman, flagrant non support, pleaded guilty, recommended one year, sentencing June 20. - Michael R. Anderson, receiving stolen property, sentenced to one year, diverted for two years.

Cases in Lincoln District Court. List includes all names of those charged who are not identified as minors. 4/8/11 Michael W. Collins, driving motor vehicle using hand-held mobile telephone. Dismissed. Timothy W. Conn, no/expired Kentucky registration receipt, no/expired registration plates, failure to wear seat belts and improper display of registration plates. Plea of guilty to failure to wear seat belts charge. Fine paid. Remaining charges dismissed. Charles Cox, speeding 16 mph over limit and failure to produce insurance card.

Boyle County Fiscal Court will prepare a resolution to discontinue the White's Road right-of-way in Perryville. Duane Campbell, Boyle County engineer, said after reviewing the right-of-way May 2, it was decided the cessation would not be an issue. “We have determined that discontinuing the use of this right-of-way by the Boyle County Fiscal Court will not present an inconvenience to adjoining property owners,” Campbell said. Campbell added “no public need is being served” by the right-of-way and “no necessary access is being provided for a private person.” The road and right-of-way has not been maintained or policed by the county in the past three years, he added.

Over a mother's protests, a Winchester man was sentenced to five years in prison Thursday for sexually abusing children. Michael Raad, 27, had already pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree sexual abuse in Clark Circuit Court. Thursday afternoon, he was sentenced to five years for each count, to be served concurrently. During the hearing, the children's mother began showing her displeasure with the agreed sentence, to the point that she was called before Clark Circuit Judge William Clouse.

Charges from a February 2012 shooting and robbery were dismissed after the victim refused to cooperate with prosecutors. William Fulz, 35, was charged with first-degree robbery and first-degree assault after he allegedly shot Earl McVey Jr. outside 88 Tyler Banks Court on Feb. 26, 2012. He also allegedly robbed McVey, police said at the time. Thursday afternoon, Fulz's indictment and all charges were dismissed without prejudice in Clark Circuit Court. Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Heidi Engel said the victim had refused to work with prosecutors and could not be located.

Murder suspect Aaron Lewis pleaded not guilty Thursday to new charges from a 2011 home invasion and homicide. After spending two years in jail, Lewis was named in a superceding indictment in April which amended his burglary and murder charges to complicity. Lewis could still face the death penalty if he is convicted, but the new indictment allows for the possibility of other suspects being charged in the death of Philip Howard Jr. Howard was shot inside his home at 296 Redwing Drive around 1 a.m. May 23, 2011.

Dorothy Mae Fletcher, 79, of 207 Lindsey Court, died peacefully at her residence Thursday morning. She was born in Paris, Ky., to the late Albert and Lucy Wilson Fletcher. She worked as a nursing assistant at Clark County Hospital for many years. She was a member of First Baptist Church where she served in the Missionary society. She is survived by five children, Ramona, Anna E. Mason and Norma Fletcher, all of Winchester, Martha McCaffery of Los Angeles, Calif., and William Christopher (Debbie)