Kayleigh Zyskowski, Frankfort State Journal

Alleged Trafficker Caught in Frankfort

Kayleigh Zyskowski, Frankfort State Journal — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 21:13:12 +0000

A Frankfort man fell asleep behind the wheel of his car at a busy local intersection and woke up to face charges of trafficking in pills, a prosecutor says. Joseph Smith, 35, was idling at the traffic light at a downtown Frankfort intersection on June 30, Commonwealth’s Attorney Larry Cleveland said Wednesday. “He’s just sitting there,” Cleveland said. “The police officer approaches because the light changes a couple times and he doesn’t move.”

Manufacturer Donates Police Car

Kayleigh Zyskowski, Frankfort State Journal — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 20:50:52 +0000

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office got a that “literally has it all.” The Germany-based company donated a new Ford Explorer equipped with some of the most advanced technology available to law enforcement vehicles, and John Phillips, of Montaplast, says it is one less item coming from the taxpayers’ wallets. “To my knowledge, it’s the best-equipped cruiser in the state,” Phillips said.

Auditor Eyes Special District Spending

Kayleigh Zyskowski, Frankfort State Journal — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 19:07:38 +0000

The state auditor Wednesday announced a statewide sweep of all special districts to increase accountability of how the funds are used in each district. Auditor Adam Edelen says the residents of the state will have a clearer picture of how many special districts there are statewide – levying between $500 million and $1.5 billion in taxes and fees annually – and how they spend their money. The findings will be made into an electronic database by the end of the year.

KSP Unveils 3D Crime Scene Scanner

Kayleigh Zyskowski, Frankfort State Journal — Wed, 23 May 2012 18:43:04 +0000

Kentucky State Police revealed a 3D scanner that could cut crime and crash investigation times in half. Commissioner Rodney Brewer said the $65,000 scanner is the first of its kind in Kentucky, and has been used at nine crime scenes, including three from a murder-suicide in Powell County Tuesday night. The new equipment will also help during accident investigations by allowing roads to open more quickly after wrecks. Brewer said the time and personnel at a road accident could be cut by 40-50 percent.

Former State Employee Pleads Guilty to Theft

Kayleigh Zyskowski, Frankfort State Journal — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 15:03:42 +0000

A former state worker could face 10 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to theft by deception of $25,605 from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Forty-five-year-old Taressa Woolums stood with her co-defendant and boyfriend, Johnny Patterson, 40, as they pleaded guilty to the theft charge Friday in Franklin Circuit Court, accepting a plea agreement. Woolums submitted false invoices to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, requesting money be paid to an address owned by Patterson called Bluegrass Solutions, according to court records.

Bill Targets Synthetic Drug Distributors

Kayleigh Zyskowski, Frankfort State Journal — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:04:00 +0000

A legislator has introduced a bill aimed at closing loopholes in the fight against what are commonly known as synthetic marijuana and “bath salts” and imposing stricter penalties for distributors. Franklin County Attorney Rick Sparks, Frankfort Police Chief Walter Wilhoite and Sheriff Pat Melton were on hand in the Capitol Rotunda Tuesday when Rep. John Tilley, a Democrat from Hopkinsville, introduced the bill that uses a comprehensive “class approach” to identify synthetic drugs.

Drug Ring Suspects Rounded Up

Kayleigh Zyskowski, Frankfort State Journal — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:07:32 +0000

Sheriff’s deputies have rounded up 22 of the 28 suspects indicted Wednesday for engaging in organized crime – becoming the second alleged drug ring with connections to the Florida-to-Franklin County pill pipeline. Over 12 months this ring imported about 36,000 pills – with a total street value of more than $900,000 – into Franklin County, Sheriff Pat Melton said during a press conference Thursday.

Bath Salts Crackdown

Kayleigh Zyskowski, Frankfort State Journal — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:54:49 +0000

Bhavika Sheth and her husband have owned Frankfort's Eastwood Shell for more than two years, and they say they oppose selling synthetic drugs – commonly known as bath salts and synthetic marijuana. She said the money to be made off the drugs is not worth the potential cost. “I know some places have made a killing off that stuff, but I know if I brought my kids into a store selling that, I wouldn’t feel safe, so we won’t have it here,” she said. Eastwood Shell on Versailles Road was one of about 25 businesses that Frankfort and state police visited Tuesday with educational letters about synthetic drugs.

Synthetic Drugs a Problem for Officials

Kayleigh Zyskowski, Frankfort State Journal — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:19:35 +0000

Contrary to efforts by some Kentucky counties, a Franklin County official is hesitant to call synthetic marijuana and bath salts a concern until he has more evidence. While bath salts have been banned in the state, County Attorney Rick Sparks says he would not support adding similar laws locally until he finds evidence the current ban is flawed when it comes to enforcement. Sparks says “the General Assembly spoke,” and he wants to work under the existing law to find if there are violations.

Illegal Drug Sales in Franklin County

Kayleigh Zyskowski, Frankfort State Journal — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:23:33 +0000

Commonwealth’s Attorney Larry Cleveland says illegal prescription drug sale and use in Franklin County has become “incredible.” Five were indicted Wednesday for trafficking in controlled prescription drugs, which has become commonplace with about 35 charged with the same offense in the last six months. Cleveland said initially he was inclined to go easy on the prescription pill trafficking charges to get the files off his hands, “but the more you look at it, the angrier you become.”

New Garbage Ordinance in Frankfort

Kayleigh Zyskowski, Frankfort State Journal — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:52:14 +0000

Education – for both residents and city staff – will be the next step for Frankfort and the pay-as-you-throw garbage ordinance, says Public Works Director Jeff Hackbart. During Monday’s City Commission meeting, the new garbage ordinance amendment was approved by a 3-2 vote. After the nearly yearlong discussion, Commissioners Sellus Wilder, Katie Hedden and Michael Turner voted for the system, while Commissioner Bill May and Mayor Gippy Graham opposed it.

Men Indicted For Scam of Elderly Woman

Kayleigh Zyskowski, Frankfort State Journal — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:46:05 +0000

Two Franklin County men have been indicted for scamming an elderly woman for work on her house, a prosecutor said. Joseph Lewis, 28, and Antone Miller, 42, were charged after they exploited Martha Guthrie, of Frankfort, by requesting around $4,000 for work on her house in late September, said Commonwealth’s Attorney Larry Cleveland.

Candlelight Tour Returns to Frankfort

Kayleigh Zyskowski, Frankfort State Journal — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:21:46 +0000

Christmas lights were strung through the trees. Winter displays were set in most storefront windows. Horses pulling carriages clomped through downtown.This all can mean only one thing: The Candlelight Tour has returned. With families and friends bundled in winter garb, hundreds enjoyed the first night of the tour Thursday.

Hong Kong Looks to Strengthen KY Connection

Kayleigh Zyskowski, Frankfort State Journal — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:17:05 +0000

Kentucky bourbon becoming popular in Hong Kong may not be as far fetched as you’d think. Donald Tong, Hong Kong commissioner for economic and trade affairs, explained to the Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce Tuesday how using Hong Kong as a gateway to China and Asia could benefit local businesses. During the chamber luncheon, a local whiskey representative, Tony Scholar, hypothetically asked Tong what it would take to use Hong Kong as a gateway for Jim Beam products.

Man Walks Away from 25-Foot Drop

Kayleigh Zyskowski, Frankfort State Journal — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:28:25 +0000

When a head-on collision stopped traffic Thursday, a motorist on his daily commute swerved into a ravine to avoid a second crash. Dale Brooks, 48, of Lawrenceburg, was driving home from work in Frankfort when he rounded a curve and saw traffic was stopped. He ended up going off the road and dropping about 25 feet down into a creek - and walking away from it.

Organized Crime Charge Won't Fly in Frankfort Case

Kayleigh Zyskowski, Frankfort State Journal — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:35:43 +0000

A Frankfort man no longer faces a charge of organized crime after the prosecution and defense agreed there is not enough criminal evidence for the case. Franklin County Attorney Rick Sparks and public defender Kristin Gonzalez agreed during a pretrial conference the case lacked evidence to charge Henry Earl Penn Jr. with organized crime. Instead, Penn, 42, faces two counts of trafficking in Percocet and cocaine.

Pharmacist Accused of Drug Theft

Kayleigh Zyskowski, Frankfort State Journal — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 17:35:15 +0000

A Frankfort pharmacist has been charged with theft of a controlled substance after he was caught on video under the influence of a stolen pharmacy drug, a prosecutor says. “He stole liquid hyrdocodone from the pharmacy and was using it while on the job there at Walgreens,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Larry Cleveland said.