Lexington/Richmond

Spencer County farmers are getting a bit nervous as last month went down in the history books as Kentucky’s wettest on record, hindering crop and vegetable planting.  Spencer County Agricultural Extension Agent Bryce Roberts said that although the situation hasn’t reached emergency status, the next couple of weeks could determine whether or not local farmers can plant crops that are in high global demand, such as corn and soybeans.

FRANKFORT – Kentucky and other several other states teamed up this week with federal, state government officials, volunteer organizations and representatives of business and industry to kick off National Level Exercise 2011, a week-long simulation of a catastrophic earthquake centered on the New Madrid Seismic Zone.

Powell County Judge-Executive Jim Potts, who had served in office only five months, died Monday. He was 67.  Mr. Potts, a Democrat, was elected in November, defeating Republican Randy Bowen and write-in candidate Darren Farmer. He took office in January.

An organizational change within the American Red Cross is affecting the city of Lexington's public transit service. LexTran has a contract with the Bluegrass Chapter of the Red Cross to operate WHEELS, the transportation service for people with disabilities. As LexTran prepares to pass a $24 million budget for the next fiscal year, the Red Cross has said it needs an additional $346,000, pushing the cost of its service past $4 million a year.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition wants to change a family's life in Lexington. The ABC television show known for tearing down and completely rebuilding homes in a matter of days is seeking nominations in the central Kentucky area.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is working to collect photographs of all 1,058 Kentuckians whose names are on the memorial in Washington, D.C.  It’s part of a national effort to gather photos for an online exhibit and for an underground education center being built near the memorial.

Highway construction is typically considered a part of the summer season.   This year is expected to be no different.  There are a number of projects in central Kentucky either underway or about to begin.  One which will begin in early June is the re-configuration of the Harrodsburg road-New circle interchange. 

An investigation is underway into what a Lexington city employee said about other employees in the Division of Waste Management. At an April meeting of the Urban County Council's environmental quality committee, employee Richard Miller said that some garbage truck drivers were hostile during a training session and that three drivers were illiterate.

Final preparations are being made for what’s believed to be Lexington’s first downtown chicken coop tour.  It’s called ‘Tour De Coops’ and the Sunday afternoon event is sponsored by Cooperative of Lexington Urban Chicken Keepers or Cluck.

Kentucky Congressman Ben Chandler was given the opportunity to view death photos of Osama Bin Laden this morning. The Versailles Democrat who sits on the House Intelligence Committee says they are images he won't soon forget.

Early next month, workers at Georgetown’s Toyota plant will be back on a full-time schedule.  The flow of supplies from Japan are moving now after a spring earthquake and tsunami slowed distribution. The March earthquake and tsunami in Japan caused a break in the automotive company’s system for distributing parts.  The resulting shortage resulted in fewer hours on the job for employees at the Scott County Toyota Assembly Plant.

The country’s oldest indoor horse show is coming to Kentucky. Officials announced today that the 128th edition of the National Horse Show will be hosted at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. For years the event was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. But National Horse Show Association President Mason Phelps says downtown Manhattan was not ideal.

Speaking at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., suggested that President Barack Obama is keeping a Nixonian-styled “enemies list” for backing a labor group’s complaint against Boeing.

It's been two months since Lexington Mayor Jim Gray relieved Bob Hendricks of his duties as fire chief, citing an inability to manage firefighter overtime and the division's budget. A current member of the fire department, Keith Jackson, was named the interim chief. Lexington Public Safety Commissioner Clay Mason says he's been closely monitoring the fire department's transition.

For many Kentuckians, the key to a healthier life may start with a good set of teeth. The Commonwealth is one of the poorest states when it comes to oral health. In fact, it ranks second in the nation in the loss of natural teeth. That's one of the main reasons, according to State Oral Health Director Dr. Julie Watts McKee, the Kentucky Department for Public Health is holding a summit in Lexington on Wednesday.

Lexington Fire Chief Bob Hendricks says he has a total and permanent occupational disability. His request for a disability retirement came before the Police and Fire Pension Board Wednesday morning, while the embattled chief remains on paid leave. Hendricks was asked resign from his post two months ago amid overtime and budget problems within the Division of Fire. He refused to step down.

An environmental group is investigating a potential chemical spill in a waterway near Jenkins, Kentucky.  On Tuesday evening, Clary Estes with Headwaters Incorporated says she saw four to five feet of foam in a southeast Kentucky stream.