The U.S. Coast Guard began hearings in Paducah today regarding the partial collapse of the Eggners Ferry Bridge.
Today was the first day of the hearings with representatives from Foss Maritime Company and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in attendance at Paducah City Hall.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 1 Engineer Supervisor Thomas Hines Jr. was first to testify, as seen on WPSD Paducah's website, and spoke about his duties on the night of January 26^th, when a large cargo vessel, the Delta Mariner crashed into the Eggners Ferry Bridge, knocking out a 322 span on the decades old bridge.
Coast Guard officials then questioned Hines about when he was informed that three white lights on the bridge were out on the night of January 26^th and Hines stated he was informed the day after the collision.                                                    
Hines then went onto describe the events that took place after the collision and he stated crews with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet worked around the clock to prohibit traffic on the bridge and began work to determine the stability of the bridge.
The Coast Guard and the National Transportation and Safety Board are both investigating the incident and the hearing is scheduled to take place throughout this week at 7:15 each morning.
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This year’s local Earth Day and Health Kids Day celebrations will be combined on the same day at the same location.

A news conference was held this morning to unveil specifics of the celebration to be held Saturday from 11 until 3 at Hopkinsville Community College.

The two commemorations are to promote a healthier and more environmentally friendly lifestyle in Hopkinsville and Christian County.

The local YMCA hosts the Healthy Kids Day event each year and Membership Director Kristen Lilly says there will be plenty of fun activities and food for the children.

Hopkinsville Mayor Dan Kemp said recent studies show Hopkinsville and Christian County continue to have a culture of poor health choices and says this week is a good starting point for adults wanting to make better decisions regarding their bodies.

Hopkinsville Electric System, the Health Department and Ag Extension Office are also very much involved in the event, which is once again Saturday from 11am until 3pm at Hopkinsville Community College.

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04/16/2012/am

A two-vehicle wreck in south Christian County yesterday sent a Hopkinsville man to the hospital.

The incident happened just after noon, according to the report from the Sheriff’s Office, which says 18-year old Daniel Mathews of South Sunset Circle was northbound on Palmyra Road and stopped at the stop sign at Gracey-Herndon Road.

Mathews said he didn’t see the oncoming vehicle of 18-year old Joshua Ryan of Fort Campbell and drove into his path. Ryan told police he tried to swerve to avoid a wreck, but was unable to do so.

Mathews was taken to Jennie Stuart Medical Center, while Ryan went uninjured.

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04/16/2012/am

The transportation budget isn’t the only thing Kentucky lawmakers will be discussing in this week’s special session of the General Assembly, as the so-called “pill mill bill” is also expected to pass in some form.

The bill would require all Kentucky doctors to participate in the online KASPER prescription tracking program in an effort to prevent patients from going to several doctors to obtain the same addictive medications.

House Judiciary Chairman John Tilley of Hopkinsville has worked alongside Senate Judiciary Chairman Tom Jensen since January to craft a bill that would both meet the state’s needs and be satisfactory to legit doctors who also want to cut down on prescription abuse. Tilley says it was frustrating to come so close to having it law, only to see it not make it through on the final day.

Representative Tilley says it should have never required a special session to pass the pill mill bill or transportation budget.

Representative Myron Dossett agrees the bill was crafted to be satisfactory for the state and doctors alike and says it’s time for partisan politics to cease in Frankfort.

Even with the frustration and delays, most expect the bill to pass some time this week and for the governor to sign it into law.

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04/16/2012/am

A Hopkinsville-based business has been awarded a substantial contract for a municipal project in an area county.

A news release from Cornerstone Information Systems says the company was awarded a 400 thousand dollar contract for the electronic equipment and installation of a Network Operations Center in the city of Franklin, Ky.

The project will give the city the ability to provide internet and other related service to commercial and industrial businesses that they previously couldn’t adequately serve.

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04/16/2012/am