Lawmakers will run in old districts

The Kentucky Supreme Court has ruled that state lawmakers will run in their old districts.

The ruling came after House Democrats asked the state’s highest court to rule on whether or not a Franklin Circuit judge was correct in saying the boundaries passed in this year’s session were unconstitutional.

Judge Phillip Shepherd ruled that the lawmakers would run in the old districts and all six ruling justices agreed. The General Assembly will still have to re-district at some point this year, likely after the election.

The constitution retires the re-drawing of district lines after every census, which happen every ten years.
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02/24/2012/am

Christian County Grand Jury indicts local man for murder

The Hopkinsville man accused of fatally shooting his father last year was indicted by the Christian County Grand Jury Friday.
Indicted on murder was 56-year old Darrell Lee Tidwell of Antioch Road.
Tidwell allegedly shot his father, Kenneth Tidwell on November 13^th following a physical and verbal altercation.

According to Hopkinsville Police, following the shooting Tidwell called 9-1-1 and his father’s care-taker and confessed to shooting his father.
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New Aaron McNeil House Exec. Director named

Officials with Aaron McNeil House publicly announced Kurt Anderson has been hired as the new Executive Director of the organization.
Anderson is a former attorney and officials believe he will bring a lot of knowledge and integrity to his position.
According to Anderson, his new role with the crisis relief center is an opportunity of a life-time and he is thrilled to be able to make a career out of helping local residents get back on their feet.

His first day of employment as executive director was January 23^rd and officials appointed Frank Montgomery as the new Chairman of the Board, having previously served on the board for three years.
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Man accused of posting police interview on youtube

The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man today accused of posting a confidential police interview on the internet.

A news release from Sheriff Frank Latham says Deputy Will Coursey arrested 39-year old Randall Southerland on charges of intimidating a participant in a legal process.

Police allege that in December of last year, a video of an interview with a confidential informant and members of the Sheriff’s Department was posted on you tube.com.

After an investigation of a few weeks, Southerland turned himself into police. Deputies believe family members obtained the video through their attorney.

Deputy Coursey writes that the department wants to ensure the safety of those who work with them and will continue to monitor online activity and track down those who use social media sites to intimidate or harass the citizens of Hopkins County.

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02/24/2012/am

Shooting victim condition improving

The condition of the victim of a shooting on Gospel of Peace Road has improved over the last 48 hours.

Kentucky State Police spokesman Trooper Stu Recke says 60-year old John C. Pitman is now in critical, but stable condition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

Pitman was allegedly shot by his son, 30-year old John Logan Pitman, as he attempted to leave a Gospel of Peace Road residence just after 11pm Wednesday.

The son is accused of firing a gun into the vehicle his father was driving, striking him in the neck. The elder Pitman was still able to drive himself to Jennie Stuart Medical Center, before being transported by helicopter to Nashville.

John Logan Pitman is charged with 1^st degree assault and is lodged in the Christian County Jail.

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02/24/2012/am