Preliminary statistics released by Kentucky State Police indicate that eight people died in eight separate crashed on Kentucky roadways from Monday, January 23^rd and Sunday.

Seven of the fatalities reportedly involved motor vehicles and five of the victims were not wearing seat belts.

According to KSP, Through January 29th, preliminary statistics indicate that 46 people lost their lives on Kentucky roadways this year, which is 6 more fatalities than reported for the same time period in 2011.   .

                                                **

There’s still no way to know what the ultimate temporary solution will be to getting vehicles across Kentucky Lake at the site of the partially collapsed Eggner’s Ferry Bridge.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spokesman Keith Todd says replacement of the 322 foot section taken out by the cargo vessel Thursday night is the best option if everything is stable.

The problem is that an LBL Ranger noticed a bent railing Saturday indicating the supporting pier may be shifting. Todd says that would be a game-changer.

Todd says he should know soon when divers can be at the bridge site to install motion detecting sensors.

One other option that is possible is a ferry, but Todd says it would be very difficult to take the 2,600 vehicles a day that crossed the bridge across on a ferry.

Todd also reminded residents that police agencies are issuing citations to people ignoring the barricades and walking on the bridge, which very well could be unstable and unsafe.

                                                *
01/30/2012/am

The clock is winding down on the filing deadline for those interested in running for political office in the May primary.

Christian County Clerk Mike Kem says the deadline is 4pm tomorrow (Tuesday) for those running for local partisan offices, including Hopkinsville City Council, Commonwealth’s Attorney and Circuit Court Clerk.

There is a later deadline for those seeking a seat on Oak Grove, Pembroke, Crofton and Lafayette City Councils, as they are non-partisan.

Kem says anyone wanting to file for State Representative or State Senator must do so in Frankfort. It should also be noted Frankfort is in the Eastern Time Zone and is one hour ahead of western Kentucky.

                                                **

01/30/2012/am

One of the candidates looking to replace 16^th District State Representative Martha Jane King in the state house says he wants to toss aside partisan politics.

Running for the seat as a Democrat is former Logan County Attorney Tom Noe. Representative King is running for the 27^th District Senate seat that now includes Todd, Muhlenberg, Logan, Allen and Simpson Counties.

Noe says Representative King encouraged him to run for her seat and says he wants to help Kentucky create a lean budget with an emphasis on education.

He also named economic development as a priority, but said Democrats and Republicans have to toss aside “talking points” and begin working together to get anything accomplished.

Noe faces Republican Logan County Magistrate Jo Orange in the General Election, assuming no one files against them for the May primary. The 16^th District includes Todd, Logan and a portion of Warren County.

                                                **

01/30/2012/am

More races for Hopkinsville City Council seats have shaped up in the last few days.

Ward 5 Councilman Charlie Henderson now has an opponent from his own party in Democrat Joyce Rogers, who will face him in the May Primary. The winner of that race will face Republican Jason McCraw in November.

Running as a Republican against Ward 6 Councilmember Ann Cherry is Roger Richey, while there will be a Democratic Primary between incumbent Peggy Everett and Buddy Oglesby in Ward 7.

Hopkinsville City Council primaries are run within the boundaries of the ward, though the general election is run citywide.

                                                **

01/30/2012/am