Hyundai is recalling nearly a half-million midsize cars in the U.S. to replace the engines because a manufacturing problem could cause them to fail. The recall covers 470,000 Sonata sedans from the 2011 and 2012 model years equipped with 2-liter or 2.4-liter gasoline engines. At the time, the Sonata was Hyundai's top-selling vehicle in the U.S. The company also is recalling nearly 100,000 Accent small cars because the brake lights can fail. In documents on the Sonata recall posted Friday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Hyundai says that metal debris may not have been fully removed from the crankshaft area during manufacturing at Hyundai's Alabama engine plant. That can restrict oil flow to the connecting rod bearings, and since they are cooled by oil, they could fail. If that happens, the engines could stall and cause a crash. Dealers will inspect the cars and replace engines at no cost to owners, a company spokesman said. The company also will increase the engine warranty for 10 years or 120,000 miles. Owners will be notified November 2, and they'll get a second notice when the replacement engines are available. The Accent recall covers certain 2009 to 2011 models. It's an expansion of a recall issued in 2013. Hyundai says the brake light switch can fail, and the lights won't come on when a driver steps on the brakes. Also, the cruise control may not be deactivated by stepping on the brake, and the gear shifter may get stuck in the "park" position. Hyundai will replace the brake switch at no cost to owners starting November 2, the company said. Source: AP … [Read more...]
Hyundai Recalling Sonatas And Accents
Crash Kills One And Injures Another
One man was killed and another was injured after a two vehicle accident on Hodgenville Road in Taylor County. Police say 27 year-old Derek Reul was traveling west on Hodgenville Road when he crossed the center line into the eastbound lane and struck a Toyota SUV driven by 49 year-old Paul Thomas head on. The Taylor County Deputy Coroner pronounced Reul dead at the scene. Thomas was taken to Taylor Regional Hospital with non-life threatening. Source: WAVE … [Read more...]
Data Breach At School Exposes Information
A data breach at North Oldham County High School may have exposed the names, birth dates and Social Security numbers of up to 2,800 current and former students. According to Tracy Green, a spokeswoman for Oldham County Schools, the district sent letters this week to those who could be affected by a phishing scheme involving a nutrition services computer at North Oldham on September 10. Green said a staff member who uses the computer noticed that something was wrong with her computer, she called the school technology coordinator and the coordinator found that there was an issue and notified the district. The district immediately started an investigation confirming an intruder gained access to the computer, but which files were accessed has not been determined. Green said the computer has a database containing about 2,800 student names, birth dates and Social Security numbers. Source: WDRB … [Read more...]
Bomb Threat Interrupts Classes
A bomb threat interrupted classes at a Breckinridge County elementary school Friday morning. According to Breckinridge County School Superintendent Janet Meeks, a bomb threat was received at Ben Johnson Elementary. Meeks said all protocols were followed to insure student safety. The students were moved to the McDaniels Community Center, and law enforcement was notified so that the building could be searched. Parents were notified to pick up their students at the McDaniels Community Center, or allow them to ride the bus home. According to Assistant Superintendent Richard Butler, any Ben Johnson students who were not picked up by their parents were transported to the High School to ride the bus home. Messages were sent out by “Notify Me” and letters were sent home with students explaining the incident. According to Chief Deputy Bruce Anthony of the Breckinridge County Sheriff’s Department, a State Police Bomb Dog from Frankfort searched the building and outbuildings and found nothing. The “All Clear” was given at 1:16 p.m. CDT. The incident remains under investigation. Source: WXBC … [Read more...]
Four Arrested On Drug Charges
Louisville Metro Police say four people were arrested after they were found in or around a car containing a baby and several syringes. According to arrest reports, 49 year-old Gus Daugherty, 29-year-old Amanda Daugherty, 31 year-old David Jaggers and 28 year-old Rebecca Medley were arrested early Friday morning. Police say they were called to South 3rd Street, near W. Kenwood Drive, after someone reported that people were injecting drugs in a car with a child inside. When officers arrived, they allegedly found the four suspects in or around the vehicle. Police say they found syringes, loaded with suspected heroin, in front of the car. Inside the car, officers found a small baby in a car seat, along with several more syringes, paraphernalia related to heroin injection and two glass pipes, "commonly used to smoke meth." Police say Medley was inside the car in the back seat next to the child and had multiple needles in a brown paper bag "because she was part of the needle exchange program." All four of the suspects were charged with first degree wanton endangerment and possession of a controlled substance. Source: WDRB … [Read more...]
Disaster Unemployment Available In 7 Counties
Kentucky officials say Leslie County has been added to the list of those qualified for unemployment assistance as a result of severe weather in July. Leslie County residents who lost work or had damage to their businesses as a result of the weather July 11 to July 20 may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. The Education and Workforce Development Cabinet's Office of Employment and Training says farmers and self-employed workers, who normally aren't eligible for unemployment insurance benefits, may also qualify. The deadline to apply for benefits in Leslie County is October 22. Breathitt, Fleming and Perry counties are also eligible. The deadline there is October 4. Carter, Johnson, Rowan and Trimble counties are eligible as well, but the deadline there passed last week. Source: AP … [Read more...]
Doctor Pleads Not Guilty To Fraud
An Ashland cardiologist charged with performing unnecessary cardiac stent procedures on hundreds of patients has pleaded not guilty. Dr. Richard E. Paulus was indicted earlier this month on one count of health care fraud and 26 counts of making false statements relating to health care matters. On Thursday, 68 year-old Paulus pleaded not guilty on all charges in federal court. A pre-trial and trial is expected to be set for next year. Paulus' attorney, Robert S. Bennett, says he believes the case may take "substantially longer" to litigate. According to the indictment, Paulus schemed to defraud and obtain money from Medicare, Medicaid and other insurers between 2008 and 2013. During that time, the indictment says Paulus performed more stent procedures than any other cardiologist in Kentucky. Source: AP … [Read more...]
Two Counties Declare Burn Bans
Officials in at least two western Kentucky counties have declared burn bans. Marshall County Judge-Executive Chryill Miller and McLean County Judge-Executive Kelly Thurman issued orders on Thursday banning burning until further notice. Both officials noted dry conditions in the area. The decision in Marshall County comes in the wake of a field fire that briefly burned out of control earlier in the week. National Weather Service meteorologist Brittany Peterson said the area has abnormally dry conditions typical with the onset of a drought. Weather service meteorologist Robin Smith says rain is forecast over the weekend, but it likely will be only a "minimal" amount. Source: AP … [Read more...]
Horse Causes Accident
Kentucky State Police said a horse standing in Lonoke Road caused one person to be ejected after a collision. Police said 18 year-old Abigail Rogers of Munfordville swerved in her SUV to avoid hitting a horse that was standing in the middle of the northbound lane around 10 PM Tuesday. Rogers' SUV hit the horse then ran off the right shoulder of the roadway. Police said a juvenile was ejected from the SUV and had to be flown to University of Louisville Hospital. Rogers and a juvenile passenger were taken to Caverna Memorial Hospital for minor injuries. Source: WBKO … [Read more...]
Lawmaker Files Lawsuit To Overturn Donation Law
A lawmaker and two candidates for office have filed a lawsuit in an effort to overturn Kentucky laws limiting campaign donations. Republican Senator John Schickel and Libertarian candidates David Watson and Ken Moellman Jr. sued the Legislative Ethics Commission and the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance in federal court in Covington. The suit challenges the $1,000 donation limit to individual candidates per election and the ban on gifts to lawmakers from lobbyists. The men argue that the laws violate their constitutional rights to free speech and equal protection by limiting their contact with people who want to help them. State regulators say the laws are needed to protect against bribery. Most were enacted after an FBI investigation in 1992 found that 15 current or former lawmakers had sold votes. Source: AP … [Read more...]