Lu-Ann's Kentucky News Review

Jan. 7, 2009

• The Army News Service reports that destruction of VX nerve agent is almost complete, leaving only the VX at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond. On Dec. 24, Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility in Anniston, Ala. destroyed its last land mine containing VX. The five other sites that have completed destruction of VX are Umatilla, Ore.; Newport, Ind.; Pine Bluff, Ark.; Tooele, Utah; and Johnston Island, which is approximately 800 miles southwest of Hawaii. The anticipated start date of chemical weapons destruction at the Blue Grass Army Depot has slipped four years behind schedule, according to a recent report from the agency overseeing the disposal.

• CSX Corp., owner of The Greenbriar resort hotel in Charleston, WV., announced that investment bankers Goldman Sachs would help examine the company's options for the resort hotel. Possibilities include adding gambling to the hotel complex, as reported in the Charleston Gazette. Innovation Group, a consulting and management services firm for the gambling, leisure and hospitality industries, will review The Greenbrier's gambling potential. The results of both groups will be presented to the hotel's board of directors to help decide the future of the hotel.
  

• The Bloodhorse reports that jockeys are negotiating for higher fees for riding losing mounts. Jockeys' Guild reps met with horsemen following the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission meeting held Wednesday. Jockey Guild representative Jeff Johnston said the losing mount fee in Kentucky is $45, compared with $100 in New York.
  

• More about the cerulean warbler, a small, blue bird found across the Eastern United States: The Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation and The Nature Conservancy bought an 80-acre plot of prime breeding ground for the warblers in the Ozarks, according to the Missourian. The Conservancy is the official owner, but the tract most likely will become public land. The largest numbers of cerulean warblers breed each summer in the ridges of the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States, making nests of grass and bark bound together with spider web. They then migrate to the eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains in northern South America to spend their winters.
  

• Several Louisville arts organizations are participating in Arts Rush, for the 2009 performing arts season. Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Louisville Orchestra and Stage One are among the groups that will offer $10 tickets on the day of performance. Rush tickets will be available two hours before curtain on a first-come, first-served basis and depending on availability.
  

• The Knott County chapter of Kentuckians For The Commonwealth introduces a new film series, Movie Night for the Commonwealth. The first movie, "Kilowatt Ours," will be shown Thursday, January 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the Hindman Settlement School. For more information, contact Sara Pennington at sarapennington@gmail.com. Or call the Whitesburg KFTC office at (606) 632-005.