Toddler's death called suspicious

        INDEPENDENCE — Police are investigating what they are terming the suspicious death of a 2-year-old who died Tuesday of severe head trauma.

        Independence Police Chief Shawn Butler, said that 2 1/2-year-old Jacob Troy Donskey was pronounced dead at Cincinnati's Children's Hospital, to which he was transferred from a Kentucky hospital.

        “Our investigation is ongoing. We feel the death is suspicious in nature at this point. We have been in contact with the commonwealth attorney — Bill Crockett — and are awaiting reports from Hamilton County coroner's office with forensic-type evidence,” Chief Butler said.

        He said his force was contacted at 2 p.m. Monday by St. Luke's Hospital staff after the toddler was brought in and the injury was found to be suspicious.

        Jacob was the son of Angela Fryman Donskey and Troy Donskey of Erlanger.

        Mr. Butler said that Jacob was not in the care of his parents when the injury occurred.

        Asked if police had any suspects, Mr. Butler said, “I won't say we've ruled anybody out. We're real early on this.”
       

NKU women's coach named alum of year

        Nancy Winstel, who coached Northern Kentucky University's women's basketball team to its first national title, was named Friday as NKU alumnus of the year.

        In 17 seasons as head coach, 95 percent of her players have graduated; last fall, they had the highest team academic average on campus (3.52 on a 4.0 scale).

        Ms. Winstel graduated from NKU in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. The next year, Indiana University awarded her a master's in phys ed/coaching.

        She joined NKU in 1981 and became head coach two years later. In 1999-2000, her team went 32-2 en route to the NCAA title. Over 17 seasons, her teams have a 379-122 record.
       

Man is indicted in four-car fatal crash

        FLORENCE — A Boone County grand jury has indicted a 55-year-old Erlanger man on murder charges in connection with a fatal crash in January.

        William Chauncey Knight Jr. is accused of running a red light while driving drunk and causing a fatal four-car crash on Jan. 8 on Dixie Highway, just north of Industrial Road.

        The wreck killed Marjorie B. Neff, 77, of Independence.

        A murder conviction carries a penalty of 20 years to life in prison.

        The grand jury also indicted Mr. Knight on two felony assault charges; two misdemeanor assault charges; and charges of driving drunk, driving with a suspended license and carrying no insurance.

        Mr. Knight was going north on Dixie Highway when he drove his Oldsmobile sedan into the right-turn lane to pass two cars stopped at the red light, according to the criminal complaint filed in Boone District Court.

        Mr. Knight didn't turn but drove through the intersection and collided with another vehicle, causing a four-car chain reaction, according to officials.

        Mr. Knight's blood-alcohol content at the time of the accident was not available from the court indictment.
       

Bill pushes state as retirement mecca

               FRANKFORT — A bill to promote Kentucky as a retirement haven was passed by the House on Friday.

        It would allow a city or town in the state to seek the designation of “certified retirement community.”

        The Tourism Development Cabinet would run the program.

        Certification would be based on such factors as climate, housing, health-care services, low crime rate, leisure and cultural events.

        House Speaker Jody Richards sponsored the bill, which passed 93-0.

        It goes to the Senate.
       

Man pleads guilty to molesting 7 kids

               LOUISVILLE — A Lyndon man pleaded guilty to molesting seven children and could face 39 years in prison under a plea agreement reached in Jefferson Circuit Court on Thursday.

        William Raymond Dempsie, 26, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of sexual abuse, eight counts of sodomy and one count of possessing child pornography.

        Mr. Dempsie is not eligible for probation under the plea agreement.
       

Proposal to create family courts gains

               FRANKFORT — The Senate on Friday approved a proposed constitutional amendment designed to clear up the status of family courts.

        Although the Kentucky Supreme Court virtually authorized the creation of a special category of courts to deal with domestic matters from juvenile crime to divorce, the justices have also said they are of questionable constitutionality.

        The proposal passed 35-1 and now goes to the House.

        If the House approves by a three-fifths majority, the measure will go on the November 2002 ballot for consideration by voters.
       

Motorcycle mural to adorn floodwall

               PADUCAH — A Harley Davidson motorcycle mural panel will be added to Paducah's floodwall along the Ohio River this fall.

        The mural, sponsored by the Kentucky State Harley Owners Group Rally, will be unveiled during the annual get-together, Sept. 27-29 at J.R.'s Executive Inn.

        The panel will duplicate the cover of the February 1948 issue of The Enthusiast magazine, which featured two Paducah police officers on motorcycles beside the Chief Paduke statue.

        Muralist Robert Dafford will paint the panel.

        The mural was approved by the city's Floodwall Mural Advisory Board.
       

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