Business

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear joined other state, local and business officials in Eddyville yesterday to announce H-and-G Limestone Products’ plans to begin operations in Lyon County. The company will invest almost one and a half million dollars to build a 22-thousand-500-square-foot processing plant employing 10 full-time workers. H&G Limestone produces material for roofing shingles and makes a calcium supplement used in animal food.

Princeton City Council members are studying how two other western Kentucky cities have implemented their local option laws allowing alcohol sales. 

A severed AT&T fiber optic line in Bowling Green caused an internet outage at Murray State University and some area schools. MSU Network Services Manager Tommy Phillips says the outage affected internet as well as 3G and Edge network services. The outage last around two hours, from just before noon to just before 2 p.m.

The Hopkinsville City Council is reviving a smoking ordinance proposed earlier this year. Committee of the whole members consider the measure Thursday to ban smoking from indoor places such as restaurants and bars. Mayor Dan Kemp proposed the new law in April, and it was set to come up for a vote in June.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission plans talks next week in Atlanta with executives from Honeywell’s Metropolis, Ill., plant. The Paducah Sun reports they’ll meet Monday to discuss apparent violations associated with the company’s alleged failure to identify the kinds of accidents significant earthquakes or tornadoes might cause. NRC Public Affairs Officer Roger Hannah says the agency is especially concerned about the potential release of large amounts of uranium hexafluoride.   The meeting will review information presented by the plant.

This year's corn harvest is ahead of schedule with four percent in already, compared with just one percent at this time last year.  The harvest is three to four weeks ahead of schedule in most of the corn belt because an unusually warm spring allowed farmers to plant earlier.  Most then expected a good year, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture has been reducing its estimates of the nation's harvest amid a severe drought centered over the Midwest.

Nearly 700 employees at an aluminum smelter in Hawesville may lose their jobs because the power costs to operate the plant are too high. Century Aluminum Company says it gave a 12-month notice Monday to terminate its power contract with Big Rivers Electric Corp.