Thursday January 29, 2026
Local Connection
Weather
Traffic
@LouisvilleDispatch
@LouisvilleDisp
Subscribe
Gov. Matt Bevin and Justice Secretary John Tilley announced today that Damon Preston has been appointed as Kentucky’s next Public Advocate, continuing his decades of steadfast work at the Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) on behalf of indigent clients.
Preston is taking the helm after 20 years of service at key levels of the department. Since joining the DPA in 1997, he has worked as a staff attorney, director of trial offices, and manager of the department’s appeals branch. In 2007, Preston joined the department’s leadership team as director of the Trial Division. He was later appointed deputy public advocate in 2011.
“As a career public defender, I am thrilled to be entrusted with the position of Kentucky’s Public Advocate,” Preston said. “I have been blessed to work under the strong leadership of past advocates Ed Monahan and Ernie Lewis and intend to continue their tradition of faithfully upholding the Sixth Amendment right to counsel in the Commonwealth. My goal is to improve our statewide system, which already provides excellent representation to indigent clients in the criminal courts of Kentucky.”
The Department of Public Advocacy provides legal representation to low-income clients accused of crimes, fulfilling their constitutional rights to an attorney and to a fair trial. Each year, DPA attorneys, investigators, mitigation specialists, alternative sentencing workers and administrative specialists handle more than 140,000 trial and post-trial cases statewide. These include involuntary commitments, juvenile cases, misdemeanors and felonies.
Today’s appointment fills the position of outgoing Public Advocate Ed Monahan, who dedicated more than 40 years of service to the department. Gov. Bevin selected Preston from three candidates nominated by the Public Advocacy Commission. The appointment takes effect September 16, 2017.
“Damon is a proven leader who commands with a steady hand, and he has played an instrumental role in every aspect of DPA over the past two decades,” Secretary Tilley said. “We value his data-driven approach and eye toward accountability and look forward to his continued service at the department. We also thank Ed Monahan for his unyielding service and sacrifice on behalf of DPA and its clients. He has provided a great deal of resolute leadership during tough budgetary times, and his work has impacted many lives for the better.”
A native of Harrodsburg, Ky., Preston earned a mathematics degree from Transylvania University and later graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1994. He began his legal career as a public defender at the Legal Aid Society in New York City.
As deputy public advocate, Preston has focused on DPA’s legislative efforts and led the department’s implementation of a comprehensive information and case management system. Last year, Gov. Bevin also appointed Preston to serve on the Criminal Justice Policy Assessment Council.
In addition to work at DPA, Preston serves on the board of the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and is a past chair of the Criminal Law Section of the Kentucky Bar Association. He is married with two daughters and lives in Georgetown.
Download copy of Executive Order.
Credit: KY State Parks
The golf course at Pine Mountain State Resort Park will offer seasonal deals to golfers this fall.
The course is offering discount cards with a game of golf for $29 on weekdays and $34 on weekends. Golfers also have the opportunity to pay $50 to play all day Saturday. For those who have less time, the course has a deal for nine holes with a golf cart after 5 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The course recently renovated its fairways with Bermuda grass and has added new golf carts.
For more information about the golf course, call 800-814-8002 or visit http://parks.ky.gov/golf/18_hole/pine-mountain/
Pine Mountain State Resort Park has a 30-room lodge, cottages and a full-service restaurant. It also has hiking trails and other recreational opportunities for guests. Pine Mountain State Resort Park is located south of Pineville, on U.S. 25E, 10 miles north of Middlesboro.
The Judicial Nominating Commission, led by Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton Jr., today announced nominees to fill upcoming vacancies in Jefferson Family Court and District Court. Jefferson County is the 30th Judicial Circuit/District and the vacancies are in the circuit’s 10th Division-Family Court and the district’s 9th Division.
Family Court Judgeship
The three nominees for the circuit judgeship are attorneys Ellie Garcia Kerstetter of Audubon Park, Shelley Montgomery Santry of Louisville and Derwin Lamont Webb of Louisville.
Kerstetter has her own law practice. Prior to becoming an attorney, she gained more than 23 years of experience in business, management and real estate. She received her juris doctor from the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law.
Santry is an associate law professor and clinical director at the Ackerson Law Clinic at the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law. She is also a guardian ad litem in Jefferson County. She previously served as an assistant prosecutor for the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office. She received her juris doctor from the University of New Hampshire School of Law.
Webb has his own law practice. He also serves as a court-appointed attorney in Jefferson Family Court and as a part-time public defender in Indiana. He received his juris doctor from the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law.
The Family Court judicial seat will become vacant when Judge Paula F. Sherlock retires Sept. 17.
District Court Judgeship
The three nominees for the district judgeship are attorneys Daniel Michael Alvarez, Andre Leon Bergeron and Tanisha Ann Hickerson, all of Louisville.
Alvarez has his own law practice and previously served as a Jefferson County public defender. He received his juris doctor from the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law.
Bergeron is an assistant prosecutor for the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office and is the office’s division chief, overseeing felony and misdemeanor cases. He received his juris doctor from the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law.
Hickerson is a partner in the law firm of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer. She received her juris doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law.
The District Court judicial seat will become vacant when Judge David L. Holton II retires Sept. 30.
Family Court
Family Court is a division of Circuit Court and has primary jurisdiction in cases involving family issues, including divorces, adoption, child support, domestic violence and juvenile status offenses.
District Court
District Court judges handle juvenile matters, city and county ordinances, misdemeanors, violations, traffic offenses, probate of wills, arraignments, felony probable cause hearings, small claims involving $2,500 or less, civil cases involving $5,000 or less, voluntary and involuntary mental commitments and cases relating to domestic violence and abuse.
Judicial Nominating Commission
The Judicial Nominating Commission helps fill judicial vacancies by appointment when a vacancy occurs outside of the election cycle. The Kentucky Constitution established the JNC. Ky. Const. § 118; SCR 6.000, et seq.
Judicial Nominating Process
When a judicial vacancy occurs, the executive secretary of the JNC publishes a notice of vacancy in the judicial circuit or the judicial district affected. Attorneys may recommend someone or nominate themselves. The names of the applicants are not released. Once nominations occur, the individuals interested in the position return a questionnaire to the Office of the Chief Justice. Chief Justice Minton then meets with the Judicial Nominating Commission to choose three nominees. Because the Kentucky Constitution requires that three names be submitted to the governor, in some cases the commission submits an attorney’s name even though the attorney did not apply. A letter naming the three nominees is sent to the governor for review. The governor has 60 days to appoint a replacement and his office makes the announcement.
Makeup of the Judicial Nominating Commission
The commission has seven members. The membership is comprised of the chief justice of Kentucky (who also serves as chair), two lawyers elected by all the lawyers in their circuit/district and four Kentucky citizens who are appointed by the governor. The four citizens appointed by the governor must equally represent the two major political parties, so two must be Democrats and two must be Republicans. It is the responsibility of the commission to submit a list of three names to the governor and the governor must appoint a judge from this list of three.
Administrative Office of the Courts
The Administrative Office of the Courts in Frankfort is the operations arm for the state court system. The AOC supports the activities of nearly 3,400 court system employees and 404 elected justices, judges and circuit court clerks. As the fiscal agent for the state court system, the AOC executes the Judicial Branch budget.
Attorney General Andy Beshear issued a Scam Alert today to help make Kentuckians aware of the Equifax data breach, and provided tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft.
Equifax, one of the nation’s three major credit-reporting agencies, recently announced a major data breach that could affect about 143 million American customers.
Equifax has indicated that from mid-May through July of this year hackers gained access to customers’ names, Social Security numbers, birthdates, addresses and some driver’s license numbers. Credit card numbers of about 209,000 consumers, and personal information in credit file dispute documents for about 182,000 consumers were also accessed.
Beshear said the Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection is investigating the events surrounding the data breach, including the company’s response and the protections being offered to affected Kentuckians.
“Kentuckians who may be involved should take immediate steps to closely monitor their credit, and report any suspicious credit activity to my office,” said Beshear.
The Office of the Attorney General is asking Kentuckians who might be impacted by the breach to follow these steps to help protect against identity theft:
- Check to see if your information was compromised. Verify if your personal information was impacted by visiting the Equifax website, equifaxsecurity2017.com.
- Sign up for the free credit monitoring service. Equifax is offering a free year of TrustedID Premier credit file monitoring and ID theft protection for all U.S. consumers, whether or not their information was impacted. To sign up for the protection service, visit equifaxsecurity2017.com or call 866-447-7559, which is open every day, including weekends, from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. Eastern time.
- Follow the Identity Theft Toolkit. The Office of the Attorney General’s online Identity Theft Toolkit provides systematic instructions on how to respond to possible identity theft. The toolkit includes information on how to place a credit report fraud alert, order credit reports and other helpful resources and contact information.
- Report suspicious activity. Contact the Attorney General’s data breach hotline, toll free at 855-813-6508 if you are a victim of a data breach or identity theft.
As part of Beshear’s effort to protect Kentucky families from scams, fraud and identity theft he launched Scam Alerts – the state’s first direct text and email scam notification system.
Kentuckians have recently received Scam Alerts on Hurricane Harvey scams, IRS scams Targeting Western Kentuckians and a scam targeting Kentuckians’ generosity to veterans.
To stay up to date on new and trending scams Kentuckians should sign up to receive Scam Alerts from the Office of the Attorney General. To enroll text the words KYOAG Scam to GOV311 (468311), or enroll online at ag.ky.gov/scams and select text message or email alert.
Initial work on a construction project designed to enhance transportation ingress and egress at Churchill Downs Racetrack will temporarily alter traffic and parking for a segment of guests who plan to attend the Louisville racetrack’s upcoming September Meet.
Guests are advised to visit www.ChurchillDowns.com/Parking in advance of attending the historic racetrack to view recommended alternative routes and a complete list of guest-appropriate temporary lots.
The September Meet at Churchill Downs begins Friday, Sept. 15, and Thoroughbred racing will continue for 11 days on a Thursday-Sunday schedule through Oct. 1.
The construction project is in a preliminary stage until final approvals and permits from Louisville Metro Government are realized. The improvements aim to advance the overall traffic and parking flow for guests who visit the historic racetrack throughout the year, including the high-volume crowds of Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup weeks. Additional aspects of the development include a promenade for guests to safely enter and exit the racetrack from and to the parking and loading/drop-off areas, and much-needed landscaping to an area at the facility mostly devoid of trees and plantings.
Parking lots will be reshaped, and the project could include traffic alternatives on the west side of its property. Discussions with neighborhood groups and city agencies and officials are underway to close select side streets in a nearly 50-acre area located within the track’s geographic footprint.
Current project work includes temporary lot closures and detours. Signs, electronic message boards and personnel will be in place to alert guests about the temporary closures and direct them to appropriate parking lots. Each lot will include handicapped parking. Gate 17 drop-offs are still allowed by heading south on 9th St. off of Central Ave.
Recommended alternative routes and guest-appropriate temporary lots are as follows:
GENERAL PARKING – General parking at Churchill Downs remains free-of-charge on a first-come, first-serve basis in the track’s largest parking lot via Longfield Avenue near Gate 10.
VALET – Valet Parking remains accessible via Longfield Avenue near Gate 10. Valet parking is $10 and may be purchased in advance as an add-on item during online http://www.ticketmaster.com/ purchases.
TURF CLUB – Members of the Churchill Downs Turf Club with reserved parking hangtag credentials will enter the temporary Purple Lot through Gate 12, which is best accessed by heading east on Queen Ave. off of Taylor Blvd. Courtesy shuttle transport to and from Gates 1 and 17 will be available.
JOCKEY CLUB SUITES – Jockey Club Suites guests with reserved parking hangtag credentials will enter the temporary Purple Lot through Gate 12, which is best accessed by heading east on Queen Ave. off of Taylor Blvd. Courtesy shuttle transport to and from Gates 1 and 17 will be available.
FINISH LINE SUITES – Finish Line Suites guests with reserved parking hangtag credentials will park in their customary Red Lot, which is best accessed by heading south on 9th St. off of Central Ave.
TSC ELITE VIP – TSC Elite members with reserved parking hangtag credentials will park in their customary Red Lot, which is best accessed by heading south on 9th St. off of Central Ave.
OWNERS/TRAINERS – Owners and trainers with reserved parking hangtag credentials will park in their customary Red Lot, which is best accessed by heading south on 9th St. off of Central Ave.
JOCKEYS – Jockeys with reserved parking hang tag credentials will temporarily park in the Red Lot, which is best accessed by heading south on 9th St. off of Central Ave.
ADA ACCESSIBLE PARKING – Parking for persons with disabilities remains available free-of-charge on a first-come, first-serve basis in the track’s largest parking lot via Longfield Avenue near Gate 10.
TAXI/RIDE-SHARE SERVICE – Taxi and ride-share service remains available near Gate 17 by heading south on 9th St. off of Central Ave.
BUSES – Buses should park in general parking via Gate 12, which is best accessed by heading east on Queen Ave. off of Taylor Blvd.
KENTUCKY DERBY MUSEUM – Parking for Kentucky Derby Museum guests may be accessed by heading south on 9th St. off of Central Ave. Parking will be available on the left near the intersection of 9th St. and Central Ave.
EMPLOYEES – Full-time employees of Churchill Downs Racetrack with reserved parking hangtag credentials will temporarily park in the Infield. Seasonal employees will park in Lot 1, which is best accessed by heading east on Queen Ave. off of Taylor Blvd.
Congratulations to our August Sanitation and Food Excellence (SAFE) Award winner, St. Joseph Children’s Home.
To be eligible for nomination, a food service establishment must:
- have maintained an A placard for two successive routine inspections
- serve foods such as meat or egg products, which if mishandled, have the potential to be associated with food borne illness
- must have their food service permit for at least one year
- have a history of compliance with regulations
- have certified food maagers as required by LMCO Ch. 118
Photo: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
In anticipation of Hurricane Irma and its potential to cause damage to the southeastern United States, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Greg Thomas has waived certain regulations on commercial motor carriers involved in the relief effort.
Secretary Thomas issued an emergency declaration that provides temporary regulatory relief for crews heading to the affected areas to deliver goods, restore utilities and remove debris.
“Lifting these restrictions allows crews to assist with the relief effort as quickly as possible,” Secretary Thomas said.
The declaration exempts a driver’s hours of service limitation, suspends registration requirements and waives permit fees for overweight/overdimensional vehicles. All other safety requirements will remain in effect for drivers.
The declaration expires on Sept. 27.
Additional information is available here https://drive.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx.
