WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY THROUGH TOMORROW
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from this afternoon until Thursday afternoon. Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze are possible. The hazardous conditions could impact the evening and morning commutes. There is still quite a bit of uncertainty regarding snowfall accumulations. Depending on the eventual track of the storm system, amounts may be adjusted.
NO SCHOOL FOR CALLOWAY, NTI FOR MISD
Calloway County Schools will not be in session today, There will be no NTI and the day is scheduled to be made-up on May 12. The Murray Independent School District will have its usual Wednesday NTI today. NTI Days will be held for Marshall County Schools, Mayfield City Schools, Graves County Schools, and Trigg County Schools. Murray State University and WKCTC are virtual the remainder of the week.
MEALS FOR STUDENTS OFFERED TODAY
The Murray Independent School District has announced that meal pick up is being offered today. A five-day meal box with milk will be available from 8:30 this morning until 1 this afternoon at Murray Elementary School. This service is provided to any child, 18 or under, with no regard to school affiliation.
KENTUCKY GETTING MORE VACCINE DOSES
Governor Andy Beshear announced yesterday that the federal government is once again increasing Kentucky’s vaccine supply. The Biden administration will send 13.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to states per week, up from 11 million last week. The administration will also double the number of doses sent directly to retail pharmacies. Next week, Kentucky is expected to receive 87,860 vaccine doses.
CCHD ANNOUNCES 1 NEW COVID CASE
The Calloway County Health Department announced 1 new COVID-19 case yesterday, bringing the county’s total number of cases during the pandemic to 3,295. Of that total, 3,223 have recovered, 22 are isolated at home, and 3 are hospitalized. There have been 47 covid-related deaths in the county. The Graves County Health Department reported 36 new cases, while 8 new cases were reported in Marshall County. The Purchase District Health Department reported 5 new cases in McCracken County and 1 in Hickman County
CALLOWAY INCIDENCE RATE CONTINUES TO FALL
Calloway County’s Incidence Rate per 100,000 on Monday was 7.3%, which is lower than Sunday’s rate of 9.2. Of the 11 counties in far west Kentucky, only Marshall County, Livingston County, and Lyon County are in the red zone for COVID cases per 100,000. Due to the weather, there have been no updated COVID school reports this week.
KENTUCKY COVID-19 REPORT
At Tuesday’s COVID-19 update for Kentucky, 1,255 new cases and 27 deaths were reported, raising the total to 4,318 Kentuckians who are listed as covid deaths. As of Tuesday, there have been over 4.31 million coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky with a positivity rate of 6.58%, which is lower than last Tuesday’s rate of 7.66%. There are 935 Kentuckians hospitalized which is 269 less than last Tuesday, including 272 in ICU, which is 10 less than one week ago. At least 46,074 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
MARSHALL COUNTY MAN CHARGED ATER HIGH SPEED CHASE
A Kentucky State Police Trooper on Tuesday observed a vehicle traveling south at a high rate of speed on Interstate 69 between Benton and Draffenville. A pursuit ensued and the vehicle continued to drive recklessly through the snow and ice, reaching speeds of 95 mph, running off the road multiple times before the vehicle pulled over South of the Graves County line. During the traffic stop, Troopers reportedly smelled the odor of alcohol. 45-year old William Woods of Gilbertsville was arrested. During a search of the vehicle, Troopers located two half-empty bottles of liquor, multiple prescription medications, and two firearms, which is a violation as Woods is a convicted felon. Woods was lodged in the Graves County Jail on charges of Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence, 3rd Offense, Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon, Resisting Arrest, and other traffic offenses.
GAS PRICES HIGHER
Gas prices in West Central Kentucky are three cents higher this week at $2.33 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. Due to increasing oil prices, pump prices continue to move upward, despite low demand. The national gas price average is $2.51 per gallon. Nearly 40 state averages are already more than they were last year, with half of those averages seeing double-digit increases.
MSU HOSTS SUCCESSFUL ADMITTED STUDENT KICKOFF
Murray State University hosted its annual Admitted Student Kickoff earlier this month. During this kickoff, Murray State welcomed nearly 700 admitted students representing 28 states. Admitted students and their families virtually gathered for multiple sessions that covered many areas of Murray State that offer assistance to students as well as opportunities to learn more about the University’s academic colleges and schools. Students that attended Admitted Student Kickoff received priority registration for Racer Nation Orientation.
IN AND AROUND KENTUCKY
WHITLEY COUNTY—Kentucky State Police are investigating a deadly shooting involving an off-duty Corbin police officer. KSP says the off-duty officer was contacted at home by a neighbor about a prowler near a home on Dogwood Cove early yesterday morning. State police say the officer was “confronted” by 20-year-old Phillip Davenport, and the two got into an altercation. The officer shot Davenport during the fight, who was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
WOLFE COUNTY—Kentucky State Police are investigating a shooting in Wolfe County involving a state trooper. The shooting happened Sunday morning on Hoscat Lane in Pine Ridge during a response to a “physical domestic complaint.” KSP says the trooper attempted to get a man at the scene to exit a vehicle, but the subject wouldn’t comply. State Police say the trooper approached the vehicle to try to remove the man when the man hit the accelerator, dragging the trooper. The trooper fired and hit the subject, which ended the dispute. The man was taken to the hospital in unknown condition and is facing charges. The trooper sustained minor injuries.
FRANKFORT—The Kentucky General Assembly is shut down this week because of dangerous weather and unsafe roads. The chambers will be back in session on February 22nd, March 1st, and March 12th for regular legislative business. The final day of the regular session is March 30th.
OWENSBORO—owner of Nona’s Market and Nona’s Catering in Owensboro is up for Bon Appetit magazine’s Favorite Chef. Maria Kelly submitted three entries to the contest in December and was notified last month that she was a finalist. The remaining contestants were asked about their cooking history, their signature dish, and their plans for the prize money. Kelly now has just over a week to win votes that will push her into the top 15. If she is declared the Favorite Chef, she will receive an exclusive feature in the magazine and a 20-thousand-dollar prize. Kelly says she would use the money to give back to the community and to invest in her business.
FLORIDA—Former President Donald Trump is laying into Senator Mitch McConnell. In a new statement, Trump said the GOP can’t be respected or strong with leaders like Senator McConnell. He called the top Republican in the Senate a “dour, sullen, and unsmiling political hack,” adding that if Republican senators stick with him, they won’t win again. Just days ago McConnell voted to acquit Trump in his impeachment trial, but did say he thought Trump was “morally responsible” for the riots at the U.S. Capitol.
LOUISVILLE—The state’s largest school district could start reopening elementary schools for in-person learning by the third week of March. That’s what officials for Jefferson County Public Schools told the county board of education yesterday. The BOE met to continue discussions on the district’s plan to return to classrooms. No dates were proposed, but Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio said that COVID-19 vaccinations will be completed by the third week of March for elementary school staff and just before spring break begins on March 29th for middle and high school employees.
TENNESSEE—There are over 950 new coronavirus cases in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health reported 962 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, bringing the total since the outbreak began to over 759-thousand-500. It’s the first time since October that the daily increase of new cases was below one-thousand. Many testing sites have been closed this week due to winter storms.
TENNESSEE—COVID-19 vaccination registration will expand soon. The Tennessee Department of Health announced yesterday that registration for Tennesseans 65 and older and those in Phase 1b of the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan will begin on Monday, February 22nd. Phase 1b includes staff members of kindergarten through 12th grade schools and childcare facilities.
TENNESSEE—More winter weather is expected in the Mid-South today. Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland declared a state of emergency yesterday. The declaration will allow Memphis to seek federal and state funds. Forecasters say much as seven inches of ice and snow are possible through tomorrow evening.
TENNESSEE—Thousands of Tennesseans are without power because of the winter weather. There were about 20-thousand people without power statewide as of last night. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency says power may not be restored for up to three days in some areas. Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation and Duck River Electric have thousands of customers without power.
TENNESSEE—Middle Tennessee is under a Winter Storm Watch. The National Weather Service in Nashville has issued the watch for this afternoon through tomorrow evening. Forecasters say accumulations of snow and ice are possible. They say road conditions will continue to deteriorate.
