Photo via MPD
CHESTNUT PARK VETERAN’S MEMORIAL VANDALIZED
The Murray Police Department is asking for assistance from the public. Sometime between 11 pm and midnight, Monday, an individual knocked over and broke two eagle statues at the Veteran’s Memorial in Chestnut Park. If you have any information about this, please contact the Murray Police Department or you can contact Murray Calloway County Crime Stoppers at 270-753-9500.
HAZEL WOMEN CHARGED WITH METH POSSESSION
At approximately 11:30 Monday night, an officer with the Murray Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on South 4th Street. A search of the vehicle was conducted in which approximately 1.5 grams of methamphetamine and other illegal items were located. 42-year old Shannon Guerrero of Hazel was charged with Possession of Controlled Substances and Drug Paraphernalia, and Failure to Signal or Improper Signal. She was lodged in the Calloway County Jail.
ONE INJURED IN SUNDAY ACCIDENT
At 7:40 Sunday night, Murray Police responded to a two-vehicle injury collision on North 12th Street near Diuguid Drive. 77-year old Eugene Blanton of Murray told police that he was traveling north on 12th street and entered the center turn lane when he struck another vehicle. 78-year old Eddie Hunt of Murray told police that he was facing south in the center turn lane when another vehicle struck him in the front of his vehicle. Blanton was transported by EMS to the emergency room for treatment of possible injuries.
LOWES COUPLE CHARGED AFTER DRUG PROBE
Early Tuesday morning, Kentucky State Police Troopers arrested a couple at their residence in the Lowes community on various drug charges. The arrests come after a multi-agency investigation led to the execution of a search warrant of their residence on KY 849. A search revealed suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia including digital scales, prescription medications, and other narcotics. Andrew Redden and Marcy Redden were both charged with Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia, Trafficking in Methamphetamine, and multiple counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance including LSD. They were lodged in the Graves County Jail.
MSU RECEIVES MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING
Murray State University has received funding from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief fund to be used toward providing mental health resources. The funds will go toward enhancing three main areas: Mental Health First Aid training for interested faculty and staff members, access to Therapy Assistance Online for all students, faculty, and staff until June 30 of 2022, and an additional $70,300 in grant funding to be used for materials and activities related to mental health and wellness. The grant funding will be distributed among several areas while some money has already been spent to purchase additional Wi-Fi hotspots for students who need access to mental health resources.
CCMS STUDENTS ADVANCE IN NATIONAL HISTORY BEE
On Sunday, nine students from the Calloway County Middle School Academic Team competed in the virtual Regional History Bee Finals and five qualified for the History Bee National Championships to be held later in the summer. In the 8th grade division, Levi Dunnaway, Ezra Foote, and Nathaniel Fowler scored high enough to earn bids to the national tournament. In the 7th grade division, both Samuel Houston and Tommy Gomez made the final championship round. In addition, Nathaniel Fowler and Tommy Gomez also made it to the top ten in the Academic Bee competition with Gomez finishing the day with a third-place finish. The Laker History Bee team is coached by Mitch Hultman.
LYON COUNTY’S INCIDENCE RATE DOWN SLIGHTLY
The was no COVID-19 case update yesterday from the Calloway County Health Department. Calloway County’s COVID-19 Incidence Rate per 100,000 on Tuesday was 4%, which was the same as Monday’s rate. Lyon County’s state leading rate was down slightly to 146.2%. The rate is mostly due to a peak of over 550 active cases at Kentucky State Penitentiary. Lyon County’s rate is almost two times higher than second place Simpson County’s rate of 79.2%. Only 9 counties in the state are red zone counties for covid cases.
KENTUCKY REPORTS 11 NEW COVID DEATHS
At Tuesday’s COVID-19 update for Kentucky, 294 new cases and 11 new deaths were reported, raising the total to 5,814 Kentuckians who are listed as covid deaths. As of Tuesday, there have been over 4.78 million coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky with a positivity rate of 2.93%, which is lower than last Tuesday’s rate of 3.87%. There are 436 Kentuckians hospitalized which is 23 less than last Tuesday, including 93 in ICU, which is 17 less than one week ago. At least 49,255 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
KENTUCKY SETS WEEKLY VACCINATION RECORD
Kentucky once again broke a weekly vaccination record with 198,447 new Kentuckians receiving a shot during the last reporting week, beginning on March 16. The previous weekly record was 165,217 new Kentuckians receiving a vaccine in the week beginning on March 9. It was also announced by Governor Andy Beshear that Kentucky Dam Village Convention Center will have more than 2,000 available appointments in this coming week. You can pre-register to be vaccinated there by visiting kyvax.com/kydam or by calling 859-217-4679.
WKCTC TO HOST ECONOMIC SYMPOSIUM
The 2021 Regional Economic Development Symposium, “Retooling Post COVID” will be held in a virtual format through West Kentucky Community and Technical College April 15 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. The symposium will feature panel discussions with local economic development leaders, presidents of area chambers of commerce and local elected state legislators about their roles in navigating workforce and economic needs after the pandemic. To register for the event, contact Tina Clark at tina.clark@kctcs.edu or by calling 270-534-3821.
IN AND AROUND KENTUCKY
FRANKFORT—Some of Kentucky’s public school district superintendents are asking Governor Andy Beshear to veto House Bill 563. Public school officials held a press conference yesterday to express their opposition to the school choice bill. They say tax credit scholarships could reduce the state’s tax revenue by as much as 25-million-dollars annually. They say that would mean less funding for public schools.
OWENSBORO—MasterBrand Cabinets is hiring. The company will hold a hiring event at the Kentucky Career Center in Owensboro on Saturday, March 27th from 8 o’clock to 11 o’clock in the morning. Full-time production associate positions are open with a starting wage of over 14-dollars-and-50 cents an hour the first week. The pay increases to over 15-50 to 18-dollars an hour the second week with bonuses offered after 30 days and a night shift differential.
RICHMOND—The Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond is hiring security guards. Those applying must submit their resume and discharge information by Friday, April 30th. The positions pay nearly 19-dollars an hour. Minimum qualifications include one year of specialized experience related to the work of a security guard, passing a drug test and having a valid driver’s license.
LOUISVILLE—The state’s largest school district will hold smaller, in-person graduation ceremonies this school year. The Jefferson County School Board unanimously approved the plan during a vote yesterday. Jefferson County Public Schools says families will still have the option to watch the ceremonies virtually due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. The proposed dates for the outdoor ceremonies are May 27th, 28th, and 29th with a makeup day scheduled for June 1st if there are weather issues.
FORT KNOX—Fort Knox wants to prepare soldiers for the motorcycle-riding season. Army leaders say they want to emphasize motorcycle safety. The first check ride of the year is set for Friday, April 2nd. The second will be held in May.
BULLITT COUNTY—A Bullitt County man has a little more money in the bank thanks to the Kentucky Lottery. Lottery officials say the Mt. Washington man won 100-thousand dollars with a 30-dollar Kentucky Lottery Break Fort Knox Scratch-off ticket. The man told lottery officials he had been playing more scratch-off games for entertainment during the coronavirus outbreak. The ticket was bought last Wednesday.
TENNESSEE—There are over 14-hundred new coronavirus cases in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health reported one-thousand-459 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, bringing the total since the outbreak began to over 803-thousand-100. Over 30 additional COVID-19-related deaths were reported, with the total number of coronavirus-attributed deaths statewide standing at eleven-thousand-747. There are over 750 COVID-19 patients hospitalized statewide.
TENNESSEE—Hundreds of faith leaders across Tennessee are asking Governor Bill Lee to reconsider allowing permitless carry of handguns. Governor Lee supports a bill that would allow most adults 21 and older to carry a handgun without a permit. Outside the State Capitol yesterday, pastors said more guns won’t make the state more safe. The so-called constitutional carry bill is expected to receive final approval in the House next week.
TENNESSEE—The TBI says there’s no rise in hate crimes against Asian and Pacific Islanders in Tennessee. The TBI says there have been less than a dozen anti-Asian hate crimes in Tennessee over the last five years. Just two were reported last year. Candlelight vigils calling for an end to violence against Asian Americans were held in Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis on Sunday.
TENNESSEE—A bill to make Amazing Grace as sung by Dolly Parton an official song of Tennessee is moving forward. A Tennessee House Naming and Designating Committee recommended the measure for passage yesterday. The bill says the hymn written by slave trader turned abolitionist John Newton is one of the “songs of historic significance that have influenced this state,” and cites it as “one of the most celebrated songs in modern history. The legislation was introduced after the Sevier County-native rejected a different bill proposing a statue be erected in her honor at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville.
ILLINOIS—Governor J.B. Pritzker is calling on Congress to do something about gun control. In a tweet, Pritzker extended his sympathies to the victims in Colorado and their families, calling for lawmakers to pass “meaningful and comprehensive gun control measures.” Ten people were killed in a deadly mass shooting in a Boulder, Colorado, supermarket on Monday.
