Covid Update
Over 25-hundred new COVID-19 cases are being reported in Kentucky. Governor Andy Beshear announced the new cases of the virus yesterday, the highest daily total in six months. There were ten additional COVID-19-related deaths reported and almost 890 hospitalized, with 100 on ventilators.
Calloway County Is now in the COVID Red Zone, which means that we have high community transmission of the virus. As a result, The Calloway County Health department makes the following recommendations ) get vaccinated, 2) wear a mask, 3) practice social distancing, 4) avoid social activities with unvaccinated persons, especially if you are medically vulnerable, and 5) postpone large public events.
KY Sailor Says He Didn’t Burn Warship
A Kentucky sailor charged in connection with starting a fire on an American warship is denying the allegations. A military attorney for Ryan Mays says the sailor is continuing to deny involvement in the blaze that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard last July. The blaze burned for over four days. Military officials say Mays is charged with aggravated arson and the willful hazarding of a vessel.
Nashville Zoo Expanding
The Nashville Zoo is expanding. The zoo is adding a 40-acre, 200-million-dollar African Safari expansion. Zoo officials say visitors will feel as if they’re on safari in Africa. The zoo hopes the expansion will be completed in the spring of 2023. Once it’s finished, it will make the Nashville Zoo the ninth largest in the country.
Section of 45 Closed Saturday
Grace Life Church plans to close a section of U.S. 45/South 7th Street on the west side of the court square in downtown Mayfield to hold a Back To School Bash on Saturday evening August 7
U.S. 45/South 7th Street will be closed between KY 58/Broadway and West South Street along the west side of the Graves County court square from about 5 p.m. to about 10 p.m., on Friday night
The Back to School Bash will include bounce houses for the kids, food trucks, and entertainment running from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.,
Longtime Murray State University faculty member, Ron Cella, founding member of Cooperative Center for Study Abroad, gives back to students
Murray State University Education Abroad celebrates the establishment of an endowment through a generous donation from the Cella Family. Awards funded from this endowment will assist graduates of Murray High School (MHS) in their pursuit of study abroad opportunities at Murray State University through the Cooperative Center for Study Abroad (CCSA).
Ron and Doris Cella both taught for many years at Murray State. Ron served as faculty and Department Chair in English and Philosophy. Doris was the Director of the Murray State University Learning Center when she retired; at one time it carried the title Murray State Community College. They have been active in their support of Murray Independent School District as well, even after their children graduated from MHS. Combining their interest in supporting the education of Murray’s future leaders with their belief that travel, specifically study abroad, should be an integral part of an undergraduate education, Ron and Doris decided to begin an endowment to fund awards that would help make study abroad a reality for more MHS graduates.
In 1982, Ron was one of the founding members of CCSA. From its creation to the present-day, CCSA has been instrumental in providing study abroad opportunities to Kentucky students. Ron taught as faculty and directed programs throughout the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, in Ireland, Scotland and England. He really found his niche with the CCSA London Summer program, working as on-site administrator 12 times between 1994 and 2010. Throughout this time, and until his retirement, he served on the CCSA Board of Trustees.
From start to finish, Ron’s involvement in study abroad was a family affair. When Ron was first approached about being part of the organizing and planning to set up CCSA (then CCSB, Cooperative Center for Study in Britain) Doris actually responded first to the inquiry, saying “Of course he will!” An avid traveler herself, Doris loves living abroad in an urban environment.
“It is eye-opening to be surrounded by other people, speaking other languages. Very humbling,” says Doris.
The Cella children, now grown with families of their own, caught the travel bug from their parents and all studied abroad during their undergraduate careers. Still to this day, they love traveling and support their parents in their efforts to establish this endowment.
“Ron was a sensible, steady presence for decades on the CCSA Board of Directors, and we were all very sorry when he left the Board, having retired at Murray,” said Jeffery Williams, Academic Director for CCSA. “Ron loved being part of study abroad, and so it isn’t surprising that he would want to set up a scholarship to facilitate future generations of students having that experience.”
When asked to share a memorable experience from his teaching and directing abroad, Ron explained that there are hundreds of experiences with faculty and students that still stand out in his mind. Instead of choosing one, he offered this simple yet profound picture of the joys of teaching abroad, one that he experienced time and time again during programs abroad: the students and faculty sharing stories of adventures from the previous day every morning at breakfast. It was clear to Ron that these adventures had a transformative impact on the students – evident as they reflected on the meaning of their experiences – and made even more enjoyable over a full English breakfast!
Murray State University launches new agritech initiative
Thanks to the generous support of the Cella Family, more MHS students will be able to seek out these adventures and share them over breakfast around the world.
A new agritech initiative led by Murray State University’s Hutson School of Agriculture was celebrated recently, with the potential to grow regional and state economic development while providing important hands-on learning and research for students.
The new solar HVAC system was celebrated on Friday, July 9, 2021 at the University’s West Farm, and included Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear in attendance.
The donated system will provide sustainable energy for the West Farm Shop, a multi-use facility which was previously devoid of any temperature controls, helping students and area farmers alike learn about solar power and agrivoltaics, an agritech method that can increase both food and energy security.
“This agrivoltaics system will offer the students here hands-on training and learning with some of the most advanced technology available,” said Gov. Beshear. “If you are a current or prospective Murray State student, this is your ticket to being part of the emerging industries of the future. This will further our push to make Kentucky the agritech capital of the world and to ensure our people have the well-paying jobs of tomorrow.”
“In building this solar HVAC system on campus, Murray State is providing its students with hands-on experience with solar technology, a sector where substantial job growth is expected,” said Rebecca Goodman, Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) Secretary. “Gov. Beshear wants Kentucky to become the international leader in agritech, that is why we see a bright future in agrivoltaics, the use of solar panels on farms to make farms self-sustaining while ensuring food production.”
GREE Electric Appliances, based in Zhuhai, China, supplied a four-ton solar-assist heat pump and Sunway Energy Solutions, based in Murray, engineered and installed the 12-module solar array that will operate the heat pump. This is the first phase of the project and the University will continue the development of phase two in collaboration with EEC’s Office of Energy Policy.
In addition to agriculture students, the University tentatively hopes to bring in students from the Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering & Technology, and other academic units.
“Murray State University was very pleased to welcome Gov. Beshear, Secretary Goodman and other guests to campus to talk about the exciting agritech initiatives occurring within our Hutson School of Agriculture,” said Dr. Bob Jackson, President of Murray State University. “Murray State will continue to lead and partner with the commonwealth on new and innovative agricultural opportunities for the economic advancement of our region and state.”
“Murray State Agriculture has been a leader in agritech development with projects such as our Equine Laboratory BioBurner heating project, the establishment of an Unmanned Aerial Systems program, and our pioneering work in agricultural hemp,” said Dr. Tony Brannon, Dean of the Hutson School of Agriculture. “We are extremely grateful to expand our agritech projects with this solar project.”
Brannon expressed great appreciation for the help of Henderson County farmer, Robbie Williams and Murray State agriculture graduate and Sunway owner, Todd Powell, along with all the sponsoring parties for bringing this donation and installation project to fruition. He also stated that as the Hutson School of Agriculture continues into the rapidly expanding era of renewable energy on the farm, there will be many teachable opportunities through this project. Brannon explained that the project will help provide an education for the University’s students, instead of just a degree. The project is also expected to provide a demonstration site as a pilot resource for area farmers.
