SEVERE WEATHER POSSIBLE FOR THE AREA
A chance of thunderstorms is forecast throughout the day and into the early evening. Severe storms will be possible throughout the region in the late afternoon and early evening, but the threat will be greatest over west Kentucky. Damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes will all be possible. Very strong southwest winds are expected tonight and a Wind Advisory has been issued from 7 PM through 4 AM. Monitor WNBS or NOAA Weather Radio for any possible warnings that could be issued.
MPD MAKES ARREST IN VETERANS MEMORIAL VANDALISM
On Monday, the Murray Police Department announced an investigation into vandalism that occurred at the Veterans’ Memorial in Chestnut Park. The vandalism had occurred sometime after 11 pm Monday. Thanks to assistance from the public and the subsequent investigation, detectives on Wednesday charged 27-year-old Robert Kare of Murray with 1st Degree Criminal Mischief for the vandalism at the memorial. Kare was lodged in the Calloway County Jail.
MURRAY CITY COUNCIL MEETS TONIGHT
The Murray City Council will meet tonight in regular session. The Council will consider an ordinance on first reading restating certain revenues and expenditures for the City of Murray Operations Budget. The Council is expected to approve an ordinance authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to sell, transfer, and convey designated city property to the highest bidder in accordance with state law. The Council will also vote on a Municipal Order appointing a member to the Convention and Visitors Bureau to fill the unexpired term of Tim Thurmond. Tonight’s meeting begins at 6:30 and will be via WebEx. It will be streamed on the government access channels of Murray Electric Cable and Spectrum, a YouTube link on the City’s website, and a link on the City’s Facebook page.
TRAFFIC STOP SOLVES MULTIPLE AREA BURGLARIES
Authorities arrested two McCracken County men in connection to several area burglaries. On March 9, Kentucky State Police reported that they had located a stolen vehicle from Paducah operating on a highway in Calloway County. After a short vehicle and foot pursuit, 36-year old Joseph Owen was taken into custody and charged with receiving stolen property. Owen admitted to having stolen the vehicle from a Paducah dealership and detectives obtained information that led them to believe he had been involved in multiple thefts and burglaries. A search warrant was executed on a storage unit that had been rented by 36-year old Jonathon McGuire. Multiple items that had been reported stolen were located in the storage unit. Owen and McGuire have been charged with additional offenses in connection with other crimes in Carlisle County and Marshall County. The Carlisle County Sheriff’s Department also arrested 30-year-old Brandy Grooms of Bardwell. She was charged with receiving stolen property and lodged in the McCracken County Jail.
MISSING TEEN COULD BE IN MURRAY
A teen reported missing in Bowling Green last summer may be in Murray. 14-year old Roman Jones was reported missing on August 25. He was last seen on Barnwood Avenue in Bowling Green. On Wednesday, the Murray Police Department said Jones may be in or around Murray. Jones is 5′ 7″ tall and weighs 132 pounds. Police say Jones has two small cross tattoos on his left forearm. Anyone with information on Jones’ whereabouts is asked to contact the Murray Police Department or the Bowling Green Police Department.
MAY TRIAL DATE SET FOR BENJAMIN
A May trial date has been set for a Mayfield man charged with rape and sodomy. 32-year old Prince Benjamin’s trial will begin May 12 and is expected to last four days. A pre-trial conference date was set for April 26. Benjamin was arrested in November 2019 following a traffic stop in Mayfield. He faces multiple counts of rape and sodomy and remains lodged in the Graves County Jail.
MSU HONORS AREA FFA STUDENTS
The Hutson School of Agriculture at Murray State University recently honored high school students from the Purchase, Pennyrile and Green River regions as Murray State FFA All-Region Stars based on the students’ demonstrated leadership in Future Farmers of America. The honored FFA students included Kaylee Geurin and Hunter Rudolph, both of Calloway County High School and Autumn Mehr of Murray High School. The Hutson School of Agriculture created the awards program as a way to acknowledge FFA students in Murray State’s service area for their accomplishments. FFA advisors are also recognized each year for their service to their students and the FFA organization.
CALLOWAY COVID INCIDENCE RATE FALLS UNDER 3%
For a second straight day, there was no COVID-19 case update yesterday from the Calloway County Health Department. Calloway County’s COVID-19 Incidence Rate per 100,000 on Wednesday was 2.9%, which was lower than Tuesday’s rate of 4%. Lyon County’s rate is down to 55.7% which is now second behind Simpson County. Only 7 counties in the state are red zone counties for covid cases.
STATE POSITIVITY RATE CONTINUES TO FALL
At Wednesday’s COVID-19 update for Kentucky, 695 new cases and 24 new deaths were reported, raising the total to 5,863 Kentuckians who are listed as covid deaths. As of Wednesday, there have been over 4.79 million coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky with a positivity rate of 2.85%, which is lower than last Wednesday’s rate of 3.73%. There are 438 Kentuckians hospitalized which is 3 less than last Wednesday, including 103 in ICU, which is 6 less than one week ago. At least 49,318 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
MSU TO HOST VIRTUAL RACER DAY
Murray State University will host a virtual Racer Day event on Tuesday. Geared toward prospective students and families, the event will provide helpful information through live, interactive sessions with admissions staff, financial services, housing and more. Attendees can also attend a virtual session with their academic area of interest and take a virtual tour of campus. Both morning and afternoon sessions are available. Registration for the free event is available at murraystate.edu/racerdays. Those with questions can call 270-809-2896. Students interested in joining the Racer Family can learn more, schedule a virtual or on-campus visit and apply for admission at admissions.murraystate.edu.
IN AND AROUND KENTUCKY
FRANKFORT—Governor Andy Beshear is signing into law a bill allowing students to repeat their current grade level if their district allows. The Supplemental School Year Program was signed into law yesterday. It will allow students from kindergarten through 12th grade the chance to repeat a grade. The program provides federal funds to districts that choose to participate, helping students overcome learning loss and get back on track academically.
FRANKFORT—The school choice bill is being vetoed by Governor Andy Beshear. The bill would have allowed limited use of scholarship tax credits for private-school tuition. Governor Beshear vetoed the legislation yesterday calling it an attack on public education. Opponents of the bill said public schools are already underfunded.
LEXINGTON—The Kentucky Blood Center is looking for donors. KBC says blood donors are needed after a “significant increase in blood usage” at area hospitals. Officials also say fewer mobile blood drives than normal due to the coronavirus have contributed to the shortage. KBC officials say January was the highest blood usage ever in its 52-year history, and the need hasn’t slowed.
LEXINGTON—Hundreds at the University of Kentucky are condemning hate against Asian Americans. The rally was held outside of Memorial Hall yesterday. Those who attended the event said racism against Asians is nothing new. They cited the Chinese Exclusion Act of the 1880s and the Japanese Internment Camps of World War Two.
UNDATED—Horse racing is mourning the passing of one of its most influential figures over the last 40 years. Dubai’s deputy ruler Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum died at the age of 75 yesterday. Hamdan was a successful thoroughbred breeder whose horses won both the Epsom Derby and Melbourne Cup twice. He was also the owner of the 800-acre Darley’s Jonabell Farm in Lexington.
OWENSBORO—Owensboro’s Northwest Neighborhood Alliance says plans are underway to begin repainting the mural at Kendall Perkins Park. The project will incorporate paintings from a number of local artists that exemplify African-American heritage. The mural was vandalized with racist messages and symbols in January. Work on the mural is expected to start next week.
TENNESSEE—There are nearly 14-hundred new coronavirus cases in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health reported one-thousand-388 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, bringing the total since the outbreak began to nearly 804-thousand-500. Nearly 50 additional COVID-19-related deaths were reported, with the total number of coronavirus-attributed deaths statewide standing at nearly eleven-thousand-800. There are about 830 COVID-19 patients hospitalized statewide.
TENNESSEE—Some conservatives are pushing for change in death penalty laws. A virtual forum was co-hosted yesterday by Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and Tennessee Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty. The groups say questions need to be raised about the alignment of capital punishment and conservative principles. The forum was held as the governor of Virginia signed historic legislation abolishing the death penalty there.
TENNESSEE—The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating the killing of a bald eagle in Lake County. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says the eagle was killed on March 20th. Authorities are asking for help solving the case.
TENNESSEE—Knox County’s mayor is going into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame next month. During his WWE days Mayor Glenn Jacobs was best known as “Kane.” As Kane, he went on to claim three world championships and 12 world tag team championships. During a podcast yesterday, Kane’s nemesis turned ring partner The Undertaker informed Mayor Jacobs he’ll be enshrined during a ceremony on Tuesday, April 6th.
ILLINOIS—Illinoisans are being advised to hold on to their COVID-19 vaccination cards. The vaccine is currently not required in Illinois, but health officials say it could be needed in the future if you plan on traveling or attending large events. Governor Pritzker added that private businesses and venues have the right to ask for proof of vaccination, though it is up to each person whether or not they choose to comply. If a card is lost or misplaced, the health department is keeping track of vaccinations, and a person’s doctor could print out a copy of a patient’s vaccination records if needed.
