Colin Powell Served In Kentucky, Impacted Military Leaders
The deputy commanding officer of the United States Army Cadet Command at Fort Knox is reacting to the passing of former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Colonel Maurice Barnett says seeing Powell rise to become a four-star general in the U.S. Army meant it was possible for someone who looked like him. Powell spent time at Fort Campbell in the late 1970s as commander of the 101st Airborne Division’s Second Brigade Combat team. Secretary Powell died yesterday morning from complications of COVID-19 while battling cancer.
Gov. Beshear Orders Flags Lowered to Half-Staff in Honor of Gen. Colin Powell
In accordance with a proclamation from the White House, Gov. Andy Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff until sunset on Friday, Oct. 22, in honor of Gen. Colin Powell, who died Monday.
At the pinnacle of his U.S. Army career, Gen. Powell served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993. He was U.S. Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005.
Gov. Beshear encourages individuals, businesses and organizations throughout the commonwealth to join in this tribute. Flag status information is available at https://governor.ky.gov/flag-status.
McConnell Statement on Colin Powell
“America has lost a trailblazing leader with the passing of Colin Powell. It is hard to imagine a more quintessentially American story: A son of Jamaican immigrants who learned Yiddish from his boyhood neighbors in the Bronx becomes a four-star General in the United States Army and serves four presidential administrations, including as National Security Advisor, the youngest-ever Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the first Black Secretary of State.
“As a young officer, General Powell rendered brave and distinguished service on the front lines. As a senior leader, he helped four presidents protect our nation, represent us on the world stage, and chart our course through uncertain and turbulent times that included the dawn of a new century and the beginning of our global war on terrorists who will not leave America alone even if we leave them alone. Today we remember and honor a man who truly dedicated his entire life to serving his country.”
AAA: Gas Prices Drop in Western Kentucky; Crude Prices Continue to Climb
Gas prices in West Central Kentucky are five cents lower this week at $3.003, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.
This week’s average prices: Western Central KY Average $3.003
Average price during the week of October 11, 2021 $3.052
Average price during the week of October 19, 2020 $1.894
Average prices of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:
$3.096 Bowling Green
$2.971 Elizabethtown
$3.077 Louisville
$2.911 Owensboro
$2.961 Paducah
There’s Still Time to Participate in A Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Survey of Transportation Needs in Murray and Calloway County
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is continuing to urge area residents to fill out an online survey seeking comments on traffic safety and congestion in Murray and Calloway County.
Since the survey opened October 5, more than 430 Murray area residents and commuters have completed the online poll to provide input on the Small Urban Transportation Study.
According to KYTC District 1 Project Development Engineer Chris Kuntz, information provided by the public will help the study team focus on local traffic patterns and potential safety issues.
The survey, which will be open for about two more weeks, is online at http://metroquestsurvey.com/hd3w3c. It uses Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, so participants can drop a pin and leave a description of conditions worthy of study at specific locations.
Besher Urging School Districts To Keep Mask Mandates In Place
Governor Andy Beshear is urging Kentucky school districts to keep their mask mandates in place for now. Beshear says premature changes could lead to a spike in cases because so many students aren’t yet eligible for vaccination. The governor says the commonwealth is seeing some of the lowest case numbers in several months, but it is important to remain vigilant.
Imes Principal for a Day
State Representative Mary Beth Imes recently spent time at Southwest Calloway Elementary as a part of the “Principal for a Day” program created by the Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA). Mrs. Imes shadowed Southwest Elementary Principal Mark Mallory on Wednesday, October 13.
The KASA program is designed to give legislators a first-hand look at what is going on in Kentucky schools and to build stronger partnerships between legislators and public education. The program is not just a normal school visit, but to allow leaders to see how things really work and what challenges school administrators face each day.
Mrs. Imes spent time in numerous classrooms, talking to teachers and working with students. Mrs. Imes read stories to younger students, and held question-answer sessions about state government with older students.
“I was amazed at the teachers and the students. They were so attentive and so loving. It was a wonderful experience for me. I really enjoyed it. It was just a very special day for me,” said Imes.
Kentucky State News Brief
Amazon Seeking To Fill Thousands Of Seasonal Jobs In Kentucky
(Louisville, KY) — Amazon is offering flexibility to fill about four-thousand seasonal job openings in Kentucky this winter. A statement from Amazon identified Kentucky among a dozen states where the online retailer needs workers the most. Warehouse workers can make up to 21-dollars an hour depending on the shift. Nationally Amazon is looking to fill 150-thousand jobs.
Owensboro Collecting Leaves
(Owensboro, KY) — The Owensboro Sanitation Department is collecting leaves. Vacuum and bagged leaf collection started yesterday. Crews will make three passes through ten zones of the city this year during leaf season. Leaf collection will run through February 15th of next year.
GRDHD To Update Coronavirus Numbers
(Owensboro, KY) — The Green River District Health Department is expected to update its coronavirus numbers today. On Friday, the GRDHD reported 277 new confirmed COVID-19 infections with 104 in Daviess County, 57 in Ohio County, 48 in Henderson County, 18 each in McLean and Webster counties and 16 apiece in Hancock and Union counties. There have been over 35-thousand-900 cases in the seven-county district since the outbreak began. An additional five COVID-19-related deaths were reported on Friday with the total at over 550 since the start of the outbreak.
Over 670 New COVID-19 Cases Reported In Kentucky
(Frankfort, KY) — Over 670 new COVID-19 cases are being reported in Kentucky. Governor Andy Beshear announced the new cases yesterday, along with 31 one additional deaths. The governor says COVID-19 hospitalizations have decreased by ten percent and that a new oral antiviral treatment looks promising. He says symptoms in about 50-percent of the 700 COVID-19 patients receiving the treatment didn’t progress to severe cases.
Beshear Proclaims October Domestic Violence Awareness Moth
(Frankfort, KY) — Governor Andy Beshear is proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Kentucky. The Governor says it is unacceptable that more than 45-percent of women and 35-percent of men in Kentucky have experienced intimate partner violence or rape during their lifetime. Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Kerry Harvey joined Beshear for the announcement, along with Pat Byron, whose daughter was murdered in 1993 by an estranged boyfriend.
Contract Negotiations Stalled Between Heaven Hill, Workers
(Bardstown, KY) — Heaven Hill is in the process of hiring new workers as contract negotiations have stalled between the distillery and the union representing their workers. The bourbon distillery says it has “worked in good faith” with the UFCW to adopt a new contract. Union members say the language of the contract could require weekend work that would impact their families. Contract negotiations are continuing.
Salvation Army In Owensboro Seeking DonationS For Angels Tree
(Owensboro, KY) — The Salvation Army of Owensboro is seeking donations from the community for its Angel Tree. The program aims to provide low-income families with new clothing and toys for Christmas. Trees will be displayed in local department stores such as T-J Maxx, Walmart, and the Burks Outlet in town. People are also able to adopt an entire families.
Convicted Drug Dealer, Breonna Taylor’s Ex-Boyfriend Recommended For Probation
(Louisville, KY) — Prosecutors are recommending probation for a convicted drug dealer who was the subject of police raids that led to Breonna Taylor’s death. Jamarcus Glover was a boyfriend of Taylor’s. Glover pleaded guilty to multiple crimes in Jefferson Circuit Court last week, including drug trafficking and possession. As part of plea deals, the Jefferson Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office is recommending a sentence of probation and will allow Glover to move to Mississippi.
Amazon Seeking To Fill Thousands Of Seasonal Jobs In Louisville
(Louisville, KY) — Amazon is offering flexibility to fill about 24-hundred seasonal job openings in Louisville this winter. A statement from Amazon identified Kentucky and Indiana among a dozen states where the online retailer needs workers the most. Warehouse workers can make up to 21-dollars an hour depending on the shift. Nationally Amazon is looking to fill 150-thousand jobs.
Heaven Hill To Hire New Workers After Failed Contract Negotiations
(Bardstown, KY) — Heaven Hill says it will replace its striking workers. The bourbon giant said yesterday that it’s worked in good faith with the union representing the workers to adopt a new contract over the last few weeks. However, Heaven Hill says the two sides are at an impasse. The union says language in the current contract could lead to employees working weekends while Heaven Hill says terms are being mischaracterized.
LMPD Participating In Saturday’s Prescription Drug Take Back Event
(Louisville, KY) — The Louisville Metro Police Department will participate in Prescription Drug Take Back day this weekend. LMPD says it will have nearly 20 drop-off locations in place from 10 o’clock in the morning until 2 in the afternoon on Saturday. Expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs can be dropped off no questions asked. Vaping pens can also be dropped off without batteries or cartridges but needles won’t be accepted.
Tennessee State News Brief
Gas Prices Surging Across Tennessee
(Nashville, TN) — Gas prices are surging in Tennessee. Since last Monday, gas prices across the state have risen an average of ten-cents. It’s the second consecutive week prices at the pump have averaged a double-digit increase. The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas is now three-dollars-and-12-cents, which is 22 cents more than one-month ago.
Special Session On Ford Memphis Regional Megasite Deal To Resume Today
(Nashville, TN) — A special session of state lawmakers in Nashville could have a major impact on West Tennessee. The Tennessee General Assembly will resume consideration today of two bills to appropriate nearly a billion dollars in incentives for Ford. Ford announced last month it plans to build a more than five-and-a-half-billion-dollar facility in Haywood County to manufacture eclectic trucks and batteries. The deal would create nearly six-thousand jobs.
TDH Updates State Coronavirus Cases
(Nashville, TN) — There are 540 new coronavirus cases in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health reported the new cases yesterday, bringing the total since the outbreak began to over one-million-266-thousand. An additional seven COVID-19-related deaths were also reported, with the total number standing at nearly 15-thousand-900. There are over 14-hundred COVID-19 hospitalizations in Tennessee.
NCRM Remembers Colin Powell
(Memphis, TN) — The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis is reacting to the passing of former four-star U.S. Army general Colin Powell. The first African-American U.S. Secretary of State and the first African-American to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff died yesterday morning from complications of COVID-19 while battling cancer. The NCRM expressed its sincere condolences to Secretary Powell’s family and thanked him for his “exemplary leadership, love, and legacy” to which everyone can aspire. The museum honored Powell with a Freedom Award in 1997.
Record Quarterly Revenue Reported By Tennessee Lottery
(Nashville, TN) — The Tennessee Education Lottery is reporting record revenue. TEL officials reported nearly 502-million dollars of total revenue between July 1st and September 30th. That’s the highest of any fiscal year’s first quarter since the lottery started in 2004. A total of 118-million dollars was transferred to the Lottery for Education Account during the first quarter.
Special Session On Ford Memphis Regional Megasite Deal To Resume Today
(Nashville, TN) — A special session of state lawmakers in Nashville could have a major impact on the Memphis area. The Tennessee General Assembly will resume consideration today of two bills to appropriate nearly a billion dollars in incentives for Ford. Ford announced last month it plans to build a more than five-and-a-half-billion-dollar facility at the Memphis Regional Megasite to manufacture eclectic trucks and batteries. The deal would create nearly six-thousand jobs.
SCHD Reports Rise In COVID-19 Cases
(Memphis, TN) — The Shelby County Health Department is reporting a rise in coronavirus numbers. SCHD said yesterday there are 87 new COVID-19 cases and an additional nine people have died of the virus in Shelby County. The health department says there are nearly one-thousand-630 active cases, including close to 420 among children. There have been 144-thousand COVID cases and nearly 22-hundred COVID-19-related deaths in Shelby County since the outbreak began.
NCRM Remembers Colin Powell
(Memphis, TN) — The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel is reacting to the passing of former four-star U.S. Army General Colin Powell. The first African-American U.S. Secretary of State and the first African-American to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff died yesterday morning from complications of COVID-19 while battling cancer. The NCRM expressed its sincere condolences to Secretary Powell’s family and thanked him for his “exemplary leadership, love, and legacy” to which everyone can aspire. The museum honored Powell with a Freedom Award in 1997.
Memphis Zoo Mourning Passing Of Timber Wolf
(Memphis, TN) — The Memphis Zoo says one of its timber wolves has died of old age. Zoo officials said yesterday the grey female named Shiloh was 12-years-old. She was one of four six-month-old siblings who opened the Teton Trek exhibit in 2009. Shiloh still has two siblings living at the Memphis Zoo.
Gas Prices Surging Across Tennessee
(Nashville, TN) — Gas prices are surging in Tennessee. Since last Monday, gas prices across the state have risen an average of ten-cents. It’s the second consecutive week prices at the pump have averaged a double-digit increase. Metro Nashville saw an average increase of 15-cents over the last week and is the most expensive metro market in the state, averaging three-dollars-and-17-cents per gallon for regular unleaded.
No One Hurt During HAZMAT Situation In La Vergne
(La Vergne, TN) — No one is hurt after a chemical spill in La Vergne. HAZMAT crews were called to the Bridgestone Firestone Distribution Center yesterday. They were able to contain the spill without anyone being injured. La Vergne officials say one person had to be evacuated.
Travis Tritt Cancels Shows Over COVID Mandates
(Nashville, TN) — Country music singer Travis Tritt is pushing back against COVID-19 mandates. Tritt announced yesterday he won’t perform at venues with strict protocols. He has canceled a few shows because the venues required proof of vaccination, COVID testing or mask mandates. He said he won’t tolerate those types of rules for his fans.
National/World Headlines
Haiti Gang Demands $17M Ransom For Missionaries
(Port-au-Prince) — A ransom demand is being made for American missionaries kidnapped in Haiti. A notorious gang wants 17-million dollars after snatching 17 people, the youngest just eight-months-old. The group is with a ministry based in Ohio and was taken on Saturday while driving back from an orphanage. The 12 adults and five children are reportedly being held in a safe house but officials says negotiations could take weeks.
Powell Death Shows COVID Risk Increases With Age
(Undated) — Health experts are using Colin Powell’s death as a reminder about the dangers of COVID. The vaccinated former secretary of state had a breakthrough case and lost his battle yesterday while battling cancer. That and his age put him at greater risk. But overall, studies have repeatedly shown the vaccine saves more lives than not. CDC data shows those protected are 11 times less likely to die than unvaccinated people.
Trump Sues To Keep White House Records Secret
(Washington, DC) — Former President Trump is trying to keep White House records secret. He’s suing the House committee investigating January’s Capitol attack, claiming executive privilege. The lawsuit says subpoenas related to his actions before and during the riot “are unprecedented” and he doesn’t want documents handed over. The committee says it will fight back, calling the lawsuit just an attempt to delay the investigation.
GA Jury Selection Continues In Arbery Murder Trial
(Brunswick, GA) — It’s day two of jury selection in the Ahmaud Arbery murder trial in Georgia. He was the 25-year-old chased down and shot early last year while jogging in a neighborhood. His mom says she never thought the day would come. His dad says he’s focused on justice. Prosecutors plan to argue the three suspects were not trying to make a citizen’s arrest as they claim, but were motivated by racism.
One Dead And Two Hurt After Falls During Phish Concert
(San Francisco, CA) — Authorities are investigating after two separate falls at a Phish concert in San Fransisco. On Sunday night, officers at the Chase Center arena found a man suffering from injuries “caused by a possible fall.” Officers tried to save him, but he died at the scene. About an hour later a different man fell onto another man in a lower section. Both were hurt but expected to survive.
Gas Prices Hit $3.40 Per Gallon
(Heathrow, FL) — Sticker shock at the pump is getting worse. Gas prices are up almost two cents from yesterday to one of the highest prices in the past few years. Triple-A puts the new national average at three-40 a gallon. California drivers continue to pay the most to fill up at four-51 followed by Hawaii at four-21. Texas is the cheapest state to fill up at two-97.
NBA Season Tips Off Tonight
(Undated) — The new NBA season tips off tonight, starting in Milwaukee. The defending NBA Champion Bucks will raise a banner for their second championship as they host the visiting Nets. In the west, the Warriors visit the Lakers. Elsewhere this week, the rest of the league gets underway. Tomorrow, the reigning Western Conference Champion Suns will host the Nuggets and the Celtics visit the Knicks. Then on Thursday, the Mavericks visit the Hawks.
