Photo via GCSD
MURRAY MAN FACING DRUG CHARGES IN TWO COUNTIES
A Murray man was arrested on drug charges Monday in the parking lot of a Mayfield grocery store. Graves county Sheriff’s Department detectives were investigating meth sales in the county when they received information that a man was allegedly going to the parking lot of a store in Mayfield to sell meth to another person. Investigators say surveillance of the area showed that a man later identified as 30-year-old Theodore Frank Kelly pulled a vehicle into the parking lot just before 1 pm. When deputies pulled up to the man’s car, they claim Kelly had some crystal meth in his lap, preparing to sell it. Kelly is also accused of throwing about 10 grams of crystal meth into the car’s floorboard before deputies detained him. Calloway County deputies say more methamphetamine and a firearm were found at Kelly’s home. He was additionally charged with trafficking in methamphetamine and marijuana, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was lodged in the Calloway County Jail.
HENSON HONORED WITH MASON AWARD
Murray-Calloway County Hospital recently honored Beth Henson with the Dr. William Mason Leadership Award. Henson is the Director of Perioperative Services at the hospital. Nominees of the award were submitted by other managers and directors and chosen by Administration. Henson has been an employee with MCCH since 2014 and has been in a management role for nearly 30 years. This award is intended to recognize outstanding leaders for their dedication and commitment to provide quality healthcare within the community they serve.
SLICKBACK ROAD CLOSED FOR CROSS DRAIN REPLACEMENT
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to close the south end of Slickback Road in southern Marshall County starting today near mile point zero to allow a cross drain to be replaced just north of the Brewers Highway intersection. Slickback Road is expected to close promptly at 9 am today and remain closed to all traffic until around 3 pm Thursday. There will be no marked detour, but motorists may self-detour via Wadesboro Road and Brewers Highway.
CALLOWAY COUNTY COVID REPORT
The Calloway County Health Department reported 5 new cases of COVID-19 from Saturday through Monday, bringing the county case total during the pandemic to 3,492. Of that total, 3,429 have recovered, 13 are isolated at home, and 1 is hospitalized. There have been 49 COVID-19 related deaths in the county. As of yesterday, 27.3 percent of Calloway County residents have been fully vaccinated including 64.1% of those 65 and older. Calloway County’s COVID-19 positivity rate yesterday was 1.33%, which is lower than Sunday’s rate of 1.48%. The Calloway County School District has reported no new cases this week. The Murray Independent School District had no new cases and 1 student quarantined. Murray State University has reported one student case over the past week.
KENTUCKY COVID REPORT
At Monday’s COVID-19 update for Kentucky, 167 new cases and 9 new deaths were reported, raising the total to 6,597 Kentuckians who are listed as Covid deaths. As of Monday, there have been over 6.35 million coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky with a positivity rate of 3.25%, which is lower than last Monday’s rate of 3.45%. There are 404 Kentuckians hospitalized which is 10 less than last Monday, including 109 in ICU, which is 7 more than one week ago. At least 51,825 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
KENTUCKY VACCINATION REPORT
The total number of Kentuckians vaccinated as of Monday is 1,875,554 which is up over 8,000 from Sunday’s total. That is 42% of Kentuckians vaccinated including 80% of those 65 and older. Approximately 625,000 Kentuckians need to get at least their first dose to meet the Team Kentucky Vaccination Challenge which Governor Andy Beshear said will trigger him to lift unspecified additional restrictions. At the current rate, that will not happen around July 27. Additionally, the Governor has given no timetable or benchmark that will trigger lifting of his mask mandate.
AREA GAS PRICES SOAR
Gas prices in West Central Kentucky are 13 cents higher this week at $2.83 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. On the week, the national gas price average jumped six cents to $2.96 per gallon. If the trend continues, an increase of three more cents would make the national average the most expensive since November 2014, which is the last time we saw average prices at $2.99 and higher. AAA forecasts gas prices to climb this week in reaction to the shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline, which delivers approximately 45% of all fuel to the East Coast. Over the weekend, the Colonial Pipeline announced they were the victim of a cybersecurity attack and shut down the pipeline as a precaution. This shutdown will have implications on both gasoline supply and prices, but the impact will vary regionally. The longer the pipeline is offline, the larger the impact on the east coast. Other areas of the country will see little impact.
IN AND AROUND KENTUCKY
FRANKFORT–Kentucky is receiving nearly 2.2 billion dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 for the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund, with the allotment smaller than a previous estimate because of the state’s positive economic performance. The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced state allocations are based primarily on each state’s share of the nation’s number of unemployed individuals from October through December. Governor Andy Beshear said the final allocation does not impact the bipartisan agreement reached by lawmakers and his administration which will use nearly $1.3 billion to boost the state’s economy by expanding broadband, delivering clean drinking water, and building new schools. The plan is expected to create more than 14,500 new jobs.
FRANKFORT–Governor Andy Beshear is set to lift more restrictions on bars and restaurants. The governor announced yesterday that starting May 28th, curfews on bars and restaurants will be lifted and bar seating will be permitted again. Capacity limits for gatherings and businesses will also increase to 75-percent the same day.
LEXINGTON—The University of Kentucky is set to host a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine study. The study is meant to determine if the Moderna vaccine prevents transmission of the virus. The study will take place at the university, but people across the commonwealth have the opportunity to participate. Post-secondary students aged 18 to 26 will be eligible for the study. The team hopes to enroll 150 local students. The effort is part of a nationwide study hoping to recruit 12-thousand participants.
LEXINGTON—Police are investigating a shooting that happened at a vigil for the Lexington’s most recent homicide victim. Authorities say shots were fired at Northeastern Park Monday evening, near Race and Corral streets. Police say the victim had been sitting in a vehicle when shots were fired at it during a vigil for 17-year-old Mar’quevion Leach. The victim was at the hospital being treated for non-life-threatening injuries when officers arrived.
MADISONVILLE—The Madisonville Police Department is getting new body cams. The city council recently approved 400-thousand dollars to pay for the equipment. The new cameras will be built into the uniforms and will automatically start recording if an officer is detected to be running or to have pulled a weapon from their holster. The new cameras will also send alerts if they sense an officer has been down for too long.
OWENSBORO—Live on the Banks is returning to Owensboro. The concert series will kick off Saturday in Smothers Park and will showcase music groups from across the region each week between May 15th and September 25th. Concerts will take place at the River Overlook State and the Allen Street Gazebo.
WASHINGTON DC—Senator Mitch McConnell says he’ll put up a fight against a federal election reform bill. A Senate Rules Committee hearing on HR One is scheduled for today. The Senate Minority Leader tweeted last evening that the bill isn’t about voting rights. Senator McConnell said the bill is an effort by Washington Democrats to control the terms of political debate and the election laws of all 50 states.
LOUISVILLE—Senator Rand Paul says a non-profit’s project to help homeless veterans is the type of issue that should gain bipartisan support. Senator Paul made the comment while meeting with officials from Veterans Club in Louisville yesterday. The organization’s Camp Restoration project would build tiny homes for homeless veterans. Veterans Club needs four-million dollars to complete the project.
FRANKFORT—Governor Andy Beshear is calling a positive drug test for Kentucky Derby winner Median Spirit “disappointing.” During a press conference yesterday, Governor Beshear said the races are expected to be run without cheating. Beshear said if the results of the test are confirmed, it won’t be helpful for Kentucky’s “signature industry.” The colt’s hall of fame trainer, Bob Baffert has been suspended by Churchill Downs and Medina Spirit’s status for Saturday’s Preakness Stakes is still up in the air.
TENNESSEE—There are nearly 400 new coronavirus cases in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health reported the new cases yesterday, bringing the total since the outbreak began to 854-thousand-360. Nearly 20 additional COVID-19-related deaths were also reported, with the total number of coronavirus-attributed deaths standing at close to 12-thousand-280.
TENNESSEE—The National Weather Service is confirming a tornado in Middle Tennessee. The NWS in Nashville says the EF-0 tornado touched down in the Mid-State town of Arrington on Sunday night. The tornado touched down near Page High School just after 7:30. It caused tree damage but was characterized as “small,” “brief,” and “weak.”
TENNESSEE—The National Weather Service in Memphis says a tornado that touched down in West Tennessee was an EF-1. The tornado that touched down in Tipton County on Sunday had an estimated peak wind speed of 95-miles-per hour. It traveled along the ground for nearly five miles. The National Weather Service says it touched down near the Atoka and Munford areas.
ILLINOIS—State Republican lawmakers want action after a deadly COVID-19 outbreak at LaSalle Veterans’ Home. Senator Sue Rezin stood outside the Veterans’ Home yesterday stating her outrage at the mass outbreak that killed 36 residents. Rezin is demanding an independent investigation to ensure the safety of the state’s veterans. The state Senate Republican has filed four bills she believes will fix problems within the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. All of the bills are tied up in the Senate Assignments Committee.
