CALLOWAY SCHOOL BOARD HOLDS SPECIAL MEETING
In a special meeting yesterday, the Calloway County Board of Education approved purchase orders for HVAC equipment at three buildings and energy design criteria for every other district-owned building. The HVAC equipment is for Calloway County Middle School, East Calloway Elementary School, and Calloway County Preschool. The special meeting was needed to avoid project delays, so the next regular board meeting was rescheduled for May 27.
FISCAL COURT MEETS TODAY
The Calloway County Fiscal Court will meet in regular session today. There will be a Public Hearing for CRA & LGEA. There will also be a second reading and a public hearing for a 2020-21 Budget Amendment. Approval of Code 84, the first reading of the 2021-22 Budget, and a hearing on Nuisance Abatement. The meeting begins at 9 am today at the Court House Annex.
SCHEDULED POWER OUTAGE FOR NEW CONCORD
Approximately 600 West Kentucky RECC members in the New Concord area of Calloway County will be affected by a scheduled two-hour power outage starting around 8:30 this morning. Members affected are those located in New Concord and along KY 444 East to Kentucky Lake. Affected members will receive an automated phone call from West Kentucky RECC about the outage. The outage is necessary to replace aging power lines and will enhance reliability for members in the area.
MES ODYSSEY TEAM TAKES FIRST IN STATE EVENT
The Murray Elementary School first and second grade Odyssey of the Mind Team placed first in the state virtual competition. Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. The group now advances to the Virtual World Finals Competition.
CALLOWAY COUNTY COVID REPORT
The Calloway County Health Department reported 1 new case of COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the county case total during the pandemic at 3,499. Of that total, 3,442 have recovered, 7 are isolated at home, and 1 is hospitalized. There have been 49 COVID-19 related deaths in the county. As of yesterday, 28.8 percent of Calloway County residents have been fully vaccinated including 65.6% of those 65 and older. Calloway County’s COVID-19 positivity rate as of Tuesday was .82%, which is lower than Monday’s rate of .89%.
KENTUCKY COVID REPORT
At Tuesday’s COVID-19 update for Kentucky, 645 new cases and 11 new deaths were reported, raising the total to 6,673 Kentuckians who are listed as Covid deaths. As of Tuesday, there have been over 6.48 million coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky with a positivity rate of 2.79%, which is lower than last Tuesday’s rate of 3.15%. There are 390 Kentuckians hospitalized which is 25 less than last Tuesday, including 113 in ICU, which is 4 more than one week ago. At least 52,284 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus. As of Tuesday, 1,932,189 Kentuckians have been vaccinated for a 44% total, including 80% of those 65 and older.
WKCTC NAMED AN ASPEN FINALIST WITH DISTINCTION
West Kentucky Community and Technical College was recognized yesterday in a virtual award ceremony as one of the top five community colleges nationally. It won $100,000 and the honor of Finalist with Distinction in the 2021 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. More than 75 WKCTC faculty, staff, administrators, and supporters in the Clemens Fine Arts Theatre cheered as they watched the virtual announcement ceremony from Washington DC. The Aspen Prize is the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among community colleges. The $1 million Aspen Prize recognizes outstanding institutions selected from more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide. As the winner of the 2021 Aspen Prize, San Antonio College will receive $600,000.
SHOPLIFTING INCIDENT LEADS TO DRUG CHARGES
Graves County Sheriff’s Department deputies were dispatched on a shoplifting complaint to the Wingo Dollar General Monday night. Deputies were able to locate the suspect’s vehicle on KY 339 West. 39-year-old Tamaron Lymon was a passenger who fled from the vehicle but was caught and detained a short time later. 27-year-old Cole Burgess was the driver and was arrested for DUI and other traffic offenses. He was lodged in the Marshall County jail. 23-year-old James Allen was also detained. The traffic stop led deputies to obtain a search warrant for a home on US 45 South where they allegedly found syringes filled with methamphetamine, methamphetamine, pills, and drug paraphernalia. Both Lyman and Allen were charged with possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Lyman was also charged with fleeing or evading police. Both were lodged in the Ballard County Jail. Before entering the secured area, Allen reportedly told deputies he was in possession of methamphetamine, pills, and marijuana, and was additionally charged.
IN AND AROUND KENTUCKY
FRANKFORT—Yesterday the Kentucky Supreme Court entered two administrative orders that eliminate most of the health and safety requirements related to COVID-19 and further expand in-person court operations. The orders allow in-person access to court facilities except those who have symptoms of, have tested positive for, or have been exposed to COVID-19. Eliminates the mask requirement for fully vaccinated members of the public and fully vaccinated officials and employees. Strongly encourages continued use of masks by anyone who is not fully vaccinated. Permits judges to require individuals in their courtrooms to wear masks and gives appointing authorities the ability to require the employees they supervise to wear masks in a specific office, courtroom. or department. Allows judges to conduct in-person court proceedings. Lifts most restrictions on jury trials but requires continuances, postponements, and recusals for attorneys, parties and jurors who are ill or at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
LEXCINGTON—Governor Andy Beshear is trying to get young people to get vaccinated. The governor visited a vaccination clinic yesterday at Lafayette High School to talk to the students about the importance of youth vaccinations and thank students for their work in fighting to end COVID-19. All six Fayette County public high schools hosted vaccination clinics yesterday in partnership with Wild Health. Mayor Linda Gorton and acting Superintendent Dr. Marlene Helm also attended the event.
DAVIESS COUNTY—Daviess County is being accepted into a federal anti-drug program. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced yesterday that Daviess County had been chosen for inclusion into the Appalachia High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program. The program operates under the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, which will provide federal support to law enforcement. The program will also provide coordination, equipment, technology, and resources to combat drug production and trafficking.
LARUE COUNTY—A bus driver shortage in Kentucky means the school year is ending early in LaRue County Schools. The district announced the decision to end the academic year early through social media. They finished student testing and have four instructional days banked that it will use to move the last day of school to Friday.
WEBSTER COUNTY—The driver sentenced in a deadly crash is back in jail on a new DUI charge. Authorities say 24-year-old Maxwell McMain was booked Monday into the Webster County jail. He is also charged with driving on a suspended license and criminal trespass. He pleaded guilty in 2017 to manslaughter and operating a vehicle under the influence in the death of 16-year-old Kaci Wood and was sentenced to ten years in prison. He is expected in court on the new charges tomorrow morning.
LOUISVILLE—The date is set for the closure of Kentucky’s largest vaccination site. University of Louisville Health officials said yesterday the COVID-19 vaccination clinic outside Cardinal Stadium will close on Friday, May 28th. The site has vaccinated about 50-thousand people. Until it closes, the one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine will be available with or without an appointment.
LEXINGTON—Graduation season gets underway today for Fayette County Public Schools. Ceremonies for Henry Clay, Frederick Douglass, and Tates Creek high schools will be held today. Lafayette, Bryan Stations, and Dunbar high schools will have their ceremonies tomorrow. Graduation ceremonies are being held at Rupp Arena.
OLDHAM COUNTY—Oldham County Schools has selected its next superintendent. The board of education voted yesterday to offer the job to Dr. Jason Radford. Dr. Radford is currently serving as assistant superintendent of Boone County Schools. Radford will replace Greg Schultz, who’s retiring at the end of next month.
TENNESSEE—There are nearly 450 new coronavirus cases in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health reported the new cases yesterday, bringing the total since the outbreak began to over 858-thousand-800. An additional 12 COVID-19-related deaths were also reported, with the total number of coronavirus-attributed deaths standing at nearly 12-thousand-340. Over 650 people with COVID-19 are hospitalized across the state.
TENNESSEE—Governor Bill Lee says he doesn’t know when repairs to the I-40 bridge over the Mississippi River will be completed. Governor Lee met with Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson in Memphis yesterday to get a first-hand look at the damage to the bridge and discuss infrastructure. The bridge closed to traffic last Tuesday after a large crack was discovered in a steel I-beam. Phase one of a two-phase plan to repair the bridge is expected to start soon.
TENNESSEE—Dollywood says people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no longer need face coverings while at the park. Dollywood officials also said yesterday children 12 and under aren’t required to wear masks. The park didn’t say how it plans to determine which guests have been vaccinated.
TENNESSEE—The emergence of Brood X cicadas after 17 years underground is good for some animals. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says they’re a food source for some small animals and fish. Earlier this week, the TWRA posted a picture to social media of a turkey stuffed with cicadas. Some wildlife experts say the infestation of cicadas this spring and summer could lead to a population boom of turkeys.
TENNESSEE—May 21st is being designated International Tennessee Whiskey Day. The designation comes after the Tennessee General Assembly passed a resolution earlier this year. The resolution says the day celebrates and acknowledges the many contributions of the “state’s renowned distilling industry, its people and products that help fuel Tennessee’s economy.” Governor Bill Lee signed the resolution last week.
ILLINOIS—A new state Senate bill would offer financial assistance to Illinoisans convicted of drug charges. The proposal would allow those convicted of drug charges to have access to TANF benefits. Republicans object to the idea of giving funds to people who may have dealt drugs to younger people in their communities. Senator Patricia Van Pelt says her plan also requires those receiving aid to have a job. Van Pelt says the proposal would offer people a fresh start. The bill passed the Senate Health Committee and is headed to the floor for debate. The House passed the measure last month on a partisan vote.
