NEW CONCORD MAN FACING ABUSE CHARGE
Detectives with Kentucky State Police Post 1 have arrested a Calloway County man on abuse charges after an infant was treated for suspicious injuries. Last Tuesday, the Calloway County Department for Community Based Services contacted the Kentucky State Police regarding an infant that had sustained serious physical injuries. The infant was airlifted from Murray-Calloway County Hospital to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville for treatment. KSP Detectives conducted an investigation and spoke with 24-year old Matthew Dean Jones Junior of New Concord. Jones was arrested on Thursday and charged with Criminal Abuse of a Victim Under 12 and was lodged in the Calloway County Jail.
ARKANSAS MAN DIES IN SEMI ACCIDENT
Kentucky State Police are investigating a weekend collision that claimed the life of one man. At around 11 pm Friday KSP Post 1 received a call from Fulton County Dispatch requesting Troopers respond near the 2 mile marker on the southbound side of Interstate 69. Preliminary investigation reveals that 60-year old Ronnie Winberry of Malvern, Arkansas was traveling South on I-69, operating a semi when for unknown reasons he struck a stationary state signage truck. Winberry suffered fatal injuries as a result of the collision and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Fulton County Coroner’s Office. Winberry was wearing his seat belt at the time of the collision.
TWO INJURED IN MURRAY WRECK
At 9:44 Friday night, Murray Police responded to a two-vehicle injury collision on North 12th Street between the stadium entrance and 121 North. 27-year old Albert Brasfield of Dyersburg, Tennessee told police that he was driving south on 12th Street and started to make a left turn into a parking lot when he was struck by a vehicle driving north. 19-year old Kayla Frederick of Cadiz told police that she was driving north when a vehicle turned left in front of her and she struck the vehicle as it was turning. Two juveniles in Brasfield’s vehicle were transported by EMS to the emergency room for treatment of possible injuries.
ONCOLOGISTS SAY CANCER SCREENINGS SHOULD RESUME
The COVID-19 pandemic caused regular cancer screenings to decrease in the United States, with many elective procedures being put on hold to conserve medical resources and help prevent the spread of the virus. Fear of contracting COVID-19 in health care settings also dissuaded many patients from pursuing screenings. Oncology experts are recommending that patients schedule overdue mammography screenings, as restrictions begin to lift nationwide. The American Cancer Society is urging patients who are not exhibiting signs and symptoms of cancer to return to regular screenings as soon as it is safe to do so. Individuals who do show signs or symptoms of cancer, and those with additional factors that place them in high-risk groups, should immediately consult a health care provider for screening guidance.
MCCH CANCER PROGRAM GRANTED ACCREDITATION
The Cancer Program at Murray-Calloway County Hospital recently was granted a three-year accreditation by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. A facility receives the accreditation following an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor. During the visit, staff demonstrate compliance with standards, which include: cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, community outreach, and quality improvement. The Regional Cancer Center represents a major investment in technology- offering the very latest in cancer treatments. If a cancer can be treated by radiation, then it can be treated at the Regional Cancer Center in Murray.
CALLOWAY COUNTY COVID REPORT
The Calloway County Health Department reported 3 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, bringing the county case total during the pandemic at 3,509. Of that total, 3,448 have recovered, 12 are isolated at home, and none are hospitalized. There have been 49 COVID-19 related deaths in the county. As of yesterday, 29.7 percent of Calloway County residents have been fully vaccinated including 66.5% of those 65 and older. Calloway County’s COVID-19 positivity rate as of Sunday was .43%, which is lower than Thursday’s rate of .81%.
KENTUCKY COVID REPORT
At Sunday’s COVID-19 update for Kentucky, 215 new cases and 11 new deaths were reported, raising the total to 6,716 Kentuckians who are listed as Covid deaths. As of Sunday, there have been over 6.56 million coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky with a positivity rate of 2.64%, which is lower than last Sunday’s rate of 2.79%. There are 338 Kentuckians hospitalized which is 43 less than last Sunday, including 107 in ICU, which is 5 less than one week ago. At least 52,518 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus. As of Sunday, 1,957,642 Kentuckians have been vaccinated for a 44% total, including 81% of those 65 and older.
MMS STUDENTS RAISE MONEY FOR FISHER HOUSE
Murray Middle School fifth grade students in Kristen Whipple’s class ended their school year on a positive note, donating $2,727 to the Tennessee Fisher House in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The Fisher House is a 12-suite “home away from home” that provides a place for families to stay, free of charge, while their loved one receives inpatient medical care at the VA Hospital. Whipple’s class hosted a variety of fundraisers to raise money. Students researched different needs and decided as a class, their focus would be to assist and accommodate families with lodging while their loved ones were in the VA Medical Center. The Tennessee Fisher House Foundation depends on public donations to continue its important work.
IN AND AROUND KENTUCKY
WASHINGTON DC—Kentucky Senator Rand Paul isn’t planning to roll up his sleeve for the COVID-19 vaccine. The Republican explained in a radio interview that he already has natural immunity because he was infected with the respiratory illness in March 2020. Paul said until he sees evidence that previously infected people are getting sick or dying from the coronavirus, he’ll avoid the vaccines. The CDC recommends that folks in Paul’s situation get vaccinated because it’s unclear how long natural immunity lasts.
RUSSELL COUNTY—Kentucky State Police are investigating a deadly Russell County crash. The three-vehicle collision happened the night of May 17th. KSP says a vehicle driven by 41-year-old Ronald Mosley turned on to U.S. 127 from fields road and collided first with a car driven by 26-year-old Victor Cruz, then a vehicle driven by 30-year-old Wesley Flatt. Police say Cruz and 26-year-old passenger Miguel Ramirez were airlifted to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Ramirez was later pronounced dead. No other injuries have been reported.
LEXINGTON—The victim in a deadly Lexington shooting is being identified. Officials say 28-year-old Demonte Washington was shot to death over the weekend at the corner of Winchester Road and Hillcrest Drive. Police confirm Washington was shot by someone else, but say they aren’t looking for a suspect.
FRANKFORT—The annual statewide Click It or Ticket safety campaign is underway. The campaign is designed to protect travelers during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Kentucky State Police and other agencies are stepping up patrols across the state as they provide extra enforcement of seat belt laws. Of the nearly 600 deadly motor vehicles crashes last year on state highways, close to 340 of the victims weren’t wearing their seat belts or in a booster seat.
TENNESSEE—The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is issuing an Endangered Child Alert for a missing Hamilton County teen. The TBI issued the alert for 18-year-old Daphne Westbrook on behalf of the Hamilton County DA’s office yesterday. In March, the TBI issued an AMBER Alert for Westbrook who is believed to be with her father, John Westbrook. Authorities believe Daphne is being held against her will, possibly out west.
TENNESSEE—Former Governor Bill Haslam is talking about the role Christians can play in politics. His new book, Faithful Presence: The Promise and the Peril of Faith in the Public Square, examines how followers of Christ can help heal the country’s political divisions. Haslam says Christians shouldn’t be self-righteous or condescending, but aware of their shortcomings and open to reason, which he says requires uncomfortable internal reflection. The native of Knoxville says everyone should be careful to make sure they’re being used by God, not using God for their own goals.
TENNESSEE—The Memphis Police Department is mourning the death of a nearly 30-year veteran. MPD Motor Officer Scotty Triplett was killed in a crash in East Memphis on Saturday afternoon. MPD says Officer Triplett was “in emergency mode on a department-approved escort” when his motorcycle hit a vehicle that pulled in front of him. Officer Triplett had been with MPD since August of 1993.
TENNESSEE—The Tennessee State Library and Archives is celebrating 225 years of statehood. The library will have the state’s original three constitutions on public display for one-day only. They can be viewed on Tuesday, June 1st from 8 o’clock in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon Central Time. The Tennessee State Library and Archives is located at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Nashville.
TENNESSEE—National Safe Boating Week is being held ahead of the Memorial Day weekend. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says there were over 30 boating-related deaths in Tennessee last year. That’s the most on Tennessee waters in nearly 40 years. Just eight deaths were reported in 2019.
ILLINOIS—An Illinois congressman says his GOP colleagues need to support a commission on the January 6th attack on the Capitol. Speaking on Fox News Sunday, House member Adam Kinzinger says the Republican party needs to admit reality and commit to telling the people the truth about what happened. If not, he fears House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will create a special committee that drags out the investigation possibly to 2024. Kinzinger says far too many Republicans still believe the election was stolen because party leaders like House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy have either “been silent or not told them the truth” about the election results.
