Andrew Saxton (via KSP)
WANTED MAYFIELD MAN FACING NEW CHARGES
Kentucky State Police arrested a Mayfield man Monday on outstanding warrants and other charges. A Trooper observed 34-year old Andrew Saxton walking South on N 17th Street in Mayfield, having prior knowledge that he had outstanding arrest warrants. The Trooper made contact and after an altercation, Saxton was arrested. During a search of Saxton and his backpack, Troopers located a handgun, suspected methamphetamine, and other drug paraphernalia. Saxton was charged with Assault of a Police Officer, Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Methamphetamine, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Fleeing or Evading Police. Saxton was also served with four outstanding arrest warrants for Failure to Appear in Graves County Circuit Court and was additionally charged by Mayfield Police in an unrelated case. He was transported to the McCracken County Regional Jail.
MAYFIELD MAN CHARGED WITH VIOLATION OF EPO
Mayfield Police responded Saturday to a home where 34-year-old Dustin Blake was reportedly trying to cut power to the home and destroy property. Officers learned that Blake had an active Emergency Protection Order which prohibited him from being on that property and in contact with the resident. Blake was arrested and charged with violation of a Kentucky Emergency Protective Order and violation of conditions of release. He was lodged in the Christian County Jail.
MSU SET FOR RACER NATION ORIENTATION
Murray State University is providing a total of five June dates for its Racer Nation Orientation program. Formerly known as Summer Orientation, Racer Nation Orientation is the required new student program for incoming freshmen and transfer students, and is available both in-person and in a virtual format if desired. All dates except for June 4 offer both in-person and virtual sessions. Incoming students and their families should visit murraystate.edu/orientation to view available dates and to register.
CALLOWAY COUNTY COVID UPDATE
The Calloway County Health Department reported 2 new cases of COVID-19 from Saturday through Monday, bringing the county case total during the pandemic at 3,511. Of that total, 3,452 have recovered, 10 are isolated at home, and none are hospitalized. There have been 49 COVID-19 related deaths in the county, but none over the past 2 months. As of yesterday, 29.8 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 Monday was .93%, which is higher than Sunday’s rate of .43%.
KENTUCKY COVID UPDATE
At Monday’s COVID-19 update for Kentucky, 263 new cases and 3 new deaths were reported, raising the total to 6,720 Kentuckians who are listed as Covid deaths. As of Monday, there have been over 6.56 million coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky with a positivity rate of 2.61%, which is lower than last Monday’s rate of 2.78%. There are 343 Kentuckians hospitalized which is 46 less than last Monday, including 101 in ICU, which is 11 less than one week ago. At least 52,534 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus. As of Monday, 1,989,841 Kentuckians have been vaccinated for a 45% total, including 81% of those 65 and older.
KTC CLOSES ONE LANE OF I-69 AT 81 MILE MAKER
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has closed the northbound lane of I-69 at mile point 81 in Caldwell County. The lane closure is to allow a contractor to begin tree removal along the I-69 corridor. The work will continue towards the Hopkins County line. Upon completion, work will be addressed along the southbound lane towards the KY 293 interchange. The work is scheduled for completion within 3 weeks. KYTC ask motorists to be aware of the work zone, expect delays, and to utilize safe driving habits when traveling through the area. The start and duration of work may be adjusted for inclement weather or other unforeseeable delays. Drivers should expect delays and are encouraged to allow extra time in reaching their destination.
TEEN FACING DRUG AND ALCOHOL CHARGES
Mayfield Police responded Friday night to a large gathering of vehicles in a business parking lot. According to police, beer cans were seen thrown on the ground in the lot. After the investigation, German Bartolo was placed under arrest and his vehicle was searched, where officers allegedly found an open case of beer and illegal drugs. Bartolo was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence, a person 18-20 in possession of alcohol, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license. Bartolo was lodged in the Calloway County Jail.
WKCTC HOSTING ART PROGRAM
West Kentucky Community and Technical College’s Paducah School of Art and Design is offering its Pre-College Summer Art Program to provide high school students with a two-week studio experience July 12-23. All materials for the two-week program are included in the $185 tuition fee. Students can take home finished works from the Pre-College Summer Art Program in screenprinting, oil painting, digital photography and/or sculpture. Morning and afternoon sessions will be offered for each discipline either from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m. Students can take both classes each week, either in the morning or afternoon. The program is limited to 18 students, with nine students per morning or afternoon class to help maintain social distancing and studio seating capacities. Early registration is encouraged online or by calling 270-534-3335.
IN AND AROUND KENTUCKY
UNDATED—Authorities are looking into a suspicious package sent to the Kentucky home of Senator Rand Paul. Politico reports a large envelope containing white powder was delivered to the Republican’s home yesterday, but the sender is unknown. Preliminary analysis shows it’s non-toxic. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office says the powder was tested by the Bowling Green Fire Department’s WMD team. In a statement, Paul said he takes “threats immensely seriously” and argued he’s “a repeated target of violence.” The lawmaker ended up with broken ribs in 2017 after his neighbor assaulted him over a lawn dispute.
BREATHITT COUNTY—At least one person is dead following a single-engine plane crash. The plane crashed yesterday afternoon in a field at the junction of Kentucky-1812 and Kentucky-378 in Frozen Creek. Kentucky State Police and the Breathitt County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash, and the FAA was notified. At least one person was found dead at the scene. The cause of the crash is being assessed and investigated by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board.
FLOYD COUNTY—Funding to finish a Floyd County highway project is finally coming through. Governor Andy Beshear announced yesterday at Floyd Central High School that 34-million dollars had been approved for completing the Kentucky 680 project that started in 1991. The road will connect Highway 80 to U.S. 23 to cut drive time between Hazard and Pikeville. The project is set to resume this summer.
HENDERSON—The Henderson City-County Rescue Squad is announcing the death of Chief Bryant Woodard. Officials say he was hospitalized less than two weeks ago with COVID-19 and has now died. The department is asking the community for prayers. Visitation will be held late Friday afternoon at Benton-Glunt and Tapp Funeral Home. Funeral services will take place Saturday morning, with burial at Roselawn Memorial Gardens.
DAVIESS COUNTY—The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a man was killed and a woman was injured after a domestic altercation. DSCO says a woman fled her home to a neighbor’s house with a stab wound from a screwdriver. Officers responded to the first residence and found a man with multiple injuries. He was taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries. The woman was also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials say the man who died was renting a room in the woman’s home, where she lives with her husband.
FORT CAMPBELL—Fort Campbell is lifting its mask order. Post officials said yesterday those who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear masks. Exceptions include inside Military Treatment Facilities, COVID-19 vaccination and testing sites, DoDEA facilities and child development areas. Fort Campbell says it expects all personnel to obey local guidelines when off post.
TENNESSEE—There are nearly 200 new coronavirus cases in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health reported the new cases yesterday, bringing the total since the outbreak began to over 856-thousand-960. An additional six COVID-19-related deaths were also reported, with the total number of coronavirus-attributed deaths standing at nearly 12-thousand-400. Over 540 people with COVID-19 are hospitalized across the state.
TENNESSEE—Governor Bill Lee is signing two criminal justice reform bills into law. The Re-entry Success Act creates a supervision program for people getting out of prison and reduces liability for employers who hire people with a criminal record. The second bill will create alternatives for time behind bars as long as the person is convicted of a low-level or non-violent crime. Governor Lee said yesterday he believes the bills will mean less time behind bars and a lower crime rate in Tennessee.
TENNESSEE—The Shelby County Health Department didn’t administer any compromised COVID-19 vaccines. That was part of the findings by the Tennessee Department of Health in its final report on an investigation into the SCHD. The investigation started in February following reports of over two-thousand vaccines being wasted by SCHD. The final report identified deficiencies by SCHD in management of vaccine inventory and record keeping.
TENNESSEE—A Tennessee pastor is being criticized for claims he made about the COVID-19 vaccine. During a service at Global Vision Bible Church on Sunday, Pastor Greg Locke [[ Lock ]] told worshipers not to trust the vaccine. Pastor Locke said “political elites” aren’t really taking the vaccine, claiming they’re getting doses of “sugar water” instead. The head of the Mt. Juliet church called them “fake liars” and said those who believe political elites are taking the vaccine are “smoking meth” in their “mamma’s basement.”
TENNESSEE—Tennessee is celebrating 225 years of statehood. Tennessee became a state on June 1st 1796. Governor Bill Lee says the state will hold a year-long celebration called “Untold Tennessee” with events scheduled in all 95 counties. Governor Lee says he hopes Tennesseans will attend to share their untold stories of places, events and Tennesseans, who he called “the portrait of perseverance, character and hope.”
ILLINOIS—Illinois lawmakers are continuing to debate redistricting in the state. Democrats announced their proposed districts for the House and Senate Friday, while GOP members are comparing the maps to Kindergarten artwork. Redistricting committees in both chambers have four hearings this week, leaving little time for the public to review the maps. Republicans fear Democrats will “ramrod” the maps through the House and Senate before next Monday’s scheduled end of session.
