FISCAL COURT APPROVES BUDGET AMENDMENT
At Tuesdays Special Called Meeting, the Calloway County Fiscal Court approved the second reading of a budget amendment regarding resurfacing money and then went into executive session to discuss litigation related to opioid addiction. The budget amendment’s second reading was to account for a nearly 540,000 thousand dollar payment from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for resurfacing work.
CHAMBER LOOKING FOR LIFT SPONSORS
The Leadership Initiative for Teachers program is a workforce initiative of the Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce. The LIFT program is a partnership between The Chamber, the Calloway County School System, Murray Independent School System and local businesses to ensure our educators are able to help students succeed in their future careers. Participation is open to all educators in the Calloway County and Murray Independent School Systems. $750 sponsors an educator for the program, so if you or your business is interested in being a sponsor, find out more at the mymurray.com
KSP PROVIDES UPDATE ON ACCIDENT INVOLVING DEPUTY
The Kentucky State Police are still investigating a two-vehicle injury collision in Marshall County involving a Marshall County Sheriff’s Deputy and another vehicle. According to the investigation, the collision occurred around 3:15 Wednesday afternoon on US 641 at the intersection of Mayfield Highway. Deputy Brandon Little was responding to a non-emergency call for service and stopped at the intersection to make a turn. Kevin Polk was operating an AT&T bucket truck and proceeded through the intersection, striking the passenger’s side of Deputy Little’s patrol vehicle. Little sustained serious injuries and was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center via Air Evac for treatment. Polk was also transferred to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He has been released.
CALLOWAY AND KENTUCKY COVID UPDATE
The Calloway County Health Department reported 1 new case of COVID-19 yesterday. Currently, 8 cases are isolated at home, and none are hospitalized. The county positivity rate as of Tuesday was 2.81%, which was down from Monday’s 3.14% rate. Currently, 35.6% of Calloway County residents have been fully vaccinated including 69.5% of those 65 and older. At yesterday’s COVID-19 update for Kentucky, 115 new cases and 3 new deaths were reported. The state’s current positivity rate is 1.95%, which is lower than last Monday’s rate of 2.05%. There are 194 Kentuckians hospitalized which is 38 less than last Tuesday, including 55 in ICU, which is 15 less than one week ago. As of Tuesday, 49% of Kentucky residents have been vaccinated including 82% of those 65 and older.
SAFEDRIVE CONTINUES THROUGH THURSDAY
Kentucky State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers will be participating in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Operation SafeDRIVE through tomorrow. This enforcement campaign targets unsafe driving behavior that often leads to crashes involving passenger cars and commercial vehicles. It complements national efforts to educate all drivers on how to share the roads safely with large trucks. During this effort, KSP Commercial Vehicle Inspectors will have scale facilities open ensuring commercial drivers are following safety regulations.
IN AND AROUND KENTUCKY
FRANKFORT—The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority, and KY Saves 529 have launched the Go Wild College Savings Summer Reading Sweepstakes as part of the 2021 summer reading program at participating public libraries. The sweepstakes runs through August 13, and will award four $1,000 college savings accounts to Kentucky children and young adults 18 or younger. In addition, each winner’s local public library will receive $500 toward future reading programs. After signing up children for the summer reading program at their local public library, a parent or guardian can fill out the entry form at kysaves.com/gowild.
CARTER COUNTY—Multiple agencies are searching a pond in Carter County for evidence in connection with the disappearance of a three-month-old girl. Investigators started searching the area yesterday. Angel Nichole Overstreet hasn’t been seen since around May 8th. The pond is located on property owned by her father, who is jailed on unrelated charges and has not been named as a suspect.
FRANKFORT—A group of Kentucky lawmakers is pre-filing a bill that would ban businesses and universities from requiring people to disclose their immunization status. Three Republican state representatives pre-filed the bill Monday, which would prohibit businesses and universities from compelling people to get vaccinated for COVID-19. The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce says the bill will take away the rights of businesses to make decisions to protect employees and customers. Lawmakers will begin considering the bill after the next general session starts in January.
FORT CAMPBELL—Fort Campbell’s fireworks show is returning this year. However, there won’t be the usual carnival. Both the fireworks and carnival were canceled last year over coronavirus concerns. Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation officials say those who want to watch the show will be able to do so from designated viewing lots that will be open from 7:30 in the evening to 10:30 on Sunday night, July 4th.
OWESNBORO—Owensboro is adding a new sculpture to its art collection. A statue of President Abraham Lincoln is the latest piece added to a collection that was started more than ten years ago. The statue is located in front of city hall. It’s the ninth piece in the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art’s river art program.
LEXINGTON—A Lexington Police horse is retiring after five years of service. Yoder started as part of the department’s Mounted Unit in 2016 at age 14. Yoder has served in Washington, DC, at the Kentucky Derby, and was safely rescued after getting his leg stuck in an open road access pipe at a Christmas parade. He will be retiring to a farm owned by his rider.
TENNESSEE—According to vaccination tracking statistics, Tennessee ranks near the bottom for states for administering vaccines. Officials at Vanderbilt University said yesterday that they are sending unused doses of vaccine back to the CDC before they expire so they can be sent to other states. The CDC says only 36 percent of Tennessee residents are fully vaccinated, which is well below the national average of 45 percent.
TENNESSEE—Hendersonville Police say they have arrested a man from Arkansas for possession of child pornography. Officials said yesterday that 56-year-old Michael D. Foster of Little Rock was arrested and charged with the sexual exploitation of a minor. Investigators say Foster was seen taking photos of young children at a home on Cumberland Shores Drive, and they later discovered him with over 50 images of child pornography. Foster is being held on a 75-thousand-dollar bond.
TENNESSEE—New Zealand pop music star Lorde is coming to Nashville for a show at the Grand Ole Opry House next year. The 24-year-old singer announced yesterday that the first show on her upcoming tour would be at the Grand Ole Opry House on April 3rd, 2022. Lorde has played Middle Tennessee twice, including sets at Bonnaroo in 2017 and Bridgestone Arena in 2018. Known for her worldwide mega-hit Royals, Lorde is scheduled to release her third studio album called Solar Power on August 20th.
ILLINOIS—University of Illinois students are reacting to news that the system is requiring all students to be vaccinated before coming to campus in the fall. Students will be asked to upload their vaccination card to the university’s health portal for verification purposes. Officials say they will work with students who say they are unable to be vaccinated on a case-by-case basis. Many students are saying the policy is reasonable, while others say it’s not the school’s place to mandate that students get the vaccine.
