KSP SEARCHING FOR MAN ACCUSED OF MURDER
Kentucky State Police are currently searching for a Christian County man who was charged with murder in Trigg County. 46-year old James Gentry of Hopkinsville was scheduled to be in Trigg County Circuit Court yesterday morning, but removed his ankle monitor. He is possibly driving a gold Buick Regal passenger car. Gentry should be considered dangerous as his charges include Murder, Robbery, and Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Gentry is asked to contact Kentucky State Police or local law enforcement.
CCHD REPORTS NEW COVID-19 CASES
The Calloway County Health Department reported 33 new cases of COVID-19 from Saturday through yesterday. Of the 33 new cases, 26 were unvaccinated. The County case count during the pandemic is now at 3,676 with 3,561 recovered, 58 isolated at home, 7 hospitalized, and 50 deaths. The Calloway County Health Department is now recommending that all individuals who are medically fragile to wear a mask and all unvaccinated persons should receive the vaccination. Additionally, the Health Department says everyone should practice social distancing, and consider postponing any large public events. Calloway County’s current positivity rate is 10.93% which is higher than the state rate of 8.11%. Yesterday, the state reported 1,273 new cases and 4 new deaths. There are currently 520 hospitalized, which is 173 more than last Tuesday, including 175 in ICU, which is 63 higher than a week ago.
ONE INJURED IN VEHICLE VS DEER COLLISION
At approximately 7:45 Tuesday morning, Calloway County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a single vehicle injury collision and located a vehicle off the roadway against a tree. Preliminary investigation has indicated 56-year old Russell Taylor of Murray was northbound on Todd Road when he swerved to the right to avoid striking a deer. His car exited the roadway and struck a tree. Taylor was transported by ambulance to Murray-Calloway County Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
FINALISTS NAMED FOR CHAMBER EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Finalists for 2021 Chamber Excellence Awards have been announced. For Young Professional of the Year, the finalists are Jordan Smith, Director Government and Institutional Relations at Murray State; Megan Outland, Branch Manager at US Bank; and Nathan Crafton, CPA at Pierce, Keller & Associates. Nonprofit of the Year finalists are HOPE Calloway, Playhouse in the Park, Towing for Toys, and Soup for the Soul. Emerging Business of the Year finalists are Beauty Marks, Ink, MarketHouse Realty, and The Barn at White Oaks. Woman in Business of the Year finalists are Eleshia Brandon with The Murray Bank, Lori Noel with FNB Bank, and Whitney Cooper of Flowers by Whitney. Business of the Year finalists are Murray Calloway County Hospital, Ribbon Chix, and The Murray Bank. Winners will be announced at the Annual Business Celebration on October 15.
IN AND AROUND KENTUCKY
FRANKFORT—Kentucky vaccination rates are increasing as COVID-19 cases are going up. Over 30-thousand people were vaccinated in the state last week, ten-thousand more than the week before. Governor Andy Beshear reported over 12-hundred new cases in commonwealth yesterday, with Clark County entering the red zone after weeks of falling numbers. Clark County officials say some people who were hesitant about the vaccine are now calling in and requesting vaccinations.
FRANKFORT—Today is the last day to enter to be the next winner of the Shot at a Million vaccine lottery. The drawing is tomorrow and the winners will be announced on Friday. Winners between the ages of 12-to-17 will receive a full scholarship to a state college. To register you must complete an online entry providing your information and the location where you received your COVID-19 vaccination.
FRANKFORT—A task force is reviewing issues with Kentucky’s unemployment insurance program. The committee met yesterday and discussed a failed proposal for a 40-million-dollar overhaul of the system. Labor officials say that a company that originally bid on the project withdrew. State officials say the contract is being rebid, but the process of completing the project could take two to three years.
FRANKFORT—Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie is joining a federal lawsuit against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The Republican is part of a suit being brought by Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and Congressman Ralph Norman over fines they received for refusing to wear masks on the House floor. Pelosi was responsible for instituting the requirement. Massie said yesterday that he has not gotten the vaccine because he still has immunity from when he previously had COVID-19.
LOUISVILLE—A universal mask policy will be in place when the state’s largest school district starts the new semester next month. During a meeting yesterday, the board of education for Jefferson County Public Schools agreed with Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio’s recommendation to have everyone wear masks at all times inside school buildings and buses. Pollio said his goal is to protect everyone and keep the district’s students in school.
OWENSBORO—Daviess County Public Schools, Owensboro Public Schools, and Owensboro Catholic Schools are considering the CDC’s new mask recommendations. The school systems released a joint statement earlier this month that masks would be optional for all students and staff. A Daviess County Public Schools spokesperson says the district is now reviewing the recommendation that all students and teachers wear masks and will plan accordingly. Owensboro Catholic Schools and Owensboro Public Schools administrators say they intend to move forward with their current plans for now.
HARDIN COUNTY—A young Hardin County marine is being mourned. A vigil was held last night in Elizabethtown for 19-year-old Kenny Robertson. Robertson’s body was pulled from Freeman Lake last week. He had been kayaking when he disappeared. Lance Corporal Robertson had hoped to become a police officer after serving in the marines.
TENNESSEE—There are over 21-hundred new coronavirus cases in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health reported the new cases yesterday, bringing the total since the outbreak began to over 886-thousand-500. An additional 20 COVID-19-related deaths were also reported, with the total number standing at more than 12-thousand-700. There are over 760 COVID-19 hospitalizations in Tennessee.
TENNESSEE—State Republicans are urging Tennesseans to get vaccinated against COVID-19. A letter released yesterday stating vaccinations are not a political issue was signed by 16 of 27 members of the Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus. A recent rise in cases caused the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to release revised guidelines on face coverings yesterday. The CDC says both unvaccinated and vaccinated people should wear masks in public indoor settings in areas with substantial and high transmission.
TENNESSEE—An Arkansas official says the I-40 Bridge over the Mississippi River in Memphis will begin to reopen on Sunday night. In a Facebook post yesterday, a Crittenden County judge said the lanes headed east will open Sunday night into Monday morning. He added lanes headed west will open a few days later. TDOT is expected to release information on the reopening plan today.
ILLINOIS— The Illinois Department of Public Health is adopting masking recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC just released new guidelines recommending that everyone wear a mask in public indoor settings while in areas that have substantial and high transmission rates. The recommendation includes people who are fully vaccinated and extends to students and staff at all K-through-12 schools. Transmission rates in Tazewell, McLean, and Fulton counties are considered substantial, and Stark and Mason County are considered to have high transmission rates.
