David McCoy (Photo via CCSO)
MURRAY MAN FACING DRUG CHARGES AFTER TRAFFIC STOP
At approximately 1 pm Wednesday, a Calloway County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a vehicle on 4th Street in Murray for a traffic violation and located numerous types of suspected drugs as well as numerous items of drug paraphernalia. 46-year old David McCoy of Murray was arrested and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Marijuana, and Drug Paraphernalia, as well as various traffic related offenses. McCoy was lodged in the Calloway County Jail.
HEAT ADVISORY TODAY
A Heat Advisory will be in effect from 10 this morning until 8 this evening with heat index values of 105 to 110 degrees expected. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur so take precautions.
CCHD REPORTS 24 NEW CASES OF COVID-19
The Calloway County Health Department reported 24 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday. Of the 24 new cases, 21 were unvaccinated. Currently 77 are isolated at home, 8 are hospitalized. Calloway County’s current positivity rate is 11.37% which is higher than the state rate of 8.29%. Yesterday, the state reported 1,593 new cases and 2 new deaths. There are currently 571 hospitalized, which is 191 more than last Tuesday, including 185 in ICU, which is 70 higher than a week ago.
ONE INJURED IN TWO VEHICLE ACCIDENT
At 5:31 Tuesday afternoon, the Murray Police Department responded to an injury collision on KY 121 North at North 16th Street. 27-year old Percilla Nez of Murray told policed she was stopped on KY 121 facing west at North 16th Street when she accidentally removed her foot from the brake pedal and struck the vehicle in front of her driven by 63-year old Vicki Stroup of Murray. Stroup was transported to the emergency room by EMS for treatment of possible injuries.
KY 58 REOPENS AFTER CRASH
Marshall County 911 Dispatch reports KY 58 is open at the site of a SEMI crash near the 5.4 mile point between Benton and Mayfield near the intersection with Cole Cemetery Road. An environmental cleanup crew plans to work at the crash site during the day Thursday. Motorists should be alert for one lane traffic with alternating flow controlled by flaggers.
WKCTC OFFERING FINANCIAL HELP FOR STUDENTS
West Kentucky Community and Technical College is offering students up to $1,500 via its stimulus funds. School officials announced yesterday that it will distribute about $3.2 million to eligible students who are enrolled in courses this fall semester. Grant awards will range from $1,000 to as much as $1,500 for qualifying students. The money can be used for education-related expenses or emergency costs related to COVID, including tuition, food, housing, healthcare, or childcare.
EXIT 4 FINISH DATE PUSHED BACK
Because of weather delays, a contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will require more time to complete an extension of the eastbound I-24 Paducah Exit 4 entry ramp. The new target completion date of August 20, includes several rain days to cover the possibility of more rain in the next three weeks.
IN AND AROUND KENTUCKY
FRANKFORT—Masks are now being required in some Kentucky government buildings. Starting today, state workers and visitors to Executive branch buildings will have to wear masks indoors. The Kentucky Personnel Cabinet announced the policy change yesterday. The state Capitol is one of the affected buildings, and officials say those not complying with the policy will be asked to leave.
HENDERSON—Governor Andy Beshear is expected to be in Henderson for a major economic announcement. Officials with Henderson Economic Development say the announcement will happen this afternoon at the Henderson Bypass Rail Site. Governor Beshear indicated last month while visiting Hopkins County that there would soon be “the biggest economic development announcement in western Kentucky in decades.” Officials haven’t confirmed that he was referring to today’s announcement.
CLAY COUNTY—The Clay County Detention Center is reporting a COVID-19 outbreak among inmates. Officials say nearly 70 inmates have recently tested positive for the virus, and that 26 of those cases are among vaccinated inmates. Jailer Linda Smallwood says precautions are being taken, but that the virus is spreading quickly. Smallwood says the facility is following CDC guidelines.
LEXINGTON—Lexington residents are pleading with community leaders to help stop gun violence in the city. Dozens filled an auditorium downtown yesterday for the first in a series of public forums with community leaders to discuss the topic. Police Chief Lawrence Weathers says the local force has 65 vacancies, and Mayor Linda Gorton says funds are being allocated to hold two new recruiting classes. Youth advocate Stephen Overstreet points to systematic poverty as a cause, while leaders and residents agreed something has to be done to stop the increase in violence.
WASHINGTON DC—House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is applauding Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for running ads in Kentucky urging folks to get vaccinated. Pelosi told reporters it’s “long overdue.” She also called it “so self-evident and so obvious.” Pelosi accused the Republican Party of being “delinquent in embracing the science that people need to be vaccinated.” McConnell’s ads reflect growing concerns about the rapid spread of the Delta coronavirus variant.
FRANKFORT—The state is giving Louisville nearly 900-thousand dollars to improve road safety around schools. In the spring, Governor Andy Beshear announced plans to invest 23-million dollars in highway safety projects near Kentucky schools. The money presented by state officials yesterday is part of an effort to protect students, educators and families. State officials say nearly 70 projects have been identified for funding.
FRANKFORT—The latest Shot at a Million vaccine lottery winners will be drawn today. Yesterday was the deadline to register for the latest drawing. Winners between the age of 12-to-17 will receive a full scholarship to a state college. The winners will be announced tomorrow.
TENNESSEE—There are over 22-hundred new coronavirus cases in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health reported the new cases yesterday, bringing the total since the outbreak began to nearly 888-thousand-230. An additional 12 COVID-19-related deaths were also reported, with the total number standing at over 12-thousand-720. There are over 800 COVID-19 hospitalizations in Tennessee.
TENNESSEE—Final testing is being done on the I-40 Bridge over the Mississippi River in Memphis ahead of next week’s scheduled reopening. Load testing was done yesterday, using fully-loaded dump trucks to measure the capacity of the new steel support plates. The lanes headed east are expected to reopen on Monday morning. The lanes headed west are scheduled to open next Friday.
TENNESSEE—The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis is celebrating. The NCRM opened on July 4th, 1991. The museum will hold its 30th Anniversary Community Celebration on September 25. It’s also working on a 30th anniversary exhibition that’s expected to open in the fall.
TENNESSEE—There’s good news for the Clarksville area’s economy this year. Real estate company Stessa ranks Clarksville number nine among small and midsize metro areas for the most economic growth in 2021. Stessa based its rankings on the percentage change in total employment, the unemployment rate, average monthly building permits per capita, and the average monthly home sales per capita. Other similar-size areas on the list include Spartanburg, South Carolina, Lincoln, Nebraska and Gainesville, Florida.
ILLINOIS—Governor J.B. Pritzker says he is reviewing Illinois’ masking guidance. The move comes in response to an update by the CDC in guidelines recommending that all individuals mask indoors in areas of high or substantial transmission, as well as teachers, staff, students, and visitors at all schools. The Illinois Department of Public Health and the state Board of Education both say they have fully adopted the new CDC guidelines while stopping short of mandating masks. The number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois is increasing, especially among the unvaccinated.
