Over 35-Hundred New COVID-19 Cases Reported In Kentucky
(Kentucky is reporting over 35-hundred new COVID-19 cases. Governor Andy Beshear announced the new cases of the virus yesterday, along with nine additional deaths. More than 16-hundred people in the commonwealth are hospitalized for COVID-19-related illnesses, with nearly 230 on ventilators. Over 525-thousand Kentuckians have tested positive for the virus and more than 74-hundred have died since the pandemic began.
As of 8/18/21, the Calloway County Health Department has received notification of 40 new cases ofCOVID19. The case count is now at 4,117 with 3,899 recovered, 156 isolated at home, 8 hospitalized, and 54 deaths. The majority of today’s cases were unvaccinated. Here is a breakdown of the cases by age category: 10 cases under age 18. 16 cases age 18 to 39, 13 cases age 40-60, and 1 case over 60.
Fort Campbell Calls For Checking In On Afghan Veterans
Fort Campbell is showing concern for veterans of the war in Afghanistan. After 20 years of fighting, the Taliban has taken control of that nation. Fort Campbell officials say loved ones should check on soldiers, survivors and veterans in the coming days and weeks. They say veterans may be struggling with ongoing events.
KY 70 traffic has been moved to the new alignment at the intersection with U.S. 60 in Smithland.
Improvements to the intersection that have progressed over the last two weeks are included in the construction of the New U.S. 60 Cumberland River Bridge.
The U.S. 60/KY 70 Y intersection has been reconstructed into a T intersection that lines up with the Conant Lane intersection.
Motorists should be prepared to encounter changes in traffic flow created by the new alignment. Caution is required as construction activities required to finish out the new intersection and remove asphalt from the old intersection continue. Flaggers may be present to assist with traffic control.
Murray Police Department Officers Conduct Simulator Training
During the month of August, the Murray Police Department has been training officers in use of force/de-escalation scenarios. While this is a topic we frequently train our officers in, this specific training has been completed with a simulator that is designed to allow officers to train in real life scenarios. The Kentucky League of Cities has temporarily set up a Ti Response to Resistance Training simulator at the Murray Police Department that allows our officers to work through customizable simulations of mental health crisis, domestic violence, fights, active shooting calls, and many more situations. Based on the Officers’ actions and verbal interaction, the simulation can be immediately customized to respond accordingly. Officers are provided inert weapons that interact with the simulator in the event a use of force is necessary in the scenario. After the scenario is complete, officers and trainers go over the scenario together to discuss the officer’s actions, discuss applicable laws and policies, and provide feedback and training. A main goal of this program is to reinforce proper de-escalation techniques and use of force procedures in as close to real life situations as possible.
117th Kentucky State Fair Opens
The Kentucky State Fair opens today. Rides for the 117th Kentucky State Fair open this afternoon at 3 o’clock. The fair will run through Sunday August 29th with exhibit halls opening at 10 o’clock in the morning at the Kentucky Expo Center. Masks will be required indoors.
Kentucky State News Brief
Body Found In Garrard County’s Herrington Lake
(Garrard County, KY) — Authorities are investigating after a body was found in Herrington Lake in Garrard County. Officials say a 79-year-old man was found yesterday near Sunset Marina. The victim’s name hasn’t been released. Foul play is not suspected.
Legendary Race Horse Owner, Breeder B. Wayne Hughes Dies
(Lexington, KY) — Legendary racehorse owner and breeder B. Wayne Hughes has died. Hughes died yesterday at his home at Spendthrift Farm with his family surrounding him. Hughes owned racehorses for 50 years and finally won a Kentucky Derby last year with Authentic. Churchill Downs Racetrack President Mike Anderson released a statement yesterday, saying Hughes was “a visionary who elevated Spendthrift Farm to new heights.” Hughes was 87.
Blue Grass Airport Runway To Close For Major Resurfacing
(Lexington, KY) — Blue Grass airport is closing this weekend while its runway undergoes a major resurfacing project. The runway hasn’t been resurfaced since 2006, a project airport officials say should happen every 12 to 15 years. The seven-thousand-foot runway will require 21-thousand tons of asphalt to complete the resurfacing. The airport is expected to remain closed for about six months.
Muhlenberg County Students Headed Back To Class
(Mulenberg County, KY) — Students in Muhlenberg County are headed back to class. School is set to start Monday in the district. Teachers and administrators are excited to have grades nine through 12 on the same campus for the first time this year. A tech wing has been built on the high school’s west campus, allowing all students to learn together.
Owensboro Airport Reviewing Bids For Essential Air Service Carrier
(Owensboro, KY) — The Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport board of directors is set to review bids for their Essential Air Service carrier. The contract with current EAS carrier Cape Air is set to expire at the end of the year. Airport Director Tristan Durbin said Tuesday he believed three to four bids would be submitted, which were due yesterday. The EAS program is subsidized through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation to ensure small communities can maintain commercial service.
Grayson Co. Sheriff’s Office Searching For Missing Teens
(Leitchfield, KY) — The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help finding two missing teens. Kayden Lee Minton and Colton Daniel Mudd were last seen at Grayson County High School on Monday afternoon. Witnesses say 16-year-old Kayden and 17-year-old Colton got into a car with an unidentified person. They say the car may have been a Chevy Impala. They’re believed to have left on their own and may be trying to avoid family and law enforcement.
City Hosting Light And Fireworks Show From Owensboro Bridge
(Owensboro, KY) — The Owensboro Bridge will be part of a show this weekend. Lights on the Ohio will be held Saturday night following the day’s HydroFair action. The show will feature a pyromusical performance of synchronized lighting on the bridge and a fireworks display. The show will begin at 8:15.
Weapon Found At PRP HS Was Pellet Gun
(Louisville, KY) — Police say the weapon found at Pleasure Ridge Park High School was a pellet gun. Jefferson County Public Schools says police were called to PRP High School yesterday following a fight among students inside the school where a weapon was shown. After the school went on lockdown, the pellet gun was found inside a trash can in the parking lot. No one was injured.
Louisville’s Archbishop Resigns
(Louisville, KY) — Louisville’s archbishop is resigning. Archbishop Joseph Kurtz must submit his resignation as part of the code of Canon Law. His resignation is required as he turns 75-years old this month. Archbishop Kurtz is expected to remain with the diocese until his successor is appointed, which could take several months.
Tennessee State New Brief
TDH Updates State Coronavirus Cases
(Nashville, TN) — There are over 54-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 963-thousand-650. An additional 27 COVID-19-related deaths were also reported, with the total number standing at over 13-thousand. There are over 24-hundred COVID-19 hospitalizations in Tennessee.
Thousands Sign Petition To Recall Governor Lee
(Nashville, TN) — Thousands of people are signing a petition to recall Governor Bill Lee. The online petition claims Governor Lee’s responses to the COVID-19 outbreak are grounds to recall him as the state’s leader. The petition says there’s no choice but to recall Lee due to a lack of preventative action. The author of the petition criticizes Lee saying the state has “almost no mandate for social distancing measures,” despite being 12th in the nation for COVID cases.
Tennessee HS Seniors Can Retake ACT For Free
(Nashville, TN) — Tennessee’s high school seniors are being offered a chance to retake the ACT college entrance exam to boost their scores. They were first able to take the test during the height of the COVID-19 outbreak and those scores were low. Tennessee’s education commissioner says students are likely to increase their scores this fall. Students can retake the test for free during one of three three-day windows between October 5th to November 4th.
Oak Ridge Schools Rescind Mask Mandates
(Oak Ridge, TN) — An East Tennessee school district is rescinding a mask mandate. An email shows the superintendent of Oak Ridge Schools issued a mask mandate for two middle schools on August 13th. However, an email sent after Governor Bill Lee issued an executive order allowing parents to opt their kids out of mask mandates rescinds the mandates. Robertsville Middle School has over 30 students with active COVID-19 cases while Jefferson Middle School has over a dozen active cases.
Jason Isbell Pulls Out Of East Tennessee Music Festival
(Bristol, TN) — Country musician Jason Isbell won’t headline a music festival in East Tennessee. Isbell announced yesterday he won’t appear at the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion. Isbell is pulling out after Rhythm and Roots organizers said they won’t require fans to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test results. The event is set for September 10th through the 12th.
Temporary Mask Mandate To Be Discussed By FSSD Board
(Franklin, TN) — The board of education for the Franklin Special School District will discuss a temporary mask mandate tomorrow afternoon. The specially-called meeting will be held at Freedom Middle School. The agenda says board members will talk about a temporary mask requirement “inside all FSSD schools and buses for employees and students.” The meeting is set for 4 o’clock.
MNPD To Increase Patrols Of Midtown Following Recent Violence
(Nashville, TN) — MNPD is increasing its presence in Midtown. Chief John Drake said yesterday more officers will be seen in the area after a recent rise in violent crime. While speaking from the Demonbreun Street hill area yesterday, Chief Drake said the need for more officers to protect visitors and those who live in the area is a sad situation. Drake told business owners they can expect to see double the number of officers who normally patrol the area during the weekend.
Two People Report Being Hit By Lightning At Elementary School
(Nashville, TN) — No one is seriously injured following a lightning strike at a Nashville elementary school. The fire department says two adults reported being hit by lightning at Hickman Elementary School along Stewarts Ferry Pike yesterday morning. No one was transported from the scene, but a school employee and a contractor were planning to go to the hospital. Students were outside at the time of the lightning strike but none were injured.
Sam Hunt Sentenced On DUI Charges
(Nashville, TN) — Country music superstar Sam Hunt is pleading guilty to DUI charges from 2019. The DA’s office said yesterday Hunt was sentenced to 48 hours at a DUI education center. He was originally sentenced to eleven months and 29 days, but all but two days were suspended. Hunt will also pay a 350-dollar fine, court costs and will have supervised probation.
