PRESIDENT TO REQUIRE COVID-19 VACCINE FOR COMPANIES OF 100+ EMPLOYEES
President Biden addressed the nation yesterday saying the unvaccinated are overcrowding hospitals and something needs to be done. The plan will require companies with over 100 employees to roll up their sleeves or be tested once a week. First District Congressman James Comer said the unilateral executive orders unconstitutionally coerce private businesses to be the vaccine police, bringing fear and intimidation into the workplace while straining job creators with overreaching regulations. Comer said he encouraged Americans to consider being vaccinated after consulting their doctor, but added that vaccine mandates from politicians will only create more fear and distrust while hurting the ability of medical facilities to care for those in need.
STATE SENATE TAKES ACTION ON MASKS IN SCHOOLS
The state Senate passed a measure yesterday to shift masking decisions to local school boards. The measure moved to the House on the third day of a special session. Another bill that is advancing would ban any statewide mask mandate until June 2023, leaving the decision up to local governments and businesses. It’s part of a measure dealing with medical staffing, vaccines, tests and treatments related to COVID-19.
CCHD REPORTS 48 NEW CASES OF COVID-19
The Calloway County Health Department reported 48 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday with only 1 case under 60 years of age and the majority of the new cases unvaccinated. The county currently has 371 cases isolated at home and 7 are hospitalized. Calloway County’s latest reported positivity rate is 11.68% which is lower than the state rate of 14.04%. Thursday, the state reported 3,339 confirmed new cases and 31 confirmed new deaths. There were 2,479 hospitalized as of Thursday, which is 164 more than last Thursday, including 665 in ICU, which is 45 more than a week ago.
HOPKINS COUNTY MAN ARRESTED AFTER STANDOFF
Kentucky State Police arrested a Hopkins County man after Wednesday night stand-off with law enforcement. Troopers responded to reports of a man with a flashlight walking down Interstate 24 near the westbound 51 mile marker. After law enforcement from other agencies arrived at the scene, it was determined the man was holding a handgun which he fired multiple times toward the ground and in the air. After more than an hour of negotiations, the man was taken into custody. 26-year old Dean Adornato of Nebo was charged with Wanton Endangerment and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. He was lodged in the Christian County Jail.
FLORIDA MAN CHARGED AFTER VEHICLE CHASE
Kentucky State Police arrested a Tampa, Florida man following a multi-county pursuit Sunday morning. Troopers observed a reported stolen vehicle out of Iowa at around the 36 mile marker of I-24 and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle accelerated and fled through Lyon, Caldwell, and into Trigg County. Cadiz Police successfully deployed a tire deflation device at the 65 mile marker which eventually disabled the vehicle. 18-year old De Andre Bolton was charged with Fleeing or Evading Police, Wanton Endangerment, Receiving Stolen Property, Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia, and several traffic offenses. He was lodged in the Christian County Jail.
BROWNS GROVE ROAD IN CALLOWAY COUNTY REOPENS
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reopened a section of Browns Grove Road yesterday morning after emergency efforts to replace two culverts at the Scott Road intersection was completed. A void was discovered under the pavement at the site. The area will be allowed to settle before a more permanent asphalt driving surface is placed over the excavated area.
JOB FAIR COMING TO MURRAY
A job fair is coming up at Murray State University. The West Kentucky Workforce Board says the event will feature about 40 businesses from across Murray, Mayfield, Paducah, and elsewhere. The job fair is at the Murray State CFSB Center from 10 am until 3 pm on September 15th. Full and part-time jobs in multiple sectors are available.
TEN PARTICIPATE IN CHAMBER’S LIFT PROGRAM
Ten Murray Independent School District and Calloway County School District administrators and teachers attended the Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Initiative for Teachers kick off program. The inaugural class visited the MSU College of Science, Engineering and Technology, The Murray Bank, Pella Corporation, and TPG Plastics. The group also met with Bridges Family Center and the Murray Calloway County Economic Development Corporation. LIFT is designed to spark innovative thinking and discussions between our community educators and business leaders. The class will spend nearly a week this fall learning about career opportunities available in the community and what skillsets local employers are seeking.
IN AND AROUND KENTUCKY
FRANKFORT—Many Kentucky hospitals are nearing capacity. Governor Andy Beshear announced yesterday that there are only 90 free ICU beds in the commonwealth. Beshear also said 60 out of the state’s 96 hospitals are operating with critical staff shortages. The governor has deployed over 300 Kentucky National Guard members to 21 hospitals around the commonwealth to assist with non-clinical work for up to two weeks starting Monday.
FRANKFORT—The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Kentucky says the federal agency is investing grant money in rural areas of the commonwealth. Twelve rural Kentucky businesses and agricultural producers are receiving a share of 129-thousand dollars in grants from the USDA. The grants are being made through the Rural Energy for America Program. The money will go toward efforts to increase energy efficiency and move toward renewable energy sources.
LOUISVILLE—Senator Mitch McConnell continues to be critical of the Biden administration’s exit from Afghanistan. Senator McConnell spoke about the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the Asian nation while in Louisville yesterday. McConnell told a meeting of business leaders that “it’s a dark stain” on the country’s reputation, adding it’s “one of the most embarrassing episodes in the history of the country. McConnell also said for those who want to compare it to Vietnam, “it was worse than Saigon.”
LOUISVILLE—Senator Rand Paul is honoring two Louisville police officers. The officers arrested a man accused of shooting two women earlier this summer. Officer Joseph Hardison was seen tackling the alleged shooter despite a gun being pointed at Officer Mike Faulkner. While in Louisville yesterday, Senator Paul recognized the officers for their bravery and professionalism, saying law enforcement who put their lives on the line every day to stop problems need to be respected.
TENNESSEE—There are 42-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 one-million-119-thousand-550. An additional 75 COVID-19-related deaths were also reported, with the total number standing at nearly 13-thousand-900. There are close to 38-hundred COVID-19 hospitalizations in Tennessee.
TENNESSEE—The headliners are set for New Year’s eve in Nashville. Dierks Bentley, Zac Brown Band, and Dan and Shay will be featured during New Year’s Eve Live — Nashville’s Big Bash. More than 50 performers will participate in the five-hour event at Bicentennial Mall. The acts will perform from Lower Broadway’s honky-tonks, bars, and clubs.
TENNESSEE—The Humphreys County sheriff says a bridge may have contributed to deadly flooding. Sheriff Chris Davis says debris that collected under the CSX Railroad Bridge over Trace Creek may have prevented the creek from handling the water the way it should have. Last month’s flooding led to the deaths of 20 people. More than 17 inches of rain fell on the area on Saturday, August 21st.
