MSU PREPARES FOR FAMILY WEEKEND
Murray State University will welcome students and their families to campus Friday through Sunday for Family Weekend, an annual tradition that encourages students to share their college experience with their loved ones. Throughout the weekend, the University will host a variety of fun events and activities for students and their families, including the Mr. MSU Pageant, Racer 5K, Racer Band performance, and more. The Family Lunch will be held at noon Saturday on the Great Lawn. Racer One, a photo booth, bounce house, and Career Services Connections will also be available. Families are invited to cheer on the Racer football team as they take on Eastern Illinois at 4 at Stewart Stadium. Special events hosted by various units and departments on campus will also take place throughout the weekend. Some events may incur a fee with costs and payment options listed in the schedule and online registration system.
ONE INJURED IN THREE-VEHICLE ACCIDENT
At 3:15 Monday afternoon, the Murray Police Department responded to an injury collision. 69-year old Jennifer Williams of Murray told police that she struck a southbound vehicle driven by 31-year old Jenna Owen of Dexter that she didn’t see while making a turn onto Utterback Road. 50-year old Shari Anderson told police she was stopped on Utterback at 12th Street when a vehicle making a left turn landed on the front of her vehicle. Williams was transported to the emergency room by EMS for treatment of possible injuries.
CCHD REPORTS 22 NEW COVID-19 CASES
The Calloway County Health Department reported 22 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday. All of the new cases were under 60 years of age. The county currently has 163 cases isolated at home and 12 are hospitalized. Calloway County’s latest reported positivity rate is 9.74% which is lower than the state rate of 10.4%. The state reported 1,611 confirmed new cases and 49 confirmed new deaths yesterday. There were 2,006 hospitalized as of Tuesday, which is 281 less than last Tuesday, including 588 in ICU, which is 76 less than a week ago.
CONTRACTOR BEGINS LINE PAINTING
A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans highway centerline and edge line painting in District 1 Counties starting this week. Motorists should be alert for a paint truck and support caravan on the move during daylight hours anytime weather allows starting initially in Graves County. The crew will be working on various state highways in the contract before moving to sections of Interstate 69 and the Purchase Parkway. The paint crew then plans to move into Hickman and Fulton counties.
FERRY DELAY TODAY
The Dorena-Hickman Ferry plans to delay the start of service by two hours today. The ferry will delay the first run until 9 am to allow some minor repair work on one of the engines. The Dorena-Hickman Ferry will attempt to provide timely notice should the start of service be delayed beyond 9 this morning.
IN AND AROUND KENTUCKY
LOUISVILLE—Students in the state’s largest school district are falling behind their peers in the Commonwealth. Data released by the Kentucky Department of Education shows students in Jefferson County Public Schools at all levels tested below the state average in reading, writing and math assessments. JCPS elementary school students had the largest gap compared to elementary school students across the state. The annual assessments were given during the spring of 2021.
LOUISVILLE—The superintendent for the state’s largest school district is pushing back against calls for the district to have its own police force. Following the shooting death of a high school student at a bus stop last week, Louisville Police Chief Erika Shields has said Jefferson County Public Schools needs resource officers. JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio said yesterday that statistics from this school year show a decline in violence among students at school. Pollio said there needs to be a deeper look at the root cause of child violence.
HANDOCK COUNTY—The Kentucky Department of Education is recognizing Hancock County High School for its innovation during the previous school year. The school initiated a “playlist” system where students could find their learning targets, assignments, and supplemental resources in one place. Students were able to work at their own pace using what teachers say is a simplified lesson plan shared with students and parents. Hancock County was among seven schools and two school districts recognized during the 2021 Continuous Improvement Summit.
LAUREL COUNTY—Police are investigating a Laurel County murder. Authorities say 62-year-old Bryan McCarty was found dead Saturday morning at a home on Maple Grove Road. A deputy found McCarty while doing a welfare check after McCarty had missed a business meeting. An autopsy showed McCarty had been shot several times.
TENNESSEE—There are nearly 34-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 one-million-220-thousand. Over 100 additional COVID-19-related deaths were also reported, with the total number standing at more than 15-thousand. There are 27-hundred COVID-19 hospitalizations in Tennessee.
TENNESSEE—A state Senator says she’s been wrongly accused of federal fraud charges. Prosecutors allege Katrina Robinson stole grant money meant for her certified nursing assistant school for her personal use. While testifying in her own defense yesterday, the Shelby County Democrat said the government knows she didn’t steal the money. Of the 20 counts against her, 15 were dismissed over the weekend.
TENNESSEE—A Middle Tennessee firearms company is delivering its first shipment of a sniper rifle to the U.S. Army. Murfreesboro-based Barrett Firearms Manufacturing announced yesterday it has completed its first shipment for the United States Army Precision Sniper Rifle program. Barrett Firearms was awarded the contract for the rifle paired with a high definition scope and sniper-accessory kit in April. The family-owned company claims to be the world leader in large-caliber, long-distance, precision rifle design and manufacturing.
TENNESSEE—Tennessee includes some of the top spots in the country for leaf peeping. The Travel Channel says the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is among the top places in the country to view fall colors. Forecasters say the first couple weeks of October are the ideal time to visit the Smokies. In the Mid-State Montgomery Bell, Radnor Lake, Tims Ford or Pickett CCC Memorial are considered to see vibrant fall foliage.
