CALLOWAY COUNTY NOW OUTSIDE THE RED ZONE FOR COVID CASES
The Calloway County Health Department reported a combined 22 new cases of COVID-19 for Saturday through Monday. All of the cases were under 60 years of age. The county currently has 76 cases isolated at home and 8 are hospitalized. Calloway County’s latest reported positivity rate is 7.81% which is lower than the state rate of 8.26%. Calloway County is now one of 18 counties in the state outside the red zone for COVID-19 Incidence Rates. The state reported 446 confirmed new cases and 17 confirmed new deaths Monday. There were 1,399 hospitalized as of Monday, which is 269 less than last Monday, including 418 in ICU, which is 78 less than a week ago.
COMER CO-SPONSORS CHOOSE HOME CARE ACT
First District Congressman James Comer and Congressman Henry Cuellar of Texas have introduced legislation to enhance the quality of life of senior citizens recovering from hospitalization. The Choose Home Care Act would significantly expand the existing Medicare home health benefit, allowing qualifying beneficiaries choice of care setting and ultimately enabling more beneficiaries to return directly to their homes after release from the hospital. To enable a safe transition from hospital to home, the expanded home care service would provide up to 24-hour care and medical supervision for as much as 360 hours over a 30-day episode. The legislation was recently introduced in the House with 14 bipartisan co-sponsors. A similar Senate bill has likewise been introduced with support from Democrats and Republicans.
CALIFORNIA MAN FACING DRUG CHARGES IN GRAVES COUNTY
At approximately 12:30 yesterday afternoon, a Graves County Sheriff’s Department deputy stopped to check on a vehicle on US 45 South near Cardinal Road and determined that the operator was under the influence. 66-year old Thomas Caudle of Arnold, California was arrested for DUI. A search of his vehicle revealed marijuana, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and an open alcoholic beverage container. Arnold was lodged in the Graves County Jail on multiple drug and driving related offenses.
GAS PRICES CONTINUE CLIMBING
Gas prices in West Central Kentucky are 19 cents higher this week at $3.05 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. The national average price for a gallon of gas increased eight cents on the week to reach $3.27 per gallon which is the highest price since October 2014. The key driver for this recent rise in the price of gas is crude oil, which has been over $80 per barrel for several days. And last week’s decision by OPEC and its oil-producing allies to not increase production further only exacerbated the upward momentum for crude oil prices. The national gas price average is 10 cents more than a month ago, $1.09 more than a year ago, and 63 cents more than pre-pandemic in 2019.
IN AND AROUND KENTUCKY
FRANKFORT—Kentucky electric vehicle owners are concerned about a lack of charging stations in the commonwealth. Ford recently announced a new battery plant in Hardin County, indicating the role that EVs are going to play in the future of automobiles. The Evolve Kentucky map shows the number of charging stations in the commonwealth, which tend to be clustered around cities like Louisville. Current EV owners also express concerns about the ability to make it between charging stations.
HENDERSON—Henderson Municipal Gas is notifying customers that they should expect increases in the natural gas part of their utility bills. The increase is expected to be between 40 and 50 percent. The increase is prompted by the rise of natural gas prices nationwide. HMG Director Tim Clayton says prices are more than 100 percent greater than they were last year.
LEXINGTON—The University of Kentucky will be part of a pediatric research study to define the appropriate dose of the Moderna vaccine for children under 12-years-old. The study is currently enrolling kids age six months to just under two-years-old. Parents or guardians interested in having their child enrolled in the study can get more information at the UK website Stop COVID KY-dot-com.
LEXINGTON—The trial for a man accused in the crash death of a toddler is underway. Prosecutors say 21-year-old former UK student Jacob Heil committed reckless homicide in the 2018 crash death of four-year-old Marco Shemwell. Police say then-18-year-old Heil hit Shemwell as the boy was crossing the street with his family outside a UK football game. Heil’s DUI arrest report said he had a blood alcohol level of point-zero-five-one, which is over the legal limit of point-zero-two for those under 21. The judge in the case has granted a defense motion to allow jurors to visit the scene of the crash.
LEXINGTON—A Lexington police officer set to testify in the trial of a former UK student accused in the crash death of a four-year-old is stuck in Florida. Officer Brandon Muravchick and his family had been visiting Disney World when their Southwest flights home Friday were canceled. The cancelation was one of thousands by the airline that have continued through yesterday. Muravchick was still working on flight arrangements yesterday and is set to testify today.
WASHINGTON DC—The U.S. Supreme Court is set to debate a technical issue related to a Kentucky abortion case. The issue before the court is whether Republican Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron has the right to re-litigate a dispute over an abortion law that the state originally lost in the Sixth Court of Appeals when Governor Andy Beshear was the AG. Beshear agreed at the time to be bound by a decision made by the court that struck down a law restricting a common technique used in second-trimester abortions. The lower court denied Cameron’s request to appeal their ruling.
WASHINGTON DC—Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is firing back at U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland about parent involvement in schools. Garland has directed the Justice Department to investigate a disturbing trend in threats against school boards over mask and COVID vaccine mandates, coupled with debates about whether or not critical race theory should be taught in schools. In a letter sent to Garland over the weekend, the Kentucky Republican said parents have a right to tell schools what to teach. McConnell compared parents criticizing school boards to protests against the government and said it is protected by the First Amendment and the Constitution.
TENNESSEE—Cancellations of flights by Southwest Airlines at Nashville International Airport as well as nationwide continued yesterday. The airline cancelled hundreds of flights and delayed more than 300 nationwide yesterday as the airline struggled with weather and traffic control issues that began this past weekend. More than 30 flights were canceled and more than 100 were delayed yesterday at Nashville International Airport. Southwest asked its customers for patience as it works to reset its schedule.
TENNESSEE—University of Tennessee President Randy Boyd has withdrawn his contribution to a fundraiser for Republican State Senator Mark Pody. Boyd explained his decision in a weekend email to several faculty members. He says Pody misunderstood his offer to pay for a political breakfast as agreeing to host the fundraiser. Some faculty members expressed concern over reports of Boyd’s involvement with Pody, who has generated controversy over his conservative views. He also made headlines when he agreed to pay for people to travel to Washington to take part in the January sixth demonstrations at the US Capitol.
TENNESSEE—State officials are warning residents about an increase in counterfeit pills that look like popular pharmaceuticals but may contain other substances, including fentanyl. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reports half of the oxycodone pills the agency submits as evidence contains fentanyl and not oxycodone. They caution that if someone buys pills on the street in Tennessee, they’re gambling with their life.
TENNESSEE—Former State Representative Jim Coley, who pushed for education-related measures during his time in office, has died after a battle with myeloma cancer. He was 70. He represented District 97, which covers parts of Shelby County, for 14 years before stepping down last year after being diagnosed with early dementia. He sponsored a bill in 2008 that encouraged high school students to become fluent in a second language. Colleagues from both parties praised Coley, calling him kind and compassionate.
TENNESSEE—State agriculture officials say there’s no shortage of pumpkins in Tennessee, despite a shortage reported nationwide. Farmers across the state report better crops than average this year. Grocery stores also report no shortage of canned pumpkins for holiday treats. Farmers on the West Coast, on the other hand, are suffering through drought conditions that are resulting in fewer varieties and smaller yields.
