TORNADO CONFIRMED IN CALLOWAY COUNTY
National Weather Service survey teams confirmed Monday that an EF-1 tornado was the cause of significant tree and power line damage in Southern Calloway County. According to the Calloway County Sheriff’s Office, Outland School Road was closed because numerous utility poles were downed in addition to reports of structure damage on Cherokee Trail and Rayburn Road. Several utility poles were also downed in the area. Power outages knocked WNBS AM and FM off the air due to an outage at the station’s transmitter site, keeping the station off the air until around 10 yesterday morning. Due to widespread power outages and damage from the storms, Calloway County Schools were not in session yesterday.
HIGHWAY UPDATES
Several state highways and county roads were blocked by storm damage during the overnight hours. As of noon yesterday, Calloway County reports only two highways remain blocked by downed trees and power lines: KY 1536/Outland Schoolhouse Road is blocked near the 1 mile marker just north of the Clayton Road and A.B. Lassiter Road intersection…KY 893/Cherokee Trail is blocked near the 8 mile marker immediately north of the KY 1550/Wiswell Road intersection. While all other state highways and county roads in Calloway County are reported as open, motorists should use appropriate caution as some storm debris may be remaining along the right of way at various locations. Motorists should also be alert for utility crews as they continue efforts to restore power.
FLAGS AT HALF STAFF TODAY
Governor Andy Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday in observance of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day on this 80th anniversary of the attack. This is in memory and honor of the more than 2,400 Americans who died in a surprise attack on the U.S. Naval fleet’s Pearl Harbor base in the early-morning hours of December 7, 1941.
MMA ADDS PETTY
Murray-Calloway County Hospital is pleased to welcome Sarah LaShae Petty, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, to Murray Medical Associates. Petty obtained her Doctor of Nursing Practice and completed her Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in August of 2019, as well as her Registered Nurse degree in 2015 from Murray State University. She most recently worked as an APRN in the Primary Care area of practice and has now joined Murray Medical Associates to work in a similar capacity.
CALLOWAY/KENTUCKY COVID UPDATE
In Friday’s weekly report, the Calloway County Health Department announced 45 new cases of COVID-19. The county currently has 50 cases isolated at home and 1 is hospitalized. Calloway County’s latest reported COVID-19 positivity rate is 6.3% which is lower than the state rate of 9.1%. As of Monday, Calloway County was one of 10 of the state’s 120 counties outside of the red zone for COVID-19 Incidence Rates. The state reported 997 confirmed new cases and 52 confirmed new deaths Monday. There are currently 1,077 COVID patients hospitalized in Kentucky, which is 118 more than last Monday, including 310 in ICU, which is 69 more than a week ago.
IN AND AROUND KENTUCKY
FRANKFORT— In accordance with a proclamation from the White House, Governor Andy Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff until sunset on Thursday in honor of former U.S. Senator Bob Dole, who died Sunday. Dole was the second longest serving Republican member of the United States Senate, surpassed only by Kentucky’s Mitch McConnell.
UNDATED—Embattled Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit has died of a heart attack. Trainer Bob Baffert confirmed the horse’s death that happened yesterday at Santa Anita in southern California. Baffert said he’s heartbroken by the horse’s passing. Medina Spirit tested positive for a steroid after winning the 147th Kentucky Derby, but a lawyer for Baffert recently produced evidence that allegedly proves the steroid detected came from a topical ointment for a skin condition.
SCOTT COUNTY—Parts of Scott County are damaged after a tornado blew through the area. The National Weather Service confirms that an EF1 tornado with peak winds of 95 miles per hour touched down in Stamping Ground early yesterday morning. Parker’s Mobile Home Park in Stamping Ground was significantly damaged and in-person learning was cancelled for the day by Scott County Schools. Officials say cleanup could take weeks.
LINCOLN COUNTY—Officials say a set of remains found two years ago in Lincoln County are now identified. The county coroner says the remains belong to L’Acee Butcher of Sanford. She was last seen in February 2019. No details about the cause of death have been released.
MADISONVILLE—A new helicopter hanger is being built at Madisonville Regional Airport. The new space is located near the main entrance and will be used for the aviation program at Madisonville Community College. The building will provide room for helicopters, maintenance, classrooms, and two flight simulators. Airport officials hope the program will bring in more revenue to the area.
LOUISVILLE—The state’s largest school district may be getting closer to having its own security team. Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio said yesterday he’s planning to submit his recommendation for approval by the BOE. Dr. Pollio says SRO’s at schools is a sensitive topic among many people with some having strong emotions both for and against officers at schools. Louisville Police Chief Erika Shields said earlier this year it’s time for JCPS to have its own police force.
TENNESSEEE—There are over 900 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-327-thousand. Nearly 50 additional COVID-19-related deaths were also reported, with the total number standing at nearly 17-thousand-500. There are 870 COVID-19 hospitalizations in Tennessee.
TENNESSEE—The mayor of Memphis is talking about the city’s record murder rate. As of yesterday, there had been 275 murders in Memphis this year. Mayor Jim Strickland blamed the violence on state lawmakers. He criticized the permitless carry gun bill that went into effect over the summer and said there should be automatic jail time for anyone who fires a gun illegally.
