Mayfield Electric and Water System Utility Update
Mayfield Electric and Water System (MEWS) reports 82 percent of their 5,560 customers now have power. The latest survey indicates 979 customers still without power; about half of those are in the area of heaviest damage and likely remain out of service long-term.
With assistance from TVA, a temporary office has been established to serve MEWS customers at 301 East Broadway in Mayfield. The office in a temporary building will be open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, starting Monday, Dec. 27. Customers who have questions may call 270-247-4661.
The Mayfield Fire Department has reported making several runs this week, responding to fires in houses where service has recently been restored. Some of these fires caused injuries. Homeowners should be watchful for signs of electrical issues that may not be immediately apparent when power is first restored.
The Cost For Obtaining A U.S. Passport Increasing Starting Today
The cost of purchasing or replacing a U.S. Passport is increasing by 20-dollars for Kenticky residents and Americans nationwide. Starting today, the cost of purchasing a first-time adult passport rises to 165-dollars, with a replacement now costing 130-dollars. The State Department says the new cost is necessary to keep up with the technology needed to make passports secure. Earlier this month, President Biden signed an executive order allowing passports to be renewed online to speed up the process and eliminate the need for paper documents.
4-H Brings Comfort to Dawson Springs
The residents of Dawson springs are experiencing a little Christmas comfort. Nearby Western 4-H Camp workers partnered with volunteer groups to serve a Christmas Eve dinner for the entire community that included toys for all the children attending. Camp Director Nicole Blanzy says they’ve been overwhelmed by food and toy donations from across the country and they wanted to bring the community together. Dawson springs took a direct hit when a line of tornado generating storms rolled through recently.
Kentucky State News Brief
Kentucky Boy Blinded In Shooting To Be Honored During Bowl Game
(Louisville, KY) — A Kentucky boy from Louisville will be honored at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. University of Kentucky and Citrus Bowl officials were so impressed by the resilience and bravery of Malakai Roberts after he was blinded in a shooting that they picked him to be an honorary guest at the game. Roberts and his family will be honored during half-time. The Wildcats will face Iowa on New Year’s Day.
Bluegrass HOF & Museum Mourns Loss Of A Legend
(Owensboro, KY) — The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum is mourning the passing of musician JD Crowe. Crowe was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003. The Hall of Fame and Museum called Crowe an innovator on the banjo who influenced countless musicians with his technique and style. The Lexington native died on Thursday at the age of 84.
Christian Organization Feeds Tornado Victims
(Mayfield, OH) — People impacted by deadly tornadoes in Western Kentucky are being fed by an organization led by evangelist Franklin Graham. Samaritan’s Purse fed over 15-hundred people on Christmas Eve in Mayfield. Graham told those gathered for lunch no matter what kind of storm they’re going through in life, God loves them and won’t forsake them. Nearly 80 people were killed when the tornadoes hit Kentucky on December 10th.
Beaver Dam Armed Robbery Under Investigation
(Beaver Dam, KY) — An armed robbery in Beaver Dam is under investigation. Police say two men entered the Beaver Dam Key Stop Saturday night and robbed the clerks at gunpoint. Authorities have released images of the suspects captured by store surveillance equipment. Police believe they may have gotten away in a white Toyota Tundra.
Owensboro To Feature Three Bluegrass Concerts In February
(Owensboro, KY) — Owensboro will be the site of three separate bluegrass concerts in February. The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum has announced that East Nash Grass will play a concert February 5th. The Kody Norris Show will visit on February 12th, and Brennen Leigh will play February 26th. All three shows will take place on the Owensboro Health Lobby Stage. There are no current COVID-19 restriction for these events.
Owensboro Native Now Law School Dean At U Of Akron
(Akron, OH) — An Owensboro native is set to head up the University of Akron School of Law. Emily Janoski-Haehlen has been named the next dean of the law school after a national search. She attended Owensboro schools through high school, graduating in 1998. Janoski-Haehlen says she’s excited to begin her new position and is encouraged by the support she’s received from the university. Once she is approved by the UA Board of Trustees for the position, she is set to begin her new duties on February 21st.
Tennessee State News Brief
Thousands Of Floridians Move To Tennessee
(Undated) — Florida is sending more people to Tennessee than other states. Stacker reports over 21-thousand-500 people moved to Tennessee from Florida in 2019. Texans account for the second biggest group followed by North Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi.
Olivia Most Popular Name For Baby Girls In Tennessee In 2020
(Undated) — If you had a baby girl this year, there’s a good chance you named her Olivia. Stacker reports Olivia was the most popular girls name in Tennessee last year. Of the just over 400 girls born in Tennessee last year, nearly three percent were named Olivia. Ava, Amelia, Emma and Harper round out the top five.
$1-Million Powerball Ticket Sold In Middle Tennessee
(Cookeville, TN) — A Powerball ticket sold in Putnam County on Christmas is worth one-million dollars. The ticket matched all five of the white balls. The numbers drawn were 27, 29, 45, 55, 58 and the Powerball was two. The ticket was bought at a Circle-K.
National /World News
COVID Shows No Sign Of Slowing Down, Driven By Omicron
(Undated) — The coronavirus pandemic did not pause for the Christmas weekend. Surging cases driven by the rapidly spreading Omicron [ ahm-ih-cron ]] variant took a toll on major industries like travel, sports, and entertainment. Airlines blamed thousands of flight cancellations and delays on a combination of workers out sick with COVID, along with bad weather. In New York City, at least a dozen Broadway shows are closed for now due to performers and staff testing positive.
Holiday Retail Sales Up 8.5%
(Purchase, Harrison, NY) — Retail sales are up eight-and-a-half percent this holiday season. A report from Mastercard found customers turned to both brick and mortar establishments and online shopping between November 1st and Christmas Eve. E-commerce alone jumped eleven-percent and accounted for more than 20-percent of all sales this year. Now that the gifts have been unwrapped, it’s time for holiday returns season. Experts predict consumers will return about 67-billion dollars worth of merchandise for refunds, or what they really wanted.
MI Gov Kidnap Plot Suspects Want Charges Dismissed
(Grand Rapids, MI) — Defense attorneys for five men accused of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer want the charges dismissed. The attorneys filed a brief over the weekend claiming FBI agents and federal prosecutors invented a conspiracy and entrapped people who could face life in prison if they’re convicted. Prosecutors say the plot grew out of anger over state efforts to slow the coronavirus pandemic last year.
Jury In Ghislaine Maxwell Sex Trafficking Trial Gets Back To Work
(New York, NY) — Jurors in Ghislaine [[ ghee-lane ]] Maxwell’s sex trafficking trial are going back to work after a Christmas break. They’re starting a fourth day of deliberations today. The British socialite is facing six counts related to recruiting and grooming teen girls for sex with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell could be looking at 70 years in prison if she’s convicted of all charges.
Spidey Still Tops At North America’s Box Offices
(Los Angeles, CA) — The webslinger is still on top of North America’s box offices. “Spider-Man — No Way Home” earned another 81-and-a-half-million-dollars in its second week in theaters in the U.S. and Canada. The new Spidey movie has grossed 467-million-dollars since its opening and is the first film in the pandemic era to earn over one-billion-dollars worldwide. Coming in second is “Sing 2,” followed by “The Matrix Resurrections,” “The King’s Man,” and “American Underdog” — the film biography of former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner.
