TENNESSEE MAN KILLED IN LAKE BARKLEY BRIDGE WRECK
The Kentucky State Police are investigating a fatal collision in Trigg County. Post 1 received a call at around 5:40 pm Wednesday from Trigg County Dispatch requesting that State Police investigate a two-vehicle collision on the Lake Barkley bridge. Initial investigation shows that a van operated by 64-year old John Smith of Clarksville, Tennessee was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes on the bridge. Two westbound vehicles were able to avoid colliding with Smith, but Smith was unable to avoid colliding with a pickup truck driven by 20-year old Andrew Amsden of Cadiz. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene by the Trigg County Coroner’s Office. Amsden and a passenger in his vehicle were transported to Trigg County Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
CALLOWAY BOARD APPROVES GYM PROJECT
At Wednesday’s special meeting of the Calloway County Board of Education, the Board approved the design and development drawings for the Calloway County High School Auxiliary gym project by RBS Design Group Architecture of Owensboro. The Board also approved the outline specifications for the energy design criteria and approved the statement of probable cost for the project. Superintendent Tres Settle told the Murray Ledger and Times that the district wants the construction to begin as soon as possible.
DURHAM NAMED KIDS COMPANY DISTRICT DIRECTOR
The Murray Independent School District welcomes Melissa Durham as the new KIDS Company District Director. After joining the MISD in a dual role in 1998, Durham advanced to KIDS Company assistant director, and then to KIDS Company Site Manager. The KIDS Company after school program will begin May 24 and conclude July 16. The re-opening of the KIDS Company program will follow COVID regulations requiring masking up, a 6 foot desk separation inside classrooms and during meal times. A $30 registration fee is required, as well as a $100 per student programming fee.
CALLOWAY INCIDENCE RATE DOWN
The Calloway County Health Department reported 2 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the county case total during the pandemic to 3,458. Of that total, 3,396 have recovered, 13 are isolated at home, and none are hospitalized. There have been 49 COVID-19 related deaths in the county. Calloway County’s COVID-19 Incidence Rate per 100,000 on Thursday was 5.1%, which is lower than Wednesday’s rate of 6.2%. There are currently 8 red zone counties for COVID-19 cases in the state, down from 11 yesterday.
STATE POSITIVITY RATE FALLS SLIGHTLY
At Thursday’s COVID-19 update for Kentucky, 628 new cases and 5 new deaths were reported, raising the total to 6,381 Kentuckians who are listed as Covid deaths. As of Thursday, there have been over 5.38 million coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky with a positivity rate of 3.36%, which is lower than last Wednesday’s rate of 3.45%. There are 440 Kentuckians hospitalized which is 24 more than last Thursday, including 121 in ICU, which is 19 more than one week ago. At least 50,979 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
WKCTC NAMED A GREEN RIBBON SCHOOL
The U.S. Department of Education yesterday released the names of the 2021 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools, District Sustainability Awardees, and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees. West Kentucky Community and Technical College in Paducah was honored as a Postsecondary Sustainability Awardee. The honorees were named from a pool of candidates nominated by 20 states. 27 schools, three early learning centers, five districts, and five postsecondary institutions are being honored for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and ensure effective sustainability education.
RACER NATION ORIENTATION UNDERWAY
Incoming freshmen and transfer students have begun participating in Murray State University’s Racer Nation Orientation, its summer orientation program, as two successful sessions took place last week. The University is offering multiple orientation dates throughout the summer. Registration for the in-person orientation formats is limited, and incoming students and their families should register as soon as possible at murraystate.edu/orientation. A required event for new students, Racer Nation Orientation is available both in-person and in a virtual format.
MISSOURI COUPLE FACING DRUG CHARGES
The Kentucky State Police arrested a Sikeston Missouri couple on various drug charges after a traffic stop in Ballard County. At around 8:40 Wednesday night, Troopers stopped a vehicle on Green Street in Wickliffe after observing multiple traffic offenses. A K9 with the Ballard County Sheriff’s Office alerted to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. A search located approximately 228 grams of suspected methamphetamine. Troopers also seized a large amount of cash that is believed to be the proceeds of illegal drug sales. 29-year old Sharon Griffin was arrested and charged with Reckless Driving, Operating on a Suspended or Revoked License, Operating Under the Influence, Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, and possession of Drug Paraphernalia. A passenger, 30-year old Christian Conley was charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine and possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Both were lodged in the Ballard County Detention Center.
IN AND AROUND KENTUCKY
MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Montgomery is one of several Kentucky counties re-entering the COVID-19 red zone classification. The state is recommending heavier restrictions on in-person activities in the affected counties. Montgomery County has 52 active cases, with three people hospitalized for COVID-19-related illnesses. Health officials say nine of the county’s newest cases are connected to previous cases.
LEXINGTON—Keeneland is wrapping up its Spring Meet. Today marks the final day of the event. Fans were allowed at this year’s meet after being banned from last year’s event because of the pandemic. Masks were required, and daily attendance was capped at seven-thousand. Track officials say they are optimistic about being able to have more fans attend the Fall Meet.
OWENSBORO—The Kentucky United Daughters of the Confederacy wants a Confederate statue to remain on the Daviess County Courthouse lawn. The group is suing the county to prevent plans for relocating the statue they say they own. The complaint says the Daviess County Confederate Association was granted a license to place a Confederate memorial at the courthouse in 1893, and that the Kentucky UDC raised 35-hundred dollars for the statue. Daviess County attorney Claud Porter calls the suit a setback after lengthy efforts have been made to decide where to relocate the statue.
WHITLEY COUNTY—A Whitley County man is under indictment for allegedly killing his girlfriend. A grand jury indicted 58-year-old John Meadows yesterday on charges of murder and tampering with physical evidence in the death of Donna Lay. Authorities say Meadows killed Lay on January 25th, and that her remains were found inside a trash can in Meadows’ apartment. Meadows remains in custody.
MADISON COUNTY—Nearly 30 new officers and deputies are promising to serve and protect. They took the Law Enforcement Oath of Honor yesterday in Richmond after completing 800 hours of training over 20 weeks. Governor Andy Beshear spoke to the graduates telling them he’s honored to have them serving and protecting all Kentuckians. Beshear said he realizes the job of law enforcement is tough right now but said everyone wants to build and rebuild trust.
FORT KNOX—Kentucky’s first lady will visit Fort Knox Community Schools today. Britainy Beshear will meet with students, honoring them for their sacrifices and resilience as military dependents. The visit is being made on Purple Up Day. Purple Up Day encourages people to show support for military children by wearing purple.
FRANKFORT—Governor Andy Beshear wants Kentuckians to clear out their medicine cabinets and get rid of old and unused prescriptions. Governor Beshear says over 13-hundred Kentuckians were lost to overdose deaths in 2019 and 2020 was another tragic year. Beshear is asking that people safely dispose of their unwanted prescription drugs during tomorrow’s National Drug Take Back Day. More information about drop-off sites can be found on the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy website.
TENNESSEE—There are over two-thousand new coronavirus cases in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health reported the new cases yesterday, bringing the total since the outbreak began to over 839-thousand-840. Nearly 20 additional COVID-19-related deaths were also reported, with the total number of coronavirus-attributed deaths statewide standing at 12-thousand-130. There are nearly 14-thousand active cases in the state.
TENNESSEE—Religious leaders in Knoxville are calling for peace. They asked protesters to keep the peace after more than 200 people gathered downtown to protest the deadly officer-involved shooting of an Austin-East Magnet High School student last week. The protesters say they disagree with the Knox County district attorney’s decision not to charge any of the officers involved in 17-year-old Anthony Thompson, Jr’s death.
TENNESSEE—A Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputy is facing several charges. HCSO says Deputy Nicholas Monroe is charged with driving under the influence after being in a single vehicle crash on I-75 yesterday. The five-year veteran was off-duty at the time of the crash.
TENNESSEE—Tomorrow is a chance for Tennesseans to clear out their medicine cabinets. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Tennessee are teaming up to hold Drug Take Back Day after last year’s event was canceled over coronavirus concerns. Tennesseans can get rid of expired, unused, unwanted and potentially dangerous prescription drugs during the event. There will be nearly 340 authorized drop off locations throughout Tennessee.
ILLINOIS—The Illinois House is advancing a controversial bill aimed at ending homelessness. The Democrat-led proposal would prevent landlords from denying housing based on a potential tenant’s source of income. Democrats say the practice disproportionately affects Black and Latino people in the state. Republicans say the measure seeks to prevent discrimination that’s already illegal. The bill passed on a partisan 62 to 48 vote and is headed to the Senate for consideration.
