Kentucky Covid Update
Kentucky is reporting 21-hundred new COVID-19 cases. Governor Andy Beshear announced the new cases of the virus yesterday, along with nine additional deaths. More than 15-hundred people in the commonwealth are hospitalized for COVID-19-related illnesses, with nearly 225 on ventilators. Close to 519-thousand Kentuckians have tested positive for the virus and more than 74-hundred have died since the pandemic began.
Vax and Visit for Kentucky
A new incentive program would make COVID-19 vaccinated Kentuckians eligible for travel perks. Kentucky tourism officials say the Vax and Visit program is open to permanent Kentucky residents and lets those who have received at least one vaccination shot enter to win gift certificates that can be used at state parks. The first of 30 drawings will be held September 9th and offer incentives such as golf rounds, overnight lodging, and campground stays. The final drawing will take place on October 7th.
Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Arrest, and Stolen Gun.
On Sunday night Calloway County Sheriff’s Deputies stopped a motorcycle on Highway 121 South for a traffic violation. During their contact with the driver, Robert “Shane” Scarborough, Deputies located individual baggies of suspected methamphetamine as well as a handgun. The handgun was determined to have been reported stolen in Calloway County earlier this year.
Robert “Shane” Scarborough, age 34, of Murray, Kentucky was arrested and charged with Trafficking a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) and Possession of a Stolen Firearm. Scarborough was lodged in the Calloway County Jail.
KY Supreme Court to Hear Doctor’s Case
The Kentucky Supreme Court is set to hear the case of former University of Kentucky surgeon Dr. Paul Kearney. Kearney was fired for what UK says was unprofessional conduct in 2019. The doctor says his privileges were pulled because he was asking too many questions about the Kentucky Medical Services Foundation. The foundation bills UK patients, with the money going to all doctors.
Calloway Sheriff’s Dep Arrests TN Woman for Drugs
On Saturday Saturday night., Calloway County Sheriff’s Department stopped a vehicle on Highway 121 South in the New Concord community for a traffic violation. During the stop, Deputy Hayden located numerous pills suspected to contain controlled substances. Heather K. Ashby, age 30, of Waverly, Tennessee was arrested and charged with two counts of 1st Degree Possession of a Controlled Substance as well as two counts of Prescription Controlled Substance Not In Proper Container. She was lodged in the Calloway County Jail.
10 KY Schools Receiving Grants
Ten Kentucky school districts are receiving 50-thousand-dollar grants to use toward recruiting, developing, and retaining teachers. The Grow Your Own grant is aimed at providing support to people connected with each school system or community that want to enter the teaching profession. State officials say it is vital to recruit new educators to address the state’s significant teacher shortages. Officials also say the grants will help schools expand diversity in their teacher workforces.
Kentucky State News Brief
Senator McConnell Slams Biden Administration During Louisville Visit
An “unmitigated disaster,” and “a stain on the reputation of the United States of America.” That’s how Senator Mitch McConnell is describing the Biden administration’s handling of the troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. Senator McConnell made the comments yesterday after visiting an industrial equipment supplier in Jeffersontown. McConnell said the reason for two decades in Afghanistan was to prevent terrorists from operating in a safe haven, not to build a democracy.
Fort Campbell Holding Emergency Response Exercises
(Fort Campbell, KY) — Fort Campbell’s emergency response and recovery capabilities are being tested. The full-scale emergency response exercises will be held today and tomorrow. The test will involve first responders from the post and neighboring communities. Fort Campbell officials say a greater number of emergency personnel may be seen on the roads.
Daviess Co., Owensboro Saw Growth In Latest U.S. Census
(Owensboro, KY) — Daviess County and Owensboro are growing. Daviess County showed over six-percent growth in the 2020 U.S. Census, while Owensboro saw nearly five-percent growth. Owensboro added over 60-thousand people with Daviess County adding more than 103-thousand. Daviess County also reported one of the highest populations among the counties west of I-65.
Home Prices Rising In Owensboro
(Owensboro, KY) — Home prices in Owensboro are rising. The average price of homes sold in Owensboro last month was over 214-thousand dollars. The Greater Owensboro Realtor Association says that’s the second highest it’s been since at least 2018. It’s also nearly 36-thousand more than it was in July of last year.
Lexington Mayor Expected To Announce Re-Election Bid
(Lexington, KY) — Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton is expected to announce her run for re-election. Gorton is set to make a special announcement this morning. She recently said on Kentucky Newsmakers that she intended to run again, but has yet to make a formal announcement.
LMPD Looking For Pickup Truck In Connection To JCSO Deputy’s Murder
(Louisville, KY) — LMPD is asking for help finding a pickup truck in connection with the deadly shooting of a Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputy. They’re looking for a 2002-to-2005 GMC or Chevy pickup. Deputy Brandon Shirley was shot and killed in a targeted ambush while working an off-duty security job at a car lot in Shively in the early morning of August 5th. There’s a 75-thousand-dollar reward for information in the case.
Shooting Deaths Among Kids Rising In Louisville
(Louisville, KY) — The killing of a nine-year-old girl in Valley Station is the 18th shooting death of a child this year in Louisville. Kaylee Lee was one of two people killed in the shooting on Sunday. There were 15 shooting deaths of kids 17 or under all of last year in Louisville. There have also been 70 gunshot injuries among kids so far this year compared to 80 all of last year.
Law Enforcement Who Stopped Kidnapping Honored
(Louisville, KY) — The LMPD officers and Metrosafe dispatchers who helped stop the kidnapping of a Valley Station girl are being honored. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer recognized them yesterday, saying they have “a real commitment to serving.” The officers were on the scene of the abduction within minutes after neighbors called 911 last month to report the crime. Rob Wildt is charged with kidnapping a minor.
UofL Dedicates New Residence Hall
(Louisville, KY) — UofL’s new residence hall is open. Belknap Residence Hall was dedicated yesterday afternoon. It’s adjacent to Miller Hall, next to the Red Barn. It’s the first traditional hall built at UofL in over 30 years.
Tennessee State News Brief
TDH Updates State Coronavirus Cases
(Nashville, TN) — There are over 28-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 954-thousand-600. An additional 19 COVID-19-related deaths were also reported, with the total number standing at nearly 12-thousand-990. There are over 22-hundred COVID-19 hospitalizations in Tennessee.
TN National Guard Deployed To Hospitals
(Nashville, TN) — The Tennessee National Guard is being deployed to hospitals. The Tennessee Department of Health says members of the Guard will fill the bed and staffing shortages due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases across the state. Tennessee Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey said yesterday there are capacity concerns on both the pediatric side and among adults. Dr. Piercey said there were 50 children hospitalized statewide over the weekend.
Gov. Lee Allows Parents To Opt Children Out Of Mask Requirements
(Nashville, TN) — Governor Bill Lee is ensuring parents have a choice over whether their children wear masks at school. Governor Lee signed an executive order yesterday giving parents the ability to opt their children out of mask requirements enacted by local school or health boards. Governor Lee said yesterday that “local decision-making is important.” However, he also said “individual decision-making by a parent on issues regarding the health and well-being of their child is the most important.”
SCS: Mask Mandate In Effect Despite Governor’s Executive Order
(Memphis, TN) — The state’s largest school district says a universal mask mandate is still in effect despite an executive order by the governor. Governor Bill Lee issued an order yesterday allowing parents to opt their children out of mask requirements issued by local school and health boards. Shelby County Schools says the mask policy outlined in Shelby County’s health order will remain in effect while the school board consults with its legal counsel over the governor’s order. All students, staff and visitors are required to wear masks while on school buses and indoors regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status.
Hamilton Co. Suspect Added To TBI’s Most Wanted List
(Hamilton Co., TN) — A man accused of assaulting a federal agent is being added to the TBI’s most wanted list. Edward Laster Moore, Jr. was added to the most wanted list yesterday. Moore is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office for assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault on law enforcement and federal drug charges. There’s a 25-hundred-dollar reward for information that leads to an arrest of Moore who’s considered armed and dangerous.
State Probe Finds Evidence That Fired Vaccine Official Purchased Dog Muzzle Sent To Her
(Nashville, TN) — State investigators say a dog muzzle sent to a former vaccine official was purchased on her credit card. Officials said yesterday there is no evidence to claims by Dr. Michelle Fiscus that the muzzle was sent to threaten or intimidate the former head of the state’s vaccine program. Dr. Fiscus responded that she had asked the Tennessee Department of Homeland Security to look into the source of the muzzle and denied buying it herself. Dr. Fiscus says her firing was political after promoting vaccinations for people ages 13 to 17.
Investigation Underway After Man Dies On The Rooftop Bar At Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row
(Nashville, TN) — Metro Police are investigating the death of a man on Monday night at a Lower Broadway Honky Tonk. Officers responded to a call at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row around 11 p.m. about an unruly man on the rooftop bar. Officials say security restrained the man, who became unresponsive and was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Detectives are treating the death as a homicide.
Tennessee National Guard Deploying To State’s Hospitals To Assist With Staff Shortages
(Nashville, TN) — The Department of Health says the Tennessee National Guard is being deployed to help the state’s hospitals deal with COVID-19. Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey said yesterday that the Guard would respond to the rising hospital staffing shortages. Dr. Piercey said there have been just over one-thousand new hospitalizations in the first 15-days of August, which tops the previous high of 900 set last November. The National Guard was previously used in December 2020 to help hospitals treat a surge in cases.
Country Star Kenny Chesney Selling 14-Million-Dollar Mansion In Franklin
(Franklin, TN) — Country star Kenny Chesney is selling his Franklin mansion for the price of 14-million-dollars. According to a listing posted yesterday, the 12-thousand-square-foot Mediterranean villa features four bedrooms, seven and a half baths, and sits on 56-acres. The home also has a theater, elevator, gym, lookout tower, and garage space for ten cars. Property records show the home was built for Chesney in 2009 at the cost of just over nine-million-dollars.
Former Vanderbilt And NFL Quarterback Says He Was Fired For Mask Views
(Nashville, TN) — Former Vanderbilt and NFL quarterback Jay Cutler says he was fired by Uber Eats over his views on mask mandates. Yesterday, Cutler posted on social media that he lost a deal to be in a commercial for Uber because he doesn’t support mask mandates in schools. Cutler also referred to himself as a future School Board member hinting at a possible future campaign. Cutler set numerous passing records at Vanderbilt before playing for eleven seasons in the NFL with three teams.
