LOUISIANA TRUCKER KILLED IN 1-24 ACCIDENT
Troopers with Kentucky State Police Post 1 and emergency personnel responded yesterday to the scene of a multiple vehicle fatal collision on I-24. Police say that a semi-tractor trailer operated by 63-year old Gary Johnson of St. Francisville, Louisiana was traveling west when it struck an abandoned vehicle on the side of the roadway. Johnson lost control and the truck which overturned and caught fire. Another semi truck weas also involved and an eastbound car also collided with the trucks. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene by the Marshall County Coroner. No other injuries were reported.
NAME RELEASED OF GRAVES COUNTY SHOOTING VICTIM
Kentucky State Police Detectives continue to investigate a Tuesday night shooting on Makenzie Circle in Graves County that left one person dead. An autopsy was conducted Wednesday on 28-year old Darian Williams of Hickory at the Western Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office in Madisonville. Preliminary autopsy results show Williams died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds to the body. Detectives continue to gather information and follow all leads to develop a suspect. Anyone with information regarding this situation is asked to contact Kentucky State Police, Post 1.
CCHD REPORTS 31 NEW COVID-19 CASES
The Calloway County Health Department reported 34 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday with 31 of those cases under 60 years of age. Also, 29 of the 34 cases were unvaccinated. The county currently has 212 cases isolated at home and 9 are hospitalized. Calloway County’s latest reported positivity rate is 9.28% which is lower than the state rate of 13.16%. Wednesday, the state reported 3,213 confirmed new cases and 62 confirmed COVID related deaths. There were 2,074 hospitalized as of Wednesday, which is 416 more than last Wednesday, including 549 in ICU, which is 83 higher than a week ago.
TEXAS MAN FACING AUTO THEFT CHARGES
Graves County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to a burglary in progress call yesterday afternoon on Merit Road just east of Highway 80. Deputies reported that the suspect ran into a cornfield but they located the suspects vehicle, which was reportedly stolen from Wildcat Chevrolet in Cadiz. Drones from Calloway and Carlisle County as well as a K9 unit from McCracken County searched for the suspect for around five hours before he was apprehended. The suspect claimed to be 37-year old Rocky Autry of Spur Texas. He was charged with Criminal Trespass, Receiving Stolen Property, Criminal Mischief, Attempted Theft, and Fleeing or Evading. He was lodged at the Graves County Jail.
HOOVER JOINS MCCH HOSPICE
Murray-Calloway County Hospital recently welcomed Katie Hoover as the newest Social Worker to the team at MCCH Hospice. Hospice social workers help clients and their families navigate planning for end-of-life care. This position also serves the role as the Volunteer Coordinator and works alongside the Hospice Chaplain with bereavement services that follow families from 13 months after a patient has passed. Hoover will be working with Charlotte Rhodes who plans to retire later this year.
IN AND AROUND KENTUCKY
LEXINGTON—Transylvania University officials say students, faculty, and staff will be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The university is also requiring masks in public indoor spaces regardless of vaccination status. All campus students, faculty, and staff must be fully vaccinated by October 13th. Classes begin Monday.
GEORGETOWN—Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky is soon getting a new focus. The plant will be assembling “integrated dual fuel cell modules” beginning in 2023. The fuel cells will be used in heavy-duty trucks to avoid harmful emissions. The cells have a 300-mile range when used in an 80-thousand-pound truck load.
LAUREL COUNTY—Laurel County authorities are releasing the identity of an area murder victim. The sheriff’s office is confirming that the victim was 20-year-old Regginald Johnson of Lexington. Johnson’s body was found Monday off Sinking Creek Road after being shot multiple times. Deputies haven’t released any suspect information.
OWENSBORO—Organizers with Owensboro’s ROMP festival are imposing restrictions on their audience. Officials are requiring those attending to provide proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event. An announcement of the new policy was posted on the festival’s Facebook page yesterday. The festival kicks off September 15th.
HENDERSON—Henderson Police are investigating a shooting. The shooting happened last night in the 800-block of Pond Street. No word on the condition of any victims. Police have not released any suspect information.
MEADE COUNTY—Some parents say the Meade County School District has a cat problem. They say a group of high school students are dressing and acting like cats. They say the students “identify with animals” and will hiss at and scratch others. More than one-thousand signatures have been gathered on a student petition to put an end to the cat-like behavior.
LOUISVILLE—Kentucky’s annual summertime celebration is winding down. The 2021 Kentucky State Fair at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville wraps up on Sunday. This evening’s World’s Championship Horse Show starts at 6:30 at Freedom Hall. Jackyl with special guest The Kentucky Headhunters headline tonight’s musical acts.
OWENSBORO—An award-winning vocalist will perform in Owensboro on Saturday night. Grammy and Emmy winner Laura Dickinson will be part of the Owensboro Symphony’s annual Concert on the Lawn. The theme of the concert is Tribute to the Circus with Dickinson singing songs from The Greatest Showman. The concert is set for 7 o’clock on the lawn of Kentucky Wesleyan College.
TENNESSEE—Mid-State authorities are suspending searches for victims of deadly flooding. Waverly Police Chief Grant Gillespie and Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said yesterday the search and recovery phase following Saturday’s flooding is over. The number of people confirmed killed in the flooding climbed to 20 yesterday as the last two bodies of those known to be missing were found. Over 17 inches of rain fell on the area on Saturday.
TENNESSEE—There are over 51-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 one-million-two-thousand-630. More than 30 additional COVID-19-related deaths were also reported, with the total number standing at over 13-thousand-230. There are over 28-hundred COVID-19 hospitalizations in Tennessee.
TENNESSEE—The UT Medical Center is asking for staffing help from the Tennessee National Guard. Hospital officials said yesterday it will be looking at all options during the next several weeks to overcome staffing issues. They said the staffing shortage is being caused by the steepest increases in hospitalizations they’ve seen since the COVID-19 outbreak began. It’s not yet known when the hospital could get the help of Guardsmen.
