Tuesday 22nd July 2025

News Update for 12/16/21

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team-western-ky

 

Tornado response crews preparing for rain

The Regional Emergency Operations Center anticipates a chance of substantial rainfall over the next two days. Rainfall amounts have created a sense of urgency as crews attempt to place tarps on homes that have roof damage and board up windows where needed.
There is also concern that storm debris will block storm drains to create localized flooding.
The effort to clear debris from roadways and sidewalks to make them passable for tornado response efforts is about 90 percent complete. Every effort should be made to keep roadways and sidewalks clear of debris.
Do not push tree limbs and other debris to the curb or edge of the pavement. Crews will push the debris back onto private property to assure that fire trucks and other emergency vehicles will have access throughout Mayfield and Graves County.
There will be an opportunity at a later date for FEMA approved debris disposal efforts.
Mayfield Electric and Water also reminds residents and businesses to avoid covering water meters. If a water meter is covered with debris and a leak develops it will block access to the valve.
Homeowners who are using equipment to move debris should avoid driving over and breaking the water meter cover. An uncovered meter is subject to freezing.
KYTC District 1 Traffic Signal Update

Some signals coming back on line

\he Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 1 Signal Crew is making some progress getting traffic signals back into service.
This afternoon, the traffic signal at the intersection of U.S. 45 and KY 121 in Mayfield came back on line with power from a generator. This will improve traffic flow at this busy intersection.
Several other signals are back in service where normal power sources have been restored. However, there are still locations where signals are dark. Most notably, at the KY 121 Bypass/KY 58 intersection on Mayfield’s east side. This signal sustained substantial damage and will have to be reconstructed. When possible, during the day there will be a National Guard Military Police Officer, a local police officer, or a flagger controlling traffic through this intersection. The rest of the time it will function as a 4-Way Stop.
Motorists are asked to be patient and use appropriate caution when they encounter a temporary 4-Way Stop where a signal is out of service.
Motorists are again reminded to avoid unnecessary travel in the tornado recovery zone. The only vehicles entering downtown Mayfield should be vehicles involved in direct storm recovery efforts.
As a reminder, there is a 7 p.m., to 7 a.m., CST, curfew in Mayfield until further notice.

 

“It’s Our Turn” To Help Kentucky Tornado Victims

President Biden says “it’s our turn” to support relief efforts after powerful tornadoes ripped through Kentucky. During his visit to devastated areas in Kentucky yesterday, he called the destruction left behind “almost beyond belief.” He added there are no words that can be said for losing loved ones to these storms around the holidays. Biden reassured Kentuckians that he will make sure the federal government steps up and provides the relief they need as they pick up the pieces.

McConnell: Stories Of Tornado Survivors In Kentucky Are “Harrowing”

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell says stories of tornado survivors in Kentucky are “harrowing.” McConnell spoke on the Senate floor yesterday noting remarkable stories of survival and resiliency in his home state. He said charities are stepping up to help families in affected areas enjoy Christmas. The deadly weekend tornado devastated a wide swath of the Bluegrass State.

Three Supply Locations Have Food, Water

It remains a catastrophic scene in Mayfield and Graves County as well as areas of Marshall County. The Regional Emergency Operations Center in Mayfield is coordinating a multi-agency response to the devastated areas. The supply distribution locations are at the Graves County Fairgrounds, Mayfield High School and High Point Baptist Church all in Mayfield. The distribution sites are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Officials also remind residents that a Mayfield city ordinance prohibits the burning of any debris which instead should be hauled to the landfill.

Crews Working Non-Stop To Clear Roads

The intensive task of clearing debris continues in tornado-torn communities in Kentucky. Crews have been removing downed trees and repairing power lines in order to reopen roadways. Personnel with utilities from across the country have arrived in the Commonwealth to reinforce local crews. Officials are asking people to stay off the roads unless there is an essential need to get into the tornado corridor.

Blood Donations Urgently Needed

The need for blood donations is urgent in many communities ravaged by severe weather in Kentucky. The Red Cross says if you’ve ever thought about donating blood now is the time. All blood types are needed but Type O is the most widely used blood type in hospitals. Officials say anyone who wants to donate blood can schedule an appointment with the Red Cross online.

Mayfield Candle Factory Workers Expected To Sue Company

(Mayfield, KY) – Some workers at a candle factory in Mayfield are suing Mayfield Consumer Products. A lawyer says he’s been in touch with a few workers who survived when a tornado leveled the factory over the weekend. Lawyers say they have evidence workers were not allowed to leave Friday night as storms approached and a lawsuit is expected to be formally filed soon. The tornado killed eight others inside the factory.

Kentucky State News Brief

UofL Health To Build Inpatient Hospital In Bullitt Co.

(Louisville, KY) – The biggest county in the state without a full-service hospital will soon be getting one thanks to University of Louisville Health. The project will transform Medical Center South in Bullitt County by adding two more floors to the existing building. It will add a ten-bed Intensive Care unit, two more operating rooms, a new laboratory and pharmacy, as well as 40 new inpatient beds with more planned. It will also add 100 new jobs and is expected to be completed in the spring of 2023.

20 Toy Dropoff Sites For Kids Impacted By Tornadoes

(Frankfort, KY) – There are 20 sites where gifts can be dropped off to support a toy drive for Kentucky kids impacted by deadly tornadoes. The toy drive was announced by Kentucky first lady Britainy Beshear earlier this week and has already collected 20-thousand gifts. The drive is also asking for gift cards of 25-dollars each. Saturday is the deadline to donate gifts.

LMPD Merit Board Upholds Termination Of Detective Who Shot Breonna Taylor

(Louisville, KY) – The Louisville Metro Police Merit Board is upholding the termination of the officer who shot and killed Breonna Taylor. The decision was made yesterday after several days of hearings. A termination letter issued earlier this year said Detective Myles Cosgrove did not properly identify a target when he fired 16 times into Taylor’s apartment during a raid. The vote was 5-to-2 to uphold Cosgroves firing.

Three People Steal Tornado Relief Funds From Louisville Brewery

(Louisville, KY) – A Louisville brewery is asking for help identifying three people who stole donations meant for the victims of Kentucky’s deadly tornadoes. Hi-Wire Brewing on Baxter Avenue says the thieves robbed the taproom around 3 o’clock yesterday morning. They stole money from the brewery’s safe, merchandise, and donations that were collected for tornado relief. Hi-Wire has posted pictures and video of the robbers on its Facebook page.

KHS Clears Space To Take In Pets Displaced By Severe Weather

(Louisville, KY) – The Kentucky Humane Society and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are clearing space for pets displaced by devastating storms. They flew more than 100 shelter cats and kittens to Massachusetts yesterday, where they’ll be re-homed. KHS officials say the space is needed to take in pets separated from their owners during tornadoes over the weekend. KHS says it’s working around the clock to support overwhelmed animal shelters throughout the Commonwealth.
Tennessee State News Brief

TDH Updates State Coronavirus Cases

(Nashville, TN) — There are nearly 22-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-343-thousand. Over 80 additional COVID-19-related deaths were also reported, with the total number standing at 17-thousand-900. There are more than one-thousand COVID-19 hospitalizations in Tennessee.

GSMNP Sets New Record For Recreational Visitors

(GSMNP) — The nation’s most visited national park is setting a new record. With a month still left to count, well over 13-million people have visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for recreation this year. That’s the highest number since the park began keeping track in 1979. The previous record of over 12-million-500-thousand was set in 2019.

Waverly Grocery Store Opens Nearly 4 Months After Historic Flooding

(Waverly, TN) — A Middle Tennessee community is showing signs of recovery from historic flooding. The Waverly Cash Saver grocery store is open again, nearly four months after it closed due to damage caused by August’s flooding. A line of customers gathered outside the store before the doors opened yesterday. Nearly two dozen people were killed when over 17 inches of rain fell on the area on Saturday, August 21st.

Celebration Of Life To Be Held For Young Dolph Today

(Memphis, TN) — A Celebration of Life is being held at FedExForum in Memphis today for rapper Young Dolph. The public memorial is being held by Adolph Thornton, Jr.’s family. The three-hour event will celebrate his life as a rapper, businessman, philanthropist and family man. All tickets to the service were claimed within 90 minutes of being made available earlier this week.

Cutthroat Trout Returning To Tennessee

(Undated) — Fishing enthusiasts in Tennessee have a chance to catch cutthroat trout again. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is stocking cutthroat trout in waters across the state again for the first time since the 1960s. Over 25-hundred cutthroat trout were released into the upper portion of Fort Patrick Henry Reservoir on the Holston River below Boone Dam yesterday. About three-thousand were released into the Hiwassee River last week with plans to soon release over 22-hundred more into the Tims Ford tailwater on the Elk River.

Climate Study Suggests The Mid-South Is The New “Tornado Alley”

(Nashville, TN) — A recent climate study shows the western and middle regions of Tennessee and Kentucky are seeing more tornado activity than other parts of the country. Climate Central and NPJ Climate and Atmospheric Science released their climate maps this week, on the heels of the devastating swath of storms that ravaged the area, specifically Western Kentucky. The data suggests that “tornado alley,” which refers to areas of West Texas through Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska, is actually shifting. Now the Mid-South region is more impacted by tornadoes annually than most any other part of the country.

 

Officer-Involved Shooting In Madison Early Thursday Morning

(Nashville, TN) — Metro Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Madison early Thursday morning. Just about 2:30 a.m., officers responded to the area of West Old Hickory Boulevard, between I-65 and Dickerson Pike. Reports are that the officer involved in the shooting was not injured. No other information is available at this point.

Nashville Double Shooting Leaves One In Critical Condition

(Nashville, TN) — One person is in critical condition after a double shooting in Nashville late Wednesday night. According to reports, two people were shot just before 11:30 Wednesday, along South 7th Street in the city. It’s unclear the condition of the second victim. No suspect information has been released yet.

Student At Neighboring School Arrested For Making Threat To Private School

(Maury County, TN) — A Maury County student is facing charges after making a threat to a local school. The Maury County Sheriff’s Department says the call was made to a private school in the county this week. Investigators say the call was made from a nearby public school and was traced to the student at that school who made the call. The sheriff’s office says that students and staff at the school were never in any actual danger.

Deadly Officer-Involved Shooting Investigated

(Memphis, TN) – A deadly officer-involved shooting of a woman is under investigation. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says the woman driving a Ford Fusion was shot by an MPD officer after she rammed a police cruiser on South Third Street, near East Brooks Road yesterday. The car was reported stolen from Olive Branch. Another person inside the Fusion was detained.

Section Of Memphis Street Renamed In Honor Of Young Dolph

(Memphis, TN) – A section of a Memphis street is paying homage to a murdered rapper. A portion of Dunn Avenue, between Airways Boulevard and Hays Road was renamed Adolph “Young Dolph” Thornton Jr.” Avenue yesterday. It’s in the Castalia Heights neighborhood where Young Dolph grew up. Young Dolph was shot to death inside Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies last month.

Survivors Of Collierville Kroger Shooting Can Apply For Support

(Memphis, TN) – Survivors of the Collierville Kroger mass shooting can start applying for support next month. Nearly one-million-100-thousand dollars has been collected by the Collierville Victims Fund. The application process will remain open until February 3rd with the first payments expected to go out in March. One person was killed and more than a dozen others injured before the gunman took his own life at the Kroger on New Byhalia Road on September 23rd.

SCHD Updates COVID-19 Numbers

(Memphis, TN) — The Shelby County Health Department is updating its COVID-19 numbers. SCHD reported nearly 140 new cases yesterday, bringing the total to over 151-thousand-500 since the outbreak began. Health department officials also reported four new deaths, bringing the number of COVID-19-related deaths since the start of the outbreak to over 24-hundred. There are over 18-hundred active cases in Shelby County.

National/Word Headlines

Hurricane Force Winds Cause Power Outages Across Central U.S.

(Des Moines, IA) — Hurricane-force winds are causing power outages across the Central U.S. In Wisconsin, nearly 200-thousand are without electricity because of damaging winds. Over 100-thousand power outages have been reported in Iowa, and Minnesota is issuing tornado warnings for the first time ever in the month of December. The National Weather Service says Wednesday set a new record for the highest number of hurricane-force wind gusts in a single day, beating the previous record set just last year.

United Airlines CEO Defends Vaccine Mandate At Senate Hearing

(Washington, DC) — The CEO of United Airlines is pushing back against Republican senators critical of United’s COVID vaccine mandate for its employees. CEO Scott Kirby on Wednesday told the Senate Commerce Committee the airline ordered its workers to be vaccinated for safety and he believes the mandate saved lives. Kirby said, “We don’t compromise on safety.” Texas GOP Senator Ted Cruz criticized United’s mandate and told Kirby it’s “disregarding the rights of your employees.”

AZ Democrat Calls GOP Rep. Jordan A Traitor For Sending January 5th Text

(New York, NY) — Congressman Jim Jordan is being called a traitor for sending a January text saying former Vice President Mike Pence should halt the certification of the 2020 election. The Ohio Republican has admitted to sending the text to former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows on January 5th. On MSNBC last night, Congressman Ruben Gallego called Jordan “a traitor to the Constitution” for sending the text. The Arizona Democrat also accused Jordan of lying on the House floor on January 6th about alleged voter fraud in states like Arizona.

Three Oil Slicks Spotted Off California Coast

(Huntington Beach, CA) — Environmental officials are investigating reports of another oil spill off the coast of California. The first and largest of three oil slicks was spotted late yesterday just north of Huntington Beach. Two smaller oil slicks were then spotted in the area at about 10:00 p.m. Residents in Orange County also reported a strong smell of oil earlier in the day. State environmental crews and the Coast Guard are investigating, but have not identified the source of the oil slicks. Crews are expected to survey the water from the air this morning.

Tiger Woods To Play PNC Championship Event With Son

(Orlando, FL) — Tiger Woods will be playing in a golf tournament today less than a year after nearly losing a leg in a serious car accident. Woods will be teeing up with his 12-year-old son Charlie in the PNC Championship. The father-son event in Orlando runs through Sunday. The 15-time major champion has been teasing his return for a couple weeks. In a tweet, Woods said he was “excited” to close out a challenging year by competing with his son.

“Spider-Man: No Way Home” Premieres Tonight

(Undated) — The latest installment in the Spider-Man franchise hits the big screen tonight. Showings of the new Marvel movie “Spider-Man: No Way Home” begin tonight before it arrives in theaters nationwide Friday. “No Way Home” picks up from 2019’s “Spider-Man: Far From Home” when Peter Parker’s secret identity as Spider-Man is revealed.

 

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