In his evening press conference last night, Governor Andy Beshear announced that there
are 4,375 cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth. Of those cases, 230 were newly confirmed. It is believed that 1,617 have recovered from the virus. However, there were 12 new deaths announced on Tuesday, brining the state’s total to 225. One of the deceased announced on Tuesday was Lillian Press, who was 95 years old. A personal friend of the Governor’s, Press was credited for organizing and directing the Governor’s Scholarship Program. In addition, Governor Beshear explained the ten rules to reopening a business under the Healthy at Work plan. These rules are as follows: continue telework where possible, phase returns to work, onsite temperature and health checks, universal masks and PPE, closing of common areas, enforcing social distancing, limiting face to face meetings, establishing sanitizer and hand washing stations, providing special accommodations to those who are at risk, and creating a testing plan. The Governor noted that by May 11th, everybody working for or visiting an essential business that is reopening should be wearing a mask.
The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office responded to an incident involving a car and a train in Rineyville last night. According to officials, the victims were two males whose ages are unknown at this time. Both were flown to U of L hospital, and their conditions are also unknown at this time. This is an ongoing investigation, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.
Kentucky’s Attorney General has called on Governor Andy Beshear to allow religious services to resume in the state. Attorney General Daniel Cameron made the announcement during a press conference outside the state capitol yesterday afternoon. Cameron went on to say that if Governor Beshear did not pull back the order that had prohibited in person services, the Attorney General’s office would file a lawsuit on whether Beshear’s order violated the first amendment. Cameron is already involved in a lawsuit against the Governor, which involves the constitutional basis of Beshear’s travel ban.
Like most schools in the region, West Point Independent Schools made the decision to cut school short this year. At a board meeting Tuesday night, the school calendar was amended to make May 15th the final day for NTI instruction for students. Staff will still have to meet the days on their contract. While this is the final year of West Point Independent Schools, Breeding did say that end-of-year activities are still possible, but at a later date. The school announced that they would be merging with Hardin County Schools earlier this year. The city of West Point has been home to school since 1804.
An Elizabethtown man was arrested Tuesday after leading police on a brief pursuit. Officials were called to Panda Express on Ring Road around 4 PM in reference to a suspected impaired driver. Upon contact with police, the driver, Keith Ware, fled the area. Officers gave chase, and a police cruiser was struck in the chase. The suspect crashed into a fire hydrant at Towne Mall and fled on foot. After a brief struggle, Ware was apprehended in the parking lot of Towne Mall. Ware was arrested and faces several charges, including fleeing or evading police, wanton endangerment, and reckless driving. He was lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.
Yesterday morning, the Elizabethtown Police Department responded to Freeman Lake in reference to a kayaker in distress. When they arrived, they observed an adult male in the water holding on to a kayak but unable to move. Officers jumped into the water and swam the victim to shore. Despite air temperatures being relatively warm, the water temperature was still cool and left the victim in a hypothermic state. The victim was transported to Hardin Memorial Health by Hardin County EMS and is expected to make a full recovery.
