Good morning, 270. It’s Tuesday, October 15th. This is the 270 Daily News, your cheat sheet for living in West Kentucky.

In today’s news:

• Juvenile Crime Spike

• Amendment 2

• History of black cats & Halloween

• And more

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Weather Report

Tuesday: ☁️ High- 59 Low- 44

Wednesday: ☀️ High- 61 Low- 37

Thursday: ☀️ High- 66 Low- 38

News

Juvenile Crime Spike in West Kentucky and Southern Illinois: Three Separate Incidents Raise Alarm

Over the last few days, several unrelated but concerning incidents involving juvenile offenders have captured the attention of West Kentucky and neighboring Southern Illinois communities. From shootings to threats of workplace violence and vehicle theft, these events highlight a troubling trend in juvenile crime across the region.

October 13th, 2024: Shooting Incident in Clinton, Kentucky
On Sunday evening, just before 7:00 p.m., the Hickman County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunfire behind Acee’s convenience store in Clinton, Kentucky. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that Deshawn Nettles, a Clinton resident, had been shot by a juvenile male during an altercation. Nettles was flown to Skyline Medical Center in Nashville for treatment of his injuries. While the motive remains under investigation, the juvenile suspect was taken into custody at the scene. Authorities, including Kentucky State Police and Clinton Police, are withholding further details to protect the integrity of the jury pool in the small community.

October 10th, 2024: Workplace Threat in Murray, Kentucky
In another alarming incident, Murray Police were dispatched to a local business on the night of October 10 following reports that a juvenile employee had made threats to "shoot up" the workplace. The juvenile allegedly warned his coworkers not to come to work the following day as he planned to carry out the threat. Officers arrested the juvenile for second-degree terroristic threatening, and he was lodged at the McCracken County Detention Center.

October 14th, 2024: Vehicle Theft and Firearm Possession in Carbondale, Illinois
Early in the morning on October 14, Carbondale Police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle on West Baird Street. Utilizing the city’s license plate reader technology, officers located the stolen car a few blocks away on East Main Street. As they approached the vehicle, several juveniles fled. After a brief foot chase, a 15-year-old male was apprehended and found to be carrying a loaded firearm. He was arrested and charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, motor vehicle theft, and resisting a peace officer. However, due to a lack of available space at juvenile detention facilities, the juvenile was ultimately released to his parent. This case remains under investigation, and authorities are seeking more information from the public.

Growing Concerns
While each of these cases is unrelated, they share a troubling theme: juveniles engaging in serious criminal behavior, including shootings, violent threats, and firearm possession.

As authorities urge the public to remain vigilant, Crime Stoppers tip lines and anonymous reporting tools remain active in each jurisdiction, offering community members an opportunity to assist in resolving these incidents.

Kentucky Board of Education Opposes Amendment 2, Citing Concerns Over Public School Funding

As Kentucky voters prepare to decide on Amendment 2 in the upcoming election, the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) has unanimously passed a resolution opposing the measure. The board warns that the amendment, which would allow public tax dollars to be used for private and charter schools, could undermine the financial stability of public schools.

What Is Amendment 2?

Amendment 2 would amend Kentucky’s constitution to allow lawmakers to allocate public funds to schools outside the public school system. While supporters argue this would expand educational choices for parents, the KBE and critics worry it would divert resources from public schools, which serve 90% of Kentucky’s students.

KBE’s Resolution

The KBE’s resolution stresses that public funds should be reserved for public schools, which are subject to strict accountability and transparency requirements. The board expressed concern that diverting funds to private and charter schools could weaken public education, increase segregation, and create inequities.

“Using state funds to support schools outside the public system diverts essential resources from public schools,” the resolution states. KBE Chair Sharon Porter Robinson noted the challenges public schools already face in securing adequate funding.

The Debate

Supporters of Amendment 2 argue it would give parents more options and improve student outcomes by promoting competition between schools. Opponents, including the KBE, believe it would siphon funding from public schools, leaving them with fewer resources to educate the most vulnerable students. Charter schools, they argue, are not required to accept all students, potentially increasing disparities in education.

What’s Next?

Kentucky voters will decide the fate of Amendment 2 on November 5. If passed, lawmakers could change the constitution in 2025, potentially opening the door for more public funding to go to private and charter schools. The KBE remains firm in its stance that public dollars should stay in public schools.

The Agenda

Paducah Traffic Advisory: Storm Sewer Replacement on Jefferson Street

During the ongoing milling and paving project on Jefferson Street, a damaged storm sewer pipe was discovered. Starting October 14, Jim Smith Contracting will replace the pipe at the intersection of Jefferson Street and South 28th Street/Joe Clifton Drive.

This project will impact southbound lanes, with some detours when necessary. Flaggers will be on-site to assist traffic. The work is expected to take about one week, weather permitting.

Motorists are urged to use caution, watch for crews, and follow traffic control measures.

Local Links

🏍️ Marshall County man killed in collision with deer on a motorcycle last Friday night.

🚨 30-year-old Madisonville man charged with raping 13-year-old.

🚚 3 people injured in U-haul truck crash that caught fire in Calloway County.

🏇 MSU announces Jeanie Morgan as Parade Grand Marshal for the Murray State Homecoming Parade, this coming Saturday, 10/19/24.

🔨 True Value, a 75-year-old hardware store with local stores in Mayfield, Murray, and Paducah, has filed for bankruptcy.

☎️ Scammers nearly succeeded in stealing $16,000 from an elderly McCracken County resident.

☑️ Marshall County voting locations for the Nov. 5, 2024, General election

🚔️ 64-year-old McCracken County woman arrested on meth charges.

270 Life

The History of Black Cats and Halloween 🐈‍⬛ 

Black cats have long been synonymous with Halloween, often portrayed as spooky symbols of bad luck and the supernatural. But where did this association come from? The story stretches back to the Middle Ages in Europe, where black cats were believed to be witches’ supernatural creatures who aided witches in performing their dark magic. Their sleek, dark appearance, along with their nocturnal habits, made them seem like creatures of the night, further feeding the fear.

During this time, some even believed that witches could transform into black cats, allowing them to move stealthily through the shadows. In fact, during the 17th century, fear of witches and their supposed animal companions became so widespread that many black cats were killed, as they were thought to be demonic. “Black cats became symbols of the witch trials, where innocent women and animals alike were caught up in superstition and paranoia,” explains historian Claudia Mutchler.

As Halloween’s origins are rooted in Celtic traditions celebrating the festival of Samhain—a time when it was believed that the veil between the living and the dead was thinnest—the black cat’s mysterious reputation fit right in. When Halloween celebrations crossed the Atlantic to America, black cats became a fixture of the holiday, their ties to witchcraft and folklore solidifying their place in the spooky season.

Interestingly, not all cultures view black cats as bad luck. In places like Japan and Great Britain, black cats are actually seen as symbols of good fortune. “A black cat crossing your path in England can be a sign of prosperity,” according to an article by The Guardian. The contrast highlights how perceptions of these animals can vary widely, depending on the cultural lens.

So, the next time you spot a black cat on a Halloween decoration, remember it’s not just a seasonal icon. Its spooky history weaves together centuries of superstition, fear, and folklore, making it one of the most enduring symbols of the holiday.

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📆 Things to do

Tuesday 10/15/24

Paducah

Story Time: 10-11am at the McCracken County Public Library, details here.

Laugh & Learn: 11am-12pm at the McCracken County Public Library, details here.

Resource Fair: 4-6pm at the McCracken County Public Library, details here.

Comedy Open Mic: Sign up at 7:30, starts at 8pm at Dry Ground Brewing Company

Murray

Brown Bag Book Club: 12:00 PM 1:00 PM at the Calloway County Public Library

After School Studio: 3D / Multimedia: 4:00-5:30 PM at the Murray Art Guild 403 Maple Street Murray, KY

Hand Building @ MAG: 6:00-8:00 PM at the Murray Art Guild 403 Maple Street Murray KY, more info here.

Mayfield

Say Boo to the Flu: Graves County Health Department at Ruler Food, 3-5pm

Marshall County

Sew Fetch: 4-5 pm at the Marshall County Children’s Art Center, more info here.

Stroller Stories: 10-10:30am, bring your kiddos for a walk with storytime. More info here.

A Centered Space: 5pm mellow mat yoga, details here.

Wednesday 10/16/24

Paducah

Tiny Tots Fall Craft series: 9:30-10:30am at the Paducah Recreation Center, more info here.

Tree Week Celebration: McCracken County Public Library from 9am-5pm, more info here.

Loqui: For middle school students, at Etcetera Coffee House from 4:30-6:30pm, details here.

Home School Jump: 1-3pm at Vertical Jump, home school kids only.

Murray

Toddler Story Time: 9:30-10am at Calloway County Public Library, info here

Multi-age Story Time: 10:30-11am at Calloway County Public Library, info here

Wheel Throwing at MAG: Murray Art Guild 5:30-8:30pm, details here.

Una Voce and EQ Blue: Go see Murray State’s Tenor/Base ensemble from 6:00 PM 7:00 PM at the Old Fine Arts Building, Murray, KY, more info here.

Mayfield

Karaoke Night: @ Wings ETC. at 7pm

Marshall County

Story Hour: 10-11am at Benton Branch Marshall County Public Library

After School Program: 3:30-4:30pm at Bench Branch Marshall County Public Library.

A Centered Space: 10 am chair yoga with Alison, details here.

Know of any events coming up? Send us an email to get it to the other 270 Daily readers.

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