Kentucky

Kentucky families describe reconnecting with their kids in Asheville, NC

Published

2 months ago

September 30, 2024

Kentucky families describe reconnecting with their kids in Asheville, NC

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — A Kentucky family is hugging their son a little tighter tonight after he got home from Asheville, North Carolina, following the deadly flooding that pushed through the mountain city.

Once the Sajadi family’s son, Will Sajadi, was back in their arms, safe, it was like a breath of relief.

Will attends Asheville School as a junior. He explains how storms began Wednesday night, picking up speed on Thursday. “When you started to see the trees kind of swaying. Then branches started flying off and then as I saw yesterday. A solar panel flew off the roof of one of the buildings.”

As winds picked up speed and flash floods set in, Will lost all contact with his parents as cell towers and power lines were downed. This was all from the remnants of Hurricane Helene, which forced floodwaters into the mountain city.

Will says there was no power, little food, two 16-oz water bottles, and no cell service for three days. Will says the toilets stopped working, and nobody could shower. The only way to make a toilet flush was to dump a bucket of water down it.

The only building on campus with a generator is the student service center. The student center offered food and activities for the students as well as the only building with cell service to contact loved ones. Will explains how the school was not flooded as badly as other areas because it sits on a hilltop. However, nobody had a way in or out of the city, and access to food and clean water was hard to find.

A majority of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee remain flood-striken. Trapping dozens of people within its cities and providing supplies by helicopter. As of Sunday, nearly 30 people have been killed in Asheville from the storm.

“It bothered me that I couldn’t tell them what was going on and that I was okay, but I knew that I was gonna be okay,” said Will.

“Saturday morning when we woke up and we hadn’t heard from him since two and we saw I-40 had collapsed,” recalls Kristin. “I was very nervous. I was ready to just start walking. I was like I don’t care if our car won’t get there, I want to get there.”

By a miracle, a random woman reached out to Kristin to let her know she will attempt to drive to Asheville to pickup her kid and would bring Will home too.

Cell service didn’t return for Will until he was two hours outside of Asheville when he could text his mom, “I’m okay.”

“Sense of relief. Just confirmation we knew he was safe. I don’t want to cry but it was a lot of relief. And stress for the people who aren’t able to get to safety like we were fortunate,” explains Kaveh, Will’s dad, and Kristin.

Both parents thank the school for keeping their son safe and going above and beyond.

Another Kentucky mom, Allison Tucker, whose daughter is still at the University of Asheville, also thanks her daughter’s school for keeping her safe. She says her daughter was able to hunker down with food and water before the storm wiped out everything. Now, one of the biggest issues is a low amount of fuel in the area.

Allison Tucker, daughter is still in Asheville, North Carolina

“Having that no communication over that time period. Not knowing, I know she was fine, but not knowing where are you, stay put just trying to get that message to them of stay put do not leave,” explains Tucker.

It’s unclear when the roads and areas will be safe again, but agencies ask that people stay off roads so they can clear them faster.

Asheville School is set to resume classes Sunday, Oct. 6.

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Kentucky

Drone Shows Wintry Mist in Southern Kentucky

Published

2 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Drone Shows Wintry Mist in Southern Kentucky

Stormy conditions hit east of Somerset, Kentucky, on Thursday, November 21, as scattered showers passed through the region. Footage filmed and posted to X by Johnnie Nicholson shows fog and wintry precipitation shrouding an area east of Somerset on Thursday. Three rounds of precipitation are expected to move through the region on Thursday and Friday, according to a local news outlet. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the first measurable snow of the season is forecast for parts of eastern Kentucky on Friday as well. Credit: Johnnie Nicholson via Storyful

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Kentucky

Kentucky vs. Jackson State viewing info, what to watch for, and predictions

Published

9 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Kentucky vs. Jackson State viewing info, what to watch for, and predictions

The Kentucky Wildcats are back in action Friday to face the Jackson State Tigers in the second game of the BBN Invitational.

To put it simply, Jackson State is bad, very bad. Sitting at 0-5 and ranked 321st in KenPom, the Tigers will likely be the worst opponent Kentucky will play all season.

Coached by Mo Williams, one of LeBron James’ old teammates with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Tigers have only finished above .500 twice in the last decade. This season, Jackson State is predicted to finish fourth in the SWAC.

Mark Pope recently said he wanted to build a standard, regardless of opponent and, and that will be tested on Friday.

Let’s take a look at the matchup.

More 3-Point Attempts

Admittedly nitpicking, one of the things that Mark Pope was not happy with in Kentucky’s win over Lipscomb was the amount of three-point attempts. While they shot nearly 50 percent from deep, going 12-25, Pope wants to see the number of attempts closer to 35.

The Tigers have allowed their opponents to shoot 47.8 percent from deep, the second-worst mark in the country. Pope and the staff will certainly generate a game plan to take advantage of this. Expect to see 30+ attempts.

Ball Movement

Despite beating Lipscomb by 29 points, the Wildcats had a season-low in assists with just ten. For context, Kentucky had averaged more than 23 assists per game entering the matchup.

“That’s not us. That’s not who we are,” Pope said after the game.

While there wasn’t a lot of selfishness, the ball just wasn’t ‘flying’ as it has been early this season. This is a priority for the staff and this mature group, and they will aim for 25+ assists.

Keep JSU off Free-Throw Line

Jackson State ranks in the top 100 nationally in one area: Free throws made per game. So, Kentucky, defend without fouling.

Kentucky’s offense makes headlines, but the defense has played very well to start the season, holding all four opponents to under 73 points. Let’s see if they can get down in a stance and defend well for 40 minutes vs. a team that stresses contact and drawing fouls.

Opposing Players to Watch

C Shannon Grant 6-11, 290 lbs

7.5 PPG
4.8
Preseason All-SWAC First Team selection

G Jayme Mitchell Jr 6-5, 190 lbs

15.0 PPG
3.8 RPG
44.4% 3P

F Romelle Mansel 6-9, 220 lbs

10.8 PPG
5.8 RPG
31.7% FG (second most FG attempts on the team)

Time: 7 PM ET on November 22nd

Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY

TV Channel: This game will not be on TV and is streaming only,

Online Stream: SEC Network+, ESPN+, and the ESPN app.

Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the radio call on the UK Sports Radio Network.

Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).

Rosters: UK | JSU

Stats to Know: UK | JSU

KenPom: UK | JSU

Team Sheet: UK | JSU

Odds: FanDuel Sportsbook has yet to release the odds for the game, so check Thursday afternoon for an official spread. Multiple projections give Kentucky a 99% chance of winning: Bart Torvik (99%), EvanMiya (99.9%), and ESPN (99.0%). The exception is KenPom (92%).

Predictions: KenPom (93-63), Haslametrics (96-63), Bart Torvik (95-61), and EvanMiya (96-59) all are going with a 30+ point victory, Kentucky!

Be sure to send us your Kentucky vs. Jackson State score predictions! And Go CATS!!

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Kentucky

Kentucky vs. Texas Injury Report: Deone Walker, JJ Weaver and others set to return

Published

17 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Kentucky vs. Texas Injury Report: Deone Walker, JJ Weaver and others set to return

The Kentucky Wildcats are now getting prepared for one of their hardest games on the schedule as they travel to Austin for a date with the Texas Longhorns.

This disappointing season has also been riddled with injuries across the board for the Cats. Whether it has been offense or defense, Mark Stoops’ squad has not been close to full strength, really, one time this season.

That will be the case again in Austin, as the first injury report of the week has been released.

With D’Eryk Jackson and Gerald Mincey out alongside DJ Waller, it’s Courtland Ford and Kahlil Saunders who carry questionable designations as of Wednesday.

For some good news, however, JJ Weaver seems likely to play, as he is listed as probable.

In addition, Deone Walker, Barion Brown, and Jamon Dumas-Johnson are no longer on the injury report, so they’re set to return this week.

Going to be an interesting afternoon in Austin. Let’s see if any more names pop up on this report as the week continues.