Kentucky

Violent holiday weekend sees mass shootings in Michigan, Illinois and Kentucky

Published

3 months ago

July 8, 2024

Violent holiday weekend sees mass shootings in Michigan, Illinois and Kentucky

CHICAGO (AP) — A shooting at a block party in Detroit left two people dead and more than a dozen wounded, capping a violent holiday weekend in the U.S. that also saw mass shootings in Kentucky and Chicago.

More than 100 people were shot in Chicago, 19 of them fatally, over the long Independence Day weekend, when there is often a spike in violence. One mass shooting Thursday in a neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side, left two women and an 8-year-old boy dead. Two other children were also critically injured.

“We cannot take our eyes off the ball,” Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said at a Monday news conference. “We cannot stop thinking about the people who have been victimized by this crime.”

City officials announced plans for an emergency resource center to open Monday evening for people struggling with trauma, while Mayor Brandon Johnson blamed the pervasive violence on years of disinvestment and poverty, particularly in the city’s Black neighborhoods. Johnson, who took office last year, said Chicago has not received enough federal resources for victims and that he recently renewed a request for help.

The four-day weekend in Chicago saw a spike in violence compared with the same time period last year when 11 people were killed and more than 60 wounded.

“We are losing a piece of the soul of Chicago,” Johnson said at the news conference. “We will not let criminal activity ruin and harm our city.”

In Detroit, two people were killed and 19 were wounded early Sunday in a shooting at an illegal block party on the city’s east side that was attended by more than 300 people, Detroit Police Chief James White said Monday during a news conference.

Nine weapons and more than 100 shell casings were found at the shooting scene, White said. Fifteen young women and six young men were shot and two of them died — a 20-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man, he said.

“You’ve got a multitude of people that are engaged in this behavior. This isn’t one suspect, one group being targeted. This is a group of people who are essentially engaged in a shootout,” White said.

Asked if Detroit has ever seen so many people injured in a single shooting, White said he wasn’t sure.

White announced Detroit’s new block party strategy, which includes the establishment of a response team that will specialize in making sure residents comply with the rules governing block parties. Police must now treat 911 calls about illegal block parties as “Priority 1” runs.

Mayor Mike Duggan said shootings occurred at six illegal block parties in Detroit over three days starting July 4, leaving 27 people wounded and three dead. He said nearly 40% of the shooting victims lived outside Detroit — some traveled as far as 50 miles (80 kilometers), lured to the parties through social media.

“This is not your neighbor’s family’s party got large. These are intentional pre-planned events looking to attract people from miles away,” Duggan said. “People are coming here carrying illegal weapons, planning to party into the wee hours of the evening believing that the neighbors and the Detroit Police Department will not the stop these lawless gatherings.”

Shootings during the holiday weekend also took place in California and Kentucky, where police say four people were killed and three others wounded in an early morning shooting during a party at a home. The shooting suspect later died after fleeing the home in Florence, Kentucky, and driving into a ditch during a police chase, authorities said. Florence is a city of about 36,000 people located about 12 miles (19 kilometers) south of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Source link

Kentucky

Kentucky commit Nicholas Smith reaffirms pledge to Wildcats following Alabama offer

Published

2 hours ago

October 6, 2024

Press Room

Kentucky commit Nicholas Smith reaffirms pledge to Wildcats following Alabama offer

Nicholas Smith, a highly regarded defensive lineman from Georgia, has solidified his commitment to the Kentucky Wildcats, reassuring fans and coaches alike that he remains fully dedicated to the Wildcats.

Despite increased attention from other programs, the 3-star recruit confirmed his plans to join head coach Mark Stoops’ defense in Lexington.

Smith, who originally announced his commitment to Kentucky earlier this year, has continued to impress with his size, strength, and potential as a defensive lineman. As his stock has risen, interest from other top programs has naturally followed, including a recent offer from the Alabama Crimson Tide.

However, Smith remains firm in his decision to play for the Wildcats, expressing confidence in Stoops’ leadership and the team’s future.

“I’m locked in with Kentucky,” Smith recently told KSR. “Coach Stoops and the coaching staff have been amazing throughout this whole process, and I really feel like this is where I belong. I want to be part of the growth and success that’s happening in Lexington.”

Stoops and his staff have built a reputation for identifying and developing top defensive players, and Smith’s decision to stay committed adds to the momentum the Wildcats are building on the recruiting trail. Smith’s versatility on the defensive front will provide Kentucky with another strong piece as they continue to bolster their defense.

Smith’s decision to reaffirm his commitment is a significant win for Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class, which is shaping up to be one of Stoops’ strongest. His commitment strengthens the Wildcats’ future defense and sends a clear message that Kentucky is becoming a destination for top-tier defensive talent in the SEC.

Source link

Kentucky

Ole Miss bounces back from Kentucky loss, tops South Carolina

Published

10 hours ago

October 6, 2024

Press Room

Ole Miss bounces back from Kentucky loss, tops South Carolina

Ole Miss needed a response after a disappointing loss to Kentucky in Week 5. It got just that with a 27-3 win over South Carolina on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.

The Rebels took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter after a short Henry Parrish run capped a quick 5-play drive that lasted just over a minute and a half. That lead stretched to 14-0 after JJ Pegues rumbled into the end zone with six minutes remaining in the frame.

After the two teams exchanged field goals, Pegues added another score right before the half, the big man’s 4th of the season. It was 24-3 at the break.

The Rebels added a field goal in the second half for the only other scoring the rest of the way, but the Gamecocks weren’t able to chip away at the lead. South Carolina’s Alex Herrera missed a 38-yard field goal just under 6 minutes into the third quarter, and despite forcing a fumble on the Rebels’ ensuing drive, the Gamecocks couldn’t turn it into points.

Later, with South Carolina deep in Ole Miss territory early in the 4th, LaNorris Sellers threw an interception into the end zone. They turned it over on downs on their next possession as Sellers was sacked at the Rebels 24.

Jaxson Dart had a decent performance throwing the ball — 14-of-27 for 285 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions — but had 8 carries for 44 yards. Juice Wells had 3 catches for 97 yards to lead all receivers in his return to Columbia. Parrish finished with 21 carries for 81 yards, including his first-quarter score.

For the Gamecocks, Sellers was 20-of-32 for 162 yards. He was sacked 6 times as the Rebels defense held South Carolian to 313 yards.

Ole Miss visits LSU next. South Carolina travels to Alabama.

Source link

Kentucky

Kentucky firefighters spend a week of training in the Czech Republic

Published

18 hours ago

October 5, 2024

Press Room

Kentucky firefighters spend a week of training in the Czech Republic

OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEHT) — Fifteen firefighters from Owensboro, Daviess Daviess County, Henderson, Greenville, Airport-Sorgho fire departments and the Fire Academy of Kentucky partook in international training in Olomouc.

Through a Sister Cities Firefighter exchange program, these firefighters engaged in hands-on training like residential firefighting and flashover drills.

The goal of an exchange like this is to not only strengthen everyday skills for these local firefighters, but to also increase strong international ties.

It is said they also participated in on-duty shifts with the Olomouc Fire Department, responding to emergencies and putting their new skills to practice.

During the day, the firefighter were immersed in various scenarios and training courses but at night, they were hitting the streets of Olomouc. They got to experience a “unique exposition of fall decorations” at “Fall Flora” and supported a home team hockey game.

After 5 full days in the Czech Republic, the local firefighters made their way back to Owensboro Saturday morning. Officials with OFD says they arrived at midnight and are now regaining their rest after countless hours of travel.

This week-long exchange comes just months after their previous endeavor to the Czech Republic in April.