M
THE MUR R AY STATE
NEWS
Racer arrested
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90 years of excellence
August 31, 2017 | Vol. 92, No. 2
Bluegrass lacks gas detection regulations Collin Morris News Editor
cmorris29@murraystate.edu
Murray State’s infamous explosion sent a shockwave across campus on June 28. In its aftermath, not only do gaping holes lie at the base of James H. Richmond Residential College, but also in the university’s emergency prevention measures. After consulting with seven other Kentucky schools, The News learned Murray State is one of four major universities lacking natural gas detection systems in its residence halls. While natural gas detectors are not explicitly required per Kentucky’s state building code, the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University exceeded those guidelines, equipping each of their respective residence halls with natural gas detectors. Murray State, Eastern Kentucky University, Northern Kentucky University and Morehead State University are not equipped with natural gas detectors in student housing. At the University of Louisville, the campus has transitioned away from natural gas, but remains equipped with detectors where applicable. “All of our buildings have basically the same type of system set up such that they have a comprehensive detection system, whether it be smoke, fire or gas,” said University of Louisville’s Fire Marshal Dwain Archer. He added the university overwhelmingly uses steam or electric power
Chalice Keith/The News
Murray State is one of four Kentucky universities without natural gas detectors in student housing facilities. from their central power plant. About an hour away, on the campus of its athletic foes, the University of Kentucky has found common ground with the Cardinals, mirroring their transition away from natural gas. “We have very few pieces of gas-fired equipment, we have some gas-powered generators, but as far as everyday use we have very few facilities using it, and if we do they would have
carbon monoxide detectors in those facilities,” University of Kentucky Fire Marshal Greg Williamson said. Williamson also said the University of Kentucky installs detectors congruent with any other forms of gas used in its buildings. At Western Kentucky, Fire Marshal Bob Austin testified to their system, which not only detects natural gas, but imme-
diately alerts authorities. “Basically everything that is gas-powered or [powered by] boilers, or gas water heaters are located in an isolated area away from the residential hall areas, but we do have the CO detectors in those areas, which are interconnected with the fire alarm system,” Austin said. “If they do go off then they set the alarm off in the building, and it would have to be investigated.”
Students analyze hemp on university farms Sabra Jackson Staff writer
sjackson30@murraystate.edu
Three Murray State graduate students have been growing hemp since June on four of Murray State’s farms for research projects. Patrick Hooks, Cheryl Shi and Cheyenne Hooks are participating in three research projects within the Hutson School of Agriculture under the direction of Dr. Tony Brannon and Dr. Brian Parr, as well as Jason Robertson, West Farm Manager. Patrick Hooks, from Owensboro, Kentucky, is studying the regulations and policies of hemp as well as the production rates. Along with the other two students, he is using four varieties of seeds on four plots to study how each variety grows in different soil types. “We are still trying to figure out what is best and what is not best for each crop,” Patrick Hooks said. Patrick Hooks said this is a new crop for the area, so the program is hands on, and it is a “learning as you go” experience. “I have learned that there’s a lot of hurdles around hemp,” he said. “There's a lot of production hurdles and there's a lot of policy hurdles.” Patrick Hooks said that it has been difficult to explain to people that there is a difference between marijuana and hemp. In order for Murray State to be able to grow hemp, the tetrahydrocannabinol level, THC, must be lower than 0.3. Anything higher than that would be considered marijuana. THC
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is the chemical that is responsible for the side effects of marijuana. Shi, from Hainan, China, is doing her project over the different content of CBD and THC in the different varieties of hemp. CBD is the acronym for cannabidiol, which is the key compound in THC. CBD is currently being tested medically and is believed to be favorable for seizures, migraines and joint pain patients. As of right now, it is being used as a dietary supplement. The research is fairly new, so Shi said they will not be able to find out which varieties are better for oils and which ones are better for fiber until the project is complete. Shi said they collect a sample from each farm to test the CBD and THC. Cheyenne Hooks, from Ashland, Tennessee, is using hemp to feed chickens on the West Farm to see if hemp is going to transfer into the egg and make a difference in the size of the eggs. Cheyenne Hooks said they are working with the chemistry department to analyze the eggs once they have been laid. She said hemp has not been approved for livestock consumption, which motivated this project. She said she would like to present it to the USDA or FDA once the study is complete. “We won’t really know anything until we run the statistics at the end of the study,” she said. “What we observed, it seems like most of [the chickens] really enjoy it.” Dr. Brian Parr, assistant
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Hemp growing on the University farm. dean of Hutson School of Agriculture, said the agriculture school has been working with two companies, CB Sciences and Kentucky 21st Century Agri, K21A, in order to make the research projects happen. He said they have been working with CB Sciences for the last two years and have recently started working with K21A. K21A has partnered with local Murray farmer Joseph Kelly to help the university harvest the hemp and answer any questions they might ask. Parr said K21A is interested in seeing the commodities pro-
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cessed into more usable products. “They are taking the hemp seeds once they have been pressed and the oil has been removed in it,” Parr said. Parr said because the seeds are high in protein, the hemp is being tested to use in animal feed. “I think we are really ahead of the game on the whole animal feed scene,” Parr said. The hemp locations for Murray State are West Farm, Pullen Farm, Huston School of Agriculture Farm and a farm donated to Murray State in Ballard County.
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When asked if Western Kentucky keeps gas-powered utilities close enough to residential halls to ever see a situation similar to Murray State’s, Austin responded, “not even close.” Of the schools lacking these comprehensive gas detection systems, only Eastern Kentucky was able to defer to alternate safety measures, citing their handheld de-
tectors, which may be used manually once a potential leak is reported. “Obviously we don’t have any gas stoves within the residence halls themselves, those are all electrically operated,” Eastern Kentucky Fire Marshal Brad Early said. “Our main form of detection is if we’ve got somebody that smells it, we’ll get a phone call and head over there. We’ve got detectors ourselves that are handheld.” After the gas regulator collision on Murray State’s campus, responders performed a soaping test, according to documents obtained by The News through an Open Records Request. No leaks were detected by that test. The soaping test is executed by pouring soapy water in areas suspected of gas leaks. If bubbles form in the air, the area is the site of a potential leak. The regulator was then replaced, and the area declared safe. More than four hours later, New Richmond exploded. Early stressed the urgency and severity of potential gas leaks at Eastern Kentucky. “We activate a fire alarm and go in and inspect immediately – that’s a priority one call.” Early said. Morehead State’s Director of Risk and Compliance James Frazier deferred questions about their systems to aforementioned state regulations. “We operate off of building code, so [we follow] whatever building code requires at the time of construction,” he said.
see GAS, page 2
City stickers out, payroll tax in Destinee Marking Staff writer
dmarking@murraystate.edu
The Murray City Council voted 6-4 to pass a 1 percent payroll tax Aug. 24. Council members Pat Scott and Burton Young were absent from the Aug. 24 city council meeting. Before the reading of and vote on ordinance 2017-1743, a number of council members spoke. Councilman John Mark Roberts, in opposition of the tax, spoke about how he has personally been affected by the tax discussion. “Ever since this vote has been on the agenda, I’ve personally felt bullied and looked down on by members of the council because I voted no,” Roberts said. Following the vote, Roberts said he voted the way he felt he needed because his mind never changed. “I hope Murray can heal,” Roberts said. “I hurt for the community.” Council member Danny Hudspeth, in opposition of the tax, expressed disap-
pointment. “We as a council did not get a chance to debate or discuss this among ourselves,” Hudspeth said. “I think we could have done better.” After the vote, council member Robert Billington, who voted yes, said no one wins in this instance. “Nobody wants a payroll tax, but when our property taxes are the highest in the state for a city our size, our insurance taxes are the highest in the state for a city our size, you have to address revenue,” Billington said. Murray residents Jennifer Lynn and Orville Herndon spoke at the meeting. Lynn started attending city council meetings last November when the payroll tax discussion started. “I wanted a voice and I wanted to say ‘vote no,’” Lynn said. Lynn presented a PowerPoint persuading members of the council to vote no. She used statistics to explain how individuals working low-wage jobs will be af-
see PAYROLL , page 2
Brock Kirk/The News
City Council discusses changes to be made involving the payroll tax.
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