The Murray State News

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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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McKenna Dosier/The News

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.

@MurrayStateNews

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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@MurrayStateNews

The News

Page 2

August 31, 2017

News

Interim News Editor: Ashley Traylor Page Designer: Savanna Hatfield Phone: 270-809-4468 Twitter: MurrayStateNews

Amazon declares eclipse glasses faulty Destinee Marking Staff writer

dmarking@murraystate.edu

When Amazon recalled their solar eclipse glasses, local business scrambled to find replacements for community members looking forward to solar eclipse events.

The Calloway County Public Library and Angels Community Clinic both purchased glasses from Amazon, but on Aug. 12, Amazon began emailing customers regarding safety concerns.

“Amazon has not received confirmation from the supplier of your order that they sourced the item from a recommended manufacturer,” the email read. “We recommend that you DO NOT use this product to view the sun or the eclipse.”

Sandy Linn, collection development manager and the programming and community relations

GAS From Page 1 Northern Kentucky officials confirmed its situation to be similar to Murray State’s, including a lack of gas detectors.

“In residence halls, natural gas is used only for commercial cooking…and for clothes dryers in common laundry rooms, boilers, and emergency generators maintained

coordinator for the Calloway County Public Library, said the library purchased 300 pairs of glasses to distribute to participants of two different eclipse programs that were supposed to be held at the library.

Linn said she received the email advising not to use the glasses she purchased one day before the first event.

To ensure no one was put in danger, she said the glasses were not distributed.

Linn said her first order was refunded, but her second order of glasses was never delivered.

A post addressing the mishap on the library’s Facebook page stated, “CCPL regrets to inform patrons and program attendees that the Eclipse Glasses order anticipated for delivery on August 17, Have Not

Arrived. CCPL apologizes to program participants and patrons that NO GLASSES Will be available for distribution today.”

The McCracken County Public Library saw the Facebook post and offered them glasses they purchased, so Linn said the library was able to give out 100 pairs of glasses on the day of the eclipse.

“Had it not been for the generosity of the McCracken County Public Library we would have had none to distribute,” Linn said.

Angels Community Clinic also encountered issues with glasses they ordered. Some were included in the Amazon recall and some could not be confirmed as safe.

According to the clinic’s

Facebook post, “Some of the glasses we purchased were from the Amazon recall. The others were certified and when we tried to pull up the certificate the

by Facilities Management,” Jeffrey Baker, director of safety and emergency management at Northern Kentucky, wrote in an email.

“Natural gas is not available in the individual residential sleeping units. Stoves and ovens that are made available for use by students are powered by electric.”

In response to questions regarding the absence of detectors, Vice President of University Advancement Adrienne King wrote, “The building is/

was not equipped with natural gas detectors as this is not a building code requirement.”

The Kentucky State Fire Marshal’s investigation has been ongoing since the case was deemed non-criminal and transferred from the Kentucky State Police on June 29.

The assumed impact of natural gas detectors remains unknown. King deferred to the investigation when asked if other Murray State residence halls could see a similar fate as New Richmond.

website was no longer functioning.”

Sherry Crittendon, executive director of Angels Community Clinic, said the clinic distributed glasses in return for a $2 donation to the annual fundraiser they do.

“We figured it was a healthy issue, so since we’re a clinic we wanted to use it for our fundraiser,” Crittendon said.

When people were urged to return their glasses for a refund, Crittendon said some people told the clinic to keep the money and some did take the refund.

“Half of them said they went ahead and threw them away,” Crittendon said.

“They had gotten some of their own somewhere else and insisted the clinic keep the donation and others came in and swapped them out.”

Crittendon said thanks to Jim Taylor, director of operations at Land Between the Lakes, the clinic was able to obtain more glasses to give to those who had donated.

PAYROLL From Page 1 fected.

Lynn used an individual earning poverty level income, $12,060 per year, as her example. She came up with average monthly bills and explained without the tax, this individual would be short $3,000. With the payroll tax in addition, this indi-

Brock Kirk/The News

Eclipse viewers stare at the sky during the total solar eclipse Aug. 21.

vidual would lose $2.33 more each week.

Lynn said she has asked members of the council about raising the price of the city sticker. She said she would be willing to pay $100 instead of $50.

Councilman Jeremy Bell, in opposition of the tax, spoke about what will happen next.

He said most people he has talked to are against the tax and will be speaking up when the budget comes out

next year.

“The people, in this case, are going to demand accountability when it comes to this much money coming in,” Bell said.

In addition to passing the tax, the council voted 7-3 to repeal the city sticker. This ordinance will go into effect June 1, 2018. People residing in Murray will be required to have a city sticker and the city will continue to administer $150 fines until that date.

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August 31, 2017

Sports

Sports Editor: Bryan Edwards Assistant Sports Editor: Blake Sandlin Phone: 270-809-4481 Twitter: MSUSportsNews

McGraw dismissed from team Blake Sandlin

Assistant Sports Editor bsandlin1@murraystate.edu

Last season’s leading rusher on the Racers’ football team, sophomore Mareio McGraw, has been dismissed from the program following an off-campus incident that resulted in his arrest.

According to a press release from the Murray Police Department, authorities were alerted on Saturday, Aug. 26 of a robbery that had taken place the previous night.

Victims stated that as they entered their car parked at an apartment on North 16th Street in Murray, a man confronted them with a revolver, demanding they empty their pockets.

Victims said the man did not take any belongings, only cash.

After speaking with the victims, police identified the suspect as McGraw. Authorities later arrested McGraw in connection with the robbery on Saturday.

The 19-year-old was charged with three counts of robbery in the first degree, a class B felony.

McGraw is currently behind held

in the Calloway County Jail on a $250,000 bond. The incident prompted the Murray State athletic department to take action.

“Everyone is innocent until proven guilty and the legal process will take its course as it relates to this alleged incident,” Director of Athletics Allen Ward said. “However, based on the information we have been provided, we believe the matter warrants dismissing Mareio from the team for violating both department policy and team rules.”

Ward added the situation is ongoing, and the athletic department will deal with matters pertaining to the incident as information is obtained.

“As with all discipline and legal matters, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and evaluate additional information as it becomes available from local law enforcement who are handling the investigation,” Ward said.

The arrest comes just weeks after the football program officially cut ties with former running back Roman Clay after he

was cited for a DUI on Aug. 18.

Last season, McGraw led the Racers with 571 total rushing yards. With the addition of freshman running back D.J. Penick, McGraw was projected second in a deep rotation for the upcoming season, but was expected to see the field regularly in Head Coach Mitch Stewart’s system.

Stewart said the loss of McGraw was an unfortunate event that will affect the whole team.

“We preach a lot about accountability and those things,” Stewart said. “Everybody, myself, these coaches and all of these players are all accountable for one another. When you leave this building or when you’re in this building, when you’re at practice or away from practice, we’re all accountable for one another, so when something happens it’s going to affect everybody, and it did.”

McGraw’s untimely departure prompted Stewart to insert freshman Nick Collins into the void as the Racer’s prepare for their season-opener at home on Thursday, Aug. 31 against Kentucky Wesleyan College.

Chalice Keith/The News

Former running back Mareio McGraw runs during a game last season. McGraw was dismissed from the team following his arrest for three counts of robbery in the first degree.

Football begins final preparations Blake Sandlin

Assistant Sports Editor bsandlin1@murraystate.edu

Chalice Keith/The News

Freshman quarterback Corey Newble carries a ball during practice. The Racers are running through their final preparations ahead of their season-opener against Kentucky Wesleyan.

Music blaring, hearts beating, bodies itching to experience that first taste of contact: that’s right, Murray State football is back.

The Racers will take the field on Thursday, Aug. 31 at Roy Stewart Stadium to face Kentucky Wesleyan College in their first game of the 2017 season. Even days before the game, Head Coach Mitch Stewart said he’s excited to watch his team play in an actual game.

“There’s a little different feel this week,” Stewart said. “As much as you don’t want it to be, there’s a little more sense of urgency around the building because it’s right around the corner.”

But this feeling isn’t an unfamiliar one for most Racer players. In fact, with 17 starters returning for Murray State, the suspense and excitement associated with game week is a feeling many players have felt before.

For all the experienced returners, however, the Racers will be rivaled by myriad inexperience in

their backfield. Just last week, Stewart announced that junior transfer Shuler Bentley will undergo quarterback duties following a summer full of questions regarding the position.

Stewart said Bentley’s physique doesn’t jump off the page, but his composure and IQ in the pocket caught the attention of coaches in preseason camp.

“He was just more productive and took care of the football,” Stewart said.

“He’s a guy from a size standpoint that isn’t overly big and isn’t above average arm talent, he’s just a smart player that’s not going to hurt you. I think that’s the biggest thing from spring ball all the way through fall camp – the number of turnovers, or lack thereof, was truly what stuck out to us.”

Sophomore wide receiver Jonathan Moss said the transition from playing with a seasoned veteran, like KD Humphries last year, to playing with a newcomer like Bentley hasn’t been a difficult change, however he admitted building the on-field relationship will take time.

“It hasn’t been a big adjustment,” Moss said.

“Playing with KD was a really good opportunity

because he was so experienced and really knew what he was doing, so everything flowed really well.

But playing with Shuler, we’ve got to get our chemistry right and get used to playing with him a little more.”

Another newcomer who will see an influx of reps during the season-opener is freshman running back D.J. Penick. Penick was the projected starter prior to sophomore Mareio McGraw’s dismissal from the team.

McGraw led the Racers in rushing yards last season, but Stewart is hoping Penick can pick up where McGraw left off when the Panthers come to town.

“He’s an explosive runner,” Stewart said. “He’s a tough kid. He’s a freshman, so there are some things we have to go through just from a vision standpoint that he’s not used to. But he’s very polished and has picked up on the system really fast. He’s had a really good camp.”

Murray State will be hoping Penick’s run game pays off when they matchup against a Kentucky Wesleyan team that finished 3-8 last season. Yet despite

see PREVIEW, page 4

Soccer drops the ‘Yellowhammer’ Gage Johnson

Contributing writer gjohnson17@murraystate.edu

GAME ONE After starting off the season 1-0-0 at home, the Racers traveled to Alabama this weekend and won their first of two games in their season opening road trip with a 2-1 victory at Troy.

After almost an hour of play, the first goal was scored by sophomore forward Miyah Watford on an assist from junior forward Cori Cain. However, Troy retaliated and sophomore midfielder Julia Winter scored the Trojans’ first goal three minutes later.

Murray State’s continued aggressiveness led to eight shots on goal in the game and inevitably paid off. Murray State head coach Jeremy Groves said second half play was a turn around for the team.

“I felt like we took our chances better,” Groves said. “We didn’t create as much as we wanted in the first.”

After another scoreless drought for both teams, the Racers cracked the scoreboard once again. Last week’s OVC Offen-

sive Player of the Week, senior forward Harriet Withers, scored her third goal on the season off an assist from sophomore forward Emma Heise. With that goal Withers’ career goal count moved to 28, only six goals away from the all-time Murray State record of 34 held by Theresa Reedy. The 2-1 win at Troy puts the Racers at 2-0-0 for the season.

GAME TWO The Racers’ soccer team headed to the University of South Alabama for their second game of the weekend.

South Alabama scored the first goal of the game off a penalty kick. Murray State’s defense didn’t get a break with South Alabama getting off 10 shots by the end of the first half. The Racers cracked the scoreboard as Withers scored her fourth goal of the year to end the half tied 1-1.

In the second half, the game went down to the wire as if the two teams had swapped gameplans. Murray State got nine shots off in the half, while the Jaguars managed to only get two.

Withers added another goal

to the books late in the second half to give the Racers a 2-1 lead.

Withers inched closer to the Murray State career record for goals scored by scoring her fifth goal in three games. The goal marked the 30th of her career as a Racer, and she is now only five goals away from breaking the scoring record held by Theresa Reedy with 34 career goals (2001-2004).

While the Jaguars attempted several shots of their own in the second half, they were unsuccessful, allowing Murray State to claim a 2-1 victory and extend their early winning streak to three.

Coach Groves said he has been very impressed with his team thus far.

“This is probably the best team we’ve ever had here.” Groves said.

The win pushed the Racers to 3-0-0 on the year as they kept the Jaguars winless on their season.

Coach Groves and the Racers Chalice Keith/The News will look to continue their hot streak as they hit the field at 1 Senior forward Harriet Withers dribbles past a defender during a game last season. Withers has scored five goals in three games and has been named p.m. on Sept. 3 at Northern Ken- OVC Offensive Player of the Week two weeks running. tucky University.

Sports

Page 4

The News

August 31, 2017

Transfers adjust to change Keenan Hall

Contributing writer khall16@murraystate.edu

Transfers make transitions from college to college with intentions of creating better opportunities for their futures – a concept the football program at Murray State is all too familiar with.

M u r r a y State’s football team has 22 out of 94 players on its roster who transferred from a different college. Senior Gainey wide receiver L.J. Gainey was a transfer last season.

Gainey, from Snellville, Georgia, went to Fullerton College, a junior college in Southern California. While at Fullerton, Gainey recorded 60 catches and 590 yards. However, after his sophomore season, he made the decision to transfer to Murray State to continue his collegiate career.

Gainey soon realized that Division I is on a much differ-

PREVIEW From Page 3 a losing record and being a smaller Division II school, the Panthers have no shortage of resources at their disposal. Keelan Cole, who played for Kentucky Wesleyan last season, just got his first taste of NFL action with the Jacksonville Jaguars, catching a 97-yard touchdown pass in the process.

The Panthers are equipped with former Austin Peay wide receiver Jared Beard, who in his junior year with the Governors nabbed 910 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, ranking fourth in the OVC in receptions per game and fourth in receiving yards per game.

Leading Kentucky Wes-

ent level than Junior College, or JUCO. “Just the organization and the speed of the game,” Gainey said of the differences in Division I. “Coming from Junior College, [Division I] is more organized, more structured and there are better athletes.”

Last season, he appeared in 10 games and had three starts for the Racers, nabbing 16 receptions and 93 yards. Gainey mentioned how his experience playing Junior College football and transferring has made an impact on his game.

“I put in the work on my own time because out there, they are not really focused on an individual player,” Gainey said. “It’s kinda like you’re on your own.”

Junior offensive lineman J.R. Burns is in his first season at Murray State.

Burns, transfer from Corinth, Mississippi, played for Northwest Mississippi Community College for two years.

Burns aided Northwest Mississippi to a title in the 2015 season and sixth place in the nation last season. He had a successful career at the community college level but he de-

cided he needed a change and transferred to Murray State.

Burns has yet to play a snap for the Racers, but he has witnessed a difference in the pace of practices compared to JUCO. Burns

“The intensity at practice, I think it’s a lot faster. We’re on go all the time,” Burns said. “I think that was one of the biggest steps for me coming in, being as fast as I can, on every little play.”

As Burns turned the page to the next chapter in his life, JUCO taught him some valuable lessons for Division I. “I think talent level was very high. We had a lot of talent on my team in JUCO, and I think it made me very prepared for this level,” Burns said.

Success contributes to making the best out of any opportunity you are given, and Gainey and Burns made a choice to better their situations and make a path for their futures.

leyan’s offense will be sophomore quarterback Mike McGee. McGee received most of his reps towards the second half of the season last year, but still managed to complete 56 percent of his passes while recording 1,180 throwing yards and 13 touchdowns.

“They’ve got a couple weapons offensively,” Stewart said of the Panthers. “They do a few things defensively that present a problem. They move around a lot, making it hard to identify some things from a front standpoint. Those guys do a really good job at getting those guys prepared and coming up with a good game plan.”

However, the Racers will come into the game with offensive weapons of their own and a roster that Stewart said is likely the healthiest he’s ever had. Starting

at wide receiver for Thursday’s game will be sophomore Rajai Perkins and seniors Jordon Gandy, Demetric Johnson and L.J. Gainey.

With several high-profile matchups against the University of Central Arkansas and the University of Louisville awaiting the Racers succeeding the season-opener, it’s easy to look forward to what’s to come, but Stewart said his team is keeping everything in perspective.

“This is the biggest game we have this year just because it’s the only one that we’re going to play right now, so we’re focused on nothing but Kentucky Wesleyan,” Stewart said.

The Racers will look to pick up an early win in their season-opener that kicksoff at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31 at Roy Stewart Stadium.

Listen to The Murray State News’ weekly sports podcast, The Racer Rundown on SoundCloud every Thursday, starting Aug. 31.

Graphic courtesy of Rosalyn Churchman

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August 31, 2017

Features Racers Pay It Forward Features Editor: Emily Williams Assistant Features Editor: Nick Erickson Page Designer: Rachel Solomon Phone: 270-809-5871 Twitter: MSUNewsFeatures

Emily Williams

about the program, she would like to get involved.

“This is a program that I personally am very ewilliams15@murraystate.edu committed to and feel it is truly a service to our students,” Ray said. “I feel it makes the receipt Murray State Parking Services and University adof a citation more positive when the individual ministration have joined efforts and implemented realizes that their donation in lieu of the fine is a Pay It Forward program that gives students the helping others.” opportunity to donate to the Racers Helping Racers According to the Murray State Parking Services food pantry in exchange for paying a parking citawebsite, food items must be brought to Parking tion once per semester.

Services within 30 days of receiving a parking citaThe program, which is tion. The site states that as of specifically-designed for Aug. 30, donations of peanut Murray State, is unique in butter are no longer being that non-perishable food accepted due to the overitems that are given to the whelming amount donated Racers Helping Racers food already. bank are exclusively deThe following citations signed to help students at the are eligible for food donauniversity, said Francie Ray, tions, according to the site: Parking Manager at Murray • Non-Registration of VehiState Parking Services. cle for Permit ($100) Racers Helping Racers is a • Loading/Striped/Yellow food pantry for Murray State Curb/Grass/Grounds students in need to utilize ($80) upon presenting their stu• Parking in Drive/Obdent I.D. structing Traffic/Side“We felt that as a student walks/Crosswalks ($80) centered university this pro• Improper/Non-Display of gram would be a win-win Valid Permit ($50) for our university commu• Wrong Zone ($15) nity,” Ray said. “The food • Beyond Time Limit ($15) items would be utilized by • Improper Parking/Parkstudents on our campus that ing against Flow of Traffic were in need.” ($15) Ray said this is the univerThe following items can sity’s first year implementing Graphic courtesy of Rachel Solomon/The News be donated to Racers Helpthis program. ing Racers in exchange for Brianna Jones, graduate student from Louisville, paying a citation: Kentucky said she commutes from her apartment Jelly, Cans of Fruit, Vegetables, Beans, Vegetable in Murray to campus Monday through Friday and (4 packs), Canned Pasta, Fruit Cups, Tuna/Chicken it usually takes her anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 cans or pouches (4 pack), Soup cans, Ramen Noominutes to find a parking spot on campus. dle (6 packs), Rice A Roni Cups, Minute Rice Cups, “I think this program is a great alternative to havBeenie Weenie cans, Snack Crackers/Cookies, ing college students with more than likely a very Pudding Cups (4 pack), Applesauce Cups (6 pack), small amount of money pay parking tickets that can Macaroni & Cheese cups (4 pack), Cereal boxes (12 be the same amount as a couple weeks of groceroz or more), Cereal Cups, Instant Oatmeal Boxes ies,” Jones said.

(10 count or more), Boxes of Crackers (12 oz or She said she has just begun to get familiar with more) and boxes of Granola Bars.

Racers Helping Racers since she recently moved “This program truly promotes the student-cento Murray for graduate school but after hearing tered focus of Murray State,” Ray said.

Features Editor

Photo courtesy of Francie Ray

Katlyn Gibbons, Murray State student, helps give back to Racers Helping Racers.

‘Write Well Right Now’ Retired Murray State professor publishes grammar handbook Sydni Anderson Staff writer

sanderson33@murraystate.edu

A retired professor from Murray State’s College of Education is helping students and professionals write better one grammar rule at a time. William Koenecke published his handbook “Write Well Right Now” in May of this year. The book offers rules and advice for people struggling with writing.

Koenecke said it was his students at Murray State that prompted him to write the book.

“I had so many students in my classes that were really pathetic in English, grammar, punctuation and writing,” Koenecke said. “I started out with a little handbook that I made for them that was ten or fifteen pages.”

Koenecke started writing the guidebook when he was still a professor at Murray State 7 years ago. He retired in 2012.

He decided to focus on writing his book following retirement.

“One of the first things I did was look for an author support group,” Koenecke said. “I figured there had to be one at Murray State but when I looked around, I couldn’t find one. So I decided to start my own.”

The Murray Authors Support Group was born March 2015.

The group meets once a month, offering constructive criticism over writing, discussion over the work of famous authors and opportunities to listen to guest speakers. Koenecke said the group helped push him through writer’s block and into finishing his book.

“I said, ‘the only thing I’m going to ask since I started the club is for you to help me finish the book,’” Koenecke said. “‘I don’t want you to help me write it but I want to you kick me in the butt if I’m not doing what I’m supposed to do and if I’m not progressing.’”

As a thank you, Koenecke gave group members who had attended at least three meetings a free copy of his book once it was finished.

Allison Laski/The News

A group of Murray State students in the filming stages of the 48 Hour Film Project.

Murray State students behind the lens Students utilize their skills in local filmmaking project Emily Williams Features Editor ewilliams15@murraystate.edu

Photo contributed by William Koenecke

William Koenecke, retired Murray State professor, published his first grammar handbook.

Jean Lorrah, a retired Murray State professor and member of Murray Authors Support Group, has written over 25 books. She said Koenecke invited her to the writers’ group when he started it.

“By presenting something for the group to critique every few months, I get fresh eyes on what I’m working on and it keeps me on my writing schedule,” Lorrah said.

She said Koenecke’s book offers answers to the nagging questions writers face during copyediting.

“If problems of clarity and correctness are not dealt with, many readers will be put off by the errors we all make in the heat of creativity,” she said.

“Even more will give up if they keep stumbling over unclear sentences they must solve like puzzles,” she said.

Ken Tucker is also a retired professor and member of the writers’ group. He has published 19 books and said the

group keeps him up-to-date on the “ever-changing world of book publishing.” He described Koenecke’s book as clear, well-organized and valuable.

“I keep it on my bookshelf,” Tucker said.

However, Koenecke’s book is not just for writers. Koenecke said he disagrees with people who don’t think grammar is important. He said it can make the difference in getting a job.

“Many people don’t understand that you only have one chance to make a first impression,” Koenecke said.

“If you write poorly and have bad grammar, they see that letter and right away you’re done. Their first impression is that you’re stupid.”

Koenecke said he hopes to help people by writing saga to his handbook focused on test-taking skills. Besides that, he’s looking to promote “Write Well Right Now” and a TV appearance may be looming in the future.

A handful of Murray State students and filmmakers recently teamed up to participate in what is being called the “granddaddy” of filmmaking competitions.

The 48 Hour Film Project is the world’s oldest and largest timed filmmaking competition, according to 48hourfilm.com and the project is all about creativity, fun and community.

Maiden Alley Cinema of Paducah, Kentucky was faithful in continuing their annual tradition of organizing the local manifestation of this international movement for anyone interested in filmmaking once again this year.

This is MAC’s ninth year of organizing the 48HFP. The fundamentals of the 48HFP consist of the following rigorous schedule: Friday night – All teams draw a random genre from a hat and are then given a character, prop and one line that they are required to include in their films.

Saturday and Sunday – film, film, film. The 48HFP site describes this experience as “a wild and sleepless weekend,” and right they are. Writing, shooting and editing consume these days.

Sunday evening – The films are turned in and the teams breathe a sigh of relief. The film

is then screened at a local theater, in this case MAC, in front of an audience of filmmakers, friends and family.

Landee Bryant-Greene, Executive Director at Maiden Alley Cinema and producer of the Paducah 48 Hour Film Project said the event has become a signature part of their programming at MAC and really inspires participation across the board.

“When we began participating in this, the national organization said that Paducah was too small and initially turned me down but after much convincing they said we could do it if we get 12 teams to register,” Bryant-Greene said. “In 2009 we got exactly 12 teams.”

She said since getting 12 teams to participate, they have had teams that come back time and time again to participate in the event along with those teams who participate only one time.

“The quality and abilities have definitely gotten better over the years,” Bryant-Greene said. “We are so very proud to be a part.”

Nathan Leatherman, senior from Idaho Falls, Idaho, and filmmaker in the Paducah 48 Hour Film Project said this is his second year participating in the event and said he enjoys the constraints of the 48 Hour Film Project because you don’t have time to obsess or over think things.

“If an actor’s lines are close enough and she is in focus with decent sound then great, let’s move on to the next shot,” Leatherman said. “Traditional film set hierarchy tends to disappear as everyone on the team is equally invested in seeing the project completed.”

Leatherman said he thinks the 48HFP provides many ways for students to learn multiple aspects of the filmmaking process.

“You really get a sense of what everyone’s job is and how all the parts work together,” Leatherman said. “Solid makeup, costuming, acting, sound, editing, photography, directing, producing, catering.

All of these parts contribute to creating a better, more entertaining product.”

Bryant-Greene said she finds out of town judges who are in the film industry to judge the Paducah event to avoid bias.

She said the winner from each local event participating all over the world is then chosen and represents their town in Filmapalooza, their end of the year event.

This year’s Paducah 48 Hour Film Project winner was the team of Doctor Deuce who won Best Film of 2017 for their film Solamente which will go on to represent Paducah at Filmapalooza in Seattle, Washington.

The News

Features

Page 6

August 31, 2017 Nick’s Notes

Moving Forward

Photo courtesy of zh.wikipedia.org

Ella Yelich-O’Connor, commonly known as Lorde, released her latest album “Melodrama.”

Lorde masters madness in ‘Melodrama’

Nick Erickson

Assistant Features Editor

nerickson@murraystate.edu

Change is inevitable, as is artist progression. However, it’s not often when an artist reaches a level of maturation so early in their career where it would be easy to mistake them as older and more seasoned. Such is the case with Ella Yelich-O’Connor, known by her stage alias as “Lorde.”

The 20-year-old New Zealand singer had a breakthrough with her 2013 debut electropop release “Pure Heroine” at the mere age of 16. With her teenage years concluding, Lorde has now emerged again with “Melo-

drama.” Encapsulating all the vigorous charm of its predecessor, the album is her moodiest, wisest and most impactful work to date.

It’s undoubted that a strong suit of “Pure Heroine” was Lorde’s crafty lyricism which distinguished it from a plethora of 2010s pop. Displaying a level of self-awareness far above her competitors, she dissected human ideals and materialism all the while.

With “Melodrama,” she intertwines introspection with a new wave twist. By now, it’s clear that Lorde is not afraid to exploit her raw thoughts and take hold of creative liberation. She even turned down the advice of

infamous award-winning producer Max Martin, who had dubbed her artistic method as “incorrect songwriting.”

Attentive listeners can tell Lorde does not abide to Martin’s notions when opener “Green Light” hits. Kicking into gear with singing so direct one would imagine she was aiming it at the listener, over some swelling synth. An arsenal of pounding piano leads to a drop no one could expect, developing into one of the catchiest singles of the year.

“Sober” begins with electronic chord stabs imitating a synthesized brass ensemble. As it builds, Lorde graces listeners with a tim-

bre treading a fine line between silk and rasp. Coupled with a woodblock-driven chorus and bright ambiance, it will be hard not to bob a head to. With a pulse rivaling the intensity of her 2013 hit “Royals,” “Perfect Places” holds its own weight in being remarkably infectious. “It’s just another graceless night,” she sings before an explosive chorus with loaded harmonies strikes full-force.

When production is stripped to its purest form, Lorde shines brightest.

Piano ballad “Liability” is Lorde’s heart-wrenching testimony to a falling out of love, clocking in at just under three minutes. “The

truth is I am a toy that people enjoy / ‘till all of the tricks don’t work anymore,” she sings soft enough to break easily.

Before his untimely death, David Bowie voiced his belief that Lorde was “the future of music.” While being a subjective claim, one could objectively look at the artistry and passion in Lorde’s work and think “you know, he might’ve been onto something.” Only an EP and two full-length releases under her repertoire, Lorde has made a name for herself as a visionary and game-changing artist. “Melodrama” is the next step in her method of madness, and it’s a masterful one at that.

Students chart a map to success Nick Erickson Assistant Features Editor nerickson@murraystate.edu

Upon moving to a new place, it can be confusing learning the layout of the area. This is often the case for incoming college freshmen. Luckily for the Class of 2021, a new online interactive map of campus has been created and it is sure to be of aid.

Created by Travis West, senior geoscience major of Somerset, Kentucky and lecturer of geosciences Michael Busby, the map is geared toward being an easily accessible way to learn about and navigate Murray State.

The map is retrieved by clicking a hyperlink on the Murray State website under the “Campus Map” tab.

Users are redirected to an overhead view of campus similar to what one may see using Google Maps. Coinciding with the printable version of the map, what differentiates the interactive map from the rest is the user’s ability to click on tabs displaying information on each individual campus building.

Each of the respective building’s tabs holds information pertaining to its purpose. For example, users can click on the tab for any of Murray State’s residential colleges and find out what the building can accommodate for students as well as the number of bathrooms on each floor. For incoming freshmen looking to see where womens soccer is located, they could use the map to navigate to Cutchin Recreational Complex. The map even pinpoints where the campus’ police department resides.

West said the idea for an interactive

web-based map came up when assessing the current state of the campus.

“There is a paper style map of the university that hasn’t been updated in quite a few years,” West said. “With the new buildings on campus, it needed to be updated.”

West said the map required a great deal of information and time, including the use of hundreds of data files.

“There’s a lot of geospatial data management going on to organize an interactive map, before it even becomes user friendly,” West said. “After you get the base of that, there is the work of putting it into a user-friendly format.”

Even to those who have become seasoned to Murray State’s campus, students agree that the online map serves to be a convenient tool.

“I’ve been here for a year and I still forget where some places are at times,” said Grant Jackonski, sophomore from Cadiz, Kentucky. “No one carries a paper map with them, but everyone has a smartphone, so this might come in handy.”

Austin Graves, sophomore from St. Louis, Missouri, shared a similar sentiment and said having a detailed map online was favorable.

“I wish I had this my freshman year,” Graves said. “I still forget where Sparks Hall is half the time, so I figure freshmen can make good use of this.”

The new interactive map can be located by going to www.murraystate. edu/Info/CampusMap, and clicking on the interactive map link. You can then click on the various red checkers indicating specific locations on Murray State’s campus.

Photo courtesy of murraystate.edu

The mobile view of the Murray State interactive campus map.

With my final year of college on the horizon, I finally managed to accomplish something I’ve wanted Nick Erickson since my Assistant Features first day Editor at Murray State: I moved into my first apartment. Two of my closest friends and I moved into our new residence in Campus Evolution Villages. Ecstatic to finally free myself from the dorms (or residential colleges, if you will), I woke up an extra hour than I originally intended and rolled with it. The move-in process was seamless and after a few hours and the aid of our parents we were all set.

After settling in for a while and helping two more of our friends move into their own apartment across the parking lot we engaged in the contemporary college pastime of eating Papa Johns while watching Rick and Morty.

Nighttime fell and I settled into my new, conspicuously comfortable bed. Without warning I was swept with a feeling similar to nostalgia, without any of the pleasantries.

Before I graduated high school, I often found myself extremely anxious thinking about moving to Murray State in the coming months.

Fearing for the worst, my mind would consistently be filled with uncertainty and other intrusive thoughts.

This is the mentality I fell back into my first night in my apartment.

With August coming to an end, I have roughly nine months until my seemingly short-lived college career also concludes. I’ve began to realize lately that like before my high school graduation, I’m anxious for what the future my bring. At least then, going to Murray State was a definitive plan. Now, everything I once contemplated for my future seems to be up in the air.

Nothing seems to be set in stone anymore. There are a handful of possibilities I have in mind for 2018. After my lease ends, I have every intention of moving to pursue a career in journalism. Though I’m leaning toward Nashville, I keep trying to weigh my options. To add to the pile, there’s the weight of my (hopefully) irrational thinking. I fear that distance will strain every relationship I have and as I lose touch with those whom I now call close, all will fall apart.

It sounds ridiculous, right?

Now already two weeks into the semester and like it always seems the school year is flying by. When I catch myself over-thinking, I keep repeating the same two actions: breathing deep and reminding myself that “anything is possible.”

Though at first, those three words are terrifying, they also hold hope that I can face adversity. I braced for the worst when starting college and came to find that while there were some unexpected occurrences, half the issues I feared for were nonexistent.

Shortly after I turn 22 and my lease ends, there will be the beginning of something.

What it is, I’m not sure yet. If one thing’s for sure, it’s that I’ll figure it out. nerickson@murraystate.edu

KOBUDO Traditional Okinawan Weapons Class

This class would be for all levels.

In interested in an evening class: Call (270) 227-9387

www.TheNews.org

The News

Page 7

August 31, 2017

Opinion Editor: Tyler Anderson Page Designer: Tori Wood Phone: 270-809-5873

Opinion Our View

M

Trash talk The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board.

Connor Jaschen Editor-in-Chief • 270-809-6877 cjaschen@murraystate.edu

Austin Gordon Production Manager • 270-809-5877 agordon4@murraystate.edu

Collin Morris News Editor • 270-809-4468 cmorris29@murraystate.edu

Tyler Anderson Opinion Editor • 270-809-5873 janderson49@murraystate.edu

Emily Williams Features Editor • 270-809-5871 ewilliams15@murraystate.edu

Bryan Edwards Sports Editor • 270-809-4481 bedwards16@murraystate.edu

Iqra Ilyas Advertising Sales Manager • 270-809-4478 msunewsads@gmail.com

McKenna Dosier Photography Editor • 270-809-5878 mdosier@murraystate.edu

Autumn Brown/The News

Murray State University has a bad case of litterbugs, and it’s going to take a lot more than a can of Raid to fix the problem.

Paper, water bottles and takeout boxes often find themselves strewn across university property, set adrift in a moment of callous carelessness, often by someone who just really needed to make it to class on time.

We, as students, are fully functioning adults who are spending thousands of dollars to be on this campus, so the time for lectures on personal responsibility and taking care of the environment should be in the past – yet, here we are.

A piece of trash here and there might not seem like much, but it adds up quickly, and if you’re not part of the solution, you’re a part of the problem.

Simple changes in student behavior can have a huge impact on how parents, alumni and visitors perceive the campus community – and it can only reflect positively on us all if the landscaping stays debris free.

But it would be unfair to implicate student behavior as the sole problem.

What’s the first thing you will look for if you need to get rid of trash? More often than not, a trash can. Unfortunately, there seems to be a metal shortage, because along most walkways across campus, trash bins are few

and far between. Recycling bins are even more scarce if you’re not in one of the facilities.

Even if you can hunt one down, it’s not uncommon to find it overflowing (the bins by Stubblefield Gate are notable repeat offenders).

Several decades-old facilities are in need of serious upkeep and the campus landscaping pales in comparison to other colleges across the Commonwealth. The addition of a sufficient amount of trash and recycling bins is a simple, and less costly, upgrade comparatively.

If the administration and student body can meet somewhere between personal responsibility and practical bin placement, the grass would be much greener.

Unfortunately, everyday debris is only one of the issues. The other: cigarettes.

Despite Murray State operating under the pretense of being a “smoke free” campus, no one seems to be deterred from lighting up seemingly anywhere outside. This is the direct result of a lax tobacco and smoking policy that does little in the way of keeping the grounds and air clean.

According to the Murray State Tobacco Policy, “The use of all tobacco products is prohibited on all property that is owned, operated, leased, occupied, or controlled by the University…”

Another document, Tobacco

Free Locations, contradicts this: “no smoking within 25 feet from building openings and major air intake vents…”

The latter of the two has become rule of thumb for staff and students. But with vague consequences and little in the way of enforcement, there’s not much to stop anyone from smoking where they please.

Most baffling of all is the “removal of signage and ashtrays” as of March 15, 2015. This was an irresponsible move on the university’s part, and we are all reaping the consequences.

Some may have noticed buckets of sand that appeared in the common smoking areas last semester. Assuming they were for cigarette butt disposal, they failed to become anything more than mosquito breeding grounds after a good rain.

If the littering continues, the university must take a stand: no smoking on campus or provide ways to properly dispose of the waste.

A clean campus should be a priority for everyone. But for a positive change to take place, both the student body and university administrators must be committed to accepting blame for the issues at hand and work together to make the Racer legacy something we can all be proud of.

Keep it classy, not trashy.

Allison Laski Chief Videographer • 270-809-5878 alaski@murraystate.edu

Cheers & Jeers

Stephanie Anderson Adviser • 270-809-3937 sanderson37@murraystate.edu

Cheers to ... Roy Stewart Stadium upgrades

The News 2609 University Station Murray State University Murray, Kentucky 42071-3301 murraystatenews@icloud.com Fax: 270-809-3175

TheNews.org The News welcomes commentaries and letters to the editor. Submissions should be 600 words or less, and contributors should include phone numbers for verification. Please include hometown, classification and title or relationship to the university. The News reserves the right to edit for style, length and content. No anonymous contributions will be accepted. All contributions should be turned in by noon on Monday of each week via email to hbeard2@murraystate.edu. Contributions to The News are the opinion of the author and not that of The Murray State News.

The News strives to be the university community’s source for information. Our goal is to present that information in a fair and unbiased manner and provide a free and open forum for expression and debate.

The News is a designated public forum. Student editors have authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval.

The paper offers a hands-on learning environment for students interested in journalism. The campus press should be free from censorship and advance approval of copy and its editors should develop their editorial and news policies.

The News is prepared and edited by students and is an official publication of Murray State University. The first copy is free. Additional copies are available for 25 cents at 111 Wilson Hall.

Jeers to ... Bad street etiquette

It’s pretty nice to see the facade of the university get a much-needed facelift. New spotlights and clean stadium walls and seats, as well as a new video board (to be installed this fall) are all welcome updates. Roy Stewart Stadium is often the first bit of campus parents and visitors see, so we’re well on our way to making a great first impression.

Traffic in Murray is notoriously bad for such a small city; it doesn’t get any better when classes are in session. But can we all agree to pay attention to the road when we’re driving? Too many close calls at crosswalks across campus have made many wary of walking anywhere. Also, pedestrians do have right-of-way, but you’re not invincible. Watch where you’re walking!

Making Headway

What did we make her do?

Dylan Doyle Contributing writer ddoyle2@murraystate.edu Taylor Swift – ever a popular topic of conversation for traditional and social media outlets alike – recently dropped the acerbic video for her controversial song “Look What You Made Me Do,” and this spiritual successor to “Blank Space” is out for bad blood (and not just Kim Kardashian’s).

Plenty of reviews and think pieces have already been written about “Look What You Made Me Do,” theorizing about what meanings are carried by the snake ring or the golden bird cage, but the lyrics leave us with one burning question: what exactly did Swift do? Or, more precisely, what did we make her do?

Since she debuted as a country act, the media (and everyone with a Twitter account) has been eager to pick her character apart, calling into question her vocal ability, her intentions, her songwriting chops and even her personal authentic-

ity itself. At different points in her career, Swift has put on (and eventually shed) several personas in an attempt to please her fans and her critics in equal measure.

Swift is at her best when she’s making fun of herself, but this era goes a step further than the simple self-satirization of “Blank Space.” In many ways this song (and presumably the entirety of her forthcoming album “Reputation”) is about the toxicity of fame culture, acting as an interrogation of our conception of celebrity.

She includes some subtle jabs at Kanye West, Katy Perry and others, but the “you” she keeps insisting she doesn’t like does not refer to any particular individual here.

The ending of the video features Swift’s various incarnations viciously throwing insults at each other, mirroring the criticism she has received from the public in recent years. It’s a disturbing scene to say the least. While Swift has certainly earned her share of public backlash (she has been rightly censured for her cheap and disposable brand of

feminism and her self-victimization in situations she is responsible for), it is all too easy to forget the human being underneath during a social media pile on.

In another poignant scene, Swift wraps her car around a pole while “look what you made me do” repeats in the background, but when the paparazzi shows up, she is back to posing with a Grammy award, even as her car catches fire. The people with the cameras do not seem to care about her personal safety or wellbeing, paying attention only to the symbol of her musical achievement.

Add this to the opening act showing her rising from a grave labeled “Taylor Swift’s Reputation” and we start to see her point. The thing we made her do is a kind of pseudo-suicide, with the new zombified Swift burying her nicer counterpart. The implicit message is this: no more Ms. Nice Taylor. We have killed her.

How much of that is true is very difficult to say, since Swift is a shrewd Machiavellian master of controlling and rewriting her own narrative. She knows how to sell

a product better than anyone else in the current American celebrity scene (you can get your own silver snake ring from her website for one easy payment of $60). Even so, she is making it clear through her album artwork, featuring text styled after popular physical newspapers like The New York Times, that it isn’t only trashy tabloids making money by attacking her reputation.

“Look What You Made Me Do” is a libel lawsuit against pop culture itself – Swift is tired of the way celebrities are commodified and therefore dehumanized by an audience greedy for the next piece of gossip or hearsay. The imagery of Swift having a tea party with literal serpents is a far cry from the bespectacled girl-nextdoor she was playing in 2008, but she’s pointing her finger at all of us as the reason for her transformation.

Considering the relentless, personal and often extremely sexist coverage of Taylor Swift throughout her career, maybe she’s right.

You asked for this, she seems to say. You made me do this.

Maybe we did.

News

Page 8

The News

August 31, 2017

Community behind the badge Murray Police Department connects via philanthropy Katlyn Mackie Staff writer

kmackie2@murraystate.edu

Murray Police Department partnered with Town and Gown on Aug. 29 for its annual Community Night, directed toward bringing the community together.

Sgt. Brant Shutt of the Murray Police Department said with all the troubles going on nationwide in different communities, such as police issues and racial divisions, it is important to remind everyone the police department supports the community.

“We really want to push that we are a community-oriented police department,” Shutt said. “We are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, just like anybody else. We are not here to do anything but help our community.”

Shutt said the most important part is having as many organizations who want to be a part of the event come to it.

“This is not about the police department,” Shutt said. “This is not about Murray State.

This is about the community coming together.”

Although this was not the police department’s first year to host Community Night, it was the first time the department partnered with Town and Gown, a Murray State outreach organization.

Carol Brunn, special projects coordinator of Town and Gown, said part of their mission is to sponsor cultural activities to benefit the community and show a partnership with the university.

Brunn said she felt community night was a great opportunity for Town and Gown to provide a new recreation for children.

“I thought, what better way than to bring the university and community together and sponsor something for the children, so we did the inflatables this year,” Brunn said.

In addition to inflatables,

the event provided other attractions for children such as the Murray Bank Ice Cream Machine and a prize wheel sponsored by Froggy 103.7.

Organizations lined the park with informational booths from CASA by the Lakes, the Community Emergency Response Team, Sexual Assault and Child Advocacy Center and Suicide Prevention Coalition of Calloway County.

Another booth was from the Murray Family Resource Youth Service Center where people in attendance could write thank you cards for first responders.

Morgan Carman, coordinator of the family resource center, said last year they played a bingo game and gave away prizes, but said writing cards “makes more sense” because it is hosted by the police department.

The event also had appearances from local first responders including Calloway

County Sheriff’s office, Murray Fire Department, Murray State University Police and the National Guard.

Also in attendance were the Kentucky State Police and Calloway County Fire and Rescue, who were instrumental in educating community members on different safety measures.

The Kentucky State Police demonstrated the consequences of not wearing a seat belt. Calloway County Fire and Rescue showcased a fire safety house, a mobile unit used to educate others on the importance of fire safety.

Murray Police Chief Jeff Liles said his favorite part of the event is seeing everyone in the community come together in one spot.

“It’s great to see the kids come out and enjoy themselves and see all the different agencies,” Liles said. “I just like to see everybody in the community come together and have a good time.”

Brock Kirk/The News