Coach Cal donning his Kentucky mask to protect himself and others while engaging in indoor activities. UK plays Morehead State Wednesday at 6 pm EST

UK fans are chewing at the bit waiting to see the Wildcats play their season opener Wednesday, November 25. The game, played at Rupp Arena in Lexington, will have all the expected hype along with some Covid-19 precautions. 

Fans are 'no strangers' to learning new names and numbers each year due to the extremely talented, high-quality UK players entering the NBA draft, and this year’s no different. And, say it isn't so...it could be even more difficult for two reasons;  there’s only one returning player, Keion Brooks with any significant playing time and the season has been shortened. 

Two freshman guards expected to ignite the floor are BJ Boston and Terrance Clarke. Boston has been hailed as a natural scorer and one of the top recruits this season.  247 Sports ranked Clarke as the No. 2 shooting guard in 2020. Both players have been compared to De-Aaron Fox and Malik Monk. If you appreciated this dynamic duo, UK fans could be in for a repeat performance. 

A transfer from Wake Forest, Olivier Sarr is said to be the ‘real deal.’ During his junior year, he averaged 13.7 points and 9 rebounds per game. He led the team in 11 double-doubles and 33 blocks. With his height, wingspan and Kentucky’s remaining tall, lean players, the team will surely annihilate the competition defensively in rebounds and blocks.  

Isaiah Jackson is one to check out this season. The thrill of watching Jackson make that incredible dunk during Big Blue Madness last weekend was inspiring. He has the athleticism and finesse of Michael Jordan, one of the greats.  Jackson managed to beat out Jacob Toppin and Lance Ware, two favorites in the competition. The insanely athletic bouncy dunk was one of the highlights of the evening. Jackson is just another layer of excitement expected to delight fans this season.  

Representatives from the K Fund and the UK Ticket Office have been working with season ticket holders on seating in Rupp for the past two weeks. The majority of the tickets have been sold as full-season packages for both men and women. Attendance at the events have been scaled back 15% which leaves general public ticket sales with zero expectations for seating anytime soon. If you wait until closer to game time, there may be tickets returned or released. 

Once inside the stadium, all fans are to wear face coverings unless they are actively eating or drinking. They should fit snug around the mouth and nose with multiple layers of fabric. You’ve got to sit in your assigned seats and practice social distancing. Everybody will have a temperature screening before entering the Arena. If you’re fever’s up...you won’t get in. It’s a small price to pay to get to see the Wildcats in person. 

If you’re watching from the comfort of your own home, you’ll find Wednesday’s and Sundays game time and channel. The listing is eastern standard time. Also, if you’re struggling with the names and numbers of our Kentucky team, here’s a cheat sheet. 

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This week’s schedule for UK Men’s Basketball

Wednesday, November 25 UK vs Morehead State University Lexington/Rupp Arena
TV: SEC Network  Radio: UK Sports Network 6 pm EST
Sunday, November 29 UK vs University of Richmond Lexington/Rupp Arena
TV: ESPN  Radio: UK Sports Network 1 pm EST 

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0   - Jacob Toppin - Sophomore - Forward - 6’9 - 194 lbs.
2   - Devin Askew - Freshman - Guard - 6’3 - 198 lbs.
3   - Brandon Boston Jr. - Freshman -  Guard - 6’7 - 185 lbs.
5   - Terrance Clarke - Freshman - Guard - 6’7 - 194 lbs. 
10 - Davion Mintz - Graduate Student - Guard - 6’3 - 196 lbs. 
11 - Dontaie Allen - Redshirt Freshman - Guard - 6’6 - 198 lbs.
12 - Keion Brooks Jr. - Sophomore - Forward - 6’7 - 205 lbs.
13 - Riley Welch - Senior - Guard - 6’0 - 185 lbs.
14 - Brennan Canada - Sophomore - Forward - 6’6 198 lbs.
20 - Zayne Payne - Redshirt Sophomore - Guard/Forward - 6’4 - 215 lbs.
21 - Cam'ron Fletcher - Freshman - Forward - 6’6 - 215 lbs.
23 - Isaiah Jackson - Freshman - Forward - 6’10 - 206 lbs.
25 - Kareem Watkins - Freshman - Guard - 5’8 - 145 lbs.
30 - Olivier Sarr - Senior - Forward - 7’0 - 237 lbs.
55 - Lance Ware - Freshman - Forward - 6’9 - 223 lbs. 

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McCracken County Judge Executive Craig Clymer releases statement regarding the rise in cases of COVID-19 in our community. 

The Purchase District Health Department has reported 91 new COVID-19 cases today in McCracken County. In a news release sent out by McCracken County Judge Executive Craig Clymer, he's asked the community to be vigilant and to not let our guard down. Clymer said he realizes that we'd all hoped the virus would be over by now, but it's not. It's here and we're seeing a 'strong and steady escalation in the number of COVID-19 cases in our county." 

There were 1,789 new positive cases and 17 deaths reported today in McCracken County. There are currently 609 active cases, including 28 hospitalizations, according to the PDHD. 

McCracken County remains in the red zone and reports 57.9 average of daily cases per 100 residents. Clymer is pleading with the community to act now. 

In Clymer's statement released today he said, "I ask each person to do your part. It is simple. Wear a mask, keep your distance, limit you contacts, and wash your hands. And encourage others to do so. The virus is an unseen peril. As we go about our lives we do not know where it is, who has it, or how close we may have come to being infected. But by following the simple guidelines, we can slow the growth, and know that we are doing what we can. 

When the virus began, we  were concerned that there would no be enough hospital beds in which to treat the survivors and not enough morgues to store the dead. It was surreal to stand in the cold of a huge industrial refrigerator and calculate how many bodies could be stored. I don't want to go there again." 

According to recent Facebook posts, a group of veterans that have been gathering at the Hardee's in Lone Oak, Kentucky for over a decade were asked to leave. The manager told the men to either remove the Trump flag from the property or disperse. The veterans refused because they were eating a Hardee's breakfast bought and paid for from the restaurant and the Trump flag was on their truck. The Sheriff was called and they left the property. 

After speaking to the general manager at Hardee's in Lone Oak she did say that indeed she asked the two men to either remove the Trump flag or they would have to leave the property. According to the GM, the men got upset, refused to leave, and said she should call the sheriff to make them move. And, she did. 

This will be the third general manager at the Hardee's location since January. The new GM said the other's left because they didn't want to deal with the situation anymore. She's referring to the group of men that gather in the parking lot outside  Hardee's each morning since in-person dining isn't an option. She continued to say that Hardee's has a policy that asks patrons to keep  political or offensive displays including signs, flags, and other similar forms of expression off the property. She was doing her job. 

Numerous complaints have been made by other customers regarding gatherings that take place at the Hardee's in Lone Oak and she's trying to be fair to everyone. The GM said she will continue to bring coffee to the gentlemen every morning and likes serving them. It's the large displays of flags and signs that cause a problem, regardless of political party. 

The dining room has been closed since the pandemic shuttered businesses but the men continued their tradition of buying and eating breakfast at the location every day for over 15 years, only now it's in the parking lot outside of Hardees in Lone Oak. The GM said sometimes the group will go to the Broadway Hardee's where there's still in-person dining.  

There are two Facebook posts below.  The first is from Tom Lowe, one of several veterans that meet everyday at the local Hardee's. The other is from a member of the McCracken County Republican Party. 

This Facebook post is by Tom Lowe, a 'regular' at Hardees in Lone Oak, Kentucky that's been eating breakfast there for over 15 years. 

This post is by a member of the McCracken County Republican Party asking the community to join her in protest Saturday morning on the public sidewalk in front of Hardee's at 8 am. 

Trump supporters are continuing their quest to win the presidency. I'm beginning to see 'a movement' in regards to new signage displayed in yards throughout communities. Trump flags, Trump signs, and American flags all in support of the President and his legal battles ahead.   Many of these patriotic symbols are popping up after the election. That's right, after Tuesday's general election.

What does this mean? That Trump will live to fight another day. There are world leaders that haven't reached out to Joe Biden still today. 

Russia, China, Brazil and Mexico have held back their congratulatory calls to former Vice President Joe Biden. President Trump has not conceded as to the results of the election or to Joe Biden. The president has accused Democrats of fraud, launching a legal fight to contest the results.

The Kremlin said today that it would be premature to recognize Biden at this point.  Beijing, like Russia, says it's taking a wait-and-see approach. "We noticed that Mr. Biden has declared election victory," Wang Wenbin said in a daily briefing in Beijing. "We understand that the U.S. presidential election result will be determined following U.S. law and procedures." So far, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has been in no hurry to congratulate Biden either.

Regarding voter fraud accusations. In Kentucky, voters had two choices, to ask for an absentee ballot or vote at the polls. According to a source, there were two counties in Georgia that sent out ballots to all voters, regardless of whether or not they were requested. Furthermore, ballots were received multiple times. This particular party, tore the ballots up and decided to vote in person. 

As the legal battles are pursued, as they should be, it's still a wait and see situation. President-elect Biden will continue assembling his transition team. President Trump will continue as President as his lawyers 'duke it out' in the courts. It's a time for patients and prayer. 

Mid-afternoon at the McCracken County Courthouse in Paducah, Kentucky  as early voting is set to end Monday evening. 

It's election day. Finally, the world, America, individual states, and local communities will have the results of an election year like no other, or so we think. Let's face facts, it's highly unlikely that we'll have the results of a president this evening. It would be ideal to have the answers tonight, however, it it doesn't happen, we'll know soon enough. 

According to McCracken County Clerk Julie Griggs, most of McCracken County's totals are expected to be released early evening. The clerks office said the early in-person voting and received mail-in ballot counts should be released shortly after the polls close today. In-person Election Day votes could be released to the community by 7:30 pm. Mail-in ballots that have already been received have been processed and are ready for release. 

Approximately 11,700 people in McCracken County took advantage of in-person early voting. The clerks office also has received 8,600 absentee mail in ballots with 800 still MIA bringing the total number of votes (early in-person and mail in ballots) counted to date to 20,300.  The remaining mail in ballots will be counted if received by end of day Friday. There have been 67 medical emergency ballots sent out. 

Voter turnout for the 2016 election in McCracken County was 31,307. An estimate  has been made based on early voter turnout to date and that estimate for the 2020 election will more than exceed 2016. 

Kentucky has never participated in early voting so there's no previous history by which to make accurate predictions. As in-person voting continue on Election Day Tuesday, November 3, the numbers will continue to add to the count.